How Do You Think We Stay So Happy?*Final Thoughts & Farewells* 10/7 p100

[All7OfUs]

All caught up ladies! Phew! That was a lot- so I'll just say that it's exciting that the travel went fairly smoothly.

I had not seen any pictures yet of the new Lego creations, so was super excited to see those. YAY!

No pillow, Cynthia would have been awful!

 

[jenjolt]

I was the one who had the waffles and boy were the good!!!!! Breakfast was just like old friends getting together and just chatting away...it was wonderful!!!

Love the picture of Mary Ellen and her cupcakes!!! OPA!!!!!!!!

Isn't having a rental car the best!!!! LOVE IT!!!

I have to tell a funny story about that morning! As I walked out of my wonderful mansion room I start trying to find my way to the lobby. All of sudden I notice I'm not in the South anymore, at least not my version of the South, somehow unbeknowst to me I ended up in the middle of Alligator Bayou. I do believe I texted Mary Ellen to let her know I was officially lost and might need a search party to come rescue me LOL!!!

 

[KatMark]

Gals, I am JUST TOO FAR behind on all the updates popping up around here so my comments will be brief.

Cynthia, I love your routine when arriving at MCO -- especially the Starbucks portion.

The rest of you girls -- great updates. The rooms are gorgeous, the photos (MaryEllen) spectacular and it's proving to be quite the time for you all.

I promise to stay better up on the updates.

 

[MEK]

Awww!!!!! What great fun y'all were having while I was bored out of my tree in the Detriot airport
Detroit you ask and aren't you flying from NYS well it was a flight booked on miles so I didn't have many choices. My first flight had a. Chatty Cathy who asked endless questions about my iPad. This being at 6am when I am not accustomed to talking at all

What's up with all the chatty people on everyone's flights?????? Adrenaline, I guess!

Di you convince her she needed an ipad by the end of the flight?

I guess its less painful to put up with a long flight time when you're actually not paying directly for it.

C had texted me telling me she had checked in my room key would be at the front desk, she was headed to WS to meet the other girls and that my box was missing Earlier in the week I FedExed a box with all of my Owners Locker stuff I was going to leave there. I was a bit nervous that they couldn't locate it but the staff at the BC are amazing to say the least!!! Tracy

So glad your box ended up being present and accounted for. Now your owner's locker is fully equipped!

That is the Stacked Kouzzina Breakfast - I know because that's one of my favorite breakfasts in Disney!

That was actually my best guest, but I was afraid if I was wrong I would look dumb. So thank you! It did look pretty yummy. Actually, all the food looked really good (despite my crappy pix)

Ohhhh your Boardwalk pics are making me wish I were there right now!! How gorgeous everything looks! Your POR pictures are gorgeous as well, I love that mist coming off of the water!

They make me wish I was there right now as well, but I suspect its blazing hot there right now.

I really wished I had my regular camera with me when I saw that mist at POR, but it was a good test of the iphone camera. It really did look cool!

Beautiful pictures!! For some reason, I love that column with the posters in France. And the topiaries are incredible. They always have a few out when we get there in February, but the F&G Show is hardly in full bloom.

.

Thank you! I love that column, too. It's so festive! Actually, everything in France is festive. And it was such a beautiful, sunny day that everything just popped!

That moment when you meet Disfriends is amazing. Its weird to meet people for the first time and recognize them instantly and think, yes, you're my friend. Its wonderful.

Can't wait for the next installment.

That is a really good way to describe it. You've never seen them before, but you recgnize them instantly. And, yes - they are your friend. I am always more startled at hearing people's voices for the first time. And I always wonder what people think of my voice because its low and tends to be a little whiney!

I have to go back and actually read all of the update MEK but I have a picture of you and the birthday cupcakes!!!



Don't hate me for posting that! I know your eyes are closed but you look so surprised and happy!!! You now have my permission to post pics of me

I was super excited to get a double dose of cupcakes, even though I knew they would be coming once the CM gave me my button. I remember thinking, "OK - its on", because there is no way I would have asked for a button myself. But now I had an excuse.

This is such a fun TR, so I'm following along
BCV & POR both look lovely to stay in. I had to laugh at the Jesus writer photo, I didn't realize that this was a common occurrence at WDW...we saw Jesus in the sky at Epcot 2 weeks ago and I had to stop and take pictures as well
Can't wait to read some more!

merbobear! We are so glad you are enjoying our TR. And you are right, both resorts are lovely. Can't go wrong with either one.

I think the sky writers may be more common during certain times of the year - like May and June, but I have seen them a lot during my various trips. The first time I thought it was cute. But after you've seen it a few times it loses its initial impact.

Ooh, love the pics of the mist on the river! How fun, meeting all of your DIS friends for the first time! Breakfast at Kouzzina looks so yummy, especially that French toast!

That river mist was very cool.

Kouzzina was so fun! I think Cynthia picked the perfect place for our breakfast meet!

Love the pictures of France! I don't think I have ever gone in the perfume shop, I think I'm always nervous that I might get a migraine if I go in there! I just assume it will smell really strong, like, well, perfume, and sometimes that instantly gives me a migraine, so I'd rather just avoid it!

Really? That stinks, but I can understand that since I get migraines and often get headaches when they have incense in church. From the time I was a little girl I had an aversion to perfume and cologne. I found it very irritating to be around. Of course, I know that fragrances have come a long way since then. Still, I just don't wear it. I keep thinking that someday I might.

Can't wait to see your pics of Morocco, it's such a beautiful pavilion!

We spent a lot of time in Morocco, so there will be many pictures!

 

[MEK]

First item in the suitcase? The blender! There was no way I was going to be responsible for our missing out on HappyDog's magic elixir!

:

I like your priorities!

I was lucky enough to get an upgrade to first class so I traveled in style.

:

Nice! Very Nice Indeed!

Tried to get the Tables In Wonderland card but I had come in behind a whole crowd of people (ahem- who authorized this use of "my" entrance?? ) and decided to wait til later in the trip.

:

As I recall that entrance was quite busy that day with all the visitors to the "world showplace". I hope you let them know you were sharing your entrance for the day!

I was on a mission to get my welcome to WDW champagne drink, which I got. In fact, I totally scored. I ordered inside the wine store within the pavilion and the gentleman ringing me up had a very serious question for me:

Him: "Madam, I need for you to do me this favor."
Me: "Umm... ok... what do you need?"
Him: " I need for you to drink a few sips out of your champagne glass so that I can finish this bottle.
Me: "Well OK! You came to the right place!!!!"


Afterward my intention was to get the cheese plate in the bakery for lunch. But the line was crazy and not moving. So what is a girl to do???

Two guesses as to where the ladies found me.

This is a great story! A little pixie dust to start the trip!

And by now I think everyone can guess where we eventually found you!

All caught up ladies! Phew! That was a lot- so I'll just say that it's exciting that the travel went fairly smoothly.

I had not seen any pictures yet of the new Lego creations, so was super excited to see those. YAY!

No pillow, Cynthia would have been awful!

It is exhausting to read about 6 people traveling, isn't it? I can't imagine the red eye without a pillow either.

I was the one who had the waffles and boy were the good!!!!! Breakfast was just like old friends getting together and just chatting away...it was wonderful!!!

They looked delish!!!!! How I wish I could have even a single bite right now? That's a great way to describe breakfast - just like old friends.

Isn't having a rental car the best!!!! LOVE IT!!!

Having you drive was even better!!! Loved that! Felt like a princess!

I have to tell a funny story about that morning! As I walked out of my wonderful mansion room I start trying to find my way to the lobby. All of sudden I notice I'm not in the South anymore, at least not my version of the South, somehow unbeknowst to me I ended up in the middle of Alligator Bayou. I do believe I texted Mary Ellen to let her know I was officially lost and might need a search party to come rescue me LOL!!!

I forgot you got lost! That was so funny! I remember getting the text and thinking that eventually you would arrive since all roads lead to the main lobby. If worse came to worse I guess you could always have driven over!

Gals, I am JUST TOO FAR behind on all the updates popping up around here so my comments will be brief.

Cynthia, I love your routine when arriving at MCO -- especially the Starbucks portion.

The rest of you girls -- great updates. The rooms are gorgeous, the photos (MaryEllen) spectacular and it's proving to be quite the time for you all.

I promise to stay better up on the updates.

No worries Kathy - just catch up when you can and skip what you have to. We really are moving along with this TR. If I don't spend time on it every day then even I will become lost.

Glad you like all the pictures. We promise to keep them coming!

 

[sunny_stace]

What a lovely breakfast you guys had together! I might have to try that someday! MEK I hope you enjoyed your birthday cupcakes! This trip just keeps getting better and better! Nothing but indulgence!

MEK - you are no blind squirrel! I love your photos! The one of the streetlamps in the morning fog was very eerie! It looked like you were outside HM! And I love your WS pictures too!

C - you should have bought a lottery ticket with all the luck you were having!

 

[TanzUnited99]

Thanks for the summary MEK!

As a caffeine addict I can understand your need for coffee - am glad you managed to make the most out of the situation.

Love, love, love the sunrise pics!

I also think the B&W photo at WS is awesome!

2xcited2sleep - yay on arriving home and what better way to start a trip then with a champagne drink!

 

[eandesmom]

Cynthia - crazy busy day for you - funny on the plane with the girl sleeping - beer research? LOVE IT!! Although it's like another language to me - IPA? Admittedly, I'm not much of a beer person. But kudos to you for handling the red eye so well and not crashing!

India Pale Ale. If you aren't much of a beer person you'd probably hate it.

You guys and your inside jokes! I can't wait to hear how this all plays out! I already can tell that a lot of it revolves around alcoholic beverages!!! This is my kind of TR! Always entertaining!

who us?

I wanna know all the secrets!

Oh-Cynthia! Glad the flight strategy worked out for you! That is WEIRD about not having blankets and pillows on a red-eye.

All shall be revealed in time. Well...maybe not ALL.

I was SOOO cold on that flight!

 

[nilla]

I have to tell a funny story about that morning! As I walked out of my wonderful mansion room I start trying to find my way to the lobby. All of sudden I notice I'm not in the South anymore, at least not my version of the South, somehow unbeknowst to me I ended up in the middle of Alligator Bayou. I do believe I texted Mary Ellen to let her know I was officially lost and might need a search party to come rescue me LOL!!!

Was that at POR? We stayed there on our first trip, and I got lost several times. Of course, anyone who knows me knows that I get lost in the city I've lived in for 37 years, but still

 

[jenjolt]

Was that at POR? We stayed there on our first trip, and I got lost several times. Of course, anyone who knows me knows that I get lost in the city I've lived in for 37 years, but still

Yes it was, one minute I was in my Gone With the Wind Heaven the next I was somehow in the bayou of Lousiana...I was so twisted around LOL!!!!!!

 

[eandesmom]

Pulling into POR I was nervous, and excited! I also couldn’t quite figure out which door to go in, like a total dork, but managed to get myself steered towards the lobby. Walking in I saw, almost immediately, Mary Ellen and Jen! Mary Ellen had gone running and Jen was dressed and ready to go for the day. I was SO impressed, knowing how very very sick Mary Ellen had been, that not only had she gotten up and gone running, she’d gotten Beignets for me!

A little backstory on the Beignets and our Breakfast ressie. My other red eye strategy, mandate really, is that I reward myself with a nice breakfast once I get in. We rarely go out for breakfast and frankly, I find cooking it to be very unrewarding (everyone is done eating by the time I get to eat, and so I'm eating alone). I a good sit down breakfast. It's a treat! Mary Ellen and I had originally planned to spend one night at the Dolphin (or Swan, one of them…at any rate we had a Swolphin ressie on a great AAA deal) but then the AP rates came out and POR beat out the Swolphin by a little bit so we decided that the difference could be better spent on slushies and a switch was made. I’d been excited about the Swolphin for a couple of reasons. 1st, it meant that moving resorts the next day would be uber easy. I envisioned us rolling our luggage down the walkway. 2nd, it meant that it would be super easy to have breakfast at Kouzzina, after I arrived in on my red eye, we’d just stroll over. I had read a couple of amazing reviews of the Kouzzina breakfast and was dying to try it, especially after we had missed out on our Kouzzina dinner on our August trip. I’d thrown it out there while we were planning our ADR’s as it was a must do for me and anyone was welcome to join. However, once we changed resorts, it no longer became quite as quick and easy to go there for breakfast. Jen would have a car and had offered to drive but I knew there would be more lag time between arrival, and food. As we’d talked about switching resorts, I’d mentioned the beignets and Mary Ellen had offered to pick some up and greet me with them. Which, though I’d told her wasn’t necessary….I didn’t exactly discourage her from doing either.

So to see her standing there, in her cute running outfit (and no, I didn’t notice any powdered sugar on her shorts) holding beignets, with Jen, was hug worthy! Hugs and greeting done I did go ahead and take care of upgrading my ticket and then we headed off to the room. I am SO glad Mary Ellen knew where we were going, I’d have been lost. That place is HUGE!!!!! And so so pretty. I saw the adorable green goodie bags all set and ready to go, so many cute little things! We got busy. A shower for Mary Ellen and a change of clothes for me. But first things first. The beignets! With a fresh cup of coffee (cup #2 for those of you that are counting). Knowing all too well our similarities in the coffee department (though I thankfully don’t get headaches, I do feel just a little bit lost without it as it is SO ingrained into my morning routine) Mary Ellen had a pot ready to brew. What a greeting! I sat down at the little table to enjoy these beauties.

There were 3 of them. I ate them ALL! Actually, I think I INHALED them. So so so so yummy! And so much more sugar than I ever ever eat, especially at that hour of the day. I waited to change until after I’d eaten them, recalling Mary Ellens powdery adventure with Jen. They are messy!!! I sprinkled sugar, inadvertently, all over her trip binder and the table, sorry about that! I can’t even tell you all how much I loved them and what a treat it was. Thank you Mary Ellen!! A great way to start the day. Treat over I changed clothes and yes, did iron my top. It had been squished into my very very full carry on. Changed and ready to go, we headed out to breakfast. Not only did Jen have a car, but it was literally parked just outside our door and, the best part was she had brought her GPS. Which has the Pepé Le Pew voice! Oh I need that in my car, I have the voice turned off. I am smiling just thinking about it! In short order, Jen being the valet parker pro that she is, we arrived. I hadn’t been through the BW lobby in years and oh, so so pretty! I really want to stay there though the clown does freak me out. It is high on my list for December 2012 though since I’m not sure we’d even be in the pool. Then, of course, I wanted more coffee. Mary Ellen is right, we did go to Boardwalk Joes. Which, was a mistake. The line at the bakery was ugly and so I gave up the idea of an Americano and got a regular coffee at the kiosk (cup #3). BLEH. But, it was hot, brown and warm and really that was all I was going for, knowing I could get a decent cup (or assuming I could) at Kouzzina. Though I only drank maybe ½ at most, I was happy to have it as we walked to the IG, took care of Jen’s TIW and then back to Kouzzina.

Here’s another shot of what I ordered

Stacked Kouzzina Breakfast - Two Poached Eggs, Kalamata Olive toast, Artichoke Spread and Sweet potato Hash with choice of Bacon or Chicken Sausage - $11.99

OMG. I seriously could eat this every day. It was absolutely incredible! How I had room for it all after 3 beignets I’m really not sure but I inhaled the entire thing. I did skip the Disney Bacon and went for the Chicken Sausage. YUM! I also had cup #4 of coffee, maybe cup #5. Given that the coffee I’d had on DME was a venti…the number is really higher than that but thanks to the ridiculous amount of food I ingested, it balanced out just right to offset the utter lack of sleep.

At this point, I finally got my camera out and got these birthday girl shots. My interior shots need a lot of work. I have a new camera and haven’t played enough inside to really have things right as evidenced here.

“Oh my gosh really you guys? Who told them”

“Aw, thanks!”

I think all of my topiary pictures are pretty much the same as Mary Ellens, though I did do a few close ups. I am a bit Belle obsessed so I had to!

 

[eandesmom]

This being at 6am when I am not accustomed to talking at all

I went to Fuddruckers thinking I could get a hamburger (yes at 7 something am but food consumed in airports and traveling can be eaten at all times of the day without consequence

It was HOT so we spent a lot of the time floating around and chatting The first of many days at the pool!! I finally got the call and my box was personally delivered to the room and I gave her a nice tip because I was honestly worried Eventually we got ready to head to DTD where we would meet up with the rest of the girls for our first dinner

I'm so glad your box arrived, I remember Christine waiting for her stuff but not the drama about your box.

I would not be a happy camper at 6am if anyone was talking to me. Heck, my kids know it's best not to speak to be until at least 7;30.

When you are hungry, you are hungry! And fuddruckers sounds a lot better than Chili's to me too!

That is the Stacked Kouzzina Breakfast - I know because that's one of my favorite breakfasts in Disney!

I'm going to have to figure out a way to have that on every trip, it was SOOO good!

First item in the suitcase? The blender! There was no way I was going to be responsible for our missing out on HappyDog's magic elixir!

I was on a mission to get my welcome to WDW champagne drink, which I got. In fact, I totally scored. I ordered inside the wine store within the pavilion and the gentleman ringing me up had a very serious question for me:

Him: "Madam, I need for you to do me this favor."
Me: "Umm... ok... what do you need?"
Him: " I need for you to drink a few sips out of your champagne glass so that I can finish this bottle.
Me: "Well OK! You came to the right place!!!!"

for the blender!!! We put it through it's paces for sure.

I love the "favor", that is a wonderful way to start your trip. And I do think you had the perfect "backup" idea to replace the cheese plate. I'd like a cheese plate right now. Or what you were having when we did find you!

No pillow, Cynthia would have been awful!

The no blanket was far worse. I was on the window so could live without the pillow.

Cynthia, I love your routine when arriving at MCO -- especially the Starbucks portion.

It is really a great transition time too, get myself settled after a flight and not feeling like I get off the plane and just rush out. The line at Starbucks and the bathrooms were crazy but I guess it was a Saturday morning. I'm not used to being at MCO on the weekend.

 

[jenjolt]

I barely took out my camera because you guys took the best pictures!! LOVE THEM!!

PEPE!!! I love my GPS...btw Darth is getting added this week!! I can't wait to choose between Pepe and Darth depending on my mood!!

OOOOH...I think one more next week I'm going to have to walk over to POFQ and get me some of those beignets...look so good!!!!

Hmmm...Kouzzina was so good that I booked another breakfast there!! I can't wait to try another great meal there!!!

 

[Wicket's Mom]

All the arrival stories are interesting, too bad about the pillow & blanket. I always freeze my bum off on flights, so I always dress for warmth.

Great pictures so far, looking forward to many more.

 

[mickeysmyboy]

Oh man!! I'm not even sure where to start on the comments!!

MEK! The update is fabulous!!! I know that early morning, no coffee headache all too well!! It's not fun! I actually forgot coffee filters this trip too! I know for sure that with the kuerig I don't have any in the house! I bought them in the Screen Door General Store after I got my locker and realized there was none in there!

I had the absolutely delish french toast for breakfast! If memory serves I also had a pressed pot of coffee!! I LOVE french pressed coffee! I actually have a press in my 2nd locker! But that locker was still at OL warehouse because it holds a lot of the kids stuff!

C and Tracy, I don't think I could ever pack that late in the game!!!

Cynthia, those benigets look insanely good!! Yummy! What a welcome!!

 

[tinacaplan]

Cynthia, I kind of wish you had stayed at the Swolphin... their deals sound so tempting. I think December would be a great time to try out the Boardwalk, because the pool would much less of an issue and, yeah, well..that clown.

 

[Mndisneygirl]

Aren't those topiaries cool???

Did you guys see that on June 6th HGTV is going to have a show called My Disney Backyard or something like that? They turn the yard into Disney! It looks really fun.

Love the update the breakfasts look so yummy! I'll have to remember to go there if we ever get to stay at BWV!

 

[TanzUnited99]

Mmmm those beignets looks so yummy - can't wait to try some!!

Lovely pics of the topiaries - I think Beauty and the Beast is awesome!!

 

[MeMom]

Did you guys see that on June 6th HGTV is going to have a show called My Disney Backyard or something like that? They turn the yard into Disney! It looks really fun.

Wonder how many of us crazy DISers have this date marked on the calendar???

 

[mickeysmyboy]

Aren't those topiaries cool???

Did you guys see that on June 6th HGTV is going to have a show called My Disney Backyard or something like that? They turn the yard into Disney! It looks really fun.

Love the update the breakfasts look so yummy! I'll have to remember to go there if we ever get to stay at BWV!

Really?! That sounds really cool!!!

Wonder how many of us crazy DISers have this date marked on the calendar???

Me, me, me!