Ten Sleeps in Disney World!! - An Aug Trip Report *5/9 Departure Day & Final Thoughts

[Mickey_Mom]

I missed the Planet Hollywood and the min-trip report installments. I agree with you on the tables being too close together at Planet Hollywood. The last time we ate there, we were so squeezed in. But, the food was good so that made up for it. I am sorry that your waiter took so long. Maybe they had assigned him too many tables that day?

I loved the Niagra Falls Halloween pictures. Those displays are huge!

I guess its possible he had too many tables, but our meals made up for it. I'm getting a hankering actually for the Planet Hollywood in the Falls... mmmmmm.

I've never been to a Planet Hollywood - looks fun, but there's so much to look at I'd get distracted from eating!

Glad you all enjoyed your Halloween, how wonderful that George was able to share in the fun this year! Our girls had a fun time as well - it seemed like Halloween all week as their evening activities had "come in your costume" nights, then the parties at school on Friday, it just went on and on!

Thanks for the pics of the lights in Niagara, we may have to try to fit in a trip down to see them so I can get a Disney fix I vaguely remember my grandparents taking us to see them one year when we were kids but I'd forgotten they do that.

There really was a lot to see and of course the naked guy above me didn't help matters much.

Hey this weekend would be the perfect time to go to Niagara Falls... double digit weather again! They've really upgraded the lights and displays over the years and its all so beautiful.

Our Halloween was fun, but different this year. Maddy went with some friends and Amelia brought a friend along with us. Since we allowed them to stay about 2 houses ahead, we only had Ian right with us. He was a very cute Teranadon. And Amelia was, get this, Punky Brewster! She looked very much the part. What a cool experience to show Demetri Niagra Falls. We'd like to get there some day.

Punky Brewster! Awesome! Hey Pippi Longstocking would have been good too! The Falls is a bit of a drive for you but it would be a great mini getaway. Of course all the touristy things are there and hey, a side trip to our place too.

 

[Mickey_Mom]

When I last left off, the kids and I had just finished up our Planet Hollywood dinner and we'd slowly made our way back to the bus section of DTD. We met up with George and I was happy to start making our way thru some shops. Yay! In DTD we’d pretty much only gone to the Lego store our last few trips. There was a lot we hadn’t seen so off we went to our first stop….

Ariana loved this store and wore a Jack Skellington hat the entire time she was looking at everything!

The boys weren’t interested so much in this store so they went to design some t-shirts.

Alex still laughs when he remembers this shirt! Fun stuff!

Next up.

We’d never been to Goofy’s before and I was wanting to use a snack credit or two here. Unfortunately, the place was packed and the rules had just changed for using your snack credits and everyone was confused. We ended up just looking around...

And then sadly, leaving without getting anything. It was just way too crowded.

Moving on…

We got to..

Alex asked if he could go ahead to the Lego Store and hang out there while we continued through the shops and caught up to him. Worked for me, so off he went.

Ariana and Demetri loved this store. Lots of stuff to see and do and it just keeps going!

Demetri could have stayed here most of the evening.

Figaro!

Ariana and I were holding hands walking thru this section of the store when she just about ripped my arm out of its socket pulling me over to look at this book. It was about Disney Villains but I can’t remember now what it was called. Anyone know?

While she was looking thru it, I found this one.

I’ve finally read the first one and I really liked it. The library doesn’t have the second one yet.

We kept making our way thru the shops and after exploring the castle,

We made our way into this beautiful store.

This is a store where George and I never completely relax in. We’re too afraid that someone is going to touch, knock over, drop or bump into something and we’re going to be stuck with hundreds of dollars of broken glass. We kept coming back to the display of Cinderella’s glass slippers. There were various sizes and you could even get one with your birthstone in the toe. We had a stern conversation with Ariana that if we got her the glass slipper she had to be extremely careful with it because if she broke it, that would be it, we couldn’t just get her another. She loves to act out scenes in her favorite movies and we wondered if she would try to replicate the scene where Cinderella’s slipper breaks only to have Cinderella pull the other one out of her pocket. We decided to take the chance and get her….

It has her birthstone and I’m happy to say her slipper is still in one piece!

Next up was a store I’d never been in before but really wanted to check out.

Yay! I shooed George and Demetri to....

And Ariana and I went on a mission to find our favorite smell. Lol!

CONTINUED IN NEXT POST....

 

[Mickey_Mom]

The two of us had a jolly time smelling absolutely everything in the store and although we didn’t buy anything, in the end decided we both liked this one the best.

We headed back out to World of Disney to catch up with George and Demetri. Not an easy store to find someone in but after a few pics and relatively few minutes of window shopping …

We found them in the Pirate filled section and kept going.

Two more traditional Princess meets....

..... and we had finally caught up to Alex.

He was having a blast putting a car together in the section in the back with all the bins and where you can race one another. We helped him find certain pieces…

My apologizes to the yawning man in the back!

And raced a few races.

It was time to move on so he ‘donated’ his car to a little boy so he could race too.

The last thing we wanted to check out before calling it an evening was …

A very cool place that I’m glad we checked out!

It was just before 10pm and we were happy to call it a night. A quick bus ride back to the Pop for some room snackies and relaxation… and it was off to bed in anticipation of our next day at Blizzard Beach!

Our favorites and not-so-favorites for the day:

ALEX:
The entire day!
Nothing!

ARIANA:
Getting my glass slipper!
The Aladdin helmet hurt my head.

DEMETRI:
Playing with the monorail and bus on the circle table in the shop!
The other shops that didn’t have monorails and buses!

 

[ZeroToHero]

Ariana has nice taste in hats!!! And I started laughing when I saw that shirt too - I can't believe you didn't get it! What's the picture of? It looks like the scene from James and the Giant Peach, but I don't think so... is it from Pirates?

That picture of Demetri in the mirror is too cute, by the way! We ended up not getting anything at Goofy's either - I was not in a candy mood the night we went (shock!)

Ariana's slipper is great! I'm glad she loves it (and that's it's still in one piece!) One day, I'll save up enough money to buy something from there............ one day.

Basin - I loveee Basin! I'm actually getting to that next in my trip report! Now that you've finished the Arribas Brothers. (Although... I don't know when "next" will be.... )

And today's the only day when Ariana has something she didn't like! But that's totally understandable, ouch to the helmet....

 

[wdwgirl03]

Looks like you had a lot of fun at DTD! That picture in the mirror at Goofy's Candy Co. is hilarious.

Cool you got Ariana the glass slipper!

 

[cjackearl]

Ahh, Basin. I love their bath bombs. I've also got 2 Mickey soaps I just can't bring myself to unwrap.

Look at those pictures of Demetri with the princesses. What a little charmer!

Goofy's can be a mad house! I heard there was big confusion when the snack credits changed.

What a sweet Cinderella slipper. Looks like you had a great evening.

 

[jenjolt]

Another great update!! I just love DTD and all those stores have to offer!!! I am so glad you guys had a great time that evening YAY!!!!!! Very excited for your family!! Whooo can't wait to hear what you guys thought of Blizzard Beach!!!

 

[Angies1274]

Great Update!! You got so many beautiful pictures in DTD!! I never think to take out my camera while we are shopping.

Cute picture of Demetri looking at himself in the mirror!! The boys love to do that when we are at Goofy's. Too bad you weren't able to get a snack, but I agree it's always soooo busy there and hard to maneuver around everyone.

We've never made it in "Once Upon a Toy", and Noah loves Mr. Potato Head stuff....I will have to put it on my list for next time.

Ariana's glass slipper is just beautiful!! Sounds like she really loves it!!

Isn't T-Rex so cool? Noah was just in awe of the place. Since it's not on the Dining Plan. I've been doing a reward site where you can earn a gift card from T-Rex. I'm hoping to surprise the boys on our next trip.

It sounds like you had a wonderful evening exploring DTD!!! Can't wait for more!

 

[Mickey_Mom]

Ariana has nice taste in hats!!! And I started laughing when I saw that shirt too - I can't believe you didn't get it! What's the picture of? It looks like the scene from James and the Giant Peach, but I don't think so... is it from Pirates?

I thought you'd like that. It was too funny how she picked it out right away. She's never shown interest in it before. The shirt Alex was designed was from Pirates... a skeleton steering and he wrote "They're dead, and they're driving."

That picture of Demetri in the mirror is too cute, by the way! We ended up not getting anything at Goofy's either - I was not in a candy mood the night we went (shock!)

I love that picture! I just wish we'd caught Goofy's at a not so busy time.

Ariana's slipper is great! I'm glad she loves it (and that's it's still in one piece!) One day, I'll save up enough money to buy something from there............ one day.

Well if you'd like a glass slipper they were very reasonably priced... I don't remember it being any more than $20-ish.

Basin - I loveee Basin! I'm actually getting to that next in my trip report! Now that you've finished the Arribas Brothers. (Although... I don't know when "next" will be.... )

Hey you just did quite the mammoth update so you're good for at least a little while

And today's the only day when Ariana has something she didn't like! But that's totally understandable, ouch to the helmet....

She still randomly starts calling out "Goodbye Aladdin! Goodbyyyyyyye!!" if something reminds her of it.

Looks like you had a lot of fun at DTD! That picture in the mirror at Goofy's Candy Co. is hilarious.

Cool you got Ariana the glass slipper!

There was still a ton of stores we walked by, especially by DisneyQuest, on our way to meet George and never went back to. Tons! Demetri was having a hoot dancing in front of the mirror.... way too funny!

Ahh, Basin. I love their bath bombs. I've also got 2 Mickey soaps I just can't bring myself to unwrap.

We loved that store... all those wonderful smells. I always have more fun window shopping than actually buying anything.

Look at those pictures of Demetri with the princesses. What a little charmer!

He's a character all right!

Goofy's can be a mad house! I heard there was big confusion when the snack credits changed.

The luck of our timing I guess. It's really too bad there was such confusion.

What a sweet Cinderella slipper. Looks like you had a great evening.

We took a chance buying the slipper but I'm so glad we did, she's LOVED it.

 

[Mickey_Mom]

Another great update!! I just love DTD and all those stores have to offer!!! I am so glad you guys had a great time that evening YAY!!!!!! Very excited for your family!! Whooo can't wait to hear what you guys thought of Blizzard Beach!!!

I think I need some solo time in DTD... the whole day. There's soooo much I haven't seen yet, I didn't even get to the pins store!

Great Update!! You got so many beautiful pictures in DTD!! I never think to take out my camera while we are shopping.

I kinda never really put the camera away so I'm always ready for a picture. I love shopping pictures too because its always fun just looking back at them.

Cute picture of Demetri looking at himself in the mirror!! The boys love to do that when we are at Goofy's. Too bad you weren't able to get a snack, but I agree it's always soooo busy there and hard to maneuver around everyone.

He was too cute just quietly turning this way and that looking at himself... doing a little jig, dancing.

We've never made it in "Once Upon a Toy", and Noah loves Mr. Potato Head stuff....I will have to put it on my list for next time.

Oh for sure, go visit Once Upon A Toy... it goes on forever with some great stuff you don't really find in other stores and its not as crowded as World of Disney.

Ariana's glass slipper is just beautiful!! Sounds like she really loves it!!

Oh she does love it and she's so careful with it.

Isn't T-Rex so cool? Noah was just in awe of the place. Since it's not on the Dining Plan. I've been doing a reward site where you can earn a gift card from T-Rex. I'm hoping to surprise the boys on our next trip.

Details please!! Anything that saves a buck would be awesome! December 2010 will be a budget trip so that could be useful!

It sounds like you had a wonderful evening exploring DTD!!! Can't wait for more!

 

[Stefy]

Whew, just finished and I have enjoyed reading everything so far

Your family are just adorable and from reading the way you write about them and the pictures etc you look so close as a family and I love that (sorry if that sounds weird)

Sorry I can't comment too much as I read this report over the space of 3 days in my lunch break and what with my memory being sieve-like can't remember everything

I love how all of your days have been so relaxed and not manic rushed and you have still managed to achieve so much.

I love your Ohana Breakfast update, looks like so much fun (apart from the 40min wait), can't wait to do this next year

Looking forward to reading more

 

[Princess.Neve]

I'm loving your report, but just had to come out of lurkerdom to ask you a question. Do you by chance know some of the average prices those crowns/tiaras ran in the store you bought the glass slipper?

Thanks!

 

[jordanyosh]

I love the things at WDW that bring us joy that don't cost a thing.....I don't Lego had those races...I'll have to check it out.

 

[Mickey_Mom]

Whew, just finished and I have enjoyed reading everything so far

Your family are just adorable and from reading the way you write about them and the pictures etc you look so close as a family and I love that (sorry if that sounds weird)

Sorry I can't comment too much as I read this report over the space of 3 days in my lunch break and what with my memory being sieve-like can't remember everything

I love how all of your days have been so relaxed and not manic rushed and you have still managed to achieve so much.

I love your Ohana Breakfast update, looks like so much fun (apart from the 40min wait), can't wait to do this next year

Looking forward to reading more

Well hi! Great to have you here and Thanks for taking time out of your lunch break to read along!

You don't sound weird at all... family is very important to us and as dysfunctional as some of my extended family can be (don't we all have at least one or two of them? ) we try to keep the drama at bay at least for our little five-some.

We were thrilled to go with the flow on this trip. It's not for everyone and you have to be prepared to miss some things and add them to your "next time" list, but it was so stress free and relaxing that we didn't mind at all.

for trying Ohana!

I'm loving your report, but just had to come out of lurkerdom to ask you a question. Do you by chance know some of the average prices those crowns/tiaras ran in the store you bought the glass slipper?

Thanks!

Thanks for coming out of lurkyland! and I soooo wish I had an answer for you but unfortunately we didn't look at their prices I even looked up the Arribas Bros website (man have they got some good stuff in there!) but no luck finding crowns, I'm sorry. Truthfully though, it was on the same display as the glass slippers and blown glass figurines and those weren't anymore than 20 bucks each so I can't imagine they were that much more....

I hope you stay and don't go back to lurkerdom!

I love the things at WDW that bring us joy that don't cost a thing.....I don't Lego had those races...I'll have to check it out.

Oh I agree... aren't those finds the best? Kinda like the hammocks at the Poly, can't wait to check those out! I'm glad I could show that to you.

 

[jordanyosh]

Ahhhhhh Hammocks!!!!!!

 

[Stefy]

Well hi! Great to have you here and Thanks for taking time out of your lunch break to read along!

You don't sound weird at all... family is very important to us and as dysfunctional as some of my extended family can be (don't we all have at least one or two of them? ) we try to keep the drama at bay at least for our little five-some.

We were thrilled to go with the flow on this trip. It's not for everyone and you have to be prepared to miss some things and add them to your "next time" list, but it was so stress free and relaxing that we didn't mind at all.

for trying Ohana!

Well I must say going with the flow worked out v well for you

 

[PracPerfPatricia]

Ooo I'm late....I've been MIA the last week but I know the name of that book...It's Disney Villains The Top Secret Files...(Emily and I bought it together last trip...very fun...)

I'm so glad Ariana got her slipper......magical

I love Basin......I could go for a couple of their bath bombs right now or some of that great soap with the Mickey heads in it...

The Lego store is some kind of boy magnet (all ages...Em's guy friends play with David's legos and they are 14 and 15...)

Goofy got very crowded when we where in it also-but I was bound and determined to get some of the dipped pretzels...they were just changing the snack credit rules then also......it was a little confusing and disappointing......but I was still getting my pretzel rods...chocolate, peanut butter and pretzels...not to be taken lightly..

 

[Mickey_Mom]

Well I must say going with the flow worked out v well for you

It was a much needed switch from our "go, Go, GO!" trips from before.

Ooo I'm late....I've been MIA the last week but I know the name of that book...It's Disney Villains The Top Secret Files...(Emily and I bought it together last trip...very fun...)

Ahhh! Thank you! I may suggest that one to Santa she was enjoying it so much.

I'm so glad Ariana got her slipper......magical

So far it was the right decision to trust her with it... she's being so careful with it. She had a Mickey head braclet that we bought from the resort for her too but unfortunately within a few days of being home she was upset and smacked her arm down in frustration. Mickey heads went flying everywhere and that was that.

I love Basin......I could go for a couple of their bath bombs right now or some of that great soap with the Mickey heads in it...

I never quite find the time for a nice long bath but I should have bought the soaps.

The Lego store is some kind of boy magnet (all ages...Em's guy friends play with David's legos and they are 14 and 15...)

Oh yeah, all of Alex's friends still play with Lego too, more of a freestyle thing just making up whatever futuristic spaceship, road travelling thing they concoct from their minds.... so far this is the first Christmas Lego hasn't been on his list but I'm sure he'll correct that soon.

Goofy got very crowded when we where in it also-but I was bound and determined to get some of the dipped pretzels...they were just changing the snack credit rules then also......it was a little confusing and disappointing......but I was still getting my pretzel rods...chocolate, peanut butter and pretzels...not to be taken lightly..

That was my problem I think, I didn't know going in what I wanted to get. Next time I'll do a bit of research on it and if its super busy again like this time, I'll just zoom in to get what we want and hightail it out!

 

[cjackearl]

Hope you had a very Happy Thanksgiving, Tracy and Family!!

 

[Mickey_Mom]

Hope you had a very Happy Thanksgiving, Tracy and Family!!

Well I'll send that right back to you! But actually the Canadian Thanksgiving was October and it was wonderful. Did you do any Black Friday shopping?