BrooklynnsMommy
DIS Veteran
- Joined
- Sep 12, 2006
Great mini update. Looks like a lot of fun!
Where did this heat and all these people come from? The new PTR/TR link 5/7
- Thread starter kschafer
- Start date
brianatwcc
Earning My Ears
- Joined
- May 20, 2010
enjoyed this. thanks
kschafer
DIS Veteran
- Joined
- Jan 26, 2008
Well, it has been 2 years since our family trip and I haven't posted a ton of pictures of the boys since then so yes...they have gotten quite a bit bigger!
Sleep that good means it must have been a great day!
Sounds like a wonderful trip!
I must say that must be the first mustard vending machine that I've ever seen!
I do love seeing them snuggled up with their favorite stuffed animals!
That vending machine was a first for me!
Hey there Katie!!!What a fun trip to the Dells
I love the mustard vending machine....must admit I never knew one existed!!! The picture of your son with the jar of mustard cracks me up
The duck looked like it was a fun tour and you saw some pretty cool sights. Ferngully
Oh my and those Moose beetles!!! Could you imagine having to drive one?!! I would be mortified sitting at a traffic light!!
What a beautiful field of sunflowers...made me smile too!!
Tracy
He can be a real ham sometimes, he was very confused by that whole mustard museum experience
I actually liked the moose cars
What a fun vacation to the Wisconsin Dells!!! I love how the boys crashed every night -- that's a sure sign you have packed in lots of great times!
They have a tendancy to get a surge of energy in the evening before bed so we had to pack in lots of activity to avoid them from getting too crazy in the hotel room
We enjoy Wisconsin as a close getaway from time to time. It's just different enough from Iowa to make it feel like a vacation without a huge time commitment
I'm not particularly a mustard fan so I wasn't particularly into the museum but it was a fun stop. They actually had a sampling counter so you could try before you buy
I wasn't particularly interested in doing the duck tour but was pleasantly surprised
I felt the same way about your trip to OBX, not sure I'll ever get there so it was fun for this midwestern girl to see your trip pictures
Thanks for sharing your mini vacation with us....sure looks like you had a blast! Love the one of the boys sleeping
It was a great little trip to end a very busy summer. It was nice to have some relaxed family time
What a great mini-trip! I haven't read responses, so this may have already been said, but I think someone else, possibly Brook, has been on that same duck/boat tour and reported about it. Very cool!
Thank you for the pictures of the Disney Store. How thrilling to see Disney coffee mugs and plush animals in their neat little rows again!
Every time I see those two precious boys of yours I think almost out loud, 'What a lucky and blessed girl she is!', because they are just so flippin' cute!
I am so glad you guys were able to do this before school gets started. Thanks so much for sharing, and enjoy today with your family, Katie.
On her recommendation, last summer we did the same boat tour Brook had done on her visit.
It was the end of the day so the row weren't quite as neat as I'm sure they were in the morning but I was happy to be there anyway!!
I am a very lucky girl t have 2 very cute and sweet boys
kschafer
DIS Veteran
- Joined
- Jan 26, 2008
We did the original duck tour. there is also the Army ducks but we got the impression theirs was more of a city tour. I really enjoyed the scenery of this one (not sure how many you will have going or how long you will stay but you might want to look into the Dells fun card, for $10 you get buy one - get one at a number of activities in the area including the original ducks) We didn't bother because Daniel was free and we didn't do any of the other things the card was good for but I think you can get up to 3 free tickets with each card and you could save a ton of money with it if you tried
I loved your mini-TR, of course!!). The vending machine was a bit....different. But after-all, it IS Wisconsin.
Beautiful pictures of the Dells along the river too! Took me right back to our trip.
Look familiar?
DROOOOOOOOOOOOOOOL! Nothing beats SQUEAKY cheese curds!!!
We took a similar tour, ours wasn't on the Ducks though - just a regular boat. But, it did go along some of the same scenery on the river!
My camera battery died on our boat tour last summer so although we didn't go the canyon walk or see the dog jump this year, I was glad to get another chance at some of those river pictures.
The cheese curds had just come out of the factory area to be packaged when we arrived so they were still warm when we got them. Greg and I ate an entire bag in the car!
It's a pretty touristy area, you gotta kind of wade through the crap but it's a lot of fun when you do. Greg commented that it reminds him of the area just outside of Disney with it's gift shops and minigolf courses (you know, part of the reason we all stay onsite
)I'm sure it's quite different in the winter but I actually know a few people who have gone in the winter. Several of the bigger resorts have large indoor water parks and good prices on rooms
It was a nice short vacation. Greg doesn't often just relax and enjoy himself so it was good to see him take some down time
Glad you liked!
SoonerGirl
DIS Veteran
- Joined
- Nov 9, 2006
Looks like a fun trip to the Dells! Your boys are getting so big, whats up with that?!
I was totally cracking up at the mustard university with the mustard vending machine - Justin would totally love that, he eats mustard on everything!
Funny that you posted the picture of the Biobug, when we were driving home from MN Monday we passed a billboard advertising Biodiesel. I had never heard of it, so I asked Don what it was - fuel made from used grease & oil that they collect from restaurants, very cheap and clean apparently - cool concept
I was totally cracking up at the mustard university with the mustard vending machine - Justin would totally love that, he eats mustard on everything!
Funny that you posted the picture of the Biobug, when we were driving home from MN Monday we passed a billboard advertising Biodiesel. I had never heard of it, so I asked Don what it was - fuel made from used grease & oil that they collect from restaurants, very cheap and clean apparently - cool concept
kschafer
DIS Veteran
- Joined
- Jan 26, 2008
It was a nice family getaway! It felt wierd to be working in "my" new classroom today, I only have had 1 other teaching job so it's strange to walk into a new room and make it feel like mine...it will get there!
Looks like a fun trip to the Dells! Your boys are getting so big, whats up with that?!
I was totally cracking up at the mustard university with the mustard vending machine - Justin would totally love that, he eats mustard on everything!
Funny that you posted the picture of the Biobug, when we were driving home from MN Monday we passed a billboard advertising Biodiesel. I had never heard of it, so I asked Don what it was - fuel made from used grease & oil that they collect from restaurants, very cheap and clean apparently - cool concept
What are those boys thinking growing up like that!
Perhaps a visit to Madison is in order (or you can order some Poupon U things online, I got Greg a degree from there for his birthday...a DDS...doctor of diddly squat
)I guess being from Iowa, biofuel is not a strange concept but I can see why that is surprising to others. Biodiesel is technically any type of organic based fuel that can be burned in a diesel engine. Lots of Iowa school buses run on it but around here most comes from soybeans. (similar to ethanol that can be used in regular fuel engines, mostly corn based here) I think engines that run on straight food oil are less common but require no processing, just straight out of the restaurants fryers when it gets too dirty and straight into the car...very cool!
kschafer
DIS Veteran
- Joined
- Jan 26, 2008
Day 5, Wednesday May 5
You may remember my tease a couple months back about planning another trip, but it turned out to be for my brother instead of for me. Well he and his family are there this week and sending me pictures several times a day to show me what they are up to. Unfortunately they couldnt work in DHS on their first day and TSMM is now down for refurb and so is IASW, both of which are a bummer! But they really seem to be having a good time and getting a lot accomplished. He sent me a picture last night of MSEP and I was quite jealous! They also got a chance to meet Pooh bear at AK when they knew he was being played by an old high school friend of ours, way cool!
SO, where was I when I left off way back when we had spent the day at Epcot - Mom and Shelby had a leisurely lunch at Restaurant Marrekesh, Dad and I had an entertaining dinner at Biergarten, the 4 of us spent a lot of time wandering WS and enjoying the entertainment and Dad played Romeo now back to the report!
A not too late night the previous evening, was followed by a morning where we didnt have to wake up terribly early. I cant remember exactly why but my pictures this morning show that I took a walk over to the CSRs main building this morning. It must have rained during the night because it was still damp and cloudy but I knew the forecast was for more hot and steamy UGH!
I saw quite a number of critters this morning, lots of fish and birds mostly. The ripples in this photo were made by turtles, if you look closely, you can see one of their heads just to the right of the palm trees reflection
Just taking photos as I walked
I am really trying to remember why I had to go here this morning! We had breakfast ADRs so I didnt go to get food. Mom and Dad had brought us some Diet Pepsi so I didnt go to fill mugs and our package reservation went for another day so it wasnt to do anything with our rooms.
Some of the decorative touches inside El Centro
When I came out I found another critter visiting
Then I wandered back
Our room was on the 3rd floor just above that umbrella in the corner (see the blue door?)
When I returned from my quest (I wonder if I just had some time to kill?) Shelby was ready and we made our way to the bus stop. We left about 1 hour before our ADR because we were on our way to the beach club and I knew we would have to transfer buses at any park so we decided to simply grab whichever bus came first.
We ended up at Magic Kingdom and entertained the idea of grabbing the monorail to Epcot but this is where I got utterly confused! We made our way to the monorail station but found the TTC express line closed. I asked a nearby guard and was told it wouldnt open until 11:00. It didnt make sense to me but I was just blanking on whether the resort monorail stopped at the TTC and I didnt want to make a useless loop around the resorts just to wind up in the same spot so we turned around and walked back to the buses. In the end, Im glad we didnt have to wait for a bus at Epcot or walk from the front gate to IG!
We waited in line for the yacht/beach club bus for awhile with only another couple. A bus came by headed to the boardwalk and one of the transportation directors asked the driver to also drop us off. So we took off on our deluxe hotel tour of the boardwalk
The swan
And the dolphin
Before finally arriving at the beach club
Good thing we had left an hour before our ADR because we needed it for that long journey!
You may remember my tease a couple months back about planning another trip, but it turned out to be for my brother instead of for me. Well he and his family are there this week and sending me pictures several times a day to show me what they are up to. Unfortunately they couldnt work in DHS on their first day and TSMM is now down for refurb and so is IASW, both of which are a bummer! But they really seem to be having a good time and getting a lot accomplished. He sent me a picture last night of MSEP and I was quite jealous! They also got a chance to meet Pooh bear at AK when they knew he was being played by an old high school friend of ours, way cool!
SO, where was I when I left off way back when we had spent the day at Epcot - Mom and Shelby had a leisurely lunch at Restaurant Marrekesh, Dad and I had an entertaining dinner at Biergarten, the 4 of us spent a lot of time wandering WS and enjoying the entertainment and Dad played Romeo now back to the report!
A not too late night the previous evening, was followed by a morning where we didnt have to wake up terribly early. I cant remember exactly why but my pictures this morning show that I took a walk over to the CSRs main building this morning. It must have rained during the night because it was still damp and cloudy but I knew the forecast was for more hot and steamy UGH!
I saw quite a number of critters this morning, lots of fish and birds mostly. The ripples in this photo were made by turtles, if you look closely, you can see one of their heads just to the right of the palm trees reflection
Just taking photos as I walked
I am really trying to remember why I had to go here this morning! We had breakfast ADRs so I didnt go to get food. Mom and Dad had brought us some Diet Pepsi so I didnt go to fill mugs and our package reservation went for another day so it wasnt to do anything with our rooms.
Some of the decorative touches inside El Centro
When I came out I found another critter visiting
Then I wandered back
Our room was on the 3rd floor just above that umbrella in the corner (see the blue door?)
When I returned from my quest (I wonder if I just had some time to kill?) Shelby was ready and we made our way to the bus stop. We left about 1 hour before our ADR because we were on our way to the beach club and I knew we would have to transfer buses at any park so we decided to simply grab whichever bus came first.
We ended up at Magic Kingdom and entertained the idea of grabbing the monorail to Epcot but this is where I got utterly confused! We made our way to the monorail station but found the TTC express line closed. I asked a nearby guard and was told it wouldnt open until 11:00. It didnt make sense to me but I was just blanking on whether the resort monorail stopped at the TTC and I didnt want to make a useless loop around the resorts just to wind up in the same spot so we turned around and walked back to the buses. In the end, Im glad we didnt have to wait for a bus at Epcot or walk from the front gate to IG!
We waited in line for the yacht/beach club bus for awhile with only another couple. A bus came by headed to the boardwalk and one of the transportation directors asked the driver to also drop us off. So we took off on our deluxe hotel tour of the boardwalk
The swan
And the dolphin
Before finally arriving at the beach club
Good thing we had left an hour before our ADR because we needed it for that long journey!
kschafer
DIS Veteran
- Joined
- Jan 26, 2008
We got off the bus and headed inside
Where we were quickly seated at Cape May. I’m going to warn you of some of the upcoming picutures, the guy at the next table was kind enough to offer several times to take our picture with the characters but he wasn’t much of a photographer. First up was goofy
Then we hit the buffet. My first trip included an egg scramble stuffed with ham and cheese (gooey and delicious!!!), fresh fruit (very refreshing), a French toast casserole (similar to bread pudding, sweet and yummy) and bacon (cooked reasonably crisp).
I really was surprised at how much I enjoyed this breakfast considering that I am not a big morning eater. I think it helped that this ADR wasn’t until 10:00 so I was more prepared for food than I was for our 9:00 CP breakfast. Next to visit was Minnie
Then Donald came by
Another trip through the buffet and I acquired more of the egg casserole, bacon and French toast casserole as well as a Mickey waffle and chocolate croissant.
After finishing my second plate, I asked the waitress about Mickey realizing I hadn’t seen him yet. She informed me that Mickey wasn’t there because he is at Chef Mickey’s for breakfast. I was kind of tempted to point out he was also at Tusker House and Ohana, and Minnie, Goofy and Donald are also at Chef Mickey’s but I let it go.
I have to say, the service wasn’t great this morning but I can overlook that at a buffet. My 1 complaint then would be that 3 characters seemed like a bit slim pickings. It seems like all the other buffets have at least 4 characters and I think an addition of another character would make this a bit nicer. Also, in case anyone is wondering, the restaurant was only about ½ full making the character rotation fast (Goofy and Minnie both made it to our table twice, I’m sure that was affected by our late time though) as well as very short lines at the buffet but the food still was fresh and hot. I would recommend this breakfast!
When we were finished, we slowly made our way out of the beach club
And headed outside while taking in the sights
I can see why so many people love this resort area! Absolutely lovely and the location is awesome
We made our way over to Epcot and I was thrilled to finally get the chance to use Christine and Anita’s private entrance!!!
Our next destination was…
Mexico!
Because we had a very special dismeet at
Where we were quickly seated at Cape May. I’m going to warn you of some of the upcoming picutures, the guy at the next table was kind enough to offer several times to take our picture with the characters but he wasn’t much of a photographer. First up was goofy
Then we hit the buffet. My first trip included an egg scramble stuffed with ham and cheese (gooey and delicious!!!), fresh fruit (very refreshing), a French toast casserole (similar to bread pudding, sweet and yummy) and bacon (cooked reasonably crisp).
I really was surprised at how much I enjoyed this breakfast considering that I am not a big morning eater. I think it helped that this ADR wasn’t until 10:00 so I was more prepared for food than I was for our 9:00 CP breakfast. Next to visit was Minnie
Then Donald came by
Another trip through the buffet and I acquired more of the egg casserole, bacon and French toast casserole as well as a Mickey waffle and chocolate croissant.
After finishing my second plate, I asked the waitress about Mickey realizing I hadn’t seen him yet. She informed me that Mickey wasn’t there because he is at Chef Mickey’s for breakfast. I was kind of tempted to point out he was also at Tusker House and Ohana, and Minnie, Goofy and Donald are also at Chef Mickey’s but I let it go.
I have to say, the service wasn’t great this morning but I can overlook that at a buffet. My 1 complaint then would be that 3 characters seemed like a bit slim pickings. It seems like all the other buffets have at least 4 characters and I think an addition of another character would make this a bit nicer. Also, in case anyone is wondering, the restaurant was only about ½ full making the character rotation fast (Goofy and Minnie both made it to our table twice, I’m sure that was affected by our late time though) as well as very short lines at the buffet but the food still was fresh and hot. I would recommend this breakfast!
When we were finished, we slowly made our way out of the beach club
And headed outside while taking in the sights
I can see why so many people love this resort area! Absolutely lovely and the location is awesome
We made our way over to Epcot and I was thrilled to finally get the chance to use Christine and Anita’s private entrance!!!
Our next destination was…
Mexico!
Because we had a very special dismeet at
MEK
DIS Veteran
- Joined
- May 8, 2005
So you finally made it to C's and Wigd's private entrance. Way to go! I love the CM Cafe breakfast. It is so yum! It's one of my favs, not only for the food, but for the private entrance as well!
Despite your photographer's lack of skill, you still got some great pics. Your CSR pics are excellent.
So in your next update I want you to tell me about each drink you and Shelby had and I want an extensive review since I couldn't be there to partake!
Despite your photographer's lack of skill, you still got some great pics. Your CSR pics are excellent.
So in your next update I want you to tell me about each drink you and Shelby had and I want an extensive review since I couldn't be there to partake!
brookelizabeth
Jambo Wildbunch Gang
- Joined
- Jul 20, 2006
CSR is so beautiful!!! I loved seeing your pictures of it, taking me right back to our stay there.
I KNOW I have seen Mickey in other people's Cape May breakfast pictures...did they recently remove him??? This completely bums me out since we have an ADR there. I don't think Henry will realize he's missing, but I will. Though the food sounds and looks awesome! I'm glad to hear you would recommend it too, thank you for the review!
I KNOW I have seen Mickey in other people's Cape May breakfast pictures...did they recently remove him??? This completely bums me out since we have an ADR there. I don't think Henry will realize he's missing, but I will.
Though the food sounds and looks awesome! I'm glad to hear you would recommend it too, thank you for the review!
PrincessInOz
Thanks for my avatar, Mary Jo!
- Joined
- Feb 8, 2010
Your pictures of CSR are beautiful and I am looking forward to (not) spending some time there, if I do go in October (or not)..
We loved the BC area and your photos of your morning brought back heaps of great memories for me. Thanks for sharing. Mickey was also NOT at the CM breakfast when we went the week after. We also had 3 characters and I got to meet Minnie, which was great; but the breakfast was good and there weren't as many people there as there were at TH.
DisMeet next!
ps. Hope your brother is having a great time at the World!
We loved the BC area and your photos of your morning brought back heaps of great memories for me. Thanks for sharing. Mickey was also NOT at the CM breakfast when we went the week after. We also had 3 characters and I got to meet Minnie, which was great; but the breakfast was good and there weren't as many people there as there were at TH.
DisMeet next!
ps. Hope your brother is having a great time at the World!
heaven2dc
DIS Veteran
- Joined
- May 26, 2003
I know why you were out that early taking pictures - you were thinking of us! What lovely pictures - but that alligator 
(I would have freaked out!!)
We had an early Cape May breakfast back in Dec 2008 (8 a.m.) and I thought we saw Mickey but only have pics of Minnie & Donald. I remember Minnie, Donald and Goofy but for the life of me Mickey escapes me (maybe he did escape Cape May too!)
(I would have freaked out!!)We had an early Cape May breakfast back in Dec 2008 (8 a.m.) and I thought we saw Mickey but only have pics of Minnie & Donald. I remember Minnie, Donald and Goofy but for the life of me Mickey escapes me (maybe he did escape Cape May too!)
SoonerGirl
DIS Veteran
- Joined
- Nov 9, 2006
Beautiful pictures from your morning walk! I'm so glad you went on that little stroll, even if you don't remember why I looked for the alligator everytime we walked past the lake but never saw him.
I've thought about trying Cape May for breakfast, but the logistics of getting there early in the morning have always made me rethink doing it. I just need to stay at the BC next time and remove the need to travel Plus I could use Christine & Anita's private Epcot entrance, which is reason enough to stay there!
I looked for the alligator everytime we walked past the lake but never saw him.I've thought about trying Cape May for breakfast, but the logistics of getting there early in the morning have always made me rethink doing it. I just need to stay at the BC next time and remove the need to travel
Plus I could use Christine & Anita's private Epcot entrance, which is reason enough to stay there!
Charleston Princess
DIS Veteran
- Joined
- Jan 28, 2008
Glad to hear that your brother and his family are having a good time at Disney! How cool that they were able to meet Pooh when it was an old friend!
Beautiful pictures around CSR that morning! Yikes about the alligator though!!! Makes me think twice about staying there again!
Breakfast sounds delicious! Your plate of food looks very appetizing this morning! Cute pics with the characters but I agree that three characters doesn't seem like a lot.
Beautiful pictures around CSR that morning! Yikes about the alligator though!!! Makes me think twice about staying there again!
Breakfast sounds delicious! Your plate of food looks very appetizing this morning! Cute pics with the characters but I agree that three characters doesn't seem like a lot.
cdotla
Trish
- Joined
- Jul 13, 2006
Hey Katie! I am finally caught up! And just in time for our DisMeet!
I can't believe you were at Cape May for breakfast that morning before the Meet...so were we!!! Although we were there at 8am. Now you have we wondering if Mickey was there for us...I will have to double check my photos.
I can't believe you were at Cape May for breakfast that morning before the Meet...so were we!!! Although we were there at 8am. Now you have we wondering if Mickey was there for us...I will have to double check my photos.
KatMark
DIS Veteran
- Joined
- Aug 5, 2007
Good afternoon, Katie. It is getting harder and harder to keep up with all of my subscribed threads and upate my PTR (less than four weeks now for us). Your pictures of the Coronado that morning are absolutely wonderful. I'm so glad you got to see "Ally" the alligator...I can't wait to see her again. And,
Charleston Princess, "Ally" is always in the water...in the last four visits we've never seen the gator out of the Lake (there has also been a siting of one at the Caribbean, the POR-Riverside, and the Contemporary--and those are just the ones I've read about lately).
I agree with you. As much as we LOVE the Cape May breakfast, they ought to bring Chip & Dale back and have five characters (now that they've added Donald) or at least bring Daisy in to be with Donald.
Can't wait to hear about the DIS meet.
And, Charleston Princess, "Ally" is always in the water...in the last four visits we've never seen the gator out of the Lake (there has also been a siting of one at the Caribbean, the POR-Riverside, and the Contemporary--and those are just the ones I've read about lately).
I agree with you. As much as we LOVE the Cape May breakfast, they ought to bring Chip & Dale back and have five characters (now that they've added Donald) or at least bring Daisy in to be with Donald.
Can't wait to hear about the DIS meet.
jenjolt
Loves All Things Disney!
- Joined
- Sep 16, 2008
YAY for your brother and family having a good time at Disney!!!! 
Your breakfast at Cape May looks like it was a blast!!!! I have to agree on the smaller number of characters! I wish Chip and Dale would be there! Loved your morning stroll pictures even if you can't remember why you went on the stroll LOL!!!!
Your breakfast at Cape May looks like it was a blast!!!! I have to agree on the smaller number of characters! I wish Chip and Dale would be there! Loved your morning stroll pictures even if you can't remember why you went on the stroll LOL!!!!
2xcited2sleep
DIS Veteran
- Joined
- Jan 5, 2008
I can't believe you left me hanging just as you were getting to the tequila!
So nice to see pictures of my favorite place in the World. Glad you enjoyed the breakfast. I actually haven't eaten there yet. Maybe next trip. 3 characters does sound a bit sparse.
Also enjoyed catching up on your trip to the Dells. Glad you guys had such a nice time. Your boys are adorable!
So nice to see pictures of my favorite place in the World. Glad you enjoyed the breakfast. I actually haven't eaten there yet. Maybe next trip. 3 characters does sound a bit sparse.
Also enjoyed catching up on your trip to the Dells. Glad you guys had such a nice time. Your boys are adorable!
Happy Elf
DIS Veteran
- Joined
- Jun 22, 2006
Your mini trip looked like some much fun! Loved the restaurant where the train came to the table. What fun!
Enjoyed your breakfast pictures from Cape May. We are thinking of having breakfast there next summer as we need to eat at a resort that day since no park tickets. We have eaten at the other breakfasts and DH wanted to do a different one.
Enjoyed your breakfast pictures from Cape May. We are thinking of having breakfast there next summer as we need to eat at a resort that day since no park tickets. We have eaten at the other breakfasts and DH wanted to do a different one.
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