Sorry Gaston, They are MUCH More Interesting Than You!*6/8* NEW Trip Report Link p154

[MEK]

Hey Dee - Sorry I missed this post. I kept looking for it last night and couldn't find it. D'oh!

I'm going to have to chat with Wicket's Mom about the Colonial costumes. I occasionally have to dress in colonial garb for my job as a museum teacher. One of my friends makes all of the costumes and when my boys needed Colonial outfits for school she costumed them. She made a big point about how the knee needs to be covered by the knickers or socks. My son's socks were not long enough and I snapped a picture and emailed it to her phone with the title "Colonial Porn". Unfortunately, she was in a library and burst out laughing when she saw it.

OMG - that is TOO funny! I bet she got a real laugh out of that!

We were at the Barcelo Maya in Mexico. It is about an hour south of Cancun and 30 minutes north of Tulum. It was our third time at this resort- beautiful beaches, really decent snorkeling (we swam with turtles 3 different times, I saw a 4 foot moray eel and a venomous lionfish) along with other colorful sea critters. Decent food, unlimited drink.

That sounds like a wonderful vacation - well, all except for the venomous lion fish. Yikes! Tropical Bliss! I so need that right now!

I think I will do a trip report, although it really is an off-topic location. But there were some Disney touches at the resort. And a surprising amount of drama. And I had a kind of "DIS" meet during the trip as well.

Really? A "kind of DIS meet"? I don't know what that means, but I am definitely intrigued!!!!!! And you know I love reading about drama!

D'oh! Your cell phone camera. Here I am picturing you jogging with your big girl camera strapped around your neck. You get such awesome shots.

I throw a lot of bad ones away! I love getting pictures on my morning run because they are pics that I wouldn't otherwise find. I love it when a few turn out!

 

[MEK]

Good work, Cynthia. I like it!

It was strong work on her part!

Now as entertaining as Gaston is, I would have loved to have caught his reaction to that one!

He really WAS quite stunned! It was actually pretty funny because no one saw that coming!

I understand completely. There is a strong case of "not getting it" in my family.

I'm traveling with friends of ours next October and they will totally NOT get it. I guess the only good thing is our dates are at the very end of F&W and that doesn't seem to be a popular time for other DISers, but you never know!!!!!

Absolutely not. I love all the artistic shots you got around Fantasyland. Especially the ones of Gaston's statue!

Thanks! Well, get ready then because my next update is very picture laden as well.

You could always add some rum to it... not that anyone would sneak it into the MK or anything...

Coincidentally, this is the second TR recently that I've seen the mention made that it could use some rum.

I read that somewhere else as well, but I though it was on FB. Anyway - rum makes everything taste better - well known fact!

Well, I see he already took care of it, but really, what were you thinking?

I think I had a momentary lapse of judgement when I did not see the Tri-corner roast beef sandwich on the menu!

Isn't that the "veggie" part of the "burger?"

I still think a good veggie burger can have lots of taste. This is where that particular veggie burger failed.

Or just order the beef kind.

Or I guess horse meat if you're in England...

Good thing I watched the news last night or I would have had no idea what you were referring to with the horse meet. See - that alone is enough to turn someone vegetarian. Yuck!

That's exactly the issue I have. My family isn't comfortable with those types of meets. I always have to try to schedule for odd times so that I'm not ditching them to go meet "a stranger." Unfortunately, it rarely works out.

I wait until the very last minute to tell my family and then they are sort of "forced" to go along with it. muhahahaha!

Ditch 'em.

She might have to.

Well, if you can get past number 1, I actually love the dinner there. It really is very good. One of my favorite meals in the parks.

It really is a fun restaurant. I remember having Thanksgiving dinner there a few days before the actual holiday and it was great.

But apparently, number 1 is a big sticking point.

But now there is BOG and that could definitely solve the #1 problem.

That was our table... I want to go back...

That is such a cool place to sit. I always end up in that room and I love it!

Well, look at it this way. I doubt that the veggie burger was something that they were making very often back in the colonial days. It's a bit of a departure from the normal menu. They did the best they could with what they had to work with.

I guess you are right!

Now that is a burger. That other stuff doesn't even deserve the name.

Seriously - I really did redeem myself the next day. You'll see!

Hi!

I am back and all caught up!

Welcome Back Karin! I hope you had a fabulous trip and I can't wait to read all about it!!!!!!

Your new Fantasyland pics are wonderful ...... we have now got some very similar ones.
Love all the updates!

Thank you! Did you love Fantasyland? I thought it was awesome and can't wait to go back!

Cynthia, beautiful pictures in your update! I love all the pics around NFL, how absolutely stunning that place is. I'm so in love with Beauty and the Beast so I really can't wait to see that area in person!

I hope you get to see it soon. Is there another trip in the works, by any chance?

LeFou's brew looks really... nasty for lack of a better word. Those flavours just don't seem to fit together.

You know - I have this rule where I don't drink anything with calories unless there is alcohol involved. So the thought of breaking my rule for that concoction leaves me a little

 

[MEK]

I am happy to report that in a little under 6 weeks I will be returning to Disney's HHI Resort for my second visit. I know I don't have a ticker for that trip, but I am pretty excited about it. In the meantime we will be spending this month visiting and revisiting colleges with Nick. We will be visiting Virginia Tech in the not so distant future, so I am looking forward to that. I remember passing Blacksburg on our way to Nashville a few years ago and wondering how a major university ever ended up in that location. Rather remote, so it will be interesting to actually see the town. It's going to be a quick visit, but hopefully it will give Nick enough info to decide if VT is a viable school choice.

So that's what's new with me. And now I think its about time for an update!

The Tiki Tiki Room

I know you all just can't wait to see what our next stop on this adventure is? Today was an awesome combination of new and old. Once we had sufficiently explored the new FL, we concentrated on the classics - Peter Pan, Jungle Cruise, and then another oldie, but goodie - The Enchanted Tiki Room.

I have a confession to make - I've only been in this attraction once before. And that was YEARS ago - so I was more than happy to explore this oldie.

There was a wait to get inside and I'll admit I was just a tad inpatient, so I decided to focus on taking pictures (what else? really?)

My indoor pics are not all that.......

I quickly realized I am just not a fan of this attraction, but I do like Pierre

Clearly I decided that taking pix inside was not worth the effort because my next picture is this

Because the Christmas Shop was closed earlier, we decided to duck in there to look around.

I love this ornament

After a quick look around we made our way towards Main Street for a little more shopping

Ugh - that annoying crane was out

We stopped for PP picture. My camera.......

While Cynthia was shopping I decided to duck into Casey's for a few pictures

Can you believe I have never eaten here? Nope. No corn dog nuggets for me. Boo! Someday!

Balloons on Main Street. One of my favorite sights and one picture is never enough.

While Cynthia was shopping I decided to duck into this little alley way and just…well…..chill

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

 

[MEK]

Continued from previous post

Sorry for all the pictures, but I really love this little hidden alley way and I was thrilled to have some time just to take it all in.

It was gorgeous out. The crowds were low. And I had this alley way almost all to myself. What could be better?

This girl was obviously enjoying her chill time as well

I texted Cynthia to let her know where I was or she texted me or something, but it did take us a little awhile to find each other again.

I took some more pictures along Main Street

I love this fire hydrant pumpkin above the fire station

And what fire station is complete without a dalmation?

I like this picture even though its of totally random people getting a PP shot

See Ya Real Soon

Once outside we passed over this

to travel by water

But instead of heading back to the WL we decided to do a little DVC pool hopping.

Our first stop was here

But we didn't get off here

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

Instead we stayed on board

 

[MEK]

Continued from previous post....

Our stop

I know that people have different opinions about the Poly. I have never stayed there, but I really love the Poly pool and I love that pool hopping is a DVC option

Hey Look. it's Superman! Who knew?

We went inside to change into our bathing suits

There weren't any chairs close to the pool, so we settled on some chairs on the beach.

As we were sitting there we noticed that Tracy, her niece, and her friend had the same idea we had. That's Tracy sitting on the chaise straight ahead.

Not only that, but a little while later I saw a man who looked like Sheree's husband. I saw him off in the distance but thought, "nah - it can't be".

Well, it was. We found out later that evening the Sheree's family were pool hopping at the Poly, too!

I love this picture of this cute little girl digging in the sand.

I did get up and take a few pictures around the pool deck

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

 

[MEK]

Continued from previous post......

There is just something I really love about seeing the castle off in the distance and getting the illusion that the pool continues almost straight through to the lake.

This looks like a great place to chill and have a meal or a snack

My stubby toes

I got up a second time and took my cell phone out to take even more pictures

I also wondered over to the quiet pool

There is just something about the paths around the Poly that I absolutely love

At some point we ordered a mai tai from the pool bar, but I don't think we got Pat's personal bartender because I remember the drink was just "OK". Nothing special, but it still contributed to our state of relaxation.

Once our pool time was over we decided to travel back by monorail and then boat.

So a quick stop in the lobby was necessary

I love the trash cans at the Poly

I tried to get some good pictures from the monorail, but they all turned out smudgy. This one's OK

Not bad

I can't seem to go in the Contemporary without taking a picture of this

I don't think we had to wait too long for our boat back to the WL

It was just an amazing afternoon and I remember feeling so content and so removed from the world. It really is special to have your own little system of transportation to take you were you need to go.

Here's our photopass pictures from that afternoon:

Hey - this picture is crooked!

I think I might be working it a little too hard in this picture......

Up Next.....Saying goodbye to the WL and Hello to the GF for dinner

 

[dizneeat]

Updates galore ............ when will I ever have time to update myself?

Tiki room, not a big fan myself - did it once and once was enough. Shopping and taking in the sights, sounds and smells of Main Street - HUGE fan.

What a fun idea to go poolhopping. I never even thought about it, but now that we are DVC we might consider this option for the summer.
We did stay at the Poly once and I just didn't get it. While the resort is pretty, our room was dark and even though I could see the castle from the balcony (garden view room) and we watched the fireworks from there, it just didn't grab me.
BUT the pool looks nice - guess we have to get ourselves over there in about 163 days.

 

[dawnbu40]

First off, how have you never been to Casey's It's a Disney classic! You must try it at least once

Great pics of all the MK area resorts. We have switched up our May plans a bit and we will be spending a night at one of those and your pics made me even more excited

Sounds like a wonderfully relaxing afternoon! Thanks for sharing.

 

[MEK]

Updates galore ............ when will I ever have time to update myself?

Do you get a little stressed when you know you are seriously behind on your updates and your subbed threads? I know that I do!

[COLOR="Navy"Tiki room, not a big fan myself - did it once and once was enough. Shopping and taking in the sights, sounds and smells of Main Street - HUGE fan. [/COLOR][/FONT][/QUOTE]

I will definitely be quite awhile until I visit the Tiki Room again - say, maybe another 8 or 10 years!

[quote="dizneeat, post: 47631001"][COLOR="Navy"What a fun idea to go poolhopping. I never even thought about it, but now that we are DVC we might consider this option for the summer. [/COLOR][/FONT][/QUOTE]

I love pool hopping. So far I have only done it on the monorail resorts. This is my second time hopping to the Poly and there is just something about that pool that draws me in. I have also hopped to the GF and that's fun, too. I think its a fun way to get a little slice of another resort.

[quote="dizneeat, post: 47631001"][COLOR="Navy"We did stay at the Poly once and I just didn't get it. While the resort is pretty, our room was dark and even though I could see the castle from the balcony (garden view room) and we watched the fireworks from there, it just didn't grab me.
BUT the pool looks nice - guess we have to get ourselves over there in about 163 days. [/COLOR]

Your opinion seems to be fairly common. I think I need to actually stay there to see how I feel, but that's not likely to happen. And that's OK. I usually visit the Poly enough on any given trip that I'm happy.

 

[MEK]

First off, how have you never been to Casey's It's a Disney classic! You must try it at least once

I know - isn't that weird? It's not that I don't want to go, but for some reason I never end up there. Let's see if I can fix that in June. I really want to try the corn dog nuggets. They have been on my bucket list for, oh three or more years.

Great pics of all the MK area resorts. We have switched up our May plans a bit and we will be spending a night at one of those and your pics made me even more excited

Really?????? You must love being a TA so you can keep switching things up. That's so wonderful. I think I am really going to struggle with staying off site in June. I am going to have to visit some of the resorts to get my fix.

Sounds like a wonderfully relaxing afternoon! Thanks for sharing.

It was a great afternoon. I'm glad we planned it that way.

 

[teekathepony]

Best of luck with your (Nick's) college hunting!

I was unimpressed with the Tiki room when I was 5... turns out I was also unimpressed with it two years ago. Should hold me for another 20 years!
I've never eaten at Casey's either. I also don't really like hot dogs or similar foods. So picky.

I love all your pics around the hidden alley way. It's so adorable down there!

Oh the Poly pool area is just gorgeous!!

 

[MomToPrincePhillip]

Now THAT is an update! Wow, thanks for that little break from the snow ice and grey sky. Ahhh, to see blue sky and feel the sun on my face. It won't be long now for me, thanks for reminding me of that . Great photos and you may have convinced me to let DH take a serious look at DVC...

 

[Captain_Oblivious]

I am happy to report that in a little under 6 weeks I will be returning to Disney's HHI Resort for my second visit.

One of these days we'll check that resort out.

We will be visiting Virginia Tech in the not so distant future, so I am looking forward to that. I remember passing Blacksburg on our way to Nashville a few years ago and wondering how a major university ever ended up in that location. Rather remote, so it will be interesting to actually see the town.

I was really close to going there for college, actually. It is in the middle of nowhere, but I remember the town itself, the campus, and the people there being very nice.

I quickly realized I am just not a fan of this attraction, but I do like Pierre

Yeah, I'm not big on the Tiki room either.

Ugh - that annoying crane was out

At least it wasn't in your Photopass pics!

I like this picture even though its of totally random people getting a PP shot

Good composition.

Our first stop was here

The Red Roof Inn!

I know that people have different opinions about the Poly. I have never stayed there, but I really love the Poly pool and I love that pool hopping is a DVC option

I think the Poly is pretty awesome, myself.

Hey Look. it's Superman! Who knew?

Wasn't the party last night? Or maybe it's still going.

I love this picture of this cute little girl digging in the sand.

Another good one!

 

[MEK]

Best of luck with your (Nick's) college hunting!

Thanks! I would really like him to make his decision before we leave for HHI. That way the deposit is paid and we are good. Even if he can narrow it down to two colleges by then I would be happy.

I was unimpressed with the Tiki room when I was 5... turns out I was also unimpressed with it two years ago. Should hold me for another 20 years!

Yeah - that's kind of how I feel and I don't intend to revisit it in June. No Way!

I've never eaten at Casey's either. I also don't really like hot dogs or similar foods. So picky.

Well then Casey's is definitely not the spot for you. I actually do like hot dogs in a weird way. I don't make them at home, but when I am out at a game or barbecue I like to eat them.

I love all your pics around the hidden alley way. It's so adorable down there!

Isn't it just the best hidden little secret? And the weather was perfect so it would have been silly not to enjoy it for awhile.

Oh the Poly pool area is just gorgeous!!

I agree. That's why I like to pool hop there. You can really pretend you are elsewhere. Definitely one of my fav pools!

Now THAT is an update! Wow, thanks for that little break from the snow ice and grey sky. Ahhh, to see blue sky and feel the sun on my face. It won't be long now for me, thanks for reminding me of that . Great photos and you may have convinced me to let DH take a serious look at DVC...

When I saw that picture of my toes in the sand all I could think of was how but I would like to put sticking my toes in some sand right now, so I feel your pain.

I hope that your enjoy looking at DVC and that you and your DH will come to the same agreement. It really does have a lot of perks!

One of these days we'll check that resort out.

You will love it! It's really a great little resort with a lot of stuff for adults and kids. I am really looking forward to going back!

I was really close to going there for college, actually. It is in the middle of nowhere, but I remember the town itself, the campus, and the people there being very nice.

Really? I have heard that the town and the people are very nice. One of my older son's friends goes to school there and he absolutely loves it. That also works in Nick's favor if he decided to go because he would be able to get rides back for breaks for a couple years. That's huge!

Yeah, I'm not big on the Tiki room either.

I guess you either love it or you don't. And I don't.

At least it wasn't in your Photopass pics!

That's a relief!

Good composition.

Thank you!

The Red Roof Inn!

If only it was actually anywhere close to that price range. Can you imagine?

I think the Poly is pretty awesome, myself.

Me too! I certainly wouldn't turn down the opportunity to stay there and check it out for myself.

Wasn't the party last night? Or maybe it's still going.

Yeah - that's it - he must still have his costume on from the night before!

Another good one!

Thank you! That little girl was so cute!

 

[marDgreen88]

When you visit Blacksburg (which I must admit, doesn't have too much to it BESIDES Tech ) if you have time, I highly suggest a visit to Carol Lee's donut shop. SO GOOD. It doesn't look like much from the outside but they have the best donuts there.

I love that little alleyway on Main Street, too! I feel like nobody really even knows it's there.

I didn't know you could pool-hop in DVC! So cool! I'd love to do that. You got some great pictures that afternoon!

 

[Mndisneygirl]

I saw us in the Poly pool pictures!!! Dave was wearing a blue shirt and I saw my back (thankfully the lower half was in the water!) and the girls' ponytails in a couple shots!

I cannot believe I didn't spot you guys!! Too funny!

What a great afternoon! We really loved pool hopping at the Poly! It was so convenient for a break from MK!

 

[rndmr2]

Great update! Love all the pics from Main Street. So awesome how there is all that attention to detail and decorations even to the back of the Alley. I can't say enough how much I love the Fall Decorations there.

Have fun on your tour of VT whenever that ends up being. I used to live from 2002 to mid 2005) in New Castle, Va (A TINY little town between Roanoke and Blacksburg) You want remote? Where we lived was 8 miles to a Gas Station! 30-40 miles to a normal store or restaurant. The first time I went there to visit my DH (Then long distance BF) his parents took us to dinner at a nice little place called Backstreets. Good pizza and sandwiches, I assume it is still there. We really liked it there.

 

[MEK]

When you visit Blacksburg (which I must admit, doesn't have too much to it BESIDES Tech ) if you have time, I highly suggest a visit to Carol Lee's donut shop. SO GOOD. It doesn't look like much from the outside but they have the best donuts there.

I love that little alleyway on Main Street, too! I feel like nobody really even knows it's there.

I didn't know you could pool-hop in DVC! So cool! I'd love to do that. You got some great pictures that afternoon!

OK - I'm not sure what is going on with the DIS but it won't let me copy and paste right now. Weird. Very weird indeed.

So Carol Lee's? Nick loves donuts so I am certain he will thank you for the recommendation. I hope we get time to walk around a little bit. It's really got to be a quick trip - one night. Nick has Science Olympiad on Saturday so we have to drive back on Friday night. YUCK!

We are doing the information session at 830, tour at 930, college of engineering presentation at 11:15 and electrical engineering presentation at 2pm. It would be nice to sneak away to Main Street to grab a bit, but I think Nick might want to eat on campus, too. So much to do. So little time!

There a couple pools you can't pool hop to - like SAB and AK. And you are supposed to ask first in case they are at capacity.

 

[MEK]

I saw us in the Poly pool pictures!!! Dave was wearing a blue shirt and I saw my back (thankfully the lower half was in the water!) and the girls' ponytails in a couple shots!

I cannot believe I didn't spot you guys!! Too funny!

What a great afternoon! We really loved pool hopping at the Poly! It was so convenient for a break from MK!

I can't believe we didn't spot you, although I did seed Dave - I just didn't think it could possibly be him.

It really was a lovely afternoon. I love pool hopping there. Even though we didn't go back to the MK - I can definitely see where it would be great for a break!

 

[MEK]

Great update! Love all the pics from Main Street. So awesome how there is all that attention to detail and decorations even to the back of the Alley. I can't say enough how much I love the Fall Decorations there.

Have fun on your tour of VT whenever that ends up being. I used to live from 2002 to mid 2005) in New Castle, Va (A TINY little town between Roanoke and Blacksburg) You want remote? Where we lived was 8 miles to a Gas Station! 30-40 miles to a normal store or restaurant. The first time I went there to visit my DH (Then long distance BF) his parents took us to dinner at a nice little place called Backstreets. Good pizza and sandwiches, I assume it is still there. We really liked it there.

Ugh - I'm so frustrated that I can't copy and paste! What the heck?????

Isn't that alley great and the fall decorations are so pretty. I like them almost as much as the Christmas decorations.

Wow - small world. I can't imagine 30 miles to a restaurant. WOW. I hope you didn't live there very long. But, in a way - maybe it would be good for me to be further away from food like that.