Surprised the kids, wife, and my readers w/ a 2 week trip to AoA!(*NEW* 11-7)

[Captain_Oblivious]

then sat. we dropped the kids off at the in laws on the way to one of the state park inns that we like going to for an extended weekend sunday through tuesday.

Always great to get away alone, isn't it?

Nice one!

noelle needs to have a little talking to already trying to expose the shoulder to the boys. luckily there were none around for me to fight off.

Do you own a shotgun yet?

then i had the idea that i might as well try a sunset picture with the panaromic option on, so i switched the camera over to that mode and ended up with this.

i was pretty proud of how it turned out and if anyone wants it just send me a PM or reply and ill send you the original full resolution version of it.

Another great shot!

i get out the tube that we had and break open one for each kid...then crack another when it snaps in two and glow stick juice flys all over me...it hits my arms, my shirt, my face, spots on my cheek and above my eye, luckily none got in my eye...but a little kid that just came up with there family did ask him mom why that man was glowing.

Maybe you could have joined the Blue Man Group over at Universal.

now why did we even go to the boats anyway...well to get back to MK thats why... you could have taken the monorail dummy you might be thinking...and you are correct but what is the fun in that...

I agree. Boats and monorails are rides in and of themselves. I'm sure Parker approved.

I mean who doesnt like going through Epcot on the monorail and seeing the park.

I love riding around the Epcot loop at night and seeing everything lit up.

the CM's loved watching him open it to see what it was.


he was thrilled with it and so were the CMs that he bought it from.

my money is noelle she bites after all, and doesnt play fair.

we are working on that biting thing.

Maybe you don't need that shotgun after all.

 

[Poolrat]

Glad you got a nice little getaway for your birthday. A surprise party too!!!!


Usually love taking transportation but sometimes you just get stinky timing.
You hit it right and you are golden, hit it wrong and it can be neverending.

Noelle seems like a pistol. So happy that Chef Mickey's worked out character wise. That age can be hard

Nice day trip to Chicago and I would love to get back to NYC to see it during Christmas but the cold and crowd keep making me rethink that.


Ninga touching Minnie and then showing off her shoulder..... You ARE going to have your hands full.


Parker seems like he is enjoying those car vinylmations. A nice collectable.

 

[FauntleroyFAN07]

We have Lady one and a Dalmation one and a Pluto one. I like the Eeyore ones !!

Happy Birthday !! How nice that your parents will keep the kids while you and Candi get away for the weekend. My parents just won't do it so we can never get away alone. Sigh .... some day.

im sure next trip we will add to our collection.

that is when you take them over to there house and when they are not paying attention just walk out and leave a note saying u will be back in the morning have fun.

Happy Birthday!!

Great pictures of CR and BLT!

Lightning McQueen...cheers!!

What an awesome day!!!

thanks,
it is a good place to get pictures of the hotels with the sunset in the background.

it was a good no park day.

Happy Birthday Dan

thanks rosie

Loved the update !! Noelle is a cutie , even if she is a biter !!!!

thanks, even though her biting is bad, when she goes after parker it is kinda cute she wont stop till she gets him or gets really mad if she doesnt.

last week while shopping she couldnt get him in the cart, so she bit onto his hood and would not let go.

First off, Happy Birthday again, Dan (I posted on your FB thread too).

What a great update. I love the panaromic picture of CR and BLT.

Too funny about Noelle and the dress hanging off her should to get guys attention.

Wonderful photo of all four of you by the Mickey ears.

thanks kathy.

we enjoy getting a picture there every trip, will be fun to look back and see how they have grown from trip to trip.

Happy Birthday

Sounds like a fun weekend

Great rest of day update

Noelle seems like she is a little feisty, bet you got your hands full with that cutie


Great pic at Contemporary

thanks, we had a great time away.

she is a hand full thats for sure, but we will keep her it just shows her personality perfect.

It's one of my favorite movies. It's not family friendly though so don't say I didn't warn you!

I love taking boat rides from the resorts. I was attacked by gnats though when we stayed at Wilderness Lodge. Rain + humidity + lake = lots of bugs!

okay so no family night movie got it.

that stinks hope you didnt get any stuck in your teeth while driving through them, the boats are great but sometime they do get really windy, but still worth it.

 

[FauntleroyFAN07]

Always great to get away alone, isn't it?

sure is, we have another one scheduled next month.

Do you own a shotgun yet?



Another great shot!

nope but i have a great prison story to tell potential door knockers.

Maybe you could have joined the Blue Man Group over at Universal.

with this glow stick it would have been the green man group

I agree. Boats and monorails are rides in and of themselves. I'm sure Parker approved.

like father like son, we could ride disney transportation all day long without going in a park.

I love riding around the Epcot loop at night and seeing everything lit up.

it is a great ride, very neat to see from that vantage point

Maybe you don't need that shotgun after all.

im teaching her early why do you think i dont always stop her beating up parker, teaching her the trades now.

Glad you got a nice little getaway for your birthday. A surprise party too!!!!


Usually love taking transportation but sometimes you just get stinky timing.
You hit it right and you are golden, hit it wrong and it can be neverending.

it was a good get away...and the party was very nice.

very true there, seems like there is not much in between.

Noelle seems like a pistol. So happy that Chef Mickey's worked out character wise. That age can be hard

pistol indeed.
she did great for us...we were very proud of her.

Nice day trip to Chicago and I would love to get back to NYC to see it during Christmas but the cold and crowd keep making me rethink that.


Ninga touching Minnie and then showing off her shoulder..... You ARE going to have your hands full.


Parker seems like he is enjoying those car vinylmations. A nice collectable.

you dont need to got to NYC, come to chicago instead.

thats why i keep letting her beat up on parker, getting her tough.


he loves them and the micey vinylmations, we are up to 13 mickey ones in our collection now, candi just got me 2 for my birthday.

 

[khertz]

Happy belated birthday!

I really love that panoramic of Contemporary and BLT! My DH loves shooting those panoramic shots, but that is one we have never gotten.

Love the Pluto Pillow Pet vs. Noelle throw down pics.

 

[TMGosizk]

Haven't had many chances to comment for awhile...okay a long while...but I have been reading and really loving your updates!

So, first, happy belated birthday! It sounds like you had a great one!

Blizzard Beach looks so fun! I've only been once and was maybe 8? And that was now 18 years ago!! Jeepers, that long ago?!? It was a fun day, but I remember liking the wave pool at Typhoon Lagoon better at that time! Haha! That was the only trip we have made time for the water parks! But, it looks like you and your family had a great day there!!! Which makes me want to try them out again on one of our next trips!

Love Chef Mickey's! Eaten there for dinner a couple times, but usually do it as our departure day breakfast every trip!! We've never had a bad time there!!! The picture of Noelle touching Minnie's hand is precious! So good to see she's warmed up to the characters!! And of course, it's really exciting seeing your pictures and how absolutely thrilled Parker is meeting the characters! He was just thoroughly enjoying every second and taking in each experience!

We get pictures at the Mickey ears every trip too! It's such a great tradition!!!

Those are spectacular pictures of the Contemporary from the dock! That panoramic shot...oh my! So beautiful! I can't wait to be back there---277 more days for us! :-D

Can't wait to read more! Have a fantastic weekend!

 

[FauntleroyFAN07]

Happy belated birthday!

I really love that panoramic of Contemporary and BLT! My DH loves shooting those panoramic shots, but that is one we have never gotten.

Love the Pluto Pillow Pet vs. Noelle throw down pics.

thank you very much.

if he wants it let me know i can send you the full res version...or just tell him you need to go back to get your own. show it to him and then it might spur a trip.

she has some great wrestling matches. which she usually comes out the winner of.

Haven't had many chances to comment for awhile...okay a long while...but I have been reading and really loving your updates!

So, first, happy belated birthday! It sounds like you had a great one!

Blizzard Beach looks so fun! I've only been once and was maybe 8? And that was now 18 years ago!! Jeepers, that long ago?!? It was a fun day, but I remember liking the wave pool at Typhoon Lagoon better at that time! Haha! That was the only trip we have made time for the water parks! But, it looks like you and your family had a great day there!!! Which makes me want to try them out again on one of our next trips!

not a problem, there are alot of things going on that get in the way of DIS time, like i wanted to do more updates this week and didnt get to it.

hope it isnt hurting my readers interest.

the wave pool at TL is def. much better...but overall we like BB better.

a good reason to go back to them since you havent been in so long.

Love Chef Mickey's! Eaten there for dinner a couple times, but usually do it as our departure day breakfast every trip!! We've never had a bad time there!!! The picture of Noelle touching Minnie's hand is precious! So good to see she's warmed up to the characters!! And of course, it's really exciting seeing your pictures and how absolutely thrilled Parker is meeting the characters! He was just thoroughly enjoying every second and taking in each experience!

We get pictures at the Mickey ears every trip too! It's such a great tradition!!!

Those are spectacular pictures of the Contemporary from the dock! That panoramic shot...oh my! So beautiful! I can't wait to be back there---277 more days for us! :-D

Can't wait to read more! Have a fantastic weekend!

we love chef mickeys but have never been for breakfast one time we tried to do it but never made it.

i was glad she warmed up to them and didnt scream when she saw them just got a little shy around htem.

it is a good spot of pictures glad yo uenjoy it as well.

thanks, i enjoyed using that camera function even though i didnt take as many as i wanted.

thanks you have a good one as well.

 

[FauntleroyFAN07]

well i had plans to do an update this afternoon but after hearing about the terrible news out east today just didnt feel in the chipper report writing mood...hope everyone has a good weekend and give your kids and family and extra hug when you see them.

praying for those families and those involved out there.

 

[Trentmom]

Such a senseless tragedy

 

[scottny]

Happy Birthday again. (I think I said it on Facebook). Anyway it sounds like you had a good one.

Great update and pics. The glow stick made me chuckle but scary if it had gotten into your eye.

Sounds like a fun way to get back tot he resort. I love the boats down there.

 

[MAGICFOR2]

Sorry I missed your birthday, Dan. I can't believe you are 30 - that means my DS is headed for 30 next. Makes me an old lady. nice you could get away as a couple!

Love the pics you took at the contemporary. You got some great scrapbook worthy shots!

 

[FauntleroyFAN07]

Such a senseless tragedy

i know wasnt it.

Happy Birthday again. (I think I said it on Facebook). Anyway it sounds like you had a good one.

Great update and pics. The glow stick made me chuckle but scary if it had gotten into your eye.

Sounds like a fun way to get back tot he resort. I love the boats down there.

thanks scott, and yes you did.

it was a great birthday.

i want to drive a monorail when i retire, parker said he wants to drive a boat but has now changed his mind again, so i might have to switch to boat those seem like fun as well, or maybe both.

the little boats are my favorite.

Sorry I missed your birthday, Dan. I can't believe you are 30 - that means my DS is headed for 30 next. Makes me an old lady. nice you could get away as a couple!

Love the pics you took at the contemporary. You got some great scrapbook worthy shots!

yep officially in the 30 range. your not old, just distinguished.


they are some good ones...i will have to see if they made it into the scrapebook candi is working on.

 

[Imagineer5]

Whew getting all caught uP! Your off the shoulder dress comment had me laughing out loud! That little girl is just too cute!!

Your transportation back to AoA had me laughing too, though had my husband suggested all of htat I'd have wondered if he had hit his head! Cute photos though and I love that family photo spot, so adorable!

I'm impressed Noelle can stay up so late, and it doesn't seem like she sleeps all that much during the day? Ugh it was always so tough getting in what we wanted to do while Aria was awake!

 

[FauntleroyFAN07]

Whew getting all caught uP! Your off the shoulder dress comment had me laughing out loud! That little girl is just too cute!!

Your transportation back to AoA had me laughing too, though had my husband suggested all of htat I'd have wondered if he had hit his head! Cute photos though and I love that family photo spot, so adorable!

I'm impressed Noelle can stay up so late, and it doesn't seem like she sleeps all that much during the day? Ugh it was always so tough getting in what we wanted to do while Aria was awake!

thank you very much.

it is fun to take disney transportation, you should take him on a tour like that and see what he thinks

we have learned to not even try and stick to a regular sleeping schedule at disney, that they will sleep when they are ready or tired, and not to stress ourselves out about it and try and force them to lay down at a set time.

makes them falling asleep at night much faster as well.

but everyone is different and different things work for different folks

 

[glennbo123]

Sorry that I've had trouble keeping up. It's a busy time.

then i had the idea that i might as well try a sunset picture with the panaromic option on, so i switched the camera over to that mode and ended up with this.

i was pretty proud of how it turned out and if anyone wants it just send me a PM or reply and ill send you the original full resolution version of it.

Awesome shot dude! I love it.

i get out the tube that we had and break open one for each kid...then crack another when it snaps in two and glow stick juice flys all over me...it hits my arms, my shirt, my face, spots on my cheek and above my eye, luckily none got in my eye...but a little kid that just came up with there family did ask him mom why that man was glowing.

He just ran through a swarm of lightning bugs?

Nice update. Looking forward to more, but feel free to take your time.

 

[FauntleroyFAN07]

Chapter 21. Finally in the Magic Kingdom part 1

hope most of you are still there, been busy the last week.

on with the show.

We were now in Disney World for a few days and have yet to step food in the MK, i know what were we thinking right.

So alarm goes off at 6, parker is up by 6:15 we wait to wake Noelle up till 6:45 shove some Delicious muffins and drinks down there throats and hit the door at 7:10.

We were at the MK gates by 7:50 and it was already open so we head to the lockers and stash some stuff for the rest of the night. which was a good idea.

It was time to head into the magical land we all love and adore, but not without stopping for a map, parker loves the maps so was thrilled to get his own.

almost to the main street to see that wonderful castle.

we round the corner and spot not only the castle, but the trolley which the kids loved...and sadly we never ended up getting on.

on the list for next time though.

ohh and that stupid crane in the background.

we make it a point to hit the photopass person and while we are getting noelle out of the stroller i tell parker to go up and have his own shoot he does not shy away from that.

and a few photopass ones.

his face cracks me up in this one.

then we get the whole family in there for some fun.

after our little photo shoot we head off towards the castle.

and for the first time see what it looks like without dumbo behind the carousel.

of course it looks different now, but this is what it looked like of the mine ride.

i enjoyed seeing the new detail of the road as we enter the dumbo area.

this is what the new detailed area of the stroller parking looks like.

to the left is the entrance return for the fast pass to the right is the stand by entrance to dumbo.

and likewise im sure most of you have seen pics of the new dumbo queue but if not, here is what the waiting area looks like now.

you walk through till you get to the area where they ask if you want to go straight through or actually go into the play area and wait your turn.

a view as we walk past the play area.

and straight out to the ride.

parker ready to fly high with dumbo.

looking back at candi and little tink ready to fly high

she loved the wind blowing in her hair.

i personally enjoyed the water under the dumbos i liked the extra touch it gave the ride.

looking out over the new construction that was going on at the time.

one ride down it was time to head back through the line and see the play area.



part two in next post

 

[FauntleroyFAN07]

continued.

so that is what we did.
a dumbo hanging from the ceiling.

part of the little kid play area.

the climbing area

more of the climbing area.

this time candi and parker road together and me and noelle flew with dumbo.

after we were done with the dumbo. we headed right next door to the great goofini ride. this is one of parkers favorite rides.

the first ride was with me, we liked how they changed the ride up and the new additions that they added to it. the entrance is now where the old exit used to be. candi hung back with noelle and right behind them was the new splash area for the casey junior train...we meant to bring clothes for them to play in here but never got around to it.

with the first ride of the train done, it was time for parker and candi to hitch a ride....

i forgot all about my speed setting to take rapid fire shots but still was able to get some good movement shots of them on this ride.

i enjoy the faces they are making on the ride.

parker looks like he is scared to death but is actually having a blast he loves this ride.


my little tinkerbelle waiting patently for the next attraction.

and the detail in the sidewalks are very well done, notice the bear paw prints.

on the construction walls they had posters all around we wished they would have moved the lights up a little bit so we could get that out of the picture it would have made for some nice framed prints in there rooms.

but this one looks good without the light on it. so that works.

will try and squeeze in another update tomorrow but we will see, if not hope everyone has a great Christmas and enjoys some family time if you are able to partake in it.

 

[FauntleroyFAN07]

Sorry that I've had trouble keeping up. It's a busy time.

not a problem glenn, i have been really busy lately as well and sorry i havent gotten more updates in. but at least you are here more than marv so thanks for that

Awesome shot dude! I love it.

knew you would Mr Panaromic

He just ran through a swarm of lightning bugs?

Nice update. Looking forward to more, but feel free to take your time.

that should have been my response i loved it thanks.


nope to late you already asked for the update so i did one for you.

 

[Poolrat]

YAY for MK

I will be gald when the mine train opens up and all the walls are finally gone.

I love all the pictures.... Dumbo the kids you and Candi, everyone is just so happy and having a great time.

 

[Trentmom]

Noelle looks so cute in her Tink Dresss

Love the new dumbo area. We rode it at night and it looks awesome all lit up

Play area is a blast

Great photo pass pics of parker and whole family

Can't wait for more

Hope you and your family have a Merry Christmas