Touring the Tower of Terror and other Ghoulish Delights! Sept 13 TR | FINALx2 4/17!!!

[Pimama]

Welcome back! Have a great week getting ready for Thanksgiving and your birthday, how fun! Have you started decorating for Xmas? We put up lights outside the house today, we always do it the weekend before Thanksgiving because it seems the rain likes to come with Thanksgiving and who wants to decorate in the rain!? We do save everything else for later though the Christmas bug is biting me a bit early this year and I kind of want to start.

It's so weird to have read all of your TRs (yes, I have a house full of sick kids and have spent the last couple weeks turning to my make believe world for entertainment!). I feel a bit like a creeper. I even know where you live?! Ok, not exactly. I'm just south of you so I recognized your town from the sidewalk stone picture.

I can't wait to hear about DL so wherever and whenever. So cool about your ToT win, can't wait to read about it! My daughter and I were evacuated from that ride last year and it was very cool, not to mention the CM was hysterical.

Ron's comment is awesome- don't.talk.to.me Disney with sore feet is no laughing matter though, what a bummer. I once spent $30 on a pair of flip flops in DL because my feet hurt so bad, I took a lot of flack from my son for that.

 

[Jenasweetemotion]

Was so happy to have an update of your TR. I look forward to reading your Disneyland TR. Also wanted to wish you an early Birthday. My Mom's Birthday is also Thanksgiving this year. We are going to have a Birthday celebration on the weekend though. She doesn't want to mix the 2 days . Hope you have a Magical Birthday & Thanksgiving!

 

[DawnFeiss]

Hi Dani. I'm a bit of a Lurker. But I felt compelled to comment on all your wonderful pictures and that I love your writing style please keep up with the wonderful job

 

[DawnFeiss]

Hi Dani. I'm a bit of a Lurker. But I felt compelled to comment on all your wonderful pictures and that I love your writing style please keep up with the wonderful job

 

[maddiebee]

That pizza looks amazing.
Where/how did you enter the contest?! I would love to know how to be aware of those kinds of things!

I heard so many crazy things about the night of the 13th, I'm glad you were ultimately able to enjoy it! I'm totally the same way and when I hit my wall I want nothing to do with anything. Disney seems to be the only place that I can actually snap out of it
Can't wait to see the tour photos!!

 

[khertz]

Ahhhh, Via Napoli...I swear, every time I go to that restaurant, the heavens part and angels sing! My favorite place in WDW, hands down. And we have always had great service there too! That definitely help. Boo about the anniversary song. Don't feel too embarrassed, at least you weren't recording with an iPad!

We definitely get a lot of time to watch Tiny Town. It's pretty difficult to drag a train-obsessed toddler away from there! I love seeing real animals looking gigantic in that area like the lizard. I don't think it was there, I think it was on the Storybook Canal boats in DL when we saw a duck walking around one of the houses and it was pretty hilarious.

Disney definitely DID NOT adequately prepare for that villains event!! They HAD to know it was going to be popular! Even if they don't normally, they definitely should have had direct boats going from all the launches to DHS. That's just ridiculous that you had to wait an hour for a boat. And I saw someone on Instagram who did actually wait almost 3 hours for Oogie Boogie. Insanity. I'm glad you perked up a bit to enjoy the fireworks. But I am just like you. When all those things are overwhelming me, I get MISERABLE. I'm sure I'm no fun to be around when I get like that. I made an unfortunate shoe choice on our October trip too, so I can commiserate with you on that one. The last thing you want on a WDW vacation is miserable feet!

That's pretty cool that you both won the contest, but bummer that it was on 2 different days. And ToT>>>>>>>GMR any day for something like that! I love GMR too but to tour? ToT please!!

Also, in regards to the DL TR, I can never have too much Dani TR. There's no such thing! So if you decide to do both at the same time, I'm on board. But I definitely know juggling 2 TR's can be rough on the writer, so I'm on board if you decide to delay it too!

 

[AbbyMarie]

Happy Birthday! Hope you have a wonderful day! Oh, and Happy Thanksgiving too!

 

[danimaroo]

Great update!

Thank you!

How awesome to meet another DIS'er. You always know you have something in common to start!

The Gold Rush is always my Sundae of choice! I noticed in others pictures they had gone to plastic! At first I thought they were pictures from DL!

Those vinyls are HUGE!

The World Showplace is where they do a bunch of stuff for the F&W Festival as well. It's HUGE!!

Absolutely, I was really happy to meet Jenn finally just because we've been talking for so long! And yeah, I had no idea about World Showplace being open during F&W. So crazy... but it's really neat!

Yep, totally sure that the photos of the Gold Rush sundae and the caramel apple cookie caused me to gain 3lbs.

You have such self-restraint in stores. I always tell myself we'll get ideas and do shopping at the end but then I walk in a store and I'm like "OMGWANTNEEDNOW".

Hahaha, I'm sorry. Disney food can do that to you, Is wear.

Matt has way more self-restraint than me! Oh my gosh, I'll buy things like it ain't no thang in an instant!

I'm way behind in my comment here, so I'll have to back track a little bit!

First, I finally watched your trip video and I have one serious question- why are you not producing Disney Parks commercials?! Seriously, Dani! The music was great and the video seriously made me wish I was there with you guys!

I think it was a solid decision to go to MK and grab that bag! It's seriously adorable! I love merch with the haunted mansion print on it because its not in your face Disney, and usually only serious park fans recognize it. It's almost like a little secret between all of us

Isn't the Poly gorgeous!? I walked through for the first time in January and now I see why that place has such a following. All the foliage is awesome!

I love that the woman totally called you guys out, so to speak! My sister and I always talk about how we're sure we'd recognize some of the people we follow off DIS but don't know if we're brave enough to approach someone, haha!

Earl of Sandwich looks 100% delicious!

So glad you guys finally got to meet in person! Seems like a lot of fun!

Thanks for all the Boardwalk pics! We're staying at the villas there for the first time in February and are really excited! I love seeing pictures from a guest's perspective!

I'm really pumped to hear about your experience in Hollywood Studios. I've heard that night was sheer craziness so I'm really interested to see what you guys thought!

It's okay, I'm behind on replies, so we're even!

Thank you so much for the video compliments!! I love making videos of our trips, it's way too much fun!

Haha, that's EXACTLY why I love that bag so much!! Only hardcore Disney fans will get it, but it's also so prettyyyy.

I do love the Poly. Hopefully we'll stay there one day when the DVC villas are done!

Hahaha, it totally made our day, so we didn't mind! It's kind of hard when you recognize people from the DIS, I won't lie.. "Should I say something or would that be awkward?!"

I really loved the Boardwalk! It's such a pretty resort. I'm sure you will love it!

Not sure if you saw my latest update but it WAS insanity!

Ooh I really like the MB covers Dani. Perfect if you get bored of the colour and want to mix it up.

OK this is just so cool. First, I love how you are finally meeting in person for the first time. And in Disney! If that's not magical, I don't know what is. I remember reading about one of those care packages in the old TR.

And, it wasn't that long ago that I read about this initial encounter, but from Jenn's perspective. Now we get "the rest of the story", lol.

I have ALWAYS wanted to see behind those big gates. I didn't know your event took place back there. I can't wait to hear about it.

I honestly can't wait until your Villains night at HS. I've heard so many horror stories (no pun intended... well maybe a little).

Thanks Rob! That was exactly my thought!

Haha, YES good memory!! It really has been forever of us talking, so we were happy to meet!

Yeah I had no idea either, but I was excited to see how they had everything set up!

It was a horror story... and I loved your pun, hahaha.

Ugh I am starving, and seeing your EoS and ice cream pictures are killing me.

I wish I got that muscle memory towards a resort as my home! That's so awesome! My instinct to go home while at Disney is to go towards the parking lot...

Just let me tell you, I savored every last bite of that cookie. It was perfect and guarded with my life from Johnny. Just kidding. I shared. I let him have the crumbs.


HAVE FUN IN DL THIS WEEK!
I'm so happy y'all get to go unwind after a stressful couple of weeks!

Ooops, sorryyyyyy...

Haha that IS weird! I never thought about that.. but yeah, Beach Club always seems like where we're supposed to go when leaving Epcot!

I'm glad you loved the cookie and let Johnny have some crumbs, hahaha. And thanks, obviously you know we had a good time. Don't mind my reply 8 years later.

I'm just now joining in and am only a couple posts in but MAN I am loving your TR! Your photos are so lovely! Apologies if you've already answered this, but what kind of camera do you use?
The photos from your first night at MK at dusk are making my heart jump. I'm so homesick!! Excited to get caught up on the rest of your TR!

Awesome! I'm so happy you're loving it! My camera is a Nikon D5100. Most of the photos from the first night were taken with my 35mm f/1.8 lens!

We adore you people, DUH! It was so exciting to meet you, of course, but sort of surreal. I mean, I *knew* we'd never met in person, but it totally felt like we'd known you for years and years. It's like those friends you don't see for a long time and then pick up right where you left off...except we hadn't seen each other EVER! Does that make any sense? You had nothing to worry about with my kids. In general, they don't take too well to strangers, but I think they had the same feeling that they already knew you. You weren't strangers. You'd sent them gifts! Pictures you colored are hanging in their bedrooms! Obviously you were friends. The only thing I was really nervous about is whether or not you'd be able to understand us through our thick Southern accents, and whether or not you'd realize that just because we speak slowly doesn't mean we think slowly. I guess talking for so many months before that helped, since you knew that we're just big geeks, not rednecks.

I just love the way you love our kids. I have so many pictures of you guys with them, and you're listening to them. Really listening. Most people just brush kids off as just kids, but you guys realized that they're little people and made an effort to hear what they were saying...even if it always started with the repetitive, "Well, you know what?"

And Sawyer's Crocs. I think they're the cutest, too! He has so many pairs of them that he picked out himself! And I just think that's adorable, too!

Didn't you have some weirdo on the bus ride over to DTD that day? It seems like I remember that there was some sort of awkwardness, but I can't remember the story behind it.

Uh, yeah. Thanksgiving is not supposed to happen in 90 degree weather. Good choice in skipping that.

Sundaes! I kept meaning to go back and get one. Never happened. Although you know we got plenty of ice cream later on in the trip.

Boardwalk does seem to have that same Beach Club vibe...except it has a creepy clown slide, so it's a no-go for us.

It's fun to find out what you were doing while we were off doing our thing. Can't wait for the next update!!

No, I know what you mean! And I'm sorry, I laughed at the thick accent thing. If ooonly you'd met me when I was living in Boston and had my thick Boston accent. That would've been hilarious, hahaha.

Oh my gosh your kids are the cutest. I loved all of their stories, they were just the best!

Sawyer's Crocs, I wanted my own pair, darnit. Who wouldn't?!

Hahah the weirdo happens later in our trip coming back from DTD! Oh my gosh, I can't wait to tell THAT story. So weird.

Ugh yeah, I'm glad I did. I DID get it when we were in Disneyland (spoiler alert), but it wasn't 90 degrees outside, haha.

Agreed on the clown. NO THANKS.

I know, I love reading each other's TRs and seeing what the other group was up to! It's kind of fun, haha.

It's official I have read every trip report you have written lol just finished you Jan 2012 trip report Norway - more like no way and I loved it !! I realise this might make me sound slightly obsessed by your trip reports but I am ok with that can't wait to hear more about this trip too. I love school bread almost as much as you by the way and I have picked up so many must dos for my next trip from your reports like raglan road, earl of sandwich and looking for details in the queue of haunted mansion !

Holy cow, that's impressive! I'm so glad you read them all though!! And it's not creepy, hahaha, I'm just glad someone reads my stuff, honestly! I'm so glad my trip reports have helped you pick out some must-dos!!

The heat of September is starting to worry me a bit. My DH and I were planning on a 20th anniversary trip next Sept and I'm a little worried my husband might melt. He's a native Seattlite and likes his mild PNW temperatures. I kind of miss my seasons but I've never really done crazy hot humidity.

So much fun to hear about your meetup, (and Jenn, if you happen to see this, I never thought of you with a thick accent but of course you would. I'm going to read your TR with a new voice in my head!).

Have a great time in DL, sounds like you could really use the break. Glad things have settled down enough that you can go without being worried. I was actually pricing tickets to DL next May (yes, I'm planning 2 trips at the same time, don't you?!) and can't believe it's only $40 cheaper to fly to DL than DW . Crazy.

Enjoy, and then get back and write some more!! (Pretty please....)

It's pretty hot, and I mean, it's sometimes just brutal. But that's what the stores are for, and indoor queues, and indoor shows, and mid-day breaks, and restaurants... you catch my drift, haha. Trust me, I MELT in the heat, but we survived. And the crowds were low enough for us to want to go back in September again, even with the heat!

We did need a break, and it was nice to go to Disneyland again to kick off the holiday season for us! That's insane that DL is $40 cheaper to fly to. I think you'll be able to find better tickets when you get closer to May, honestly.

Welp I did get another update out, and I'll have ANOTHER one here after I finish comments!

Love, love, loving this report!!!
I finally got to check out your video and I am hooked! Great songs and great clips! How about that person photobombing your video on the TTA!!!!! And Matt discovering he doesn't like afternoon parades???? It was like watching a Will Farrel skit...
I must say, you two are so adorable together and having such a blast! I need a Disney crazed guy! Haha, I'll be ok, I have Disney crazed teens!
Waiting eagerly for the next update...

Aww thank you!! I'm so glad you liked our video, too. That person is our friend Danni, but it would be kind of funnier if it was just some random girl, right?! HAHAHA.

Oh my gosh, that clip cracked me up because it just HAPPENED. None of it was planned, I was just videoing and yeah... I was dead when I saw it, hahaha.

Thank you though! It's always nice to have the kids who are Disney-obsessed, too! Makes trips way more fun!!

Ahh that Haunted Mansion bag, I want it!!! It's so perfect!

It's so funny reading about other people named Jenn and Brandon because...well, I'm Jen and my DH is Brandon haha! I'm glad there are more of us out there! So cool that you finally got to meet up with them!

I love the Boardwalk, I would love to stay there someday, but I just don't like the look of the rooms of the villas, I'd want to stay in a regular room and they're just so expensive! Stupid Disney and their stupid deluxe prices.

I am still shocked that Starbucks is in EPCOT!!! That's probably going to be my first stop when I get there, I mean, what's better than Starbucks in my favorite park?

BEFORE I START... you're in DISNEY WORLD RIGHT NOW!! I hope you're having an amazing trip!!

I totally didn't even think about that, but that's hilarious!

Hahaha, yeah, the deluxe rooms are a bit different than Villa rooms... I'm just happy to be at that resort, and DVC allows me to do it without going broke, hahaha.

I know, it was just the best to have it there. I don't want to know how much we spent at Starbucks during our trip though.

 

[danimaroo]

Have a FABULOUS time!!

Thank you, we did!

JEALOUS!!! Have a great time - I'll be twitter-stalking you!

Haha, hopefully you enjoyed twitter-stalking our trip!!

Have a great time!!

Thank you, we had a blast!!

Have a terrific time! I'll be in Disneyland 3 weeks from today, my first trip there!

Eeee, I hope you have an amazing time! It's so pretty right now, you'll love it.

Have a great time in Disneyland! I'm sure that will be a great remedy to a crappy week!

I will most certainly be following on twitter/instagram to get my DL fix!

Thank you, it helped out! Nice to get away for a bit! Hope you enjoyed the photos and tweets, haha.

Have a wonderful time! I'm sure I will be living vicariously through your Instagram!!

Thank you!! We had a fabulous time!

Have a fabulous time in DL!!!! Glad you are able to escape your terrible/stressful week.

Finally caught up on your last 2 updates. Yeah!!! Now I just have to wait till you get back and watch for the next ones.

First off glad Matt's mom is okay. Scary that she had those complications but glad everything worked out.

How awesome to finally get to meet up with Jenn and her family. I love that you became friends on the DIS and have "known" each other for such a long time but finally got to meet face to face. Great picture of you and Jenn together.

I have never eaten ice cream at Ghiradelli but I am going to have to do that this time and have that Gold Rush cause it looks delicious!!!!!

Awesome that you got to go behind the secret gates in Epcot but how hilarious that you had to be escorted so that you couldn't sneak into the event going on. The Vinylmations that you got for attending the event are really cute, especially Pluto as Scar.

The 3 foot Vinylmation is CRAZY!!!! How cool would it be to have that in the entry way to the house. My DH would not be amused.

Anyway have a fabulous time and look forward to your next update when you get back!!

Yeah, it did work out. There's more battles to face, but I'm just glad she's okay now.

Yeah, we love that family! They're the best and I was so happy to meet them finally!

The ice cream there is SO good, you have to check it out!!

Hahaha it was such a weird experience to be escorted.. but seeing the event was exciting for that Sunday of me going!

I think those things go for like $10k?! It's nuts, I just can't even imagine buying one.

Thank you! I'll have ANOTHER update here shortly!

Oh man, I hate that there were problems with Matt's mom's surgery.

Yay for DTD and Jenn! I can't even handle how cute the photos of this are. I want to hang out with y'all so bad!

I am the same way as Matt with debating all week on purchases. I make mental and physical notes of things I love.

Man, those EPCOT pins are my favorite. I wish I had the whole set because hello, childhood.

Okay, I know the boardwalk melting feeling all too well. The day Anna was sick I parked at Boardwalk, ate at Beaches, walked to Epcot, proceeded to walk to FW, then all the way back to my car. IN LATE APRIL. Pretty sure I looked like a wet dog.

DUDE, YOU GO TO DISNEYLAND TODAY WOOOOOO

Yeah that wasn't fun at all. Terrifying.

JUST COME HANG OUT NEXT TIME, k thanks. That would make me happy!

Haha you and Matt are so similar in certain ways! It explains why we're such good friends though!

I knew you'd love those pins, Matt was very excited about them!

UGH YES NO THANKS. So gross and I wanted to collapse in that area.. except when I'd hit the pavement and then got 3rd degree burns or something.

I NOW WANT TO GO BACK AGAIN NOWWWW.

Your trip snuck up on me, as well! I knew last week that you were leaving now, but somehow it slipped my mind over the weekend. SO I AM SO EXCITED FOR YOU RIGHT NOW!!! Have so much fun, you guys!

Yeah, that trip just came up on us quick, but we had a great time!

You're so lucky going back to Disneyland. Have a fabulous time

Thank you! We had a blast!

I love that Haunted Mansion bag cause it's one of those things that most people would just think is a nice bag, but Disney fans will get it and geek out when they see you with it. I WANT IT!!!

I'm with you on eating several different foods to make a meal as opposed to one big meal. That's why I love the Food and Wine Festival so much. It's so fun to have a variety.

YAY BASIN!! I'm so happy my recommendation helped you. I'm so crazy about those shampoo bars.

The story about getting recognized from your trip video is SO hilarious. She must have been shocked to see you there at that moment!

The sandwich Matt got at Earl is the one I get every single time at the NYC location. I want to try another one but I'm just in love with it.

This Vinylmation event sounds so awesome! How much was it to get in? Pin trading + Vinyl trading + Villain M&Gs = extremely happy Lia.

You are SO LUCKY to be in Disneyland!! I hope you guys are having a beyond magical time!

Yes, exactly! That's why I love it so much!

YES, you get me Lia, you really do. Smorgasboard for all!

Basin is the best! I'm such a big fan of those shampoo and conditioner bars!

Hahaha it was so so funny, the look on her face of just SHOCK. Oh my gosh I wish I'd captured the whole thing on video.

I almost ALWAYS get the Turkey Club every time... but I did branch out when we went in Disneyland and tried a Holiday sandwich. It was delicious. I love their sandwiches!

The Vinylmation event was pretty awesome! I'm excited to talk about that day! It cost $65 to get in, but you got the free Vinylmation set which in itself is worth like $40-50 usually, AND they give you a $15 gift card that you can use on anything. So basically, it's really not that bad! I think the Friday one, which had both pin and Vinylmation trading was more expensive, like $100, but that one also involved meet and greets with ALL of the Villains who were at Hollywood Studios that night... plus other nice perks.

We were so lucky and HAPPY! We had a wonderful trip!

Have a great time you two! Hopefully no whipping rain on Mickey's Fun Wheel this time!

Thanks Rob!! No rain for us, thank GOODNESS!!

Hi Dani! Finally caught up on your TR and loved the video!!!

Music with Fresh Feeling is one of my faves and fits great with your video!!!

So much fun and can't wait to hear more. Thanks for sharing!

Aww thank you! So glad you're here.. and you like The Eels?! YAY! I love that song and I'm glad I was able to get it into a video!

Thanks again!

 

[danimaroo]

WELCOME BACK!!!!

So happy to see new updates.

Wow I can't believe the crazy crowds and how long you had to wait for the boats during the Villians event. 2-3 hours wait to meet the characters, CRAZY!!!! Bummer that it ended up being a kind of bust but the Fireworks looked amazing.

Love that guy that photo bombed your picture. His expression is great.

Your poor feet. I hope that wearing the sneakers for a day make a difference for you.

That's awesome that you and Matt both won the contest although Matt had to miss his since it was after you left. I am looking forward to seeing what that tour entails.

Happy you are back. Sounds like you have a lot of stuff going on last week and this coming week. Busy, Busy, Busy.

Ahh thank you so much! I'm finally sneaking in some time for Disney trip replies and updates. I'm happy!

That Villains event was just bonkers, seriously. If I could go back, I would have totally skipped it. Ended our night and headed back to our resort to relax. But we survived, and the fireworks were cool, so that was good!

Hahah I know, I didn't notice until way later.

My feet were sad. It was the Crocs that ONE day that just ruined my feet for the rest of the trip. When we went to Disneyland, I did sneakers and Croc flip flops and only suffered a few blisters, which was a lot better than what I had in Disney World!

Yeah, it was just a bummer we weren't on the same day! But the tour.. oh my gosh just WAIT and see!

Things have been busy, but I have some time now to finally reply and get another update done! The holidays are always bonkers though, so I think once Christmas is over, I'll have more time to keep updates going more than just once every 7-8 days!

Video fail? Been there! A couple years ago on christmas morning I thought I was recording the girls opening gifts but I so wasn't. In my sleepy excited rush I didn't start recording but thought I was. Then I pushed the button again to stop and put the camcorder down, then picked it up to record and pushed the button again stopping the video. See what I was doing? Yeah....we have a lot of video of our living room carpet and the wall and none of present opening. Sometimes technology is hard!

Anyway....boo to waiting so long for a boat, but yea for seeing friends and the awesome fireworks at HS! Those are so cool! As is oogie boogie! Love nightmare!

Can't wait to hear about this TOT tour--sounds like it would be so amazing!

My vote on the DL TR--wait until this one is done. I like instant gratification as much as the next person, but it's also fun to have something to look forward to!

Hahaha that's the saddest thing! I've done that so many times though.

The waiting was killer but the fireworks were definitely awesome to see. And Oogie Boogie looked super cool!

The TOT was just unreal. Seriously!

And thanks, I'm definitely going to do it after this one. I barely have enough time as it is right now to keep up with this one, nevermind a SECOND TR?! Yup, not happening. It'll be a bit late, but so be it!

YAY, so glad your back and updating (of course that doesn't mean I'm happy your trip is over). Pretty excited for Xmas cards though.

As for a DL TR opinion, do what works best for you! Simple.

I love that your 2 fav restaurants are completely different experiences. Not that I've experienced either, but I do know they're different.

Haha, I actually remember that tweet which is surprising since I don't tend to check twitter all that often. Except when people are IN Disney. Then I stalk.

Yeah, I'm pretty sure Disney underestimated the Villains party transportation wise all the way around. Just crazy!

I did not know about those dollar lockers. Great info Dani!!

Uh oh, sounds like you got into a state of DON'T... TALK... TO... ME!

Yay I am really excited for the whole blow by blow account of the Tower Tour!

Thanks Rob!! We had an awesome trip. AND good news, my cards are in! I'm going to pick them up I think either tomorrow or Tuesday, so I'll be asking for your address here soon!

Haha, what works for me is going to be doing it after I'm done here.. I just don't have the time for 2 TRs right now. Hard enough doing one!

Yeah so true! Very different, but both SO good.

I'm a tweeting fiend, sooo I'm glad you were stalking, hahaha.

Oh my gosh, it was so bad. People were stuff in traffic for hours! I can't even imagine.

And yes, the locker thing was SO helpful! It fit my pretty large bag full of Vinylmation boxes without any problem. Those lockers only took quarters, and once you took your stuff out, you'd have to pay again to use it, but it was an awesome solution for me just wanting to throw everything in a storage space. The other lockers in the park are more expensive, but you can get in and out of them as many times are you want.

I DIED when I read your DON'T TALK TO ME comment. Died, hahahaha. I was definitely in that mode!

I can't WAIT to get to that day! The tour was AMAZING.

, yo.

Can I just say that I hate the fact that I've never eaten at your two favorite restaurants? Because I hate it. I'm trying really hard to learn to like truffle related things, but it's not working out well. I mean, I don't hate it anymore, but I don't really care for it either. Tastes like the earth. I love the earth, but I don't like eating things that taste like her.

I am so excited for this day. I am so lame for getting excited, but Jenn's family and now Danni/Villians event?!?

January goal: Get Riley to ride Star Tours and love it.

I hate the stage, hate the BAH, but I love Morris Mulch/Jim. I never stopped to watch them before if we are being honest, but now that I know Jim & Nicole I always stop to watch and say hey to him. I won't shun you though, no worries.

I love the viewpoint of your fireworks photos! Keystone is one of my favorite storefronts at MGM. Okay, I'm actually obsessed with all of the storefronts there.

WOOO Dani's first tram ride!

THIS IS WHY I LOVE YOU. You go and post a .gif of Chunk doing the Truffle Shuffle. YES.

You need to eat at both places! And I know you don't like truffle, hahahaha. I'm still laughing over that. But you'd love Via Napoli because they just have the BEST food ever ever ever. I wish I could go there right now.

I know! It was a fun day, seriously! And I hope you can get Riley to go on Star Tours, that would be adorable.

Yup, I'm with you on that. It IS funny to see the photos of Jim and Nicole since I follow them on IG, but I don't know them really at all. But yeah, I just don't like the music or the stage. SHUNNNNED FOREVER.

Oh hey thanks! I was just happy to get a spot and not feel mega squished. So many people were there, ugh.

Hahaha, it was quite a tram ride, indeed!

I haven't been to Via Napoli in almost THREE YEARS so THAT isn't okay. Yum yum yum!

You couldn't pay me to wait three hours for a meet with a villain... unless it was like, a lot. Hahaha. Crazy people!

The fireworks look so cool.

Sent from my iPhone using DISBoards

You are going to make a Via Napoli trip next time, I hope! SO GOOD...

Yeah, I'm with you. 3 hours for anything just seems insane... but Villains? Nope. But the fireworks were at least neat!

I'd totally wait to see Oogie Boogie.

And I totally feel ya - the second I'm done, I'm DONE. I can't even pretend to be enthusiastic about anything.

Hahaha I just couldn't justify waiting 3 hours for characters, no way!

And yeah, I was done. SO done. Grumpface and all.

Welcome back!!
Can't wait to hear all about it...take ur time...we will be waiting!!!

Thank you so much!!

 

[danimaroo]

Welcome back! Have a great week getting ready for Thanksgiving and your birthday, how fun! Have you started decorating for Xmas? We put up lights outside the house today, we always do it the weekend before Thanksgiving because it seems the rain likes to come with Thanksgiving and who wants to decorate in the rain!? We do save everything else for later though the Christmas bug is biting me a bit early this year and I kind of want to start.

It's so weird to have read all of your TRs (yes, I have a house full of sick kids and have spent the last couple weeks turning to my make believe world for entertainment!). I feel a bit like a creeper. I even know where you live?! Ok, not exactly. I'm just south of you so I recognized your town from the sidewalk stone picture.

I can't wait to hear about DL so wherever and whenever. So cool about your ToT win, can't wait to read about it! My daughter and I were evacuated from that ride last year and it was very cool, not to mention the CM was hysterical.

Ron's comment is awesome- don't.talk.to.me Disney with sore feet is no laughing matter though, what a bummer. I once spent $30 on a pair of flip flops in DL because my feet hurt so bad, I took a lot of flack from my son for that.

Thank you very much! We actually got ALL of our decorating done on Friday! Outside AND inside, woohoo! I'm glad we did it early since Thanksgiving is so late this year.

Hahaha not creepy at all! I promise, I'm glad you've read them all though! I can't even believe I've written so many, it feels like I was just writing my first one not that long ago. WEIRD.

I think it'll be after this TR is over, just because I'm struggling with time lately! It's not fun, blergh. But yeah, the TOT tour was amazing. I can't wait to get to that part of my TR!

Hahaha I know, Rob cracks me up! But yeah, sore feet with blisters are just... no. NO. I hate 'em. But now I know to never wear Crocs in Disney in September!

Was so happy to have an update of your TR. I look forward to reading your Disneyland TR. Also wanted to wish you an early Birthday. My Mom's Birthday is also Thanksgiving this year. We are going to have a Birthday celebration on the weekend though. She doesn't want to mix the 2 days . Hope you have a Magical Birthday & Thanksgiving!

YAY! I'm glad I was able to get one up, and I'll have another one here soon! Thank you so much! We celebrated mine on Saturday mostly which was nice. I am with your mom, it's hard sharing your day with Thanksgiving. I spent most of Thanksgiving cooking and cleaning.. though Matt was awesome and surprised me with fun stuff in the morning, so that was great!

Thanks again!

Hi Dani. I'm a bit of a Lurker. But I felt compelled to comment on all your wonderful pictures and that I love your writing style please keep up with the wonderful job

Aww thank you SO much! I'm glad you decided to comment and that you're following along!

That pizza looks amazing.
Where/how did you enter the contest?! I would love to know how to be aware of those kinds of things!

I heard so many crazy things about the night of the 13th, I'm glad you were ultimately able to enjoy it! I'm totally the same way and when I hit my wall I want nothing to do with anything. Disney seems to be the only place that I can actually snap out of it
Can't wait to see the tour photos!!

It IS amazing! It was put up on the Disney Parks blog THAT day. The only reason I heard about it was my friend Theresa sent me a tweet about it and told me that I should enter if we were still going to be in Disney World during the dates of the tours! So of course, I entered us, even though they only had the contest open up for like.. 8 hours. It was one of those situations of me being there in the right place at the right time.. and luck!

Yup, the 13th was bonkers. And I just wanted to go back to our room, but I sucked it up and it was a good time with the fireworks!

Ahhhh, Via Napoli...I swear, every time I go to that restaurant, the heavens part and angels sing! My favorite place in WDW, hands down. And we have always had great service there too! That definitely help. Boo about the anniversary song. Don't feel too embarrassed, at least you weren't recording with an iPad!

We definitely get a lot of time to watch Tiny Town. It's pretty difficult to drag a train-obsessed toddler away from there! I love seeing real animals looking gigantic in that area like the lizard. I don't think it was there, I think it was on the Storybook Canal boats in DL when we saw a duck walking around one of the houses and it was pretty hilarious.

Disney definitely DID NOT adequately prepare for that villains event!! They HAD to know it was going to be popular! Even if they don't normally, they definitely should have had direct boats going from all the launches to DHS. That's just ridiculous that you had to wait an hour for a boat. And I saw someone on Instagram who did actually wait almost 3 hours for Oogie Boogie. Insanity. I'm glad you perked up a bit to enjoy the fireworks. But I am just like you. When all those things are overwhelming me, I get MISERABLE. I'm sure I'm no fun to be around when I get like that. I made an unfortunate shoe choice on our October trip too, so I can commiserate with you on that one. The last thing you want on a WDW vacation is miserable feet!

That's pretty cool that you both won the contest, but bummer that it was on 2 different days. And ToT>>>>>>>GMR any day for something like that! I love GMR too but to tour? ToT please!!

Also, in regards to the DL TR, I can never have too much Dani TR. There's no such thing! So if you decide to do both at the same time, I'm on board. But I definitely know juggling 2 TR's can be rough on the writer, so I'm on board if you decide to delay it too!

I SO agree! It's the best.. and their service is always amazing, too! And yes, no iPad recording from me, hahaha.

Oh I'm sure Paxton LOVES Tiny Town. I love when animals just seem to hop on attractions. While in Disneyland on the Jingle Cruise this trip, there were ducks just chillin' on the animatronics. It was kind of hilarious.

Disney did not plan it out at ALL. It was terrible. They finally got boats to come, but it took them way too long to figure it out. But yeah, I was just done and wishing we hadn't gone to the event, it was pretty miserable. Just reminded me that I will never do Disney during the busiest times of year! That and to never wear Crocs in September again, WOMPWOMP.

But yeah, TOT just made me SO excited! I don't even know how they'd do GMR unless they took us through and stopped us or something? I mean, now that I've done the TOT one, I just don't know how GMR would work since it was a tour of the park and the lobby/library areas of TOT.

Haha yeah, I think I'm going to wait to do my DL TR until after this TR or at least when I have more time. This is just so time-consuming and as it is, I feel like I'm struggling with keeping up on this one!

Happy Birthday! Hope you have a wonderful day! Oh, and Happy Thanksgiving too!

Thank you so much! I had a great birthday. I hope your Thanksgiving was awesome!

 

[danimaroo]

Chapter 20: A morning full of expeditions and safaris...
Day Four: September 14th, 2013

KNOCKKNOCKNOCK.

...

KNOCKKNOCKNOCK.

This is what Matt and I woke up to at 7:30am. On a morning we were supposed to be sleeping in until 8:30.

I nudged Matt who quickly got up to see who the heck was knocking at our door. He came back to bed, saying it was some random people who clearly had the wrong room. Needless to say, I wasn't very happy. The one morning we were finally letting ourselves sleep in, some people had to knock on our door and wake us up.

I'm going to say this once... MAKE SURE YOU HAVE THE RIGHT DOOR WHEN YOU DECIDE TO KNOCK ON IT AT 7:30AM.

Seriously. We were both exhausted, but Matt is the type of sleeper who once he's up, he's up. Me on the otherhand, I can sometimes fall back asleep. I let myself conk out again until 8:00, then got up as well.

We got ourselves going and out the door at around 8:50ish, and caught a bus to Animal Kingdom. The wait wasn't too awful for the bus, and we were on our merry way!

See how merry Matt was?!

This man needed some coffee, and we didn't have any this morning, wompwomp.

Our bus stopped by Grand Floridian first, then we were finally at Animal Kingdom!

I was so happy to be back here again, since it felt a bit weird to not have gone during our first few days. Obviously our first stop was...

ASIA! Can you guess where we were headed?

I seriously love how that little shrine lines up with Everest. The details! They're my favorite!

As we walked around the corner, I was shocked to see how insanely not busy it was. I mean, how often do you see things looking like this?

And lucky for us, there was no wait, either.

I was so happy to be on it again, as it still remains one of my absolute favorite attractions in the parks.

I mean, even in the PhotoPass area.. I love all of the cameras.

I don't really know what is going on in our PP photo though, hahaha..

The people behind me were just thinking about life maybe? I'm not sure, but they didn't seem that enthused about the ride.

Ride number two deserved a TERRIBLE selfie of the two of us.

On THIS particular go at EE, I took what I think is probably one of the funniest videos ever. I thought it'd be fun to literally video of our faces as we went down the huge drop, and if you watched my trip video, you will recognize this from an earlier section of the video, haha. Here is the photo that I accidentally took, as well.

HAHAHA you can kind of see Matt's face. We were definitely screaming.

We picked up two sets of FPs for Expedition Everest as we were headed for other fun...

Oh yeah, we accidentally discovered that both our APs and room keys worked for FPs in the machines, so uh, we might have used this to our advantage on occasion. I know, we broke Disney rules, but I guess we'd enjoy our last hurrah with the FP machines before the Magicbands and FP+ take over.

Anyway, the rulebreakers (AKA, us), decided it was time to go on Kilimanjaro Safaris!

No joke, I actually thought my notes were wrong on this because I literally don't have a SINGLE photo from this! I'm guessing this was because of how beyond brutal the walk in the sun was. Oh my gosh, seriously. People were not messing around when they said how hot AK can be.

On our walk over, a bird from the Wonders of Flight was just hanging out, pretty far way from that area. Out of nowhere, we started to fly back over to the Wonders of Flight area and nearly took out Matt! Like I'm pretty sure if Matt hadn't ducked, that thing would have hit him, hahaha.

Anyway, we ended up having a pretty awesome safari! I ended up taking all video while on it. I'm guessing just because I wanted to spare you guys photos since let's be honest, most people post photos from the safari, yada yada.

We left Kilimanjaro and decided to head back to Expedition Everest since our FPs were up. On our way, I noticed this awesome tree that I somehow missed in past trips.

As we headed back over, there was still no one around! It was the weirdest thing... well actually, not really, it was the most recommended park on this day and we were definitely noticing it... and loving it!

Our third ride of the day involved SENIOR PICTURES!

And number four was my personal favorite. It was my "I'M MELTIIIIINNNGGGGG" face, while Matt went with his.... I don't know what the face is, but whenever he makes it, it cracks me up. It's beyond hysterical.

Add in the fact that the people behind us are just so chill, I love that photo.

We were both pretty happy we'd fit in 4 rides on EE that morning, and we considered a trip on Dinosaur, but we were both STARVING.

I know, some of you are probably disappointed, but we decided to skip Dinosaur in favor of some food from Flame Tree BBQ!

We both ordered the Pulled Pork Sandwich with fries, paid, and went up to the counter, when I realized... UM DUH, I forgot to order Onion Rings, my main reason for wanting to eat here!

So I went back and ordered us Onion Rings, knowing it'd be an absurdly huge lunch, buuut whatever. I want those darn onion rings.

Our food came out really fast, and we went and found a table in the shade. We were kind of hoping for indoor seating, but at least we weren't directly in the sun, so I consider that a win.

These were our delightful sandwiches...

AND the infamous onion rings..

I am not going to lie... those onion rings had it going ON! They were delicious and definitely lived up to the hype. Crunchy, and the onion didn't slip out and burn the crap out of your lip. They were really, really good.

And our sandwiches were really tasty, as well. I was actually kind of impressed for Disney World food, this wasn't terrible BBQ, and the sauce choices were pretty solid, too!

We enjoyed our lunch, then decided to head out of the park. We were both really hot and tired and needed some relaxing time back at the resort.

As we were leaving, we ran into Paul and Melissa again (GrandCalifornian) with their daughter Allie. This time I actually got a photo with them instead of forgetting like I always do! Allie was a bit shy, hahaha, but it was cute.

They were enjoying their last day in the parks, and it was nice that we were able to run into them again! They're such nice people.

We said goodbye then continued on out of the park...

Continued in next post​

 

[danimaroo]

Chapter 21: We're goin' a-huntin'... for some Mickey confetti.
Day Four: September 14th, 2013

Lucky for us, a bus was waiting to take us back!

We decided to walk back through the main lobby so we could take a look at the store and see if they were selling any DVC stuff.

Instead, I got distracted by this Dale hat... because.. why not?

They were definitely lacking in DVC stuff, EXCEPT Matt found an awesome towel! He really wanted to find a good Disney beach towel, and this one was perfect. I took a photo of him holding it once we were back in our room.

I mentioned it before the trip... we wanted to buy ALL THE DVC THINGS. But what Matt was looking for, a DVC hat, we couldn't find, wompwomp.

We got back to the room and changed pretty quickly into our bathing suits. The plan was to go down to the main pool since our last swim had been cut short by the lightning/rain. However, Matt really wasn't feeling very good in the sun, so we planned to just go down for as long as we could before heading out.

It was a perfect afternoon for some swimming, that's for sure!

Buuut unfortunately Matt started to not feel well so we only lasted down there for a half hour. I thought about heading to the quiet pool alone, but then decided I should probably take a break from the sun as well, since I was feeling pretty tired.

We headed into Roaring Fork to pick up some drinks and grab some snacks. Of course, I got a Magic Cookie Bar, and Matt decided to go with a brownie that looked delicious.

We bought everything back to our room and just relaxed in bed. I know it was only Day 4, but sometimes you just need to take those breaks, especially from the heat. I was really not looking to get sun poisoning or dehydration during our trip, so I was happy for a nice break in the room.

I dug into my Magic Cookie Bar, and it was delightful as usual!

This was Matt's brownie, which he let me try a bite of... and it was REALLY good.

Matt ended up deciding to take a nap, which I told him was a good idea, and it'd probably help him feel a bit better. While he napped, I wrote notes from our morning, which honestly weren't even that good! Eventually Matt woke up and we took showers and got ready for our evening.

We walked down to the boat dock, and it was still pretty hot outside, but we were feeling way more refreshed in dealing with the sun. While we waited, I took a photo of my new Magicband cover.

Earlier in the day, it must have happened at Animal Kingdom, one of my little Muppets friends popped out.. and it was Kermit. I was so bummed out, and I didn't want to lose anymore of them, so I decided to put a cover on instead. So yes, if you have Magicbands and decide to buy the little rubber guys that you can stick in the hole on it, be aware that they pop off really easily.

I was liking my It's a Small World cover anyway!

We arrived at Magic Kingdom, expecting it to be pretty insane since it was the least recommended park, but it ended up not being bad at all!

We quickly got some PhotoPass photos done, because we were just TERRIBLE about remembering to get them this trip! I did like how these ones turned out though.

After snapping our photos, guess where our first stop was?

STARBUCKS, duh. It's pretty safe to assume that if we are walking into Magic Kingdom, going down Main Street, we WILL be stopping at Starbucks.

We got to the counter to order and it was the same girl from the other day who'd written the nice message on our cups! She started writing on our cups again, and halfway through, she suddenly remembered us, hahaha. It was pretty funny. We definitely had to admit that we have a slight coffee addiction.

I was happy to have some coffee though... I wanted to make sure I was ready to go for the evening!

We headed down Main Street, and while I drank my coffee, I shot some random photos on my phone. See, this is what I would try to do if one hand was occupied... use the other one to take photos on my phone!

Matt and I were both really in the mood for some food, and we wanted to eat at Columbia Harbour House since we hadn't been able to get there during our last trip. Luckily, it hadn't closed early this night (like it did last trip), and it wasn't busy at all, either.

I decided to order the Lobster Roll, which came with chips.

And Matt decided to go with the Fried Shrimp platter.

The Lobster Roll was something I had been wanting to try forever! I was on the fence about it because you just never know if a lobster roll is going to live up to the hype, but I'd heard good things about this one, so I wanted to give it a shot.

I have to say, I was definitely pleasantly surprised because this one was really tasty! Now, I'm like 99.99% sure it wasn't real lobster, but it was still pretty darn good. Matt really liked his Fried Shrimp, as well. We sat upstairs in the overhang where you can see both Liberty Square/Frontierland, AND Fantasyland on the other side, and then the Haunted Mansion right in front of you. Definitely my favorite little area to sit!

After we finished eating, we decided to go and get Splash Mountain and Big Thunder FPs for later before heading over to the hub to meet up with Jenn, Brandon, and the kids.

They had to make a run to the bathroom, I believe, so Matt and I hung out for a bit, people-watching and taking photos!

I happened to find a few pieces of Mickey confetti on the ground and took a photo of it... I love when you find these just hanging out on the ground.

Soon enough, everyone arrived, and they had balloons! The girls were pretty excited about them.

While we chatted with them about their day, I took a couple of photos of Brynn's blue balloon in front of the castle. I'm a sucker for balloon/castle photos, in case you didn't know.

The girls happened to notice some confetti on the ground, and decided they wanted to collect some. There was also some in the flower bed area, and who better to recruit in your confetti-hunting efforts than the guy who is 6'5" and can reach a bit further?

It was pretty adorable to watch him help them get more confetti for their collection; my husband's a keeper, I'd say!

And I just love Brynn's face in this photo! It's so adorable.

We ended up chatting for so long, it dawned on us that we needed to go use our Fast Passes! So we decided we'd meet up with them again in a bit to check out the Monsters Inc. Laugh Floor, which neither Matt or I had ever done.

Splash Mountain was a blast, and we ended up deciding to make the "Anya throw up face"... It's the face our dog makes right before she's about to throw up, hahaha.

Sometimes you run out of faces to make, so you have to get a little creative.

We went on Big Thunder afterwards, where I got some fabulous video of us riding, but no photos, wompwomp.

Next, we experience the Laugh Floor for the first time, Brandon experiences Space Mountain with us, and a pretty magical evening unfolds!

Continued in next post​

 

[Fantasyland Mom]

I keep finding lots of instances lately where I'm like, "Uh, no pictures, but I SWEAR we did this..." I am honestly not sure if we were busy with kids, videoing, or just got lax and forgetful.

YES. It's us, so we definitely DID have to make a bathroom stop. We also made that balloon stop, because on this windy day we really did need those things to beat us about the head repeatedly, apparently.

Matt helping the girls with their Mickey confetti is one of my favorite parts of the trip. It's definitely already in our video. I was so busy talking and getting pummeled by the balloon that I didn't even realize Brandon filmed it, but I was so glad to see it when we got home.

I can't wait for the next update, because the whole thing will crack me up. I crack up just thinking about that whole part of the evening!

 

[DanniDeer]

Did Jenn really reply to this without saying anything about your IASW magic band cover?! I'm shocked!!

But. Uhhhh...perfect update, like always. That lobster roll is my newest obsession.

And I'm pretty sure that day was the 14th... :]

 

[DharmaLou]

Ugh, seriously. Being woken up at 7:30 by a stranger would really ruin my morning. It's hard enough being woken up by my child on a sleep-in day!

So awesome you got to ride EE SO many times. I did that with Matterhorn at DLR last year. I would have gone a few more times if my husband wasn't turning green after 4 trips on teacups with DD while I went on Matterhorn lol.

Now I want a lobster roll.

 

[gracer9977]

That totally sucks that strangers knocked on your door an hour before you planned to be up.

So awesome that you went on EE 4 times. I love the empty parks. We were able to walk on to EE over and over too when we were there in 2011.

I just love your ride photos and the faces you make. I am sad that there is no terrified Dinosaur ride photo though. I still crack up when I think about the face you made that first time on Dinosaur. Absolutely the best ride photo ever.

Mmmm Disney food and snacks. I just can't wait to eat at Disney in 47 days. Looking at all the food pics on all the TR's is just making me crave it cause we are finally getting close to finally getting there ourselves.

So cute that Matt helped the girls find Mickey confetti.

 

[STLMickeyMom]

Love your ride photos!! you guys should seriously just make an album of ride photos for when you need a laugh! they are always hilarious! and the people in the back on the first one....is that lady even awake? too funny!

your lunch from flametree looks yummy! that's on our list for our next trip--can't wait!

I really hope you rode dinosaur sometime during this trip....I don't think I can get through one of your TRs without a dinosaur ride pic!

that magic cookie bar looks sooooo goooood!

your picture of the castle you took after the PP pics makes me smile---that's where my husband proposed to me! best spot in Disney ever!

you and matt and jenn's kiddos are too cute!! you do know that when you two have kids, he's totally gonna be wrapped around their fingers.

 

[DisneyKid4Life]

OMG I would be mortified if I knocked on the room of someone else... ESPECIALLY that early.

Everest is perfection anyway, but Everest with no people is beyond words.

Don't worry Dani. I too also plan to use FP- sometimes. I mean, when you're sporting an AP, you just HAVE to use it for something.

As always, AWESOME ride photos.

That towel is fabulous!

I'm starting to wonder if Disney is selling the MB accessories knowing they fall off so people keep having to buy more. Nah, they'd never do that.

AHHHHHH there it is!!! I adored that photo when you posted on FB (I think) where Matt was searching for the confetti with the kids. Just a wonderful "In the Moment" photo.

 

[wiigirl]

Great pics! Great update!