Thank God For Trip Insurance; Our Merry Land/Sea! (Two new updates October 3)

[MarriedToAPrince]

Can't wait to read your TR. I remember your previous one with the 2 broken arms. I am sorry to hear that your trip ended badly but I am curious to hear the story.

[RinkyTinkyTinky]

Looks like a great day! I agree with you on the Kim Possible Mission. It was way too much verbage for us too. But my DD didn't even care for it. After one country, she was pretty much done. It just didn't hold her attention.

Hooray for the singers. I told DH while we were in WDW last month that I loved that Disney really celebrates "Christmas". They had a huge nativity scene a HS and a lot of the music we heard being sung and played while we were there was religous Christmas music. I just loved that they were not ashamed to celebrate Christmas for what it is and were not trying to be politically correct! What a breath of fresh air!

Can't wait to read more.

[Princess_K]

I was so excited to see you had another TR! I have really enjoyed reading your previous ones. Can't wait for the next installment!

[cdotla]

I'm betting Teppan Edo doesn't show you the door.

Can't wait to hear your review. I am on the fence about this due to the kids for our next trip.

[pmama]

Originally Posted by KatMark

Great update! I love the outfit on the girls--too cute.

Thanks, we love Minnie.

Originally Posted by miprender

Followed you over.... can't wait to read more and see what happened. I hope nothing too serious.

Glad you made it over, thanks for sticking around.

Originally Posted by *Seanaci*

Wow...Faith looks so much like you...and Hope looks like DH. :D They're so cute! And I love that they dress in their Disney dresses! I so can't wait to have a little girl. :D

Yes, we agree with you. The girls looked a lot alike as babies but as they get older it is clear who they look more like. It's nice that we each have one that looks familiar.

Originally Posted by WDWCrazyfromGA

I LOVE, LOVE your TR (and enjoyed your PTR as well!) What room did you request at POP? We love POP, but we have never stayed on the lake side before.

I'm looking forward to the rest for your TR!!

Have a Happy New Year!!

I request building 3 preferably 4th floor with view of lake facing Epcot. There are also a lot more good viewing spots in I thinking Building 2. Check out the Pop thread on the resorts forum. The first page toward the bottom even gives a nice map of good room locations.

Originally Posted by OurDogCisco

I'm in! Loving your trip reports so far. Now, I'm gonna go back and read one your old ones...

Oh, thanks. I've heard the "broken arm" TR takes three hours to read. Honored you're interested.

Originally Posted by MAJ RN

Another great update! I love the girls Minnie Mouse outfits, darling!!! The picture of you and Faith on Spaceship Earth is funny, she looks terrified. My son wants to try the Kim Possible mission so I think we will do that in Feb, thanks for your take on that. Can't wait to read more.

Melissa

I agree, Faith's face is too funny! Especially for that ride.

Originally Posted by MaryAz

Looks like a fun day. Can't wait to hear about Teppan Edo.

Thanks a bunch!

[pmama]

Originally Posted by MarriedToAPrince

Can't wait to read your TR. I remember your previous one with the 2 broken arms. I am sorry to hear that your trip ended badly but I am curious to hear the story.

Glad to have you along.

Originally Posted by RinkyTinkyTinky

Looks like a great day! I agree with you on the Kim Possible Mission. It was way too much verbage for us too. But my DD didn't even care for it. After one country, she was pretty much done. It just didn't hold her attention.

Hooray for the singers. I told DH while we were in WDW last month that I loved that Disney really celebrates "Christmas". They had a huge nativity scene a HS and a lot of the music we heard being sung and played while we were there was religous Christmas music. I just loved that they were not ashamed to celebrate Christmas for what it is and were not trying to be politically correct! What a breath of fresh air!

Can't wait to read more.

"verbage" pefect description! Why didn't I think of that? I thought perhaps there was something wrong with DH and I as most all the reports I've read of the Missions is favorable. Saw the Nativity in HS and took a pic.

Originally Posted by Princess_K

I was so excited to see you had another TR! I have really enjoyed reading your previous ones. Can't wait for the next installment!

Thanks for reading along again.

Originally Posted by cdotla

I'm betting Teppan Edo doesn't show you the door.

Can't wait to hear your review. I am on the fence about this due to the kids for our next trip.

Hmmmm....you're a better huh?

[OneTreeHillAddict]

Hey!!! I'm so glad you started your trip report! Can't wait to read along! I'm so glad we were able to meet up! BTW you guys look just like you do in pictures too!

[ladybugmom]

Originally Posted by pmama

What, are you going May and December?

YES!!! I'm sooo excited!!!

[ladybugmom]

Great update!! Can't wait to hear more--especially about your dinner at Teppan Edo!!

[pmama]

Originally Posted by OneTreeHillAddict

Hey!!! I'm so glad you started your trip report! Can't wait to read along! I'm so glad we were able to meet up! BTW you guys look just like you do in pictures too!

Funny concept huh? It was great to meet you in person as well! Are you doing a TR this time?

Originally Posted by ladybugmom

YES!!! I'm sooo excited!!!

That is exciting. What fun you wil have planning this year.

[pmama]

We left off at the Norway ride Maelstrom currently late for our dinner reservations at Teppan Edo. So as our little boat was coming to the end we saw the theatre doors open and people walking in. As soon as we got off our boat we ran for the doors just as they were closing. We tried to go through the exit doors and a cast member wouldn’t let us even though we told him we were late for our reservations. I’m not sure how long the wait is. The Cast Member said two minutes, it was definitely much more than 2 minutes and felt like forever as we were waiting for those doors to open.
Finally the doors opened and we rushed through to make our way to Japan. We had to pass the large crowd around America that was gathering to line up for the first CP show. It was crowded and took quite a while to make it to Teppan Edo. We finally made it and I think by the time I checked in we were about 20 minutes late. Ironically as we came in another party was being turned away because they were too late. They were told that their reservations had been given to someone else. I went up to another lady who took my name and reservation time and did not mention at all that we were late. Thank Goodness!

This was our first time dining at TE and can I just say that it is now on my must do list! We all loved it. DH was a bit scared of this place as he does not enjoy oriental food. I told him I’ve heard they have the best steak. He ordered the filet minon and confirmed that indeed it was the best steak he had for the entire trip. Our waitress made the girls’ chopsticks stick together on an end so they could eat with them.


The Chef was very entertaining. Here’s the onion volcano.


We enjoyed visiting with our table mates. We sat with a couple women and a single man and single woman who were each traveling alone. Everyone was a Disney vet so we had some good conversations. The women were going on a back to back Magic Cruise this summer. (I’m jealous) A good time was had by all and it was great food! DD8 is a very picky eater. She didn't like all the sesame seeds but everyone left with a full stomach.


As we walked out they were about to begin the second showing of Candlelight Processional. We found room at the rope for standing room only. We enjoyed the first couple songs but Faith kept moaning out loud, “I’m bored”. I was glad we did not stand in line for over an hour because while it was beautiful it is true that young children get bored fast. As we were watching I was holding Faith up. This young teenage couple motioned for a friend who had been out getting a drink to come join them. So, he cut through the crowd and proceeded to come stand in front of me. By that time I’d been standing there for over 15 minutes holding my not too light 5 year old. He completely blocked our view. So, I said, “I am sorry but I hope you’re not planning on standing there.” I will give the young man credit he immediately moved out of the crowd and to the back. I think it was more the young couple that were rude in thinking they could motion him to stand right in front of me. So, glad we got to take in some of the Candlelight Processional, we moved on.


As we were passing Germany we saw people gathering for the storyteller and waited to hear her speak. All I remember about her was how many times she mentioned “gluevine” (No idea how it is actually spelled.) Their special wine. We got a great shot with her and the nutcracker though.


Then we made our way to Mexico and saw the Mexico wise men storytellers out.


We stopped in Mexico to go ride the cute little boat ride.


We then decided to call it a night to Epcot and head out the International Gateway to check out Boardwalk. We had never used the International Gateway. We had to ask where it was. As we headed out DH asked the lady what ride we were entering. She looked worried but quickly realized he was teasing.

We had never been out on Boardwalk at all and I had heard that it could be a fun atmosphere at night. It was fun for all of us to discover a new area of Disney we had never seen. It is quite beautiful at night.



We went in to Boardwalk and discovered this beautiful completely edible gingerbread display.


The girls loved all the little kid sized chairs around Boardwalk both inside and out.




Boardwalk is fun at night we saw a couple different street performers with a crowd. It’s a lot calmer atmosphere than in the parks. After exploring Boardwalk for a while we made our way to the ferry that takes you to Hollywood Studios!


This was another first for us. It was a beautiful ride. The girls wanted to sit in the outside portion. It was a warm night so we sat out there and enjoyed the view as we slowly floated to Hollywood Studios.

We arrived about 15 minutes early for the DIS TSM party! We had such a great time. It was a unique experience being in Hollywood Studios after it was closed for the day. I have great video of us leaving with completely empty streets that I’ll try to get up.

It looked like a lot of people when we were all at the gate but quickly dispersed and TSM was never more than 5-10 minute wait.





We learned a new trick from the Cast Member. She said that getting a high score is really team work. Your score will be much higher if you sit with someone else who scores well. Together you both open up more high scoring targets. So, DH and I played together while the girls played together. We all improved our scores by about double before the night was over.

The only real line we stood in was the character greeting line. We got in line for Buzz and Woody but it was switched out before we got up there. That was okay, we’ve seen Buzz and Woody but have never had Jessie and Bullseye so it was a new photo op for us!


There were great food items available which was great because so far we had had a late breakfast, early dinner(lunch), so this became dinner.

We were all pretty tired and ready to go when the girls became enthralled by the balloon man. He was very talented. I however, was really tired and tried to bribe the girls with the offer of buying a Mickey balloon in MK but they would not budge.

Finally after a very long wait the girls had their balloons.

The Mickey balloons he made were particularly impressive.


So, we ended our very magical first LONG day at Disney by walking alone through Hollywood Studios after midnight. It was such an unique and sureal experience. Here is a video of us leaving Hollywood Studios with completely empty streets. Just another of many magical moments!


While waiting for the bus Faith once again drifted off to sleep. I was glad she had gotten in her power nap earlier that day because after that she really was a trooper.

Hope was very exhausted at this point and she lay on the concrete with her head in my lap until the bus arrived.


Next up: MVMCP!!!!!!!!!!!

[*Seanaci*]

Glad to hear you made your TE reservation after all! Those places are soooooo fun!

Faith looked tired in the pic where she's holding her balloon.

I LOVE reading this TR. Brings back all my memories from our Christmas trip last year. :D

[RinkyTinkyTinky]

Great update. Loved the Gingerbread house!

That was one serious onion volcano!

I've never heard of the Dis party. How did you get in for that?

The Boardwalk was beautiful. We didn't make it there this last time. Maybe next trip.

That Mickey balloon WAS very impressive!

Can't wait to hear more.

I've started a tr also. If you get a minute, stop by!

[ladybugmom]

WOW!! This update is packed full!! You got so much done that night! We want to visit the Boardwalk as well in May. It looks really pretty!! LOVE the gingerbread house--sooo cute!! What a fun time you had in HS!! TSM looks like sooo much fun--can't wait to ride that in May! And the Jessie/Bullseye photo op is sooo cute!! I'm not sure I've ever seen pics with them before!! Can't wait to hear about MVMCP!!!

[MAJ RN]

Glad you made it to your Teppan Edo ressie, that is one of our favorite!! That onion volcano was massive!! How fun to be at DHS after closing. Can't wait to read more.


Melissa