2 weeks, 2 sets of BFF's, 1 incredibly lucky family! New PTR Link is up on last page!

[inkedupmomma]

Congrats on the weight loss! And good luck on the job front.

Great update.

Thank you!

Yay! I'm all caught up!! Looks like you guys have had an awesome couple of days, I love the Fantasmic! Pics you got, they're awesome!! I've wondered about doing the dinner package, but haven't been able to figure out if it would be worth it or not. I'm glad you had a good time at Akershus, it was the last meal on our last trip, and we didn't think it was too worth the price, but I'm sure it'd be better with kids!

I prefer the breakfast at Akershus! and I think the F! package was worth it as it guaranteed me a seat... We would have had to have gotten there SO much earlier if we didn't do the package and I'm not sure I wanted that either! Glad you liked the pics! thank yo00u!

I followed your PTR but thought you'd post there when you started your trip report. Durrr - I just finally found your trip report last week when I was doing some DIS research. My bad! But I'm all caught up now!

Sounds like a fun trip so far! I appreciate the dinner receipt photos. We're wondering about trying the dining plan once and are curious about costs of that vs. tables in wonderland, so it helps with the research.

Looking forward to reading more!

glad to have you.... sorry to have been so absent! life took over! I'll post as many receipts as I have photos of!

Joyeux Noel to you and your family!!

oof.. I have been gone forever! to you as well, hope it was great!

Hi

I am finally caught up...ah, the magic of being on vacation and being able to catch up on my subscribed threads.... woot!

I love your PP pics. They are sooooo awesome!

Can't wait to see you.....in three days. YAY

LOVED seeing you!! Ill have to post pics of our time there in here!!

Im all caught up too! I've been a bad Dis-er and havent been on in forever!

Loving the photopass pics!

It legitimately makes me excited for my future to someday get family pics like you have. *fingers crossed they come out as cute as yours did*

you have a baby nowwwwwwww omggggg and i love him!

Gosh, I totally thought I missed something major when I read "totally ready to move" (you meant move on, as in job, but I took it that you were moving locations).

Hope you ahd a nice Christmas and a Good New Year!

hahah, would never move from here, we love where we live! but yes, was def ready to move on with jobs! happy new year to you as well!

Just found your PTR and TR. Love them! Subbed here. Hope that you can write more, soon!

thanks and I am!!

Agreed! I just read through your PTR and what you have of your TR! In the words of Ariel, "I want more!"

thank you too! you got it!

I check back every week or so with hopes of an update since I've always liked your TRs, but I'm thinking I may have to throw in the towel on this one!

I know just as much as anyone how much life gets in the way of such relatively unimportant stuff like signing onto the DIS (in fact I think I have 2-3 unfinished TRs myself), but if you decide to start writing again, PM me so I can hop back over to hear about the rest of the trip.

Hope all is well for you guys in the New Year!
Ann

I hope you're subbed, im back! life DID take over, but I am free a bit today and ready to post! glad I took notes LOL!

 

[inkedupmomma]

OMG.. do yall hate me?? Please don't! As I said in past post, life got crazy! I am now done working for now as of 2 weeks now. I am happy as clam and really enjoying being a mom to just 2 kids! Things are much less stressful and I am enjoying having my kids all to me, and my room back!

The new job is also doing awesome!

In other news, Kayla turned 11 in December and we had an amazing roller skating party for her, our Christmas was awesome and our New Years was celebrated in Ohio with Jophia! That was an awesome trip!

Now, back to my TR! Thank you all for hanging in there and I hope I give you some good reads on this snowy (here anyway) afternoon!


I last left you off with Bob and Kayla doing some silly poses on sharks and our bellies ready for some snacks!

After snacks we decided to head to Innoventions!

And apparently I took NO pics!!

As always though, we LOVED innoventions! It really is one of the kids favorite spots!

After that we headed to Spaceship Earth! I rode with Kayla and it was a good time!

'

Our futures are looking pretty bright lol!

There was a super cool game at the end of SSE , but I didn't take a pic or write name down and can barely recall what it even was, just that we loved it and spent a good amount of time playing it! How was that for most vague statement of the day lol!

After SSE we headed over to test Track. It still makes me giddy knowing Jack can go on! Poor little dude was too little in 2009 and was SO sad he couldn't ride it! The line said 20 minutes but it only took about 15. We had a very large drunk group in front of us and it was very entertaining!

Needless to say, he loves it!

I think it's cool too that they put this on photopass! why don't they do that for all rides??

After TT we did Mission Space... my notes say, MEH, but Jack loved it

AT this point it was time for our dinner! The dinner that I was really anxious for as last time I went I had an awful migraine and I wasn't sure if the food really stunk or the migraine made me hate everything!

Oh, where is this dinner? Le Cellier!

I had talked this up quite a bit to Bob, but also warned him that I myself did not love it last time I went.

We checked in at 5:45 for our 6 pm seating and were seated at 5:54. Already we were off to a better start! Last time we were seated way past our time!

Our server was George and Bob thought he was great, I thought he was meh. lol!

Kayla took this lovely pic for Bob and I

and I took these less than stellar iphone pics of the menu

For apps, Bob ordered the pork buns and LOVED them..sorry, he ate so fast I got bad pics!

Kayla ordered the kids salad and hated it.. didn't like the dressing or the type of lettuce...oh well!

Jack and I both ordered the soup and it was good, better than I had recalled, but I think I could skip it and try something new next time!

For our entrees both kids ordered the kids steak with mashed taters and carrots. Both enjoyed it!

Bob ordered the famous filet! and LOVED LOVED LOVED it!

I ordered the NY strip. I liked it well enough, but wasn't OMG like Bob was.

My overall expectations were met. It was better than I had remembered but not worthy of being called a signature restaurant and requiring 2 credits. I would definitely go back for a 1ts lunch!

After dinner we enjoyed some desserts!

Kids

Ours

These were just OK. Not terrible, not OMG. Bob agrees with that as well

The overall damage was :

I'm pretty sure we left 20% tip.

After dinner, we shopped for a bit, then headed back to the resort! But not before taking some pics on my camera and on PP!

When we got back to our resort, this is what we were greeted with

So far, we had gotten new surprises every day!

according to my notes this day was not killer hot.

Next up : Welcome to the jungle....

 

[inkedupmomma]

I have even more time, so I am being a good diser (and terrible mother/housewife LOL) and giving a 2nd update!!


Tuesday September 13, 2011

Today we were up nice and early! I wrote 7:30 and then put a star next to that saying even earlier...guess I actually looked at the clock at 7:30! I noted that I had a terrible nights sleep, and suspected I was beginning to get Kaylas cold

By we I meant me to. I was up first and got this shot of the boys..notice the blanket around Bob.. maybe THAT'S why I didn't sleep well??

Today we did something that I NEVER do,,, we ate breakfast in the room! Cereal bars and goodies from the bag of stuff Jophia had sent to our room! (Thanks again you guys <3 )

Today we were going to DAK!

According to my notes we arrived right around 9 am. I always get pics out front, but today I was on a mission! Get Jack to face his fear and ride Expedition Everest! Last trip he was too little and this trip he was all HECK NO, i'm not going on no stinking roller coasters... even though he loves them

So we booked it to EE and there was only a 5 min wait posted.... make that NO WAIT! and guess, what?? After lots of begging,pleading, guilting,pressuring , and finally bribery, Jack agreed to go on! and he LOVEDDDDDDDDD it! and really though he was the bee knees coolest kid on the block, and to us he was! Even Kayla was impressed!

So I bet you're asking, what did you bribe him with?? A present of his choice when we got off the ride!

and being the cool dude that he is, he chose an EE trading pin! MAN I LOVE THIS KID! The pin even has the Yeti on it!

So since he loved it so much, we decided to go on again, and again AND AGAIN! YUP, 4 times in a row, no wait! I was beginning to see the beauty of rope drop! We would have ridden more, but we were all beginning to feel a bit queasy from the not so large breakfast. We did however stage a photo on the last ride

After EE we got pulled into a DVC pitch since the kids just HAD to trade with them CM's. The girl was overly persistent and it really irked me. It ate up almost a full hour, but there was just no getting away from her and her wing man who kept tempting the kids with pins, stickers and coloring sheets! What part of I don't even own a home, what makes you think I can afford a time share didn't she get??

After that it was very close to our ADR time at Yak and Yeti, so we wandered over to that area. I tried checking in early, but apparently 10:50 still mean absolutely closed.

We saw right next door to Y&Y a "temple" with a Thai man and a man from Indonesia.

Those 2 guys were AMAZING! They shared so much wonderful knowledge about their countries and showed us some beautiful art. The one man even showed the kids how he does leaf animals!

He let each of the kids have one! I can not begin to explain how intricate and cool these things were! I was glad for the mini educational moment!

I was also glad that it was now 11! Time to check in at Y&Y.

Now if you recall, I did not love Y&Y on my 2009 trip, no one did in our party actually. I did however LOVE the won ton dessert and figured why not give it another try. Mostly out of convenience factor, but also the won tons were calling my name!

We were seated instantly and that was nice! We were all hot, hungry, thirsty and a bit wiped already!

This trip we were seated upstairs in the back corner, and could see out over DAk. That was cool!

I didn't care for our server at all. Had ZERO personality, but was very efficient at her job. But thats all it was to her, a job. No Disney magic at all.

For appetizer Bob got the chicken lettuce cups

I got the fried green beans

Both were good enough... but nothing more, Here kids do not get an app but rather all the food in one sitting.

For our entrees Bob got the honey chicken

He did not like it at all! and Bob NEVER complains about food. ever. Hes like a damn garbage disposal most days!

I knew not to order the steak and shrimp as I did not like it last year, so I ordered the other chicken dish that was similar to Bobs... and YUCK YUCK YUCK. Both dishes just tasted nothing like any asian food, but chemically and just disgusting.

Jack got a cheeseburger,applesauce and carrots

Kayla got chicken fingers, mashed taters and applesauce

Neither kid was overly impressed, but they didn't complain either.

The man who refilled our drinks noticed that we didn't eat our food and got a manager. We didn't ask for one. He came to our table and apologized and offered new food and to pay the bill, but I told him we were on the DxDP and that wouldn't be necessary. We told him exactly how we felt about the food, and hopefully it meant something.

Once he left, it was time for dessert! This did NOT disappoint!

Bob ordered the Mango pie, he liked it, but not as much as he thought he would.

Jack got ice cream and LOVED it lol!

I have no pic of Kayla so she must have also gotten ice cream.

I got the wonderful won tons and I swear I'd go back just for that! They were AMAZING! Although the fruit on the plate was not fresh and had bruises..gross

By the time we left we were full, but Bob said never again, and I have to agree. There are too many good food choices at WDW to waste a credit there!

I need to start dinner, but I hope to be back with another update tonight!

Up next- a bunch of firsts!

 

[Fantasyland Mom]

Glad you're back!! I have to admit that I haven't updated my TR in a couple of weeks, either! I need to get on that. You've inspired me.

I have to say that yours is the BEST EE PICTURE EVER! I never notice where they are taking pictures, so none of mine ever turn out that great. Note to self: pay more attention!

We saw the people making the leaf animals, too! So cool! But my people didn't want to stop . Maybe they'll be there next time.

Keep those updates coming! I've missed you guys!

 

[ronnmel]

Glad to see you back on the Dis!

Ok, I don't know if it's because of the pregnancy brain (oh how I love blaming everything on that these days ), but I'm confused. First you say you have stopped working for 2 weeks and love being at home with the kids, then say the new job is going well. So... are you working or not?

We love Innoventions too. I find it's a great way to spend some time out of the heat doing some fun thhings. We have a Science Center in Montreal that is based on the same principle, lots of interactive stuff, and we love going there.

I'm not there yet, but on my TR I will soon get to our second Epcot day and we spent lots of time playing all the games at the end of Spaceship Earth. I'm pretty sure we took pictures of it too, so maybe that will help you remember what game you played?

How awesome that Jack braved his fear, went on Expedition Everest, and LOVED it!!

Awwww, love the kissing picture on EE.

Yuck, it's too bad that the food wasn't good at Y&Y. At least the dessert made up for it...

 

[Trentmom]

Yay!!! So glad to see you back

I love the group of you all with your hands in air..such a cute pic

So glad Jack ended up liking EE and cute staged pic

Glad you were on Dining plan. I can't even imagine paying 42.00 for a steak


We loved Test Track. Trent and I went on it a few times in a row and kept coming up with different poses to do

 

[oboedm]

Great updates! I am glad you liked Le Cellier better this time around! We do like Yak and Yeti, but we tend to order differently. My husband loved the ribs and the kobe beef burger. I thought the duck was pretty good, but hated the honey chicken. I guess it is pretty hit or miss!

I will have to remember that picture idea! Super cute!

 

[shan23877]

Glad you're back and that you're staying positive about all of the changes you've been going through. However, when you say that you have your room and kids to yourself, does this mean that you and Bob broke up? I sure hope not!

Sorry that Y and Y was so bad! We have an ADR there for next trip, may have to make it RFC instead...And, we almost booked Le Cell, but went for Cali Grill instead, your review makes me glad that we did.

Love the EE pic. Very, very sweet. and the "arms up" Epcot picture is adorable!

 

[inkedupmomma]

Glad you're back!! I have to admit that I haven't updated my TR in a couple of weeks, either! I need to get on that. You've inspired me.
Yay! worse part is, I have missed everyone's updates, or read on my phone on car pick up at school and never get a chance to reply

I have to say that yours is the BEST EE PICTURE EVER! I never notice where they are taking pictures, so none of mine ever turn out that great. Note to self: pay more attention!
Thank you!!!! We rode 3 times before we realized where it was

We saw the people making the leaf animals, too! So cool! But my people didn't want to stop . Maybe they'll be there next time.
You have to! it was really educational and just inspiring!
Keep those updates coming! I've missed you guys!

I'm trying! and believe me, I miss you all as well! youre all like the friends online that I wish I had in reali life!

Glad to see you back on the Dis!

Ok, I don't know if it's because of the pregnancy brain (oh how I love blaming everything on that these days ), but I'm confused. First you say you have stopped working for 2 weeks and love being at home with the kids, then say the new job is going well. So... are you working or not?
Your brain is fine, my post was confusing unless you know me really well I stopped working for the boy I have nannied for for the past 4.5 years However in November when I found out I was losing my job, I reached out to Kayla's bff's uncle to see if he needed any help with his dog walking/pet sitting company. Turns out he did, and I started right then! So from November- 2 weeks ago I was working two jobs, all during thanksgiving,kaylas bday, christmas and new years! so yes one job ended and new one has not, but I have just one job now, and since the boy I nanny is gone, I have my nights free, and that means no more kid in my bedroom! (he slept there art night and nap time!)

We love Innoventions too. I find it's a great way to spend some time out of the heat doing some fun thhings. We have a Science Center in Montreal that is based on the same principle, lots of interactive stuff, and we love going there.
thats awesome! how far is montreal from niagra?

I'm not there yet, but on my TR I will soon get to our second Epcot day and we spent lots of time playing all the games at the end of Spaceship Earth. I'm pretty sure we took pictures of it too, so maybe that will help you remember what game you played?
OOOH, that would be awesome, cause we loved it lol!
How awesome that Jack braved his fear, went on Expedition Everest, and LOVED it!!
I was so PROUD of him! hes my balls to the wall kid lol
Awwww, love the kissing picture on EE.
theenks!
Yuck, it's too bad that the food wasn't good at Y&Y. At least the dessert made up for it...

we knew going on that we were taking a chance :/

Yay!!! So glad to see you back

I love the group of you all with your hands in air..such a cute pic
thanks, it is one of my favs as well!

So glad Jack ended up liking EE and cute staged pic
yeah it was awesome! hope he remembers how much he loved it for next trip LOL
Glad you were on Dining plan. I can't even imagine paying 42.00 for a steak

omg, I know right?? honestly, not 2ts worthy in my opinion!

We loved Test Track. Trent and I went on it a few times in a row and kept coming up with different poses to do

got pics?

Great updates! I am glad you liked Le Cellier better this time around! We do like Yak and Yeti, but we tend to order differently. My husband loved the ribs and the kobe beef burger. I thought the duck was pretty good, but hated the honey chicken. I guess it is pretty hit or miss!

I will have to remember that picture idea! Super cute!

def hot or miss! but neither chicken dish was good :/

Staged pictures are SO fun! I gotta upload the ones of kayla on space mountain.. its a pic of a pic, but youll still get the idea!

Glad you're back and that you're staying positive about all of the changes you've been going through. However, when you say that you have your room and kids to yourself, does this mean that you and Bob broke up? I sure hope not!
NOOOOOO, NEVER! lol! the boy I nannied for was at night, so I got him around 3 and he napped in my bedroom, and then slept there at night. so I havn't had my room to myself in 4.5 years! now I do! and it rocks!

Sorry that Y and Y was so bad! We have an ADR there for next trip, may have to make it RFC instead...And, we almost booked Le Cell, but went for Cali Grill instead, your review makes me glad that we did.
Cali Grill was frakkin AWESOME! we loved it! idk that RFC would be any better than Y&Y to be honest! never had good food there either! I'd just be careful what you get at Y&Y and order based on good reviews!

Love the EE pic. Very, very sweet. and the "arms up" Epcot picture is adorable!

thank you so much

 

[ronnmel]

thats awesome! how far is montreal from niagra?

Niagara Falls? It's about 6 hours between Montreal and Toronto, and I think another hour and a half to Niagara Falls? It's not so bad, I've done it a couple of times. The only thing that could make it way worse is Toronto Traffic, so you have to avoid rush hour at all costs.

Montreal is a beautiful city, you should come visit sometimes (much better than Toronto in my opinion. )

 

[reelmom]

Just now jumping on board. I am loving your TR. So good to see you smile and having a great time. You and the kids deserve it.

 

[KatMark]

Hey, hon; sorry I missed your update on Saturday. We were in Iowa visiting our youngest son and his girlfriend, and then when we got home yesterday I was trying to get laundry done for my other two men before I leave for Disney on Thursday.

Looks like you had a good time on Spaceship Earth. Would you believe we've not even stopped in Innoventions in like ten years.

We were disappointed in our meal at LeCellier; the food was good, but not as good as it has been in the past, they wouldn't let us substitute like they used to and definitely NOT worth 2TS or the CASH we paid for the meal.

for Jack and Expedition Everest. Tell him he can ride for me every time because that is one ride I just can't do anymore.

I'm sorry you guys didn't like Yak & Yeti. Mark and I went in 2007 and it was one of our favorite meals of the trip.

 

[RooRach0906]

Great Updates!! Glad your back. Also wanted to say I loved you PP pics! I am one of those always reading lurkers who doesnt say much. Cant wait for your next installment! Hope life is treating you guys well!

 

[inkedupmomma]

Niagara Falls? It's about 6 hours between Montreal and Toronto, and I think another hour and a half to Niagara Falls? It's not so bad, I've done it a couple of times. The only thing that could make it way worse is Toronto Traffic, so you have to avoid rush hour at all costs.

Montreal is a beautiful city, you should come visit sometimes (much better than Toronto in my opinion. )

I am dying to go to Canada lol! Idk why, but prolly cause it's so close but yet I can say I have been out of the USA lol

Just now jumping on board. I am loving your TR. So good to see you smile and having a great time. You and the kids deserve it.

thank you so much

Hey, hon; sorry I missed your update on Saturday. We were in Iowa visiting our youngest son and his girlfriend, and then when we got home yesterday I was trying to get laundry done for my other two men before I leave for Disney on Thursday.
hey, how is your son?? Test results ever come back? and OMG.. you're leaving already. ugh. where did time go?

Looks like you had a good time on Spaceship Earth. Would you believe we've not even stopped in Innoventions in like ten years.
better go in with the kids, kids love innoventions (so do we lol)
We were disappointed in our meal at LeCellier; the food was good, but not as good as it has been in the past, they wouldn't let us substitute like they used to and definitely NOT worth 2TS or the CASH we paid for the meal.
DEF not worth 2 ts, made me so sad. Bob disagreed with me though! it was one of his fav meals!

for Jack and Expedition Everest. Tell him he can ride for me every time because that is one ride I just can't do anymore.
haha, I will
I'm sorry you guys didn't like Yak & Yeti. Mark and I went in 2007 and it was one of our favorite meals of the trip.

i REALLYYYYY wanted to love it Kat, but it was just bad.

Great Updates!! Glad your back. Also wanted to say I loved you PP pics! I am one of those always reading lurkers who doesnt say much. Cant wait for your next installment! Hope life is treating you guys well!

glad to see you come out of lurkdom! life is great, how about you?

 

[inkedupmomma]

Despite having a lousy meal and some dessert with moldy fruit we were ready for some more fun!

It was very hot out and Kayla was chomping at the bit to ride her favorite ride..which is also a first for Bob and Jack! What ride you ask?? Kali River Rapids!

On our way to KRR we saw the chimp (?) sanctuary and Bob noticed that the momma had a new born! I asked the CM about it and the baby was 5 days old, it had been born the previous Thursday!

Watching them was hilarious, as the sister or brother of the chimp was trying to snatch the baby away like a toy and was very jealous! it was amazing to watch and probably one of the coolest things I have ever seen!

After seeing these cuties it was time to head to the rapids!

Despite my better judgment we jumped in the stand by line as fast passes were down for the day.. ( I thought that was weird!) It said 20 minutes and we waited every bit of 20 minutes! and it was hot! I had never been so happy to see a ride in my life!

No pics of course But it was fun! Jack liked it too! It was fun getting to do so many rides with him! We all decided that while we love KRR, it has always been loved for the short waits we've had!

After KRR we headed to DINOLAND USA! Idk why I used cap locks, but thats how it sounds in my head

Jack spotted Pluto as we were walking in and Pluto gave him a quick high five before he headed to his autograph spot, I thought that was pretty cool!

I was excited to go to DL because I love how cheesy and retro it feels! If I recall correctly I scored an orange soda and churro at one of the snack stands here too lol!

Once I chowed we all got on line for Dinosaur! A first for Bob and Jack again! We LOVED it! Jack wasn't phased at all by the "scary " dinosaur and thought it was really neat!

After this, it was time for another first for all of us, one that I had been dying for! Finding Nemo the Musical!

I did manage to get pics through my iphone! and no, I didn't use flash

We all absolutely 100% LOVED this show! It was so amazing and so much more than what I thought it was going to be! I already love puppeteering, but this just put me over the edge! One of my new favorite attractions at WDW!

Once teh show let out it was time for us to do another one of Kayla's favorites! I really think that even when she is 15 she will still love playing in the Boneyard!

Sadly I have NO pics of her in here! It was HOT out! Did I say that yet??

I was just about ready to leave DAK but Bob really wanted to see TTBAB, and honestly, I love it, so I said sure!

Bob adored the show! Oh yeah, another first for him

It was getting close to 4, so we figured we would watch some of the parade and get some kidcot station stamps for the kids.

Bob being a good dad and holding Kayla on his shoulders... Jack was with me cause his behavior was less than stellar!

After the stamps and a bit of the parade we headed to our car...and the black pavement felt like walking on hot lava! we were all dying!

Next up: dinner with friends!

 

[Trentmom]

Looks like a great day at AK

Pics of Chimps and new baby are great

Love how chill Jack looks in the pic of Dinosaur....

But boy, oh boy, did it look hot

 

[shan23877]

Very glad that you and Bob are still happy!

Sounds like a fun afternoon at AK. Super cute Bug pics.

I'd have to agree -DINOLAND USA is all caps in my head too.

 

[annnewjerz]

Yay! So glad to see you're back at the TR!

Loving the updates. I'm surprised you had such a horrible meal at Y&Y. On our last trip I remember loving it. That may have been because it was so hot and the a/c was a nice break, or because we were starving by the time we ate---but the egg rolls were the best I've ever had and the pineapple & cream cheese wontons dessert was sooooo good! Maybe the trick is sticking with apps and desserts and skipping the entrees? I think that's what we did last time and what we'll probably do again on our trip in 17 short days.

 

[oboedm]

Oooh! I love when people see interesting things at AK!! The baby chimp is so bald-- I had no idea they looked so scrawny!

If you ever make it to DLR, Kayla should check out Grizzly River Rapids. It is 80 times better than Kali, and 30 times longer (at least it seems that way). =) I would happily wait for GRR, but I don't think I would wait long for Kali!

 

[HilJoy14]

Yay for more trip report!

My Allison (almost 5) sounds just like Jack. She's just now big enough for some rides, so she's gung-ho! She wants to go on Expedition Everest and Dinosaur and Space Mountain, etc. Her sister (almost 7) won't go on any of them.

The baby chimp is just the cutest thing! Thanks for sharing those photos!

Wow - dinner at Le Cellier is $$$$$! We're thinking of trying the dining plan once and will have to get those types of meals on the dining plan. No way I'd pay that much cash for a meal!