3 Generations! 2 Resorts! 10 Days! DxDp! 3000 Pictures! - Saying Good-Bye!

[eeyore7360nc]

Long story short...no 1/2 for me. The orthopedic said my knees can't take it I wish the news from him would have been better, but oh well. How is your training going? I'm sure very well Where do yall plan on staying?! I have another girl at work that will be running the Princess, too. She's super excited!!!

I hear you on the knees. I leave the running to my friends. I am the planner/photographer in the bunch. We will be staying at Beach Club Villas. I have not stayed there before, so I am really looking forward to that. My goal is to stay at all the DVC resorts at least once.

 

[pas130]

Glad the BLV pic helped! That view really is incredible...you're not going to want to leave....just sayin'! Are y'all going to DHS on your upcoming trip? The shows will certainly be different without the kids!!!

DH loves the stunt show and TSM....so we will be there

 

[RGirl]

The last day??? Say it isn't so! The stroller thing is very interesting. I was wondering what to do on that last day myself......

I am that Faith's favorite is ToT. As you know, this is the first year that Willow has been tall enough for any "big" rides. Her hands-down favorite? Tower of Terror! In fact, we are headed back to DHS tomorrow so that she can ride it and Star Tours as many times as possible.

 

[mrtoffee]

Love your trip report and all your fantastic pictures. Were hoping to do something similar with my parents in 2013.

 

[hstrickland]

I'm back! And just in time for your last day. Boo!

You were right, we totally fell in love with CR. You can't possibly find a better location! And the sunrise over Bay Lake was spectacular.

We also had an awesome meal at Citricos. We felt like Cali Grill beat it by a hair, but they were both amazing dinners.

So...how was it??!! GREAT??!! Did you like Cali better because of the amazing view? It's really hard to beat the scenery from the top of the CR. Guess if I had to pick, I would probably go with CG, too. We just had such a great server at Citricos!! The server was good at CG, also, but nothing like Wade.

What floor did you end up with at CR?

I hear you on the knees. I leave the running to my friends. I am the planner/photographer in the bunch. We will be staying at Beach Club Villas. I have not stayed there before, so I am really looking forward to that. My goal is to stay at all the DVC resorts at least once.

Oh yes...that's right! You already told me that....you're the photographer! I remember! You and I have similar goals....to stay at all the resorts at least once I have a long ways to go...but will make it, I feel quite sure Hoping a great pincode comes out for June. We want to try AKL....or maybe BC. The kids would LOVE SAB.

DH loves the stunt show and TSM....so we will be there

8 days PrincessPas!!! How's the foot doing??? Any progress or have you reserved the scooter???

The last day??? Say it isn't so! The stroller thing is very interesting. I was wondering what to do on that last day myself......

I am that Faith's favorite is ToT. As you know, this is the first year that Willow has been tall enough for any "big" rides. Her hands-down favorite? Tower of Terror! In fact, we are headed back to DHS tomorrow so that she can ride it and Star Tours as many times as possible.

Last day Yep....

So Willow likes ToT, too??!! Funny!! My boys won't get on the thing to save their lives, but their sister will. Makes no sense! And isn't it great when the kids are tall enough to ride more than just It's a Small World?? This year was great because we didn't have to worry about making Jesse "stand tall" before getting on the rides.

Hope yall are having a magical time!!! When's your last day? Safe travels home and I'll be waiting for the TR

Love your trip report and all your fantastic pictures. Were hoping to do something similar with my parents in 2013.

Thanks so much! You won't regret taking your parents Just makes the trip that much better. It's wonderful making memories with the entire family. I know that my oldest son will always have terrific memories with his grandparents at WDW. Hope the trip works out for y'all!!

 

[mrtoffee]

Thank you im sure my ma and pa will love a trip with the grand kids. They have previously done Paris, Orlando and Califonia Disney's but haven't been for nearly 15 years due to health issues.

 

[hstrickland]

Thank you im sure my ma and pa will love a trip with the grand kids. They have previously done Paris, Orlando and Califonia Disney's but haven't been for nearly 15 years due to health issues.

Thanks for sharing your links!! I will certainly take a look at those....I'll actually have a little Dis time today. Believe it or not, we aren't going ANYWHERE!!!

So, it's been 15 years since your parents have been to WDW?! Won't they be shocked when they see the new Fantasy Land?! Have y'all decided where you might stay? If you're like me, that will change 100 times It will be fun planning for them

Have a great weekend!

 

[hstrickland]

Hidden Mickeys – Part 1
How sharp is your eye???
Over 800 Hidden Mickeys in WDW!!​

If you or your kids enjoy scavenger hunts, then the Hidden Mickey book is just for you! Even our 4 year old had a blast searching for these jewels! The book is full of clues to help you with those not so obvious Mickeys.

Throughout our trip, Pop and Stephen carried their books with them….don’t leave home without it! If you’re a WDW Fanatic, then this challenge is a must-do. It’s an ongoing adventure that will last trip after trip after trip!



So what exactly is a Hidden Mickey???....


Hidden Mickey – a partial or complete image of Mickey Mouse that has been hidden by Disney’s Imagineers and artists in the designs of Disney attractions, hotels, restaurants, and other areas.



Hidden Mickey Facts:

* They come in all sizes and many forms.
* Most common is an outline of Mickey’s head formed by three intersecting circles (classic Mickey)
* The practice probably started as an inside joke among Imagineers.
* They originated in the late 70s or early 80s.
* There are also Hidden Minnies, Donalds, and Goofys.
* They can be removed from WDW at any time.
* New ones are popping up all the time!
* Cast Members are always willing to help locate difficult ones.


This was the daily scene….Stephen with book in hand, looking intently until one is spotted.

Think you’re a Disney Expert?? See how much you know….look at the pictures below and see how many you can locate! Find the Hidden Mickey in the picture, then name the location!




1.

2.

3.

4.

5.

6.

7.

8.

9.

10.

11.

12.

13.

14.

15.

16.

17.

18.

How did you do? Do you think ya got what it takes to find ALL 800+???!!! If a 4 year old can spot them…so can you!



Answers

1. CR Mural
2. MK - It's a Small World
3. MK - It's a Small World
4. MK - Peter Pan's Flight
5. MK - Snow White
6. MK - Haunted Mansion
7. MK - Peter Pan's Flight
8. CR - Sand Bar
9. EP- Maelstrom
10. EP - China
11. EP - Imagination, Figment
12. EP - China
13. EP - Nemo
14. EP - Nemo
15. EP - The Land
16. EP- The Land
17. FW
18. FW - Chip n Dale Sing-a-long


Up next.....Part 2!

 

[SmileGirl]

Owl’s right wing, Contemporary Mural
On the pig, El Rio Del Tiempo (I can’t remember what it’s called now…lol)
Leaves, it’s a small world
In the clouds, Peter Pan’s flight sign
On the shorts, Snow White’s Scary Adventures
On the gate, outside the Haunted Mansion
On the tree, Peter Pan’s Flight queue
On the person’s head, ?
On the Viking, Maelstrom mural
? I know I’ve seen it before, I just can’t place it.
? No idea.
?
?
?
Off to the side of your boat, Living with the Land
In the tanks, Living with the Land
?
?

That was a good hunt! Smart idea. Some of them were really hard.

 

[hstrickland]

Owl’s right wing, Contemporary Mural
On the pig, El Rio Del Tiempo (I can’t remember what it’s called now…lol)
Leaves, it’s a small world
In the clouds, Peter Pan’s flight sign
On the shorts, Snow White’s Scary Adventures
On the gate, outside the Haunted Mansion
On the tree, Peter Pan’s Flight queue
On the person’s head, ?
On the Viking, Maelstrom mural
? I know I’ve seen it before, I just can’t place it.
? No idea.
?
?
?
Off to the side of your boat, Living with the Land
In the tanks, Living with the Land
?
?

That was a good hunt! Smart idea. Some of them were really hard.

You did pretty good We told my son last night that we would go on a Hidden Mickey search at the resorts when we go back in June...won't be doing the parks, so that will be something fun to do with the kids. Jesse, the 4 year old, frequently sits at dinner and makes Hidden Mickey's with plates and glasses.....we've brain-washed the kids

 

[amandaw]

Love the Hidden Mickey pictures. I think I'm going to get the book before our trip next October. I started teaching Reid about them on our last trip & he seems to enjoy looking for them. He even found one in Ed's truck - his instrument gauges are circular & 3 of them form to make a Hidden Mickey. I was so proud of my son!

 

[pas130]

Failed miserably at hidden mickeys Still love looking for them. We decided on a wheelchair, because I am no good at driving the scooter 5 more days...

 

[WDWKOOK]

We told my son last night that we would go on a Hidden Mickey search at the resorts when we go back in June...won't be doing the parks, so that will be something fun to do with the kids. Jesse, the 4 year old, frequently sits at dinner and makes Hidden Mickey's with plates and glasses.....we've brain-washed the kids

That was fun! I'm all for WDW brainwashing, and you can't get 'em started too early.

Thanks for posting about the HMs as I almost forgot that I was saving them up for a time when - gasp - DD wasn't as thrilled with the parks.DD, who turned 13 a couple of weeks ago, muttered yesterday that "the parks are kind of boring," and she'd really just like to drive a Sea Raycer all day. So your HM plan sounds perfect. But, mom and dad love the parks so DD will have to bring her Hidden Mickey book with her as a DIStraction

Failed miserably at hidden mickeys Still love looking for them. We decided on a wheelchair, because I am no good at driving the scooter 5 more days...

You poor thing. I hope DH is better at backing up than you were at Target. Do you need to attach a rearview mirror to your hat?

 

[pas130]

That was fun! I'm all for WDW brainwashing, and you can't get 'em started too early.

Thanks for posting about the HMs as I almost forgot that I was saving them up for a time when - gasp - DD wasn't as thrilled with the parks.DD, who turned 13 a couple of weeks ago, muttered yesterday that "the parks are kind of boring," and she'd really just like to drive a Sea Raycer all day. So your HM plan sounds perfect. But, mom and dad love the parks so DD will have to bring her Hidden Mickey book with her as a DIStraction


You poor thing. I hope DH is better at backing up than you were at Target. Do you need to attach a rearview mirror to your hat?

Not thrilled with the parks My oldest sounded like that when he was 16. But he misses our trips now. He said he wants to take his DGF when he can (he made it through boot camp, but doing some additional special training in NC now). I love the smilie on crutches, I have to show HRH when she gets home

 

[RGirl]

Love the Hidden Mickey update!!! We didn't have the book, but Willow and I had a lot of fun looking for hidden Mickeys (well, some of her finds were not all that hidden, but it was still fun).

 

[chattadisser]

Heather,

So glad your trip report is not done! What are we all going to do when it's over? We might have to start our own support group!

We had a wonderful time at the Wilderness Lodge. This was our first time to stay there and really get to use the resort, our one other trip there was a very quick Christmas trip. We had fun in the pool and playing the poolside games in the afternoon. Our week was fun but, dare I say it, I think we may have over-done it! I would have never thought that possible but with two little ones, we are usually early to bed and early risers. This trip we spent most nights in the parks, sometimes till 10 at night. That made our mornings difficult and by the end of the week, some crankly little Princesses! Lesson learned to Mom & Dad, everyone has a better trip if we stick to our regular schedule for the most part.

We were very successful in brain-washing the 2 1/2 year old into everything Disney. Everything that she points out for Christmas is Disney something! I think we can accomodate that. We had bought the hidden Mickey book before we left for our 6 year old and she loved looking thru the parks for them. I think it helps them notice things in the park that they (and me) would have never noticed before.

Now that we are back and Halloween is over, we are trying to get back to our regular schedule and I'm trying to prepare for Christmas. It still seems so far off but then when I think how close it is, I start to panic thinking of all the things that need to get done between now and then!

Hope everyone had a great Halloween and try not to eat too much of the leftover candy! That is hard to do.

Christine

 

[hstrickland]

Love the Hidden Mickey pictures. I think I'm going to get the book before our trip next October. I started teaching Reid about them on our last trip & he seems to enjoy looking for them. He even found one in Ed's truck - his instrument gauges are circular & 3 of them form to make a Hidden Mickey. I was so proud of my son!

Hey there! How's it all going for y'all? I've been thinking about you, hoping things are looking up.

Definitely get the book for Reid He'll love it after he actually spots a few.

Failed miserably at hidden mickeys Still love looking for them. We decided on a wheelchair, because I am no good at driving the scooter 5 more days...

Can't wait to hear about your trip when you return!! Hopefully the weather will be beautiful for y'all. The temperature should be perfect...not too hot, not too cold. Give Mickey a hug for me And have a Magical vacation!

That was fun! I'm all for WDW brainwashing, and you can't get 'em started too early.

Thanks for posting about the HMs as I almost forgot that I was saving them up for a time when - gasp - DD wasn't as thrilled with the parks.DD, who turned 13 a couple of weeks ago, muttered yesterday that "the parks are kind of boring," and she'd really just like to drive a Sea Raycer all day. So your HM plan sounds perfect. But, mom and dad love the parks so DD will have to bring her Hidden Mickey book with her as a DIStraction

You poor thing. I hope DH is better at backing up than you were at Target. Do you need to attach a rearview mirror to your hat?

The smiley face on crutches cracked me up when I saw it! You're a trip, KOOK!

Love the Hidden Mickey update!!! We didn't have the book, but Willow and I had a lot of fun looking for hidden Mickeys (well, some of her finds were not all that hidden, but it was still fun).

Are you back???!!! How did it go? Can't wait to hear....what about the TR??

Heather,

So glad your trip report is not done! What are we all going to do when it's over? We might have to start our own support group!

We had a wonderful time at the Wilderness Lodge. This was our first time to stay there and really get to use the resort, our one other trip there was a very quick Christmas trip. We had fun in the pool and playing the poolside games in the afternoon. Our week was fun but, dare I say it, I think we may have over-done it! I would have never thought that possible but with two little ones, we are usually early to bed and early risers. This trip we spent most nights in the parks, sometimes till 10 at night. That made our mornings difficult and by the end of the week, some crankly little Princesses! Lesson learned to Mom & Dad, everyone has a better trip if we stick to our regular schedule for the most part.

We were very successful in brain-washing the 2 1/2 year old into everything Disney. Everything that she points out for Christmas is Disney something! I think we can accomodate that. We had bought the hidden Mickey book before we left for our 6 year old and she loved looking thru the parks for them. I think it helps them notice things in the park that they (and me) would have never noticed before.

Now that we are back and Halloween is over, we are trying to get back to our regular schedule and I'm trying to prepare for Christmas. It still seems so far off but then when I think how close it is, I start to panic thinking of all the things that need to get done between now and then!

Hope everyone had a great Halloween and try not to eat too much of the leftover candy! That is hard to do.

Christine

So glad y'all had a wonderful stay!! Bill just loves the WL...especially the pool area. The games are probably one of the highlights for our oldest son....he had a ball with the tug-of-war!

I completely know what you mean about over doing it....so easy to do at WDW. If you're like us, you just want to get everything in. When you get back from Disney, you actually need a few days to regroup and rest It will be nice when the kids are all old enough to stay out late. Stephen really enjoyed MK at night.

Love the fact that your brain-washing was successful What good Disney Mom wouldn't do that Our DD5 says her prayers each night and usually prays for WDW...I kinda laugh each time she says it.

And you're right!!....Time to start Christmas shopping! It will be here before we know it. I'm actually going to start shopping this weekend so I don't get behind.

Hope everyone has a wonderful weekend!
Heather

 

[amandaw]

Hey there! How's it all going for y'all? I've been thinking about you, hoping things are looking up.

Hi!

We're still just hanging in here. Job search is still on-going. Unfortunately, Ed was a little over-qualified for the job with Gulfstream, so it looks like we won't be neighbors. He's had 3 more interviews this week. One of them went especially well & we are just waiting to find out if he's made it on to the next round. Hopefully, we'll find out tomorrow & we're praying it'll be good news. He also has another interview (in the city we live in) on Monday. We're really, really praying that goes well. I'm just praying he'll have something by Thanksgiving & we can start planning what's next for our family. Thanks for thinking about us.

 

[RGirl]

Are you back???!!! How did it go? Can't wait to hear....what about the TR??

We are back!!! I will start the TR when I get my PhotoPass CD - probably next week. But do you think anyone will read it???? The other thing is that I just switched from a MS-based computer to Mac, and I am still getting used to the different ways of uploading pics and stuff.

But I will be starting soon. I took notes each evening, and I always do a mini-TR on FB, so it will be so much fun to do a more detailed one for people who actually care about Disney trips!

 

[pas130]

Can't wait to hear about your trip when you return!! Hopefully the weather will be beautiful for y'all. The temperature should be perfect...not too hot, not too cold. Give Mickey a hug for me And have a Magical vacation!





The smiley face on crutches cracked me up when I saw it! You're a trip, KOOK!

I will definitely give Mickey a hug...and like KOOK, DH says I HAVE to get Mickey to sign my cast

Hi!

We're still just hanging in here. Job search is still on-going. Unfortunately, Ed was a little over-qualified for the job with Gulfstream, so it looks like we won't be neighbors. He's had 3 more interviews this week. One of them went especially well & we are just waiting to find out if he's made it on to the next round. Hopefully, we'll find out tomorrow & we're praying it'll be good news. He also has another interview (in the city we live in) on Monday. We're really, really praying that goes well. I'm just praying he'll have something by Thanksgiving & we can start planning what's next for our family. Thanks for thinking about us.

Best wishes for good news VERY soon. Good luck to Ed on Monday too