It's gonna take a lot to take me away from this view! 7/10 - Finished!

[teekathepony]

Great update! Via Napoli has always slipped off my list too, but now I am thinking it will have to be a must do... Looks yummy!

Ouch... Hope you make it!

Now that I've actually been there, I have to say don't let it slip off your list next time! Haha well worth it.

THAT IS AWESOME!!!

I can so relate to the accidental yearly trips.

People have asked me "Do you go to Disney every year?" and I answer

"Well, we don't mean to, but..."
Exactly our answer too! Hahaha!

I love your Disney GIFs, but reading your update I was picturing something from The Godfather

"The Family made us an offer we couldn't refuse!"
I almost choked on my food, haha tooooo funny, I had to read that to Johnny in my best Godfather voice.

YAY!!!

Great picture!

Wow, that is quite an impressive endorsement for the pizza. I really must put Via Napoli on my list. For the pizza. (not the hot waiters everyone talks about)
Oh yes, the waiter- I mean the pizza was fantastic!

I love the picture of Johnny texting his mom about the meal.

The photopass pictures of the two of you in France are very nice.
Thanks

Sorry to hear about your contacts. I know from personal experience with Ben how annoying and distracting eye discomfort at Disney can be!

I think you will be able to make it There and Back Again to retrieve your glasses and salvage the evening.

Ahh we shall see! It's a funny tale and I have it ready for tonight or tomorrow.

 

[teekathepony]

I have not seen Saving Mr. Banks (but I will I swear!!!), but I did finally see Frozen, so that's something... right??!!
I'll give you something for that, since I haven't seen Frozen yet (I've been trying though! We're going to try again this weekend!)

Haha, so funny that I always take a picture of that Lion thing. Since a top notch shutterbug like yourself took it, I feel good about my eye for photo ops.
Great minds think alike

Don't feel bad about this being your first Via Napoli visit. It is still "relatively" new and I've never been there either. But I think I need to try this Pizza.
I think you need to try the pizza too. It's droolable.

I did, however, spend some time last trip nearby and the CM's there were wonderful!!! Truly wonderful.

Ahh I love the boats in the "canal".

Hahaha, dueling cameras.

I have to admit, I have never once gotten homesick in Disney. I do, however, get home sick FOR Disney when I'm in Halifax. Like right now.
Yes I get that too, but I will admit to getting very home sick near the end of every trip!

WHAT??!! I did not know there was Tim Horton's stuff in the store. WOW!!
I wanted to buy some just to say I did! (but I didn't, because that would be a waste of suitcase space...)

Love your pictures in and around the Italy Pavilion!
Thank you!

And looking at your pictures from Via Napoli I am getting very excited for our, yes, first visit to the restaurant for our upcoming trip! For some reason every trip I have had an ADR for Via Napoli that's been cancelled at the last minute for various reasons. Here's to hoping it will stick this time!
I really hope for you guys that it will stick this trip because it's really, really, really good!!

We are going to Via Napoli for the first time in Feb. So excited!! I am like Johnny and could eat pizza for every meal.

Well I do hope you'll be just as impressed as he was!~

Via Napoli was one of our ADR's in 2012 but we cancelled that day for some reason. It's on the short list for John and I.

You should give it a 5 star priority rating.

Another trip!!! Woohoo!! That is so exciting.
I'm very excited! It's nice to have something on the horizon.

I have done the same thing as you with Via Napoli - it makes my short list every trip, but has so far always ended up getting the axe. I'm glad that you guys enjoyed it so much.
Now looking back I can't remember why it ever got cut!

Your pictures from the WS are gorgeous as usual!
Thanks

 

[teekathepony]

I am here, late late late but here! Now to catch up...

Cynthia! So glad to see you! Not too late at all, I'm still on day 1

I wore contacts for the first time on our honeymoon trip. Actually, got them for our wedding. But it was always in the back of my mind something like this would happen. Since I was still a newb at wearing contacts, I carried an extra set with me throughout the day, just in case.
I never want to carry anything with me, but from now on I'll probably carry either an extra set or my glasses too!

Via Napoli would always get bumped for us too. We finally scheduled a beer paring lunch during F&W on our engagement trip. We just love it so much. And have been back every trip since!
I can definitely see us going back too, already Johnny is requesting it for September!

Via Napoli is delicious and those waiters are worth it. I'm so glad I had Lasik done so I don't have to worry about the inevitable contact issues. I feel you pain...I've had many a contact tear and it is horrible!

Jill in CO

I was soooo happy we finally got to Via!
I've often thought about Lasik, but to be honest I really like my glasses! I still debate it every once and a while though. You know, like that night in Epcot!

I'm sorry to read that you were having issues with your contact, but it totally made me write a note in my Disney Reminder Journal (yes I have to keep a journal to remember things) that DH needs to make sure he either brings his glasses with us each day or a spare pair of contacts just in case he has an issue with the ones he is wearing. If he doesn't have contact lenses or glasses he is blind as a bat, and since we are staying off-site this time might not be so easy to run back to the hotel to get an extra pair!

Enjoying your TR!

Ohhh yes, if we were off site I would have just had to go blind too! Good thing to write down.

We got to eat at Via Napoli for the first time ourselves this trip. Loved it. The pizza was awesome. I had always said the one thing WDW really lacked was a good pizza joint. Of course I wouldn't exactly call this Via Napoli a "joint" but at least it beats the generic pizza that is served up around the WDW CS eateries.

We're in that weird minority that love the Disney pizza, but absolutely nothing compares to that Via pizza! Yum!

 

[geckodani]

Ah! Contact issues are the worst! I carry a spare in my purse with me. I also can't stand my glasses, so there's that.

Via Napoli... I now have the urge to add that to my list!

 

[teekathepony]

Oh NO! Your poor eye! That stinks. I suspect that you do rush out and come back, but what a pain.
I've had daily contacts that lasted better than those, I don't know if I just had a dud or what, but it sure was a pain!

I love the film in Canada. I always want to plan a trip there the second its over.
Come to the east coast, we'll take good care of you!

I absolutely love all your post dinner pictures - they are awesome.
Thanks

I love Via. I could seriously eat there every trip. I have not had a bad meal yet and, I agree, the pizza is freaking awesome!!!!!!
I'm definitely going to go back, it was deee-lish!

Sorry you could not fully enjoy your dinner. I hope you stay well for a little while yet.
Oh I enjoyed dinner ok, just couldn't figure out why I had no appetite! lol, nothing hit me until much later.

UGH on 3 legs to get there, that is no fun at all! I always think I am far away but...ugh.
Ugh just about sums it up perfectly.



Wow, wow and WOW!



Yikes, I hope they were interesting videos at least



That is the biggest drawback to AKL...it really is far away. So lovely and so much right there that it can be ok but it's not a short trip anywhere. Then again, if you are there on a non park trip, it's pretty perfect!
We were surprised because Pop Century never seemed that far away to us. But so worth it though!



I love that SE shot with the fountain, gorgeous. Very cute picture of the 2 of you!!! I really should have "made" Jeff get more couple only pictures, we've a shocking lack of them...as usual.
Thank you!
I have so many couple shots because that's how we always travel, but the very few group shots I have I cherish!







For someone who loses interest, you have some amazing shots! I do know what you mean and it's not even my job, or close to it. I brought the good camera and 90% of my photos are...taken from my phone.
Thanks! I used my phone a lot too, sometimes I just want to enjoy my vacation!

I'm with Johnny on Sunshine Seasons though I know I am in the minority. You did so many things in Epcot that we missed entirely! Hoping to rectify some of that in May but I love seeing it all as it gives me things to look forward to.

a Via...yes, yummy on EVERY level.



Off site can be wonderful and that's a great time of year for it. Plus exploring outside of the world is not a bad thing...makes you appreciate it more (if you ask me). The teens might differ a bit on the ride side but...
It's going to be different for sure. I'm excited to give it a try!


Oh that is the WORST feeling! I take it your eyes are too bad to be able to manage with just one? I remember having to do that many times, just toss the ripped one in the trash. While I miss contacts for the pure vanity/aesthetics reasons...I do not miss that aspect of them at all.
Yup, I'm quite bad without them. I mean, I could function a little, I wouldn't bang into things, but it wouldn't be worth staying for the fireworks!

Ah! Contact issues are the worst! I carry a spare in my purse with me. I also can't stand my glasses, so there's that.

Via Napoli... I now have the urge to add that to my list!

I love my glasses mostly, but when I'm in the bright sun all the time I'd rather have sunglasses on over my contacts, so much easier (unless one disintegrates in your eye!! )

 

[PopArtGal]

I didn't realize they were selling Tim' coffee in the gift shop now.

 

[amazingact21]

Via Napoli is absolutely delicious. One of my favorite restaurants in Disney. And I think I'd have to agree with Johnny. All other pizzas pale in comparison now.

Amazing photos from the Japan pavilion. Can I just say? If I ever won the lottery and became super rich, I think I'd have to offer you a trip to Disney just to be our photographer.


Yikes, not a convenient time to have your contact fall apart. Hopefully, you could get your glasses in time!

 

[teekathepony]

I didn't realize they were selling Tim' coffee in the gift shop now.

I thought that was so cool, finally something typically Canadian in the gift shop!

Via Napoli is absolutely delicious. One of my favorite restaurants in Disney. And I think I'd have to agree with Johnny. All other pizzas pale in comparison now.
It's pretty hard to go back to regular old pizza after that one, that's for sure!

Amazing photos from the Japan pavilion. Can I just say? If I ever won the lottery and became super rich, I think I'd have to offer you a trip to Disney just to be our photographer.
Omg, please win the lottery. I'm absolutely willing to accept that deal.


Yikes, not a convenient time to have your contact fall apart. Hopefully, you could get your glasses in time!
Definitely not! I was wishing I had a spare!

 

[PopArtGal]

I do like the soaps in the gift shop though hehe

 

[teekathepony]

Hi again!

Just popping in to finish off a story I left you all hanging with. I won't waste any time getting to it!

Tuesday, November 12
"The Case of the Disappearing Contact Lens"

I just left you all somewhere around here:

In a perfect world, the plan was to end up in Canada around 7 (Mission: Accomplished.) Then grab our favourite spot for the fireworks and have a seat, get comfy and maybe get some popcorn to wait for IllumiNations.

But ladies and gentlemen, this is not a perfect world.

As you may remember, my left contact was falling apart in my eye. Being a lover of the "No Bag Line", I had no spare contact, nor did I have my glasses. I thought I could wait it out, but I was wrong. I was going to run for the resort.

I took no photos during this time, but I will entertain you with my texts to Johnny. And gifs.

I'm running through Epcot to get to the bus stop. It's 7:00 when I left.

Ok maybe I was power walking. But you get the picture. It took me 12 minutes to get from Canada to the AKL bus stop. Someone more than 5 feet one inch could probably have done it in 9. I got there and was the only person there, making me think a bus had just left. I sat myself down and sent these:

(My phone is showing our home time for some reason, it was 7:13 when I sent them. Also... let's see if my prediction was right!)

Lots of waiting of course.

My notes say the bus left at 7:25, meaning a 12 minute run through Epcot and a 13 minute wait for the bus.

We got to Kidani first at 7:40. I did some more texting and it didn't take too long before we were headed to Jambo, got there at 7:44.

I power walked and broke into the occasional jog. Got to the room, had a lot of trouble getting the contact out and by the time I got it, it was in two pieces. Ripped the other one out, put my glasses on, debated grabbing my tripod but decided against it, sent this as I was on my way, running again.

I made it to the bus stop at 7:50 and sat to wait.

Finally got on the bus. I was the only person on the bus. We didn't wait too long and we were on our way again. [8:04] I was quietly making trip report notes in my phone. The bus driver teased me a few times about being too rowdy and that he was going to have to kick me off the bus. I teased back and we passed the time. When we were pulling up to the bus stop he said "That's it! I've had enough of you! You're getting off at the next stop!" and when we pulled up and he opened the door he said "Now get out and don't be so rowdy!" There was a crowd waiting and they laughed.

I texted Johnny that I was on my way back.

Running back through Epcot!

I made it back at 8:30. An hour and a half to get to the hotel and back. Yikes! In that moment I realized that not all bus service is created equal.

BUT! I was back. I was in time. I could see.

I had no tripod. I decided to balance my camera on the uneven rocks. It worked... ok. Here's what I got:







A little off centered for sure. But I enjoyed the show, and to me that was all that mattered!











Taa daa!

After my insane power walk, my legs were feeling a little wibbly wobbly so we took our good old fashioned time walking out of Epcot. We stopped to look at the sidewalk lights.







When the crowds were mostly gone we headed out. One last picture and then I basically collapsed.



Bus line, short wait, bus, home, and collapse in bed. See you tomorrow!

 

[MEK]

Darn girl - I'm exhausted just thinking about all that rushing around. I'm glad you made it back in time. Illuminations is always worth it!

I think the rocks worked great as a tripod. Nice!

 

[emmysmommy]

Wendy, all that rushing and fretting and you made it!! Whew! It makes your fabulous Illuminations photos that much sweeter. They are incredible! Bummer that you had to even do that side trip.

Going back and catching up from earlier in the day... I'm a big Via Napoli fan but when we were there last month I had no one to share a pizza with so I had to forgo it for the first time! I like the zeppoles but not the chocolate sauce. I'll lick the whip cream dry though.

I loved your photos with all the details from Italy and Morocco. You are a master with your camera!

 

[ZehnJahren]

Wow what an update! SO. MUCH. RUNNING. I can't believe that it took 1 1/2 hours round trip, but at the same time it only took 1 1/2 hours! AKL is the farthest resort, right?

I think this was the day we "passed" each other after Illuminations. I'd watched on the Mexico boat dock with my CM friend and had no idea such drama was unfolding across the lagoon! lol!

I'm definitely looking forward to having a car this trip and not have to worry about buses. It makes me a little crazy too because I'm afraid it will get dinged up, but that is so rare and I have insurance through both my credit card and my regular car insurance.

Anyway, so glad that you made it back! What a great story!

 

[PopArtGal]

Wow! You're a trooper.

I'd have stayed at the hotel after seeing it was taking me that long hehe

 

[JulieODC]

Whoa, craziness!!

We discovered the sidewalk lights for the first time on our trip in November - DD had an absolute blast running around the lights!

 

[DisneyKid4Life]

Oh God this was such an interesting adventure to read along with and then I get to Johnny's text... "I Miss You" And I'm done.

Haha, love the interaction with the bus driver.

Um yeah, I think the tripod was unnecessary. Beautiful photos Wendy!!

 

[teekathepony]

Darn girl - I'm exhausted just thinking about all that rushing around. I'm glad you made it back in time. Illuminations is always worth it!

I think the rocks worked great as a tripod. Nice!

I was so tired, I walked as fast as I possibly could that night! Hahaha
The rocks worked, they stayed still and better yet -- I didn't have to carry them!

Wendy, all that rushing and fretting and you made it!! Whew! It makes your fabulous Illuminations photos that much sweeter. They are incredible! Bummer that you had to even do that side trip.
Thanks Brenda! It was a bummer, but I felt worse for Johnny who had to fend off our spot alone for an hour and a half!

Going back and catching up from earlier in the day... I'm a big Via Napoli fan but when we were there last month I had no one to share a pizza with so I had to forgo it for the first time! I like the zeppoles but not the chocolate sauce. I'll lick the whip cream dry though.
I'm hoping I can get my in laws to agree to eat at Via Napoli this September. I'd love to get back!
I think Johnny liked the whipped cream better too.

I loved your photos with all the details from Italy and Morocco. You are a master with your camera!
Aww Thank you!

 

[geckodani]

Okay, I'm tired just reading about that! I'm so glad you made it though!

 

[teekathepony]

Wow what an update! SO. MUCH. RUNNING. I can't believe that it took 1 1/2 hours round trip, but at the same time it only took 1 1/2 hours! AKL is the farthest resort, right?
I think you're right that it's the farthest one, I was thinking Pop Century is just as far, but I know the bus transportation at Pop was much quicker somehow.

I think this was the day we "passed" each other after Illuminations. I'd watched on the Mexico boat dock with my CM friend and had no idea such drama was unfolding across the lagoon! lol!
Yes that's right! While you were lounging comfortably in Mexico I was running like a lunatic!

I'm definitely looking forward to having a car this trip and not have to worry about buses. It makes me a little crazy too because I'm afraid it will get dinged up, but that is so rare and I have insurance through both my credit card and my regular car insurance.
This upcoming trip will be my first with a car. It's going to be interesting!

Anyway, so glad that you made it back! What a great story!
Now that it's over and I'm fully recovered ( ) it is a fun story to tell!

Wow! You're a trooper.

I'd have stayed at the hotel after seeing it was taking me that long hehe

I seriously considered it, but it was my only chance for IllumiNations on this trip so I hoofed it back!

Whoa, craziness!!

We discovered the sidewalk lights for the first time on our trip in November - DD had an absolute blast running around the lights!

We saw a few families with kids there having a blast, they're so cool!

 

[teekathepony]

Oh God this was such an interesting adventure to read along with and then I get to Johnny's text... "I Miss You" And I'm done.
Isn't he sweet? Hehehe I think I'll keep him.

Haha, love the interaction with the bus driver.
It was great, if I wasn't so worried about getting there on time I could have had some real fun with him!

Um yeah, I think the tripod was unnecessary. Beautiful photos Wendy!!
Thanks Rob!

Okay, I'm tired just reading about that! I'm so glad you made it though!

I'm tired just remembering it!