60 Candles, 30 Million Lights, Best Friends&Family at Disney--Priceless (New 5/23)

[lovethattink]

Can we? It's freezing here...about 10 degrees with the windchill (even Andy is complaining). I need a sister hug to warm me up.

Guess I won't complain about my 60 degrees for the high today. It was 80 yesterday though.

 

[KatMark]

Checking in! I followed your link in Nikki's thread and I've been reading - great start - love the surprise! I decided I'd better check in so I don't lose my place! I saw your pics on FB - looks like a wonderful, magical trip!

Tammie, I'm so happy you are here. I'm glad you enjoyed the FB pictures and the video.

Perfect spot for your first dinner and I think you made a good choice on going into Epcot.

Yea for Des's first AP! Such a great feeling to have one of those in my pocket (well, I actually have an expired one in my pocket now).

MEK, we really loved Beaches & Cream and can't wait to go back. Des was very excited about her very first AP; mine is still good until September 14 and hoping to get three trips out of it (and then buy a new one for December!).

Yea for Des' first AP > I am planning on getting mine next year !!!!Andy and his $10 extra day too !!! Loved the Nicki Sandwich !!!!

Thanks, Rosie. Nicki enjoyed her "sandwich" too.

Sorry about your Dis friend Tracy.... how truly sad.

Like the many, many, many others that enjoyed the Nicki/Todd surprise, the video captured the moment so well!

The lobby decorations are so lovely! What a great time of year to go to WDW.

You guys are so funny with the fund to get Andy a 7 day ticket!

Thanks, Brenda. Tracy was one of a kind and always had a smile.

I love that video (more than the reveal one)...it just shows how much Todd and Nicki mean to both of us.

Have you ever been at Christmas? If not, you should put it on your bucketlist.

Hey, if we can't have fun at Disney, where can we? Andy was joining right along with us...he put his hat out.

I really need to get to Beaches and Cream one of these days. Either for a kitchen sink or a no way Jose, depending on how much help I have.

So, did any random people donate to Andy's cause??? Either way, $10 is well worth it for a few hours in Epcot, and the free drink will definitely cover his extra expense.

I think we had probably just left Epcot just before you got there.

Andy, you would love B&C and I think your son would too. We knew there was no way that any of us would be able to eat the Kitchen Sink or No Way Jose so we went with simpler items...and none of us finished those either.

No, no one donated. We did get some strange looks though. I though it was worth it too and as you'll see, him and Des had fun at Epcot that night.

We came in the back door...if we'd come in the front door we might have seen you.

I'm so glad you got a "real" bus...

I'm sorry you didn't care for the CSR... I'm sure we'll hear more about that along the way?

I love the photos of you eating in Beaches... it's so cute and charming in there... I challenge anyone not to feel like a kid in there...

That Gingerbread Carousel is really pretty & it somehow looks really familiar... ...

I was happy with my "real" bus.

I LOVE CSR and would stay again; we just didn't appreciate the clientele this trip.

It's a great little restaurant...but it could definitely be a little bigger.

 

[KatMark]

fun photos at B & C and love the shots of you, nicki and the guys!

the decorations at resort are beautiful!

hope you all don't get to slammed by the snow!

Lisa, the BC was done beautifully. The boys love giving Nicki a "Nicki sandwich."

We got a dusting of snow on the grass...that is all.

Looks like a good time was had by all. Did you get the kitchen sink?

We had a blast; no, we did not get the Kitchen Sink...we were all too full for that much dessert...we all got something small and didn't finish it.

Admit it, it was the ladies.

Actually, I believe it was the men and it took them a while.

You probably could have found enough in loose change around the Boardwalk!

You are probably right.

With extra cheese!

Oh my...now that is funny!

Loving all the Christmas decorations! That white poinsettia tree at the Dolphin is just gorgeous Beaches n Cream was on my list for both past trips and we haven't made it there yet. Must remedy that next year.

Suzi, you really need to get to Beaches & Cream. Bradey would love it...it's so cute and the food is very good.

 

[Linda67]

What a great update

I honestly can't think of a better night out than Beaches and Cream with good friends

You all look so happy in the photos and I love it !!!!

 

[KatMark]

I think it is a good idea to wrap up the first day as I probably won't get a chance to do an update until after Christmas. Does that all work for you? Good....follow along.

Before I start this update, I just got Andy's pictures from him uploaded, and here are a few of us strolling over to Epcot:

Des had just gotten her very first AP and Andy had picked up his park hopper tickets with an extra day added on, and we were on our way into Epcot. I have to first say I love that back door entrance.

We strolled in through the back door and up the hill (okay, I don't like the hills at Disney...they are getting a little harder at our age) and what is the first thing we did? We stopped for Photopass pictures, of course. It became a common occurrence: 2, 2, 2 and then 6 (or four if 2 of them disappeared...and it wasn't any of the "older" group):

We had a great photographer and he had us in stitches.

From there, we headed over to France where I got the first one of these of the trip:

And we got some more photopass pictures:

Nicki and I headed to the USA and told everyone else we'd meet them in Germany. The tree in America:

Then just me and my Sis in America:

We met everyone else in Germany and they were buying beers and Nicki got some weird stuff to drink (it's in her dining review) and we sat and listened to the German storyteller for awhile:

Nicki did NOT care for her drink at all:

We shopped in Germany while we were there:

And tried on some hats:

After this, I know I got a popcorn (first one of the trip); I can't remember if Todd got one at this time or not?

Drinks in our belly and acting as silly as could be, we decided to hit Future World and try to catch a ride or two.

Continued in next post

 

[serene56]

Ahh, joining in.

We are going the same week next year-- decorations and holiday stuff is the reason we are going. (well it is my grand daughters 8th birthday too.

And since birthday is so close to Christmas she kind of gets lost--
We have been planning since Sept 2010.

We are booked in Coronada based from your information pages.
and we requested Casita 4 or 5.

 

[KatMark]

First stop, was Captain_Oblivious's favorite attraction -- Journey Into Imagination. But, before we could go on, we had to wait for Nicki, who had stopped to purchase this for Mark:

Our journey with Figment:

Then it was time to play:

Oh, our silly men:

After this, we just crashed. All of a sudden...Nicki, Todd, Mark and I were exhausted and really couldn't go on any more. The kids decided to stay at Epcot and walk around some more and see Illuminations. Here are a few of their pictures:

They stopped and had tequila shots in Mexico:

They rode the Mexico ride:

And they found this shirt and threatened they were going to buy it for me:

I guess they didn't get any photos of Illuminations (or they are on Des' camera and I don't have her pictures yet).

Todd, Nicki, Mark and I headed out the "back door" of Epcot and we walked over to the Boardwalk to check out the bakery, etc.: The Bakery was so crowded that we could hardly get in the door and didn't stay. Some pictures I took while we were at the Boardwalk:

Continued in next post

 

[KatMark]

After visiting the Boardwalk, we hopped a boat to the Swan with Nicki and Todd. We wanted to see the decorations at the Swan (well, Nicki wanted to show them to us) and knew we wouldn't get back to do it another time.

Some photos of the trees lit up as our boat was approaching the Swan:

Inside the Swan:

We were then....toast. We had nothing left in us. And my stomach was killing me...which it had been all night and was gettinig progressively worse. We kissed Nicki and Todd goodnight after planning what time to meet the next morning and Mark and I grabbed a cab back to the Coronado. We got to our room and knew right then and there that we would be taking a walk to the main building, El Centro, to talk to them about what was going on right outside of our room. First, we went inside and checked to be sure our luggage arrived...which it had. We walked to El Centro and informed them that it was now 10:15 at night and there are over 100 people in the quiet pool screaming---girls screeching at the top of their lungs, boys shouting and doing cannonballs in the water, beer and wine bottles everywhere with the parents smoking wherever they chose and talking very loudly. They promised to send someone over and end it.

Mark and I walked back to our room and he got his bathing suit on and went to the hot tub. Now, I think the Coronado hot tub holds 40 some people (it is the largest on property); when Mark got there, there were probably close to 60 people in, most of it teenage boys. He was not a happy camper.

I unpacked, Andy and Des arrived and we all went to bed...we had to be at our park by 8:15 a.m. the next morning. We know sooner all hit the pillows, and the noise outside started again. I was NOT getting up to redress and walk to the main building again. I figured I was so tired I'd fall asleep and not hear them. Yeah, that didn't work...at 1:15 in the morning I was still awake listening to screeches and yells.

Overall, the first day could not have gone better. We were so happy to be with Nicki and Todd, Andy and Des loved being with us and we were having a great start to a special birthday celebration.

Up next, where do we go on Friday?

 

[PhoenixStrength]

The rest of your Epcot day sounds great! Except, of course, the very end. That's why I always request away from the pools, as I don't want to hear that noise while I'm trying to sleep! Sorry you had to deal with it.

 

[afwdwfan]

I think it is a good idea to wrap up the first day as I probably won't get a chance to do an update until after Christmas. Does that all work for you?

No

Good....follow along.

Fine, be that way!!!

And we got some more photopass pictures

I really like the France pictures with the fountains in the background.

Our journey with Figment

It looks like there might have actually been other people there. Was there a little bit of a line since the other side of Future World was closed to the public?

They stopped and had tequila shots in Mexico:

Because that's just what you do when you're on that side of the World Showcase.

Mark and I walked back to our room and he got his bathing suit on and went to the hot tub. Now, I think the Coronado hot tub holds 40 some people (it is the largest on property); when Mark got there, there were probably close to 60 people in, most of it teenage boys. He was not a happy camper.

I never even looked for the hot tub. My sisters went there once and they said pretty much the exact same thing.

We know sooner all hit the pillows, and the noise outside started again. I was NOT getting up to redress and walk to the main building again. I figured I was so tired I'd fall asleep and not hear them. Yeah, that didn't work...at 1:15 in the morning I was still awake listening to screeches and yells.

You win...

We had our issues, but at least we weren't so close to a pool that we caught all the extra noise, all night long.

Up next, where do we go on Friday?

Apparently not to Cafe Rix at 7 am....

 

[Linda67]

Great update

You all look like you are having a blast

 

[KatMark]

Ahh, joining in.

We are going the same week next year-- decorations and holiday stuff is the reason we are going. (well it is my grand daughters 8th birthday too.

And since birthday is so close to Christmas she kind of gets lost--
We have been planning since Sept 2010.

We are booked in Coronada based from your information pages.
and we requested Casita 4 or 5.

another new reader.

I do NOT want to discourage you from staying at CSR for I truly love it. But I would definitely check to see if Pop Warner is going to be there at that time again. They were awful.

I'm one of those birthdays too close to Christmas...it stinks!

I would go with Casitas 5 -- no quiet pool, not as much noise.

The rest of your Epcot day sounds great! Except, of course, the very end. That's why I always request away from the pools, as I don't want to hear that noise while I'm trying to sleep! Sorry you had to deal with it.

The quiet pools at the CSR are usually just that...quiet. It was the group in this instance.

We had a great evening at Epcot.

No

Well, I'd say I won't update until you do, but I saw you did one and I best get over there and check it out.

Fine, be that way!!!

You know how the holidays go...visitors, eating too much, etc. Add that to having kids -- you -- not me, and it's a hectic time.

I really like the France pictures with the fountains in the background.

Those were some of my favorites...it's a great spot.

It looks like there might have actually been other people there. Was there a little bit of a line since the other side of Future World was closed to the public?

Actually, there were several people (20 or so) in front of us when we got there. They were all saying that the Captain highly recommended the attraction to them.

Because that's just what you do when you're on that side of the World Showcase.

If you drink tequila, I guess.

I never even looked for the hot tub. My sisters went there once and they said pretty much the exact same thing.

That hot tub, during normal times, is usually empty.

You win...

We had our issues, but at least we weren't so close to a pool that we caught all the extra noise, all night long.

It was brutal, and I felt bad for you too.

Apparently not to Cafe Rix at 7 am....

This was my BIGGEST regret from the trip. I so wanted to meet you but I really felt I needed a little extra sleep in hopes my stomach would feel better in the morning.

 

[KatMark]

Great update

You all look like you are having a blast

Thanks, Linda. It was a blast...best trip we've ever had.

 

[Captain_Oblivious]

I think it is a good idea to wrap up the first day as I probably won't get a chance to do an update until after Christmas. Does that all work for you? Good....follow along.

Sure! I'd be surprised if you had much of an audience on Dec. 25.

And tried on some hats:

Ah, the return of the hat pictures! Nice to see Andy getting in on the action.

First stop, was Captain_Oblivious's favorite attraction -- Journey Into Imagination.

You forgot the rest of the title: My Favorite Attraction (if nothing else is open and I have a gun pointed at my head)

Did you have to get FastPasses?

After visiting the Boardwalk, we hopped a boat to the Swan with Nicki and Todd. We wanted to see the decorations at the Swan (well, Nicki wanted to show them to us) and knew we wouldn't get back to do it another time.

So you weren't TOO tired, then, right? You just wanted to ditch the kids.

We know sooner all hit the pillows, and the noise outside started again. I was NOT getting up to redress and walk to the main building again. I figured I was so tired I'd fall asleep and not hear them. Yeah, that didn't work...at 1:15 in the morning I was still awake listening to screeches and yells.

Sorry that was such a pain. I would not have been happy, either.

 

[mommy2mrb]

I love your photos in Epcot with all the lights, so pretty!
yay for Nicki getting Mark a Santa Mickey hat!

you should of called the front desk again about the noise, that is SO rude! we don't stay by the pools for just that reason!

 

[Poolrat]

Some photos of the trees lit up as our boat was approaching the Swan:

Love the different color palm trees

I thought about Pop Warner being at CSR. Apparently that might have been an over flow resort for them since it has been AllSSp and POR previously.

Sorry you had to endure all their noise....

 

[petals]

luvin all the updates. The new frames on the photopass pics are fab to. I love the one with the castle and sleigh.

 

[chloe770]

I'm here. Just being quiet.

 

[MEK]

What wonderful PP pictures. I love that Christmas border. So cute.

What a wonderful evening and the Christmas decorations are so wonderful.

Speaking of which, I hope you have a marvelous Christmas!

 

[englishrose47]

How annoying to have such rowdy pr\eople outside your room!!! Otherwise it seemed like a wonderful first day!! Loved the Hats and the pix of the couples and the group at\re awesome !!! I guess Des is a Disney Fanatic in the making !!!!