Oh Florida! An East Meets West Girl's TR: 8/9 p56 & 8/17 p57

[MEK]

Through the trees





Up Next - The Rest of Illuminations and a Disney First!

 

[PrincessInOz]

Love the pictures from Bombay Hook. What a great wildlife refuge!

Terrific looking sliver of a trail. A launch? How cool!
What a great view of Illuminations from Japan.

 

[Dugette]

Beautiful photos! Thanks for sharing!

 

[Wood Nymph]

The picture of Africa on the Illuminations globe is really good. I've never been close enough to see it that clearly.

I love your nature pictures. It looks very serene there.

 

[dizneeat]

Beautiful photos!!! Thanks for taking us along.

 

[Pluto0809]

Beautiful Illuminations photos. I love the ones with the Japanese arch (no idea what it's really called) in the fore-front.

 

[MEK]

Thanks for catching us up on your end. I know it is so hard during the end of school and work well .....I get it.

I'm glad Cynthia was able to update. We are both slacking off a bit and everytime I promise to do better, I don't.

Sleepy hollow is a great secret place. My favorite is the fruit and nutella waffle.

I have to try that one. I love nutella. I try to just buy it every once and awhile because it is so addictive and SO full of calories.

Meets and food and drinks...mmmmmm The Poly is starting to look better as of May..different but better than the sad construction mess it was.

I bet it looks beautiful. I really, really, REALLY want to stay there, but I don't think it will be until 2017 because I just don't have the points right now.

YAY! Thanks for posting your lovely pictures and sharing the wonderful day. Appreciate the effort to come and catch up.

I agree - I know we all do, especially me because I've had trouble being a consistent DISer lately.

Thank you for posting Cynthia, I'm loving hearing from both of you

Thanks Pam! I know we are both trying to stay on top of this TR, even though we are doing a terrible job. We are getting to the point in this TR when we should be meeting you really soon!

I hope things have calmed down a bit.

I do too!

 

[MEK]

Love your additional updates, Cynthia, and all the photos...thank you for posting those.

I do too! I enjoyed seeing Cynthia's pic because she got a lot that I don't have so YAY!!!!!

Ok, I think I'm all caught up! Sorry I've been MIA for so long.

Welcome Back! I hope your trip was fabulous. No apologies necessary here - its taken me 6 days just to reply to your reply. Please let me know when you start your TR. Knowing you, you probably already have.

Thanks for the Longwood photos. It's been years since I've been there and I probably need to try and visit again sometime. It always looks great at Christmas.

It's so awesome at Christmas. You guys should do a date night there. It usually is pretty crowded, although we went one year on a snow day and had the whole place to ourselves.

Looks like a lot of fun in MK and then at the Flower & Garden festival. I remember my parents really liking the Grand Floridian Cafe, but I've never tried it.

The F&G festival is really fun. I definitely recommend its. It's sort of a toss up whether I like or F&W better.

Great updates, glad to see you posting again Cynthia!

Me too!

Star Wars Weekends looks like so much fun, and every year I say I'm going to go and then I go in early May instead (if I go in May, that is!) I don't know, I just feel like I can't deal with the crowds and the annoyingness of it. Although I do love that they have character meals now, that makes things a lot easier!

The character meal really does make it a lot easier to see the characters and the parade was pretty fun. I wish I was just a bit more of a Star Wars geek. Then I think I would be really into it. I did enjoy the parade - it was pretty darn cool.

Awesome pictures, Cynthia, especially the margaritas!

I totally agree!

 

[eandesmom]

LOVE the Bombay Hook pictures, what an oasis!

We went back to OKW. Don’t even ask me what we did. It may have been the pool. It may have been a nap. I don’t know. I really can’t remember and I have no pictures until we are getting ready to leave to go back to Epcot.

Not sure if I have pictures, we shall see! It's always a bit of a surprise these days lol.

And got a PP (these are from my camera)

oh my word, I look pregnant in that dress. It's so comfy and there are things I like about it but oh my!

I was loving all the cool shadows this evening.

Love this shot!

I can never pass up a beet salad.

Me either!

The camera went away until we walked around to the other side of the World Showcase. We were about to watch Illuminations from Japan. And waiting in Japan was Kat (who we met earlier this trip) and some other former DISers. Cynthia will have to fill you in on the specific DISers, because I didn’t really know them.

And...we were running kind of late if memory serves...barely made it in time!

 

[MEK]

I had a friend (not on this thread) who almost left the DIS because of things she found on another site. Luckily she got over it and still posts interesting and verbose TRs!

I won't even go look at the site. That's what they want us to do. They can talk about me all they want. I should probably come up with some fodder for them. The whole situation is just ridiculous.

Hah - Cynthia said they called her verbose as well. So what's wrong with that, I ask???

I gave up on other people's opinions like that years ago. I was sort of bullied in Jr High and HS, but since I never let it bother me, they never had any fun with it and moved on to more soft skinned people. I figure if people are talking about me behind my back, it's cause they have nothing better to do with themselves and that's sad. I have a life and choose to share it here and I'm glad you ladies continue to do that as well. Who cares what people say on this "anti-dis", we all have DIS meets and great friends on the DIS. Who needs negativity when there is fun to be had?

I could not agree more. The reason people get upset from it is because its an attack on the ego. If you can separate yourself from your ego its a lot easier to take. I think I heard that on some psychology show.

I was never really bullied as a kid and I think that has got to be the hardest things. Kids can be SO cruel. I expect that from kids. Their brains are not mature. But when adults pull the same tactics as kids its just pathetic and sad.

I am thankful for all the wonderful people I have met on the DIS. They enrich my life in different ways from my friends at home and my coworkers. It's really a gift to meet new people and I embrace it.

Cynthia - I totally missed your update earlier. I checked your race link - you and Jeff have been busy! Bay to Breakers sounds like a crazy race.

Didn't that look like a blast?

I love your chips and salsa on the veranda. You really had a nice view.

We had a beautiful view. I am thinking about booking two nights there in February, which would require me to borrow more points than I already have, but I just love how OKW is like a little oasis.

Was that the GF Cafe? We ate lunch there once and was not impressed. I think it took 2 1/2 hours from the time we walked in until the time we had finally gotten our bill and left the restaurant - the slowest service ever and the place was half empty.

That is just crazy! No meal should take that long. I find I get very antsy if my meal goes above 90 minutes. I start to think about all the other things I could be doing in the parks. I don't want any of that this summer!

 

[eandesmom]

I left you with a grand floridian cafe dinner, stalking the wedding stalker and a bust of a visit to the now defunct poly art store.

Based on our breakfast time, and perceived crowds for the start of SWW it would appear that we both chose to forego any kind of morning exercise. Or coffee on the verandah. Go figure that.

Mary Ellen took my camera to try and help me figure out how to really use it. Spoiler alert. I still don't know.

Soon enough, as you all know by now, we were here

Stalking the Stalker

I am a medium sized Star Wars geek and was pretty darn excited

You know, this is cute, it really is but darn it... I MISS THE HAT!

I love the feel here, just wish it didn't always feel so immediately congested

We had one pre-breakfast FP but I had an errand to run first. Somehow I think I had managed to lose my lip gloss. This is a recurring theme with me and results in emergency purchases. Either that or I simply hadn't bought any yet and had planned tol. When I bought some on our NYE trip, after losing all of mine, I had been fairly pleased with the color and quality so wanted some more.

Apparently Mary Ellen decided to test out my camera while I perused the selections.

I am not quite sure what I think of the colored enamel on the Alex and Ani's.

the lip gloss in question

The hat was used quite well for the SWW events I thought, always seemed to have something going on the stage.

This is gone now...

which gave a very false sense of how crowded the park was. Go around the corner and WHAM

Really, how could we not? It was SWW and we had a character breakfast booked. It seemed fitting we go on a tour first!

I wasn't the rebel spy. I never am.

I am not a stand in line for a character picture kind of gal but you have to admit these two are adorable!

Arriving at breakfast we didn't have to wait all that long and then were ushered in for pictures.

They were definitely moving folks through and not keen on using any camera but theirs. They took one for me with my phone.

And then a few with theirs. I mean ONE. They wouldn't let us split up the group for individual pictures at all.

oh well, they did have some fun borders

Now there was a bonus prize, since we had PP and were doing a share we were also able to get Rosie's picture for her. LOL! I think they were there on a different day but it's such a fun picture I'm sticking it here anyway.

Once seated, we were quickly brought these

As Mary Ellen mentioned, they were just ok but they sure were cute. I believe the Darth puff pastry was the best of the bunch.

I loved that they were showing movie clips and playing the music. LOVED it!

Caitlin had come prepared to trade with the Jawa's

The lighting is horrendous

it's hard to tell but they are discussing just what they want to trade with (or steal lol)

Continued in next post

 

[MEK]

Thanks for posting, Cynthia! I love hearing about the girl's trip from both perspectives.

And you can see that Cynthia remembers details a lot better than I do....just saying.....

It sounds like it has been an insanely busy couple of months for you and your family. I can definitely see why you didn't have any time to get on the DIS. I'm keeping my fingers crossed that the Avengers race works out for you!

Me too!

That breakfast from Sleepy Hollow looks huge. I love how fresh it looks, though. The tomatoes look they were cut at the perfect time. (I'm a stickler for tomatoes.)

That was SO delish! I had it again in February but I think I may have split it with Denny. It's HUGE!

I didn't realize they'd opened up a snack location near Under the Sea. Even a year later, I was clueless. I'm really glad you posted the menu, because going next week pregnant I know I'll be craving that crushed ice item.

I hope you are having a wonderful time. I didn't even realize you were going. That just proves how far I've strayed from the DIS. I just can't keep up on all the life events.

Relaxing at the pool is always the best, and while cold pizza isn't my thing, I'm sure if it was from Via Napoli it was delicious. Even as leftovers, their food is amazing.

I agree - that pizza would make a great leftover!

I don't think the art store is ever coming back to the Poly, which is a bummer. They had some beautiful pieces in there.

You know - I've always wondered about the feasibility of a store like that. It's really rather high end. I realize there is a market for that, but how profitable is it long term? It's nice to look, but how much really gets sold?

 

[MEK]

This 100%! Breakfast really is my all time favorite meal. And you got me thinking, that we NEVER go out for breakfast. And I always get so excited for WDW when I'm allowed to make ONE breakfast ADR! So I would have been frustrated too.

I love a good breakfast ADR. I love a late breakfast because then it takes the place of lunch and I am usually good straight through until dinner.

So cute. They're brave little guys aren't they?

Quite the bold little birds.

I do like that!

Me too!

Ya snooze ya loose!

Still haven't visited this treehouse.

Something for the bucket list!

Super nice!

That quiet pool was so awesome.

Maybe some guac? And tequila.

I totally agree!


I

'm not a cold pizza fan at all, but this combination, I would try it!

[/QUOTE]

Same here! Our problem is, it's way too hot to house flowers like this because we don't have a covered patio and it gets ridiculous here in the Summer so nothing could really live. HOWEVER, just yesterday, and i'm super excited about this, we started talking to a guy that builds patios and we'll be placing the order today to start building next month!

That's awesome - congratulations on your new patio! That's so exciting!!!!! I'm sure you are going to love it.

Me too. I laugh every time at the corny characters though

I know, right?

Aw you girls look great!

Thanks!

Who's being the stalker now?!

Bwa hahaha!!!!!!

 

[eandesmom]

continued from previous

getting ready for the trade

She likes it!

I enjoyed the parfait, even if the granola was a bit soggy

Sing along with me!

Uh oh, Dale's in trouble

Nice red eye! Which somehow I was unable to fix.

My entree picture turned out terribly but it looks like Mary Ellen and I had the same thing

It was not a big menu to start with

This is the 2014 menu

We both had the Dune Sea. The 2015 menu looked similar name wise but on our item it was actually a totally different combo even though it had same name.

You will note that they don't mention the dessert. But yet, there was one

It was approaching

and yeah...I am not sure what this has to do with the foaming glowing thing on the cart (unless it was their version of a flashlight) but this is what we got

It was weird. I can't even describe it, other than to say, weird. The rest of the meal was actually decent, especially the entree. The pastries were not overwhelming but not horrible either and that seems to be the norm for Disney pastries in general if you ask me.

Up next, I love a parade! I figure I'll stop here so it actually gets posted lol.

 

[franandaj]

These were taken at Bombay Hook, which is a national wildlife refuge here in Delaware.

It looks like a beautiful park. Thanks for sharing!

We said hello to the topiaries for what we thought would be the last time.

Great topiaries! To bad you're on the last day.

So, I don’t have time to post all my Illuminations pics so I’ll just post a few from my very obstructed view on the deck in Japan.

Great pictures!

Caitlyn had come prepared to trade with the Jawa's

I've heard that the Jawas trade with guests and it's pretty fun.

You know - I've always wondered about the feasibility of a store like that. It's really rather high end. I realize there is a market for that, but how profitable is it long term? It's nice to look, but how much really gets sold?

Unless Fran frequents it! However, we are not into Thomas Kincade.

 

[Pluto0809]

I definitely want to do that Star Wars breakfast some day! DH is a huge Star Wars fan and loves the evil characters. Boba Fett is his favorite and I think he would pass out if given the opportunity to meet him.

Everything looks good except for that dessert. It just looks nasty.

 

[Nermel9]

Lovely night in Epcot, MEK! My favorite thing to do in Disney is just walk around Epcot, look at how pretty it is, and then watch Illuminations!

The SWW character breakfast looks so cool, if I'm ever brave enough to do a SWW, I would definitely do that character meal! I just don't think I can deal with those crowds!!!

 

[jenseib]

Great updates!!!

 

[MEK]

I think they were the Force and the Dark Side. I believe the Force was Vodka based and the Dark Side had Rum. I know Fran and I were clearly divided on this drink which worked out well cause we could get one of each.

Those ARE the names! I found a picture of the sign, but for some reason it didn't upload to photo bucket. Whichever one Cynthia had was the best.

YAY for verbosity!

I don't think there is a single thing wrong with being verbose. I can think of a lot more worse things, that's for sure.

I LOVE that building at OKW and that view. It is so very very Zen to me! I feel away from everything. Which right now sounds pretty amazing.

I fell in love with that building, too. It's perfect. Even though I am point short I think I am going to do two nights there in February. I want to go back to that exact same building.

Pregnant????? Oh my goodness I am so out of the loop. CONGRATULATIONS!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Well, the tequila and rum would NOT mix. Which reminds me....Mary Ellen (@MEK) had brought a wicked strong super yummy rum....I forget what brand though, but oh, it was good. Killer poolside drinks.

Did I bring Black Seal rum? I can't remember, but I know I'm all about the pool drinks!

That bag is adorable, he is very very talented. And super nice too! I was impressed he went for the PP picture.

He really is. And I was surprised he went for the picture, too. He was super chill about it when I met up with them in February. They are a great couple. We hung out for quite awhile the day we met up.

5 weeks. Ok, that might be doable. That's right about when my next real work trip is. I have one next week but am actually taking the family along and it's just a long weekend.

I definitely think we can wrap this up in 5 weeks. I am going to try to weekly updates, although I keep saying and I am never able to do it. *sigh*

I am having the same issue at night. Complicated by the fact that right now I am driving Evan to drivers ed every single night...and then picking him up and trying to fit in work outs and eating/cooking around it. Thank goodness it's only a 4 week course!

Oh My! So Not Fun! In Delaware they offer it as part of their school curriculum. It makes things SO much easier!

YAY us!!!!!!!!!!!!

 

[MEK]

I took a picture of the same ornament! Have you been to the new Nightscape exhibit yet? I went a couple of nights ago, it's worth seeing but I think I like what they did 2 summers ago better. It's a little hard to take pictures of, videos are better because there's so much motion.

I am going to Nightscape on Friday night. I am looking forward to seeing it. It sounds cool.

I was going to give you grief for calling a jawa a wookie, and for not knowing who some of those SWW people were, but I see that my fellow DISers have already done that! Good work everyone.

Thanks everyone. Bravo!!!!!

I had intended on trying this after seeing it on this thread earlier, but my appetite and geographic location just didn't line up for that to work out.

I HATE when that happens!

We got the same pizza and also had leftovers eaten cold. Some slices didn't even make it to the next day.

I bet. That pizza is pretty irresistible! I can't wait to hear about your trip. Please PM me when you start or else I could totally miss it and that would NOT be cool.

I think that may have changed a little by the time the Final rolled around.

I totally agree with that!