08 was so Great at the Poly...TR-NEW 2/3 Time to say Good-bye (final post) / pics

[mousescrapper]

Well I hope you all had a fun Halloween last Friday and here in Chicagoland it was like a warm Spring day in the high 60's...I was actually worried Michael would be too hot!

Anyways here are some pictures of my crew dressed up for the day:

Peace-Hippie Aldine

Tinker-belle Margaret (like her homemade tink shoes?)

Mr. Hobo Michael

Hawaiian Lilo Mae

the girls scooting before trick-or-treating...

Margaret going to her 1st trick-or treat house...see the snack bag in her hand too and think she was saying "Shh"

Mae out and about, notice the several costume changes....hair-band, shoes and bracelets

Margaret and her loot! Yes that is a bag of marshmallows....

HAPPY HALLOWEEN ALL!

 

[mousescrapper]

So here we are on the last day of the 1st weekend of Star Wars Weekends at DHS and we were hot, getting tired, bummed we hadn’t really seen any characters and definitely needed some Disney Magic about now to get our spirits re-boosted for the rest of this day!



We are on our way to Pizza Planet for our Dinner. Michael’s choice of restaurant… he couldn’t wait plus I said he could play in the arcade for a few minutes…normally something I wouldn’t go for!




I spot a Sandtrooper walking in the opposite direction of us thru the crowd and I try to turn around to get everyone’s attention too at the same time to see….

When someone or something taps me on the shoulder…​

can you imagine seeing those eyes staring at you?


It was a Jawa from the Planet Tatouine (ok sorry if that is msp). And he was holding in his hand some shiny thing and pointing to Mae and with his other hand while motioning he wanted something. Ok granted this did take a few minutes to decipher he was actually trying to trade his shiny thing for something in return. In my joy of this interaction and thrilled that this special moment was happening I quickly tried to think of something we had I could trade….

I took Mae’s crumpled piece of blue streamer she had taken from DPHL and gave it to him and he gave her the shiny heart pendant.

Then he traded with each of the twins and my Mom gave him some mints. They got a metal SW looking ship charm and a metal stingray charm (thy have them in their keepsake/treasure boxes now). We bid our farewells and remarked how fun and cool that encounter was…it definitely made up for the lack of, we had so far w/ the SWW experience.

Although a few seconds later Mae starting crying and was real upset…saying she wanted her blue streamer….oops!


We next got over to PP and headed in, the place was basically empty. We went up to the balcony area and then decided on how many meals to split, my Mom used 1 of her CS credits and we used 3. Margaret ended up falling asleep either right before we got here or ?? but I do remember she was asleep, so she didn’t end up eating w/ us. The 4 meals were plenty w/ splitting the Pizzas and sharing the salads and desserts (in my notes I say we still had ½ of a pizza left). I really think this is a great bang for your buck for eating as a family! Also for anyone keeping track…we now have 22 CS credits left to use with 4 days left! We still have some good eating left!

Mae and 1 of our desserts...isn't this a great picture!

After we finished eating we went down to the arcade

and cashed in our dollars for some quarters…which I ended up cashing out too many. Many of the games were just a little too hard for the kids and Michael unfortunately became stressed w/ this environment…which I was concerned would happen. But he just really had it in him to play in the arcade. After a few games…we luckily convinced all we should head out and find some characters before it got any later. The kids took turns using the restroom before we left and then I checked the times guide and knew if we were lucky we might be able to see some at the Disney Animation Studio.

As I’m not sure what time it was but it had to be after 5:00 pm, because the only ones left out to see were the Incredibles and Mickey Mouse according to the times guide.

(I was feeling bad that we didn’t get a chance for Aldine to see the HSM pep rally or meet Kim Possible she was really hoping to do that….as I, I actually bought pep rally scrapbook paper to do a page on it. Bummer!)


Ok now we stopped and took these pictures too just not sure if it was before or after dinner:

Matt and I in our dis-annual NY backdrop picture

outside Tatouine Traders

 

[mousescrapper]

Anyways we made it over there and first got in line for Sorcerer Mickey Mouse, Mom needed a break so she sat down and the rest of us got in line. But then Michael decided he didn’t want to be in line, because he had already gotten his autograph (in 05) so he left and sat w/ Grandma. Then the baby started getting cranky so DH took her out and just the older 2 girls and me waited. It was a small wait but not horrible and I was able to get a special FIRST BIRTHDAY postcard signed by the Mouse for my BF’s son who’s b-day we missed while on the trip. Too bad after we got out of line DH said he should have brought Margaret and Michael in at the end for a picture…as other families did that too. Oh well it’s ok.

Then the twins went up and stood in line to meet Fro-Zone from the Incredibles, Mae didn’t want to. We had a nice chat w/ the CM with him and talked about what characters are around and such and then about the new PIXAR area where he thought all the PIXAR guys will end up over there for pictures and such. That will be cool if so for future trips.

Here are the twins w/ Fro….

notice the hidden MM in the carpeting?

this is Aldine in the Ratatouille area where the characters used to be...this is one of her new fav's she has a large Reme she sleeps with too.

And here is some art while we walked out and stopped in the gift shop…

DH then thought it would be a good idea to do TSM again since if we made it back here on another night we wouldn’t be able to ride w/out the extra adult w/ the baby in tow.

So we headed back on over for a 2nd ride. We got in line w/ no problems and then some odd delay occurred we think in the reg standby line and the CM’s were asking everyone to exit out. But we got stuck in line near the entry for a few minutes and then they said we could continue on. Weird? DH thinks something must have happened with a guest, because security was sweeping thru as we re-entered. But anyways we got on the ride and had another great spin thru!

This time DH won a higher prize-a beaver, but I won a bunny yet again. And yes we did get Margaret her own glasses and she even wanted to pull the string on the gun a few times.

Here are the kids in line on our way in!

After that we called it a very long day. I had planned no break for this day, but truly did not think we’d actually be in the park as long as we were.

A quick stop on the way out:

Aldine loves horses!

And then some final Photopass pictures to remember the night:

We asked the photographer to do one of Margaret by herself, which he did, but the hat wasn't in it. Oh well. Still kinda cute:

We headed back to the bus stop and took one back to the TTC and then walked back to the POLY and our room. I think according to my notes we left the park about 9:00 pm…..whew! we were tired

Back to the room and we did a quick tidy of our things and clean up of the kids and ourselves and got everyone to bed.

We had a great MOUSEKEEPER today who did turndown service and fancy towels in the bathroom, Aldine said she must really like triangles because she had folded everything in little triangles including the end of the tp.

In my journal it was now 10:30 pm and all are asleep except for DH & I we had something to drink and ate our leftover desserts from the other night from Kona and Margaret was laying in her crib but not fully out yet…

Good night!

The next update will be the start of Day 5) Monday June 9th

O’Hana, the Pool, & EPCOT

Thanks for reading.

J-

 

[Hedy]

Aww! Everyone's halloween pictures are so cute!

 

[DisMomAmy]

Sounds like a fun day! Great encounter with the Jawa!

I'm undecided about Pizza Planet. Zachary would love it because he likes Toy Story and he likes pizza. Alex doesn't like pizza, but I know he would LOVE to go there (he loves arcades - you may recall a story about him obsessing about them at Canobie Lake Park this summer), but I'm afriad that once he knows it's there he won't leave and he'll want to go back over and over. Same thing with the arcade area in Dinoland at AK. I'm hoping to figure out a way to work it in near the end of the day at each of those parks.

Do you know anything about Disney Quest? I'll post something about that on my PTR... that's another thing we are thingking about trying.

Looks like you guys took advantage of your Photopass opportunities. I would love to have PP pictures, but I'm afriad the kids won't tolerate standing around for pictures so much or hunting down photographers. Was there a lot of waiting around? Were there lots of photographers available? Should we do it??

 

[mousescrapper]

Aww! Everyone's halloween pictures are so cute!

Thanks my DSIL made Aldine's costume and she really liked it. I so remember being a Hobo when I was kid so I was glad Michael went with the idea and it cost nothing Mae's was a recyled one from big sis, but she loved it and you should remember seeing Margaret decked out as Tink earlier in this TR...though at night when t-o-t I put extra & longer layers on and barely could get the snaps together under her bumm...it was kinda cute and funny looking

Sounds like a fun day! Great encounter with the Jawa!

It was so cool! Even though it was quick, it made a special highlight for that day!

I'm undecided about Pizza Planet. Zachary would love it because he likes Toy Story and he likes pizza. Alex doesn't like pizza, but I know he would LOVE to go there (he loves arcades - you may recall a story about him obsessing about them at Canobie Lake Park this summer), but I'm afriad that once he knows it's there he won't leave and he'll want to go back over and over. Same thing with the arcade area in Dinoland at AK. I'm hoping to figure out a way to work it in near the end of the day at each of those parks.

Yes I do remember reading about that...I guess you have to pick and choose as I try to explain to mine of course we'll see or do things one of you may not be that crazy about...but there is more to come for you. Does Alex eat Salad? the pizza combos come w/ one...JAT as far as the arcade...you have to set a limit either $ or games or do the good 'ol kitchen timer...when the time's up the time is up! I use that for Nathan w/ the computer all the time.

Do you know anything about Disney Quest? I'll post something about that on my PTR... that's another thing we are thingking about trying.

Ok I've only gone to DQ once and that was when they had one in DT Chicago several years back and it was just DH & I...it was cool and I enjoyed it...though it would have been more fun w/ a group. I think the Open Mouse Book talks about it. I'd NOT take Michael there because it would be too loud and intense for him, way to many potential frustration set-off's...but as I recall Michael is a non-stimuli seeker compared to Alex is, right? My biggest suggestion which would be hard this trip, but one of you check it out first and then go w/ the boys if you have your doubts or concerns. Or maybe just attempt one new big thing for this trip ie the WP...i dunno JMO...hope it helps a little!

Looks like you guys took advantage of your Photopass opportunities. I would love to have PP pictures, but I'm afriad the kids won't tolerate standing around for pictures so much or hunting down photographers. Was there a lot of waiting around? Were there lots of photographers available? Should we do it??

Yes we did alot and I have more fun pic's to share still. I never really seeked them out..they are just there. And the only time we actually really waited in a line was the 2 pic's at MK on the Sat...but it's hardly a wait. It costs you nothing upfront unless you pre-buy the CD so it's worth it to get those fun crisp shots and now they have these cool tech shots like w/ Tink and I think at the studios there is a Stitch one and I have a cool Capti Hook one yet to share....

Michael is not one to take pictures all the time especially posed, but at Disney he did really good!

If you like to buy those ride pic's then yes pre-buy the CD otherwise just go and if the opportunity presents itself go for it...I don't think you'd regret it!

J-

 

[mousescrapper]

Ok question

I know I read on someone's PTR or TR about a good Walt Disney bio book they had read and was thinking of adding one to my Christmas Wish list...but man when you search that on Amazon...there are alot. I want a good but clever read...

Anybody know if it's you or can recommend a title?

Thanks

well I'll probably be off the boards the weekend and maybe most of next week....

Have some major house projects to get cranking on and DH will be gone most of Sat yuck! plus Sunday between chruch the twins have a b-day party to go to and I'm going to stay w/ for Michael as I'm just worried the enviroment may be too for him....

AND then I must finish getting everything ready for the little girls b-day party next Sat...and transform our house into the MICKEY MOUSE CLUBHOUSE!!!!

Hoping DH can make some an ears cut-out to frame the top of the front door...plus Aldine came up with the idea of doing a MMCH hall of fame and post pic's of the real people and our guests with MM ears on...plus I have to transform 12 kid party hats into MM eared party hats and decorate and oh I'm sure there's more.

Don't worry I'll take plenty of pic's of everything and do a post all about it!

Wish me luck and plenty of to get it all done! Oh did I mention I'm hosting Thansgiving too for DH's side of the family say 20+ at least I'm not cooking but I could be by the end of these 2 weeks...don't worry it's lemonade

 

[mousescrapper]

hi all,

just wanted to give myself a bump since it's been like 10+ days since I've last been on....

and to let you know I'm alive and well and that last Saturday's Mickey Mouse Clubhouse Birthday Party for Mae and Margaret's birthdays was hot-diggity-dog FUN!

I just uploaded the 100+ pic's from my camera to the computer (just from that day) so I'll upload a few of the best and post them soon and I promise to get back to the Disney FUN from our June trip soon as well.

J-

 

[DisMomAmy]

Glad to hear the birthday party was a hit! Can't wait to hear more about it and your next trip update!

 

[DisMomAmy]

Hi!! Hope you had a Happy Thanksgiving! I'll be here waiting for another update when you have the time.

 

[mousescrapper]

thanks Amy

I am here....unfortunately my "other" life has been in the way of my Dising life

But I promise to get some pictures uploaded soon, write some stories and move on w/ this TR very soon.

Thanks for being paitent

J-

 

[DisMomAmy]

thanks Amy

I am here....unfortunately my "other" life has been in the way of my Dising life

But I promise to get some pictures uploaded soon, write some stories and move on w/ this TR very soon.

Thanks for being paitent

J-

Totally understand! Can't wait to read more.

 

[mousescrapper]

Ok as promised a few weeks back here are some picture highlights from my girls' (Mae and Margaret) birthday party...

Here are the party hats DH & I transformed into Mickey Mouse Clubhouse hats
I also wrote each kids name on the back of theirs.

Here my dining room table decorated for the kid party

I knew all those Disney Potoato head parts would come in handy...(sorry the pic's are a bit fuzzy I took these the night before)

Here's the awesome streamers DH and I hung up...I left them up till the day before Thanksgiving (a whole week and a half)

Here is one of my cool Mickey Mouse balloons I made to put all over the walls!

This is my daughter's idea of a Mickey Mouse Clubhouse Hall of Fame come to life...this was fun to make!

Here are a bunch of the MM pancakes DH made for the kid party in the morning and here is Chef Mickey-DH:

Here we are decked out Mickey style....Michael was wearing a MM sweatshirt but was too hot when we got to the picture taking.

Here a couple of the shots of us trying to get a picture of both girls with the MM Happy Birthday hats on at the same time....

Lastly here is the very cool Minnie Cake my DSIL made for the girls.

Hope you enjoy, it was a fun party to plan, prepare and host!

Up next Day 5 from our June WDW trip....

J-

 

[MRYPPNS]

You are so creative! I love those party hats! I'm already starting to worry about what to do for Liam's 2nd birthday party in May because the new baby will be born within days or a few weeks of his birthday. My first thought is to postpone it until a month later.

Thanks for sharing!

PS: do you know what pan DSIL used to make the Minnie cake?

 

[mousescrapper]

You are so creative! I love those party hats! I'm already starting to worry about what to do for Liam's 2nd birthday party in May because the new baby will be born within days or a few weeks of his birthday. My first thought is to postpone it until a month later.

Thanks for sharing!

PS: do you know what pan DSIL used to make the Minnie cake?

I had that same "problem" with Mae's 4th b-day as Margaret was born the same month. I just had her party earlier in the month about 3 weeks before my due-date and her b-day, I decided on theme, etc way in advance and preped stuff well ahead of time. We had a Plan B just in case I went early too.

I say go early, let Liam have that one "last" special b-day to himself...

I'm not sure on the pan, she ended up doing a freehand drawing/sketch and then cutting and piecing together the cake. I think it would have been a Wilson pan, she just couldn't find it at the time I can ask.

J-

 

[mousescrapper]

It’s Day 5, June 9th and we’re going Hawaiian Style this morning….​

So this is our partial rest day and we’re starting it off with a breakfast ADR at O’Hana in the Poly. It was great to just wake up, get cleaned up and dressed in our appropriate Hawaiian gear and walk from our resort room across the path into the GCH and up the stairs to O’Hana! Can you say EASY?

We had to wait awhile before we were seated and a growing crowd was emerging as well. DH actually walked back to the room and grabbed a book for Michael to help pass the time. According to my notes in was about a 10 minute wait or so…so not all that bad! And we had another GREAT table and had MORE than enough food to go around.

We had 2 of these trays, plus the homemade bread, fruit platters and juice.

Then the characters started coming…

First came Stitch then Lilo, Pluto and Mickey. They all stopped by once for some autographs and picture taking.

This is one of my FAVORITE pictures from the week!

This isn't one of the characters...but he sure is a character

They did the song and walk thru the restaurant as well (sorry can’t remember much about it…) but then as we were finishing up, Stitch and Lilo came back again. First they were playing w/ each other at a table near-by

And then they came by the kids again

Aldine was thrilled to get in one more hug w/ one of her very favorite characters. I even made her the shirt she was wearing special just for this day of the trip.

Here is Michael having some fun and laughs at one of them teasing him.

It was also nice to get some more one on one pictures with the kids, especially Margaret, she didn’t mind the big fuzzy faces when Daddy was holding her and I think they thought she was cute too.

As I was signing the bill/receipts for the tip, someone said “Psst!” in my ear…I probably said just a second, assuming it was Aldine standing behind me, but as I turned in my seat I didn’t see her little face but a giant blue one! He scared the carp out of me. I know I jumped up out of my seat! Ohhh that Stitch! But then the 3 of us had a good laugh and it has turned out to be one of those unforgettable memories, plus look at this awesome picture of Aldine and her new pal:

After that we stopped in the lobby for a few pictures:

 

[mousescrapper]

After that we finished up and headed back down to our room and all got changed into our suits (and sunscreen skin) and headed over to the big Volcano Pool for some rest and fun!

Margaret did not like the pool at all and didn’t want to go in or even get her feet wet. It was a bummer. She just looked around at the people and hung out with Grandma in a chair having a snack. Funny thing was there was this other little boy down by the pool who looked about her size and they both kinda checked each other out. I then talked to his Mom to find out they both had the same birthday. Crazy huh?

The other kids really enjoyed the pool, especially Aldine and had a lot of fun playing splashing, going on the slide, etc.

That is DH and Aldine up top the volcano getting ready to go down the slide.

This is looking down from up top the volcano down on my Mom and Margaret.

Here are some views from the pool of the surrounding area:

You can see the construction of the new DVC here too.

We played by the pool for about 2 hours and I got us some lunches from Captain Cook’s at we ate poolside. We then headed back to our room to get re-cleaned up and dressed to head over to Epcot again for some late afternoon into evening fun.

taking a rest before we leave...


As we headed out I needed to stop in guest services to cancel the original ADR we had for the next morning at Kona, I thought it would be a quick in and out…

Would it be?

What time would we actually be leaving?

And then there was this?

Would this cause a damper on our plans for the day?


Stay tuned! I won’t leave ya hanging for too long…..
J-

 

[DisMomAmy]

Yay!! An update!

First - Thanks for sharing the birthday pictures - how fun!!

Looks like you guys had a nice morning/afternoon just chilling out at the Poly. I love that family picture too - I was thinking that it was a great picture when I saw it even before you wrote that it was a favorite. That was quite the breakfast spread at 'Ohana. It makes me want to eat breakfast for dinner - maybe I will... The pool looks like a lot of fun too.

I hope you guys down get rained on at Epcot!

 

[MRYPPNS]

Sounds like you have a wonderful day at the resort!

 

[Disneyvirg]

An update! Yippee! And so many great photos!