Jan '12 It's Cold, Let's Go to Disney!!(NEW 3/27 EP, DHS, AK & Pouts) [Archive] - The DIS Discussion Forums

Marshay

01-07-2012, 10:31 PM

Post Trip Report begins on Page 10, #138. Table of Contents is in 2nd post.

Glad you could join! We are going to WDW Jan 19-29 and staying at Old Key West. This is our first time at this DVC and the first time to stay in January for more than 2 days.

Let me introduce my family:

http://i154.photobucket.com/albums/s250/memch/WDW%202011/26098080002.jpg

First there is DD6, she is my little artist and photographer. She is in 1st grade and loves school and Disney. She has been to WDW 7 times and her favorite ride is Splash Mountain. On our trip last year, she conquered Expedition Everest, Kali River Rapids and Primeval Whirl. She does not like Tower of Terror nor Space Mountain but I give her great credit for at least trying them!
http://i154.photobucket.com/albums/s250/memch/WDW%202011/Photo0522FourBySix.jpg

Next is DD2, she turns 3 in March and hence the reason for this trip in January -- to get one more "free" trip for her. She is my little athlete and fashionista. I will often find her wearing 3 skirts at one time and playing "soccer" in the house. Her favorite rides are The Magic Carpets of Aladdin and Triceratop Spin. She is now tall enough to ride Soarin', Test Track, Dinosaur, Kali, Mission Space green and Splash Mtn...we'll see what she wants to do.
http://i154.photobucket.com/albums/s250/memch/WDW%202011/IMG_3483.jpg

DH is in his upper, upper 40s;) and is the reason we own DVC since he suggested purchasing once we had DD6. He is a self-defined computer geek. He likes Disney but does not love it. His ideal vacation is sleeping in and hanging out -- obviously so not Disney but in general he is a good sport about a WDW vacation. DH loves wild rides like ToT, RnR, EE and Space Mountain.
http://i154.photobucket.com/albums/s250/memch/WDW%202011/DSCN0204.jpg

I am in my lower, lower 40s;) and am the Disney addict. I am a SAHM who loves to scrapbook and do other crafts but I also play competitive volleyball. My favorite thing to do is plan a Disney trip and then go on it! I love all the wild rides, too. Disney just fills me with a sense of joy, comforting familiarity and thrills.
http://i154.photobucket.com/albums/s250/memch/WDW%202011/Photo0399FourBySix.jpg

Marshay

01-07-2012, 10:32 PM

Table of Contents

PreTrip Report
Introduction, Post #1
Autotrain, Page 2, #30 (http://www.disboards.com/showthread.php?t=2856958&page=2)
Disney Days, Page 3, #31 (http://www.disboards.com/showthread.php?p=43683806&posted=1#post43683806)
Updates and Photos, Page 4, #53
Schedule Change, Page 6, #78

Post Trip Report
2/27: Autotrain, Page 10, #138
2/28: Check-in at OKW, Page 10 #148
3/6: DHS, Page 12, #170
3/20: Balloons and Dinosaurs, Page 13, #192 and Page 14, #196+
3/21: AK and EMH Dismeet, Page 15, #219+
3/22: Princesses, Page 16, #240
3/23: Fun MK Day, Page 17, #251
3/26 & 27: Epcot, DHS, AK and Pouts, Page 19 #273, #275, #277

Marshay

01-07-2012, 10:32 PM

Ok, so this trip was originally supposed to be the one where we took along some friends, but the first cancelled due to $$ and the second cancelled b/c they decided to go to disneyLAND instead. Then I invited my parents, but they didn't want to go in January.

Sooo, we are going by ourselves, staying at Old Key West since we haven't tried this one yet and saving the points we would have spent on the 2BR for a 3 night DREAM cruise to the Bahamas next year, January 2013.

Original plans included Sea World, then changed to Legoland, but after some horrible reviews, we switched back to Sea World, but with no great discounts for SW and a 2nd trip to WDW planned within 365 days, we decided to upgrade our tickets to Annual Passes.

We are not adding the dining plan due to $$$ and the ridiculous new dining policy to charge $10/pp for no-shows. Life with 2 young kids in unpredictable weather for January is too uncertain, so I won't risk having to pay $10/pp for nothing. (ok, stepping off soap box on that bomb).

kaoden39

01-07-2012, 11:03 PM

:dance3:I'm first!!:dance3:

kaoden39

01-07-2012, 11:06 PM

Marshay

01-07-2012, 11:08 PM

We have a few TS planned that are favorites:

Cinderella's Royal Table -- we ate here in May 2011 and just loved it -- from the delicious food to the atmosphere to the architecture, we felt like royalty!

Not the best pic but the only one we have showing the inside w/o a princess blocking the path!
http://i154.photobucket.com/albums/s250/memch/WDW%202011/DSCN0576.jpg

Despite DD2 not wanting her pic taken above, she really did enjoy this meal
http://i154.photobucket.com/albums/s250/memch/WDW%202011/IMG_3620.jpg

Garden View Tea Lounge -- Tea anyone? I took my mom and daughter to this for a belated Mother's Day last year. We had a great time. DD6 wanted to do again but asked if DD2 and Daddy could join. So we are all going.

http://i154.photobucket.com/albums/s250/memch/WDW%202011/IMG_3593.jpg

Marshay

01-07-2012, 11:09 PM

:dance3:I'm first!!:dance3:

Congrats!! You made it!!

Now I feel like I'm not just talking to myself -- thank you!:thumbsup2:thumbsup2

Marshay

01-07-2012, 11:12 PM

How fun to try a new resort. Too bad about your friends, I hope they hav e a good trip to Disneyland.

Yeah, they went this summer and had fun. Her family lives out there, so I can't blame her.

I was just disappointed b/c they said yes and that was exciting for me (and DD6). But I completely understand.

And if they didn't say no, we wouldn't be doing a cruise next year!

So it all works out.:goodvibes

kaoden39

01-07-2012, 11:20 PM

Yeah, they went this summer and had fun. Her family lives out there, so I can't blame her.

I was just disappointed b/c they said yes and that was exciting for me (and DD6). But I completely understand.

And if they didn't say no, we wouldn't be doing a cruise next year!

So it all works out.:goodvibes

Then I say its a win win for you.

I was hoping you were going to do the tea again. I know that you guys really enjoyed it.

Marshay

01-07-2012, 11:21 PM

and then some new restaurants

Hollywood and Vine -- we ate here for lunch but this time we are going for Breakfast. I actually :love::love:breakfast so am really looking forward to this. Also, Jake, from Jake and the Neverland Pirates and Special AGent Oso are at this meal and we haven't met either of them yet.

And it's just a very fun restaurant for young "Disney Junior" kids. They sing and dance to all the DJr songs. You pay for the atmosphere here too.

We are also doing this as a late breakfast (~10:30am) on a EMH-AM. My plan is to get up early, eat a little, go do the big rides and then have a TS breakfast that is also sort of like an early lunch.

Garden Grove -- I got one of those restaurant.com gift certificates for here to try, based on another friends' recommendation. She went 2x and loved the Seafood Night (other one was Italian) so much. Since she couldnt stop raving about it and we love seafood and it is still a character meal (w/o $10/pp no-show), we are going to give it a try. This is located at the Swolphin.

Olivia's -- I don't have an ADR for here but on DVC boards, this gets great reviews. This is located at Old Key West and I hope to walk up for a meal.

The rest of the meals will either be CS or we'll eat in our room. When we first got DVC we just did Breakfast in the room. Each trip we are eating more lunches and dinners in the room -- saves us money and is just more relaxing sometimes.

Next up -- Transportation and Our Disney Days!

Marshay

01-07-2012, 11:24 PM

Then I say its a win win for you.

I was hoping you were going to do the tea again. I know that you guys really enjoyed it.

Yep! And yes, you remember correctly!:thumbsup2 The tea just helps you step away from it all and relax. Plus it was good food!

Not sure if DH will like it but that's ok.

kaoden39

01-07-2012, 11:33 PM

I like the idea of eating a meal in the room. I think it helps you to relax from the frantic pace in the parks.

danimaroo

01-08-2012, 01:28 AM

okw19

01-08-2012, 08:07 AM

I'm here! We are arriving in WDW on the 20th but not checking into OKW until the 21st. Hope you guys love OKW! I have stayed there 15+ times and I love it so much. :)
Maybe we will run in to each other at the bus stop! If you see a brunette in her 20's wearing Disney clothes and looking like she's 16 that'll be me. :laughing: I'll be toting around my 2 year old, my fiance and about 5 other family members as well. :rotfl:

A cruise sounds amazing! I'd be kind of glad my friends cancelled if that was the outcome.
Tea at the GF sounds SO fun! Also, we love Olivia's!

betsywdw

01-08-2012, 08:48 AM

I love winter trips! We stayed at OKW in 2008 and really liked it. Are they finished with the refurb yet? The pics in the DVC magazine looked gorgeous! Can't wait to follow along! :goodvibes

Trentmom

01-08-2012, 01:49 PM

I am here :cool1:

Sorry your friends cancelled, but that is awesome about a cruise next year

My friend stayed at OKW a few months ago and loved it

Your adrs sounds great. That is nice DH and E going to tea with you and R.

pld5

01-08-2012, 01:59 PM

We'll be at Disney at the same time. We don't arrive until the 22nd and leave on the 28th and are staying at WL.

I look forward to reading your post trip report to see if any of our park days overlap.

Marshay

01-08-2012, 06:47 PM

I'm here, too... I've seen you post in the January thread but had no idea you were going the exact same dates as me! We technically leave the 18th but won't get in til the 19th (Seattle is a long flight!), and then fly back the 29th. We stayed at OKW during our honeymoon last January and I really loved it! My husband has stayed there many many times, but it was my first time and I loved the whole vibe of the resort as a whole. It was a very relaxing and comfy place to come back to after a long day at the parks. :thumbsup2

Yeah!! I hope we have overlapping days! I just joined your PTR and will go back and read it all. Love seeing pics of people we might see in the parks!

Where are you staying this trip? Glad you loved OKW!

I actually prefer hotel DVCs like BLT and BCV but when we stayed at SSR, it really surprised us so I'm thinking we will like OKW, too. If nothing else, the extra large room will be wonderful!

I'm here! We are arriving in WDW on the 20th but not checking into OKW until the 21st. Hope you guys love OKW! I have stayed there 15+ times and I love it so much. :)
Maybe we will run in to each other at the bus stop! If you see a brunette in her 20's wearing Disney clothes and looking like she's 16 that'll be me. :laughing: I'll be toting around my 2 year old, my fiance and about 5 other family members as well. :rotfl:

A cruise sounds amazing! I'd be kind of glad my friends cancelled if that was the outcome.
Tea at the GF sounds SO fun! Also, we love Olivia's!

I'll keep an eye out for you!!

Once we have our room number, I'll come back and post on here, just in case we are anywhere close by!

Yeah, we are psyched now about the cruise.

Anything Olivia's is known for?

I love winter trips! We stayed at OKW in 2008 and really liked it. Are they finished with the refurb yet? The pics in the DVC magazine looked gorgeous! Can't wait to follow along! :goodvibes

Hey what are you dates again? Do we overlap at all?

I didn't know you already stayed at OKW. Yes, I believe they are done with the refurbs only bc I heard some people complaining about the refurb since they didn't do the "nasty tiles" or something like that.

I am here :cool1:

Sorry your friends cancelled, but that is awesome about a cruise next year

My friend stayed at OKW a few months ago and loved it

Your adrs sounds great. That is nice DH and E going to tea with you and R.

I forget, did you guys get switched to SSR for one of the trips?

Glad your friends loved OKW, too!

Since we have our own vehicle with us, it won't be too bad if we are all spread out. That's my only complaint (pre-staying there).

We'll be at Disney at the same time. We don't arrive until the 22nd and leave on the 28th and are staying at WL.

I look forward to reading your post trip report to see if any of our park days overlap.

Welcome to DIS!! Looks like you are new here. Hope you find some great threads and friends. DIS is a great resource for Disney info, too!;)

We stayed at WL once and just loved it. It was a very relaxed vacation for us. WL just lends itself to relaxing. I remember having ducks sit outside on our deck everyday!

Hope to see you in WDW, too!

mousescrapper

01-08-2012, 07:28 PM

okw19

01-08-2012, 07:41 PM

I'll keep an eye out for you!!

Once we have our room number, I'll come back and post on here, just in case we are anywhere close by!

Yeah, we are psyched now about the cruise.

Anything Olivia's is known for?

I'll be looking for you guys! Definitely let me know your room number!

Olivia's is known for having great CMs! They have consistently been awesome for 15+ years. We have always enjoyed breakfast there, I know some people like their banana bread french toast, though I've never had it. I've only been for dinner a few times, but I remember liking it then too.

Marshay

01-08-2012, 07:42 PM

Hi Marsha

I'm here :goodvibes glad you started a PTR even though I won't be able to read the end since well already be down there getting the place warmed up for you all...still so sad we won't be able to meet up on this one :sad1:

Looking forward to reading your plans as I finalize getting ready...

J

Glad you joined! I'll keep this same PTR thread and have it grow up into a TR after our trip. So you'll know where to find us!

Believe me, I am also bummed that we are missing each other. Rachel is too and still talks about your Rachel and meeting up again. Your family made a good impression on us!

but as it works out, I'm glad we are going the later week this year, so we can use our AP to go the earlier (MLK) week next year for a few days before our Dream cruise. It works out such that if we decide we want to add just one more day AFTER the cruise, we can still use our AP until midnight that night!

Definitely keep everything warm for us!

That is my only fear for this trip -- the extreme cold weather. Our newspaper had a pic of the orange trees in FL with icicles hanging off of the tree -- like tons of them.

It actually looked gorgeous!

Marshay

01-08-2012, 07:46 PM

I'll be looking for you guys! Definitely let me know your room number!

Olivia's is known for having great CMs! They have consistently been awesome for 15+ years. We have always enjoyed breakfast there, I know some people like their banana bread french toast, though I've never had it. I've only been for dinner a few times, but I remember liking it then too.

Cool! did you request near HH or not? I wasn't sure so I requested near HH.

OKW is just so large that I don't know what area would be good for us. I will let it up to the OKW CM to pick, I guess.

Luckily we'll have our car, we aren't buying refillable mugs and I really don't envision us swimming that much, so it may not make much difference where we are.

Hmm, I love breakfast!! But except for H&V breakfast, we are just going to eat all breakfasts in our room to save time. We are really trying to hit EMH or RD almost every day.

Right now our girls get up around 6am, so if we can keep that schedule, we should be able to make RD.

Colleen27

01-08-2012, 07:49 PM

Leger13

01-08-2012, 07:51 PM

I'm here!! :wave2:

kaoden39

01-08-2012, 07:55 PM

Marsha, I posted a link to the poem on my trip report.

Marshay

01-08-2012, 08:05 PM

I'm here!

OKW looks fabulous, it is definitely on my list to try one of these days. And I'm right there with you in hoping for good weather. I'm stalking the Accuweather 15 day forecast even though I know they may as well be throwing darts blindfolded to put it together that far out. :rotfl:

me, too! I'm spending waaaaay too much time checking accuweather (and tomorrow I can start checking The Weather Channel's 10 day forecast!!)

I'm here!! :wave2:

Thanks for joining!!

Marsha, I posted a link to the poem on my trip report.

Will go find it -- thanks!

okw19

01-09-2012, 07:22 AM

Cool! did you request near HH or not? I wasn't sure so I requested near HH.

OKW is just so large that I don't know what area would be good for us. I will let it up to the OKW CM to pick, I guess.

Luckily we'll have our car, we aren't buying refillable mugs and I really don't envision us swimming that much, so it may not make much difference where we are.

Hmm, I love breakfast!! But except for H&V breakfast, we are just going to eat all breakfasts in our room to save time. We are really trying to hit EMH or RD almost every day.

Right now our girls get up around 6am, so if we can keep that schedule, we should be able to make RD.

No, our only request was a first level room because I didn't want to deal with the stairs and a stroller. During check in I might ask if they have anything close to HH area. We have stayed all over the resort and have never had a problem with the bus stops. Also, the bus stops at HH last, so you can always hop on a bus at your stop and ride to HH if you're far away. We've never had to drive the car to HH.

I love breakfast too, but we only booked one (at Kona) because I hate wasting mornings too! DD has been waking up at 6:15 instead of her normal 7:30 the past week so if she keeps that up we will be golden for getting to RD. :)

WDWCP96

01-09-2012, 12:20 PM

Hi Marsha!

I was hoping you would do a PTR/TR after you told me last month you were going which by the way it was great to meet you!

We stayed at OKW in June for one night and really liked it. I was hoping to try out Olivia's but we opted to eat in the park instead. The pool was nice though.

I want to do the tea when my DD gets older and Garden Grove sounds fun. I will have to check that out.

Shameless plug: I started a PTR for our November trip, the link is below.

Marshay

01-09-2012, 06:27 PM

No, our only request was a first level room because I didn't want to deal with the stairs and a stroller. During check in I might ask if they have anything close to HH area. We have stayed all over the resort and have never had a problem with the bus stops. Also, the bus stops at HH last, so you can always hop on a bus at your stop and ride to HH if you're far away. We've never had to drive the car to HH.

I love breakfast too, but we only booked one (at Kona) because I hate wasting mornings too! DD has been waking up at 6:15 instead of her normal 7:30 the past week so if she keeps that up we will be golden for getting to RD. :)

Yep, we requested first floor or near elevator b/c of the stroller thing too. So if we don't get 1st floor, I'm hoping we'll at least get one of the buildings with an elevator (I heard they don't have many but thought wth, might as well ask!)

Hi Marsha!

I was hoping you would do a PTR/TR after you told me last month you were going which by the way it was great to meet you!

We stayed at OKW in June for one night and really liked it. I was hoping to try out Olivia's but we opted to eat in the park instead. The pool was nice though.

I want to do the tea when my DD gets older and Garden Grove sounds fun. I will have to check that out.

Shameless plug: I started a PTR for our November trip, the link is below.

Yeah! Glad you joined in! And nice to see you last month!

FYI -- there is a Nova DISMeet on Saturday, Jan 14th at Tysons Corner mall at 1pm, if you are interested. I plan to go...will be my first local one.

yeah, the tea is really neat!

I love going to WDW in November -- may try to sneak in another trip as I told you since we have AP ... DH doesn't know that yet!:rotfl2::rotfl:

Marshay

01-09-2012, 06:56 PM

PTR - Part 2: Transportation and Disney Days

Amtrak Autotrain
http://i154.photobucket.com/albums/s250/memch/WDW%20-%202010/JPEG085.jpg

Once upon a time, DH and I would fly to Disney. Our first DD came along and we continued to fly. Then our second DD joined us and we looked at the costs for flying, hotel on the way down and back and renting a vehicle and decided to try driving instead. Then we decided we weren't long-distance driving people and tried taking the Autotrain back (drive down, train back). First we just did Coach which was ok but not the greatest. Then we tried a Family Room and were completely hooked.
http://i154.photobucket.com/albums/s250/memch/WDW%20-%202010/JPEG041.jpg

Here is DD6 climbing up the ladder to her bed.
http://i154.photobucket.com/albums/s250/memch/WDW%202011/IMG_3408.jpg

Well, we loved the train so much that now we take the train both ways! For us, it is not that much more expensive and can actually be cheaper than flying or driving, depending if you include wear & tear on your vehicle when you drive down or not, food and hotel costs.

We enjoy having our own vehicle and being able to pack whatever our SUV can carry! This is esp true for traveling in January where we'll need everything from swimsuits to hats/gloves/scarves!

It also helps make the trip home soooo much more bearable as it is a ride in itself and extends our vacation.

If you have any specific questions re: the Autotrain, let me know!

Marshay

01-09-2012, 07:13 PM

Disney Days

Ok, so now you know my family, where we're staying & eating and how we get to Disney.

Here is the fun planning part!:goodvibes

Jan 19 - Autotrain departs Lorton, VA around 4pm and arrives in FL on

Jan 20 - around 9am. We will wait for our SUV and then go to Wal-mart for a few groceries/perishables. I will also check out the Disney section at Wal-mart. Last year I found some neat pink princess ponchos for the girls and so glad I bought them at the cheaper price. Got 2 of them for around the price of one at Disney, if I recall!

I'll pick up a few "pixie dust" surprises for the mornings. While I shop, DH will take the girls through a fast food drive-through for some lunch. Then to OKW to check in.

We have some options here but mostly involve picking up our AP and TiW card and going to Garden Grove to eat over at the Swan.

I'm envisioning an early night but not ruling out Illuminations yet.;)

Jan 21 - DHS has EMH-AM so we want to do that to ensure we get to TSMM, RnR, ToT and ST2, or at least pick up fastpasses for later. Another priority is the Animation Class and Disney Jr. We have H&V character breakfast at 9:35am. So the plan is to get up early and be at DHS about 20 minutes prior to RD (but honestly I'll be happy if we get there by 8am). Send DH to ride ToT and RnR while I take the girls through bag check and then head over to TSMM. If the line is just atrocious, then go to ST2, and then come back and either ride of p/u FPs. Then DH and I switch.

Ideally, he and I both get to ride ToT and RnR, we both get on TSMM and ST2 before our breakfast. At a minimum, I'm hoping we get FP to ride a few of these either 1st time or 2nd time after breakfast.

Leave the park shortly after 11am and go back and rest a bit. That afternoon, we'll head over to AK and hope to ride Kali River Rapids before it closes for refurbs if it is warm enough.

Close out AK since it's open until 7pm. Priority for AK is Kali, Parade, Finding Nemo show and EE.

Marshay

01-09-2012, 07:27 PM

Jan 22 - This is our Epcot day. No ADRs since we like to eat at Seasons. Not sure if we'll make RD + take afternoon break with Illuminations or just go a bit later and stay until 6pm or so.

Priorities are Test Track and Soarin and Mission Space Green, esp as DD2 can ride these for the first time!

Oh, and our traditional family photo in front of the Imagination fountain. Here are some from our past trips:

2007
http://i154.photobucket.com/albums/s250/memch/WDW%20Sept%202007/DSC_0394.jpg

2008
http://i154.photobucket.com/albums/s250/memch/WDW%20May%202008/DSC_3368.jpg

2009
http://i154.photobucket.com/albums/s250/memch/WDW%20Nov%202009/DSC_8014.jpg

2010
http://i154.photobucket.com/albums/s250/memch/WDW%20-%202010/DSC_0245.jpg

2011
http://i154.photobucket.com/albums/s250/memch/WDW%202011/DSCN0179.jpg

pld5

01-09-2012, 07:42 PM

Welcome to DIS!! Looks like you are new here. Hope you find some great threads and friends. DIS is a great resource for Disney info, too!;)

We stayed at WL once and just loved it. It was a very relaxed vacation for us. WL just lends itself to relaxing. I remember having ducks sit outside on our deck everyday!

Hope to see you in WDW, too!

Yes, I am relatively new here. Been lurking since May, booked my trip in July, started dabbling in posting shortly thereafter and this weekend decided to try a PTR so that I would stop bothering my family!

I'm hoping for relaxed and magical while we are there.

I love the pictures of your family at the same location over the years!

Marshay

01-09-2012, 07:50 PM

Jan 23 - Go to AK with EMH-AM.

Now if we stayed for Illuminations the night before, we may switch this to an Epcot or DHS day instead. Or go to DTD in the morning and then go to AK in the afternoon.

Current plan is to stay at AK until 12:15pm or so, go back to the room to rest and then head to DTD. Hoping to do "Characters in Flight" balloon ride for our first time.
(This is not my photo but was taken by orangevacations)
http://orangevacations.com/files/imagecache/400w/blogs/Downtown-Disney-Balloon.jpg

Marshay

01-09-2012, 07:59 PM

Jan 24 - This is our big MK day. Highlights are Snow Ride if it's still open one final time, Magic Carpets ride for DD2, Splash Mtn if it's warm out for both girls (DD2's first time), Cinderella's Royal Table and haircuts at barber shop.

Jan 25 - DTD shopping and T-rex for lunch. Then to DHS for parade, Lights, ACtion Motor show, Beauty and the Beast and Honey I shrunk playground.

Jan 26 - Another day at AK. This is our new favorite park, so we'll go here again and try to go on the Wildlife Express and It's Tough to Be a Bug show.

Then GF tea in the later afternoon followed by MK for fireworks and a few rides if lines aren't too long (HM, Country Bears, Peoplemover, Buzz)

Jan 27 - open day. I have another H&V ressie (this one was made prior to the new dining policy so I didn't want to cancel it yet). If we loved H&V earlier, we'll do it again. If not, I'll cancel it. Also, depends on what park we are going to. I'm suggesting DHS in the AM and then not sure of the evening. Maybe Epcot for Illuminations if we haven't seen it yet or Characters in Flight at DTD if we didn't get on earlier.

Marshay

01-09-2012, 08:01 PM

Jan 28 pack up, go to DTD for final shopping and head to Sanford, FL for the train.

Jan 29 - arrive Lorton, VA around 9am. Go home and cry.

Ok, Go home and start planning that secret November trip.;)

Ok, ok, seriously, I'll go home and unpack, go through mail, etc.

This trip we are only going to MK 1.5 times. We figure our next trip will be focused almost exclusively on the new Fantasyland at MK, so this trip we really wanted to explore the other parks, particularly DHS and AK.

Marshay

01-09-2012, 08:03 PM

Yes, I am relatively new here. Been lurking since May, booked my trip in July, started dabbling in posting shortly thereafter and this weekend decided to try a PTR so that I would stop bothering my family!

I'm hoping for relaxed and magical while we are there.

I love the pictures of your family at the same location over the years!

Hey, already dove into the world of PTRs!!! Good for you! It's a great way to get ideas, rehash your own trip, meet disfriends, etc.

I just posted in your PTR...will go back and read either later tonight or tomorrow.

lovebuzzandwoody

01-09-2012, 08:32 PM

Getting in on the front end of this one! Plans look like great fun, as always! :goodvibes

Marshay

01-09-2012, 08:40 PM

Getting in on the front end of this one! Plans look like great fun, as always! :goodvibes

Thanks! This is the first trip we have a plan to go into the parks EVERY day!! Normally, I give us 1 or 2 rest days.

We'll see how it goes.

For me, I think it's quite relaxed...only 3 early days (8am and 9am entry) and only 1 planned late night (past 9pm).

WDWCP96

01-09-2012, 08:44 PM

Marshay

01-09-2012, 09:18 PM

I am jealous that you are taking the auto train. I would love to do it again and I know DS2 would love it. Maybe I will price it:rotfl2:

Your plans look great. Can't wait to hear about the Characters in Flight. I haven't heard of anyone doing it but I am really curious.

For us, the Autotrain just works out. You have to get in on the Family bedrooms at exactly 11 months prior to get the good prices, though.

Or travel in coach.

We'll do coach again once we outgrow the family bedroom.

Yeah, I only saw one person who did CiF and their photos were cool. I think this is something we wouldn't do again...prob just a one-time thing, but I know the girls will love it!

And who knows? Maybe we'll try a hot air balloon ride next!

princessmorgan

01-09-2012, 09:31 PM

Trentmom

01-09-2012, 10:59 PM

Your plans look great

Not too much, Not too little

Yes, we got upgraded to SSR 2 years ago after our Hellish stay at Pop

Loved it...Didn't even want to go to the parks...:laughing:

Marshay

01-09-2012, 11:06 PM

Joining in! Maybe we'll see you at DHS on the 21st! We're planning on doing EMH. Realistically I'm not sure we can make it by 8 a.m. I hope so though, because I hear the TSM rush isn't as bad for EMH.

I am really praying for good weather! We went last year at the end of January and it was not super awful, but it was colder than I would have liked. DD and I got the flu, so I said never again in January and here we are again going in January :rotfl:

Welcome!! Ooh, I hope we do see each other! If you see me and I don't see you, please, please say hello!!

Yeah, I refuse to do the TSMM mad dash at regular park opening, so I'm hoping that by going during EMH-AM, it'll be a little more manageable. Even if we don't make 8am, we can definitely make 8:30am and still beat the rush.

Also, since this is our first full day at Disney and prob first day in the park, I figure we'll be all excited and it'll be easier to get up early.

Your plans look great

Not too much, Not too little

Yes, we got upgraded to SSR 2 years ago after our Hellish stay at Pop

Loved it...Didn't even want to go to the parks...:laughing:

Thanks! Even though we are going in a park every day, I'm cutting back on the number of rides/shows.

As you recall in May, I really tried a laid back approach and was good for like 6 days!! It was fun and did make the entire trip feel like it was longer.

So that' my compromise -- go every day, but relax more while in the park. once again, we'll see if it works!

Yeah, I couldn't remember if it was OKW or SSR but figured if it was OKW, you would have been telling me about the rooms/resort.:goodvibes

okw19

01-10-2012, 07:34 AM

All of your plans look great! I think we will be in AK Saturday and Epcot on Sunday too!
I love your family fountain pics! Too cute. :goodvibes:
The Autotrain sounds like fun too.

Marshay

01-10-2012, 09:24 AM

All of your plans look great! I think we will be in AK Saturday and Epcot on Sunday too!
I love your family fountain pics! Too cute. :goodvibes:
The Autotrain sounds like fun too.

Oh, that would be great to see you guys! Can you post or PM a pic so I know what you look like?

PS My daughter is Rachel, too!:thumbsup2

okw19

01-11-2012, 09:27 AM

Oh, that would be great to see you guys! Can you post or PM a pic so I know what you look like?

PS My daughter is Rachel, too!:thumbsup2

Will PM you! I'm glad we share the name :) I've found out many spell it Rachael not the way I do.

Marshay

01-11-2012, 10:22 AM

Will PM you! I'm glad we share the name :) I've found out many spell it Rachael not the way I do.

Thanks for sending! You and your daughter are beautiful!!

okw19

01-11-2012, 02:25 PM

Thanks for sending! You and your daughter are beautiful!!

Thank you! :) I hope I can figure out how to get her to smile in pics instead of making those silly faces like in the one I sent you. I don't want goofy faces in all of our Disney pictures :laughing:

Marshay

01-11-2012, 03:20 PM

Thank you! :) I hope I can figure out how to get her to smile in pics instead of making those silly faces like in the one I sent you. I don't want goofy faces in all of our Disney pictures :laughing:

My youngest does that a lot, too. See below!

But you know what -- it's very endearing too. You'll look back and just laugh and remember how funny it was (even if it is a bit frustrating now)

http://i154.photobucket.com/albums/s250/memch/2011%20Emch%20Family/ElieandQuoodles.jpg

That is a photo of DD2 with our pet Sugar Bear Quoodles on her head. The other sugar bear (not pictured) is Toodles. Extra points for those of you who can identify the names!:goodvibes

okw19

01-11-2012, 03:45 PM

SO cute! :goodvibes: Toodles and Quoodles from Mickey Mouse Playhouse? I think that's the space one?

I've always wanted a sugar glider. Is a sugar bear just another name for one?

Marshay

01-11-2012, 06:34 PM

SO cute! :goodvibes: Toodles and Quoodles from Mickey Mouse Playhouse? I think that's the space one?

I've always wanted a sugar glider. Is a sugar bear just another name for one?

Yep, also known as suger bears or honey bears or pocket pets.

They are really cute and extremely playful.

And yes, Mickey Mouse Clubhouse Space Adventure!:thumbsup2

Marshay

01-13-2012, 12:05 PM

Marshay

01-13-2012, 12:14 PM

Not sure if I mentioned it here or not but we always have a "theme color" for our WDW trips (can start to see it a bit on our Traditional Imagination Fountain Photo pics I posted earlier).

Anyway, this trip's colors are dark purple, light purple and brown, with a bit of green in there too, plus blue Cinderella dresses for the girls.

Here are some pics of some of the clothes:

Gymboree Cowgirls at Heart Collection
http://www.gymbohaven.com/cowgirlsatheart2010_files/image029.jpg http://www.gymbohaven.com/cowgirlsatheart2010_files/image028.jpghttp://www.gymbohaven.com/cowgirlsatheart2010_files/image056.jpghttp://www.gymbohaven.com/cowgirlsatheart2010_files/image051.jpg

and then DD2 is going to be "pixie dusted" with this cute Ariel tutu skirt, matched with purple leggings and a purple top.
http://cdn.s7.disneystore.com/is/image/DisneyShopping/7507002522038?$mercdetail$

While DD6 gets Jasmine version of the same skirt with purple leggings and a purple top.
http://thumbs4.ebaystatic.com/m/mAGcWv8niim1kP15lhffMww/140.jpg

If you recall from our May trip, I fell in love with these skirts. Here is DD6 who got Minnie Mouse tutu:
http://i154.photobucket.com/albums/s250/memch/WDW%202011/Photo0296FourBySix.jpg

http://i154.photobucket.com/albums/s250/memch/WDW%202011/IMG_3572.jpg

and DD2 got Belle for our last trip:

http://i154.photobucket.com/albums/s250/memch/WDW%202011/IMG_3546.jpg

you can see a bit more of the shirt in this photo
http://i154.photobucket.com/albums/s250/memch/WDW%202011/IMG_3537.jpg

Unfortunately, they wont' have matching shirts for this go around. I couldn't find Jasmine or Ariel shirts that matched in the right sizes/styles. However, I'm hoping to do a dismeet tomorrow at a Disney store and will definitely check to see if they have anything that might match now!

if not, we can look in World of Disney -- they have everything there!!

kaoden39

01-13-2012, 12:18 PM

Marshay

01-13-2012, 12:28 PM

I love the online check in. They don't have that for DLR or at least they didn't last February.

What is Sorcerers of the MK?

I won't pre-buy the photo pass because it is iffy of whether they will be around to take the photos.

Love the new clothes for the girls. How cute!

We've had good luck with photopass pics in the past, as you can see from a lot of the photos I post on my TR. I only do when we are staying for a week or more...otherwise it's too hard to get your money's worth.

Sorcerers of the Magic Kingdom:

Walt Disney World has moved into testing its soon-to-debut Sorcerers of the Magic Kingdom. Beginning this week, Disney guests visiting the theme park are able to play-test the interactive game. Sorcerers is available at unannounced dates and times during this beta phase, and the game was open most recently on Jan. 12.

In Sorcerers of the Magic Kingdom, Merlin the Magician from “The Sword and the Stone” recruits guests to save the theme park from evil plans of various Disney villains. Using a special map, guests locate “Mystic Portals” around the park. During each challenge, guests will attempt to defeat the Disney villains using spell cards representing the powers of various Disney heroes.

Sorcerers is free with theme-park admission, and is one of the forms of hands-on entertainment in Magic Kingdom.

Marshay

01-13-2012, 12:30 PM

The above info on Sorcerers was from the disney traveler examiner.

It looks like a cool game -- something new to do in the parks and it's free!:goodvibes

Marshay

01-13-2012, 12:32 PM

Here is a photo blog of Sorcerers, too.

It also shows has MK is becoming the new 'TARP CITY" -- :scared1:

http://wdwnewstoday.com/archives/8517

kaoden39

01-13-2012, 12:35 PM

Oh that sounds fun. Kind of like the game I heard about at Epcot. I wish they had that kind of thing at Disneyland. They did at one point but they no longer do.

kaoden39

01-13-2012, 12:46 PM

That looks like it might be fun.

The draped walls that have the building designs are actually kind of cute. The plain bland ones are boring.

Marshay

01-13-2012, 02:24 PM

Oh that sounds fun. Kind of like the game I heard about at Epcot. I wish they had that kind of thing at Disneyland. They did at one point but they no longer do.

yeah, the kim Possible game. I never did that one either.

That looks like it might be fun.

The draped walls that have the building designs are actually kind of cute. The plain bland ones are boring.

Yeah, if they have to do construction, the pretty scrims are cute...it's just that there is soooooo many of them at one time...

okw19

01-13-2012, 02:50 PM

kittylady1972

01-13-2012, 03:18 PM

:goodvibes Yippee! Just stumbled across your PTR...which I'm sure will be followed very soon by a PTR since you are so close to your trip! How exciting! :)

Plus as we are still considering some Autotrain plans for our trip NEXT November as well, I can't wait to hear more about that. We are considering trying a family bedroom...possibly. That may change though...since it's still pretty expensive for our trip. I'll see what DH says about it when I talk to him later today! ;)

We haven't stayed at OKW in a while but it was a nice place. I'm sure you'll enjoy it.

Love the plans so far!!! :thumbsup2

Trentmom

01-13-2012, 03:38 PM

A few updates ...

- did on-line check-in

- bought photopass CD (wasn't going to but talked to DH and he said right away, just buy it!)

- found out Sorcerers of the MK is tested on Sunday, Tuesday and Thursdays. So I asked DH and DD6 if this is something they'd like to do -- even if it means not going on as many rides or seeing shows/characters and they both want to.

Yay!! I really wanted to do this too. So our new plan is to stop by City Hall and find out whether they need testers and what time and where.

- bought a pair of sneakers and am breaking them in. I got a black pair of sneakers which I've never had before. But I'm thinking they will go a lot better with my leggins/black jeans than my white ones.

We never get the cd, as we rarely stop for pics

But I know you guys do, so definitely worth it :thumbsup2

Here is a photo blog of Sorcerers, too.

It also shows has MK is becoming the new 'TARP CITY" -- :scared1:

http://wdwnewstoday.com/archives/8517

That game looks so cool, cooler than Kim Possible

WOW..so much is covered up. You have got to take a lot of pics while you are there, so we can see Tarp City:laughing:

Marshay

01-13-2012, 07:12 PM

That's so cool that they're testing Sorcerers. Too bad our MK days will be all 7 of us so I probably won't get to check it out. Hope you guys get to!

I love the outfits you have picked out for the girls! Too cute. Those tutus are awesome as well. I might have to find one for DD.

thanks! We like the skirts b/c it still lets them dress up in costumes but it's not as cumbersome as the dresses, not itchy in the back/shoulders and also less expensive. Also, they get more use out of the skirts than the full costumes.

I will definitely report back in my TR on the SotMK game!

:goodvibes Yippee! Just stumbled across your PTR...which I'm sure will be followed very soon by a PTR since you are so close to your trip! How exciting! :)

Plus as we are still considering some Autotrain plans for our trip NEXT November as well, I can't wait to hear more about that. We are considering trying a family bedroom...possibly. That may change though...since it's still pretty expensive for our trip. I'll see what DH says about it when I talk to him later today! ;)

We haven't stayed at OKW in a while but it was a nice place. I'm sure you'll enjoy it.

Love the plans so far!!! :thumbsup2

Welcome!! Well, we just love the train and are definitely biased toward it. We approached it the first time as an "experiment". If we didn't like it, we wouldn't do it again and it was a lesson learned.

But of course, you know, we loved it and it totally opened a new vacation style for us.

I could see taking a train vacation to other places sometime...

We never get the cd, as we rarely stop for pics

But I know you guys do, so definitely worth it :thumbsup2

That game looks so cool, cooler than Kim Possible

WOW..so much is covered up. You have got to take a lot of pics while you are there, so we can see Tarp City:laughing:

Yeah, the cd only works if you take the time to get the photos ... and then I always put them in a photobook as well as scrapbook them. So it's great for us.

Game will be cool. I'll post pics.

Oh, yes, we'll do the Tarp City pics ... maybe we'll all break out the ponchos and stand in front of the tarps!!:rotfl2:

Marshay

01-13-2012, 07:15 PM

Took the SUV to the car wash today to get detailed inside and cleaned outside. No more Elizabeth throw-up in the truck!!:yay:

It looks and smells so nice and clean!! This way we will at least START out with a nicely cleaned vehicle ... even if we don't end that way.;)

kaoden39

01-13-2012, 07:24 PM

I love the way the van smells after I get it detailed in the inside.

pld5

01-13-2012, 08:24 PM

A few updates ...

- did on-line check-in

- bought photopass CD (wasn't going to but talked to DH and he said right away, just buy it!)

- found out Sorcerers of the MK is tested on Sunday, Tuesday and Thursdays. So I asked DH and DD6 if this is something they'd like to do -- even if it means not going on as many rides or seeing shows/characters and they both want to.

Yay!! I really wanted to do this too. So our new plan is to stop by City Hall and find out whether they need testers and what time and where.

- bought a pair of sneakers and am breaking them in. I got a black pair of sneakers which I've never had before. But I'm thinking they will go a lot better with my leggins/black jeans than my white ones.

Wherever did you get the reminder to do online checkin and preorder the photopass cd? ;)

It looks like some of our MK days, and possibly our Epcot day(evening) may overlap. I will definitely be looking for you. And will show my DS the pics of your adorable daughters. He will be on the lookout for them! :goodvibes

I am so intrigued by the Sorcerers of the MK!

BTW thank you for the anniversary wishes for my parents!

Marshay

01-13-2012, 08:30 PM

I love the way the van smells after I get it detailed in the inside.

Yep and everything is so shiny!! If only it could stay that way:rotfl2:

Wherever did you get the reminder to do online checkin and preorder the photopass cd? ;)

It looks like some of our MK days, and possibly our Epcot day(evening) may overlap. I will definitely be looking for you. And will show my DS the pics of your adorable daughters. He will be on the lookout for them! :goodvibes

I am so intrigued by the Sorcerers of the MK!

BTW thank you for the anniversary wishes for my parents!

Yep, thanks for the reminders!! I had it on my to-do list but just was procrastinating ... actually not, I was busy paying bills, writing up our Girl Scout agenda (since I actually scheduled a meeting the night before we leave --:eek:)

Cool! I definitely hope to meet you!

Are you going to try to do SotMK? I bet your son would like it!

pld5

01-13-2012, 08:46 PM

Cool! I definitely hope to meet you!

Are you going to try to do SotMK? I bet your son would like it!

We hope to meet you, too! Even my mom was intrigued when I mentioned someone was asking about the secret to their staying married for 50 years!

I think my son would really enjoy SotMK. If not him, my dad and DH would! :lmao:

If you need more cookie orders, just let us know. My nieces and coworkers daughters are now too old for girl scouts. :sad1:

Trentmom

01-13-2012, 09:45 PM

Marshay

01-14-2012, 07:35 AM

We hope to meet you, too! Even my mom was intrigued when I mentioned someone was asking about the secret to their staying married for 50 years!

I think my son would really enjoy SotMK. If not him, my dad and DH would! :lmao:

If you need more cookie orders, just let us know. My nieces and coworkers daughters are now too old for girl scouts. :sad1:

I'll send you a PM with my info so maybe we can meet up!

Yeah, SotMK just will offer a nice alternative fun.

Well, it's very rare now adays to find people married that long! I hope God blesses us with a nice long marriage, too, but getting advice from others -- whether humorous or serious helps!

oh, my daughter would love to sell you some! I'll send a separate PM on that!

Nice...Love clean car smell :thumbsup2

yep!

Marshay

01-14-2012, 07:38 AM

pld5

01-14-2012, 08:30 AM

Trentmom

01-14-2012, 12:04 PM

kaoden39

01-14-2012, 12:30 PM

Oh Marsha I hope you feel better soon!! Take it easy this weekend.

Marshay

01-14-2012, 10:38 PM

Oh Marsha I hope you feel better soon!! Take it easy this weekend.

Thanks! My cold is no worse :cool1: but no better either!:mad:

Marshay

01-14-2012, 10:43 PM

Years ago I met one of my Verizon co-workers and found out that his family loves Disney, too. In fact they go a lot, as they live in Tampa, FL.

So each time we go to WDW, I'll send a quick message to let them know we are "in town".

Well, as it turns out they are coming over to Disney on 1/25 so I just rearranged our plans a bit. It's always nice to meet up with them!

And I was able to get a new ADR for T-Rex next Sunday!

New Schedule
==========
Sunday 1/21 is now DTD/T-Rex Lunch followed by Epcot in the evening.
Monday 1/23 changed to DHS in the evening
Wednesday 1/25 is now an Epcot day

kaoden39

01-14-2012, 10:52 PM

Thanks! My cold is no worse :cool1: but no better either!:mad:

Well at least it's not worse.

Years ago I met one of my Verizon co-workers and found out that his family loves Disney, too. In fact they go a lot, as they live in Tampa, FL.

So each time we go to WDW, I'll send a quick message to let them know we are "in town".

Well, as it turns out they are coming over to Disney on 1/25 so I just rearranged our plans a bit. It's always nice to meet up with them!

And I was able to get a new ADR for T-Rex next Sunday!

New Schedule
==========
Sunday 1/21 is now DTD/T-Rex Lunch followed by Epcot in the evening.
Monday 1/23 changed to DHS in the evening
Wednesday 1/25 is now an Epcot day

Oh that's nice!!

okw19

01-15-2012, 08:11 AM

Thanks! My cold is no worse :cool1: but no better either!:mad:
Hope it gets better soon!
Years ago I met one of my Verizon co-workers and found out that his family loves Disney, too. In fact they go a lot, as they live in Tampa, FL.

So each time we go to WDW, I'll send a quick message to let them know we are "in town".

Well, as it turns out they are coming over to Disney on 1/25 so I just rearranged our plans a bit. It's always nice to meet up with them!

And I was able to get a new ADR for T-Rex next Sunday!

New Schedule
==========
Sunday 1/21 is now DTD/T-Rex Lunch followed by Epcot in the evening.
Monday 1/23 changed to DHS in the evening
Wednesday 1/25 is now an Epcot day
That'll be fun! Have you been to TRex before?

pld5

01-15-2012, 08:51 AM

New Schedule
==========
Sunday 1/21 is now DTD/T-Rex Lunch followed by Epcot in the evening.
Monday 1/23 changed to DHS in the evening
Wednesday 1/25 is now an Epcot day

Oh, I've been thinking of changing our plans to DHS in the evening on 1/23 because of the EMH until 10. Wonder if the EMH will increase our chances of getting to ride TSM?

Thats nice you get to see your friend and at Epcot, too!

Trentmom

01-15-2012, 11:53 AM

oh how cool. That will be nice to see your friend :goodvibes

Marshay

01-15-2012, 11:56 AM

Well at least it's not worse.

Oh that's nice!!

This morning DH didn't feel good. We're all going to take a nap in a little bit...

this always happens before a trip...guess all the running around trying to get ready for it wears you down...

Hope it gets better soon!

That'll be fun! Have you been to TRex before?

Nope, we haven't eaten there. Last trip we stopped by to see the gift shop and DD6 of course wanted to make a dino!

Oh, I've been thinking of changing our plans to DHS in the evening on 1/23 because of the EMH until 10. Wonder if the EMH will increase our chances of getting to ride TSM?

Thats nice you get to see your friend and at Epcot, too!

I'm not sure how long we will last on 1/23, but I also heard there is a neat little dance party at Disney Jr. Stage with characters on EMH night.

So this will be fun for the girls (if they are still awake).

maybe we'll see you there then!!

Marshay

01-15-2012, 11:57 AM

oh how cool. That will be nice to see your friend :goodvibes

yeah and I'm hoping they will watch the girls so Jerry and I can go on Mission Space Orange side!!:thumbsup2

pld5

01-15-2012, 02:05 PM

I'm not sure how long we will last on 1/23, but I also heard there is a neat little dance party at Disney Jr. Stage with characters on EMH night.

So this will be fun for the girls (if they are still awake).

maybe we'll see you there then!!

You find out the best information! And are willing to share, too! :worship: DS would love a dance party if he is still awake, too. That would be so much better to see the characters (for the rest of us) than H&V for lunch, I think.

Marshay

01-15-2012, 03:23 PM

You find out the best information! And are willing to share, too! :worship: DS would love a dance party if he is still awake, too. That would be so much better to see the characters (for the rest of us) than H&V for lunch, I think.

yeah, you can't get "staged" photos for signatures ... but they kids get to run around, dance and play with the characters and CM. Should be fun. We went last year but it was the very end, no characters and just hula hoops out to play. Still DD6 had fun.

Marshay

01-15-2012, 03:34 PM

kaoden39

01-15-2012, 05:07 PM

I hope you all get better. No being sick in Disney, it is no fun. I have been there.

pld5

01-15-2012, 07:27 PM

I will add though that H&V is a FAVORITE restaurant of my girls. They really let the kids laugh and play and dance more so than any of the other character meals.

DH and I have enjoyed the food (we did lunch 2x) and some of the best photos of DD6 having fun can be found here.

We are going to try breakfast here this time. DD6 really wanted to go back, esp to see Jake and dance with him.

DH and I find ourselves having a good time here too, singing all the words to MMC, Little Einsteins, Handy Manny, etc.

This isn't a rush in and out type of meal for us. We'll spend over an hour here b/c we let the girls get up and go with the characters and have fun!

Good to know about H&V. What you described is what I was hoping about the experience when I booked it. We haven't cancelled it, and will decide that at noon the day before. And we will know all of the words to the Disney Junior songs, too! :)

DS doesn't care if anyone signs his autograph book and has been less tolerant of pictures lately, but any interaction with the characters he will remember.

I hope that our kids can all stay awake for the dance party on Monday!:dance3:

princessmorgan

01-16-2012, 10:10 PM

Marshay

01-16-2012, 10:41 PM

We'll for sure be at the Disney Junior dance party next Monday! Hopefully we'll see you! My girls love it! We try to go right when it opens so it's not quite as crowded. Sometimes that backfires on us, but it's a good time anyway. The Sorcerers game looks interesting. My oldest DD loves the Kim Possible missions, so I think she would like this. I hope your packing is going better than mine!

Yay!! We should make this an unofficial official DISmeet for our January peeps! So far 3 families!!:cool1::banana:

I'll try to get there around 7pm too! Best chance for my youngest to still be awake!

Marshay

01-16-2012, 10:43 PM

kaoden39

01-16-2012, 10:53 PM

Marshay

01-16-2012, 10:58 PM

Oh that stinks. I am sure that once you get started on the antibiotics it will turn right around.

Thanks!! I need to ask for stronger meds this time. It's almost like as soon as I finished the anti-biotics, it came back again...

kaoden39

01-16-2012, 11:01 PM

Thanks!! I need to ask for stronger meds this time. It's almost like as soon as I finished the anti-biotics, it came back again...

That stinks. It definitely sounds like you need stronger antibiotics.

Colleen27

01-16-2012, 11:03 PM

Sick right before vacay is no fun. I hope they can give you something stronger and get you feeling better before you leave! :goodvibes

Marshay

01-16-2012, 11:04 PM

That stinks. It definitely sounds like you need stronger antibiotics.

Sick right before vacay is no fun. I hope they can give you something stronger and get you feeling better before you leave! :goodvibes

Thanks ladies!!

Going to bed now...maybe getting a decent sleep will help, too!:goodvibes

kaoden39

01-17-2012, 08:58 AM

Good Morning!!

I hope that after a good nights sleep you are feeling better.

Marshay

01-17-2012, 09:03 AM

Good Morning!!

I hope that after a good nights sleep you are feeling better.

Thanks so much Chele!

I actually have a doc appt for 2:15pm today...something is definitely up..

...including the breakfast I ate this morning, if you KWIM :sick::sick:

This can't be happening...:scared1:

i*heart*minniemouse

01-17-2012, 09:51 AM

I won't pre-buy the photo pass because it is iffy of whether they will be around to take the photos.

On our last trip I pre-ordered the photo pass and we only had a handful of pictures taken, due to heat and crowds. We viewed what pictures were taken-nothing worth ordering- and then I called and asked for a refund of my purchase and it was done with no questions asked. I was impressed. A friend also stated that she just saves the credit for her next trip if she is not happy with the photos from a trip.
In the future, I will always pre-order so that if we have some really quality photos taken, we can get the CD at the discounted price.:thumbsup2

Great PTR...Hope you feel better soon! I would love to try the AutoTrain sometime as we also live in NOVA and it seems like a very relaxing way to travel to FL.

princessmorgan

01-17-2012, 10:18 AM

Ok, so I'm going to the doctor tomorrow. The cold got worse and I'm pretty sure I have an ear infection again!! Just had one right around Christmas along with a sinus infection...got meds and thought it was all better.

Now came back again.:mad:

Oh no, hopefully it is a bacterial infection, so then they can give you antibiotics and clear you up. It's better than a virus you can do nothing about. My kids still have something, but no bacterial infections. I kept them home from school today just in case.

My touring plans are in an uproar again with the changes they made tomorrow and the next day! I am kind of curious to see the fireworks show at DHS. I just don't know if I can handle the crowds.

Dismeet Monday at Disney Jr. Dance Party!

Marshay

01-17-2012, 10:40 AM

On our last trip I pre-ordered the photo pass and we only had a handful of pictures taken, due to heat and crowds. We viewed what pictures were taken-nothing worth ordering- and then I called and asked for a refund of my purchase and it was done with no questions asked. I was impressed. A friend also stated that she just saves the credit for her next trip if she is not happy with the photos from a trip.
In the future, I will always pre-order so that if we have some really quality photos taken, we can get the CD at the discounted price.:thumbsup2

Great PTR...Hope you feel better soon! I would love to try the AutoTrain sometime as we also live in NOVA and it seems like a very relaxing way to travel to FL.

Welcome!! yes, I've heard they will definitely give you your money back if you are not satisfied -- so it's nice to do.

We always get the PP when we are staying a week or longer...if only for a few days or so, then we just use our regular camera.

Another NOVA person -- yeah!!

I'm in Loudoun County close to Dulles Airport. We used to fly a lot but then SW doesn't go direct to MCO anymore, so we drove, then took the train and we are hooked on that!

It is very relaxing -- no security man-handling, no limits on luggage, no crazy traffic, near accidents to your vehicle, no worries of bad weather (unless something happens to the track like downed trees!). We love the ability to walk around, snack, go to the bathroom, meet others, watch the movie, etc.

As you can see I highly recommend you try it once if you are at all interested.

Oh no, hopefully it is a bacterial infection, so then they can give you antibiotics and clear you up. It's better than a virus you can do nothing about. My kids still have something, but no bacterial infections. I kept them home from school today just in case.

My touring plans are in an uproar again with the changes they made tomorrow and the next day! I am kind of curious to see the fireworks show at DHS. I just don't know if I can handle the crowds.

Dismeet Monday at Disney Jr. Dance Party!

Oh, so sorry to hear your girls are still not feeling well.

Yeah, I saw about President Obama going to WDW - MK!! Wow, that will be a huge mess with their security, waiting in lines, etc.

See you Monday, if not before!

Send me email or PM or post in here when you have your room #.

kaoden39

01-17-2012, 10:50 AM

Thanks so much Chele!

I actually have a doc appt for 2:15pm today...something is definitely up..

...including the breakfast I ate this morning, if you KWIM :sick::sick:

This can't be happening...:scared1:

Oh Marsha! I sure hope you feel better.:hug:

On our last trip I pre-ordered the photo pass and we only had a handful of pictures taken, due to heat and crowds. We viewed what pictures were taken-nothing worth ordering- and then I called and asked for a refund of my purchase and it was done with no questions asked. I was impressed. A friend also stated that she just saves the credit for her next trip if she is not happy with the photos from a trip.
In the future, I will always pre-order so that if we have some really quality photos taken, we can get the CD at the discounted price.:thumbsup2

Great PTR...Hope you feel better soon! I would love to try the AutoTrain sometime as we also live in NOVA and it seems like a very relaxing way to travel to FL.

Really? Maybe I will look into it.

lovebuzzandwoody

01-17-2012, 09:34 PM

I hope the doctor was able to get you on the road to recovery!

Trentmom

01-17-2012, 09:58 PM

Oh no.. Sorry you are getting worst

Hope you are in bed right now resting up so you will feel better

Also hoping the doctor gave you stronger meds

Let us know how you are feeling tomorrow

nite :hug:

WDWCP96

01-18-2012, 08:54 PM

Hope the doctor was able to give you some stronger medicine and that you are starting to feel better.

Yeah for leaving for Disney tomorrow! Have a fantastic trip!

Trentmom

01-18-2012, 10:47 PM

Hope you are feeling better Marsha

Have a very magical trip !!!

Can't wait to hear all about it when you get back :wizard:

kaoden39

01-18-2012, 10:52 PM

Marsha, I hope you all have a wonderful trip!! And that the bugaboos are all gone!!

Marshay

01-18-2012, 11:31 PM

I hope the doctor was able to get you on the road to recovery!

Oh no.. Sorry you are getting worst

Hope you are in bed right now resting up so you will feel better

Also hoping the doctor gave you stronger meds

Let us know how you are feeling tomorrow

nite :hug:

Hope the doctor was able to give you some stronger medicine and that you are starting to feel better.

Yeah for leaving for Disney tomorrow! Have a fantastic trip!

Hope you are feeling better Marsha

Have a very magical trip !!!

Can't wait to hear all about it when you get back :wizard:

Marsha, I hope you all have a wonderful trip!! And that the bugaboos are all gone!!

Thanks guys!

So I went to doc and she thinks I may be allergic to our Sugar Gliders that we just got a few months ago ... or the (real) sheepskin that I got a few months ago and sleep with as a blanket. Or it could be something else ...

So I'm on a OTC Allegra and prescription nasal spray to see if that helps. I'm feeling much, much better now. So who knows?

okw19

01-19-2012, 08:20 AM

Glad you're feeling better, but I hope it's not the sugar gliders you're allergic too! That would stink.

I can't believe you guys are leaving today! :yay:
We will be leaving tomorrow morning at 7. :) See you there!

Marshay

01-19-2012, 09:29 AM

Zip-a-dee-doo-dah, zip-a-dee-ay
My, oh my what a wonderful day!
Plenty of sunshine heading my way
Zip-a-dee-doo-dah, zip-a-dee-ay

Mister Bluebird on my shoulder
It's the truth, it's actch'll
Ev'rything is satisfactch'll
Zip-a-dee-doo-dah, zip-a-dee-ay
Wonderful feeling, wonderful day!

betsywdw

01-19-2012, 10:27 AM

Have a great trip Marsha! I hope the meds work and you feel better! :goodvibes

Trentmom

01-19-2012, 03:44 PM

Glad you are feeling better

Hope you are not allergic to your sugar gliders

have fun!!!

:goodvibes

pld5

01-19-2012, 08:21 PM

Hope you are still feeling better with the OTC allegra et al.

I'm looking forward to seeing you on Monday!

Marshay

01-23-2012, 03:18 PM

Awesome time. No crowds. Walk on rides. Wearing shorts.

Trentmom

01-23-2012, 04:09 PM

Awesome time. No crowds. Walk on rides. Wearing shorts.

SO glad things are going great

have fun :cheer2:

kaoden39

01-23-2012, 05:47 PM

Oh that's great!!

Circusgirl

01-23-2012, 09:48 PM

pld5

01-29-2012, 11:42 AM

We're home now, but just had to post and tell you how nice it was to meet you at the Dance party (and thank you again for telling us about it!)

Nice to see you in Epcot on Friday, too!

Looking forward to reading your Trip Report. I'll be starting mine later this week (I hope).

I hope you have a safe trip home!

Marshay

01-31-2012, 01:24 PM

Hey Marsha! I just found this report, and I'm sad I didn't see it sooner because I am here now as well, but facing the dreaded departure from the Disney bubble to return home tomorrow.

I agree with you about how fantastic it is right now. I have been often at this time of year and the weather has never been better and the parks have never been so slow. The past few days especially have been perfect. I am sorry that I missed you, but will cushion my return home by keeping up with your continued adventures. Have a fantastic rest of your trip!

Oh, I'm so sorry I didn't check in my PTR much while I was there! I can't believe we were at the park at the same time and didn't know it!

I hope you had an awesome time! I know you did b/c with the wonderful weather and low crowds, it's impossible not to have an incredible time.

Right now I'm working on those PHotopass pics but will start my TR later this week or next. Did you have a TR? I'll check out your link, too.:thumbsup2

We're home now, but just had to post and tell you how nice it was to meet you at the Dance party (and thank you again for telling us about it!)

Nice to see you in Epcot on Friday, too!

Looking forward to reading your Trip Report. I'll be starting mine later this week (I hope).

I hope you have a safe trip home!

So nice to see you Monday .. and you really surprised me on Friday, too! If I was actually thinking I would have given you our FPs for Test Track and Soarin. We were actually on our way out of the park and went over to DHS for the 5pm character palooza, LMA show and animation class. Those were the 3 things we had missed all week that we really wanted to do. We were able to give them away to others.

Marshay

01-31-2012, 01:34 PM

We came back from WDW on Sunday and are still glowing from our wonderful trip! God blessed us in so many ways and I'm very excited to share them with my Disney friends.

Right now I'm working on my photopass pictures and hope to get them out soon so I can start my TR.

<sniff> my siggie looks so much more empty now <sniff>

However, DH just said today that he is open to us going back to WDW before January, since we have our APs and it's getting easier to travel with DD2 being a little more independent and DD6 helping us out more!:yay::dance3::woohoo:

Stay tuned...popcorn::

Marshay

01-31-2012, 01:35 PM

kaoden39

01-31-2012, 01:54 PM

kittylady1972

01-31-2012, 03:02 PM

:cool1: :cool1: Can't wait to read all about it!!! :cool1: :cool1:

princessmorgan

01-31-2012, 03:07 PM

I'm so excited to hear about your trip! Too bad we didn't get to see you there :( We went to the Dance Party last Monday, but only stayed for a few minutes, because the girls wanted to hit MK again before we left. We did do the characterpalooza before, but we only stayed until about 5:30 so we could see Beauty and the Beast. They had an extra dance party the week before when the President was in town, so maybe my girls were all partied out :confused3

I'm curious to see how you liked OKW! Wasn't the weather amazing? It makes such a difference! Our trip this year was so much better than last year's January trip! With your AP's I'd make at least a couple more trips ;) May for Flower and Garden, and October for Food and Wine and MNSSHP :rotfl:

Trentmom

01-31-2012, 05:40 PM

Welcome Home Marshay!!!

I can't wait to hear all about your trip

Yay to DH :cool1:

Leger13

01-31-2012, 06:51 PM

Welcome Back Marsha! Can't wait to hear about your trip and yay for DH saying you can go back again before January :goodvibes

Circusgirl

01-31-2012, 08:14 PM

I'm looking forward to the trip report! I don't think I'll be able to do a report right away, but I'd like to get back to it if possible. I still want to write up my London/Paris trip...

mousescrapper

01-31-2012, 08:18 PM

Welcome back...get wait to hear all about your trip...I have to start my TR for our Jan trip too...:thumbsup2

Marshay

01-31-2012, 08:51 PM

Oh I can hardly wait to hear about it.

And yay DH!!

Thanks! This was probably our best vacation at WDW ever!!

Marshay

01-31-2012, 09:20 PM

:cool1: :cool1: Can't wait to read all about it!!! :cool1: :cool1:

Thanks for joining!!:goodvibes

I'm so excited to hear about your trip! Too bad we didn't get to see you there :( We went to the Dance Party last Monday, but only stayed for a few minutes, because the girls wanted to hit MK again before we left. We did do the characterpalooza before, but we only stayed until about 5:30 so we could see Beauty and the Beast. They had an extra dance party the week before when the President was in town, so maybe my girls were all partied out :confused3

I'm curious to see how you liked OKW! Wasn't the weather amazing? It makes such a difference! Our trip this year was so much better than last year's January trip! With your AP's I'd make at least a couple more trips ;) May for Flower and Garden, and October for Food and Wine and MNSSHP :rotfl:

I was really bummed we didn't see you. We all took naps prior to the 7pm dismeet and had a slow start...so only got there about 7:15pm. I did meet 3 others there so that was cool.

We ended up staying the whole time for character palooza -- so many great characters come out!

Without giving too much away ;), Disney DVC is still the best decision we have made in a long time!! Disney knows how to do resorts! However, I can easily see how a stay at OKW can be anywhere from frustrating to wonderful! More on that later!

If we could afford the time away from school, I'd definitely go more often!! I'm actually thinking about going in the summer with just the girls and having DH meet us there, since he can't take as much time off of work...

Welcome Home Marshay!!!

I can't wait to hear all about your trip

Yay to DH :cool1:

Thanks! I'm looking for a 4 (or maybe 5) day trip or maybe a longer trip w/just me and the girls.

Welcome Back Marsha! Can't wait to hear about your trip and yay for DH saying you can go back again before January :goodvibes

thanks! That Art of Animation resort looks incredible!

I'm looking forward to the trip report! I don't think I'll be able to do a report right away, but I'd like to get back to it if possible. I still want to write up my London/Paris trip...

Ooh, so exciting you went to London and Paris!!

Welcome back...get wait to hear all about your trip...I have to start my TR for our Jan trip too...:thumbsup2

Thanks! I will definitely be back on your TR. Can't wait to hear all about it, esp as that's the week we are going next year!

Twingle

02-01-2012, 08:40 AM

Oh fun - always enjoy your TR's!

Marshay

02-01-2012, 09:50 AM

Oh fun - always enjoy your TR's!

Welcome back! It'll probably be next week before I get this TR started...still working on those photopass pics...it takes so long -- but worth it!

WDWCP96

02-01-2012, 02:13 PM

Sorry I am late to the welcome home party! Can't wait to hear about your trip.

WDWCP96

02-01-2012, 02:14 PM

Sorry duplicate post.

kaoden39

02-01-2012, 03:18 PM

Thanks! This was probably our best vacation at WDW ever!!

Oh that's great!! I am so excited to hear about it. In 12 days We are leaving to go to Disneyland for our second honeymoon!!

dara00

02-06-2012, 11:43 AM

I'm looking forward to reading your tr! I have a 6 yr old dd too. :)

I can't believe your almost 3 yr old is about the same height as my 4.5 yr old - he was JUST tall enough for Splash Mt!

Marshay

02-27-2012, 06:22 PM

First -- I am extremely sorry for the long wait (a month later!!!) I finally finished my photopass pictures last week. What was really funny is that in the past I have just done it within a few days/week. However, this time since I was much slower, Disney Photopass kept adding Bonus Photos to my account...so I ended up getting a lot more of the "stock" photos -- in fact, when I called, they said I already had all of the bonus content available! Yay!

Second -- dara -- welcome to the TR! It is certainly an adventure having tall children! Elizabeth (my youngest) actually rode Goofy's Barnstormer at 1yo!!

[/B]Off to Florida!!

Back on January 19, 2012, we took Rachel to school for a 1/2 day and then picked her up around 11:45am. Again, Jerry was not finished packing, but we were a LOT further along and were able to leave by noon. This time we decided to skip McDonalds and just purchase food at the train station. The thought was good (why not eat while we are waiting for the train) but the execution left something to be desired (dry, expensive sandwiches). Next time I may try to pack our own sandwiches to save some money.
Tuna Salad Sandwich, Ginger Ale and a bag of Bugles (approx 2 servings) were $12.25!!

As we walked into the station we realized this was going to be a very different trip. There were NO kids!! I should have realized this when the movie was "Breakfast at Tiffanys". Oh well, Rae/Elie found a quiet corner where Amtrak had some markers and they colored while eating some lunch. The train was packed with "Snow Birds" -- those elderly people who travel south for the winter. Our family felt sooooooo out of place! Now some of the people were really nice and I could tell they loved kids/grandkids ... but some of them were the 'grumpy old men' (and women) who I could just tell were going -- crap, I hope those kids aren't in my car!:eek:
http://i154.photobucket.com/albums/s250/memch/WDW%202012/IMG_0377.jpg

Off to board the train.
http://i154.photobucket.com/albums/s250/memch/WDW%202012/IMG_0381.jpg

(Now that picture above is actually a cardboard cut out of the train (about 18 inches) but I thought it looked really good.

Lessons we learned in the past were to go to the Lounge car as soon as you board...and we did, getting one of the very last booths available. This worked out great and we brought toys for the girls to play with this time. The main game was Disney Yahtzee, which helped put us in the mood even more!

Rachel and me
http://i154.photobucket.com/albums/s250/memch/WDW%202012/IMG_0383.jpg

Jerry and Elie
http://i154.photobucket.com/albums/s250/memch/WDW%202012/IMG_0384.jpg

As you can see the colors for this trip were Purple and Brown.

We ate the usual snacks -- crackers, cheese, veggies, fruit ... and I had a glass or eight of wine ;););)
http://i154.photobucket.com/albums/s250/memch/WDW%202012/IMG_0388.jpg

Which really put me in a relaxed mood
http://i154.photobucket.com/albums/s250/memch/WDW%202012/IMG_0385.jpg

We had a very pleasant conversation with the people in the other booth and stayed in the lounge car until 4:30pm. Then we went back to our room and let the girls play a bit before dinner.
http://i154.photobucket.com/albums/s250/memch/WDW%202012/IMG_0390.jpg

5pm came and we were not hungry, so we waited until the 2nd dinner bell call and off we went through the train cars to the dining car. As you can see there isn't much room ... which is a good thing when the car goes bumpity-bump!
http://i154.photobucket.com/albums/s250/memch/WDW%202012/IMG_0391.jpg

Here is the menu.
http://i154.photobucket.com/albums/s250/memch/WDW%202012/IMG_0394.jpg

And here is the table set up:
http://i154.photobucket.com/albums/s250/memch/WDW%202012/IMG_0395.jpg

I still was not hungry since I ate a lot of snacks/wine earlier but ordered the salmon. It was ok. The beef has always been tasty in the past and I should have stuck with that.

They had a chocolate Tort for dessert and I gobbled that up!

Jerry and Rachel
http://i154.photobucket.com/albums/s250/memch/WDW%202012/IMG_0397.jpg

Then we went back to our rooms to brush our teeth/potty/put on PJs for the girls and take our evening walk. This time Rachel and I found a "secret" lounge car booth - pretty cool for a large group. It was located underneath the regular lounge car.

Rachel got Tiana (her 2nd favorite princess) for Christmas.
http://i154.photobucket.com/albums/s250/memch/WDW%202012/IMG_0404.jpg

I ended up talking to Conductor Steve in this booth section for a bit (very nice) and then we headed back to our room. I grabbed a couple of cookies and some hot chocolate on the way.

We went to bed early.

Around 3am, Elie fell between the crack of her bed and mine and cried as she didn't realize where she was. We woke up at 6:15am but lounged around until 6:45am and had breakfast at 7am.

All in all a good first day!:goodvibes

Trentmom

02-27-2012, 09:17 PM

YAY...You started!!!

Glad train ride was still fine with snowbirds :laughing:

That other lounge looks cool :goodvibes

That cardboard train looked so real

dara00

02-27-2012, 09:46 PM

love the Gymboree! :)

Marshay

02-27-2012, 10:19 PM

YAY...You started!!!

Glad train ride was still fine with snowbirds :laughing:

That other lounge looks cool :goodvibes

That cardboard train looked so real

I know...finally! I'm still waiting for my PP CD but figured I could start our traveling days awhile.

It was really weird not having any friends for the girls to play with. It turns out there were some kids on board but they must have been in coach b/c we never saw them in our dining or sleeping cars.

Yeah, the cardboard train turned out really good. I'm planning to use that as a background page for my photo book.

love the Gymboree! :)

Me, too! I had bought the girls that line when it came out, what 2 years ago now? But only gave it to them as Christmas presents this past Xmas, b/c I wanted them to keep things clean for our Disney trip.

I was glad when the sizes I guessed on fit them, since I was planning 2 years in advance. But generally I've been able to double the age to get their size.

dara00

02-27-2012, 10:27 PM

Me, too! I had bought the girls that line when it came out, what 2 years ago now? But only gave it to them as Christmas presents this past Xmas, b/c I wanted them to keep things clean for our Disney trip.

I was glad when the sizes I guessed on fit them, since I was planning 2 years in advance. But generally I've been able to double the age to get their size.

I think that line came out fall of 2010, so wow on your planning ahead! double the age to get the size - so your 3 yr old wears a 6?? My almost 7 yr old wears an 8 in gymbo tops and dresses and a 7 in bottoms, and my 4 yr old wears mostly 4s, sometimes 3s. But we've already established that he's a shorty!

Marshay

02-27-2012, 10:32 PM

I think that line came out fall of 2010, so wow on your planning ahead! double the age to get the size - so your 3 yr old wears a 6?? My almost 7 yr old wears an 8 in gymbo tops and dresses and a 7 in bottoms, and my 4 yr old wears mostly 4s, sometimes 3s. But we've already established that he's a shorty!

Yeah, Rachel is wearing 10s (soon to be too small) and 12s. I'm really sad b/c this will be her last year to wear Gymboree clothes.:sad2: I really like how I can match up the colors w/o having them wear the EXACT same thing. I know it sounds crazy but I'm going to miss shopping there for both of them.:sad1:

Elizabeth is wearing 5s right now and I just roll the sleeves a bit. I'll switch her over to 6s in the spring/summer. Now they also live in leggins...if I got actual pants or jeans, then I would have to downsize. But we find leggins the easiest to wear.

dara00

02-27-2012, 10:46 PM

kaoden39

02-28-2012, 12:38 AM

Oh the fun! When I was a little girl we lived in a town that was at that time a retirement town. Those old people can be mean. So speaks the voice of experience.:lmao:

Poor Elie.

Circusgirl

02-28-2012, 01:10 AM

It is super fun that your girls will have the memories of riding the train overnight! I have great memories of going across the country with my mom. My only regret was that I never got to sleep in the top bunk in the little compartment.

Marshay

02-28-2012, 08:06 AM

I understand! I have other obsessions aside from Disney and one of them is Gymboree! I actually match my 2 boys and sometimes try to match my girl's colors with theirs too - holiday lines work great for that! Too bad your bigger girl is almost out of Gymboree - I think I'd cry!

If I had boy/girl, I'd try to match them too!!

Oh the fun! When I was a little girl we lived in a town that was at that time a retirement town. Those old people can be mean. So speaks the voice of experience.:lmao:

Poor Elie.

yeah, I'm sure I'll think the same when I am a grandmother-type, too. It was just sooooo weird to be outnumbered like that!:laughing:

It is super fun that your girls will have the memories of riding the train overnight! I have great memories of going across the country with my mom. My only regret was that I never got to sleep in the top bunk in the little compartment.

Good point! Instead of memories of being stuck in a car and everyone yelling and complaining, we are building fun memories of relaxing on the train.

Ahh, no top bunk? Rachel loves her spot up there...although Elie is going to be vying for that spot soon, too!

Marshay

02-28-2012, 12:48 PM

Here are a few photos of our room on the train.

Elizabeth's lower bunk bed
http://i154.photobucket.com/albums/s250/memch/WDW%202012/IMG_0406.jpg

Rachel sleeping peacefully on the upper bunk bed
http://i154.photobucket.com/albums/s250/memch/WDW%202012/IMG_0407.jpg

Elie loves climbing up the ladder:
http://i154.photobucket.com/albums/s250/memch/WDW%202012/IMG_0411.jpg

The train was going to be late (again!) in Sanford so after breakfast, we went back to the room and the girls watched a Disney movie on our DVD player and Jerry and I took a little nap. Then we were in Sanford and just had to wait for our SUV.

The girls played on the playground (and we found about 6 other kids there, too, but they must have been in coach or arrived late for the sleeping cars b/c we never saw them until the playground).
http://i154.photobucket.com/albums/s250/memch/WDW%202012/IMG_0413.jpg

Our SUV was #165 out of 207 cars so we did have a bit to wait. After getting our car we stopped a McDonald's for food along the way and a quick stop at Walmart for some perishables.

Then we saw this sign! Yay!!
http://i154.photobucket.com/albums/s250/memch/WDW%202012/IMG_0417.jpg

And we also saw this sign! The skywriter was back....personally, I love this and it helps remind me to thank our Lord for the privilege of being back at Disney.
http://i154.photobucket.com/albums/s250/memch/WDW%202012/IMG_0419.jpg

We checked into OKW.

Now I was not sure about this resort ... but we chose this b/c we hadn't been here before and it was less points than the other resorts.

Although our room was not ready it was on the first floor, Room 1414 right across from the HH --- woo hoo!! ANd it even had a water view. We were thrilled and couldn't wait to see it.

We decided to walk around the resort a bit until our room was ready.
http://i154.photobucket.com/albums/s250/memch/WDW%202012/IMG_0420.jpg

The boat dock area to DTD.
http://i154.photobucket.com/albums/s250/memch/WDW%202012/IMG_0421.jpg

The pool slide
http://i154.photobucket.com/albums/s250/memch/WDW%202012/IMG_0423.jpg

Dolphin decorations
http://i154.photobucket.com/albums/s250/memch/WDW%202012/IMG_0426.jpg

The pool activities had started so we all joined a hula hoop contest...none of us won but we each got a free water squirt toy and it was fun being in the sun.
http://i154.photobucket.com/albums/s250/memch/WDW%202012/IMG_0427.jpg

Even Jerry gave it a try.
http://i154.photobucket.com/albums/s250/memch/WDW%202012/IMG_0434.jpg

We still hadn't gotten the text that our room was ready so we got into our SUV and drove around OKW to the quiet pool which also had a neat playground for the girls.

Finally our room was ready at 4:15pm.

Marshay

02-28-2012, 01:16 PM

So before we get to the room, I have to tell you about our AP experience. I knew we wanted to get AP for this January trip and for January 2013. I had timed our vacations so they would overlap completely and by the last day...meaning I purchase on 1/21/12 and it expires on 1/21/13.

I had asked on several boards (DIS and Liners) about exactly when an AP expires and was told the above is correct.

Ok, fast forward to the check-in desk and I ask the CM just to be sure about the dates and he tells me, no. If I purchase on 1/21 it will expire on 1/20, so I had to wait until 1/22. Well that wouldn't work for us since I had plans (including a CCG ADR for 1/21 in DHS). Now today was 1/20 but I had planned to purchase tomorrow before going into the park.

So a 2nd CM comes over and says the same thing. I'm trying to tell them that I think they are wrong (in the nicest manner). So they bring over a manager, Stephanie, and she says -- have them get their tickets today and then give them a complimentary pass for 1 day, parkhopper so they can get into the parks on 1/21/13.

Sounds good.

They give me the free tickets and then I buy the AP.

And guess what the expiration date is: 1/20/13 (not 1/19 like they said it would be) so the AP covers me for 1/20/13 and the free ticket covers me for 1/21/13.

Now if I had just waited until 1/21 to buy the tickets, everything would have turned out exactly like I expected and WDW wouldn't have needed to give me the free tickets. But since the CM didn't understand when an AP expires, I got an extra day in the parks...well, evening actually. We hadn't planned to go to the parks tonight 1/20 but now we could!

So Arnold and Joann (CM) said that they learned something new today and would suggest getting the training manual updated/rewritten to say that an AP expires on the same day, one year in advance.

I felt very proud that I not only knew more than the CM but that I was able to help them learn something too.

Go Dis!!:goodvibes

Marshay

02-28-2012, 01:28 PM

I had gotten restaurant.com gift certificates $25 worth of food for only $2 and decided to give Garden Grove over at the Swan a try since friends of ours went and loved it.

There is a big tree in the middle of the restaurant, lit up.
http://i154.photobucket.com/albums/s250/memch/WDW%202012/IMG_0444.jpg

It was delicious. We were one of only 4 tables occupied at 5:15pm on a Friday night. The characters kept coming around and around ...so much so that we had to tell the girls they had to eat their food and stop getting up all the time!
http://i154.photobucket.com/albums/s250/memch/WDW%202012/IMG_0436.jpg

At first Elizabeth was shy of the characters but by the 2nd time they came around she was going to them and by the 3rd time she was hugging them and the 4th-7th times they were dancing, waving, hugging, kissing, etc.
http://i154.photobucket.com/albums/s250/memch/WDW%202012/IMG_0437.jpg

Friday night was Seafood Night and it was good. Reminded me of Cape May Cafe but perhaps not as many options. However, they did serve a bucket of fried shrimp, clams and hushpuppies ... and each adult got:
http://i154.photobucket.com/albums/s250/memch/WDW%202012/IMG_0441.jpg

Here are some samplings of our meal. Snow crab clusters, mussels, shrimp -- yum!! Also, the desserts were much better than Disney's IMHO.
http://i154.photobucket.com/albums/s250/memch/WDW%202012/IMG_0442.jpg

Smiles and laughs were plentiful at this meal.
http://i154.photobucket.com/albums/s250/memch/WDW%202012/IMG_0452.jpg

After dinner I decided that we should go to Epcot since we were so close and had the bonus day from the AP dilemma earlier. I also bought the TIW card to get 20% Table-service restaurants for this trip and our next one(s).

We went to UK and ran around the maze for 15 minutes or so. The girls loved it. The band started playing Elton John's pinball wizard and folks were singing/dancing. We got a photopass picture in France and then took the Friendship #4 boat back to the Swan/Dolphin and then drove home to OKW to unpack.

Our initial thoughts on OKW were the rooms are H_U_G_E!!! We had a great location, right across from HH and with a water/canal view and also could watch the golfers swing on the other side of the canal.

It was very relaxing (pics in another post) and I felt blessed! I said I will try not to rush us again this trip. Last trip (May 2011) I went for 5 days before going commando...maybe I could make it the whole week this time!

dara00

02-28-2012, 01:46 PM

what a good idea to use restaurant.com gift certificates!

Marshay

02-28-2012, 02:55 PM

what a good idea to use restaurant.com gift certificates!

Yep! I think almost all the S&D restaurants are on restaurant.com. On a previous trip we did the same for Todd English's BlueZoo.

Saves a bit of money!

kaoden39

02-28-2012, 03:21 PM

Marshay

02-28-2012, 03:38 PM

Elizabeth is losing her toddler face. She is getting be such a big girl.:goodvibes

I think that they definitely need to work with the CMs on things like this. But on the other hand you were blessed with these tickets saving you from having to buy the others.:goodvibes

I love the sky written message too. It is never a bad thing to be reminded to count your blessings.

yeah, Elie will be 3 next month -- no more baby at our house...soon not even a toddler!

Yeah, I was surprised...when even the manager had it wrong, I really started to doubt myself...but I know that many times dissers know more than the CM!

kaoden39

02-28-2012, 03:51 PM

yeah, Elie will be 3 next month -- no more baby at our house...soon not even a toddler!

Yeah, I was surprised...when even the manager had it wrong, I really started to doubt myself...but I know that many times dissers know more than the CM!

I often think that Disser would make good CMs. But, I will tell you that we bought our APs on February 15, 2012 and they expire on February 14, 2013.

Marshay

02-28-2012, 03:54 PM

I often think that Disser would make good CMs. But, I will tell you that we bought our APs on February 15, 2012 and they expire on February 14, 2013.

Oh, now isn't that interesting! So DL is short-changing guests by one day! I'm actually quite surprised by this...would think Disney would want to be consistent, either way.

Others have commented that we actually do get an extra day this year -- Leap Day, too.

Trentmom

02-28-2012, 03:56 PM

kaoden39

02-28-2012, 04:08 PM

Oh, now isn't that interesting! So DL is short-changing guests by one day! I'm actually quite surprised by this...would think Disney would want to be consistent, either way.

Others have commented that we actually do get an extra day this year -- Leap Day, too.

Maybe this is a change they made because of Leap Year too. I know the one I got in 2010 expired a year after I got it. Who knows.

Marshay

02-28-2012, 06:51 PM

YAY, you are on a roll

Ele is getting so big and Rachel looks so grown up..time really does fly

OKW looks really nice

Can't wait to see the room pics

I am glad you got the AP figured out and you helped teach them something :goodvibes

Yeah, I got to do this TR quickly so I can start my Mommy & Me TR soon!

OKW was really nice. I was surprised how relaxed we were.

Maybe this is a change they made because of Leap Year too. I know the one I got in 2010 expired a year after I got it. Who knows.

Strange...maybe they forgot to re-calculate their computer codes for Leap Day...and still just had 365 days.

pld5

02-28-2012, 08:47 PM

I'm still trying to find the time to start mine, too! I've been trying to finish my photopass book, but the site seems so slow! And we had birthday festivities here for my DS who is now 6!

BTW, I loved this quote from your train ride. :thumbsup2

We ate the usual snacks -- crackers, cheese, veggies, fruit ... and I had a glass or eight of wine ;););)
http://i154.photobucket.com/albums/s250/memch/WDW%202012/IMG_0388.jpg

So wonderful to meet you, and hopefully soon, you will have my TR to read, too.

kaoden39

02-28-2012, 09:45 PM

Yeah, I got to do this TR quickly so I can start my Mommy & Me TR soon!

OKW was really nice. I was surprised how relaxed we were.

Strange...maybe they forgot to re-calculate their computer codes for Leap Day...and still just had 365 days.

That is probably it.

mousescrapper

02-29-2012, 10:09 AM

Hi Marsha,

I'm all caught up :goodvibes looks like you had a good travel day and a nice time on the train, despite the long wait for your car to get off :headache:

isnt it so great when you see the sign! ans sounds like you had a fun dinner too out at the garden grill w/ all those characters practically to yourself :thumbsup2

looking forward to more!

PS my Rachel loved your Rachel's latest drawing and letter, she'll be writing back soon :cutie:

oh and I love the Rapunzel pix in your siggie and too fun about a Mommy daughter trip for the b-days is it just you and rachel?

J~

Marshay

02-29-2012, 10:45 AM

I'm still trying to find the time to start mine, too! I've been trying to finish my photopass book, but the site seems so slow! And we had birthday festivities here for my DS who is now 6!

BTW, I loved this quote from your train ride. :thumbsup2

So wonderful to meet you, and hopefully soon, you will have my TR to read, too.

I hear ya! I know how busy life gets post trip. This was the longest it took me to get started on my TR.

Happy birthday DS!!

Definitely let me know when you start your TR -- I want to read it!

That is probably it.

:goodvibes

Hi Marsha,

I'm all caught up :goodvibes looks like you had a good travel day and a nice time on the train, despite the long wait for your car to get off :headache:

isnt it so great when you see the sign! ans sounds like you had a fun dinner too out at the garden grill w/ all those characters practically to yourself :thumbsup2

looking forward to more!

PS my Rachel loved your Rachel's latest drawing and letter, she'll be writing back soon :cutie:

oh and I love the Rapunzel pix in your siggie and too fun about a Mommy daughter trip for the b-days is it just you and rachel?

J~

Thanks! Rachel loved making the valentine for Rachel. Sorry, it was late but I know you understand how hectic things get. We meant to send postcards from WDW but I totally forgot to buy them at Walmart the 2 times we were there.

Yes, Rachel and I were both born on the same day in July so we are both going to FL for a Mommy and Me trip. My parents/sister will watch Elizabeth for a few days in Pennsylvania and then DH will drive up to get Elie and he'll have her for 2 work days (4.25 days total). It'll be interesting to see how well he does being in charge all that time! Of course, it's much easier now in some ways than when she was a baby.

Anyway, our tentative plan is the last week of July with visits to Sea World, Discovery Cove and Disney World, with our first time at BBB, if we can get in. I checked yesterday and they had a lot of openings for our dates (which was surprising). We might even stay in the new Royal Princess Rooms at POR!! Everything is still tentative...Rachel and I seem to change our plans each week (air boat ride, helipcopter ride, just disney, sea world, discovery cove, WDW tour, etc)

kittylady1972

02-29-2012, 11:00 AM

dara00

02-29-2012, 08:05 PM

Yep! I think almost all the S&D restaurants are on restaurant.com. On a previous trip we did the same for Todd English's BlueZoo.

Saves a bit of money!

there's a deal for restaurant.com today but I don't see any of the s&d restaurants on there, am I searching wrong?

Marshay

03-04-2012, 06:38 PM

Yippee, so glad to see you started your TR for real now! :lmao:

I LOVE that large booth on the bottom of the lounge car...right next to the bathrooms if I recall correctly! I think the only thing I was concerned about was that it was pretty close to the smoking area on the bottom of the loung car, and you'd have to go upstairs...to get more food and of course the wine!! :rotfl: Still I think we may try to snag that one for our trip in November which seems SO far away right now! :)

Sounds like a great first day. I've read mixed reviews about that restaurant so I'm not sure if we'll try it or not, especially since we won't be there for a Friday night so couldn't get the seafood! It looked pretty yummy! :)

Yep, that's how I found the booth b/c my DD6 had to go to the bathroom. I never wanted to go since it's right across from the smoking lounge and even though it is separated by a door, I can still smell it. Fortunately, on this trip, no one was using the smoking lounge.

I do recommend Garden Grove if you like seafood (Friday night only). I originally chose it b/c a friend recommended it and we weren't' planning to go into the parks that day, so having the characters would be like a bonus. Turns out the food is good too. Now it's nothing to rave about like the filets at Le Cellier or the Pork at Cali Grill, etc, but it's good food and IMHO better than Chef Mickeys, since it's all seafood.

there's a deal for restaurant.com today but I don't see any of the s&d restaurants on there, am I searching wrong?

Sorry, I didn't see this earlier. When I searched I put in the zip code for swan & dolphin or typed in Orlando (can't remember which it was) and just went until I found it.

I do know that they only list so many certificates at once and when they fill up, the restaurants are taken off. So it could just be that they are gone for now. Most people buy them when they are $25 worth of food for only $2 and with summer coming up, they may go fast.

DisneyStitch626

03-04-2012, 07:11 PM

princessmorgan

03-06-2012, 12:48 PM

I'm a little late to the party! :) I'm all caught up now. The train looks fun, but I don't know if I'll ever have the guts to do it. I just hate being in confined spaces for a long time. Aren't the rooms at OKW huge? We had a 2 BR and it was enormous! For once we felt like we had too much room :rotfl: It really was a peaceful resort.

How fun to do a mommy/daughter trip! I did one with my oldest last year and it was such a bonding experience for us! We stayed out until 3 am once at the MK. We could never do that with all the kids! I did feel a little guilty for leaving the others, but they had so much fun with daddy that they didn't really mind.

Marshay

03-06-2012, 07:39 PM

All caught up!

I've never heard anything about taking the train before, so I was really intrigued by your way of getting there. Sounds kinda fun!

You have a great looking family. Even though your DH says he isn't a big Disney fan, he IS the one that suggested DVC, so it seems like he might be more than he will admit! Haha.

How funny about the expiration of the AP's. At least you got and extra day out of it.

Looking forward to seeing the photos of the room and view. ;)

Thanks for all the compliments! Yes, we enjoy taking the train!

I laugh when people from DH's work ask him Disney questions ... and he knows the right answers!! He is a secret Disney-phile!! :rotfl2::thumbsup2

I'm a little late to the party! :) I'm all caught up now. The train looks fun, but I don't know if I'll ever have the guts to do it. I just hate being in confined spaces for a long time. Aren't the rooms at OKW huge? We had a 2 BR and it was enormous! For once we felt like we had too much room :rotfl: It really was a peaceful resort.

How fun to do a mommy/daughter trip! I did one with my oldest last year and it was such a bonding experience for us! We stayed out until 3 am once at the MK. We could never do that with all the kids! I did feel a little guilty for leaving the others, but they had so much fun with daddy that they didn't really mind.

See for us, the train is opening up space. If we were stuck in our SUV for 17 hours, that would be 'torture' for us. But since we can get up and walk around and hang out in the lounge cars -- perfect! Even our room is much bigger than the interior of our SUV (and we have a Toyota Sequoia which is a big one!!)

Oooh, I really am looking forward to the mommy and me trip. DD6 and I just narrowed down our list of 5 must-do's so now I get to plan my July trip for real! Already made hotel, train and ADRs but will go back and change the ADRs now since we had too many!

Marshay

03-06-2012, 07:59 PM

Today is January 21st and we are up early at 6am but lounge around until 6:30am. Showers, cereal and off to HS.

We are actually there pretty early (EMH-AM) and this is what we see:
http://i154.photobucket.com/albums/s250/memch/WDW%202012/DSCN1572-Copy.jpg

I take the girls and we go on
http://i154.photobucket.com/albums/s250/memch/WDW%202012/DSCN1577-Copy.jpg

http://i154.photobucket.com/albums/s250/memch/WDW%202012/IMG_0459-Copy.jpg

It's a longer line than I expected (15-20 minutes) for first thing in the AM but we also grab FPs for later.

I ride with Elie and Rachel rides in the same car but by herself. She is great about it though.
http://i154.photobucket.com/albums/s250/memch/WDW%202012/IMG_0465-Copy.jpg

DH rides ToT and RnR. Then DH and I switch.
http://i154.photobucket.com/albums/s250/memch/WDW%202012/IMG_0466-Copy.jpg

Notice the interior camera and gearwork
http://i154.photobucket.com/albums/s250/memch/WDW%202012/DSCN1573-Copy.jpg

RnR
http://i154.photobucket.com/albums/s250/memch/WDW%202012/DSCN1576-Copy.jpg

RnR ceiling shaped like a record
http://i154.photobucket.com/albums/s250/memch/WDW%202012/IMG_0468-Copy.jpg

Then it was time to eat breakfast at H&V. We had eaten here twice before for lunch and the food is fine...characters are great and one of the best character interactions we've ever had. The place was pretty empty again so the characters just kept coming and coming and coming. ABout every 15 minutes or so they all got up and danced.

Special Agent Oso and Rachel
http://i154.photobucket.com/albums/s250/memch/WDW%202012/DSCN1602-Copy.jpg

SAO and me
http://i154.photobucket.com/albums/s250/memch/WDW%202012/DSCN1593-Copy.jpg

SAO took both girls around the dining room on the parade
http://i154.photobucket.com/albums/s250/memch/WDW%202012/DSCN1620-Copy.jpg

Elie loved dancing with him
http://i154.photobucket.com/albums/s250/memch/WDW%202012/IMG_0501.jpg

The girls were just having an absolute blast here!
http://i154.photobucket.com/albums/s250/memch/WDW%202012/IMG_0495-Copy.jpg

Also, notice the new Princess skirts that they received from Tinker Bell earlier that morning!!

Rachel and Handy Manny
http://i154.photobucket.com/albums/s250/memch/WDW%202012/DSCN1606-Copy.jpg

what's funny is that Rachel doesn't really even like watching Special Agent Oso or Handy Manny anymore ... but at Disney, even my little kid is a little kid again!!:cutie:
http://i154.photobucket.com/albums/s250/memch/WDW%202012/IMG_0478-Copy.jpg

June from Little Einsteins was so excited that we were all wearing HER color. She wanted us all to pose for a family photo.
http://i154.photobucket.com/albums/s250/memch/WDW%202012/DSCN1612-Copy.jpg

June and me
http://i154.photobucket.com/albums/s250/memch/WDW%202012/DSCN1596-Copy.jpg

You can see how empty the restaurant was ... and Elie doing her "booty dance"
http://i154.photobucket.com/albums/s250/memch/WDW%202012/DSCN1610-Copy.jpg

One of the main reasons we booked here was to see Jake, from Jake and the Neverland Pirates
http://i154.photobucket.com/albums/s250/memch/WDW%202012/DSCN1594-Copy.jpg

He was a big hit at our table
http://i154.photobucket.com/albums/s250/memch/WDW%202012/DSCN1624-Copy.jpg

Marshay

03-06-2012, 08:28 PM

Then we met up with our friends who live in Tampa. I used to work with Mike when I worked for Verizon. We became friends once we learned of our love for Disney. They go to DW 3 out of 4 weekends a month!! Good for them!!

We rode Star Tours (Elie's 1st time, "a little bit scary"), Great movie Ride (elie slept) and then it was time to go. So we gave away our FPs for Star Tours and TSMM. The family we picked was overjoyed and overwhelmed by the free FPs -- made us feel wonderful!

We all took a brief nap/rest and then had lunch on our balcony. Look at this -- isn't it just lovely!! We were so relaxed at OKW. This balcony is huge, overlooking the water canal and the golfers on the opposite side of the canal.
http://i154.photobucket.com/albums/s250/memch/WDW%202012/IMG_0511.jpg

Then it was time to go to AK. We caught up with Mike and Debbie again and rode Kali River Rapids since it was rare for this ride to be open in January ... AND it was warm enough to do it. Mike/Debbie thought we were crazy to ride in January, as they were cold.
http://i154.photobucket.com/albums/s250/memch/WDW%202012/IMG_0519.jpg

Luckily we didn't get soaked but we still had wet bottoms from where the ponchos didn't cover.

So a quick ride on EE will dry us off. Now Mike doesn't normally ride this but when Rachel asked to ride it with him, he couldn't say no.
http://i154.photobucket.com/albums/s250/memch/WDW%202012/DSCN1639-Copy.jpg

Rachel loves this ride but notice how close she is to Mike on it! Or is it Mike holding onto Rachel for support?
http://i154.photobucket.com/albums/s250/memch/WDW%202012/DSCN1640-Copy.jpg

Front Row, baby!!
http://i154.photobucket.com/albums/s250/memch/WDW%202012/DSCN1643-Copy.jpg

I liked how this pic turned out
http://i154.photobucket.com/albums/s250/memch/WDW%202012/DSCN1645-Copy.jpg

And here is all of us -- Mike and Rachel holding on to each other with Jerry and I in the background. Debbie was kind enough to stay with Elizabeth.
http://i154.photobucket.com/albums/s250/memch/WDW%202012/DSCN1648-Copy.jpg

Then we watched Finding Nemo. Elie has been really into Nemo lately and I knew she would love this.
http://i154.photobucket.com/albums/s250/memch/WDW%202012/DSCN1654-Copy.jpg

Just a couple of good pics here. I love this show and always get all caught up into the puppets.
http://i154.photobucket.com/albums/s250/memch/WDW%202012/DSCN1672-Copy.jpg

If you haven't seen it yet and like Nemo, I highly recommend it. This is probably my favorite show in all the parks.
http://i154.photobucket.com/albums/s250/memch/WDW%202012/DSCN1690-Copy.jpg

By now we were hungry so off to Flame Tree BBQ for dinner. The girls were acting up b/c they were tired/hungry and said they didn't like BBQ. Now who doesn't like BBQ??? We love this restaurant. After dinner we wandered around the seating areas admiring all the details in the lights.
http://i154.photobucket.com/albums/s250/memch/WDW%202012/DSCN1705-Copy.jpg

More lights
http://i154.photobucket.com/albums/s250/memch/WDW%202012/DSCN1703-Copy.jpg

It was nice to just relax and wander around -- no commando tonight
http://i154.photobucket.com/albums/s250/memch/WDW%202012/DSCN1704-Copy.jpg

Ok, do you think we are crazy yet for taking photos of the lights of AK?
http://i154.photobucket.com/albums/s250/memch/WDW%202012/DSCN1702-Copy.jpg

Then off to ride Primeval Whirl
http://i154.photobucket.com/albums/s250/memch/WDW%202012/DSCN1715-Copy.jpg

Deb and Mike took Elie on Triceratop Spin so we could go on PW. The park was empty and both CMs let each of us ride 3x in a row on our respective rides. Soooo cool!!
http://i154.photobucket.com/albums/s250/memch/WDW%202012/IMG_0524.jpg

http://i154.photobucket.com/albums/s250/memch/WDW%202012/DSCN1714-Copy.jpg

Triceratop spin
http://i154.photobucket.com/albums/s250/memch/WDW%202012/IMG_0523.jpg

A few final photos before saying good night. I love wandering around AK at night and going in January when it gets dark early allowed us to enjoy the lights at AK.
http://i154.photobucket.com/albums/s250/memch/WDW%202012/DSCN1726-Copy.jpg

Rachel and a big foot!
http://i154.photobucket.com/albums/s250/memch/WDW%202012/DSCN1725-Copy.jpg

Now the park was closed and the girls had fallen asleep in the SUV. So we went back to Walmart to exchange the new Disney shirts that I had bought for Rachel (she didn't like my choice) and Elie (too small). We also picked up some coke and wine.

Back at the room, we dropped the girls off on the sofa bed and they went to sleep quickly.

I think DH and I watched some tv, finished unpacking and re-packing for the next day.

All in all, this was a wonderful day!

The girls loved the Disney Jr. character meal and I loved wandering around AK and riding PW 3x in a row!

kaoden39

03-06-2012, 09:17 PM

It looks like you guys were all having a good time!! Your breakfast pictures are so cute. The girls really seemed to enjoy it there. Those are the great memories.

DisneyStitch626

03-06-2012, 09:48 PM

Love it so far! Looks like your girls had a great time at the character meal. :)

Must have been nice to have such a quiet day. 3x in a row seems pretty rare, haha.

dara00

03-06-2012, 10:04 PM

great pictures!

can you tell me what PW is exactly? what about triceratops spin? thanks!

Marshay

03-07-2012, 07:19 AM

It looks like you guys were all having a good time!! Your breakfast pictures are so cute. The girls really seemed to enjoy it there. Those are the great memories.

Thanks -- we did have a great time! The food was good at the breakfast (hard to go wrong for breakfast buffet) but the characters really make this meal. Such fun!

Rachel said she wants to eat there again -- but really it's for the characters. Part of me says, we've done this now 3x in the last 4 years...let's try something else...but then again, she may not love these toddler/preschoool characters much longer, so perhaps we should since we get such great memories here.

Love it so far! Looks like your girls had a great time at the character meal. :)

Must have been nice to have such a quiet day. 3x in a row seems pretty rare, haha.

Thanks! Yes, they love the characters!! It's also great for us b/c we know they not only will behave at the meal but have fun, too!

Yeah, we've always gone when the PW line has been long and it's a slow-loading ride, so getting to ride 3x in a row was a great treat!! And it was even more exciting b/c Deb and Mike had taken Elie with them, so Jerry, Rachel and I could ride together, too!

great pictures!

can you tell me what PW is exactly? what about triceratops spin? thanks!

Primeval Whirl is an old "mouse trap" type ride. It's like a small roller coaster but the car will actually spin around like a teacup in some places. Although the spinning is controlled (it will break if your car spins too fast), it's still fun and there are a few little hills where your car can go down backwards, plus some bunny hops. The theme is a meteorite/asteroid is going to hit the dinosaurs and they are running for it! There is a 48" height requirement.

Triceratop Spin is basically your Dumbo or Magic Carpet ride but the cars are shaped like a 3-horned dinosaur. You go around in a circle and can manipulate the car up/down or tilt back/forward. This one is for little kids.

WDWCP96

03-07-2012, 10:34 AM

Marshay

03-07-2012, 10:48 AM

Love the DHS photos.

We have been thinking about doing H & V for the characters again. So is it Oso, Handy Manny, Little Einsteins and Jake? I think DS1 would be thrilled to see Jake.

Love the balcony at OKW. What a great place to eat lunch.

The only character from Little Einsteins is June ...guess they wanted to throw in one female character :lmao:

We did a late breakfast and that was great to see the characters. Their lunch buffet is fine, IMHO. Dinner is not a character meal so I probably wouldn't do their dinner since the whole reason for us to go is the character interaction. This is the only place that really encourages the kids to get up and dance with them, in addition to the parades.

And I of course, I love signing all the Disney Jr. songs, too! (Hot, hot lava; hot dog dance; We work Together, etc)

mousescrapper

03-07-2012, 11:02 AM

Sounds like a really great day and you lucked out great w/ the crowds :thumbsup2

Love the new princesses skirts, our Rachel has the same one as yours :goodvibes you'll see it in pictures coming up in my TR

Looks like you had a blast at H&V w/ the characters what fun...and love seeing you and Jerry in pixs w/ them too :goodvibes

I haven't walked around AK at night, but I bet it was nice

cherbear

03-07-2012, 01:42 PM

5 days before we leave and I wake up with a stuffy nose, sore throat, sneezing and coughing :scared1::eek:

It's not bad at all...but I can totally tell this cold is starting...It was that bitter wind and cold yesterday. So I'm pumping the vitamin C and Zicam and staying inside this weekend a lot.

Bummer is I had a Dismeet today but I just feel that I need to rest today to thwart this likely cold from going to a full-blown cold.

Gotta pack anyway!!;)

I wish you didn't get so sick right before the trip, yikes!

Ok, so I'm going to the doctor tomorrow. The cold got worse and I'm pretty sure I have an ear infection again!! Just had one right around Christmas along with a sinus infection...got meds and thought it was all better.

Now came back again.:mad:

Thanks guys!

So I went to doc and she thinks I may be allergic to our Sugar Gliders that we just got a few months ago ... or the (real) sheepskin that I got a few months ago and sleep with as a blanket. Or it could be something else ...

So I'm on a OTC Allegra and prescription nasal spray to see if that helps. I'm feeling much, much better now. So who knows?

that is crazy, I hope you're not allergic to the sugar gliders!! Did you/Will you find out?

yeah and I'm hoping they will watch the girls so Jerry and I can go on Mission Space Orange side!!:thumbsup2

I always forget which is which. I always get confused because when I think of GREEN I think of THIS green...:sick: which is what many people look like after coming off of the spinning side (which I assume from your post is the orange side?) LOL

Thanks! This was probably our best vacation at WDW ever!!

AWESOME!

So before we get to the room, I have to tell you about our AP experience. I knew we wanted to get AP for this January trip and for January 2013. I had timed our vacations so they would overlap completely and by the last day...meaning I purchase on 1/21/12 and it expires on 1/21/13.

I had asked on several boards (DIS and Liners) about exactly when an AP expires and was told the above is correct.

Ok, fast forward to the check-in desk and I ask the CM just to be sure about the dates and he tells me, no. If I purchase on 1/21 it will expire on 1/20, so I had to wait until 1/22. Well that wouldn't work for us since I had plans (including a CCG ADR for 1/21 in DHS). Now today was 1/20 but I had planned to purchase tomorrow before going into the park.

So a 2nd CM comes over and says the same thing. I'm trying to tell them that I think they are wrong (in the nicest manner). So they bring over a manager, Stephanie, and she says -- have them get their tickets today and then give them a complimentary pass for 1 day, parkhopper so they can get into the parks on 1/21/13.

Sounds good.

They give me the free tickets and then I buy the AP.

And guess what the expiration date is: 1/20/13 (not 1/19 like they said it would be) so the AP covers me for 1/20/13 and the free ticket covers me for 1/21/13.

Now if I had just waited until 1/21 to buy the tickets, everything would have turned out exactly like I expected and WDW wouldn't have needed to give me the free tickets. But since the CM didn't understand when an AP expires, I got an extra day in the parks...well, evening actually. We hadn't planned to go to the parks tonight 1/20 but now we could!

So Arnold and Joann (CM) said that they learned something new today and would suggest getting the training manual updated/rewritten to say that an AP expires on the same day, one year in advance.

I felt very proud that I not only knew more than the CM but that I was able to help them learn something too.

Go Dis!!:goodvibes

that is perfect! Glad it worked out in your favor!

I had gotten restaurant.com gift certificates $25 worth of food for only $2 and decided to give Garden Grove over at the Swan a try since friends of ours went and loved it.

There is a big tree in the middle of the restaurant, lit up.
http://i154.photobucket.com/albums/s250/memch/WDW%202012/IMG_0444.jpg

It was delicious. We were one of only 4 tables occupied at 5:15pm on a Friday night. The characters kept coming around and around ...so much so that we had to tell the girls they had to eat their food and stop getting up all the time!
http://i154.photobucket.com/albums/s250/memch/WDW%202012/IMG_0436.jpg

At first Elizabeth was shy of the characters but by the 2nd time they came around she was going to them and by the 3rd time she was hugging them and the 4th-7th times they were dancing, waving, hugging, kissing, etc.
http://i154.photobucket.com/albums/s250/memch/WDW%202012/IMG_0437.jpg

Friday night was Seafood Night and it was good. Reminded me of Cape May Cafe but perhaps not as many options. However, they did serve a bucket of fried shrimp, clams and hushpuppies ... and each adult got:
http://i154.photobucket.com/albums/s250/memch/WDW%202012/IMG_0441.jpg

Here are some samplings of our meal. Snow crab clusters, mussels, shrimp -- yum!! Also, the desserts were much better than Disney's IMHO.
http://i154.photobucket.com/albums/s250/memch/WDW%202012/IMG_0442.jpg

Smiles and laughs were plentiful at this meal.
http://i154.photobucket.com/albums/s250/memch/WDW%202012/IMG_0452.jpg

After dinner I decided that we should go to Epcot since we were so close and had the bonus day from the AP dilemma earlier. I also bought the TIW card to get 20% Table-service restaurants for this trip and our next one(s).

We went to UK and ran around the maze for 15 minutes or so. The girls loved it. The band started playing Elton John's pinball wizard and folks were singing/dancing. We got a photopass picture in France and then took the Friendship #4 boat back to the Swan/Dolphin and then drove home to OKW to unpack.

Our initial thoughts on OKW were the rooms are H_U_G_E!!! We had a great location, right across from HH and with a water/canal view and also could watch the golfers swing on the other side of the canal.

It was very relaxing (pics in another post) and I felt blessed! I said I will try not to rush us again this trip. Last trip (May 2011) I went for 5 days before going commando...maybe I could make it the whole week this time!

that looked great! I'll have to try that next time if the certificate is available. I have a few restaurant.com credits saved up in my account, just a matter of picking some restaurants to use em on! (Hardly anything in my area)

Yep! I think almost all the S&D restaurants are on restaurant.com. On a previous trip we did the same for Todd English's BlueZoo.

Saves a bit of money!

mm...now that sounds good too!

Yep, that's how I found the booth b/c my DD6 had to go to the bathroom. I never wanted to go since it's right across from the smoking lounge and even though it is separated by a door, I can still smell it. Fortunately, on this trip, no one was using the smoking lounge.

I do recommend Garden Grill if you like seafood (Friday night only). I originally chose it b/c a friend recommended it and we weren't' planning to go into the parks that day, so having the characters would be like a bonus. Turns out the food is good too. Now it's nothing to rave about like the filets at Le Cellier or the Pork at Cali Grill, etc, but it's good food and IMHO better than Chef Mickeys, since it's all seafood.

Sorry, I didn't see this earlier. When I searched I put in the zip code for swan & dolphin or typed in Orlando (can't remember which it was) and just went until I found it.

I do know that they only list so many certificates at once and when they fill up, the restaurants are taken off. So it could just be that they are gone for now. Most people buy them when they are $25 worth of food for only $2 and with summer coming up, they may go fast.

that booth looked so cool!

You do mean Garden Grove right? ;)

cherbear

03-07-2012, 01:47 PM

what a great first couple of days!! DISmeets sound great, the laid-back-ness of the trip sounds heavenly. That balcony is awesome!

Can't wait for more pics and more stories!

cherbear

03-07-2012, 01:54 PM

I just don't know how I missed joining in on this from the PTR side of things, but I'm here now and caught up, and will be able to give more detailed comments now!

A couple more things I forgot to mention, I love that June was so excited that you were all in purple. That made a REALLY cute pic :goodvibes Did you get her autograph to put next to it in your scrapbook?

I would not ride Kali in January either. Y'all are brave! (even in ponchos) :rotfl:

Marshay

03-07-2012, 04:15 PM

I wish you didn't get so sick right before the trip, yikes!

I know...I was worried

that is crazy, I hope you're not allergic to the sugar gliders!! Did you/Will you find out?

I'm positive it was the sheep skin. I stopped sleeping with it when I got home (and of course we didn't have it with us in WDW) and my symptoms all disappeared. I was tested for Lyme disease and it showed up negative.

Then the other day I took a nap on the sheepskin in my family room where we keep it now, and when I woke up my throat and eyes were scratchy. So I'm going to assume that was it.

I always forget which is which. I always get confused because when I think of GREEN I think of THIS green...:sick: which is what many people look like after coming off of the spinning side (which I assume from your post is the orange side?) LOL

Yeah, green is go for kids/wimps ;) and orange is for those who like it wild!

AWESOME!

that is perfect! Glad it worked out in your favor!

that looked great! I'll have to try that next time if the certificate is available. I have a few restaurant.com credits saved up in my account, just a matter of picking some restaurants to use em on! (Hardly anything in my area)

mm...now that sounds good too!

that booth looked so cool!

You do mean Garden Grove right? ;)

Yes, I meant Grove! Thanks for correcting me and I went back to change it. We do love Garden Grill, too but that is completely different.

what a great first couple of days!! DISmeets sound great, the laid-back-ness of the trip sounds heavenly. That balcony is awesome!

Can't wait for more pics and more stories!

Thanks! It was great!

Trentmom

03-07-2012, 09:19 PM

See I missed an update

Looks like a great relaxing day.Love the pic with all of you and June...Very cute

Your balcony looks great. Must have been nice to eat outside at table in nice weather

That is great you met up with old friends. Yay Rachel for getting Mike on Everest. Very cute how he has his hand in front of her in pic, protecting her :goodvibes

Sounds like a great day!!

Love that one pic of light with spider....very neat

Marshay

03-07-2012, 11:47 PM

what a great first couple of days!! DISmeets sound great, the laid-back-ness of the trip sounds heavenly. That balcony is awesome!

Can't wait for more pics and more stories!

Thanks! When we talked about going in January it was mainly to get a final trip in before Elie turned 3 and we'd have to pay for her. We were really expecting cold, weather and lots of BTGs.

So we were so pleasantly surprised by the warm (and even hot some days) weather and low crowds.

I love all the DVCs but generally like the Hotel ones better. But I must say that I wouldn't hesitate to go back to OKW -- it's beautiful and has the cheapest points and the largest rooms!

Now I do know that some rooms face the road ... and if we had that view, our experience would not have been the same. Part of our love for OKW was our gorgeous view.

I just don't know how I missed joining in on this from the PTR side of things, but I'm here now and caught up, and will be able to give more detailed comments now!

A couple more things I forgot to mention, I love that June was so excited that you were all in purple. That made a REALLY cute pic :goodvibes Did you get her autograph to put next to it in your scrapbook?

I would not ride Kali in January either. Y'all are brave! (even in ponchos) :rotfl:

Glad you are caught up too!

Although Rachel had all the H&V character's signatures (except Jake), I started working on Elizabeth's siggies for her book that I still need to make. So to answer your question, yes!

What's really funny is that when I packed the ponchos, I just grabbed 4 of them ... never checked the sizes and the one I am wearing is actually a kid's size. So on that pic of us on Kali, the poncho is really only covering my shirt. My bottoms were SOAKED!! But we went around 3pm so it was the warmest part of the day and between the warmth and EE, I was dry within 1-2 hours.

See I missed an update

Looks like a great relaxing day.Love the pic with all of you and June...Very cute

Your balcony looks great. Must have been nice to eat outside at table in nice weather

That is great you met up with old friends. Yay Rachel for getting Mike on Everest. Very cute how he has his hand in front of her in pic, protecting her :goodvibes

Sounds like a great day!!

Love that one pic of light with spider....very neat

Yes, it was a great day. I really like park-hopping and this just worked out for us on this day as AK was open later than normal that day.

The balcony was great -- both in the day and at night.

Yeah, I saw in that photo that Mike is definitely protecting Rachel!

pld5

03-10-2012, 09:11 AM

By now we were hungry so off to Flame Tree BBQ for dinner. The girls were acting up b/c they were tired/hungry and said they didn't like BBQ. Now who doesn't like BBQ??? We love this restaurant. After dinner we wandered around the seating areas admiring all the details in the lights.

Now who doesn't like BBQ? :rotfl2: Nice pictures of AK. We didn't make it to AK this time, but if we do on a future trip it will be for Flame Tree BBQ, and the Lion King and Nemo show.

Edward loved the characters at our H&V lunch and the dancing, too.

okw19

03-10-2012, 11:43 AM

Whew, I am all caught up on your TR! You have an adorable family and I'm loving reading about your trip. We love the balconies at OKW, glad to see you made use of yours! :)

Marshay

03-15-2012, 11:53 AM

Now who doesn't like BBQ? :rotfl2: Nice pictures of AK. We didn't make it to AK this time, but if we do on a future trip it will be for Flame Tree BBQ, and the Lion King and Nemo show.

Edward loved the characters at our H&V lunch and the dancing, too.

I know...how can you not love BBQ? Ribs, pork, beans - -yum!! ANd we always get the two different mousses here, too. They are surprisingly good -- chocoloate and key lime.

We used to skip AK but now it has become one of our favorite parks. Rachel and Elie, too, are big enough for most of the rides and the shows are amazing. I really like going here at night, too, to see all the great lights and Everest at night is awesome!!

I'm glad Edward like H&V, too. We just have so much fun here!

Whew, I am all caught up on your TR! You have an adorable family and I'm loving reading about your trip. We love the balconies at OKW, glad to see you made use of yours! :)

Welcome back! Yes, we loved the balconies. They are so huge.

I do think though there are some really bad views at OKW -- we just were lucky to get one of the good ones!

cherbear

03-15-2012, 12:04 PM

hope since you're still on, that it means you're churning out another update soon! :goodvibes :thumbsup2

Marshay

03-15-2012, 01:23 PM

hope since you're still on, that it means you're churning out another update soon! :goodvibes :thumbsup2

I just uploaded 65 pics for the next installment! Hopefully today or tomorrow I'll have it updated.

Thanks!

princessmorgan

03-17-2012, 01:53 PM

Marshay

03-20-2012, 02:53 PM

You were brave to ride Kali! We were going to do it, but then we saw a couple who had come from there over to Dinoland. They were soaked! They warned us not to do it :) It was warm, but not that warm where I wanted wet underpants for hours! Maybe when we go on our adult only trip in May....in all of my many trips, I still have not ridden it.

The Garden Grove actually looks pretty good. I still have a restaurant.com certificate from a year ago. Thanks for the pictures and the review!

Your view looks like our view did at OKW, except we were on the other side where the DTD boat goes through. It was very pretty, but I did get annoyed by the boat after a couple of days when the novelty wore off. They would sound their horn when they passed another boat. The kids enjoyed waving to the people though.

Yeah, some people really got wet. Disney does not turn off the water so you can get as wet in summer as in January. We were just lucky!

I do recommend Garden Grove, esp if you aren't using a park day but want to still see characters and eat good food!

I had heard that people who get a canal with the boat have complained a lot about the noise. Then when we took the boat to DTD, we understood. They just lay on that horn a lot. Although it would have been neat to see that boat traffic, we were happy with our quiet, non-activity view of the canal.

Marshay

03-20-2012, 03:13 PM

Today is Sunday, January 22nd and I made today a "relaxed" day since I figured we would be out late at AK the night before.

For the girls "pixie-dust" surprises, Elizabeth got Duffy Bear and Rachel got a new Leapster cartridge and Finding Nemo book. Rachel then declared that she wanted Duffy, too!

We ate breakfast in the room and then took the boat to DTD.

The boat launch
http://i154.photobucket.com/albums/s250/memch/WDW%202012/IMG_0537.jpg

This day was wonderful -- the sun was shining brightly...we didn't need to be anywhere in particular and we had the boat taxi all to ourselves.

Jerry chillin' out
http://i154.photobucket.com/albums/s250/memch/WDW%202012/IMG_0535.jpg

This was my view from the front seat looking down the river going to DTD.
http://i154.photobucket.com/albums/s250/memch/WDW%202012/IMG_0538.jpg

Coming closer to DTD and what is that we see in the air?? Hmm, that sure does look like fun...don't you want to try it? It's safe, secured by a tethered steel "rope" and if the balloon would ever get away, the pilots are all certified hot air balloon drivers so they could land it anywhere!
http://i154.photobucket.com/albums/s250/memch/WDW%202012/IMG_0539.jpg

Wonder what we're going to try next? and which one of us will freak out?

Trentmom

03-20-2012, 04:33 PM

Knew Rachel would want Duffy once she saw Elle... Trent was swept right into the Duffy madness too :laughing:

Cliffhanger...Don't leave us hanging too long okay popcorn::

Marshay

03-20-2012, 07:10 PM

Knew Rachel would want Duffy once she saw Elle... Trent was swept right into the Duffy madness too :laughing:

Cliffhanger...Don't leave us hanging too long okay popcorn::

Yeah, I felt a little bad about the Duffy thing, with only one of them getting one but then I was also thinking that Rachel has a TON of stuffed animals and does she really need another one?

I won't leave you in suspense much longer...:)

kaoden39

03-20-2012, 07:26 PM

I kind of understand the Duffy thing. Sometimes it isn't easy to be the big sister. Kacy never liked dolls until Kody had two 18 inch ones that she loved to pieces. So for Kacy's birthday all she wanted was an 18 inch doll with clothes. So I got it for her. I knew that it was a passing faze and that she probably would be over it quickly. I was wrong, she loved that thing to death. She did her hair and dressed her really pretty. I learned how to sew clothes for those darn dolls even. Kody had one that was a Disney doll with Disney clothes. Thankfully they shared the clothes.

Marshay

03-20-2012, 07:32 PM

So, we head on over "just to look" at Characters in Flight, the tethered hot air balloon (actually I think it is helium balloon, not hot air, but you know what I mean).

http://i154.photobucket.com/albums/s250/memch/WDW%202012/DSCN1731.jpg

It does seem pretty costly but since Elie is free we only have to pay for 3 of us. I go to buy the tickets and Rachel starts freaking out. Crying, not wanting to stand with us...walking away, etc.

She does not want to go on it b/c it is too high and she is afraid that it will come loose. Darn me for even mentioning anything at all about that!:headache:

So we have Rachel go over and talk to the pilots and basically I tell her that Daddy and I would never make her do anything that would hurt her and she needs to trust us that she WILL love it.

Then I proceed to remind her about Splash Mountain and how I had to practically drag her on it and threaten that I'll get kicked out of the park for her crying (yeah, NOT one of my finer moments;) ) but afterwards she loved it and it was her favorite ride and she thanked me for pushing her to go on it.

I told her the balloon was the same way. I just knew she would love it. She just had to be given the chance. Here she is, still not convinced
http://i154.photobucket.com/albums/s250/memch/WDW%202012/IMG_0541.jpg

So we all climb into a big red bucket and the pilot tell us all to spread out. Here is the cable attachment
http://i154.photobucket.com/albums/s250/memch/WDW%202012/DSCN1749.jpg

going up
http://i154.photobucket.com/albums/s250/memch/WDW%202012/DSCN1738.jpg

http://i154.photobucket.com/albums/s250/memch/WDW%202012/IMG_0549.jpg

http://i154.photobucket.com/albums/s250/memch/WDW%202012/DSCN1741.jpg

A self-portait!
http://i154.photobucket.com/albums/s250/memch/WDW%202012/DSCN1743.jpg

Here is what is keeping you attached to the ground
http://i154.photobucket.com/albums/s250/memch/WDW%202012/DSCN1739.jpg

the "bucket" is attached to the balloon
http://i154.photobucket.com/albums/s250/memch/WDW%202012/DSCN1748.jpg

400 feet in the air
http://i154.photobucket.com/albums/s250/memch/WDW%202012/DSCN1740.jpg

Once she got in the bucket and we started going up nice and slow, Rachel was having a lot of fun. Here she is with our pilot -- the smile is genuine.
http://i154.photobucket.com/albums/s250/memch/WDW%202012/IMG_0550.jpg

At the top, you were allowed to move around if you wanted to. Some people stayed frozen in their spot as they didn't like the way the balloon shifted with your weight... but I wanted to get photos from each angle, so we did.
http://i154.photobucket.com/albums/s250/memch/WDW%202012/IMG_0552.jpg

here are some views from the top

Typhoon Lagoon
http://i154.photobucket.com/albums/s250/memch/WDW%202012/DSCN1735.jpg

Epcot
http://i154.photobucket.com/albums/s250/memch/WDW%202012/DSCN1737.jpg

Coming down
http://i154.photobucket.com/albums/s250/memch/WDW%202012/DSCN1746.jpg

http://i154.photobucket.com/albums/s250/memch/WDW%202012/IMG_0553.jpg

I like this photo a lot -- Elie was enjoying it but didn't want to pose for the camera -- she was too busy/concerned about that view down below
http://i154.photobucket.com/albums/s250/memch/WDW%202012/IMG_0560.jpg

I am glad we did Characters in Flight. It was really neat to look around and to be that high up in the air. However, the flight was super-short, like only 10 minutes. It really needs to be cheaper or longer.

As we got off, Rachel asked us with a big smile if we could do it again!! She said she loved it.

Tonight at dinner, I asked her when she stopped being afraid of the balloon and she said once she got on it, there was so much to see that she stopped being scared. The fear was all in her head!

After the balloon ride, we walked toward DisneyQuest, stopping at shops along the way, and then took the water taxi over to Marketplace. This was our first time taking the free boats at DTD and was a nice little ride for the girls.

CONTINUED in post #200

Marshay

03-20-2012, 07:35 PM

kaoden39

03-20-2012, 07:46 PM

Glad it worked out for them. Sometimes it take sibling jealousy to know what you want, eh?

Hint: this was NOT the case for Rachel, I'm sad to say....

The balloon ride looks amazing. The views from it are great. I love the Ferris wheel in DCA is really tall and I love to go on it and look at the views that you see from it. I know a lot of people that will not go on it.

I can hardly wait to hear the rest of your story.

Trentmom

03-20-2012, 08:14 PM

So glad Rachel ended up liking it

Does look kind of scary to me too :laughing:

Marshay

03-20-2012, 08:15 PM

Next up was a lunch ADR for:
http://i154.photobucket.com/albums/s250/memch/WDW%202012/DSCN1797.jpg

Now we haven't eaten here before but we loved the atmosphere of Rainforest Cafe when they were at our local mall, so we definitely wanted to try this restaurant.

They were a bit busy so while we were waiting for our food, we let Rachel go explore.
http://i154.photobucket.com/albums/s250/memch/WDW%202012/DSCN1762.jpg

We ordered the kids food first ... this is something we are starting to do more often. But when theirs arrived, I was hungry ... hungry enough to eat the plate.
http://i154.photobucket.com/albums/s250/memch/WDW%202012/DSCN1770.jpg

Elie was too!
http://i154.photobucket.com/albums/s250/memch/WDW%202012/DSCN1773.jpg

Jerry got the country-fried steak and I got a chicken salad.
http://i154.photobucket.com/albums/s250/memch/WDW%202012/IMG_0569.jpg

Mine was delicious. The chicken was just scrumptious and I was upset that I could not finish it all. Rachel got pizza and I think Elie got Mac and cheese, which they shared. Jerry loved his, too!

We were lucky to be seated in the meteor room so about every 20-30 (?) minutes or so the place got dark and loud and meteors flashed across the sky and the hillside caught on fire and the dinosaur roared, etc.

The food was good and we will definitely go back. The portions are large, as Elie found out ... "I can't believe she ate the whole thing"
http://i154.photobucket.com/albums/s250/memch/WDW%202012/IMG_0571.jpg

Ok, she didn't but it makes a cute photo.

By this time she crashed.

kaoden39

03-20-2012, 08:23 PM

Elie just looks like she is all but asleep in that last picture. How cute!! I must ask though.....was the plate tasty?:rotfl:

Marshay

03-20-2012, 08:31 PM

The room behind us was the ice cave room and the ceiling changed colors, which was really cool.

A pic of Rachel and me
http://i154.photobucket.com/albums/s250/memch/WDW%202012/DSCN1771.jpg

While we were waiting for the check, I let Rachel walk around and she found a hidden Mickey -- all by herself! She was so proud.
http://i154.photobucket.com/albums/s250/memch/WDW%202012/DSCN1779.jpg

A closer look -- in the photo above it is on the left side of the tentacle
http://i154.photobucket.com/albums/s250/memch/WDW%202012/IMG_0575.jpg

Potty time for the girls
http://i154.photobucket.com/albums/s250/memch/WDW%202012/IMG_0573.jpg

and the boy
http://i154.photobucket.com/albums/s250/memch/WDW%202012/IMG_0572.jpg

Now, I won't comment too much on this but I had seen someone's TR with this photo and the assorted lewd comments on it. After all, it is RIGHT next to the bathrooms. I'll let you make your own judgments.
http://i154.photobucket.com/albums/s250/memch/WDW%202012/IMG_0574.jpg

After eating we headed over to
http://i154.photobucket.com/albums/s250/memch/WDW%202012/DSCN1792.jpg

When we had visited the gift shop back in May, Rachel really wanted to make her own dino but I told her no. I figured it would mean more if we actually ate there, too.

So Rachel took her Christmas money from her aunt/uncle and went shopping.
She chose a Triceratops and helped fill it with stuffing.
http://i154.photobucket.com/albums/s250/memch/WDW%202012/IMG_0577.jpg

Gave it a nice bath
http://i154.photobucket.com/albums/s250/memch/WDW%202012/IMG_0581.jpg

And picked out one outfit
http://i154.photobucket.com/albums/s250/memch/WDW%202012/DSCN1799.jpg

She named it: Tricera Cuddles. :cloud9:

Then we went to some other stores and when Elie woke up and saw Rachel's dinosaur, she wanted to make one too. So Jerry and Elie went back to T-Rex for her to use her christmas money from her aunt/uncle and made: Rapunzelsaurus!
http://i154.photobucket.com/albums/s250/memch/WDW%202012/DSCN1800.jpg

While Rachel and I went to World of Disney to buy a Duffy Bear for her.

This trip, I gave both girls $25 in gift cards to spend and their aunt/uncle had given them $50. So they had to decide how they wanted to spend their $75.

Prior to the trip, Rachel said she was going to buy a Rapunzel dress in her size. But when she found out that would use up all her money, she changed her mind. She did a great job choosing her souvenirs, putting some larger items back to get smaller ones, etc. And when she was done, that was it. She didn't ask for more -- I was very proud of her. Now she did tell me that if I wanted to get "x" for her for her birthday, that would be ok!!:thumbsup2

I will continue to do the gift card thing!

Finally we took the boat back to OKW and everyone took naps or rested quietly.

Marshay

03-20-2012, 08:38 PM

I know these photos are out of order, but here are some photopass pics from the previous days. I am happy to say that I think we got a bunch of good photos again. I know some people don't like the photos from Disney's PHotopass, but we always seem to have lots of good ones (or maybe I'm just not that picky!!:lmao::rotfl2:)

Hollywood Studios
=============

Jerry and Rachel doing their infamous upside-down pose
http://i154.photobucket.com/albums/s250/memch/WDW%202012/Photo0102FourBySix-1.jpg

Rachel's new skirt
http://i154.photobucket.com/albums/s250/memch/WDW%202012/Photo0037FourBySix-1.jpg

A close up of Stitch, an enhancement you can add to your photos thru Disney's package
http://i154.photobucket.com/albums/s250/memch/WDW%202012/Photo0092FourBySix-1.jpg

Rachel and me
http://i154.photobucket.com/albums/s250/memch/WDW%202012/Photo0075FourBySix-1.jpg

Rachel and Jerry
http://i154.photobucket.com/albums/s250/memch/WDW%202012/Photo0131FourBySix-1.jpg

Jerry and I
http://i154.photobucket.com/albums/s250/memch/WDW%202012/Photo0032FourBySix-1.jpg

Our friends Mike & Debby and us with a new Disney border for 2012 (they change/add borders)
http://i154.photobucket.com/albums/s250/memch/WDW%202012/Photo0029FourBySix-1.jpg

http://i154.photobucket.com/albums/s250/memch/WDW%202012/Photo0009FourBySix-1.jpg

Animal Kingdom at Night
http://i154.photobucket.com/albums/s250/memch/WDW%202012/Photo0141FourBySix-1.jpg

Marshay

03-20-2012, 08:40 PM

After our nap, where did we go?

Here's a hint:

http://i154.photobucket.com/albums/s250/memch/WDW%202012/DSC_3397-1.jpg

kaoden39

03-20-2012, 08:43 PM

Their dinosaurs are so cute. I am curious....what did Rachel get?:hyper2:

dara00

03-20-2012, 08:48 PM

I was at dtd the same day as you! you're the first person I've found that overlapped with me at all, so that made me excited. :) those are very cute dinosaurs the girls made!

also, great photos from the balloon! I never saw pictures from it before, so thanks!

Marshay

03-20-2012, 08:52 PM

Yes, if you said Epcot, you are correct!!
http://i154.photobucket.com/albums/s250/memch/WDW%202012/DSC_3364-1.jpg

We first went to meet Duffy. Elizabeth did not want to bring her Duffy bear along (she preferred her Teddy Bear) so Rachel brought hers.

But Elie was really, really excited to see Duffy! She is jumping up and down here and has a huge smile on her face.
http://i154.photobucket.com/albums/s250/memch/WDW%202012/Photo0226FourBySix-1.jpg

Rachel enjoyed showing off her Duffy to Duffy
http://i154.photobucket.com/albums/s250/memch/WDW%202012/Photo0231FourBySix-1.jpg

Both girls with Duffy
http://i154.photobucket.com/albums/s250/memch/WDW%202012/DSC_3374-1.jpg

It was dinner time so we decided to eat someplace new and chose the CS at Norway. It was ok. Then we rode Maelstrom and had to try on the hats.

I love Elie's face!
http://i154.photobucket.com/albums/s250/memch/WDW%202012/IMG_0584.jpg

It was getting darker
http://i154.photobucket.com/albums/s250/memch/WDW%202012/DSC_3379-1.jpg

So we worked our way back to Mexico
http://i154.photobucket.com/albums/s250/memch/WDW%202012/DSC_3378-1.jpg

Got to try on the hats
http://i154.photobucket.com/albums/s250/memch/WDW%202012/DSC_3384-1.jpg

Bought some surprise Duffy outfits for the girls (3 for $27!! -- this was a steal since many of them are $15-20 each). Later I found out that they are redesigning the outfits and are trying to sell existing stock.

Marshay

03-20-2012, 08:59 PM

We stopped in at Club Cool for some drinks.

Now I knew all about Beverly ... and have had it before.

But I told Jerry to get his camera ready bc I was going to take a huge gulp all at once!

YUCK!!

http://i154.photobucket.com/albums/s250/memch/WDW%202012/DSC_3397-1.jpg
http://i154.photobucket.com/albums/s250/memch/WDW%202012/DSC_3396-1.jpg

Even if you KNOW it is bad, it is still really bad!!

Then we stopped to get some PP and flower pictures
http://i154.photobucket.com/albums/s250/memch/WDW%202012/DSC_3390-1.jpg

and took a last ride on Spaceship Earth.

Another great day!

Marshay

03-20-2012, 09:11 PM

The balloon ride looks amazing. The views from it are great. I love the Ferris wheel in DCA is really tall and I love to go on it and look at the views that you see from it. I know a lot of people that will not go on it.

I can hardly wait to hear the rest of your story.

It was really fun to do the balloon ride and I am glad we did it. I'd also like to do it at night for a different view but we'll wait on that. I think it cost us like $60 for the 3 of us, for about 10 minutes!:scared1:

So glad Rachel ended up liking it

Does look kind of scary to me too :laughing:

That's funny, I just don't see anything scary about it. I'm obviously not going to win the "most patient mom" award!:rotfl2:

I knew she would like it! She surprises me sometimes b/c in general she is not afraid of anything -- she talks to strangers, speaks in class (too much!) and loves having lines to say on stage. She loved Expedition Everest.

She really surprised me by being scared of that.

Elie just looks like she is all but asleep in that last picture. How cute!! I must ask though.....was the plate tasty?:rotfl:

The plate was NOT tasty! But my salad, despite the photo, was really, really good! I'd definitely order it again -- Pterodactyl Salad.

Their dinosaurs are so cute. I am curious....what did Rachel get?:hyper2:

Go back and see the photo of Rachel and her dino (I hope it's still there). SHe got the green Triceratops.

ETA: Here is the photo of Rachel's dinosaur
http://i154.photobucket.com/albums/s250/memch/WDW%202012/DSCN1799.jpg

I was at dtd the same day as you! you're the first person I've found that overlapped with me at all, so that made me excited. :) those are very cute dinosaurs the girls made!

also, great photos from the balloon! I never saw pictures from it before, so thanks!

yeah, we didn't see any Dissers until the Monday night Dismeet.

Glad I could show you pics from the balloon. It was fun...just too $$ for the short time you are up. I'd consider it a "do it once, maybe twice if you want one in day and one at night".

Marshay

03-20-2012, 09:15 PM

Whew! I am tired and need a break from the computer. That was a major update. Hope you enjoy!:goodvibes

DisneyStitch626

03-20-2012, 09:33 PM

Marshay

03-21-2012, 07:20 AM

Love the updates! I want to do the balloon, but not sure I could. There's that whole height thing involved.

They made such cute dinos!! That restaurant looks like a lot of fun too.

Just a question, not sure if I missed it....where is the little one in all the photopass pictures?

How observant!!

Most times when we went to do the PP pictures, it was on the way out of the parks and by then she was fast asleep!

She will be in some others:cutie:

And that Stitch photo was for you!!

DisneyStitch626

03-21-2012, 09:49 AM

Aw, thanks! I thought that photo was a little random, but I loved it! :goodvibes

Looking forward to more updates! :)

cherbear

03-21-2012, 10:39 AM

http://i154.photobucket.com/albums/s250/memch/WDW%202012/Photo0226FourBySix-1.jpg

what a PRICELESS photo!! It looks as if she is almost in the air! Love that she is getting so involved now with the characters

Marshay

03-21-2012, 10:46 AM

Aw, thanks! I thought that photo was a little random, but I loved it! :goodvibes

Looking forward to more updates! :)

Yeah, I thought I'd put it in there for you to see if you'd notice! hehe

http://i154.photobucket.com/albums/s250/memch/WDW%202012/Photo0226FourBySix-1.jpg

what a PRICELESS photo!! It looks as if she is almost in the air! Love that she is getting so involved now with the characters

I know! I love the way her hair and feet are just all moving -- it was a heart-warming moment. For my scrapbook page, I'll put the series of photos together --her walking up to Duffy, jumping with him, etc.

cherbear

03-21-2012, 11:20 AM

cherbear

03-21-2012, 11:22 AM

Yeah, I thought I'd put it in there for you to see if you'd notice! hehe

I know! I love the way her hair and feet are just all moving -- it was a heart-warming moment. For my scrapbook page, I'll put the series of photos together --her walking up to Duffy, jumping with him, etc.

yes her hair looks so cute, all flipped out and bouncy!

can't wait to see the scrapbook!

Marshay

03-21-2012, 11:31 AM

great pics on the balloon ride! You managed to get a lot of good ones in just 10 minutes!

What time did you get on the boat to DTD? Must have been early if you had it to yourselves. Looked like a beautiful morning and what a relaxing one it was.

Rachel's Triceratops is so stinkin cute! I love those little shoes.

She did very well at spending her money at WDW. It's such a great lesson!

I absolutely LOVE your photopass pics (with the exception of not seeing Elie in them...LOL But I know there will be lots more)

You did great with the borders!

Thanks! Both Jerry and I had cameras so it was fun getting all the pics!

We were on the boat around 9am...can't remember exactly but our ADR was for around noon so we had to have enough time to get there, do the flight and shop.

Yeah, I love Rachel's -- it is so cute! I actually had a hard time in that shop, as it was ME who wanted to buy all the cute outfits. I ended up buying each of them 2 more outfits for Easter/birthdays!

Thanks -- photopass always seems to work well for us! Now that they have raised (or soon will) the price, I really need to question the cost though. I know I can join a photoshare but I hate being under a tight deadline...this time it took me nearly 30 days to finish and no one in a share wants to wait that long.

yes her hair looks so cute, all flipped out and bouncy!

can't wait to see the scrapbook!

YEah, it's cute.

I'll do the digital photobook soon and it'll be awhile until the REAL scrapbook. I decided to just stop scrapping until Elizabeth goes to preschool in September. Too much stuff going on. I do miss scrapping but figure that when I do get back to it, I'll be all excited again.

Another update coming whithin the hour!!:thumbsup2

Marshay

03-21-2012, 11:54 AM

Today is Monday, January 23rd and I last left you all at DTD in the morning with Epcot at night.

So today we go to Animal Kingdom. In May 2011, Rachel and I rode Expedition Everest for her first time -- three times in row, so I thought I'd be nice and let Jerry go with Rachel this time, since he hadn't ridden with her yet.
http://i154.photobucket.com/albums/s250/memch/WDW%202012/DSC_3418.jpg

Rachel said "blech" to her Duffy bear and decided that Tricera Cuddles HAD to go to Animal Kingdom...after all, she is a dinosaur!
http://i154.photobucket.com/albums/s250/memch/WDW%202012/DSC_3412.jpg

A view from on top
http://i154.photobucket.com/albums/s250/memch/WDW%202012/DSC_3405.jpg

Meantime, Elizabeth and I went to the Kilimanjaro Safari. When we arrived, the giraffes were running all around the safari, chasing other animals out of their way. It was great!! Well, great for us in the truck...now the antelope/kudus and wildebeest did not like it at all. I swear I heard some nasty words come out of them! Our driver said that lately the giraffes are doing that (there is a young, playful giraffe) and it annoys the heck out of the other, older animals. But it was so fun to see.
http://i154.photobucket.com/albums/s250/memch/WDW%202012/IMG_0602.jpg

Elizabeth on the safari
http://i154.photobucket.com/albums/s250/memch/WDW%202012/IMG_0595.jpg

She brought her dinosaur today too, which is very rare, since "Teddy" is her #1 lovey. Here is Rapunzelsaurus riding on the Safari.
http://i154.photobucket.com/albums/s250/memch/WDW%202012/IMG_0594.jpg

Then Jerry and I switched. Rachel didn't want to ride EE again, so I rode three times by myself and Jerry and the girls went to TriSpin.
http://i154.photobucket.com/albums/s250/memch/WDW%202012/IMG_0653.jpg

http://i154.photobucket.com/albums/s250/memch/WDW%202012/IMG_0613.jpg

On to Primeval Whirl and then Jerry wanted to play "Whack a Mole" with Rachel. Now this just irritate me. Why spend more money on a lousy game? It costs $4/each and Jerry got beat by a 9 yo girl!!:rotfl2: I told him to save his money but he got all testy and like if he wants to play WAM, he will.

I understand if it's at a local carnival, but for some reason with all there is to do at Disney World, I can't see doing those dumb carnival games.

Then on to FOTLK
http://i154.photobucket.com/albums/s250/memch/WDW%202012/DSC_3490.jpg

This was a great show, as always!

Time for lunch, so we picked Restaurantasaurus, since the BBQ didn't go over well with the girls last time. This was our first time eating here and we will be back. It was air conditioned, which was nice and it had the fill your own soda and a condiment bar.

Then off to The boneyard. Both girls always think this is the highlight of AK. I guess I'll know when they are really grown up when they stop wanting to play here:sad2: I'll just post pics of Elie to make up for her lack of pics yesterday!
http://i154.photobucket.com/albums/s250/memch/WDW%202012/DSC_3534.jpg

Elie, tongue out, running
http://i154.photobucket.com/albums/s250/memch/WDW%202012/DSC_3528.jpg

Playing in the sand
http://i154.photobucket.com/albums/s250/memch/WDW%202012/DSC_3542.jpg

By now we were hungry again so we got snacks
http://i154.photobucket.com/albums/s250/memch/WDW%202012/IMG_0650.jpg

Marsha - traditional Mickey Ice Cream Bar
Rachel - Fruit bar
Jerry - Mickey Ice Cream Sandwich
Elie -- shared with all of us
http://i154.photobucket.com/albums/s250/memch/WDW%202012/IMG_0647.jpg

After ice cream, Elie crashed so I asked Rachel if she wanted to ride Dinosaur. She's done it in the past but has been tentative. She said yes, so off we go.
http://i154.photobucket.com/albums/s250/memch/WDW%202012/DSC_3546.jpg

She was nervous but after riding said she loved it and decided to go again with Jerry.
http://i154.photobucket.com/albums/s250/memch/WDW%202012/IMG_0656.jpg

http://i154.photobucket.com/albums/s250/memch/WDW%202012/IMG_0661.jpg

Then we let her play on the dinosaur a bit
http://i154.photobucket.com/albums/s250/memch/WDW%202012/DSC_3563.jpg

Finally we stopped to take some more Photopass photos
http://i154.photobucket.com/albums/s250/memch/WDW%202012/Photo0291FourBySix-1.jpg

Pretended to be scared of EE
http://i154.photobucket.com/albums/s250/memch/WDW%202012/Photo0276FourBySix-1.jpg

And Rachel got to hold Tinkerbell
http://i154.photobucket.com/albums/s250/memch/WDW%202012/Photo0282FourBySix-1.jpg

A last photo before leaving the park (and yep, Elie is still sleeping)..poor Elie,
http://i154.photobucket.com/albums/s250/memch/WDW%202012/Photo0298FourBySix-1.jpg

Walking to our room
http://i154.photobucket.com/albums/s250/memch/WDW%202012/IMG_0664.jpg

Marshay

03-21-2012, 12:19 PM

So after naps back "home" at OKW, we slowly made our way to DHS. Even though we didn't need to be in the park until 7pm, it was taking longer. However, I really wanted to be there at 7pm b/c this was our January 2012 Dismeet.
http://i154.photobucket.com/albums/s250/memch/WDW%202012/DSC_3579.jpg

I think we arrived by 7:15pm and the girls had a blast from the very beginning.
http://i154.photobucket.com/albums/s250/memch/WDW%202012/DSC_3586.jpg

This video is 35 seconds and shows Elie trying to dance on one foot...also now we have proof of which kid stole her balloon!:lmao: He just swooped on in as soon as she danced a bit away from it!! :laughing: eta: You must click on the picture to start the video
http://i154.photobucket.com/albums/s250/memch/WDW%202012/th_MVI_0671.jpg (http://s154.photobucket.com/albums/s250/memch/WDW%202012/?action=view&current=MVI_0671.mp4)

Elie and Jerry (also note Elie's new shirt I got at Walmart in Orlando) to match her Ariel skirt
http://i154.photobucket.com/albums/s250/memch/WDW%202012/IMG_0668.jpg

Rachel in love with Jake!
http://i154.photobucket.com/albums/s250/memch/WDW%202012/DSC_3613.jpg

Bubbles are big hit
http://i154.photobucket.com/albums/s250/memch/WDW%202012/DSC_3609.jpg

Then I went searching for Dissers at the dance hall. Please forgive me if I got the wrong name and let me know, please.

This is sparks from Dis - Tania.
http://i154.photobucket.com/albums/s250/memch/WDW%202012/DSC_3650.jpg

Lisa (lledman)
http://i154.photobucket.com/albums/s250/memch/WDW%202012/DSC_3629.jpg

Patty (pld5)
http://i154.photobucket.com/albums/s250/memch/WDW%202012/DSC_3627.jpg

The dance party was a huge hit and we saw: Jake, Pluto, Goofy, Handy Manny, Mickey, Minnie, Annie and Quincy.

By now we needed food so decided to try the new hot dog combos at Fairfax Faire. I got the pork BBQ and cole slaw hot dog ... and it was delicious!!
http://i154.photobucket.com/albums/s250/memch/WDW%202012/IMG_0675.jpg

Rachel had decided that she liked Duffy again so she had brought him this evening. She laughed at me for taking this super-close picture and called me silly! That's ok, I am silly.:upsidedow
http://i154.photobucket.com/albums/s250/memch/WDW%202012/IMG_0589.jpg

We all rode Star Tours and then Jerry took Elie to see:
http://i154.photobucket.com/albums/s250/memch/WDW%202012/DSC_3679.jpg

While Rachel and I rode Star Tours 2 more times. We got the At-At scene which I think is really cool, the Ewok Village and the underwater scene which I think is the best b/c I love the big alligator that tries to eat us.

By now it was 10pm and the park EMH was done. Both girls were still awake.

cherbear

03-21-2012, 01:57 PM

what a fun time!!!! I totally, TOTALLY agree about the carnival games.

$4 is a little ridiculous! On one of our trips, DH insisted on playing a couple rounds in the shooting arcade at MK. I was kinda groaning about it but I think it was only $1 a round if I remember right. I actually tried once and impressed him (and myself) with my shooting...and quite enjoyed it. We had just eaten at Pecos Bill and I'm pretty sure we were waiting on BTM fastpass times, so I was okay with the idea that we weren't "wasting time" when we could be standing in line for something. LOL

I suspect that Elie wanted to bring her new dinosaur because her big sister brought hers :thumbsup2

Super cute pics as always. I quite like the closeup that Rachel said was silly!

Love all the DISmeet pics! Great that you got to meet so many...I hope they all come by!

Funny I've never really paid attention to Restaurantasaurus OR Fairfax Faire. That looked like a ton of food you get at FF! What does Restaurantasaurus have on the menu? (MY that's a mouthful!)

Marshay

03-21-2012, 04:10 PM

Funny I've never really paid attention to Restaurantasaurus OR Fairfax Faire. That looked like a ton of food you get at FF! What does Restaurantasaurus have on the menu? (MY that's a mouthful!)

From All Ears

Dig Site Meals

1/3 lb Angus Bacon Cheeseburger - served with choice of apple slices or fries $9.19

Shrimp Po Boy - served with choice of apple slices or fries $9.99

Chicken Breast Nuggets - 8 pieces served with choice of apple slices or fries $8.19

Vegetable Subosaurus - grilled vegetables, mushrooms, onions, provolone, served on a toasted roll with sweet potato fries $9.39

Dig Site Salad - Romaine, beef chili, tortilla chips, corn relish, and cheddar $8.69

Kid's Picks (9 and Under)

Hot Dog OR Cheese Burger OR Peanut Butter and Jelly - comes with grapes and carrot sticks and choice of 1% milk, bottled water or apple juice) $6.99

Desserts

Chocolate Mousse $3.59

Cheesecake in a Glass $3.59

Marshay

03-21-2012, 04:11 PM

So nothing fancy there but it was good.

Jerry got the cheeseburger and I got the shrimp po boy. Both were good!:thumbsup2

Marshay

03-21-2012, 04:15 PM

what a fun time!!!! I totally, TOTALLY agree about the carnival games.

$4 is a little ridiculous! On one of our trips, DH insisted on playing a couple rounds in the shooting arcade at MK. I was kinda groaning about it but I think it was only $1 a round if I remember right. I actually tried once and impressed him (and myself) with my shooting...and quite enjoyed it. We had just eaten at Pecos Bill and I'm pretty sure we were waiting on BTM fastpass times, so I was okay with the idea that we weren't "wasting time" when we could be standing in line for something. LOL

I suspect that Elie wanted to bring her new dinosaur because her big sister brought hers :thumbsup2

Super cute pics as always. I quite like the closeup that Rachel said was silly!

Love all the DISmeet pics! Great that you got to meet so many...I hope they all come by!

Yeah, I wouldn't mind if it was only $1. I like that shooting arcade, too. But for $4, which is $8 for two, I could get TWO Mickey Ice Cream Bars!!

Yeah, they were both dino-crazed that day! Elie loves to follow in the steps of big sis!! She often tells me, "Mommy, Rachel is my best friend and best sister!"

Thanks! There were some really cute photos this time. Still need to find photopass with Elie!! I swear there are some!

The Dismeet was fun! The girls had a blast with the characters, Jerry loved taking photos and I alternated between talking to them and dancing with the girls -- even did the Electric Slide!

DisneyStitch626

03-21-2012, 04:22 PM

Marshay

03-21-2012, 04:49 PM

That's funny you mention that about the carnival games. I was like that with the boys on our October 2010 trip. They wanted to play, and I got a little upset, cause they can do that every year at the Stampede, but here we are in Disneyland, and you want to play those same games!

How cute that you got to see the giraffes running around. That's a little more exciting than their usual standing around.

I can't wait to be able to ride EE, it looks like so much fun!

That video of her dancing is so cute. Too bad her balloon got stolen though, haha.

Re: carnival games, maybe it's a male/female thing. I just don't understand. I mean I like to play them too but not for the $$.

The giraffes were the highlight. They actually had to stop the tour bc the giraffes were running right across the roads, etc.

EE is so much fun! I hope you love it.

So you saw that kid take her balloon, too? It's funny b/c at the time I was just watching her and not paying attention. But I distinctly remember her having a balloon, b/c we waited in line for it (free!). Then after she stopped dancing we couldn't find it anymore, but thankfully she got distraced by the characters.

kaoden39

03-21-2012, 07:48 PM

Okay so I am sure I will forget things.

I saw the balloon thief too. Brat. I am glad she was distracted and didn't notice.

The girls were so cute with their dinosaurs. I love the names by the way.

That's fun about Rachel and Duffy. He is a wonderful bear to hug.

You hot dog looked good. That is Scotty's type of place.

Rachel is pretty brave about the different rides. My girls weren't nearly as brave at her age. Kudos!!

We played the games for the first time on our last trip. It was raining so hard there really weren't a lot of choices of things to do. So I figured it was all good. We spent $20 and came home with a lot of stuffed animals.

I love how you buy things and put them away. The last time I was on the Disney store website they had the Duffy outfits on sale.

Marshay

03-21-2012, 07:57 PM

Okay so I am sure I will forget things.

I saw the balloon thief too. Brat. I am glad she was distracted and didn't notice.

yeah, me too! But there really so much going on it was easy to forget about the balloons

The girls were so cute with their dinosaurs. I love the names by the way.

I really like the dinosaurs, too. And they picked the names all by themselves!

That's fun about Rachel and Duffy. He is a wonderful bear to hug.

Duffy is cute ... but the other day Rachel said she wishes she didn't buy him and got something "girly" instead. I told her that if she wants to dress him up in girl clothes she could. There is nothing that says he must be a boy.

You hot dog looked good. That is Scotty's type of place.

I'm hungry for one now!

Rachel is pretty brave about the different rides. My girls weren't nearly as brave at her age. Kudos!!

yeah she is really brave, which just surprised me about the Characters in Flight

We played the games for the first time on our last trip. It was raining so hard there really weren't a lot of choices of things to do. So I figured it was all good. We spent $20 and came home with a lot of stuffed animals.

Good for you! Sounds like you won...we didn't :rotfl2:

I love how you buy things and put them away. The last time I was on the Disney store website they had the Duffy outfits on sale.

I heard that WDW is going to be bringing out Duffy's girlfriend bear with girl clothes!!:thumbsup2

I'm always looking for good deals. I have two large Rubbermaid containers filled with toys/books/clothes for both Rachel and Elizabeth. I use them for all the holidays and also for birthday gifts for friends. This way I don't have to pay full $$ during the event and it helps distribute the costs throughout the year.

kaoden39

03-21-2012, 08:01 PM

I heard that WDW is going to be bringing out Duffy's girlfriend bear with girl clothes!!:thumbsup2

I'm always looking for good deals. I have two large Rubbermaid containers filled with toys/books/clothes for both Rachel and Elizabeth. I use them for all the holidays and also for birthday gifts for friends. This way I don't have to pay full $$ during the event and it helps distribute the costs throughout the year.

I have heard that Sally May(I think that is her name) was coming but hadn't heard when. I would love one to dress up. Duffy can be the brother that all her girl stuffed animals dress up.:rotfl:

Marshay

03-21-2012, 08:38 PM

I have heard that Sally May(I think that is her name) was coming but hadn't heard when. I would love one to dress up. Duffy can be the brother that all her girl stuffed animals dress up.:rotfl:

Yep, Shellie May!

kaoden39

03-21-2012, 10:08 PM

Yep, Shellie May!

I was so close yet so very far away.:lmao:

Trentmom

03-21-2012, 11:07 PM

cherbear

03-22-2012, 08:46 AM

From All Ears

Dig Site Meals

1/3 lb Angus Bacon Cheeseburger - served with choice of apple slices or fries $9.19

Shrimp Po Boy - served with choice of apple slices or fries $9.99

Chicken Breast Nuggets - 8 pieces served with choice of apple slices or fries $8.19

Vegetable Subosaurus - grilled vegetables, mushrooms, onions, provolone, served on a toasted roll with sweet potato fries $9.39

Dig Site Salad - Romaine, beef chili, tortilla chips, corn relish, and cheddar $8.69

Kid's Picks (9 and Under)

Hot Dog OR Cheese Burger OR Peanut Butter and Jelly - comes with grapes and carrot sticks and choice of 1% milk, bottled water or apple juice) $6.99

Desserts

Chocolate Mousse $3.59

Cheesecake in a Glass $3.59

oh yeah I'm hungry now....LOL

So nothing fancy there but it was good.

Jerry got the cheeseburger and I got the shrimp po boy. Both were good!:thumbsup2

Shrimp poboy....heehee....you should come try a REAL shrimp po-boy here....make you wanna "slap ya mama!" as they say down here in the south. LOL

I heard that WDW is going to be bringing out Duffy's girlfriend bear with girl clothes!!:thumbsup2

I'm always looking for good deals. I have two large Rubbermaid containers filled with toys/books/clothes for both Rachel and Elizabeth. I use them for all the holidays and also for birthday gifts for friends. This way I don't have to pay full $$ during the event and it helps distribute the costs throughout the year.

that is a really really good idea. Mike seemingly does this with jewelry for me...LOL I think he's slacked off in the more recent years (with a mortgage and all the REAL bills) but when we were dating I know he used to find things on deep clearance and hang onto them until our anniversary, valentine's day, bday, Christmas...heck that's a lot of events, can you blame him? :rotfl:
I kept telling him I do not need that much jewelry, but he keeps buying it! I've gotten some beautiful pieces from him over the years, and it makes me feel better knowing he's a smart shopper and that he didn't pay a fortune for them.

cherbear

03-22-2012, 08:58 AM

I saw y'all talking about a video and then realized that I missed clicking on it. Yup, saw that kid. BUT I'm gonna choose to ignore that and just say how stinking cute she was dancing!! And that I love her light-up shoes!!

A friend just passed me some hand-me-downs (her daughter is almost 2) and there are a few pairs of shoes in there, well as I was tossing the shoes out of the bag, I see one of them light up! So cute! There are also some Disney princess sandals in there too :goodvibes

princessmorgan

03-22-2012, 12:42 PM

lledman

03-22-2012, 01:14 PM

This video is 35 seconds and shows Elie trying to dance on one foot...also now we have proof of which kid stole her balloon!:lmao: He just swooped on in as soon as she danced a bit away from it!! :laughing: eta: You must click on the picture to start the video
http://i154.photobucket.com/albums/s250/memch/WDW%202012/th_MVI_0671.jpg (http://s154.photobucket.com/albums/s250/memch/WDW%202012/?action=view&current=MVI_0671.mp4)

Looks like she was having a blast (all of ours sure did) So the balloon thief was not part of our crew – whew!!! I spot my tiny girl running in circles behind Elie

Bubbles are big hit
http://i154.photobucket.com/albums/s250/memch/WDW%202012/DSC_3609.jpg

This is my friend’s son Cameron looking like he’s sword fighting Elie

Lisa (lledman)
http://i154.photobucket.com/albums/s250/memch/WDW%202012/DSC_3629.jpg

It was great to finally meet you and this venue was the perfect location!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

earthfaries

03-22-2012, 02:10 PM

I am late joining in on your TR but I'm glad I found it. I'm enjoying it a lot. Your kids are so cute :cutie:.

I love the AK pictures ~ I can tell how much fun everyone had ~ especially at the park!

Marshay

03-22-2012, 07:01 PM

Loving all the updates!!

T Rex looks awesome. The dinosaurs the girls made are adorable

I love the pic of Ele with Duffy, where she jumping..so cute :goodvibes

That would have annoyed me about carnival games too..such a rip off :headache:

Lot of great photo pass pics

That dance dis meet looked like a blast minus that brat who stole Ele balloon. Glad she didnt notice. Trent would have flipped :scared1:

I know I missed a ton more, but know that i am enjoying it all :thumbsup2

TRex was a pleasant surprise. We will be back there again, if nothing else but to buy some more clothes!!:laughing:

I was hoping you all could see from the picture how excited Elie was to meet Duffy.

Carnival games :mad:

yeah, I like the photopass pics ... and more are coming!

The dismeet was fun!

I'm glad Elie didn't freak about the balloon...but she did put it down and at the time I didn't think anything of it since I was busy recording her.

I'm glad you are enjoying the TR! They are fun to do and I love reliving the trip with you all and showing my girls, too!

oh yeah I'm hungry now....LOL

Shrimp poboy....heehee....you should come try a REAL shrimp po-boy here....make you wanna "slap ya mama!" as they say down here in the south. LOL

that is a really really good idea. Mike seemingly does this with jewelry for me...LOL I think he's slacked off in the more recent years (with a mortgage and all the REAL bills) but when we were dating I know he used to find things on deep clearance and hang onto them until our anniversary, valentine's day, bday, Christmas...heck that's a lot of events, can you blame him? :rotfl:
I kept telling him I do not need that much jewelry, but he keeps buying it! I've gotten some beautiful pieces from him over the years, and it makes me feel better knowing he's a smart shopper and that he didn't pay a fortune for them.

I'd love to have a real shrimp po-boy -- YUM!!

Good for Mike! I appreciate a gift more if I know that Jerry searched for a bargain. I mean, anyone can be foolish and pay full price:rotfl:

I saw y'all talking about a video and then realized that I missed clicking on it. Yup, saw that kid. BUT I'm gonna choose to ignore that and just say how stinking cute she was dancing!! And that I love her light-up shoes!!

A friend just passed me some hand-me-downs (her daughter is almost 2) and there are a few pairs of shoes in there, well as I was tossing the shoes out of the bag, I see one of them light up! So cute! There are also some Disney princess sandals in there too :goodvibes

I went back and added a "click the picture for video". Sorry it wasn't clear the first time.

She loves light-up shoes and so do I for Disney at night. Makes it easier to find her when she is walking around at night. Glad to see you got some light up ones, too. They are all the rage with my girls. And of course Disney princess sandals :thumbsup2:thumbsup2

Marshay

03-22-2012, 07:13 PM

I missed a few updates! Wow, your family is a lot more adventurous than mine. I would have a heart attack on that balloon ride. My oldest daughter will go on Splash Mountain with my DH, but that's it. Poor DH never gets to ride anything :rotfl:

We used to give the girls Disney Dollars from Tinkerbell the night before a trip when they sold them at the Disney Store. Now we do gift cards, too. They have the really cute princess ones or Toy Story ones at Target. Now they don't ask for everything in sight and know how much money they have to spend. It's great!

I'm so sad I missed you guys at the DisMeet. We were there until about 7:15, so we must have just missed you! I'm assuming Tania is not Sparks name, because that's my name. But I could be wrong :goodvibes

The balloon ride was VERY safe and it was fun. For someone who is not adventurous, this would be a safe way to expand your boundaries and see Disney from a different point of view, if you wanted to.

I ordered my gift cards from Disneystore.com and was happy b/c they had tons of different designs (more than at Target) and shipping was free!

Yeah, I'm sorry we were late to the dismeet. I just couldn't get the family moving. It would have been nice to meet you!

Oops, so Sparks is not Tania. Thanks for letting me know. I just had a list of people that I might see at the dismeet and of course, now, 3 months later I'm forgetting all the names.:flower3:

Looks like she was having a blast (all of ours sure did) So the balloon thief was not part of our crew – whew!!! I spot my tiny girl running in circles behind Elie

This is my friend’s son Cameron looking like he’s sword fighting Elie

It was great to finally meet you and this venue was the perfect location!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Oh, that would have been a bit embarrassing for me if the balloon thief was one of my Dis friends -- OOOPS!!:flower3::flower3:

Glad it was not yours!:rotfl: But that is funny that both your DD and your friend's child are in the shots! There were just so many kids around, it was hard to get a photo w/o someone else in it!

Yes, after May 2011's Animal Kingdom map left on my stroller, I wanted to meet you and I'm glad we did! That was our first time at the dance party but what a great venue, like you said!

I am late joining in on your TR but I'm glad I found it. I'm enjoying it a lot. Your kids are so cute :cutie:.

I love the AK pictures ~ I can tell how much fun everyone had ~ especially at the park!

Welcome!! I was checking out your blog just yesterday! How exciting that you guys moved to Disney (practically) and are living your dream!!

Thanks for the kind words. We do have a lot of fun and AK is our new favorite park, esp now that Rachel can do the big rides and that I let them relax and have fun in the Boneyard!

Marshay

03-22-2012, 07:29 PM

Today is January 24th and we are in the middle of our vacation. I last left you at AK and the DHS Dismeet, leaving the park at 10pm with both girls still awake.

So today I was not going to rush everyone around. We had CRT ressies for noon so we relaxed a bit in the morning with breakfast and then got to MK at 10am.

Now prior to our trip we had heard/seen about the "big ugly boxes" on Main Street for all the refurbs. Well, thankfully, the scrims (cloth with pictures on it) were up but they definitely did take away from the atmosphere of Main Street. Not enough to ruin our vacation but they are very noticeable -- neat in one way, annoying in another b/c they also take up more room.
http://i154.photobucket.com/albums/s250/memch/WDW%202012/DSC_3727.jpg

And the castle had the construction crane up to take down the Xmas lights and do some painting
http://i154.photobucket.com/albums/s250/memch/WDW%202012/DSC_3742.jpg

So as we entered the park, I ran ahead to see what the Rapunzel line would be like...but first stopped for some pictures of me in front of the castle. I always get family or DH+me pics but this time I wanted just me!
http://i154.photobucket.com/albums/s250/memch/WDW%202012/Photo0308FourBySix-1.jpg

And I asked for the magic balloon shot which was a first for our family
http://i154.photobucket.com/albums/s250/memch/WDW%202012/Photo0317FourBySix-1.jpg

I cropped the balloons so I can use them for a background page for my digital photo book
http://i154.photobucket.com/albums/s250/memch/WDW%202012/Photo0320FourBySix-1.jpg

Ok, so now back to Rapunzel.

If any of you remember the "disaster" :rotfl2: last May with Rapunzel, you now understand why I went! Brief recap: Last year I sent Jerry with Rachel into MK from the parking lot while I got all the bags, stroller and Elizabeth ready. The idea was that they could just walk right in and go straight in line to see Rapunzel and I would catch up with them.

Well, long story short, Elie and I got there before them!! And that included Bag Check, loading up the stroller and walking to TTC, not taking the tram. Let's just say, I was not happy but Jerry volunteered to stay in the 2hr+ line ... mostly to let me cool off!:laughing:

So this year, I had already told Rachel that since we only got to the park at 10am, we are only going to meet Rapunzel if we can get in the next show.

After my balloon photo, I head off to wait/check the line and Jerry and the girls got their balloon photos.
http://i154.photobucket.com/albums/s250/memch/WDW%202012/Photo0348FourBySix-1.jpg

And a great Photopass picture of Elizabeth!! Really, she was allowed in this photo:lmao:
http://i154.photobucket.com/albums/s250/memch/WDW%202012/Photo0335FourBySix-1.jpg

Marshay

03-22-2012, 07:44 PM

Since we had about 25 minutes to wait, Jerry and Elie stayed in line while Rachel and I got FPs for Peter Pan and rode WtP. By then it was time for the show.

Now in May 2011, we saw:
http://i154.photobucket.com/albums/s250/memch/WDW%202012/Photo0351FourBySix-1.jpg

And this year we would only see Rapunzel, so I warned the girls that IF we can get in quickly, it would only be her. They changed the Meet and Greet up so there is no dance at all (not with Rapunzel or with the CM), but they still had the crayons and coloring page.

It is Elizabeth's turn to meet Rapunzel ... she just ran right to her
http://i154.photobucket.com/albums/s250/memch/WDW%202012/Photo0357FourBySix-1.jpg

Love this photo -- think Elie loves Rapunzel, too?!?
http://i154.photobucket.com/albums/s250/memch/WDW%202012/Photo0370FourBySix-1.jpg

Rachel and Rapunzel
http://i154.photobucket.com/albums/s250/memch/WDW%202012/Photo0379FourBySix-1.jpg

This is a different Rapunzel than we saw back in May. She was much nicer!

Family PHoto
http://i154.photobucket.com/albums/s250/memch/WDW%202012/Photo0386FourBySix-1.jpg

After meeting Rapunzel, both girls wanted a pic with Pascal
http://i154.photobucket.com/albums/s250/memch/WDW%202012/IMG_0687.jpg

http://i154.photobucket.com/albums/s250/memch/WDW%202012/IMG_0685.jpg

Then we went to ride the Tea Cups
http://i154.photobucket.com/albums/s250/memch/WDW%202012/DSC_3784.jpg

Elie having a blast!
http://i154.photobucket.com/albums/s250/memch/WDW%202012/IMG_0692.jpg

Jerry and Rachel
http://i154.photobucket.com/albums/s250/memch/WDW%202012/IMG_0688.jpg

One last ride on Snow White and then a picture of the new BATB castle. Look how small it really is compared to the guy working on it!
http://i154.photobucket.com/albums/s250/memch/WDW%202012/DSC_3798.jpg

I decided to go for a different view of the castle w/o the crane
http://i154.photobucket.com/albums/s250/memch/WDW%202012/DSC_3839.jpg

The workers in the box -- note the gargoyles on the castle. This is not something I pay attention to when looking at the whole castle.
http://i154.photobucket.com/albums/s250/memch/WDW%202012/DSC_3738.jpg

Then we rode IASW and went to CRT about 25 minutes early ... but we were the first people to pre-check in and became the "Princesses of the Day", which meant we were the first ones in the castle, the first ones the princesses would greet at the table and the girls got stickers and their names announced.
http://i154.photobucket.com/albums/s250/memch/WDW%202012/DSC_3858.jpg

Meeting Cinderella
http://i154.photobucket.com/albums/s250/memch/WDW%202012/Photo0395FourBySix-1.jpg

Marshay

03-22-2012, 07:53 PM

Inside CRT, it is just beautiful and you can't forget you are in a castle.
http://i154.photobucket.com/albums/s250/memch/WDW%202012/DSC_3860.jpg

http://i154.photobucket.com/albums/s250/memch/WDW%202012/DSC_3861.jpg

I was very, very, very, very, very disappointed to learn that my favorite light flaky crust major domo pie was discontinued. And unfortunately, nothing else looking appetizing to me on the menu. But I had heard that they upgraded the children's menu to include Chicken Pot Pie so I asked if I could have an Adult portion instead. It was very good. (The noodles were added from Elizabeth's plate).
http://i154.photobucket.com/albums/s250/memch/WDW%202012/IMG_0707.jpg

And the princesses kept on coming
http://i154.photobucket.com/albums/s250/memch/WDW%202012/DSC_3866.jpg

Elizabeth's favorite princess
http://i154.photobucket.com/albums/s250/memch/WDW%202012/DSC_3873.jpg

My favorite princess -- I just think she is sooo beautiful here ...her eyes!
http://i154.photobucket.com/albums/s250/memch/WDW%202012/DSC_3879.jpg

So I had to get a photo with her
http://i154.photobucket.com/albums/s250/memch/WDW%202012/DSC_3887.jpg

And the girls
http://i154.photobucket.com/albums/s250/memch/WDW%202012/DSC_3883.jpg

Belle -- I hate to say it but I think this Belle is getting a bit too old for the part...
http://i154.photobucket.com/albums/s250/memch/WDW%202012/DSC_3892.jpg

Dessert -- at least they still had my favorite chocolate mousse sensation!
http://i154.photobucket.com/albums/s250/memch/WDW%202012/IMG_0728.jpg

The girls' dessert -- decorate your own ice cream
http://i154.photobucket.com/albums/s250/memch/WDW%202012/IMG_0729.jpg

Rachel's
http://i154.photobucket.com/albums/s250/memch/WDW%202012/IMG_0730.jpg

Elie's
http://i154.photobucket.com/albums/s250/memch/WDW%202012/IMG_0731.jpg

Family photo -- again, Elie hides from this family photo
http://i154.photobucket.com/albums/s250/memch/WDW%202012/DSC_3918.jpg

Back in May 2011
http://i154.photobucket.com/albums/s250/memch/WDW%202011/DSCN0576.jpg

Marshay

03-22-2012, 08:10 PM

After we left CRT, we stepped outside to find
http://i154.photobucket.com/albums/s250/memch/WDW%202012/DSC_3922.jpg

This was our first time meeting The Fairy Godmother
http://i154.photobucket.com/albums/s250/memch/WDW%202012/DSC_3930.jpg

Looking up in the sky -- it is a beautiful, warm, sunny day with big poofy clouds in the sky
http://i154.photobucket.com/albums/s250/memch/WDW%202012/DSC_3972.jpg

We rode the merry go round, tried to get the sword out of the stone and then I remembered we wanted to do Sorcerors of the Magic Kingdom. So off we went back to Main Street to see if it was open. It was.

Here is what one of the portals looks like on Main Street. They hide it among the artwork to be sold! The idea of the game is that you have magic cards that will cast a spell when you hold it up to the window. If you do it enough times, you'll defeat the villains.

Jerry had to defeat Cruella de Ville on Main Street
http://i154.photobucket.com/albums/s250/memch/WDW%202012/IMG_0738.jpg

Rachel and I were in Liberty Square and Frontierland. She had Ratcliffe from Pocahontas and I had the Shadowman from Princess and the Frog
http://i154.photobucket.com/albums/s250/memch/WDW%202012/IMG_0740.jpg

It was fun to play and offers a nice diversion. Then we headed over to Tom Sawyer Island to play on the barrel bridge and hide in the caves
http://i154.photobucket.com/albums/s250/memch/WDW%202012/DSC_3992.jpg

Then to Splash Mountaing for Elizabeth's first time
http://i154.photobucket.com/albums/s250/memch/WDW%202012/DSC_3974.jpg

http://i154.photobucket.com/albums/s250/memch/WDW%202012/DSC_3982.jpg

More photopass pics. I love the way Elizabeth is looking at Tinkerbell, like she really is there!
http://i154.photobucket.com/albums/s250/memch/WDW%202012/Photo0341FourBySix-1.jpg

Then dinner at Pinochio village Haus. We were lucky again to get one of the prime boat-watching tables
http://i154.photobucket.com/albums/s250/memch/WDW%202012/IMG_0741.jpg

Jerry and I rider switched on Space Mountain. Rachel is still too scared to ride this again.
http://i154.photobucket.com/albums/s250/memch/WDW%202012/DSC_3993.jpg

http://i154.photobucket.com/albums/s250/memch/WDW%202012/IMG_0742.jpg

We then used our FP for Peter Pan and were ready for a snack -- Strawberry Shortcakes from Mrs. Potts!!
http://i154.photobucket.com/albums/s250/memch/WDW%202012/IMG_0743.jpg

Then we watched Wishes
http://i154.photobucket.com/albums/s250/memch/WDW%202012/DSC_3995.jpg

http://i154.photobucket.com/albums/s250/memch/WDW%202012/DSC_3998.jpg

http://i154.photobucket.com/albums/s250/memch/WDW%202012/DSC_4010.jpg

Lastly, we let the crowds die out and ducked into the Emporium for some shopping. I got 2 shirts and some things for the girls. Jerry took the girls and sat at Casey's Corner to watch cartoons.

This was another long but fun-filled day!

dara00

03-22-2012, 08:26 PM

wow, I agree about Belle! And Snow White looks a little weird to me too. Great photos though!

DisneyStitch626

03-22-2012, 08:48 PM

I have to say that I think that Ariel is the closest I have seen to the cartoon character! So pretty. And I agree about Belle. :rolleyes1 Looks like such a cool place to eat though.

That Magic Card game looks so neat!

What ride is that a view of at Pinocchio village Haus?

Trentmom

03-22-2012, 09:00 PM

Ele has the most infectious smile. I love all her pics and of course rest too :goodvibes

I never noticed those gargoyles on castle either

Sounds like a really great day

Yay for being Princesses of the day at the Castle :wizard:

kaoden39

03-22-2012, 09:06 PM

http://i154.photobucket.com/albums/s250/memch/WDW%202012/Photo0357FourBySix-1.jpg

I love this picture!! Such an innocent reaction with no guile. Just so sweet.

And the one where Rapunzel is talking to Elie is great too.

The girls really have wonderful smiles.

Ariel does have amazing eyes. Cinderella looks good too. But I have to agree Belle looks like she is getting a bit too old to Belle anymore.

Marshay

03-22-2012, 11:12 PM

wow, I agree about Belle! And Snow White looks a little weird to me too. Great photos though!

Belle just looked like she should play the Mother of Belle role! Yeah, Snow White looks kind of bad in that photo, too.

I have to say that I think that Ariel is the closest I have seen to the cartoon character! So pretty. And I agree about Belle. :rolleyes1 Looks like such a cool place to eat though.

That Magic Card game looks so neat!

What ride is that a view of at Pinocchio village Haus?

Yeah, I think they nailed Ariel -- so much like the cartoon!

The view is looking at It's A Small World from the CS place. The food is basic, but I like their meatball sub since it's something different and of course the girls love to wave to all the people on the boats.

Ele has the most infectious smile. I love all her pics and of course rest too :goodvibes

I never noticed those gargoyles on castle either

Sounds like a really great day

Yay for being Princesses of the day at the Castle :wizard:

Yeah, Elie is my little "giggle box". When she smiles and laughs, it just brightens up the room!

http://i154.photobucket.com/albums/s250/memch/WDW%202012/Photo0357FourBySix-1.jpg

I love this picture!! Such an innocent reaction with no guile. Just so sweet.

And the one where Rapunzel is talking to Elie is great too.

The girls really have wonderful smiles.

Ariel does have amazing eyes. Cinderella looks good too. But I have to agree Belle looks like she is getting a bit too old to Belle anymore.

Yeah, I love those two pics of Elizabeth -- she just uses her whole body to express her joy -- whether it's meeting Duffy or Rapunzel!

Poor Belle -- she's clinging on to the job b/c after all, who doesn't want to be a princess?!:lmao:

cherbear

03-23-2012, 09:08 AM

This is just so stinkin cute Marsha! LOL
http://i154.photobucket.com/albums/s250/memch/WDW%202012/Photo0308FourBySix-1.jpg

And good idea cropping the balloons for use as a background!

My memory may not be so great lately, but I didn’t even need the rehashed story about Rapunzel. I remember it well! LOL

OOhhh!!! And this one…absolutely adorable!!!!

http://i154.photobucket.com/albums/s250/memch/WDW%202012/Photo0348FourBySix-1.jpg

And the photos of Elie with Rapunzel….priceless!! And Rachel just looks so grown up! I can remember when Rachel’s photos looked like Elie’s!!

How fun to be Princesses of the Day! I bet Jerry loved that ;)

It is soooo funny about Belle because as I was scrolling, I didn’t see your words above the pic. I saw it and thought “hmm she looks a little too old to be Belle!” because my first thought was that she looks like one of my MOM’s friends. My 2nd thought was that maybe she just looked older in this pic the way she was smiling
http://i154.photobucket.com/albums/s250/memch/WDW%202012/DSC_3892.jpg

THEN I finally saw your comment above it and realized you were thinking the same!

Did Elie like Splash? It looks like she was a little scared in the ride photo but it’s hard to tell

Wow, photos on Space Mountain now?? Can you get these on your photopass like with TT? (My guess is no, because I’m sure you would have that pic if that was the case)

Marshay

03-23-2012, 11:07 AM

This is just so stinkin cute Marsha! LOL
http://i154.photobucket.com/albums/s250/memch/WDW%202012/Photo0308FourBySix-1.jpg

aww, Thanks! I was really excited to be at MK and to get my first "solo" picture with the castle -- as if you can't tell!

And good idea cropping the balloons for use as a background!

thanks! I also cropped the bricks from Rapunzel so I can use that for a background, too on her page.

My memory may not be so great lately, but I didn’t even need the rehashed story about Rapunzel. I remember it well! LOL

yeah, I may have been a "bit" obsessed with that story in my last TR! :rotfl2::lmao: Even to this day, I still can't figure out what happened...it's like they went through some kind of time warp -- backwards. I would have thought it was quite simple to get there before me!!;):confused:

OOhhh!!! And this one…absolutely adorable!!!!

http://i154.photobucket.com/albums/s250/memch/WDW%202012/Photo0348FourBySix-1.jpg

I agree!

And the photos of Elie with Rapunzel….priceless!! And Rachel just looks so grown up! I can remember when Rachel’s photos looked like Elie’s!!

Seeing Elie and Rachel's toddlers pictures are very similar .. but Rachel is a bit more reserved and Elie just lets her smile shine more!

How fun to be Princesses of the Day! I bet Jerry loved that ;)

Actually, we had the choice to be POTD or to get a seat at the window. They wouldn't let us do both. I really wanted to be at the window but then thought, when are we going to get the chance to be POTD. They girls will appreciate that more.

It is soooo funny about Belle because as I was scrolling, I didn’t see your words above the pic. I saw it and thought “hmm she looks a little too old to be Belle!” because my first thought was that she looks like one of my MOM’s friends. My 2nd thought was that maybe she just looked older in this pic the way she was smiling
http://i154.photobucket.com/albums/s250/memch/WDW%202012/DSC_3892.jpg

THEN I finally saw your comment above it and realized you were thinking the same!

Yeah, Belle was nice but so "matronly".

Did Elie like Splash? It looks like she was a little scared in the ride photo but it’s hard to tell

She liked it but was definitely concerned about the hills. Afterwards she used her common phrase, "I was a little bit scared", as she put her thumb and pointer finger together.

Wow, photos on Space Mountain now?? Can you get these on your photopass like with TT? (My guess is no, because I’m sure you would have that pic if that was the case)

Yeah, they now have photos to purchase! I wonder with the Test Track refurb if they are going to change the photos to Purchase only. As expensive as the photocd is, you would expect that all the ride photos would be included!