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

[MEK]

I am going to keep going with my next update and then go back and do replies. I will try to keep updating through the day.

So - after the Animation Academy it looks like I met up with Melissa before she needed to leave to catch ME or her limo back to the airport.

I coerced her into a picture!

This was taken by a PP photographer with my camera.

I was sorry to see Melissa go. She was really instrumental in arranging this trip and helping to acquire all the ADRs. I think she really needed this solo trip. Hopefully it fulfilled her Disney urge through the summer. I know she is going back for F&W with Tracy and Christine and whoever else has been enabled into going. I so wish I could join them. Oh Well!

I took a few scenery pix while I had my camera out. Notice how I skillfully avoided having people in these pix.

So where was I heading to?????

Well, I decided I really wanted to do the back lot tour. I haven't done it for about 5 or 6 years and I've noticed that some DISers have gotten some cool pictures on this ride.

When I got to the queue I noticed it looked unusually long, but it appeared to be moving....At First. When I arrived I caught the tail end of an announcement, but I had idea what was said.

So I took a few pictures:

There was a lot of hype about the upcoming Pearl Harbor movie, as you can see from the pictures and items in the queue.

Then I heard the announcement again. Apparently one of the lines or trams or something was down and the ride was filling at half capacity. Well, OK I thought. Let's see if this line moves.

So I waited in line another 10 minutes before I realized that the line was barely moving. I checked the time, considered my ADR time, pondered how long it would take to get through the line and through the attraction, and decided not to wait. I figured if all went well I would be off the ride right at lunch time. If all didn't go well, I would be stuck with everyone waiting for me.

So I left. But I had a backup plan. You see - I rarely explore the streets of America, so I decided to go there and take more pictures.

Where did I take this picture? Is this at the entrance to the back lot tour?

So I present - The Streets of America

I considered asking someone to take my picture under the umbrella, but decided to move on.

This picture reminds me of our favorite DIS New Yorker Brook who adeptly pointed out the inaccuracy of this sign.

When I was done exploring the streets of America I decided to amuse myself with more pictures. I still had some time to kill before our lunch ADR. But I really didn't have enough time to do a ride. I wished I could have ducked into an AI show, but my timing was completely off.

I stopped here for a few minutes:

More time to kill (continued soon)

 

[MEK]

Continued

I paused to take a few pictures.

I wish I had had time for a spin on the great movie ride. But - Nope!

Then I got a brilliant idea. One that involved air conditioning. I went for a quick visit with none other than the man himself

Love this guy!

I also enjoyed looking at the changes done during the remodel. I was alone. I had a camera. I could take as many pictures as I wanted (or so I thought)

This is COOOOOOOL.........

One More

And then click......nothing. What? Click.......nothing.

Could It be????? Could I have actually filled my mega big memory card?????? Was that possible????? Yup - I had used that card to take Brian's prom pictures and then all my Disney pictures.

Now I was in desperate need of a memory card. Would I find one in time for lunch? and

How Did We Get this Name for our Trip Report title????

Coming Up today!

 

[KatMark]

MEK, I think your Pooh turned out pretty darn good (look at this way...he wasn't on steroids, but he had just finished a big thing of honey).

Your pictures, as always, are absolutely spectacular. Sorry you had so much trouble catching up with the rest of the crew, but glad you got a last photopass picture with Melissa.

 

[Stringbean&Wingnut]

Aww, your Winnie the Pooh came out very nice!!! Mine would have been an unrecognizable blob, for sure!

Hoping you found a new memory card quickly!!

 

[chloe770]

I thought your Pooh was pretty good too. Thanks for the tour. It is a nice distraction today. I've been there with the full memory card. Ugh!

Personal note. I'm in Magnolia about 2 miles from the bay just past DAFB. The wind is getting bad here already. I just bathed the kiddies(and myself) in anticipation of no hot water for a few days. Hopefully I get the laundry finished before we loose power.

~Dawn

 

[MEK]

So How DID We get this Trip Report Title......finally!

I took off from OMD as quickly as possible and ran into the closet dump shop - the one right outside of Mermaid. I quickly asked the CM if she had any memory cards, and if not, where could I find one. She directed me to the photo shop. I had no idea HS had a photoshop, but I had no trouble finding it.

I queued up behind another gentlemen who was also in need of a memory card. However, the cast member had to give him pretty detailed instructions on how to actually use it. OOOOO Kay!

I bought a 4 gb memory card (the largest they had). I don't remember exactly what I paid for it, but it wasn't a giant rip-off. Good to know in case I ever need one again. I still was in disbelief that I filled up an entire 8 gb card.

Once out on the street I had about 3 minutes to kill until ADR time. I decided to check my camera on this guy.

HI - sterical!

He was giving this gentlemen on the scooter a parking ticket!

Too funny! But I looked at my phone and it was officially time for our lunch ADR.

And where was that ADR - well at a DIS board favorite:

I'm sure this is enough of a hint!

We had a cool table - one of those retro half mooned shaped tables. And with it came this fine young man!

Check him out! Tracy and Christine requested a champagne flight and he was happy to oblige. He even asked if the rest of us would like to fly the friendly skies.

The first pour

The final pours

He then reminded the ladies to buckle up for take off. We all laughed and he replied he, "Well - How DO you think we stay so happy?" "It's not really the Disney magic like everyone thinks!"



OMG - We were officially rolling! His delivery was perfect and, while Cynthia and I did not fly the friendly skies, we did have some lovely wine. Again - the name escapes me, but it was probably my favorite wine of the trip.

It's shocking that I didn't take a picture of that happy little glass, but I did take a picture of this baby.

Blue Lump Crab Cake - with Potato Crust, Green Cabbage Slaw, Cognac-Mustard Sauce, and Rémoulade $12.00


Soooooooo good! Loved it!

My entree:

Coriander Dusted Grouper - cauliflower risotto, fresh English peas, crunchy sunchokes, and a yellow tomato coulis $33.00

OK - I'm not completely sure if this is the fish dish I had, but its the closet thing I can find on the menu. It's possible that they may have had a different fish special that I ordered.

Bottom line - loved it! The fish was delicate, moist, and flavorful and it still left me with enough room to enjoy......

Banana White Chocolate Toffee Tower - on Cocoa-Almond Cookie and Bananas Foster $9.00

Oh - You need a close up. Here you go.....

I love the drawings in. I find them very entertaining.

I mean - who doesn't love Benji?

After lunch we headed back to my favorite photo spot

I think C and Tracy may have hit the rest room so I seriously don't know if they made it back in time for a PP picture. So I'll let that be a surprise!

Cynthia and I had a date for a special event:

TSM!

Up Next - Who Rules at TSM!

This was seriously dessert heaven on a plate!

 

[Poolrat]

I believe that was my table last July. The one right in the foreground.

Glad you had a great waiter and a great meal.

 

[Stringbean&Wingnut]

Hahahaha that was a great line!!! (I was pretty sure that the title was going to be SOMEHOW alcohol-related, but I had been thinking more along the lines of margaritas than champagne. So classy!! )

 

[Mndisneygirl]

HA!! Did I read that right? The server said that??
Here I was thinking it was a line one of you ladies uttered, not the server!! That's a riot!!!

Great pictures!
What was the error in the subway sign? (I don't know the NYC subways at all obviously)

 

[vamassey1]

Lovely morning at DHS, sorry the run put a damper on it. I think your Pooh looks good. I have never done the animation class but really want to try it. I don't think anyone in my family has done it. My oldest Brent needs to do it, he can actually draw. I've never been in the Writer's shop either so that is on the list for Feb. Michelle and I are going to split a carrot cake cookie. I'm suppose to pick one up for Danielle if we don't see her that day. She is suppose to take an animation class as part of her trip. They are suppose to make a small cartoon. How neat!

Love the pictures you took at the entrance of Backlot. I've never gotten a chance to do that. Good call going into One Mans Dream. Sorry the memory card stopped more photos.

Lunch sounded divine! Great food and great service.

Stay safe through the hurricane.

 

[podsnel]

Flying the friendly skies!!

Buckling up for take-off!!

That's EXCELLENT!! LOVE that story!!

Also love the fact that you enjoyed the Brown Derby- we have an ADR there for our November trip, and I have always enjoyed it in the past- although it does seem to be plagued by mixed reviews. And i had no idea they offered champagne flights...hmmmm...I know an old college roomate who was my MOH who would LOVE that!! Maybe that will have to be on the ADR list for next May before our cruise (Lonnie isn't cruising, but I am staying at BCV with her for 2 nights prior).

I've been updating my cruise TR all day, like you- maybe I should go and do a DISmom update, too....waiting for the hurricane to come in. It's supposed to get bad here at midnight through noon tomorrow- are you getting wind yet?

 

[MEK]

Sorry Irene is messing with your plans. The baseball game we were supposed to go to tomorrow got canceled! The boys weren't happy but luckily we got tickts to today's game instead - crisis averted!

Can you believe it???? The only weekend all summer that we thought we were going away. We are hoping that things clear up/ work out and we can go to Williamsburg on Monday.

So glad your boys are getting to go to the baseball game today!!!!!

Day 6 sounds like it got off to a good start - after you recovered from your run! I love the animation class! I hope we can fit it into our November visits to DHS.

The animation class is so fun. Do your boys like it? I know my boys never had an interest in it, nor does my DH Denny. One trip her escaped by running off to the BR right before it started.

Day 6 was a lot of fun!

Stay safe this weekend! I'm off to see if I can buy a couple extra gas cans to fill up for our generator!

Thanks! So far just a lot of rain and some wind. Nothing terribly dramatic, but its supposed to get a lot worse tonight. Trying to get my replies done now before the power goes out.

Writer's Stop has a very good white chocolate macadamia nut cookie, if you like those. It's usually nice and quiet in there - a good place to sit and snack away from the heat and crowds.

Of COURSE I like those! I had no idea it was so nice and quiet in there. I am definitely going back. I'll have a hard time choosing what I want for my snacks.

I think your Winnie the Pooh came out just fine. It's way better than anything I would come out with.

Thanks! But I doubt that! No matter how my characters turn out, I still have a ton of fun drawing them.

I love the Wirter's Stop it's so quiet & nice..the bakery looks delicous, but when we went there last time I had just eaten. Next time, I'll have to try the carot cake cookie!

Everything did look so yummy! I'm surprised I didn't buy anything while I was there, but I guess I was anxious to get over to RnR. Then I was too lazy to walk all the way back over there.

That carrot cake cookie is definitely high on my list. That and the macadamia nut that MeMom just mentioned.

Aww, I love your Pooh drawing! My Tigger drawing is way worse!

I doubt that! Tigger would be fun to draw, but I really love to draw Eeyore. He's my favorite!

Stay safe this weekend, Mary Ellen and Christine! (And anyone else in Irene's path -- Tracy are you on the east or west side of the state?)

Thanks Jackie! So far, so good. Lots of rain, but I don't think the badness has started yet. I hope the rest of the ladies are good - especially Melissa on Long Beach Island.

That's funny- we drew Pooh, too! I love that animation class- I had never done it before last year, and I will never miss it again- I have delusions that I will one day hang all of my "art" on my walls....well, we'll see about that, but so far I've done Mickey, Eeyore & Pooh- and I think you did GREAT on your Pooh!!

Thanks!!

Wow - you got to do Eeyore! I love him!!!!!! It would be fun to frame them and hang them. The pictures make such a nice souvie! It's definitely high on my list of things to do. I wonder if I can get Nick to draw with me in December - probably not!

And I definitely am looking forward to your tale of how you stay so happy!!

Well - by now you have read the punch line. It was pretty freaking funny!!!!!!

Love the DHS day you all had and that shirt sure made an impact!

It was a great day. the only thing that would have made it better would have been if Star Tours was in a soft opening, but that didn't happen until the following week. Such a bummer! But at least I have something to look forward to!

The pictures of Writer's Stop look soo good - I can't wait to visit on our trip. I also think your pic of Pooh turned out good.

You must visit the Writer's Stop - it is so cool in there. I fell in love at first sight. I'm sure I've been in there before, but I didn't stay long or look around. Book did I miss out!

Glad you like my pooh.

Look forward to hearing how this TR got it's name and hope you all stay safe

Come back and read the punch line (if you haven't already). Sorry it took me all day to get there!

 

[MEK]

MEK, I think your Pooh turned out pretty darn good (look at this way...he wasn't on steroids, but he had just finished a big thing of honey).

Good one Kathy! Yes - that's it - his cheeks are full of honey!!!!! That must be it!

Your pictures, as always, are absolutely spectacular. Sorry you had so much trouble catching up with the rest of the crew, but glad you got a last photopass picture with Melissa.

So glad I saw Melissa before she left. I actually think people split up and everyone went their own separate ways. It would have been fun for a group ride on RnR or ToT, but it didn't happen. Oh well - Lunch made up for it!

Thanks for the compliment on the pictures.

Aww, your Winnie the Pooh came out very nice!!! Mine would have been an unrecognizable blob, for sure!

Stop. No it wouldn't! Glad you appreciate my pudgy cheek Pooh!

Hoping you found a new memory card quickly!!

Thank goodness I did. You know I would have gone into camera withdraw without one!!!!!!

I thought your Pooh was pretty good too. Thanks for the tour. It is a nice distraction today. I've been there with the full memory card. Ugh!

Thanks! Glad you enjoyed the tour. I will admit that the DIS boards can be a great distraction. I plan to catch up on everyone else's TRs until the power goes out!!!!!

The full memory card was a bummer!

Personal note. I'm in Magnolia about 2 miles from the bay just past DAFB. The wind is getting bad here already. I just bathed the kiddies(and myself) in anticipation of no hot water for a few days. Hopefully I get the laundry finished before we loose power.

~Dawn

OK - I remember that now. I know there's a few Delaware people on the boards, but I can never keep straight who lives where. I hope things are going well there for you. I know Dover already got a couple of inches of water - twice as much as Wilmington.

I made everyone take showers too - and our bath tubs are filled incase we need that water to flush the toilets. And I did all my laundry. My DH has the AC turned to freezing for when the AC goes out.

You must be so excited for your trip which is only a month away.

I believe that was my table last July. The one right in the foreground.

.

That's so funny! I think Denny and I sat at that same table once, as well. Popular spot!

Glad you had a great waiter and a great meal.

We did. It was great! My meal pictures reminded me of how totally fabulous it was!

Hahahaha that was a great line!!! (I was pretty sure that the title was going to be SOMEHOW alcohol-related, but I had been thinking more along the lines of margaritas than champagne. So classy!! )

It was hysterical. Really. He just threw it out there so matter of factly! He must deal with families, kids, stuffy people all day long. Obviously we looked like a group where he could tell us what he really thought! I love it!

HA!! Did I read that right? The server said that??
Here I was thinking it was a line one of you ladies uttered, not the server!! That's a riot!!!

Oh yeah - He totally did and he had just STARTED his shift. Imagine the one-liners as the day goes on. I have a feeling he enjoys a good flight here and there!

Great pictures!
What was the error in the subway sign? (I don't know the NYC subways at all obviously)

I don't remember!!!!! I just know she pointed it out in one of her past TR's and it made sense.

 

[MEK]

Lovely morning at DHS, sorry the run put a damper on it. I think your Pooh looks good. I have never done the animation class but really want to try it. I don't think anyone in my family has done it. My oldest Brent needs to do it, he can actually draw. I've never been in the Writer's shop either so that is on the list for Feb.

Aww - Thanks!

You must try the animation class. I can't imagine you and your family not loving it. It's really a fun and novel attraction and you really can't mess it up that bad.

I've never been in the Writer's shop either so that is on the list for Feb. Michelle and I are going to split a carrot cake cookie. I'm suppose to pick one up for Danielle if we don't see her that day. She is suppose to take an animation class as part of her trip. They are suppose to make a small cartoon. How neat!

You will love the Writer's stop - its so cute! You must stop there. I'll taste test the carrot cake cookie for you in December.

The animation class for Danielle sounds awesome - a whole cartoon - that is very cool!!!!!

Love the pictures you took at the entrance of Backlot. I've never gotten a chance to do that. Good call going into One Mans Dream. Sorry the memory card stopped more photos.

I see we are both going to end up with similar things on our trip itineraries! I'll see if I can talk Denny into the Backlot tour. That is if I'm not too busy riding Star Tours over and over and over again!

Lunch sounded divine! Great food and great service.

It really was. That's my third time there and I have had excellent food every time!

Stay safe through the hurricane.

Thanks - I know things are going to get a lot worse, but I am listening to the mayor of Philadelphia and he is scaring the crap out of me. He's warning people they may be out of power for weeks. WEEKS?????

Flying the friendly skies!!

Buckling up for take-off!!

That's EXCELLENT!! LOVE that story!!

I knew you would totally appreciate that story! You would have loved our server. He was great!!!!!!

Also love the fact that you enjoyed the Brown Derby- we have an ADR there for our November trip, and I have always enjoyed it in the past- although it does seem to be plagued by mixed reviews. And i had no idea they offered champagne flights...hmmmm...I know an old college roomate who was my MOH who would LOVE that!! Maybe that will have to be on the ADR list for next May before our cruise (Lonnie isn't cruising, but I am staying at BCV with her for 2 nights prior).

Go Lonnie! You guys will have a blast. Please wear the tiaras again. And you are tempting me with talks of May, but I am definitely going in June so I know I can't swing it.

I have eaten at Brown Derby three times and its been great every time. The mixed reviews surprise me. I love it. It's especially nice for lunch, but it does cut into park time!

I've been updating my cruise TR all day, like you- maybe I should go and do a DISmom update, too....waiting for the hurricane to come in. It's supposed to get bad here at midnight through noon tomorrow- are you getting wind yet?

Now it starting to get a little bit bad in the short amount of time I have been doing replies.

I am going to find that TR now.

 

[All7OfUs]

GREAT story!! I love how some CMs just nail it with service!

Everything looked fabulous, just like i thought it would, BD is one of my favorites for sure!

 

[MEK]

GREAT story!! I love how some CMs just nail it with service!

He totally did. He was hands down my favorite server of the trip. Just a lot of fun and totally efficient. He had a great laugh!

Everything looked fabulous, just like i thought it would, BD is one of my favorites for sure!

It was an excellent meal. Kind - of sorry I didn't make an ADR there for December. Nick would love it!

 

[podsnel]

You said-
I have eaten at Brown Derby three times and its been great every time. The mixed reviews surprise me. I love it. It's especially nice for lunch, but it does cut into park time!

ME TOO!!! I remember going there YEARS ago and feeling like it was the only AMAZING meal you could get!

The rain just got a little heavier, we are probably moving T&T downstairs (& us) for sleeping (Sean already does)- I think it's gonna be crazy, but I hope it will all be ok for all of us!

 

[MEK]

You said-
I
ME TOO!!! I remember going there YEARS ago and feeling like it was the only AMAZING meal you could get!

The rain just got a little heavier, we are probably moving T&T downstairs (& us) for sleeping (Sean already does)- I think it's gonna be crazy, but I hope it will all be ok for all of us!

The first time I went there I only thought it was a notch about a regular TS restaurant, but I definitely think its hitting signature status. Maybe the other restaurants are going down hill. I don't know. I love it. My meal was fabulous and the portions were perfect. I'm glad we decided to eat there. We were actually supposed to eat at CMC cafe, but we changed to a lunch ADR at the last minute.

Our think our rain is getting heavier now too. I just heard the first high pitched whoosh. Denny predicts we are going to lose power "any time now". Great Denny!! Maybe I should plug my phone back in and charge it AGAIN!

 

[KatMark]

We had such a disappointing time at the Derby the one and only time we went, but our waiter had a LOT to do with that. I am so glad to see that you had a great waiter.

 

[Wicket's Mom]

What a fun waiter that you had!

i loved the picyures of America, I like that area, but didn't take many photos. I enjoyed seeing it again through your lens.

I'm down to TEN days before our trip!!!