Our 15 day summer adventure to WDW! NEW TR LINK 11/6 pg. 49!!

[Sooze]

YAY!! I can see your pictures again. I promise to put some time aside this weekend to do some more catching up. I'm just LOVING this report and wishing so badly that we could've shared some of your amazing memories!!!

Be back soon....

 

[IluvXU]

So fun Diane! I am loving how empty HS was that day... and the photopass pics you got at HS are darling. I really wanted to do the Mickey Minnie ones... but did not get it done.

 

[mefordis]

Thanks for the update! Love the report!

 

[tmkinney]

Great update Diane! I cannot believe the low crowds at DHS!! That place always seems to be super crowded, you guys got lucky!! Love the photopass pics. Looks like a fun night with Tim & Lesley and how cool to be able to watch fireworks from your balcony!!

 

[MagicShell]

Somehow I missed your latest posts. I am caught up now. I can't believe the lack of crowds at DHS! 50 minutes is the shortest time I have ever heard for Toy Story Mania. I am sorry to see that your trip is ending, but I have really enjoyed reading all about it.

 

[SunnieRN]

Welcome home!! Congratulations on the job and I hope you are all rested up and recharged for work!! Of course it sounds like you've been really busy since you got home, so maybe work will be a break.

What a fantastic 4th of July, other then the headache. I am truly shocked at the lack of crowds at the park that day!! Amazing and wonderful!

How cool Brian got to have his birthday at disney! Did he get the gift card? To me this is a great promotion, but would have been even better if I could have been there on my birthday.

R2D2 looks very cool!! I am so glad my grandson didn't notice this on our last trip. We'll be back in a few weeks, so I'll have to steer him in a different direction if I notice it first!

Darn I forgot. How sweet that Matthew gifted Lauren with his stuffed animal!! Abd, I loved the photopass pictures!

 

[MaleficentMama]

Loving the TR!

 

[Happydog]

Hope everything with school is going okay, did you get a new job??!!

Hey, so fun your 4th pics! It is really funny being there at the same time someone else is! WOW DHS was a ghost town!! Epcot wasn't too crowded either, really it was the timing I think -- I agree it was pretty mellow until after noon! Great shots on the boardwalk that does look fun! AND I get your lament about fireworks photos, I can't get any either!!

Looking forward to your final posts .. I have to end my TR too, so I can start my Dec PTR!!!

 

[dddisrunner]

I cannot believe how empty DHS was on the 4th of July!!! Apparently that is the park to go to instead of MK or Epcot!

It really was SO EMPTY!

Wow! That is a good MGM day so far. I really enjoyed AI too. What a fun morning you two had.

So what is up with your job-- I could use a week more of summer, enjoy!

It was a GREAT morning! My job is a little quirky, I have moved to a different middle school, this year teaching 6th and 7th grade for Sept. and Oct. then not teaching Nov. and Dec. but then working from Jan-June!

What a fun day! It would be so nice to meet up with friends throughout the trip. It is nice to have the kids entertained by others sometimes.

The fireworks looked amazing! Your trip has been amazing!!

It was a fun day! Thanks!

what a great update

I can not believe how deserted DHS. That must have been awesome

That is so nice you and bryan both got to spend one on one time with the boys....they must really enjoy that

How fun that you and Lesley family got to hang out again that night.

What a sweet boy Matthew is giving the dog to Lauren

so sad that your TR is almost over. It really has been so much fun reading

I am hoping you do a TR for your November trip

Thanks Kelly! Matthew was proud that he made Lauren happy! I will probably do a Nov. TR but not a PTR...NO TIME!!

ok, I'm all caught up after our trip. Looks like you had such a great time. Who would have believed HS could be so quiet on July 4? Good thing you decided to go! Way to go to talk to a manager for R2D2, I probably would have skulked away consoling my crying daughters. Just goes to show you there's never any harm in asking, all they can say is no, or yes in your case! Hope you had fun in Aruba. Can't believe your trip is coming to a close, makes me sad just thinking about it. Sure looks like you had a great time though and really enjoyed yourselves

Welcome Home! I hope you had a GREAT trip!! I will do a picture post about Aruba!! We did have a GREAT trip!

Wow I'm shocked at the low crowds. I love the idea of one on one time with your kids. Those always make special memories. I'm so jealous ya'll got into ESPN. We waited forever on our New Years trip and finally gave up and went to DTD. Your 4th celebration looks great. How nice to have friends to share it with.

I was shocked by the low crowds too! ESPN was fun! We did have fun on the 4th!

Hey,
Great report. Wow 15 days was a long time . At least you had a great time (besides the heat, rain, and occasionally crowds). When you took pics of DHS on the 4th of July.....I was shocked to see the crowd level. (I think its because they mostly head to either the MK or EPCOT). Great photos and great Photopass pics. Im sorry Eric got sick one night. ****Important: the following sentences is not for those who have weak stomachs**** I had kinda the same problem. I woke up at like 2 a.m with a stomach ache....then decided to take a hot bath then.....puked all over the bathroom floor and tub (Yea pretty disgusting since I was in there the same time) I jumped out of the tub and dryed off. My mom cleaned it out then I sat on the bed a few min later I tried to get to the toilet but then I puked on the carpet and a little on my mothers bed. Later I felt better (at least it was the morning we were leaving Disney) I know I got to much in detail but thats how it happend. So Eric isn't the only one who had that problem. Anyways.....You have a great husband and wonderful kids. Hope to hear more soon


!!!!KEEP ON POSTING DISER !!!!

WOW! Welcome and thanks for posting! Sorry you had a sick moment at Disney, that is the worst! Thanks for the sweet comment about my family!!

DHS just looks so peaceful and empty! I love it!

That picture of Eric and Mickey on the sidewalk is too cute!!!

Looks like you had an absolute blast celebrating the Fourth with Tim, Lesley, and the gang!

Thanks Jackie, the one of Eric and Minnie is my favorite!

I love your trip report and so sad it's coming to an end!

I can only imagine what memories you and your boys will have of the 4th watching fireworks from your room. Just awesome.

Can't wait till your next TR!

Thanks so much for posting! Wonderful memories for sure!

Great installment!!! Loved the slide pics. Those were too cute!

Thanks so much, the kids loved that slide!

What a truly great trip you had! Loved the Photopass pics

I'm not sure if I picked up on this but was this your first stay at BWV? Don't you just love the boardwalk view? We lucked into staying in a 1-bedroom BW view last December and loved sitting out on the balcony. We had the small balcony too. I requested upper floor, large balcony & close to elevator and what I got first was room 2001 way down by Jellyrolls so I asked to be moved the next morning (I was wearing a footbrace and hoped to be closer to the elevator plus the noise from people standing outside Jellyrolls at 2 a.m.). They moved us to a third floor room between Screendoor and Thimbles & Threads and loved the closeness to the elevator plus the view.

The boat ride you guys took looks like so much fun! Isn't it neat to cruise down to DHS? I'm sad your TR is almost over - it has been so much fun joining you on this trip!

Thanks so much for your post! It was our first stay at the BWV! We LOVED it! The boat ride was ALOT of fun!

 

[dddisrunner]

I have to say thank you to you! You've made me cry, laugh, and need I say Pee my pants! I just spent the morning reading over your ENTIRE report. I had a ball Thank You I really needed some wonderful Disney Magic for the day. I can't wait to read how it all ended. Thanks what a wonderful report.

Thanks for posting! Glad we could provide you with some entertainment! Thanks for joining us!

What a great day. I am so SHOCKED at the lack of crowds at HS. Wow. You guys had a great day.
No, still no luck on the Boardwalk in Dec. We have a 2 bedroom at OKW, so if we don't get to change, we'll still be happy. I'd like to try as many resorts as we can before my 3 years DVC runs out. But we did book our airfare last weekend. I told Tammy, it's official now. Can book dining in a few weeks, wish us luck.

I just LOVE the photopass pics or Eric sitting on the curb beside Mickey and Minnie. So cool. We'll have to try to get one of those. All the photopasses are great! I hope we can get some good ones in Dec. We gotta get the UP characters.

Julie

Thanks Julie! I was amazed at the lack of crowds too! Hooray for an official trip!! Good Luck with your dining! Thanks about the photopass pics., I LOVED our pics. this trip!!

Hi Diane!
Looks like you had a fabulous 4th! Bryan and I share the same birthday, but I'm ages older! I would love to spend my birthday at Disney someday but I just can't give up that early June trip. If we ever get there though, I know what park to head to on the 4th. I can't believe how empty DHS was. You all had some great photo pass pictures, Eric's were just darling with Minnie and Mickey!
Anita

Thanks Anita! Happy belated birthday to you!! The lack of crowds at DHS were NUTS!! Thanks for the Eric w/ Minnie compliment, I just love that one too!!

Great update Diane. Looks like you all had a fun 4th of July. Ican't beleive how empty HS was , love all the photopass pics. Looks like you had a good night with good friends . Waiting for more .

Hi Nichole! I hope all is well with you guys!! The 4th of July was GREAT!

Hi! Thanks for the great update. The kids looked like they had a fun time together.

YAY!! I can see your pictures again. I promise to put some time aside this weekend to do some more catching up. I'm just LOVING this report and wishing so badly that we could've shared some of your amazing memories!!!

Be back soon....

Thanks Sooze! I was over my storage capacity!! I sure wish your family was there with us too...HOW FUN!

So fun Diane! I am loving how empty HS was that day... and the photopass pics you got at HS are darling. I really wanted to do the Mickey Minnie ones... but did not get it done.

Thanks Laura! Maybe they will have the Minnie ones next year!

Thanks for the update! Love the report!

Thanks!

Great update Diane! I cannot believe the low crowds at DHS!! That place always seems to be super crowded, you guys got lucky!! Love the photopass pics. Looks like a fun night with Tim & Lesley and how cool to be able to watch fireworks from your balcony!!

Thanks Tammy! Watching from the balcony was really COOL!

Somehow I missed your latest posts. I am caught up now. I can't believe the lack of crowds at DHS! 50 minutes is the shortest time I have ever heard for Toy Story Mania. I am sorry to see that your trip is ending, but I have really enjoyed reading all about it.

Welcome back and thanks!! I know 50 min. for TSM is NOTHING!!

Welcome home!! Congratulations on the job and I hope you are all rested up and recharged for work!! Of course it sounds like you've been really busy since you got home, so maybe work will be a break.

What a fantastic 4th of July, other then the headache. I am truly shocked at the lack of crowds at the park that day!! Amazing and wonderful!

How cool Brian got to have his birthday at disney! Did he get the gift card? To me this is a great promotion, but would have been even better if I could have been there on my birthday.

R2D2 looks very cool!! I am so glad my grandson didn't notice this on our last trip. We'll be back in a few weeks, so I'll have to steer him in a different direction if I notice it first!

Darn I forgot. How sweet that Matthew gifted Lauren with his stuffed animal!! Abd, I loved the photopass pictures!

Thanks Sunnie! Thanks for the congrats on the job! Bryan got the $50 gift card and LOVED using it!! Yes, avoid the R2D2 especially if it is $129, it is not worth that price!!

Loving the TR!

Thanks!

Hope everything with school is going okay, did you get a new job??!!

Hey, so fun your 4th pics! It is really funny being there at the same time someone else is! WOW DHS was a ghost town!! Epcot wasn't too crowded either, really it was the timing I think -- I agree it was pretty mellow until after noon! Great shots on the boardwalk that does look fun! AND I get your lament about fireworks photos, I can't get any either!!

Looking forward to your final posts .. I have to end my TR too, so I can start my Dec PTR!!!

School actually starts for me on Tues. and the boys go back on Weds. I am shocked to hear that Epcot wasn't very crowded either! Boardwalk was a lot of fun! Glad I am not the only one who doesn't get good fireworks shots!!

 

[IluvXU]

I like that two month off schedule thing... Physical Education again or something else?

Enjoy your last day off tomorrow....

 

[dddisrunner]

Since some of you have asked, I have decided to do a mini TR of our trip to Aruba! It will be picture heavy and text light!!

We traveled to Aruba from 8/16-8/24! We stayed at the Marriott Aruba Surf Club and we were there with Bryan's sister and her family and Bryan's mom!

After we landed at the airport in Aruba!

The lobby of our resort!

Some pictures of our room! We had a one bedroom with a king sized bed and a living room with a pullout queen sized couch! We also had laundry in our room!!

A few family shots out to dinner!

Enjoying some gelatto

The next night we barbequed on the grills that were outside our room!

I want to point out that my nephew is a very low functioning autistic child but a complete LOVEBUG!

The boys and my nephew

Some playground fun!

Eric being silly...

Enjoying the balcony in the morning!

The next night we went out to dinner for some GREAT barbeque at a place called Smokey Joes

A picture of Amici, our gelatto place!

Some Smokey Joes food porn!

Dry Rub Ribs...

Pulled pork sandwich!

We did some shopping at a near by little outdoor mall!

Enjoying the walk back on the beach!

CONTINUED....

 

[dddisrunner]

More from the walk back...

Our resort sign!

Life sized chess!

Matthew giving Bryan gambling instructions!

Some beautiful pool and beach pictures! The ocean is GREAT in Aruba on the resort side of the island! Because of the constant tradewinds, there are no waves!!

Bryan floating with his sister...

Now to the pool...you could walk back and forth in between the two, it was GREAT!!

One of the many iguana's that just roam free all over the island but do not bother people!!

On this day we had some bad luck come our way! Our room FLOODED! It destroyed many of our things and we had to move rooms! Marriott made up for the inconvenience by providing us with a free vacation in any of there resorts in a one bedroom to be used within 12 months!

Here are some pictures from the flood!

Notice all the people cleaning up!

We needed to relax a bit that night so we headed to Hooters for dinner! The boys got a kick out of that!

The next day we went into town shopping! Everything in Aruba is either very high end (Cartier, Louis Vitton(sp?)) or crap basically!

Some pics. from that day!

The Aruban parliment building!

Our lunch at Iguana Joes! This restaurant was neat because it is on the top floor of a shopping mall and you can look out over the water and the streets below!

That night Bryan's mom volunteered to watch the boys so that we could go to dinner alone! Our original plan was to eat at a restaurant that is right on the waters edge but we weren't loving the menu so we ate at Ruth Chris Steakhouse instead! YUMMY!

CONTINUED!

 

[dddisrunner]

Some pictures from the lazy river that went around the pool! it was SO FUN and RELAXING!!

Some pool time!

Eric enjoying some poolside fries!

Some drinks at the swim up pool bar!

Pictures before and during the gorgeous sunset!

Out for ice cream again!

We stopped to see a water show that was done all to Disney music...this made us smile!!

At the end of the night!

Some pictures from our dinner the next night at Champions which was in the resort next door which is also a Marriott!

CONTINUED!

 

[dddisrunner]

Our last pool day, enjoying the slide!

On our last night we all went out to dinner together. Here are some pictures of that!

All the cousins..

Our family and Bryan's mom!

After dinner we walked back alone and stopped at the Hyatt! What a GORGEOUS resort! Here is the lobby!

This is a restaurant right on the side of a little pond..it is BEAUTIFUL!!

Our last goodbye's

In the lobby waiting for a cab to take us back to the airport!

Overall it was a WONDERFUL and relaxing vacation! Funny though, 8 days in Aruba SEEMED longer than 15 in Disney!

Thanks for reading! I am going to try and post our last Disney day either tomorrow or Tuesday!!

 

[wigdoutdismom]

Diane,
Aruba looks heavenly! What a pretty place. I especially love the pictures of the ocean. I can't believe how calm and beautiful that water is. I'm glad you had a chance to relax, you guys have wonderful tans!
Anita

 

[LuvnDizney]

Great pics of Aruba, what a beautiful place!! Can't wait to see how your last day went at Disney!!


Melissa

 

[vamassey1]

Gorgeous pictures!!! I'm lovin' your tan. The sunset picture is frame worthy. Sounds like your family truly enjoyed your stay. Did you love Ruth Chris'? We have one here and ate there for our anniversary this year. It was the best!

Can't wait to hear about your last day.

 

[Trentmom]

Aruba looks amazing. The water is gorgeous there.

I love all your family shot. They all came out so nice

How did that flood happen? Were you out of the room when it happened? That was so nice of them to make it up to you.

Swim up Bar is so neat.


Can't wait to read rest of your disney updates

 

[CRSNDSNY]

Wow! Sounds like a wonderful vacation (minus the room flood)! What a great way to end the summer.