10, 9, 8, 7 Partying with the mouse NYE 2009! Home and working on a TR.

[DisneyJo]

I have heard that they are not employed by WDW. Maybe DISNEYJO could inform me on the truths of that.

I'm not sure, but I do know that TheDISneyFamily Michelle's DD has applied for the collage program and one of the options was PhotoPass

I love the Stitch photos, the one at AK and the one on the bench at DHS

 

[jerseygirl81]

I've been busy but I've gotten caught up on your TR, I love your pics. I have to agree with about star tours. I was disapointed when they closed who wants to be a millionaire yet they kept sounds dangerous open, they need to update a few things in DS. What a great way for your DS to spend his birthday. Linda

 

[pamouselover]

We then caught the bus from POFQ back to DHS to see the Osborne spectacle of lights. By time we got to the park it was almost 7:30. I have to tell you I have seen some Christmas lights. We have a place here in Pa. called Christmas village. Here is the link http://www.koziarschristmasvillage.com/
But nothing compares to OSOL. I was stunned. I have seen in on T.V, pictures of it and all I can tell you is nothing is like standing there looking at it. We came around the corner, and all four of us were like OMG. Overly amazed, and just stood there with snow coming down shocked to what our eyes were seeing. We had past by it in the day time and you can see the lights but wow. It is the most beautiful thing ever. It was worth every penny spent on this trip.

Here is some video I took, yes that is me singing. It was my favorite song playing SORRY!

Some more video!

We then took on waiting in line to ride toy story mania again. We got in line after they started checking for resort ID’s. The CM’s were saying in five minutes will be asking to see your WDW resort ID’s. I kept thinking we should get out and come back later, but we waited. One person said is it ok if we only have one resort I D card. I was like how can you have only one for the whole family? You need to have them to get into the park for the whole family. The CM said yes, and let them in line. We later over heard them saying it was a resort card from the previous year. I hope Disney picks up on this, because the resort ID’s we had in Aug. 07 were the same as this year. I don’t understand why people like to beat the system like that. We had a nice chat and wait in line with some folk from VA.We talked about VA beach. ONe of our favorite beaches.After we waited an hour to ride TSM again, we tried to get into the drawing thing, but it was closed. DS and I want to ride TOT again. DH and DS did not want to ride. So DH and DD rode Great movie ride again. DS and I were back and sitting outside waiting for DH and DD at GMR.

DD gets credit for this picture. I could not believe it. But they waited about 35 minutes to ride it. We missed Fantasmic tonight and will have to catch it a different night. There just never seems enough time in the day on any regular day, but especially in Disney. Time fly’s when you are having fun! So we make our why out of DHS, to the POFQ bus stop. Which had no one but us for a little will. Then people came and so did the bus. I found the buses to be very good for POFQ. I needed to rest and soak my feet, because I wore flip flops today and they were hurting really bad. I will have to wear my sneakers tomorrow. Tomorrow we will make our way to Epcot!

 

[pamouselover]

Sorry it took a little longer to finsh up this day. Saturday night my DN want into labor, a couple weeks ealry. She gave birth yesterday to a baby girl.
Ryleigh Madison

I'm not sure, but I do know that TheDISneyFamily Michelle's DD has applied for the collage program and one of the options was PhotoPass

I love the Stitch photos, the one at AK and the one on the bench at DHS

Really? I guess we will still have to wonder.
Me too. I said it would have been great if we were all eating ice cream too.

I've been busy but I've gotten caught up on your TR, I love your pics. I have to agree with about star tours. I was disapointed when they closed who wants to be a millionaire yet they kept sounds dangerous open, they need to update a few things in DS. What a great way for your DS to spend his birthday. Linda

Hi Thanks for stopping back in to read! Yes, me too! We were only able to do millionaire one time in 2005. That is something I wish they kept around a bit longer. I think sounds dangerous is rumored to be closing for good. We just did that for the first tiem in 2007. I would love to see more Pixar theme rides in DHS.

 

[KLL]

I really enjoyed you pictures and video of the Osborne Lights. When our family went at Thanksgiving time in 2003, the Osborne Lights were not on display since Disney was in the process of moving them from the backlot to the new location. We are looking forward to another trip durning the Christmas Holidays so that we can see them.

 

[pamouselover]

The disboards were down, so here are some more video of the osbourne lights!

 

[Momof2Disneyboys]

Great pics and videos!

 

[jenjolt]

Another great report!! I really love DHS and especially the Great Movie Ride!!! Uggh to people bending the rules that is just wrong...if you aren't a resort guest than you don't need to stay. I think DIsney needs to bring back the armbands...oh well!

I cant' wait to hear more!

 

[jerseygirl81]

It was nice seeing your video of the Osborne lights, I've seen pictures of them but did'nt realize they played Christimas music to go with it. I also love Rockin around the Christmas tree it just makes you want to get up and dance, next year when you hear that song at Christmas it will take you back to your trip to disney and remember what a nice trip you had and how nice the lights looked. Linda

 

[carissanboys]

Congrats on the birth of your great niece!

LOVE the videos!! I so want to see Osbourne Family Lights.

 

[pamouselover]

I really enjoyed you pictures and video of the Osborne Lights. When our family went at Thanksgiving time in 2003, the Osborne Lights were not on display since Disney was in the process of moving them from the backlot to the new location. We are looking forward to another trip durning the Christmas Holidays so that we can see them.

So sorry you missed them, I hope you are able to get back to see them.
It is so amazing, I sware teh videos do no justice to the lights.

Great pics and videos!

Thanks Shelly!

Another great report!! I really love DHS and especially the Great Movie Ride!!! Uggh to people bending the rules that is just wrong...if you aren't a resort guest than you don't need to stay. I think DIsney needs to bring back the armbands...oh well!

I cant' wait to hear more!

Hi Jen, I do too. I did like just showing the ID's, but I dont think it is going to work unless Disney puts out new ID's each year.I did see a young girl in front of us with a hopper pass not working to get into DHS. The CM told her sorry unless you are a resort guest you can not get in. So I am glad non-resort guest can not get into the park.

It was nice seeing your video of the Osborne lights, I've seen pictures of them but did'nt realize they played Christimas music to go with it. I also love Rockin around the Christmas tree it just makes you want to get up and dance, next year when you hear that song at Christmas it will take you back to your trip to disney and remember what a nice trip you had and how nice the lights looked. Linda

Hi, Yes it does. I di dnot know it either. Luckliy we were still in awww and walking around when they started dancing again.
I watched the video and get cry thining about it.

Congrats on the birth of your great niece!

LOVE the videos!! I so want to see Osbourne Family Lights.

Thanks Carissa! I will have to post a picture of the new princess in our family. I have a new one to brain wash with learning to say Mickey and Minnie.

 

[mickeysmyboy]

great updates Pam! I just got caught up! We love the Osbourne Lights too! I really want to go back and see them again! Their just so beautiful!

Congrats to your niece! I hope she and the baby are doing well!

 

[pamouselover]

great updates Pam! I just got caught up! We love the Osbourne Lights too! I really want to go back and see them again! Their just so beautiful!

Congrats to your niece! I hope she and the baby are doing well!

Thanks! She came a bit early, since she was not due till March 4th!
Thankful they are both doing great! She came home today!

 

[pamouselover]

I will have an update later on today.

 

[pamouselover]

Sunday January 4th Epcot

We slept in today till around 8am. Well least that’s what time I rose from the bed and took the call from Stitch. We did not make it to Epcot till 9:45am. I think we were all feeling a bit tired today. But I was enjoying the bright early sunshine. Today’s weather was absolutely beautiful. We first stopped and head some pictures taken with the BIG BALL. They did not come out to great. Guess what? The photopass CM, was the same guy from the day before at DHS, that was not to happy with taking a magic picture for us. He complained that DS was not smiling. Well the Florida sunshine was blinding the poor kid. He lost his sun glasses.

The decorations our very pretty at Epcot. It wa hard to get a picture with out someone in the picture.

We headed first to Land to get FP’s for Soarin. We then took a seat to see circle of life. DS actually wanted to go in and see it, so we did. We then took then took a nice boat ride on living with the land. I enjoy this ride, and would like to take the tour someday. That is on the plans for when DH and I do a just him and me trip.

Then we made our way back out into the warm sunshine and walked over to the Seas with Nemo and friends. We waited about twenty minutes to ride.

We walked around the aquarium for a bit. It was very busy here and took forever to get a picture with Bruce. We then went and had a short talk with Crush.Seems like this attraction was shorten since our last visit in August 2007. When the bikini came out, a small child told crush it is for ****ies. Ok!!!!!!!! That was about it, crush spent most of the talk speaking to the child’s parents. I was not impressed with crush this trip.

It was then our time to go soarin. One of my favorite rides. I could ride this all day. Would that not be a great DREAM! We waited about 30 minutes with our fast passes to ride soarin. For the first time ever were seated in the back row, and had a great view of everyone’s feet. But I won’t let that stop me from riding it again. This ride puts such a smile on your face. Itis one of those feel good rides.
We then got FP’s for test track, and headed over to Innoventions. I found this area more and more boring on each trip. They should just build a roller coaster in these building and give Epcot some more rides. That way the lines for the rides would not be as long. They have no more good postcards to send home. I was very disappointed; I always send them home to family and friends.The kids played the game they always play, fire something or other. I do know that it is sponsored by Physicians Mutual’s. I dealt with them a lot with my Mom’s insurance, and I have to say they were the nicest and understanding people I have ever dealt with from a big company. Always very compassionate and caring. I owe them a lot, because I was so clueless to things about my Mom and they want above and beyond helping me. So I had a moment will waiting for the kids to finish up, of course.We did check out the new 2010 Camaro. This is my next car purchase. I wont be able to get one till 2011, when my dodge Caliber is paid off.I use to have a 82 Camaro, so glad they are bringing back the muscle cars.

 

[pamouselover]

So we headed to get some lunch at the electric umbrella. I really wanted to go to world showcase and eat lunch, but DH wanted to stay in this area till our FP time for test track. So electric umbrella it was for lunch. Of course I did not take any pictures. DH and DS had cheese burgers, DD had off the kids menu, and I had the turkey pinwheels off the kids menu. I loved the turkey pinwheels. It was really good, and with the grapes and jello. After that we decide to go get in the long line to ride spaceship earth.
I was really excited about this because we have not rode this in a long time. I believe it was closed down both times on our previous two trips to WDW. Boy was I disappointed. Never again will I wait an almost an hour to ride this ride. Nothing really has changed but the computer screen on the car. The computer could not found our pictures, and when we tried again at the computer they were not working. So we left here a bit disappointed and moody. Lucky for me it was time to go ride test track. We waited with FP’s for twenty minutes.

My DD love this ride just as much as she did her first time in 2000. We then took a walk over and got in line for Ellen ride. I think this is DH’s nap ride. I actually enjoy it. I like Bill Nye the science guy.I never noticed that they tell you this is a 45 minute ride. So after we want back in time with Ellen, we want and saw an old friend name figment. I don’t know why but I enjoy this ride. I think it is fun. We looked at the time for MS, but the line was long. All FP were gone for the day. So I said to DS we will do it after dinner.

We want and got in line to ride soarin again, since it said a 30 minute wait. In front of us was a family with two teenage girls. I got the feeling they were cousins or friends. They were video taping them selves will waiting in line. Very loud, very rude. She almost hit me in the face when she was trying to play the game on the wall. I said excuse me your in my space. She laughed; I could not believe the mom and dad, or the other women with them did not say a word. They just kept smiling at them, like oh to be young again, and may I add rude. I was glad to get on soarin and relax, though we could hear the two girls yelling the whole ride. When we got off I heard the CM tell them that they really should not be yelling on rides like they were. Of course they were oh that was not us. So after are not so great wait and ride on soarin, we headed back to the resort to freshen up for dinner.

 

[pamouselover]

We freshen up at POFQ. We took the bus to MK. We then took the monorail to the Polynesian Resort for dinner at Kona Café.
Arriving to the poly on the monorail was really neat. I like how you get off right at the hotel, and feel like you are in Hawaii. Right away I fell in love with this resort. We walked up to the Kona Café and were seated right away. DH was not happy at all with where we were seated. They sat us near a busy kitchen area and the table was very small for the four of us. Our server just moved to Florida from Ohio and asked us if we were from up north. She said she could tell by what Florida people call our northern accents. People usually think I am from Jersey in Florida. She was very nice. When she asked what we would like for drinks I yelled a lapu lapu please. She said we are all out of pineapples tonight, would it be ok for one with out a pineapple. Sure I said.

By now you know I am really bad at taking pictures of food. So no food pics again! But I sure wish I had taken some. We placed an order for the sticky wings as an appetizer. They were so good. Everyone loved them. I could have made a meal out of just them. We were also given bread and butter. So I only ate a couple of wings, so I would not be filled. I want to use the bathroom, and saw the EAGLES game was playing on the TV in the lounge. Well I made the mistake of telling DH and then if course he had to go use the bathroom. I was not happy, when I had to send DS to go get him. When I booked this trip in Oct. I would have never guessed the Eagles making it into the playoffs. We were green today, for EAGLES GREEN DAY.Of course #5 did not win the big game.

DH ordered the roasted prime rib. He thought it was a really good steak, and enjoyed it way more then the one at the coral reef. I had the teriyaki New York strip steak. This was the best steak I have ever eaten. DH and DD both had kid’s mac and cheese. The only thing that upset me was that our server told us we would be charged a higher price for the kid’s meals, but she would give them both a larger amount. They both were not given a larger amount, and of course we were charged the higher amount.

Luckily they both were not too hungry for dinner that night, after eating lunch late and all those wings and bread filled them up. After dinner, our server came to the table with DS birthday treat. She said well I guess Mom’s the one celebrating a birthday since she is the one drinking tonight. We told her no it was DS, and he was given this yummy treat that they only serve on your birthday.

After dinner we checkout the score of the game. The Eagles were leading and there was only a little bit more time left in the game. So DH and DS found a seat and DD and I stood watching.

There were many Minnesota fans here. I was standing behind DS and DH, and a rude women said excuse me we are trying to see the game. I was shocked, thinking to myself what the heck do think I am doing.? Instead I gave my DH a kiss, and told him DD and I are going to go explore the resort. I would like to think she was a Vikings fan, but I am sure she was one of our rude northern folks. I could tell by here accent.

So DD and I exploring the poly. There is so much to do in this resort. We did some shopping. I finally found a postcard to send home to my GDN and even was asked if I needed a stamp. Which I did. DD bought a necklace and a ring. We walked around for a good bit of time.

I was hoping to run into BellaSoleil here somewhere. I knew she and her DH were eating at the Poly tonight. No Luck! We then want back to the lobby to retrieve DH and DS. EAGLES WIN and we leave to hurry up and get back to Epcot for Illuminations. We loved the Kona Café and will return there to eat on our next trip. My lapu lapu was very good, even with out the pineapple. DH says I was cheated. It was very strong and I was a bit tipsy after finished it up. I am a light weight people. I don’t drink much.
It was what most likely kept me from telling that rude lady off.
DH has promised me that we will stay at the Poly one day, just the two of us

 

[pamouselover]

We made our way back on the monorail to Epcot, to found a place for Illuminations.

DS on the monorail. Smile you are in DISNEY!
DD see the huge sign that says test track 15 minute wait. Please?
So in line for test track we go.

TEST TRACK AGIAN!
After riding test track, we walked over to the world showcase.We looked around Mexico. The line Gran Fiesta was a bit long, so we would have to come back. We have yet to ride this boat ride at Epcot. We then walked around Norway, and the line for Maelstrom, was very short.In line we go, and right on a boat we went. Every time I ride this, I still think we our going to go backwards. After that we found a spot for Illuminations near the fence. DH asked me if I wanted him to go get me a Grey Goose slushy and a chocolate croissant. I really could not handle anything else tonight. So I said no thanks babe. They should rent chairs at night for Illuminations. I am sure I am not the only one who would rent one.

Illuminations, as always were beautiful. I love the feeling after it, when the torches are burning and people just seem more at peace. We walked around WS towards Germany, but everything was closing up for the night. DS asked if we could go back to the ESPN Zone store so he could spend his birthday gift card. So we took the international gateway to the boardwalk. Many folks were heading out of the park this way. Boardwalk was very busy tonight.DD and I decide that we were hungry and want into the boardwalk bakery. I was surprise by how small it was inside. Many folks were buying snacks for the night.The lady in front of me was buying 25 refillable mugs. Some grand gathering! DD pick out a fruit tart and I got a Mickey head cake. I called DH and asked if DS and he wanted anything and they both said no thanks. We both grabbed a vitamin water and took a seat outside.

My Mickey cake was cute,but was very dry. I like moist cake. DD fruit tart was very good she said. By time we finished up DH and DS were done shopping. DS bought a ESPN Are you ready for some football shirt, with EAGLES, an ESPN basketball, a baseball and a deck of cards. We then decide to go to DTD to do some shopping. We waited about 30 minutes for a bus to DTD. I tell you I don’t see anything deluxe about waiting for a bus.

First stop of course was Goofy Candy Company.

DS spent $28.98 on candy. I could not believe it. Such over priced bulk candy. DD got a small amount that I paid for. LOL

I bought two bags of the caramel chocolate popcorn to take home family.We then want into the Christmas store, and DH bought me a clear bell ornament with the castle inside of it. Of course I forgot to take a picture of it before I put away the decorations. But it is so pretty. He said it will take me back every year to our trip, when I place it on the tree.We got to leave and the door is locked to the store. Here they were closing. I said oh so sorry so many times to the CM.We walked around DTD and everything was closing up. It was so early. DTD use to be just starting to come awake in these hours.I guess it was the time of year. So we headed to the bus stop and back to POFQ. I was hoping to get some mugs for souvenirs for family.We were greeted by this cute towel animal. DD loved getting a towel animal every night. On our first stay on property at ASMo, we never got one. AT CBR we got one, and at POFQ well they spoiled her!

Tomorrow we take it easy by the pool and fish at POR. Or will we?

 

[jerseygirl81]

Great update, I just love Soarin and Test track. I have seen people wait to get a front row on soarin by asking the CM. I thought the tables at Kona were small and close together, maybe they need to do this I don't remember it being a very big restaurant. I also loved the tropical feel of the Poly and I like their restaurants, it's great to walk around inside and out to soak in the atmosphere with all the pretty flowers and waterfalls. I'm glad your DS found some things he liked to buy with his gift card, it sounds like the stuff my DS would buy, I would go for all the Disney stuff. Looking forward to more! Linda

 

[mickeysmyboy]

Great update Pam!!! What a busy day you guys had! I think, if I'm not mistaken, your guys had dinner at Kona the day we had lunch there. The 4th right? I got my Lapu Lapu in a pineapple! But, you were probably better off without it. It got kind of gushy and soft after awhile and I couldn't pick it up! It was really strong though!! WOW! Can't wait to read more!