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

[TanzUnited99]

Have a great trip! Can't wait to hear all about it.

 

[eandesmom]

As Tracy mentioned, we got up and headed off to HS. If memory serves I had great intentions of working out but am pretty darn sure I didn’t. It was another beautiful day!

Walking to the marina

Waiting for the boat

Our captain

And we’re off!

Destination in sight!

Hi Bo!

The TSM stampede

Someone was ready for action

We kept focused

Not too shabby!

We breezed though

And yeah…Tracy kicked my butt! I was doing well there for a while but she slaughtered me!

We met Melissa at Writers Stop and I confess, I tried the infamous carrot cake cookie, and got an iced coffee. That thing was HUGE! I’m not sure I ate even half of it. It was good, quite good, but I think I’d like about 1/5 as much. I think Tracy and Melissa did the AA class? I know I went over with them but the class had just started and I didn’t want to wait so maybe we all split up then? Not sure. Tracy and I chatted about maybe meeting at TOT before lunch but I think we all got busy with our various things, Melissa had a little last minute shopping I think and then to head home  Very Very sad to see her go, she’d gotten our group together, made it happen and was so central to the trip. I can’t say how much I enjoyed meeting her, spending time with her and hope to travel again with her!

While we were doing this, or after, at some point Mary Ellen also hit AA and said goodbye to Melissa (PP pics)

I also show a ton of PP pics of Jen from DHS but think those are from the day before while we were on the trek. Jen, let me know if you want me to post them.

Continued in next post

 

[eandesmom]

Apparently I decided to get some streetmosphere, and based by the pictures MEK and I were near each other and didn’t realize it!

I am not positive what else I did but I know I rode RRC at least twice. Because I could! Gotta love that single rider line. After that it was time for lunch.

I’m not sure if anyone mentioned but BD wasn’t on the original ADR plan. Originally it had been a Cape May breakfast for this day but none of us were feeling it. Christine and Tracy had already decided to do lunch ad BD and graciously let Mary Ellen and I invite ourselves to tag along (and were able to change the ressie). I’d never been there and I don’t think Mary Ellen had either. SUCH a better choice I have to say!

Very cool interior, it has “three martini lunch” written all over it!

The girls getting ready for takeoff

It’s a good thing Mary Ellen’s pic turned out, he’s very blurry in mine! Oh was he a riot, he was working his tail off and sweating a bit but just cracking up and enjoying our table. None of the “oh no, 4 women” attitude at all, he was having as much fun with us as we were with him.

My appetizer

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

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

Christine’s salad

Dessert

Which, I think, was this.

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

OMG. My favorite meal of the trip from start to finish. From the service, to the wine (Conundrum, so perfect with the crab cake and the fish), to the company and the food. All of it. Absolutely LOVED it. It’d be pricey to take my gang to so I’m not sure it will happen but of the signatures we tried, I think it would be my top choice to take them to.

And yeah, I know Mary Ellen and I ate the exact same thing across the board but I swear, those are MY pictures this time (hers are better lol).
I know Mary Ellen snagged pics with Tracy and Christine, both on her camera and PP while I went to the restroom but they were gone when I came out so we got one of our own.

Lunch over it was fast pass time and a chance for redemption for me.

 

[MEK]

Thanks for all the updates girls! I will do official replies tonight, but I just wanted to post an acknowledgment to the gals for their updates!

Conundrum - Thanks for telling me the name! It was delish!

I had a fabulous time in Williamsburg! It was great! I'll fill you in soon!

 

[sunny_stace]

Oh I love love love Streetmosphere! Somehow I always wind up involved with those characters! They are such crack-ups! I love it! That would be one of my dream jobs if I worked at WDW!

 

[vamassey1]

The Brown Derby meal looks just as good the second time around. I love Crab Cakes!

I really want to catch more Streetmosphere in the future.

 

[tinacaplan]

Great update. Sparkling wine flight looks fantastic. And what is it about TSM that is just so incredibly fun?

 

[MEK]

Mary Ellen - Love how this title got it's name - that meal sounds like a hoot and the conversation had me in stitches!! Also pleased to hear you managed to get a new memory card.

Christine - Love the boardwalk pics - they turned out great!

It was one of my favorite meals of the trip and, as Cynthia commented later, it was actually some of my favorite food for the entire trip. Really pushed up the ranking of BD IMHO. Loved it!

Yes - I was lucky the memory card was so convenient, but I will certainly remember to take an extra on my next trip.

I agree the C's pictures are great.

Ooh I love the muppet store! I hope they have some new Miss Piggy merchandise I also love the word "twitterpated" I have the exact same picture of the poster.

I hope you find lots of new Miss Piggy things! I wish confess - I totally skipped the muppets this trip, but it is usually one of my favorite attractions. I hope they never take it away, but rather update the quality of the film. It's so fun and Miss Piggy is always a laugh no matter how many times I see it.

ME, I would like to try doing a TR of my upcoming trip. I will be taking lots of picures in preparation.

Doris -

I hope you have an absolutely fabulous trip that is now rapidly approaching - any day now and I hope you take tons of pictures. I look forward to your TR. I'm sure it will be a blast!

Me too!

Sadly, I was never on this ride but I always thought the concept was so cool!

I remember telling MEK how much I enjoyed the AA so I wanted to do that with her but something happened and I wasn't able to make it to her class. I felt terrible because the class that I took was drawing Eeorye...her favorite When I saw her at lunch I didn't even want to tell her who it was

I am so jealous you got to draw Eeyore. I guess I should have waited. Bummer! Oh well - Who Knew?

Lunch was A-M-A-Z-I-N-G I love the BD and lunch was kicked up a few levels with our flight and our server!! ME I think the wine we had later was Conundrum......I am pretty sure that is what we had because if it's ever on the menu at some point throughout the meal it's in my glass I bought a few bottles last week in preparation for the hurricane I had the Cobb salad as a starter and then a fish entree for my main. I think it was grouper and it had beets. Skipped dessert. Maybe I had another glass of wine for dessert? C may have enabled me

I agree - lunch far exceeded my expectations and our server was awesome! That Conundrum was fabulous! It went perfectly with the meal. So funny that you bought it for your hurricane preparations. Perfect choice!!!!!!

After lunch I think we all split up again and I know that at some point I headed down to TOT to drop a few floors. My favorite combination is when the elevator goes up first instead of falling so I decided to ride until I went up first....I think it was around 4 or 5 rides I know I did some shopping....HS is one of my favorite places to shop. As for what was next? Not sure but I bet it involved the pool.

Thanks MEK for keeping up with all of your updates and sorry I have been such a slacker

Tracy

You go girl - champagne flight and Conundrum and 5 good free falls! - Is all I can say! I skipped ToT this trip - but its on my list for December. I have always wanted to do a big DIS meet that involved riding ToT - I think it would be a hoot!!!!!!

F&W 2010 Maybe? Dis meet at the tower. It could work!

Not a slacker at all! Loved the update!

I enabled you?? Surely not. . Well, agree I enabled so as to book a connecting flight/drink at lunch but then you were on your own. Q

Good One Christine!!!!!!

 

[MEK]

Oh these past few posts have been so much fun to read! Sparkling Wine flight.. yay, sounds like fun! And of course I can't wait to try all the sparkling wines at the F & W!! BD, good food for certain! And I agree, the atmosphere is such that it feels really laidback! C & T, I cant wait to explore the F & W with you guys! That will be great fun... We have to make a plan!!!

You guys are going to have SO MUCH FUN! and I continue to be extremely jealous! But I look forward to hearing all about it, so this big F&W trip better include some time of TR. Just sayin'

MEK, you did well with your artist rendering! AND I have to say do you know that I have NEVER been to One Man's Dream??!! I loved seeing these photos, and I have to go in October; I could never get my boys in there!!! But I sure will!

Thanks! I still think I need a do-over!

OMD is so very cool! I must confess that I tend to walk through it pretty quickly, but my younger son has always liked it right from the time he was small. At 9 years old he could spend an hour looking at the displays. My older son - NOT! But the movie is really good and I think even the most hard core boy could sit through it. I really hope you get a chance to go in there. It really gives insight into how genius Disney was.

Have a wonderful and safe trip!! I am so glad you go to go after all. Looking forward to hearing about it!!

Thanks!!!! We had a fabulous time! It was only three nights, but we jammed packed into the trip as much as possible. I took a ton of pictures and I am trying to decide how to best post about the trip.

So glad Irene didn't keep you from your trip. Enjoy and we will all see what you did when you get back.

Irene did push back our departure by 2 days and it did reek some havoc along the Virginia coast and W-burg, but I am so thankful we got to spend some time there. The weather was absolutely stellar and the crowds we low! Perfect time to visit.

You ladies were busy updating while I was off the grid in Alaska! I'll try to get my update up soon but it might be a day or two. Thank heavens for the upcoming long weekend. Coming back from vacation is a lot less painful when it's followed by not one, but two short work weeks!

Welcome Back Cynthia - I am sure you had a absolutely fabulous time. I can not wait to read all about it and see the breathtaking pictures!

Mary Ellen I am SO glad you were able to still do your trip and the college check in went so well, I was thinking about you and all my other east cost DIS buddies with Irene. Some folks on the cruise were a bit freaked and having a hard time getting info/getting ahold of folks as the connectivity is so bad.

We came through the storm unscathed. We were very lucky. No power outages. No loss of cable. I do feel very sorry for the people who lost power and the number of uprooted trees in Virginia was astounding. So, all in all, we were very, very lucky!

It was Conundrum, that I definitely recall and I think I had 2 glasses? YUM! This was one of my favorite meals, hands down. From the food to the server, everything. I'll have to see what I took pics of. I completely forgot Mary Ellen had filled up a card. Pretty funny considering I didn't fill up my 8MB card on the cruise though I imagine I came close and was helped by the fact that Jeff used the point and shoot for any video and did fill up that little card.

I agree. The meal was fabulous. I completely forgot we had the exact same thing. Perfect combo and the wine was great!

 

[MEK]

Have a great trip! Can't wait to hear all about it.

Thanks. We had an absolutely fabulous time and I took a ton of pictures. I definitely have enough for a little mini TR.

And yeah…Tracy kicked my butt! I was doing well there for a while but she slaughtered me!

Well - you did get your revenge because you whooped my a$$. But I officially stink at TSM so maybe that's not really something to be proud of.

We met Melissa at Writers Stop and I confess, I tried the infamous carrot cake cookie, and got an iced coffee. That thing was HUGE! I’m not sure I ate even half of it. It was good, quite good, but I think I’d like about 1/5 as much. I think Tracy and Melissa did the AA class? I know I went over with them but the class had just started and I didn’t want to wait so maybe we all split up then? Not sure. Tracy and I chatted about maybe meeting at TOT before lunch but I think we all got busy with our various things, Melissa had a little last minute shopping I think and then to head home  Very Very sad to see her go, she’d gotten our group together, made it happen and was so central to the trip. I can’t say how much I enjoyed meeting her, spending time with her and hope to travel again with her!

So you tried the cookie? Nice. I want one - NOW!

I was also so sorry to see Melissa go. She really did a ton of planning for us and I know we all really appreciated it!!!!!

Thank you Melissa!

Oh I love love love Streetmosphere! Somehow I always wind up involved with those characters! They are such crack-ups! I love it! That would be one of my dream jobs if I worked at WDW!

Wouldn't that be such a fun job???? Seriously, I would have a blast with that. I am sure the cast members love it! It is so fun to watch~

The Brown Derby meal looks just as good the second time around. I love Crab Cakes!

.

The crab cakes were absolutely delish! Heck - the whole meal was fab! Wish I could have it today for lunch!

I really want to catch more Streetmosphere in the future.

I agree - I am looking forward to seeing it again in December!

Great update. Sparkling wine flight looks fantastic. And what is it about TSM that is just so incredibly fun?

It was a fantastic meal all the way around - the wine, the food, the server, the company. Couldn't ask for a better afternoon.

And TSM - I do really enjoy it, even though I pretty much stink at it!

 

[eandesmom]

Oh I love love love Streetmosphere! Somehow I always wind up involved with those characters! They are such crack-ups! I love it! That would be one of my dream jobs if I worked at WDW!

It was especially nice to just watch and not feel rushed by the kids. Not that they ever rush me, they love streetmosphere too but I'm always worried they will not like it and get antsy and so then I can't relax and just enjoy it as much. Which is silly but it was nice to not worry about it at ll.

The Brown Derby meal looks just as good the second time around. I love Crab Cakes!

I really want to catch more Streetmosphere in the future.

I could live on crab cakes. I'd be sorry but

Great update. Sparkling wine flight looks fantastic. And what is it about TSM that is just so incredibly fun?

It is so much fun! It will dislocate a shoulder though, that's for sure.

Thanks. We had an absolutely fabulous time and I took a ton of pictures. I definitely have enough for a little mini TR.

Well - you did get your revenge because you whooped my a$$. But I officially stink at TSM so maybe that's not really something to be proud of.

that just means I stink less

So you tried the cookie? Nice. I want one - NOW!

I want one for breakfast tomorrow. Just the cookie part, not all that cream. Half a cookie is probably as big as a full muffin! Just the cookie part.

 

[MEK]

Sooooooooooo - It's been over a week since I've done an update so I guess its time! I am so excited that Tracy, Christine, and Cynthia have all updated in the meantime. I need to get their chapter links up.

It's been a busy week starting with the hurricane, then taking Brian BACK to college (since they sent them all home the first time), followed by a quick trip to Williamsburg. I really loved Williamsburg. There was so much to do and I love all the history / learning opportunities there. I could easily have spent a week there. It seriously reminded me of a Disney trip with something new to do each day. I love that sense of adventure.

I am trying to best decide how to incorporate my W-burg pictures. Of course, I have enough for a multi-day TR. Shocking, I know! I am seriously wondering whether I should just start a new PTR/TR that will include my W-burg trip, my Hilton Head trip, and then my December Disney trip. Do you think I could just start it on the TR boards????

We survived the hurricane without any problems, although I do feel for my friends, like Melissa, who were living off generator power for days. I used my actual hurricane down time to work on a youtube video. It's a song I wrote 9 years ago and I wanted to post it in time for the 10th year anniversary of 9/11. I used my own photos and none of the public photos available from 9/11, but I did that on purpose. I record on garage band on my mac and I used imovie. I made a few mistakes in my haste to get it done, but I am still pleased with the result. If you are interested in viewing it click here http://youtu.be/aR-pQ2I5aRE And thanks to my friends who already viewed it through FB.

OK - Moving On............

So when I left off we had just finished a fabulous meal at Brown Derby. As Cynthia said, I think it was one of our favorite meals of the trip. It was a stand in and last minute ADR change. We subbed a CMC breakfast for the BD lunch and it worked - Big Time!

So with Melissa on her way home, Tracy doing multiple rides on ToT, and Christine off shopping, this dynamic duo decided to use their TSM FP's

Fortunately for you, we DID have a FP so I won't overload you with queue pictures that you've seen a bagillion times!

But who doesn't love Mr Potato Head?????

And Jesse and Woody?

And Andy?

Side Note: I also made sure I watched TS3 as part of my hurricane activities. I love this movie because the timing of it is so appropriate to my own life. Brian was just a little boy when this movie came out. Of course, as you know, in TS3 Andy is going to college, just like Brian. Totally a tear jerker for me. I was losing it last year when I watched it in the movie theatre. It's amazing how quickly we went from Buzz and Woody dolls to college. Time surely does fly!

TSM is very easy in concept. I mean, come on, look at the directions.....

But in actuality TSM is hard for me. I don't know why. I guess my hand eye coordination is lacking.

Final Scores:

I think you can GUESS which one is mine! Cynthia tried to make me feel better by pointing out that my accuracy was better than hers. Ummmmm - I don't think that really matters in this game, but thanks all the same Cynthia. I think the only time I have gotten over 100,000 in this game is when I have ridden alone. Nice!

Final TSM picture:

At this point it was mid afternoon and as soon as we hit the outdoors I think we both knew we were done for the day. It was hot and we were still feeling the effects of a big meal and wine.

This picture gives you an idea of the crowd level.

So we headed to the front of the park

Bo, Old Chap.....Do they ever give you a break?

Keeping that Pepsi perched high in the air must get exhausting at times.

Our timing was pretty good. A Friendship boat was already in sight when we hit the dock.

We were quickly loaded and pulling away from the dock in no time.

I tried to sit back and relax, but it was so stinkin' hot and stuffy in that boat.

I was also really thirsty. So, I got an idea. I decided to just disembark at the Swan/Dolphin, duck inside for a drink, and walk the rest of the way back.

This turned out to be a great idea because I got to see a new perspective of the boardwalk/swan/dolphin area.

I walked towards the big fountain outside of the dolphin knowing that this would be a great picture opportunity.

As I got closer I noticed this guy sitting dead smack in the middle of my scene.

I knew I wasn't going to ask him to move. He looked like someone who had just finished a conference or something and was waiting to go home. So, I just shot around him.

Continued in Next Post..........

 

[MEK]

Continued............

Once inside the Dolphin I decided it might be cool to see if I could sneak through Blue Zoo and out the side door. I also wanted to see if I could grab a few more pictures in there.

I think I was INSIDE the restaurant taking pictures through the waterfall out into the lobby.

This next picture was taken from the bar area looking out into the seating area

Already setting up for dinner.

I really wasn't sure if they were going to get angry with me for being in there, so I shot out the back entrance and found a refreshing water fountain. Score!

I took a few scenery pix on the walk back.....

The Yacht Club is such a pretty resort.

Setting up for another events. This area was set up all week.

I considered going in and taking some pictures inside, but I was beat and really wanted to get back to the room to chill for a bit.

Guess what???? I guess I did go inside after all. Either that or someone stole my camera!

Love this place:

A view out the window:

The Captain's Grille

Haha - I took a picture of the Yachtsman Steakhouse menu.....

I popped my head in Beaches n Cream to get a quick pix. Yes - people - I AM taking your picture.

Moving On........

Continued Next Post...........

 

[MEK]

Continued.......

At this point I must have ducked back inside the Beach Club.

The infamous umbrellas....

Sorry CMC....We missed you for breakfast, but I shall return.

Now this IS Cool! Not as Cool as my birthday cake, but worth a picture all the same.

How I managed to photograph the lobby without people in it is beyond me. I wonder if I stalked it out for awhile!

Once I got back to the Villas I decided to continue my picture taking foray.

This is a room on the first floor of the villas.

Really cute room, but oddly I remember it smelling a little musty there.

I love the replica of a Cape May Victorian House.

There were some really cool retro pictures in there:

This room leads to the quiet pool area:

I seriously LOVE this picture.

Some of the cool knick knacks

Tried as I might, I could not photograph this whole shelf from top to bottom. I was literally wedged in a corner of this room, but with the lens I have this was the best I could do:

So What Did We Do Next? Well, I'm pretty sure it involved some pool time and some rum. And Where Did Cynthia Go? I honestly don't remember. I think she got off the Friendship Boat with me, but I suspect she walked through the Boardwalk area and then home.

Next Up.... I FINALLY enjoy my first Margarita at the Ditch!!!!!!!! Was it worth the hype? - Stick Around!

 

[tinacaplan]

Well, THAT post made me tear up a bit...at least the TS 3 part. So, you mean it really does go by that fast?? I was just thinking that when we were out for dinner Saturday night. I was tickling Max and hugging and kissing him and I thought, wow...in a just a couple of years he won't want me to do that anymore!

Great update and I love all the YC/BC pictures. I really did fall in love with in this past July. Its just such a pretty area and any reservations I had about whether or not I would like the theme pretty much evaporated. The YC, in particular, is very pretty and I wouldn't mind staying on that side at some point. I had been scared off of it when I was told that the walk to EPCOT would be really long but, personally, I don't think the whole YC/BC area is that big, really. Especially when you're used to hoofing it around Coronado Springs (or any of the mods, for that matter).

I digress...I would love to hear more about your Williamsburg trip, as wel as your upcoming trip plans, too!

 

[Queenofallthings]

Hello my friend

If it's not your pictures that make me well up, it's your words. TS was the first movie I ever took Jasmine to in the movie theatre and now look at us with college age kids....I'm still crying!

Great pictures....I could seriously live at the YC, I don't think there is anyplace more beautiful....my dream has always been to have a beach house and decorate it in white, blue and yellow....believe though, unless I win the lottery, it won't happen

 

[2xcited2sleep]

Looks like you had a fun afternoon! Great photo tour! . I am going to have to consult my pictures to figure out what I did. I know I bought some kitchen items like small plastic plates and bag clips to keep in my Owner's Locker (ahem-purchase enabled by Tracy ). Then I think I walked "home" and probably hit the pool. It is funny but I always walk between DHS and Beach Club...I have never taken the boat.

Ahhh, the ditch. Wish we could all meet there this afternoon!!

Glad you had fun in Williamsburg. I saw on FB that you and Denny were flying the friendly beer skies. . Would love to hear more about your Dec plans too!

 

[DisMomAmy]

Amazing song & video!! You are very talented!

TS3 made me tear up a bit and my boys are still little compared to yours! But yes time does fly!

You are lucky you decided to skip NH this year... If you'd been up here during the hurricane you might have gotten stranded! A bunch of roads & bridges were washed out - especially up in the Lincoln area!

I love the pictures from your walk back to the BC!

 

[Stringbean&Wingnut]

Awww your Toy Story story is too sweet. That is sort of my timing with the show Gilmore Girls (I know, not Disney, but still!), which I absolutely adore, and my school years lined up perfectly with the main character's. The show concluded with her graduating college pretty much the exact same week I did, so I TOTALLY get your feelings with Toy Story!

Great pictures around the Epcot resort area!

 

[Poolrat]

I can totally relate on TS3. I went with DS to see it and yes I welled up. He is close to that age and TS was one of his favorites.


What a great idea to walk back to BC. I have taken that walk but I see someting new everytime.

Great pictures of my new "home" I will enjoy exploring the Villas area.


Do tell about the "Ditch". It might need to be on the short list for my upcoming trip.