Kathy, please forget about the readers who did not stay onboard this time - I don't always post, but your PTRs and TRs really brighten my day and I would miss reading.
I think many others feel the same and you would be very missed around here. Of course, you must do what is best for you, but please know lots of us would miss hearing about your plans and the fun you always have - especially those of us who have had a long wait between visits. Your photos are always fabulous! Only a very few TRs make me feel it is the next best thing to being there and yours is one of the top.
Don't worry too much about the drop in readers. I've noticed there are far less people on DIS in general lately. Plus, even with your drop in readers you still have a TON more than I do! I'm still very interested in hearing about your trips.
I think everyone is just so busy all the time. A lot of our regulars dropped off when they became Disney travel agents. I'm sure more just got sick of seeing our gang over and over - and over - again. I check in every morning and every evening, but just trying to keep up with our own report takes time. As much as I would like to read even more reports, I just barely get to peek in on the few I visit regularly. I am not at all good about reading pre-trip reports, but I enjoy the actual trip reports that follow. Disney pictures and stories add a few moments of happiness to a grueling work week.
So maybe this will be an annual thing now? (A visit in December) It is a beautiful time of year to go. I can't decide which is my favorite though. Flower and Garden, Christmas, or Fall. I love them all.
We hope to make December annual; we are booked for this December...have our resort, just have to book the airlines.
When I was a kid I remember a lot of people having white or silver trees. They were very common. Nowadays silver is nearly obsolete and white is rare. There is a Christmas tree site I like to look at. I think the name is Treetopia. They have the cutest tress on there. Upside down, corner trees, all kinds of stuff.
Did I miss something? Let me just say, I fall behind... I get caught up... but I am NOT bored with your reports!! I LOVE THEM. As long as you write I will be subscribed.
I'm still here too! I used to be able to DIS all day at work, but with the new job, I can only check it from my phone at lunch...so I don't post alot. But I'm here following along
Love my KatMark reports
Oh, Kathy, please don't stop with your reports. I can't remember if I have posted on your reports before or not but I love to read them. They are such fun. And I love to see all the pictures as well.
I can say that I am not a big poster to threads. Mostly because I am not a very articulate person. But I do enjoy reading so many.
Thank you for sharing your trips with us.
I do detract a little bit from Fantasmic, just based on the line/mass of humanity to get in there. The show itself though, I love.
Yes, the line can be annoying. We used to do the Fantasmic dinner, but we soon tired of that. We just go in towards the end and pray for a seat.
As for Illuminations, I like it, but I can also understand why someone wouldn't enjoy it. I feel like it is a little overrated. It's probably my least favorite evening show. If they'd get rid of the slow parts in the middle of the show I think it would be a lot better. It's 2013, we as a society don't have long enough attention spans for that spinning globe anymore!
Well, Kathy I am still here In fact, I think many of us are. Since you are my Dis friend..it is imperative you keep up the wonderful TRs!!!!!!!!!
I have noticed this too! Kathy needs a big ole' Quality not quanity...and we all rock here!!!
Yay, I was only one update behind. I thought I would be much further behind.
Nope...I only got one in while you were gone.
First of all, Congratulations to Mark on his new job.
Isn't it awesome? I'm so happy for him.
I have not been over to the West side of Disney since 2010. Splitsville sounds interesting and we may have to check it out in October.
Mark and I may check it out in August.
I love all of the Christmas decorations at DTD. Mom and I were there after dark and we missed a lot of them. Those Santa Mickey topiaries are really cute.
You'll have to try to get back for the decorations in the daylight...so pretty.
You had some great luck on the buses from DTD. Last week it took me an hour from DTD to ASMu.
Kathy, don't stop writing the trip reports. I often wonder if I still have readers because my reports drag out so very long...as in almost a year long. I bet if you looked at the number of hits on your report, you'll see that you do, indeed, still have readers.
To be so old, you're a lot more agile than I thought you would be.
Oh, the funny man decided to show up again.
You guys stopped? For an adult beverage??? You mean something more adult than coffee at Starbucks???
There are few things that mean more to me than my Starbucks...a good alcoholic beverage is one of them.
That Bailey's shake does look yummy!!!
My dear, trust me...it is.
Well of course! I'm a big Goofy fan remember???
Probably because you have so much in common.
Okay, I agree with your earlier comment about Epcot not being much different when it comes to decorations. They are there, it just seems more spread out and you have to really look for them at times! Maybe because those two parks are so spread out with lots of open space.
I guess it is becasue not knowing if we'd ever get back (who knew I'd have a trip for December already booked again) that I watched for the decorations.
Congrats to Mark!!! All his hard work is starting to pay off!!!
Thanks, Marv. We are so happy for him.
Right up your, uh, ALLEY???
Glad to see you give equal opportunity grief.
(sorry it was just sitting there, I HAD to do it!!)
I don't know who "you know who" is, but I for one am completely caught up again!!!
Nope...you're not.
(unlike you know WHO!!!)
Don't you start on my girl!
No pre-trip reports for me! That just means people will be expecting me to start a trip report when I return.........and FINISH it!!!
so happy for Mark! what a wonderful opportunity for him!
love all your DTD photos! seeing all the decorations makes me so happy!
Congratulations to Mark! From the pictures you've posted in the past I can see that he's a really outgoing coach, so I know that he'll be great at it.
I'm glad you guys went to Cape May Cafe. I've never been, but I have a sister who swears by it.
Im still reading as well.
Posting now thats gotten to be harder the past ten days or so.
Thank you, sir. I certainly understand; until recently I was behind on everyone's TR's myself.
This working for a living thing is really a pain in the..
Now if I could land a job doing something I absolutely love to do.
Say like the guy in this random story I ran across:
It blows, doesn't it. I think we all need to win the lotto. Oops...reminds me I didn't check Wednesday night's ticket. I may already be a millionaire and don't know it.
Huge Congratulations to Mark and the whole family.
Dedication and passion pay off. I hope someday to see my boy doing what he loves. Thats the real win in raising youngens; seeing them strive and succeed, follow their dreams, and even survive a few battles along the way. Thats the real pay off.
I couldn't have said it better myself.
Oh and by the way, I enjoyed letting you take us around DTD. Nice pictures and a good choice in beverage consumption may I say.
Have you had the Bailey's milkshake? It is yummy. And Mark loves the beer from that place. Don't ask me the name of it becasue I will butcher it all up.
Well have to see how things go at Fantasmic.
Keep writing, were still here.
Kathy I am still here too! I might not post all that much because life gets in the way sometimes, but I still read. Please keep posting.
Kathy I am so far behind I had to resort to using your chapter links. So pardon my seemingly random comments
You may go in any order you like.
I love how Spaceship earth caught Marks' hat. SO FUNNY! it just really works! Can you believe I have never yet riddent SSE? For sure next month!!
You've never ridden SSE? Seriously? You need to rectify that for sure.
The photos of all of you in front of Epcot are
great - front and back! It just really shows the joy you all have in Disney & in each other. You definitely need a new digital photo frame for all these goodies!
Thanks. I was happy with them.
I may have already commented because I realized that I did read these day 4 updates....sigh...i was really behind till I got to the crabby photopass person, then remembered it all. DOH!
That's funny!
I don't blame you a bit for offering the seats at the Christmas parade to the nice people & not the pushy ones. I would have done the same thing. how funny that the polite kids' & their families lived so close to you.
I love the Christmas parade photos -- but was it warm? I feel like some of those castmembers must have been roasting in those costumes!
It was 82 during the day, and it was probably right around 73 at night...I imagine some would be very warm; just like they are probably really hot during the summer months.
LOL --- if you had to get mad a Des for something, I guess the bill is the best thing ROFL - that breakfast menu at WPE looks yummy. and the breakfast pizza...oh myyyyy
Andy really liked his pizza.
I know I said it on FB but it's worth repeating WAHOOOOOO on your clean bill of health Kathy! that is something that never gets old
Thank you...every year it is such a relief to get the good news.
WOW You got the cowboy version of TGMR? I have only heard about it, never saw pictures. How exciting! I just love how they replicate the Wizard of Oz. THe sets are so good! Are you going to see the new Disney OZ movie this weekend? We won't go for opening weekend, but its definitely a movie that all 3 of us want to see. I hope we make it!
I'm not sure if we're going to see the movie. The Wizard of Oz is one of my all-time favorites and I'm not sure how I feel about them messing with it.
Alisha does look like a natural holding her cousin's baby. Mark's response is hilarious!
My son should have been a stand up comedian!
I've never been to the west end of DTD -- that Candy Cauldron looks dangerous!
It is dangerous...and we only visit it every other trip because of it.
and I love your & Marks "I'll be your Mickey" and "I'll be your Minnie" shirts. How many Mickey shirts do you own? I think you even have my BFF Lesley beat.
I don't have a total count, but I know I have two dresser drawers filled with them, plus the holiday ones are in a container in my closet and I have three long-sleeved ones hanging up in the closet.
I noticed in Day 5 that the main street of DHS was not lit up -- do they not have the Osborne lights lit every night? are there only special nights when you can see them?
Very nice write up in the paper for Mark!
Thank you.
I can't believe there was noone in line at TSM. Guess an end of night ride may be a good option.
Yes, I'm thinking that is the way to do it, except we are usually out of the Studios by 2 p.m.
Getting awesome photos at Fantasmic has always been difficult for me. Got a new camera from DH for Christmas this year. Sure hope to get some nice photos this summer.
I'm putting a new camera on my Christmas list for Santa this year.
What are your August dates? After getting my vacation request slips back from work, looks like I will be there with DS July 25th-August 1st (or the 30th to the 6th) and again with DD August 25-31 (that date is for sure). Would love to "run into" you!
This was one of Claire's new favorites. We only rode it one other time a few years ago, but I think we got 3 or 4 rides this year and she LOVED it. It was one ride she would even wait in a long line for.
Kathy, Whar a great article about Mark! Love the photos!
Great pix of Des and Fantasmic !!! Way to go Des beating them all!! The write up for Marks new position was Fantastic or Fantasmic !!!!
First, what a wonderful write-up on Mark. I know that you are a very very proud parent as well you should be.
I'm so glad that Des enjoyed Fantasmic and I bet Andy was too because he got a smooch out of it.
All caught up!
Congrats to Mark! What a great opportunity for him and his bride must be so excited!!
Fantasmic is amazing and I'm glad Des enjoyed it so much!
Des came in first & it was her first time??? You go girl!!
What a great article on Mark. So great!!
So happy Des liked Fantasmic! It's something Mackie and I neither one have seen, we think we'll try to squeeze in this trip.
You have not seen Fantasmic either? Get with it...and do it!
I'm so happy for Mark!! He must be flying high right about now with his new bride to be and this new job!! God is good.
He is; he told me yesterday he still pinches himself to be sure he's nto dreaming.
Hope you aren't mad that I haven't been getting over here as often as I could have. It's been a rough couple of weeks. Yesterday I sat down for the first time in three weeks and just cried because I haven't really allowed myself to do that. I think part of why I cried was due to not having to go anywhere for a while. Well, I lied.... I had a physical therapy appt. yesterday and then tomorrow I have a haircut appt., but those are appts. I want to go to.
I had to start the p.t. again for tennis elbow and knee issues again.
I was starting to feel a little discouraged about returning to p.t. again and my p.t. said..."No, you're an athlete now, it's what athletes do. They do their thing and get hurt in the process, you have to start thinking like one and taking care of yourself like one."
Who knew?!? I neeeever would have thought of myself as an athlete, EVER! But it makes sense for as much as I've been doing over the last two years to get in shape.
Don't even think that. You have had your hands full with your mom and I totally understand (having been through it myself). A good cry is good for the soul...turst me. And doing things for yourself is totally different and, of course, you want to do them.
Hope your new trip planning is coming along nicely! Ours will be here before you know it!!! Doing the photopass, you convinced me after this TR.
Yay for Des loving Fantasmic! And doing the best on TSM, on her first try!
The article on Mark is very nice. Nice of your friend to write it up.
That's a great article. Very nice! Congrats again.
Thanks, MEK. It was a nice surprise when I saw it posted.
So Des was the high scorer? That's pretty cool! Beginner's luck? Whatever it was I'm sure it will keep her coming back!
Either beginner's luck or all of our machines were broke. Yes, she went back last month with her cousin and she won again.
So glad everyone enjoyed Fantasmic.
What a great article about Mark. You must be so proud of him and it feels so good when aour kids are on a positive track and we don't have to worry so much about them. I don't know about you but I always worry a bit anyway.
Oh...I so hear what you are saying. We are extremely proud that he is doing so well in his young adulthood. And yes...we continue to worry about them anyway (when I know he is driving a distance for a wrestling tournament, I still make him text me so I know he got there safely).
I have no good pictures of fantasmic either but glad you all enjoyed it. It is not my favorite as I love wishes and like illuminations.
I'm so glad that Des enjoyed Fantasmic! We've never done it either, by that time of night we're usually not in the mood to stand in line to see a show. This time I've wised up and booked the F! lunch package. At least we know we'll have a place to sit. Maddie watched a video of it and declared that we "need to see that show EVERY SINGLE NIGHT!" Needless to say she's excited.
I can't believe how many people haven't seen it. And I'm so glad you booked a Fantasmic dinner. Maddie is going to LOVE it.
Yay Des! I can't believe she'd never done TSMM either!
There are so many things at Disney she hasn't done and she goes every year. But her family does not tour the parks the way we do and usually only go to one or two parks each trip.
Great article about Mark. Sounds like everything is really coming together for him
Hi Kathy! All caught up after yet another move! Please keep writing, I'm actually almost keeping up this time!
Thanks, Tammie; you've done a great job of keeping up.
Loved the DTD pics! We own at SSR and love taking that walk to DTD - I would like to find the boat dock and get a ride sometimes, but we still haven't found it. Loved the feathered Minnie ears!
Now that you mention it, I've only seen the boat dock at SSR as we went by it on the way from OKW on the boat; I've never seen it when we toured SSR. Weren't those ears adorable? If headbands didn't bother me, I would have bought a pari.
I'm glad Dez loved Fantasmic - she is so cute!
She is cute...and silly.
Congrats to Mark! What a great article, too!
Hi Kathy
I'm reading along as well - but don't comment much sorry. Loving your trip reports so please keep going.
You guys crack me up with the hats etc - you have so much fun.
Take care
That big white boat full of characters makes me so happy! On this coming trip, we have only one day planned for Hollywood Studios. (My friend will probably not be getting the hopper, so it will be one park per day.) The only thing that will alter the schedule that I have planned will be if the weather looks like it will keep Fantasmic from showing. If that happens, I will be replanning, because we have to see Fantasmic!
Hi Kathy, Not sure if I congratulated Mark on facebook but figured I would do it again here. That is a terrific opportunity for one so young. Loving the updates also! Elaine
Really glad to see that Des enjoyed Fantasmic so much. And she crushed it on TSM!
She sure did...and I can't believe she crushed us all.
Nice article on Mark! So great that he got the opportunity.
Yay for Fantasmic. I love Des' princess crown. It's so hard to get good photos of Fantasmic since the stage is so far away. You got some good ones.
That's funny that Des got the highest score on TSM.
Good job to Des on beating you all at TSM on her first try! I like the picture she took under Andy's name.
someone finally noticed that Des was standing under Andy's name. Great job, Mel.
Lucky Andy, getting rewarded for bringing her to Fantasmic.
Great article about Mark! Nice work
Thank you. He's had a great run in wrestling.
I've never done Fantasmic either now I kinda wanna go....HRH can't do the stimulation..once she's a bit older. We can do fireworks finally
Glad that Des liked Fantasmic, such a cute show! Your pictures came out great, I can never get good pictures there!
I had forgotten before we went that they changed it a bit and I really enjoyed the changes. It's so hard if you aren't close up to get good pictures.
Yay, Toy Story Mania! Impressive that Des won, and she's never been on it! I'm not very good at it, my arm gets so tired by the end!
Yep, I AM!!!I don't know who "you know who" is, but I for one am completely caught up again!!!
Nope...you're not.
Just getting caught up from being sick. I was so far behind! We didn't do Fantasmic. We just may have to fit it in this trip. The last trip I was reading that it might be a little scarey with little kids. Now that Gavin and Brenda are 5 and 7 I don't think anything REALLY scares them!
That is a great write up! You must be one proud mom right now!!!
great article written about Mark
you got some good photos of Fantasmic! Des does look like she really enjoyed it! beginers luck on TSM for her too
Some nice Fantasmic pictures! Been a while since I stayed late enough at DHS to go to Fantasmic! Maybe the next time I make it back! Glad Des just got to sit back and enjoy it instead of focusing on also trying to take pictures! Sometimes you just have to forget about pictures and make memories instead!
I'm glad Des just took it all in too....at least her first time.
And on her great score for her first attempt at TSMM!!!
She did awesome...which didn't please Andy.
What a great article about Mark! Based on him being yours we all feel like he is also "ours", so it is great you shared the article because that lets us feel proud for him right along with you!
finally all caught up!
Hi, Ali; we've missed you. Sorry you are still having computer isseus.
I share your sentiments about the new Photobucket! It's just downright awful.
Awful is a polite word.
CONGRATS on being cancer-free!!!!
Thank you.
your breakfast at Wolfgang's looked so good! But if you thought it was just OK, I think we'll stick with EoS!
I didn't know they had breakfast at EOS...fill me in.
It's funny that you mentioned how many things Des never did in all her trips to WDW! We had that same thing in July with my cousins! They've both been multiple times and never did HALF the things we accomplished! It's such a great feeling to share it all and I love the expression on people's faces when they see something they've never done before!
It is fun to see their expressions...it's all part of what attracts us to Disney.
What a nice little article about Markie!
Yep, I AM!!!
I'm glad Des enjoyed F! Can you believe I still have never seen it?? I haven't seen Illuminations either And I have no plans to see either one this next trip....I guess I'm just a Wishes girl In fact, I have never seen any show at Hollywood Studios. B&TB just doesn't appeal to me because you have to sit outside in the heat. And same goes for the stunt show. Little Mermaid, we just always hit wrong and I refuse to stand and wait for that one. HS is my least favorite park, so we usually just spend a half day there. I guess we are always elsewhere when it's F! time. Maybe someday...
Great article about Mark! I know you're so proud of both your boys, Kathy!
So great that Des loved F! How could she not? It's my favorite!