Oh the places We Go, The People We see

[jenseib]

Illuminations!!!!
I'm going to let you in on a secret. I like Illuminations, but I don't LOVE it like many people do. I also don't love Wishes. Ok stop throwing things at me!!!
I like them but they are not must sees. I do enjoy them when I see them though.
Here are a few of the pictures I took of the show this evening. We were under a tree, so it made it hard to get some photos and of course, without a tripod you cant get decent ones anyways.











After the big finale we all talked some more. I had a little gift for Juliana and I gave that to her and she opened the bag and checked out her goods. Claire and she seemed to be kind of at least interacting a bit. That was a nice change.

Tim then told me a bit of big news. Mel was pregnant with their 3rd child. I felt so privileged to have some inside info. I want to congratulate the happy family who recently gave birth to Gabriella! She's a real cutie! And he is a very busy dad these days too.

We then decided it was time to get a picture. We had his mom take them and it did take her a few minutes to get the hang of my camera, but she did a good job!



Juliana started playing with some things from her bag and she invited Claire to play along. It was so nice to see them getting along so well.



What was also nice is that Claire wasn't bugging me about leaving. She was having too much fun.

I think we chatted for about 20 minutes or so and then we decided it was time to get heading out. Epcot was thinning out fast. The girls didnt want to leave, which was a nice change, but they did come along and we all said goodbyes.

I was really happy to meet Tim. I have been following his TR's for a few years and we have been at Disney at different times, but sometimes only missing each other by a few days. He was one of those people I had on my bucket list to meet. He's a super nice guy and has a great family.

Claire and I then headed towards our backdoor exit.





We stopped and sat on a bench as I was going to call Skip again. We noticed fireworks in the distance. At first I wondered if they were MK fireworks, but the timing was not right and then I wasn't sure if that was even the right direction. Then I figured it might be something from Fantasmic. I have never seen it myself, so I wasn't sure. It was actually today while editing these pictures that I realized Hollywood Studios had closed that day at 4Pm for a private event. I bet these fireworks were something for that event.







I took a few pictures of the window nearby too. So cute!



I was excited to see Christmas décor at Epcot as well.



We both talked to Skip a bit. Claire is a daddy's girl and she was missing her Dad. Thank goodness we didn't have any major issues. Over the past 2 years she has come home from a few overnight stays around 11 PM because she can't sleep without Daddy's kiss. I've kissed the guy a time or 2 and I dont think it is THAT special. LOL



We then headed back to the Beach Club. I tried calling my parents again. I had not gotten any response from them at all and I wanted to be sure they knew which room we were in. It went to voicemail once again. I then called Geoff and asked if he had seen them. Yes he had and they were dropped off at our hotel quite a while ago after dinner. Ok, then. I am assuming they got my messages and were in the room.

We made the trek back to the room and sure enough they were there. Dad was watching tv and mom was sleeping. Mom wasn't feeling the greatest either. She was pretty sure she had a sinus infection.
I got Claire ready for bed and then myself. Now this is embarrassing. I took my jeans off and noticed a tag. You know the kind that has the size that is kind of sewn on the waist band or pocket. These jeans were new and I guess I missed taking that off. Oops. Hopefully my shirt and jacket had covered that up all night long. Thank goodness I didnt have the tape thing that runs down the leg with your size on it left on there. That would've been way more embarrassing.

I settled in bed and surfed facebook for a bit while Dad watched TV till late in the night. Well actually he falls asleep while watching it. I think I took over the remote to turn it off at some point in time.

It was a very long day, but we had so much fun. We woke up on a ship and now are back to another resort, my 5th pillow of the trip. Oh the Places We Go!
We met up with Tim, Juliana, and Tims Mom. It was a wonderful meet and it made my day. Oh the People We Meet!
We had another busy day coming up and I soon drifted off to sleep.

 

[MEK]

Caught up again!

I just love the AK Christmas parade. I think its my all time fav and I really enjoyed seeing your pics.

Hmmm- wonder why you never got a text about your ready room.

I guess the end of F&W is NOT the best time to go to Epcot. I remember it being pretty darn crowded there in late September on a Sat night.

Great princess pics of Claire. She really is starting to look grown-up. I love her outfit.

What? No spaceship earth pictures? I take them every time I go simply so I can post them, but sometimes it is nice just to enjoy the ride and not worry about camera settings.

 

[MEK]

Wait - now I'm really caught up!

Yeah for a DIS meet for Illuminations!

I love that shot on the way out - very nice! And the windows - just perfect.

Too funny about leaving the tag on your pants. totally something I would do!

 

[jenseib]

Caught up again!

I just love the AK Christmas parade. I think its my all time fav and I really enjoyed seeing your pics.

Hmmm- wonder why you never got a text about your ready room.

I guess the end of F&W is NOT the best time to go to Epcot. I remember it being pretty darn crowded there in late September on a Sat night.

Great princess pics of Claire. She really is starting to look grown-up. I love her outfit.

What? No spaceship earth pictures? I take them every time I go simply so I can post them, but sometimes it is nice just to enjoy the ride and not worry about camera settings.

I took a few, but they just weren't great. The lens I had on isn't really good for dark pictures....and honestly I have edited so many dang pictures lately, I just didn't feel like doing those.

Claire is really growing up. I keep telling her to stop and she gives me the evil eye. It won't be long and she wil lbe taller than me. Which is her goal right now.

Wait - now I'm really caught up!

Yeah for a DIS meet for Illuminations!

I love that shot on the way out - very nice! And the windows - just perfect.

Too funny about leaving the tag on your pants. totally something I would do!

I slipped another one in there!
I couldn't believe I had been walking around with the stupid tag on my pants for hours.

 

[Lovemy3babes]

First off I have to say that Claire seriously has the prettiest blue eyes! I noticed that in your photos today. She's a doll!

I think your Cinderella is very pretty! Your fireworks photos are awesome Jen! I won't say anything to you about not digging the fireworks if you don't say anything to me about not liking the parades. Shame, shame I know!

 

[KatMark]

Great Illimunations pictures; we never stay fo rit as it is our least favorite show, but your pictures turned out great. And how fun that Juliana and Claire hit it off. And good to see you got "proof" that you and Tim met up.

 

[JKSWonder]

Illuminations has never been our thing either. DS has never seen it though, so we are going to honor his request to see the show this time.

Usually, both kids have never been ok with the load bangs that go along with fireworks. I guess they are getting better with that now.

 

[ilovedevin]

I love love love Claires last dress it is so cute. That's what suck's about having boys no cute clothes like they have for girls.

 

[AquaDame]

We noticed fireworks in the distance. At first I wondered if they were MK fireworks, but the timing was not right and then I wasn't sure if that was even the right direction. Then I figured it might be something from Fantasmic. I have never seen it myself, so I wasn't sure. It was actually today while editing these pictures that I realized Hollywood Studios had closed that day at 4Pm for a private event. I bet these fireworks were something for that event.

If they went off around 10pm and were fairly short it might have been the start of the marathon! They blast a few off at the beginning for the runners - I am completely lost as to what day you are on though..!

I was one of those runners keeping you awake... sorry Jen!

 

[jenseib]

First off I have to say that Claire seriously has the prettiest blue eyes! I noticed that in your photos today. She's a doll!

I think your Cinderella is very pretty! Your fireworks photos are awesome Jen! I won't say anything to you about not digging the fireworks if you don't say anything to me about not liking the parades. Shame, shame I know!

Thanks. She does have beautiful eyes. When light hits a certain way they just sparkle. I am even jealous.
Thats ok, I know not everyone digs the parades ...they are wrong btw!

Great Illimunations pictures; we never stay fo rit as it is our least favorite show, but your pictures turned out great. And how fun that Juliana and Claire hit it off. And good to see you got "proof" that you and Tim met up.

I don't mind seeing it, but it's not a must do for us. We actually only started watching Illuminations on our 2011 trip. Skip has yet to see them. I know many years we saw it, or whatever they had back then in the late 90s when I took the older 2 but it was different.
It was a great meet up with Tim. He's such a nice guy.

Illuminations has never been our thing either. DS has never seen it though, so we are going to honor his request to see the show this time.

Usually, both kids have never been ok with the load bangs that go along with fireworks. I guess they are getting better with that now.

It is nice to at least see it once. Claire has always been ok with the loud bangs, but Alexis used to cry and cry as a child on 4th of July.

I love love love Claires last dress it is so cute. That's what suck's about having boys no cute clothes like they have for girls.

Thanks. That was a borrowed outfit from Janet (mom2rtk). I really socred with all the things she loaned me.
Not all girls like to dress up though. My oldest DD, Paige, was a jeans shorts and tee kind of kid. I tried and tried. now at almost 21 she likes to dress up though.

If they went off around 10pm and were fairly short it might have been the start of the marathon! They blast a few off at the beginning for the runners - I am completely lost as to what day you are on though..!

I was one of those runners keeping you awake... sorry Jen!

This was the 8th. I don't think there was a race this day, but i could be wrong. It was around 9:30. I know on the 10th we heard a race and it was LOUD. I can't remember if there were fireworks off the top of my head (though I know once night we did watch random ones go off it was the 9th or 10th) but the DJ or announcer guy was so loud and lots of music playing and we could hear people cheering. I checked twice to see if our sliding door was truly shut tight because it was so loud.

 

[dizneeat]

All caught up, Jennifer. I love that you got to see the Christmas Parade at AK. It is really neat and then going to Epcot to meet Tim and his family! Great day is all I can say.

 

[jenseib]

All caught up, Jennifer. I love that you got to see the Christmas Parade at AK. It is really neat and then going to Epcot to meet Tim and his family! Great day is all I can say.

I heard you snuck off again. Lucky you.

 

[jenseib]

Nov. 9, 2012, Friday, Day 9

I woke around 6ish this morning. I just can’t sleep in while at Disney. I took a quick walk outside and took some pictures with my point and shoot, but it was still fairly dark and they all came out really blurry.
I then took a shower and got myself started for the day. I left the makeup for later and went out to find the laundry facilities and started a load.

By then it was about 7:30 and I went out for a stroll while the others slept. I am pretty sure Mom had gotten up, but she might’ve went back to bed for a bit.

I then went for another walk to take some pictures.



Awww. Some Duckies.









This is the Villa pool.









I headed back to the room and took care of the laundry and then got Claire up and ready to go. My parents aren’t ones who get up and go early and they kind of slow us down at times. Claire is not an early riser at all, but we only have so much time and we really needed to be on our way.

We got a few texts. Rob was sick. So sick he was staying in the room and Gail was going off on her own with the girls. She had a reservation at Hollywood and Vine that morning and was headed off. Gails phone also stopped charging she had noticed when she got off the ship, so if we needed to contact her, she was carrying Robs phone. Her phone would only work if it was actually plugged into the charger, but would not charge. (Ironically when she got home it worked fine, but Rob bought her a new iPhone for her b-day in Dec.)

By 8:50 we were heading down to get some breakfast.



By 9 we had it and found a table outside to sit at.

I got the breakfast sandwich and potatoes, as did Mom.



I think Mom got this for Dad.



Now Claire will not eat any of this except for bacon and I don’t have a picture, but I am thinking we got her a muffin to eat.

The view from our table.



I think Dad forgot his hat and had to go back and get it. We weren’t going to wait though. I told my parents how to get to Hollywood Studios and Claire and I headed off.



Of course the friendship boat was leaving just as we walked up.



We waited around a bit.









I am not known for patience and I didn’t see a boat anywhere close to coming so we decided to walk.

 

[jenseib]

The nice thing about walking was we got some nice views of the Boardwalk and the Swan and Dolphin.






















Oh look! We could see Tower of Terror peeking over the trees.





Let me just say this walk is NOT short. I knew it was probably kind of long, but it was even longer than I thought. But we did walk fairly fast and I felt better actually moving than waiting for a friendship boat.

Look!!!!! The tree is up there too!



And as we got closer we could see ToT peeking some more.





Of course I took a ton of pictures of the tree.





And then I told Claire to go stand in front of it.



Look how huge it is. The ornaments are as big as her head.



I was just loving all the Christmas décor!




We had entered the park about 9:45. A little later than I had hoped, but still not too bad.

 

[KatMark]

Great update, Jen. LOVE the pictures around the Beach Club and then the Boardwalk, Swan and Dolphin. We never walked it, but it sure looked like a long walk. But I'm with you...I get impatient waiting.

Wasn't that tree huge at the Studios? I couldn't believe how big it was.

 

[jenseib]

Great update, Jen. LOVE the pictures around the Beach Club and then the Boardwalk, Swan and Dolphin. We never walked it, but it sure looked like a long walk. But I'm with you...I get impatient waiting.

Wasn't that tree huge at the Studios? I couldn't believe how big it was.

It is a long walk, but it's doable. I am glad we did it so I could see the views that we did and a new experience for us.

That ree was huge, but did you notice it had a lean to it too. I was surprised. Maybe they went back after we left and straightened it, but when I took pics if I got the tree in the camera straightm the the ground was tilted or vice versa.

 

[MEK]

I love the walk to Hollywood Studios (when it's not blazing hot out) and it looks like you had a gorgeous day to do a little sight seeing.

I am always amazed how big that Christmas tree. It just towers over everything. Wouldn't you just love to see how they put that thing up?

Claire's outfit looks really cute.

Beautiful pics.

 

[JKSWonder]

We will be staying at the Beach Club end of August. It will be our first visit there.

Normally, I wouldn't not mind the 20 or so minute walk to Hollywood Studios, but given it will August and likely blazing hot, I think I will be a boat waiting kind of a girl this trip.

 

[jenseib]

I love the walk to Hollywood Studios (when it's not blazing hot out) and it looks like you had a gorgeous day to do a little sight seeing.

I am always amazed how big that Christmas tree. It just towers over everything. Wouldn't you just love to see how they put that thing up?

Claire's outfit looks really cute.

Beautiful pics.

I ordered that outfit and worried it would come. the girl said a certain amount of weeks and that came and went and she wasn't responding. Basically after i said I was filing a claim with my credit card company did she start answering and sent it. I will never order from her again. it's very cute but she kind had weird seams that a professional shouldn't do.
I can imagine on a hot day that would not be a great walk. It was nice. We were wearing sweatshirt and just comfortable.

We will be staying at the Beach Club end of August. It will be our first visit there.

Normally, I wouldn't not mind the 20 or so minute walk to Hollywood Studios, but given it will August and likely blazing hot, I think I will be a boat waiting kind of a girl this trip.

Yes, when I stayed at YC in Aug it was HOT! Even at 11 PM. the walk to Epcot was a scorcher too.

 

[scottny]

Nice pics with Belle.
I love Epcot lit up at night.
It is so great when you can meet someone from here that you have chatting with for so long.

I've kissed the guy a time or 2 and I dont think it is THAT special. LOL

That cracked me up.
I have that fear of the tape tag being left on my pants. I hate it. LOL
Early morning and late night resort walks are the best.
I love seeing the Christmas décor.
All caught up again.