Move over Dumbo our circus is taking over! Surprise trip adventure!!

[Chicago Mo]

Try the Grey Stuff it's Delish!

After the parade we waited a while for the crowds to thin before we needed to head over for our ADR. I am sure you have figured out where!!!

As we were waiting someone was calling my name! I didn't recognize who it was until they introduced themselves!
It's Craig from our Sept planning facebook group!!!


and his WONDERFUL family!!! this was such a great surprise to meet them! We chatted for a while his family is seriously one of the nicest families we have met. His wife was just darling!
Then he told me HE was picked for the Flag retreat ceremony!!! If you don't know what the ceremony is: Click this ---> Flag retreat ceremony I was SO SO SO HAPPY for him!!! I think he was also on cloud nine! To find out the ceremony was at the same time as our ADR. I was SO UPSET to miss this! I would have LOVED to watch the ceremony along with someone i 'knew' to be picked? i'm still kicking myself for missing it.
the up side is i was able to meet Craig and his sensational family!!!! Sadly we had to depart we needed to get over to check in and Craig needed to head over foe the ceremony!

Like i mentioned i am sure you all know where we were headed! an ADR i was looking forward MOST!



we checked in, and were told to have a seat we would be called soon enough.. Closer to the main entrance was PACKED, what shade was there was taken but guests. We asked is we could just sit outside the gates on one of the stone things under a tress by the check in. They said yes but we could but no to move to far as the pager wouldn't reach us if we went any further..



I do have to stop here. I just got bombarded with work.

 

[MissMaryQC]

OOOO!! BoG! Cant wait to see the photos and what you thought of the food!!

I always cry at the flag ceremony. Not sure why. Just gets me misty. Sorry you missed Craig being a part of it, but I'm glad you guys got to chat for a minute.

 

[KatMark]

That is really cool that you met Craig and his family. And even cooler that he got picked for the Flag Ceremony. I'm sorry you couldn't see it.

Yay you are dining at Be Our Guest. There is NO shade in that spot at all.

I couldn't work today...my computer crashed and they had to bring me a new one which I finally got an hour ago.

 

[Wood Nymph]

The BEST part of the Parade...
In my humble opinion!

I really think steam punk is cool.. I just love it. and well you know i like dark so this was right up all of our alleys!


The dark side appears:

We saw the parade on an extremely windy day. They postponed the parade for about 15 minutes and we were afraid they were going to cancel it. Fortunately the parade went on and the dragon even spewed fire. It wasn't until I saw your TR that I realized that they took some of the parts out of the parade and these guys were not in the parade we saw.

I need to see this parade again.

By the way, I love your pictures. You really got some good pictures of Merida. It looks like she is looking straight at you.

 

[Chicago Mo]

OOOO!! BoG! Cant wait to see the photos and what you thought of the food!!

I promise to make it the best that i can!!!

I always cry at the flag ceremony. Not sure why. Just gets me misty. Sorry you missed Craig being a part of it, but I'm glad you guys got to chat for a minute.

can you believe i have never seen it? This time i was really upset over missing it. I KNEW HIM!!! I am still mad i missed it even more so writing about it!

That is really cool that you met Craig and his family. And even cooler that he got picked for the Flag Ceremony. I'm sorry you couldn't see it.

What a nice family! Like i have i to tell you.. it's so fun to meet the people you talk Disney with!!
What a way to honor him! Yes i am still upset about missing it. Thankfully they did post a bunch of pictures!

Yay you are dining at Be Our Guest. There is NO shade in that spot at all.

No! so we sat right outside of it on the half wall thing. under a tree.. We were about DONE sitting IN the sun after the parade.

I couldn't work today...my computer crashed and they had to bring me a new one which I finally got an hour ago.

Hate when that happens! Wish i had more time yesterday i would have asked you to lunch i had a meeting at my downtown office! My ride back came early!

We saw the parade on an extremely windy day. They postponed the parade for about 15 minutes and we were afraid they were going to cancel it. Fortunately the parade went on and the dragon even spewed fire. It wasn't until I saw your TR that I realized that they took some of the parts out of the parade and these guys were not in the parade we saw.

Oh NO! well even more reason to go back and watch it! the darker part of it was MY FAVORITE!!! I can see why they wouldn't be in it if it was windy.. The guys were pretty tall!

I need to see this parade again.

Yes.. Yes you do!!!

By the way, I love your pictures. You really got some good pictures of Merida. It looks like she is looking straight at you.

Thank you!!! More looking at my kiddos! HA HA



****************************************************
Holy Moly!
I have a huge task ahead of me here at the city job. I love the fact i am given these dang things which are all screwed up. I have to create policies-procedures organize then get the divisions on board ensure the procedures WORK for the better...
I need a raise.

So am going to make a quick update then i have to get back to this project and start scheduling a bazillion meetings.

i plan on a lot of this:

 

[Chicago Mo]

Most Beautiful Restaurant!

As we were sitting and sweating there came the rain... at first I didn't care. it felt WONDERFUL. the trees were keeping it just a mist.. the kids started to run around getting a bit cooled off.. but then it start to really rain. Like black cloud HUGE drops. it was time to put on the ponchos! The rain came hard and heavy!!!
The family who was sitting with us was a riot. First off they had a young child who was naughty.. But adorable naughty! The father was just a dang riot the mother tried to escape several times to go and take some pictures but the little one was having NONE of that. Mommy was not allowed to leave. once the rains hit they scattered.. we all laughed they were a fun family... I also should mention they were all little people.

AS the rains were POUNDING down the dang buzzer went off! so off we went to the main doors. Apparently they announce you when you go in little ceremony of sorts..

Well we didn't get that. they wanted the guest in and out of the rains! (thank goodness)
When you walk in your great by this beauty


another family graciously took our picture for us!

You can see how wet everyone is there!

Then we were shown to our table.. I will say i was hoping for the west wing as i am sure EVERYONE was.. instead we were seated right outside the west wing we were able to see in with no problems our hostess did tell me we can walk around and take pictures as we wished! I thanked her over and over!







it was snowing..



a little video from our table:


it was breathtaking


simply beautiful


and
sparkly


Lesson in TAKE YOUR HAT OFF IN A RESTAURANT


Lesson learned..


I had to order this




I cannot describe the num-a-li-cious goodness this was!

Our bread and meat cheese app


Sorry the kids were HUNGRY and i couldn't stop them to take a picture
it was still snowing


More pretty pictures of the chandelier






alright alright i will stop with these...

We ordered I did note again this waitress wasn't special. Like a fast food cashier. I did say Someone isn't feeling the magic today.. I was about done with crabby Cm's this trip.
after we ordered we saw the west wing started with a lot of activity!
get ready there are a lot of pictures again!!!





The west wing is very small and dark.







have to stop here for picture overload may have to finish later!

 

[KatMark]

Great start to your meal at BOG. I am so glad you loved the Interior as we did. it's simply breathtakingly beautiful. I LOVE that soup and planning on having it in May. You had your fair share of unmagical CM's. please ignore errors first time using new tablet.

 

[CaseFace5]

Love your pictures of BOG. I am going to be SO FREAKING MAD if I can't get in there for lunch with them changing the new FP+ secret system to ADRs. Like I will legit throw a fit!!!!!

 

[Wood Nymph]

Did you by any chance get a good look at the faces of the cherubs on the ceiling? They are the faces of real babies and it looks a little eerie.

 

[KatMark]

Love your pictures of BOG. I am going to be SO FREAKING MAD if I can't get in there for lunch with them changing the new FP+ secret system to ADRs. Like I will legit throw a fit!!!!!

Will you tape your fit for us.? Seriously I don't blame you

 

[annegirl]

Nice! I just barely posted about BOG too!! I loved it so much. Love seeing your pictures of it.

 

[CaseFace5]

Will you tape your fit for us.? Seriously I don't blame you

Oh I will. I can already tell you it's going to look something like this:

http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-4muhuV5eonA/UdH38XYCJBI/AAAAAAAADjQ/KoE2SXl6XDk/s500/***+3.gif

 

[MissMaryQC]

Oh the beauty that is BoG! There is a young girl inside me who would like to wear a poofy gold dress and dance all around that place!!

I really don't like crabby CMs. I mean, what is the point of working in WDW if you're gonna be grumpy? At least request to be out in HM or ToT so it's not expected of you to be chipper! It's seriously a big no no to me.

 

[Iamthequeen]

Well I finally got caught up . I'm not sure I knew you were going to be in MK on Saturday. It was our last day and we were there too, for awhile. We ended up leaving later than we had planned, but we did have fun. We almost always go left in MK first and then work our way around the park. Glad Meg is still wearing her Duffy dress.

We were there about 2 weeks ago and POTC definitely needs a refurb. The smoke screen at the beginning was not working and half of the water cannons were not working. I love that ride and am sad it won't be open when we go in September. We finally set a date for our family trip, except half the family can't go..... My brother Jim and his GF Karen, my son Steve and his wife Melissa and Charlie and I are going and maybe Kat, if she gets her act together (JK). She is doing well. My girls can't go in Sept so we are planning to take them next summer when it is hot as blazes, and I think Andrew (my younger son) and Carly (his fiance) will be going too.

Miss you.

 

[MrsForeverEeyore]

Thank you for writing such an entertaining and heart-felt trip report. Your surprise reveal had me in tears, the generosity of the CM with the no questions stuffy made me really happy for your family (and the rudeness of the CM who assissted in redeeming it made me mad), your pictures made me ooh and aahhh (especially these last few ones at BOG). Thanks for providing such an awesome trip report - and I'm so glad your family had a blast! ... and since I'm in Disney withdrawal right now, following trip reports is so helpful lol.

 

[DisneyF4]

Michelle PB, you are awesome! But the pleasure was all mine - you are THE legend.
...Craig

 

[RunnerMommyof4]

Awe so happy 1 found your report! We are planning our 1st WDW trip and its going to be a surprise. Well sorta of 2 of our kiddos will find out on Christmas Morning and the the other 2 when they actually board the plane bound for WDW. I still have a ton of reading to get caught up but I had to tell you I loved the box with the balloon. That would be a great thing to add to my Christmas Morning ideas...Thanks again. Back to reading

 

[Clarf]

Okay, I've gotten WAY behind. I blame work. It's gotten too busy and it's where I do my best Dis ing. I hope to get back tomorrow and read more! I have to go to bed now, but I need and want to catch up!

 

[Chicago Mo]

Great start to your meal at BOG. I am so glad you loved the Interior as we did. it's simply breathtakingly beautiful. I LOVE that soup and planning on having it in May. You had your fair share of unmagical CM's. please ignore errors first time using new tablet.

Thank you! it truly is beautiful inside! we were in awe.
mmmmm soup it did it not disappoint. I will get it again and again.
You did a great job with your tablet! HA! getting easier around here now isn't it? Were you able to get your links worked out?

Love your pictures of BOG. I am going to be SO FREAKING MAD if I can't get in there for lunch with them changing the new FP+ secret system to ADRs. Like I will legit throw a fit!!!!!

So from my understanding with BOG it's strictly an ADR now? So you can make them with your 180 days.. I don't know if this is the truth?!?! I hope it is.

a fit... Like Kathy you will need to show us this fit..

Did you by any chance get a good look at the faces of the cherubs on the ceiling? They are the faces of real babies and it looks a little eerie.

YES YES YES! Totally creepy faces! you know how i feel about all that! YIKES! so i kept my eye on the chandelier!

Will you tape your fit for us.? Seriously I don't blame you

See??? Kathy thinks of everything! Yep we need to see this..

Nice! I just barely posted about BOG too!! I loved it so much. Love seeing your pictures of it.

Thank you!!! It's amazing isn't it? I think you need to show Casey how delish it is.....

Oh I will. I can already tell you it's going to look something like this:

http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-4muhuV5eonA/UdH38XYCJBI/AAAAAAAADjQ/KoE2SXl6XDk/s500/***+3.gif

This is a lot of Hype.. Not saying we hope you don't get this ADR as i am sure you do.. But now i need a visual of you acting like the above....

Oh the beauty that is BoG! There is a young girl inside me who would like to wear a poofy gold dress and dance all around that place!!

YES! you are so right.. and just twirl in the middle of it all. it took a lot to maintain composure. and not do this...

I really don't like crabby CMs. I mean, what is the point of working in WDW if you're gonna be grumpy? At least request to be out in HM or ToT so it's not expected of you to be chipper! It's seriously a big no no to me.

I don't know... maybe i was really in tune with watching CM's this trip. yet we really did come in contact with some cranky CM's. No it is not acceptable. Even the ToT or HM CM's are DELIGHTFUL! they do their job so well!!! you can see they are enjoying it. i don't know if it were one or two CM's i would chalk it up as them having a bad day. But having this many?!?! I don't think so

Well I finally got caught up .

TESS!!!!!!!!!!!!!! I have missed you!!! where have you been??

I'm not sure I knew you were going to be in MK on Saturday. It was our last day and we were there too, for awhile. We ended up leaving later than we had planned, but we did have fun. We almost always go left in MK first and then work our way around the park.

I don't remember.. I am upset we didn't meet up at the party.. We needed a PP together! Grumble..
Didn't matter Tess we sent most of our time in Adventureland and the card game.. If you were in MK at all you must have walked past us SEVERAL TIMES. I know you wouldn't want to spen your LAST day doing this game!!!

Glad Meg is still wearing her Duffy dress.

are you kidding?!! you really don't realize how much WE LOVE the dresses!!!! the Duffy dress can be worn anywhere and She wears it as often as she can!! I wish there were more places she can wear the Belle dress besides twirling in my house!

We were there about 2 weeks ago

I saw on facebook! You didn't tell us you were going!!!!! I need to know about this trip!

and POTC definitely needs a refurb. The smoke screen at the beginning was not working and half of the water cannons were not working. I love that ride and am sad it won't be open when we go in September.

aw. No kidding. i hear it is closing soon for a big ol' refurb. I think a lot of the attractions are going to be closing.. Especially how they are re-doing the queues I can't wait to see the new peter pan line!!! Wonder if they will do the same with POTC?

We finally set a date for our family trip, except half the family can't go..... My brother Jim and his GF Karen, my son Steve and his wife Melissa and Charlie and I are going and maybe Kat, if she gets her act together (JK). She is doing well. My girls can't go in Sept so we are planning to take them next summer when it is hot as blazes, and I think Andrew (my younger son) and Carly (his fiance) will be going too.

Miss you.

Where are you staying? when are you going? How do i NOT know about any of this?!?! How is Kat? is she getting accustomed to the city?
Blah. Can't believe your going to do HOT disney! this last Sept has me convinced i will never do Disney in Summer! i will melt. You need to get your caboose on the Dis and start telling us all your Disney plans here....

Thank you for writing such an entertaining and heart-felt trip report.

Aww! Thank you!!! What sweet kind words!!!

Your surprise reveal had me in tears,

I still can't watch it without crying! It truly was one of my BEST mommy moments i could have given the kids.

the generosity of the CM with the no questions stuffy made me really happy for your family (and the rudeness of the CM who assissted in redeeming it made me mad),

Yep! Another tearful experience. Such a wonderful CM! LOVE Danielle!
I just cannot wrap my head around such comments they made. I don't understand.

your pictures made me ooh and aahhh (especially these last few ones at BOG).

Thank you again! I do really enjoy photography. I am glad i can share it with you!

Thanks for providing such an awesome trip report - and I'm so glad your family had a blast! ... and since I'm in Disney withdrawal right now, following trip reports is so helpful lol.

Again thank you for such kind words!!! I Love writing the report. It combines my two favorite topics. Kids and Disney!!!
You and I both.. Disney Blues are the WORST! Stick around i have more pictures which i hope will make you feel a little but better!

Michelle PB, you are awesome! But the pleasure was all mine - you are THE legend.
...Craig

CRAIG!!!! Hi! Hey Everyone it's CRAIG!
No way! Your the hero and your the legend.. I just know how to put words on paper! and ya know.. I'm the lady with the bag (reference to the merida people)
It was fantastic to meet you and your family! One of the greatest families in Disney!!!

Awe so happy 1 found your report!

Glad you found me!

We are planning our 1st WDW trip and its going to be a surprise.

ANYTHING i can help you with i am here. it was a tough ride keeping this a secret.

Well sorta of 2 of our kiddos will find out on Christmas Morning and the the other 2 when they actually board the plane bound for WDW.

ohh TWO different surprises!!! HOW FUN!!! i cannot wait to hear all about your surprise adventure!

I still have a ton of reading to get caught up but I had to tell you I loved the box with the balloon. That would be a great thing to add to my Christmas Morning ideas...Thanks again. Back to reading

the box was my favorite part.. Besides the movie. I did extensive research on how to surprise them-- I took many ideas made them my own and there you have it! Again if you have ANY questions please let me know i will GLADLY help you! I LOVE IT!

Okay, I've gotten WAY behind. I blame work. It's gotten too busy and it's where I do my best Dis ing. I hope to get back tomorrow and read more! I have to go to bed now, but I need and want to catch up!

Always blame work.. it's works for all situations.. My job just got a little crazy too.. so i can't do huge updates anymore!



UGH! Work is crazy.. I have this HUGE project going on.. In it's infant stages and needs my full attention.

Volleyball is going very well and i am very proud of my girls. Meg is really becoming an awesome player and lots of fun to watch.

We did have a day off yesterday! I took the kids to see the new spongebob movie.
It was 2 hours of my life i will never get back. The one thing i can say is the 3-D effects were really good...

I am very excited for the new Minion movie.. and the new Beauty and the Beast live action movie!




I tested the song "it's a good life" with Meg... Nope she still cries. She misses Disney.
The boys? I noticed can't really listen to a great big beautiful tomorrow
all of us get upset with Wishes...

 

[Chicago Mo]

We tried the grey stuff and it is DELISH thank you Dishes!

More of the west wing!


Changing








The west wing is extremely dark. It is the coolest of all the rooms don't get me wrong. Yet it was dark. i was glad we were in the main ball room, next to the big snowy windows and next to the west wing to still enjoy it all!

Tom came to get me as our food had ARRIVED!

Mine:








Tom:


What did we think?
Tom Loved it. the Boys thought it was fantastic. You can see the happiness in Meg Tomato soup and grilled cheese.. The hero on their plates??

Green beans. can you believe that? YES they all raved about the green beans! silly kids.

I do not recommend the Braised Pork (Coq au Vin Style) It was very very fatty wasn't that wonderful. Yet- everything else on my plate was-I would get the steak in a heartbeat as everyone said how mouthwatering it was!

As we were eating some commotion started. a bit of music. Then:


I DID NOT KNOW Beast came out! Walked through the room! Let alone RIGHT NEXT TO OUR TABLE! It was so cool! We all were starry eyed when he bowed TO US! What a cool awesome interaction!!!



He was very quick. in Bowed and kept walking. I don't even know if he bowed to anyone else?!?! Didn't matter is was really neat!

Once he was gone to i believe to do the M&G the dessert cart came!








Matt and i both had the Grey stuff! and let me tell you.... I WILL GET IT AGAIN!

Zack had the master's cupcake (think that is what it was called)


Oh My yumminess.. I will tell each and everyone of you. THIS PLACE IS THE BEST! you must try it at least ONCE!!! Must!!!


Will try to make another update now...