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

[englishrose47]

Thanks for your thoughts. Yes, Epcot will have the Flower & Garden Show while we are there. I'm very fussy about my resort, but we've made a decision (it will be at the end of these responses).



Well, I will tell you it's not CSR.



Very good reasoning here...thank you.



You are one smart girl.



Flower & Garden had a lot to do with our final choice.

And it will be a resort we've never stayed at before.



Another smart girl in the group.



Semi-smart. Only teasing. But you got half of it right.



I liked your POR suggestion, but that's not what we went with.


So here is the plan. We fly to Jacksonville on April 6 (Saturday) and drive to Valdosta, Georgia. We meet with a customer on Sunday, April 7 and then we drive to Orlando. We will stay one night at POP! We are NOT fans of the values at all, but it is only one night and it was our cheapest option with the AP discount (POR was $145, CSR was $135 and POFQ was $200). I've made an ADR for dinner on Sunday night at the Yachtsman. We will have breakfast on Monday, April 8, at 7:30 at Boma and then we will go to EPCOT. We have never done Flower & Garden and I've been wanting to for years. So we may not do as many attractions as we'd like as we'll concentrate on a lot of that, but I'll be back two months later so it works for us.


And I had to add this picture. Mark and Alisha got two new cars this year. Well, Mark is leasing a brand new 2013 Kia Optima and they got Alisha a 2009 Kia Sorrento. They went to visit her cousin in Monroe, Wisconsin, who just had a baby (and then they were driving to Des Moines Iowa for the kids State wrestling tournament).

In any event, Alisha and Mark met Jackson this evening. And Alisha looks like a natural, doesn't she?

I asked if Mark held the baby and she said no. He said, "I've held a football...I'll be good when the time comes." TYPICAL guy!

Kathy that is what I would do Rpcot and Pop so we think alike !!!

 

[WDisneyMom]

Great choices, Kathy! I wasn't even thinking about F&G when you posted...we there there in March a couple of years ago and everything was just so beautiful...and we stayed at POP, too! I think you will be fine for just one night...we thought the resort was too cute but oh my, it was way too small for us!!

And yes, someone sure does look like a natural with the baby

 

[GrammyJudy]

Good choices for April! We stayed at POP and it was fine, we did pay extra for preferred and we got poolside both times and it was very convenient. They have a great food court and gift shop, though I doubt you will have much time for either.

Alisha is very pretty and sure looks happy with that baby...you may be a Grammy soon!

We will overlap some in Dec. as we are going 11/30-12/7...maybe we can meet for a few minutes.

 

[KatMark]

yay for picking Epcot! its so pretty with all the flowers!

POP is fun and since it was remodeled a couple years ago, everything should still be in good shape!

sweet photo of Alisha and the baby...Mark is too funny!

I've always wanted to do F&G so this is just perfect. It will be fun to see the icons and it's only one night so I think we can handle a small bed for one night.

Mark cracks me up. He may be a little leery about holding a baby, but I know he will be a great daddy.

EPCOT is the perfect choice during F&G - it is amazing! We've been once during that time but have wanted to go back for years. Hope you'll take some photos!

Aw, Alisha looks very comfortable with a baby. Mark is too funny!!

POP is close to EPCOT so if you bus or take the car it will be quick. Be sure to make a bldg request for POP, even for one night, otherwise you'll likely wind up in Timbuktu!

I promise to take lots of photos; we're going to do some attractions, but I want to concentrate a lot on the F&G. It's not like I won't be back two months after that to do the attractions with the girls.

Mark is a goof; and Alisha is very comfortable with babies.

We have a rental car and will be checking in late on Sunday and then go to dinner and DTD. We leave early in the a.m. for breakfast and right to Epcot so it should be okay for one night. I'm not concerned with what building we end up in since it's just the one night.

Kathy that is what I would do Rpcot and Pop so we think alike !!!

Thanks, Rosie. That's why we get along so well and take care of that nonsense Marv throws at us.

Great choices, Kathy! I wasn't even thinking about F&G when you posted...we there there in March a couple of years ago and everything was just so beautiful...and we stayed at POP, too! I think you will be fine for just one night...we thought the resort was too cute but oh my, it was way too small for us!!

For some reason, I thought F&G didn't start until May; but I'm sure glad one of the gals on FB told me so we can see it. Yes, I'm not looking
forward to the beds, but it's only one night. Anything longer, and I'd have been somewhere else.

And yes, someone sure does look like a natural with the baby

She sure does.

Good choices for April! We stayed at POP and it was fine, we did pay extra for preferred and we got poolside both times and it was very convenient. They have a great food court and gift shop, though I doubt you will have much time for either.

We won't have a lot of time, but I do want to see the gift shop and some of the icons.

Alisha is very pretty and sure looks happy with that baby...you may be a Grammy soon!

She's truly a beautiful girl; I think they plan to be married a year and then have a baby. I can't wait....and I'm even more eager to take the grandbaby to Disney.

We will overlap some in Dec. as we are going 11/30-12/7...maybe we can meet for a few minutes.

We will definitely work something out in December. I've got a list of people to contact before we leave.

 

[KatMark]

So we had just finished trying our hands at an artistic drawing. Unfortunately, most of us failed at our attempts (Des' had the best). We had time for one more attraction before our lunch ADR and decided to go visit the movies. We were on our way to:

There was no line and before we knew it we were in our vehicle headed to:

My attempt at photos, without a flash, during our journey:

I'm not a big western movie fan, but I do love this guy and will sit and watch his movies with Mark:

The moment had come. Would we get the gangster for the 10th time in a row, or would we finally get the cowboy version?

And the answer is:

WOO HOO!!!! We finally got the cowboy.

Back to the ride:

One of my all time favorite movies:

Continued in next post

 

[KatMark]

After our Great Movie Ride, we were all starving so it was a good thing it was time for our lunch ADR. We were headed here:

Des had never eaten here and was really looking forward to it.

We left the kids drive the car:

And we sat behind them to make sure there was no monkey shines during the meal:

My chocolate shake:

Mark's and my appetizer:

LOVE these onion rings

Pictures of the food. At this point, I have no idea who had what

We enjoyed our meal a LOT more than we did 50'sPrime Time. We know it's not gourmet, but it is good for what it is and the atmosphere is great.

They brought Mark a birthday dessert on the house:

And our waitress graciously took a picture of the four of us:

After lunch we decided to do some shopping (I wanted to get something at the Christmas store).

Some pictures on the way:

After the Christmas store, we headed up to the front of the park because Des had seen something for her dad she wanted to pick up.

While we were shopping, it started to rain. It was still coming down a little hard, so we got out the ponchos and once dressed, decided to leave the Studios for awhile and come back later to use our TSM fastpasses and to see Fantasmic...something Des had never seen. It surprised me as many times as Des has been to Disney that there was so much she had never done.

Up next, where do we head for a couple of hours before coming back to DHS?

 

[PhoenixStrength]

I have NEVER gotten the cowboy scene in GMR, so I'm jealous! Lucky you though.

SciFi looks like fun, and is another I've never been to either. Someday!

 

[MeMom]

And we sat behind them to make sure there was no monkey shines during the meal:

And our waitress graciously took a picture of the four of us:

Looks like they strategically placed Grandpa and Grandma sitting behind you to make sure those middle seat occupants were behaving, too!

It surprised me as many times as Des has been to Disney that there was so much she had never done.

I feel the same way when I read some DIS reports. People who have been many times have not gone to a popular restaurant or seen a certain show. I am always a bit surprised at that. Hope she loved Fantasmic!

 

[Minnie&Nana]

Oh, Kathy - you just made my day..even tomorrow! I love these photos...all my favorite places! The cowboy is my favorite because John Wayne reminds me of my dad...I do enjoy both sides though. My last few trips no one wanted to do the Great Movie Ride, but I am going beg and plead if necessary next time!

Isn't the ambiance at Sci Fi fabulous? Another favorite - I think Rosie and I make just have to make an ADR for our Cruise trip.

Then the Christmas Shop and snow....I just love this area of HS...

I enjoyed these updates so much I got all teary. Fabulous photos, every one! You are all so photogenic!

 

[OneTreeHillAddict]

I have made some progress. I loved the surprise. You got him good! I also want to visit MCO. Loved the Mickey decor. Do they have a Disney store in there? Our airport is being expended right now. I hope they will start offering direct flights to FL before too long. Right now you have to go to NYC then fly back. Um, that's nuts. I've never flown in a commercial airplane so I need to try it just for that reason.

I always enjoy the hat pics, as you know, that's something we love to do too. It makes for the best vacation pictures.

I am on the Christmas update where you are visiting family right now. This pic caught my eye. What is the thing on the fireplace that looks like the Brady Bunch show intro? That's so cute. Very good picture of you guys too.

http://i209.photobucket.com/albums/bb136/Luvwrestling/Cristmas 2012/MeandDes.png

 

[OneTreeHillAddict]

Love the 60th frame too! That is awesome!

 

[goofy4prez]

The moment had come. Would we get the gangster for the 10th time in a row, or would we finally get the cowboy version?

And the answer is:

WOO HOO!!!! We finally got the cowboy.

I have been on this attraction at least a half dozen times and have never seen the cowboy. I guess there are two things now I have not seen in WDW: The moving version of the Yeti on EE and now the Cowboy on the Great Movie Ride.

 

[amandaw]

Looks like y'all had a good lunch! I keep saying I'm going to book Sci-Fi one of these days. I think I just keep getting worried that it'll be too dark for me. I like lots of light when I eat. I know, I'm weird.

Hope the rain stopped before y'all went back to the park!

 

[eandesmom]

Fun update and I love the picture of the 4 of you in your Sci Fi car!

Alisha does look awfully comfy with that baby

A football

 

[Pluto0809]

Love the Great Movie Ride (there's not much at Disney I don't love)! Wizard of Oz is one of my favorite movies too. I was a bit of a hyper child and that movie was the only one I would sit still for. I think it was played a lot in my house when I was little. Are you excited for the new movie? I know I am.

I haven't been to Sci Fi since 2011. I do like eating there and actually had a reservation for this upcoming week. I ended up cancelling it because it just didn't fit into the rest of my schedule. Oh well, maybe next time.

Those Darth Maul hats are hysterical. I'm not sure if they are supposed to be Darth Maul or Darth Duck?

 

[Chicago Mo]

You had a LOT more decorations then when we went!!! I love the snowman and snow drifts!
LOVE sci-fi restaurant! one of my favorites!!! your pictures came out great from the GMR!!!
Nothing beats the hat pictures!!!

 

[pas130]

Thanks Christine. I'm so very happy for you too.



I think this calls for a

You are one smart girl.



In any event, Alisha and Mark met Jackson this evening. And Alisha looks like a natural, doesn't she?


I asked if Mark held the baby and she said no. He said, "I've held a football...I'll be good when the time comes." TYPICAL guy!

Flower and Garden has the food this year too

Alisha IS a natural!! and Mark... my hubs is a baby hog he would've snatched the little peanut right up..yet he's had MUCH practice

 

[Captain_Oblivious]

I asked if Mark held the baby and she said no. He said, "I've held a football...I'll be good when the time comes." TYPICAL guy!

Except you must not, under any circumstances, fumble the baby!

We had time for one more attraction before our lunch ADR and decided to go visit the movies.

Needed some quality air-conditioning, huh?

There was no line

The moment had come. Would we get the gangster for the 10th time in a row, or would we finally get the cowboy version?

And the answer is:

WOO HOO!!!! We finally got the cowboy.

Yay! Cross that one off the list.

And we sat behind them to make sure there was no monkey shines during the meal:

LOVE these onion rings

We enjoyed our meal a LOT more than we did 50'sPrime Time. We know it's not gourmet, but it is good for what it is and the atmosphere is great.

Interesting how different the experiences are. I'd take 50's PT every time. And who knows where Mary Ellen will have to go in order to get another cruddy veggie burger.

They brought Mark a birthday dessert on the house:

Glad to see the hat pictures are still going strong!

 

[mommy2mrb]

yay for finally getting the cowboy version on TGMR!!!!!!

yum, lunch looks good! we've always had good food and service there! so if you were making sure the kids behaved, who was watching you and Mark you two look mighty cozy there!

so what did you buy at the christmas shop

think you went back to the resort and maybe some swimming if the rain let up!

 

[afwdwfan]

WOO HOO!!!! We finally got the cowboy.

Congratulations!!!

We know it's not gourmet, but it is good for what it is and the atmosphere is great.

Pretty good assessment. I know it gets a lot of hate, but I love it for what it is.