How Do You Think We Stay So Happy?*Final Thoughts & Farewells* 10/7 p100

[DisMomAmy]

Originally Posted by MEK

The animation class is so fun. Do your boys like it? I know my boys never had an interest in it, nor does my DH Denny. One trip her escaped by running off to the BR right before it started.

Zach likes to do the drawing class. We've done Eeyore, Minnie & hmmm... I can't remember the other one! We try to do it every trip. I took him the first two times & Tim got to go with him in March. Alex isn't interested.

You took a ton of pictures! Glad you were able to find a memory card easily - I'll have to keep that in mind.

The lunch sounds great - funny story behind the title! We've never tried Brown Derby... we'll have to check it out soon!!

[sunny_stace]

Don't worry Mary Ellen...I have also filled an 8GB memory card at WDW....finger is always on the button clicking away! I had to buy a new card at DTD.

HS is always an easy place to spend an afernoon just walking around. And I am a fan of the boat ride there as well. However, I would never call it fast! Whenever I am taking it back from HS to Epcot or to one of the resorts, I always just get off at the beach club and walk! But it is a lovely walk as well.

The waiter at Brown Derby sounds so adorable! I would love to try that place however the picky eater in me doesn't even like anything on the children's menu! Maybe someday...I love wandering around One Man's Dream too. The last time I went in there I spent more than an hour just looking at everything and taking pictures. I've never tried the drawing class. I've always thought it looked really cool but I am a terrible drawer and find it a little intimidating. I thought your pooh bear looked great!

[cdotla]

Finally all caught up!

The African Trek sounded amazing. And the photopass photos are very impressive! Love the close up ones of everyone crossing the bridge.

My you ladies enjoyed some fabulous meals...Chefs, Jiko, Brown Derby. And spa days too?!! I wanna tour with you!

Love hearing about the fun waiter at Brown Derby. When you contrast someone like that to the unpersonable waiter at Jiko you can really see how much the server can affect the dining experience, can't you? I mean, your Brown Derby waiter even coined your TR title in a trip that was full of one-liners....that certainly says something, doesn't it?

[MEK]

Originally Posted by KatMark

We had such a disappointing time at the Derby the one and only time we went, but our waiter had a LOT to do with that. I am so glad to see that you had a great waiter.

That stinks. I think once you have one bad experience you are so much less likely to go back. Having a great waiter makes good food that much better. It really is a combo. My favorite signature restaurants are my favs not only because of the food, but the server.

Hopefully you will give it another try one of these days.

Originally Posted by Wicket's Mom

What a fun waiter that you had!

He was awesome! Two for James!

Originally Posted by Wicket's Mom

i loved the picyures of America, I like that area, but didn't take many photos. I enjoyed seeing it again through your lens.

That's the first time I have taken a lot of pictures back there. I've seen so many on the boards and always enjoy them. I'm glad I finally took the time to get my own camera out!

Originally Posted by Wicket's Mom

I'm down to TEN days before our trip!!!

So excited for you! You are going to have a wonderful time! Will you do a TR?????

Originally Posted by DisMomAmy

Zach likes to do the drawing class. We've done Eeyore, Minnie & hmmm... I can't remember the other one! We try to do it every trip. I took him the first two times & Tim got to go with him in March. Alex isn't interested.

I would LOVE to do Minnie and Eeyore! It's great that at least one of your sons enjoys this attraction. Maybe I can talk Nick into. He might do it just to humor me. We'll see.

Originally Posted by DisMomAmy

You took a ton of pictures! Glad you were able to find a memory card easily - I'll have to keep that in mind.

I tend to take too many pictures, but when I go back and look at them I am always glad that I took the extra time. Although, I usually reach a point where I just have to put the camera away for awhile.

Originally Posted by DisMomAmy

The lunch sounds great - funny story behind the title! We've never tried Brown Derby... we'll have to check it out soon!!

Lunch was really good. That was probably one of my favorite meals of the trip. It was just the perfect combo of foods for me. I really enjoyed it.

Originally Posted by sunny_stace

Don't worry Mary Ellen...I have also filled an 8GB memory card at WDW....finger is always on the button clicking away! I had to buy a new card at DTD.

I really need to clear some of my old memory cards. I have some with tons and tons of soccer pictures. I think some of those can be erased since they are all in photobucket anyway. Next time I will be better prepared because I had no idea I was about to run out.

Originally Posted by sunny_stace

HS is always an easy place to spend an afernoon just walking around. And I am a fan of the boat ride there as well. However, I would never call it fast! Whenever I am taking it back from HS to Epcot or to one of the resorts, I always just get off at the beach club and walk! But it is a lovely walk as well.

I love the walk. I would much prefer to walk, but it was just too darn hot. If it was winter I can assure you I would be walking. It is so pretty!

Originally Posted by sunny_stace

The waiter at Brown Derby sounds so adorable! I would love to try that place however the picky eater in me doesn't even like anything on the children's menu! Maybe someday...I love wandering around One Man's Dream too. The last time I went in there I spent more than an hour just looking at everything and taking pictures. I've never tried the drawing class. I've always thought it looked really cool but I am a terrible drawer and find it a little intimidating. I thought your pooh bear looked great!

Well - if there is nothing you like on the menu to eat then you should just go in for a drink and dessert. Works for me!

I love OMD. I wanted to spend more time in there but the darn memory card messed me up.

You must at least try the drawing class. They do really break it down to the point where its pretty easy. Just give it a try. It's fun! You might surprise yourself!

Originally Posted by cdotla

Finally all caught up!

The African Trek sounded amazing. And the photopass photos are very impressive! Love the close up ones of everyone crossing the bridge.

Thanks for catching up.

The trek was amazing! I would highly recommend that to anyone! It's really cool that they include the photopass pictures!

Originally Posted by cdotla

My you ladies enjoyed some fabulous meals...Chefs, Jiko, Brown Derby. And spa days too?!! I wanna tour with you!

It was a rather indulgent trip, wasn't it? I think thats what a girls trip is all about. My December trip will be a little more scaled back because I would actually like to spend more time doing rides in the parks. I missed quite a few rides.

Originally Posted by cdotla

Love hearing about the fun waiter at Brown Derby. When you contrast someone like that to the unpersonable waiter at Jiko you can really see how much the server can affect the dining experience, can't you? I mean, your Brown Derby waiter even coined your TR title in a trip that was full of one-liners....that certainly says something, doesn't it?

Isn't that the truth - they were like night and day. Our BD waiter was awesome. So glad we got him. He made the meal so much fun!

We all voted on which TR title use and decided that was really the best!

[Nermel9]

Your Pooh came out so good! I really have to try that animation class this year, we never have time! I'm trying to rearrange my itinerary a little so we have more DHS time, but I can't figure out how to do it! Ughh!!!

The Streets of America pictures are beautiful! However, knowing I'm going to see them without the Osborne Lights this year is kind of making me sad right now...I really need to get Brandon on board with that quick December trip I want to take...

I can't believe you filled up an 8 gb memory card! Do you know how many pictures you got on there? I'm trying to figure out how big of a memory card I'll need for my trip, I just got a new camera, so I'm going to be taking tons of pictures!

I love how you got the title for your TR, it's perfect! Everything looks so yummy, I really have to go there sometime!

[MEK]

Originally Posted by Nermel9

Your Pooh came out so good! I really have to try that animation class this year, we never have time! I'm trying to rearrange my itinerary a little so we have more DHS time, but I can't figure out how to do it! Ughh!!!

Oh you must try the animation class. I think it goes in every 1/2 hour so just back about 5 minutes before and wait for a class to start. You can go in through the shop so you miss the little pre show thing. You will enjoy it. Its fun and different.

Originally Posted by Nermel9

The Streets of America pictures are beautiful! However, knowing I'm going to see them without the Osborne Lights this year is kind of making me sad right now...I really need to get Brandon on board with that quick December trip I want to take...

Thanks!

And what's this about a quick December trip??? I will be there Dec 15 - 19th!

Originally Posted by Nermel9

I can't believe you filled up an 8 gb memory card! Do you know how many pictures you got on there? I'm trying to figure out how big of a memory card I'll need for my trip, I just got a new camera, so I'm going to be taking tons of pictures!

I just went into iphoto and did a rough count - approximately 1400 pictures on that memory card. That's about what an 8 gb will hold. In my defense, 100 of those were prom pictures!

Right on for the new camera!

I buy the memory cards in the two pack at Costco when they go on sale for about $30 for 2. Not sure why I never packed the second card.

Originally Posted by Nermel9

I love how you got the title for your TR, it's perfect! Everything looks so yummy, I really have to go there sometime!

It is a pretty interesting way to get a Trip Report title. Little did James know that he was so creative. And - yes - the food is delish!

[2xcited2sleep]

I am not sure what I was doing this morning in the trip but I was not with the rest of the ladies. I'm a big scaredy cat so RnR and ToT are not high on my to-do list (or on it at all!).

Instead I took my time this morning and took a morning stroll around the Boardwalk area. I indulgently called this my "exercise" but not sure all that many calories were burned. And I KNOW that a great many were soon to be consumed.













Soon enough, I arrived.



There was still time before lunch so I headed to one of my favorite spots... One Man's Dream. I think I first checked Star Tours hoping there would be a very early soft opening but alas think we missed that by just about a week or so. Can't wait to ride in Oct!

So OMD...



I'm not sure why, but I just love the word "twiterpated."









Oh how I miss this ride......




While at OMD, Melissa was sweet enough to catch up with me for a quick goodbye before she had to leave for the airport. I had the pleasure of lunching with Melissa and her husband John at Via Napoli in Oct of 2010 and it was just delightful to see her again and spend more time with her. So looking forward to seeing you and your family in October, Melissa!

A little Muppet action before lunch. There is so much cool detail in the store!





And then, it was time for lunch. I Brown Derby. I love the old Hollywood glamour feel and just think it's a lovely break from the park craziness.

As MEK mentioned, our server was fantastic. I'm hoping we have him again when we visit in October. The restaurant was very busy and he had several tables seated all at once but he was just perfect.

The infamous flight. It's called a champagne flight but technically not all were champagne so probably should be a "sparkling wine flight." But you aren't going to catch me complaining!




I had the crab cake and cobb salad as my entree.

LOVED this lunch and really can't wait to return!

[cdotla]

Sounds like an awesome day so far Christine. Can't go wrong with a stroll along Crescent Lake, One Man's Dream and Brown Derby!

And I love "twitterpated" too!

[MEK]

Christine - That was a fabulous update!!!!!! Thank you so much for updating. Beautiful pictures! Love that one of the boardwalk / beach club area. It's beautiful.

"Indulgently called exercise" I love that statement. It's pretty much what I am calling my exercise today which includes 8lb dumb bell lifts and playing the guitar. Lots of calories burned there - that's for sure!

Originally Posted by cdotla

Sounds like an awesome day so far Christine. Can't go wrong with a stroll along Crescent Lake, One Man's Dream and Brown Derby!

And I love "twitterpated" too!

I totally agree with this. Great pictures of OMD!

[TanzUnited99]

Mary Ellen - Love how this title got it's name - that meal sounds like a hoot and the conversation had me in stitches!! Also pleased to hear you managed to get a new memory card.

Christine - Love the boardwalk pics - they turned out great!

[sunny_stace]

Ooh I love the muppet store! I hope they have some new Miss Piggy merchandise I also love the word "twitterpated" I have the exact same picture of the poster.

[Wicket's Mom]

ME, I would like to try doing a TR of my upcoming trip. I will be taking lots of picures in preparation.

[Charleston Princess]

Originally Posted by 2xcited2sleep

Oh how I miss this ride......

Me too!

[manntra]

Great updates MEK and C Melissa, Cynthia and I headed over on the same boat to HS where Cynthia and I headed for FP's and a ride on TSM. Somehow I knew that Cynthia and I would be a good match on TSM as we are both a bit competitive I think. We were within a hundred points of each other the whole way through until the final round when I nearly dislocated my shoulder to come out with the win Melissa was at WS and we headed over to meet up with her She would be leaving shortly and we were sad to see her go So happy I will get to see her again in a few weeks I remember telling MEK how much I enjoyed the AA so I wanted to do that with her but something happened and I wasn't able to make it to her class. I felt terrible because the class that I took was drawing Eeorye...her favorite When I saw her at lunch I didn't even want to tell her who it was I know I went through OMD but that isn't what held me up as I would have just walked out

Lunch was A-M-A-Z-I-N-G I love the BD and lunch was kicked up a few levels with our flight and our server!! ME I think the wine we had later was Conundrum......I am pretty sure that is what we had because if it's ever on the menu at some point throughout the meal it's in my glass I bought a few bottles last week in preparation for the hurricane I had the Cobb salad as a starter and then a fish entree for my main. I think it was grouper and it had beets. Skipped dessert. Maybe I had another glass of wine for dessert? C may have enabled me

After lunch I think we all split up again and I know that at some point I headed down to TOT to drop a few floors. My favorite combination is when the elevator goes up first instead of falling so I decided to ride until I went up first....I think it was around 4 or 5 rides I know I did some shopping....HS is one of my favorite places to shop. As for what was next? Not sure but I bet it involved the pool.

Thanks MEK for keeping up with all of your updates and sorry I have been such a slacker

Tracy

[2xcited2sleep]

I enabled you?? Surely not. . Well, agree I enabled so as to book a connecting flight/drink at lunch but then you were on your own. Q