1 crazy family+2 resorts+5 parks+1 snake+1 surprise=A Mickeystoontown report 4/3x2

[emmysmommy]

Happy New Year Lisa! I've finally caught up ... since I just read the last dozen or so updates not sure I'll remember all my comments but I wanted you to know that I'm reading and enjoying your adorable "southern-ness"!!

I've read so many mixed reviews about SoA that I'm a little scared to try it but it sounds like other than the meanie photopass dude you enjoyed the experience.

Even though your snooping adventure didn't net finding the room it looks like you had a lovely stroll and shared some great photos. I love when people post photos of the resort and grounds since it gives a perspective not found on the Disney site.

What a great family surprise for Cirque! Having only seen one show in Vegas I can say that if it is anything like there it must be amazing! How do they do all that?? Seriously I need to put that on my must do list for someday.

Happy belated birthday to you! I hope you are enjoying your New Year!

 

[DisneyJo]

It sounds as though you saw a great show, I've seen Cirque twice in London, once in a box at the Royal Albert Hall which was pretty cool. I must get around to seeing the WDW one

 

[rndmr2]

Glad you enjoyed La Nouba! I have seen it once and I agree, it is a great show and money well spent. We wanted to see it on our last trip but would you believe it was Dark the whole week we were there.

Have you seen other Cirque shows? There are a few traveling ones, I have seen Dralion in Philly and Alegria in Rochester. But my favorite is Mystere in Vegas, OMG awesome show!

 

[maryj11]

Cant wait to see your T-rex update because I just made reservation last night for our trip in May. I could only get a 9:30 ressie though but oh well we are usually hungry at home around that time anyway. We dont eat a whole meal that late but it will work out. We have never been there.

 

[scottny]

I have seen 3 of their shows here in NYC but never that one. Maybe one day. That was great they let you use the elevator.
Happy New Year!

 

[teekathepony]

I absolutely love La Nouba! Definitely good money spent on that ticket. I've seen it three times and would gladly go back!
Glad the cms were so good about getting you guys to the elevator. I never thought about it before but yes, handrails would be mighty helpful!
T-Rex! Love that place!

Sent from my iPad using DISBoards

 

[mickeystoontown]

Coming back in a bit to post replies and, hopefully, another update. The boss hasn't made it in yet so I know when he does, he'll be in full blown "let's get everything done that didn't get done over the holidays" mode. He'll be bluthering about all day even though we were all caught up before the holidays.

A discount came out this morning that I was able to take advantage of for our May/June, 2014 trip!

Just got off the phone with Disney Travel and was able to modify our existing reservation. I had initially booked at rack rate and later changed it when I received a pin code (the one and only code that I have received in 16 years of going to Disney). The pin code covered only one week of our trip and saved us $386.03. By changing it from the pin code to the Disney Visa offer, we saved an additional $298.23. Total off rack rate: $684.26!

The plan is to take the additional savings and book one of the tours.

 

[mickeystoontown]

Great update, Lisa. I know I've mentioned this in a past TR of yours, but we saw Cirque in Vegas and I fell asleep during it (and I'm sure it had nothing to do with the fact that it was August, we hit every resort along the strip and had a cocktail in each and every one ). I'm so glad you enjoy it and could take the entire family. And for the elevator for momma.

The drinks and resort hopping could have played a factor. I'd love to see the other Cirque shows.....one day!

Loved the update. Cirque sounds like it would be so great to see. We have a show here in Chicago as well. One of these days, we will get to a show. I have a very bendable cousin that does Acrogymnastics. I keep waiting to hear she has a job with Cirque!

Wishing you a

Thank you for the New Years wishes! Right back at cha!

No we didn't, but we wanted to. I'll have to ask her if she got that one yet.

We watched it over the holidays and it was amazing even on our measly 60 something inch television.

Did you also notice the Typo on the graphic...?

I always keep my promises...just a card...

SOOO, what kind of wildness did you get in to tonight?? Inquiring minds want to know!

​

We didn't get into any wildness! Can you believe it? Hunter went to his girlfriend's house. Their neighbors shoot off about $15,000 worth of fireworks every year. They invited us to come but we stayed home and I cleaned out closets and cabinets. Wooo hooo! Big fun! But, we could see the fireworks from our bedroom window since they don't live far away.

Wishing you and your family a GREAT year!

Thank you Dee! Wishing you a great year as well!

 

[mickeystoontown]

Happy New Year Lisa! I've finally caught up ... since I just read the last dozen or so updates not sure I'll remember all my comments but I wanted you to know that I'm reading and enjoying your adorable "southern-ness"!!

That Southern talk and twang is my thang!

I've read so many mixed reviews about SoA that I'm a little scared to try it but it sounds like other than the meanie photopass dude you enjoyed the experience.

This was our third or fourth time to see the luau and we have always enjoyed it. Just go into it with the thought that some of the storyline is cheesy but the dancers with more than make up for it and you'll be good to go.

Even though your snooping adventure didn't net finding the room it looks like you had a lovely stroll and shared some great photos. I love when people post photos of the resort and grounds since it gives a perspective not found on the Disney site.

That's exactly the way that I think. I want to see picture pictures. You know...the ones that show the resort grounds, what a parking lot view looks like, etc.

What a great family surprise for Cirque! Having only seen one show in Vegas I can say that if it is anything like there it must be amazing! How do they do all that?? Seriously I need to put that on my must do list for someday.

I would love to see other shows! One was coming to a city near out house and I wanted to go but the tickets were $90 a person and the seating was not that great.

Happy belated birthday to you! I hope you are enjoying your New Year!

Thank you!

It sounds as though you saw a great show, I've seen Cirque twice in London, once in a box at the Royal Albert Hall which was pretty cool. I must get around to seeing the WDW one

Oh how neat to see Cirque in the Royal Albert Hall!

Glad you enjoyed La Nouba! I have seen it once and I agree, it is a great show and money well spent. We wanted to see it on our last trip but would you believe it was Dark the whole week we were there.

Have you seen other Cirque shows? There are a few traveling ones, I have seen Dralion in Philly and Alegria in Rochester. But my favorite is Mystere in Vegas, OMG awesome show!

I remember one year Cirque being in the dark the entire time we were there. I was so disappointed.

I would love to see some of the other shows. I priced out a trip to Vegas and was going to include a Cirque show but then I knew that my boss would never let me take off and still go to Disney too.

Cant wait to see your T-rex update because I just made reservation last night for our trip in May. I could only get a 9:30 ressie though but oh well we are usually hungry at home around that time anyway. We dont eat a whole meal that late but it will work out. We have never been there.

It's coming up! We have eaten at T-Rex every year since it's opening and we enjoy it. You can call the restaurant directly and see if there are other openings. Sometimes, you luck up with an earlier time.

I have seen 3 of their shows here in NYC but never that one. Maybe one day. That was great they let you use the elevator.
Happy New Year!

I told Hunter this and he said that he wants to come visit you and Vinny. He wants to go to NYC so bad.

I absolutely love La Nouba! Definitely good money spent on that ticket. I've seen it three times and would gladly go back!
Glad the cms were so good about getting you guys to the elevator. I never thought about it before but yes, handrails would be mighty helpful!
T-Rex! Love that place!

Sent from my iPad using DISBoards

We would go back too! Most theaters have handrails and I am surprised that they aren't mandatory at La Nouba.

 

[mickeystoontown]

Funny how you just posted the pics of Cirque, I just watched the movie for the first time. The whole time thinking how amazing it must be to see this live. Your pics just help move it further up the list of extras on my list. I even thinking of staying at a mod over del for the extra money to spend on tickets for extra things.

It IS amazing to see it in person! It's well worth the money spent on the tickets.

 

[momabbate]

Great job saving money on this years trip. I love planning ahead then having discounts come out later.

 

[GrammyJudy]

We have never seen La Nouba but Andy always mentions it. I was going to do it this year but since we did the Xmas party we skipped it again. Maybe when we go without the whole family, it would be more affordable.

Good job saving on 2014 trip.

 

[maryj11]

Thanks for the info on T-REX
So glad you got a discount that is awesome I got a pin for a discount also ! I was thrilled :cool

 

[jenseib]

We love T-rex!!!

Yeah on the savings!!!!!!!

 

[mickeystoontown]

Great job saving money on this years trip. I love planning ahead then having discounts come out later.

So far, we've been lucky and have had discounts the last several trips. Love saving that money!

We have never seen La Nouba but Andy always mentions it. I was going to do it this year but since we did the Xmas party we skipped it again. Maybe when we go without the whole family, it would be more affordable.

Good job saving on 2014 trip.

It can get very pricey to see the show! Sign up for the free Cirque Club. That's how I saved 25% off our tickets.

Thanks for the info on T-REX
So glad you got a discount that is awesome I got a pin for a discount also ! I was thrilled

More T-Rex info coming up after I post replies!

Yay for a pin!

We love T-rex!!!

Yeah on the savings!!!!!!!

We love it too! I was excited to save even more money!

 

[mickeystoontown]

What’s that rumbling? It ain’t my stomach!

We had a dinner ADR at T-Rex and Lacey and I stood in line to check us in. Just a note for those who are considering eating at the restaurant: the check-in there is a bit confusing.

You check in at the elephant but there are two sides at the elephant podium. I have found that the walk-ups will line up along the left side of the restaurant and wait to talk to the castmember on the left/middle of the elephant. The castmember at the right hand side of the elephant checks in those who have a reservation. (I’m referring to left and right as if you were standing in front of the elephant looking into the restaurant.)

There are some that will go to either line which is where part of the confusion comes in. The other part of the confusion comes when they check you in and then tell you that they will call your name and then you go to the right line. The “right line” is over near the kids’ play area.



However, sometimes, they will direct your party to go to their left (which would be your right since you are facing them) and get right into the line which is inside the store/restaurant. Confused yet? Don’t worry, everybody else will be too.

You could try and avoid the confusion by standing near the entrance along with everybody else and their second cousin twice removed, brother by another mother, grandma and a whole passel of kids. Okay, so maybe it’s not as bad as all that but it can be if it’s a busy time.

Your best bet would be to ask the castmember who checks you in, where exactly you should stand and wait. And, then, after you’re called, where will you need to go.

Have I run any of you off from trying T-Rex? I hope not because it’s a great restaurant for families. If you have ever eaten at Rainforest Café and enjoyed it, then you should enjoy T-Rex. We have eaten there many times and have liked it every single time.

We checked-in, stood near the entrance and waited for our name to be called which wasn’t long after our ADR time. ‘Cause we were nearby, we heard our name when it was called and we went right up to the nearest castmember who pointed us in the direction of the next line and there we were met by another castmember who took us to our table. Whew! That was a run-on sentence if I ever saw one.

Our table was located in the ice cave which is where we have been seated every single time we have eaten at the restaurant. It’s a cool room (ice cave...cool room....) that changes colors periodically. Most times, just as the meteor showers and rumbling starts. That rumbling is not my tummy! It’s what some say was the end of the doggone world as the dinosaurs knew it!






The waitress was super nice and made quick work of taking our drink orders. By the time that she came back, we had decided on our entrees and she put our orders in. We, in the meantime, amused ourselves by taking pictures:





Blue Hunter:



“Normal” Hunter:



Brothers:



And, because we are who we are, there were silly pictures:






For some reason, John buttoned his shirt all the way to the top like “a proper gentleman” and we had a little giggle fit over it:



John, on the other hand, passed out from lack of air:



**Continued in next post

 

[mickeystoontown]

Our food came to the table and the antics were over with quickly because the earlier rumblings may have been caused by meteor showers but the rumblings that we heard now were, indeed, our tummies.

I didn’t take the time to go back and look at the menus before writing this installment so I’ll keep the descriptions to a minimum. John ordered a steak with mashed potatoes and slaw:



Mama ordered shrimp with slaw and waffle fries:



Jesse ordered a steak which came with a side of rice:



Hunter also ordered a steak with waffle fries as his side:



Lacey had the fried fish with slaw and waffle fries:



I was a piggie and ordered the appetizer combo which included bruschetta, cheese and chicken quesadillas (Napoleon, go make yourself a dang quesadilla...sorry, couldn’t help myself), onion rings and chips with queso dip.









Everything was so very good and, in case you are wondering, I did not finish all of my food. It was simply too much but I like getting a sampling of several different food items.

Even though we were almost stuffed to the gills, it was time for dessert!

Mama ordered some sort of sherbert or sorbet:



Someone ordered a key lime pie:



This was some sort of ice cream cake and it was HUGE! I’m talking whopping big ol’ huge!



Then there were the zeppoles which were similar to those served at Via Napoli in Epcot:



If we weren’t full before, we certainly were after dessert. We all left there very very satisfied.

As we passed by the Lego Store, I took one quick picture of the Snow White Lego structure:



We also ducked into the World of Disney Store. I forgot to mention earlier in the report that Lacey and Jesse were looking for a Belle blanket/plush for their new niece and we had been on the lookout for one but had yet to find it. Tonight was no different. They had all sorts of cute stuff but not what they were looking for.





Shopping was done and we were ready to get back to the resort and hit the sack. Tomorrow was another park day!

**Up next: **Title to be determined when I find the next day’s pics!

 

[Victoriasmom98]

Very nice update, Lisa. We love T-Rex and it's usually a tie between Rainforest Cafe and T-Rex. We have even gotten a new friend at Build a Dino!!!!

 

[mickeystoontown]

Very nice update, Lisa. We love T-Rex and it's usually a tie between Rainforest Cafe and T-Rex. We have even gotten a new friend at Build a Dino!!!!

Ann, wouldn't we love to be there right now? I know that I would! For our next trip, we're going to Rainforest Café.

 

[Woth2982]

Mmmm your T-Rex dinner looks very good. I agree with you about the confusion with the check-in. They really should put some signs up. I had to read it twice when I saw Hunter ordered a steak! I was sure my eyes were playing tricks on me! I got that ice cream cake thing when I went in Sept! OMG!!! I was so incredibly full, but it was soooo good I forced myself to keep eating it! Best thing I have ever tasted!