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

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I've been a slacker, but I'm all caught up now! Good to see Andy carrying on the family legacy with the Silly Hat Photos. Mark must be so proud. :goodvibes
 
Ahhh, looks so peaceful at CSR...that is one thing we liked about the resort in 2009.

I love the shirt Des is wearing, did she buy it at Disney?

I love that is is NORMALLY very peaceful at the Coronado.

Des bought that shirt at Epcot in February of this year when she went with her family and Andy went to surprise her for Valentine's Day.

I had to laugh when you said that Andy took his "shower" in the pool. :rotfl: The resort looks so nice and quiet in the morning which I know was a relief to your ears.

My son is an odd duck at times; and then, of course, he forgot to take a towel and comes running in the room dripping wet. :crazy2:

I remember Nicki's Facebook posting that she didn't like the new Test Track. I'm not a big fan of the "design your own" kinda stuff but, then again, I'm not a techie type of gal so that may have something to do with it.

I'm not a techie type of gal either; it was just okay in my book.

I like Andy's method of showering. I guess that's one way to get everyone out the door quicker when you have so many people sharing a single bathroom :rotfl2::rotfl: I hope he didn't step on any broken beer bottles or cigarette butts trying to get there though. :rolleyes1

I really did like the new Test Track, but I agree that they really didn't do anything to improve it aside from the new queue elements and post show area. I'm kind of a nerd for that kind of stuff though and I loved the design part. I felt like the ride part itself was a bit of a letdown though, because there really wasn't any improvement over the old version. :confused3

That's the hard part when it is four adults as compared to two adults and two children; everyone needs to use the bathroom, shower, make-up, etc.

If you like techie stuff, then you will love Test Track. I mean it was neat to do, but not something I'm into and will probably just let Mark do in the future while I take pictures. :rotfl2:

Mom and I missed Test Track by one day! Sounds like we didn't miss too much though and I'll catch it in October. I'm not a fan of designing techy stuff although I do like to design my future on SE!

Love the Seas, I could spend hours in there just watching the fish and manatees. Turtle Talk is one of my must dos after trying it for the first time this last trip. Such a cute little show!

I really don't think you missed much at all. The ride is the same, they just took out all the stuff that you learned from. I thought it would have been more for how long it was closed.

You and my husband would get along great. He could spend an entire morning watching the fish and manatees (especially since he loves watching the manatees when we go to Marco Island). LOVE Turtle Talk.

I'm looking forward to trying the new Test Track next year :)

You might enjoy it; it just wasn't for me and Nicki.
 
Just came across your TR and it looks like fun, so hopefully it is okay to join in...... :) What a great idea surprising your hubby this way!!! :goodvibes

Looks like I have a lot of catching up to do though........ :eek:

:welcome::welcome: always delighted to have a new reader. :goodvibes

Thank you; it was fun planning the trip and my hubby deserved it more than anyone I know.

Better catch up quickly, another update going up soon. ;)

I too think Turtle Talk is a very cute show. I forgot about Crush telling us to say Dude all day. My step-daughter is going to looooooove that. She already calles her dad "dude" all the time. :rolleyes2

Mel, it's a great show for kids and adults (I love the questions some of the kids come up with). Too funny that your step-daughter calls her dad dude. :rotfl2:

I thought the "new" opening of Epcot where you got shot with streamers was cool, though the woman behind me nearly had a heartattack at the sound of the "cannon" going off! :rotfl2:

Doesn't sound like I missed much by missing out on TT, since almost every review I've seen is bad. I'll try it myself next time I go, but I'm not sad I missed it now.

The opening was okay; it kind of startled me too.

Nope, I don't think you missed anything missing out on TT.

Thanks for sharing your thoughts on the "new" TT. I liked the ride originally, but it wasn't something that I'd care about if I didn't get to ride it. So it doesn't sound like the new one will be a whole lot different for me. I love your "mine" shirt - I have the same one! I'm sorry that the PW kids kept you up we were lucky when we stayed at CSR - it was really quiet for us.

Nope, not a whole lot different except for being able to design your own car and see if your car wins in the end. Mark had been bugging me to buy that shirt for two years and I finally gave in...the cost was a killer. I'm glad CSR was quiet for you.

Pool. December morning. BRRR! Not my idea of a way to start the day!

Bummer that TT wasn't cooler. It seemed to be closed for a VERY long time for what doesn't really seem to be all that much. Bummed about that. Can't go wrong with a little Soarin'!

It really wasn't that cold out...I think it was already 70 degrees that morning (we had a lot of warm, humid, foggy mornings).

I was expecting so much more from the new TT. I do love Soarin' though. :)

Too bad the 'new' Test Track wasn't too improved. I did like it as it was though, and as the parent of a small child I'm all for anything that distracts them while we wait. ;)

Love Des's shirt!

Maddie will probably get a big kick out of designing a car with her daddy.

Des' shirt was adorable.

wow that really stinks about the pool situation, but at least you got a little bit of credit from disney for it.

the rest of the updates were good and looks like you had a great christmas.
:)

Yes, but I would have preferred the quiet to the credit. :rotfl2::rotfl2:

Thanks; we had a great Christmas and hope you did too.
 
I am not a fan of the new changes to TT, the ride is basically the same with more neon lights and less talk about how to build a car but honestly all that techy stuff and computer building cars is just not my cup of tea.
Don't call them neon lights... some people might take offense. And that's why I typically stay away from the Theme Park Strategies board.

I agree with you and Kathy for the most part, although I do love the queue and the design part. I actually think it will make me tend to want to ride it more often just to play with the computer screens, but I was definitely disappointed by what they did with the ride itself.
 


love your christmas photos!
so did you make all sorts of noise the next morning when you left your room :rotfl::rotfl::rotfl:
bummer about TT not being to different, we really like the ride and sure the new queue will help with keeping kids more occupied.

Thank you, Lisa.

I thought of making noise...but I was a good girl.

The queue will be good for parents with small children, I'm sure.

I know all the problems you had the with PW kids at the pool but I have to tell you I love the idea of your room being right by the pool, that looks so convenient!

It if weren't for the PW people, I would have LOVED our location. We literally walked out our door, went down two steps and we were at the pool.

Normally Epcot has a great rope drop but I think they scrapped it because of the Test Track thing...we were let in the park from the back part earlier than normal and by 8:45 we are at Test Track and normally they will not let you in until 9am

I remember the rope drop from a few years ago; it's a shame Disney did away with it at all the parks except for the MK.

I am not a fan of the new changes to TT, the ride is basically the same with more neon lights and less talk about how to build a car but honestly all that techy stuff and computer building cars is just not my cup of tea.

It's not something that I'll wait in line for or get a fastpass for in the future, that's for sure.

It was so humid that morning! Ugh, at least it wasnt raining

Thankfully, we had no rain. It really was perfect weather.

No wonder why my neck is always killing me, I am constantly looking up to talk to everyone...well except my Romeo, we are eye level :rotfl:

I told you when you lost all your weight, you shrunk too. But I still love you...I just now use you as a leaning post.

I was just telling my Marc about your experience with the Pop Warner crowd and he said that they are known to be a rough group and that CSR is their stomping grounds. Isn't that too bad that they have to come down here and ruin the fun of perfectly nice people? He also said that the coaches have been known to get into fist fights at the resorts! It seems to me that Disney puts up with them because they bring in a good amount of money to the parks and resorts each year. UGH!

Anyway, I just caught up on 12 pages of your report and enjoyed every bit of it.
Heading over to R&C for dinner and Illuminations through the backdoor!:goodvibes

I'd read all the horror stories on Pop Warner previously and knew about the fights and one group being kicked out because of some nonsense. It used to be that they went to the Caribbean; then it was POR with overflow to POFQ. I figured with the new remodle of POR and POFQ, that they decided to ship them back to CSR. I can tell you next year that we will NOT be staying anywhere that they might remotely be at.

Hope you had a great dinner at R&C; we need to get back there...it's been too long.

Great update! I love the pool pics at CSR, looks so nice in the morning! I'm sure that area was loud though, filled with Pop Warner kids! Ugh!

The quiet pools at the CSR are one of my favorite things there. It was so peaceful in the morning. Too bad it wasn't at night...at least the first couple of nights anyway.

Yay Epcot rope drop! We were there one morning for rope drop and I don't remember any confetti or streamers...maybe that's new? :confused3 Or maybe I wasn't paying attention because I was so anxious to get in...:hyper:

It was cute with the confetti; knowing you, you were just so anxious to get into your favorite park.

I'm sad to hear you didn't like the new Test Track. I'm excited for it, but I'm not really thrilled about the design your own car part, doesn't that make the line SO much longer? I wish you could skip that part.

What they do is they call in so many people (2 per computer) and while you are doing that, the line for the actual ride is moving along and then after you are done building your cars...there's a time frame for it, you move into the line. Nope...wasn't impressed and may even skip it in August.

I haven't done Turtle Talk with Crush since my first trip with Brandon! It's adorable, I'd love to see it again someday!

I love Turtle Talk and told Mark I don't want to miss it again.

Yay, Soarin! My favorite! :banana:

Soarin' is great (but I wish they'd fix the hole in the screen...it's beginning to annoy me.

What a bummer about Test Track! I'm still looking forward to seeing the changes but, as I was afraid of, it doesn't sound like there will be too many changes to see!

Nope...not many changes at all. I'm glad we did it, but now I don't have to rush back for it.

So test track was a bust? Hmmmmm.....what am I not surprised. I mean, there was probably only so much they could do with it. But why did it take so long? Go figure.

Great day so far in Epcot!

My guess is putting in the computers in the room is what took so long in getting it up and running. Your nephews will probably love that techie stuff.

It was a great morning at Epcot.

All caught up !!!Loved the picture frame !!! Really fun Christmas with Family pix !! I am not a huge fan of Test Track, but the rest are and I have a feeling the others will enjoy designing a car !! I LOVE Crush too !! Carol and I had a really great time looking at the "Fishies " in October !! Our guys were really into them too !!!

:wave2: Rosie. Andy did a great job in picking out that picture frame for me. I'm sure your group will enjoy building a car. The fish are fun to watch...I especially like the dolphins.

Actually they got rid of the Opening Ceremony from every park except MK for good (at least for now). I got the same "opening" of shooting streamers a week earlier than you guys, and TT wasn't even in soft opening yet then.

I wonder if it is permanent?

Now that you mention it I never remember a RD skit for HS or AK...just MK and the one at Epcot where they have the characters come out and drive around in a Test Track car. Actually prefer not having any kind of skit, just get me in the park already :rotfl:

I'm with you...just let me in the park so I can start my day. :rotfl::rotfl:

Looks like y'all were off to a great start that day!

It really was and the sun was shining and the weather perfect.

I have been very skeptical about this "new" Test Track. And your review pretty much confirmed what I thought it would be. Not that different. And I don't think I'd like the whole "design" element either. I watched a video of the ride on YouTube. Seemed like pretty much the same ride with some "TRON" type lighting added.

Yep...that about describes it. It's a shame...I think they could have done more.

Glad y'all got over to Nemo & Crush! We did Crush for the 1st time in October. Eventually, I'll get to that story in my TR. :rotfl2:

I saw you did an update last night, I need to get over there today.

Can't wait to hear about the next ADR!

We'll talk about the next ADR in the next update, but I won't be doing a reivew (Nicki has those reviews going on in the dining reviews forum)
 
I love the pictures of that pool. That is a quiet pool? Seems HUGE! I keep thinking I need to rethink my reservation for next month and then you show me something like that.

I was super excited about TT reopening. :confused3 I was afraid that it wasn't going to be a flop... sounds like it was. :sad2:

Yes, that is the Casitas quiet pool; the Cabanas quiet pool and Ranchos quiet pool are a little smaller, but I love them all. I think as long as there are NO sports groups at CSR, you will be fine.

I wouldn't say TT is a "flop", just not much new from the old version.

Great update as usual Kat!! LOVE the Mine Mine shirts, I have the green one, and the yellow one. Haven't seen the grey one, is that new? Love it!!!! Must have it before 2014!! LOL

The birthday trip is getting way too outta hand!! LOTS of friends and family, the ones I'm paying for room and food for equals to 14 people, and the total number is close to 30!! 2 2br rooms at BCV!! I can't wait!! I'll let you know when I start the PTR for it. gotta have one of my besties come over and help get things organized LOL

Love the pool shower....sounds like something Tyler would do!! :lmao:

I miss TT, can't wait to see the new additions!! Turtle Talk is awesome. My hubby got called out once, can't remember what for tho. Was cute!!!

Hi, Christie. You know I'll be over to your PTR and giving you all kinds of thoughts. Let me know if you want me to pick up a Mine Mine shirt for you (you know how they are always changing stock) the next time we go.

Wow....that is a lot of people. I hope you aren't paying for all 30 of them.

Yes, I can see Tyler (and Chris) doing what Andy did.

So how was dinner at B&C since you didn't tell us…. :confused3

Love all the Christmas decorations. :goodvibes

Oh boy.. kiddies acting up in the quiet pool? Sometimes it is good to have the parking lot view. ;)

Nice to see the kids weren't around while Andy was bathing in the pool. LOLOL

We love Turtle Talk but we skipped it in Nov. I'm kinda sad about it. :guilty:

Great Christmas pics too! :goodvibes:goodvibes

Dinner at B&C was OUTSTANDING. But you are supposed to be following Nicki's dining reviews to get the play by play on all the meals.

The Christmas decorations were awesome.

I would have loved that view any other time but this one.

You skipped Turtle Talk? Shame on you.

Thanks...glad you enjoyed the Christmas pics. I'm looking forward to seeing Christmas pics of my kiddies if you ever give them their presents from us. :lmao::lmao:

Great new updates, Kathy.
Your morning looks real nice. Sorry about TT. Once I read your review of it, I googled it and watched it on youtube and I have to say that I am not impressed either.
But it looks like you had some other fun things to ride. :thumbsup2

We had a lot of great things to do after TT and we still didn't get it all done. :mad:

Love the update Kathy. I have to admit, I think you all are better than I would have been in the morning after dealing with the Pop Warner in the evening. I would have been making a whole lot of noise down the corridors and having my own little party poolside while they were trying to sleep in the morning. :rotfl2:

J/K... In truth, I would not have returned the favor. Two wrongs don't make right... But I sure would have been tempted. :lmao:

Bob, trust me, I thought of making a racket. But then I thought there might be normal families like us with little kids still sleeping and I just couldn't do it.

I've been a slacker, but I'm all caught up now! Good to see Andy carrying on the family legacy with the Silly Hat Photos. Mark must be so proud. :goodvibes

Thanks, Barry. Yes, you are a slacker, but I'm being nice to you because you are in possession of my Photopass CD from September.

Yes, Andy is as goofy as his father with the hats and often instigates the trying of them on.

Don't call them neon lights... some people might take offense. And that's why I typically stay away from the Theme Park Strategies board.

I agree with you and Kathy for the most part, although I do love the queue and the design part. I actually think it will make me tend to want to ride it more often just to play with the computer screens, but I was definitely disappointed by what they did with the ride itself.

I don't think I want to know WHY we should NOT call them neon lights. :confused3

I just thought the whole ride part would be a new experience. Again :confused3
 
I don't think I want to know WHY we should NOT call them neon lights. :confused3

I just thought the whole ride part would be a new experience. Again :confused3
Some people just want to argue for the sake of argument, apparently.

I'm with you about the ride part. I guess I didn't expect any major changes to the track layout, but I just felt a little bit let down by it. I liked what they did to the queue and then it's like they just ran out of time/money/ideas when it came to the ride itself.
 


I'm going to do another update today because we won't be home all weekend. Mark and Alisha couldn't come home for Christmas, so we are going to celebrate Christmas with them this weekend, along with celebrating my birthday. Plus, I get to go see Alisha's wedding dress in person as she has a fitting and I might look for a dress for me.

So I left you with us just having finished up Soarin' and heading to our lunch ADR. We started the stroll over to World Showcase. We didn't stop in any countries on the way to our destination because we wanted to get checked in. We were headed here:

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Mark, patiently (or not so patiently) waiting for them to start seating guests:

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We had a lovely table by the window where we were able to watch this:

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I will say that the food was excellent, but for more details, you'll have to go to Nicki's dining reviews. We are definitely going back in August...we enjoyed that much.

Andy seemed to be enjoying something too:

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And then we saw:

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After lunch, we stopped to see one of the Storytellers (I don't remember if this was still in France or not? Nicki, do you remember?):

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We started strolling through World Showcase with no destination in mind. We just wanted to see the decorations, pop into a store, have dessert, etc. I know Des got her dessert while still in France (it's in Nicki's review).

I'm not sure what Andy is drinking here...I don't think it's a beer in that type of cup:

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Stopping in the United States where Nicki was looking for a certain pin.

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Up next, Italy.

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We arrived in Germany and stopped to see the train:

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There was music playing and all of a sudden Des grabbed my husband. I have to say this warmed my heart:

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We stopped in the German caramel shop because Todd was craving caramel

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Todd and his snack:

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After getting the snack for Todd, we decided it was time to walk back to the private entrance of Epcot and catch the boat to our next destination.

Continued in next post
 
As we were walking to the "private" entrance, I took some pictures along the way:

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We got to the boat dock and Todd and Nicki got all lovey dovey on us:

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Aren't they cute?

Anyone want to take a boat ride?

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We reached our destination and exited the boat after it came to a complete stop and we were told it was safe to do so.

We were headed here:

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Can you guess where here is? Well, you all think about that until the next update.
 
you are at MGM of course, and going to ride TOT your favorite ride.:thumbsup2

that would be really neat to see remy there while eating...the kids would love that, will have to remember that for next trip.

was that the rest of the drink that nikki did not like? i thought it was the same cup she had in her dinning review.
 
I love spending time around the World Showcase like that. The chair show at France is always very entertaining too.

I regret not spending time at the miniature village in Germany this time. DW wasn't in much of a mood to spend a lot of time at the WS this trip and we really missed out on a lot of the details.:(

The picture of Des dancing with Mark is priceless. :thumbsup2

Can you guess where here is? Well, you all think about that until the next update.
Hollywood Studios... maybe you should have edited the film off of the bottom of the tree... :rolleyes1
 
That picture of Des and Mark dancing is adorable!

You headed to Hollywood Studios of course, I have several pictures of that same tree from about a week earlier than you! :goodvibes
 
No opening at EPCOT??? I have not made one in a long time. I guess no reason to really rush now.


EPCOT is great for strolling around. I am due for a slushie- I have missed it the last couple of times.

New TT a bust? Yeah I can see where the design thing doesnt add to the ride.


I love the trains in Germany and stop every time to see any decorations.
 
What a lovely afternoon y'all were having!

I'm glad to hear y'all liked Chefs. I really need to get over to the dining review. Chefs is on my "must try" list soon.

Looks like y'all got to DHS!
 
I love the pictures of Des dancing with Mark, that was so very sweet of her...I was in Italy getting a drink and walked up just as they finished their dance.

The pictures of us with the Story Teller was in France, I think it was after we finished lunch.

You took great photos my friend...I love looking at them and reliving our trip

The boat ride to HS was great wasnt it, beautiful weather and gorgeous views
 
Kathy, I just read something and thought of you and Mark, so I came over to post...and found a fabulous update. :flower3: Des becomes more endearing the more I hear/see of her. I am so thrilled you all had such a wonderful trip. Sounds like a fun weekend coming up with a very special birthday! When is the big day ~Please don't make me go back and look at last year to know? Happy Birthday Kathy!!! Oh and what I wanted to ask you...Have you heard of the “Year of the Ear” at Disney Parks? :listen::listen:
 
Figures you would post an update after I got all caught up. :mad:

Are you really going to make me try to keep up with another report to hear about your food? (no offense Nicki!)

Maybe Andy decided he should drink some water for once. ;)

How sweet of your DIL to dance with Mark. :dance3:

Love Disney boats. I wouldn't mind driving them around when I retire. pirate:

Looks like you are heading to DHS. :wizard:
 
Andy seemed to be enjoying something too:

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I don't know if "enjoying" is the right word. It looks like he's about to spit out a tooth.

There was music playing and all of a sudden Des grabbed my husband. I have to say this warmed my heart:
:thumbsup2

We reached our destination and exited the boat after it came to a complete stop and we were told it was safe to do so.
My favorite was one time on the WDW RailRoad, the conductor told us not to stand up until the train and the station were going the exact same speed. :rotfl2:
 
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