60 Candles, 30 Million Lights, Best Friends&Family at Disney--Priceless (New 5/23)

[Woth2982]

Such a great first day you had! I love the storytellers! I want to go back in December so bad just to see them. I didn't get through them last time

I cannot believe how rude people can be. I would have gone out and threatened to call the cops. I know it is the happiest place on earth and you're on vacation, but people need to respect those that want to sleep. Hopefully it got better after that first night.

 

[Pluto0809]

How did I get three updates behind. I had to go to a class for work today and didn't have any DIS time till now.

One of these days I'm going to make it to Beaches & Cream! It's on my list of things to do at Disney.

I love Epcot at night, it's so pretty. Sounds like you guys got a lot of stuff done the first night. I did try one of the Grand Mariner Orange slushies last month but it was a little too sweet for me. I preferred the lemon one my mom got.

The decorations at the Swan were just as beautiful as the Dolphin. If I make it back for Christmas again, I might have to try and visit both of those.

That is a real bummer about the noise outside your room! We left the day they were all arriving. I'm glad we missed them, it was pretty crazy at the Custom House when we were leaving.

 

[heaven2dc]

I will respond to everyone later (running to the mall...heaven help us...for a few last minute Christmas gifts).

But I wanted to take a moment to tell you that the DIS lost a wonderful person today. Her name was Tracy (she was manntra here on the DIS). I never had the pleasure of meeting Tracy in person, but we were FB friends and we exchanged messages and comments on FB. She was a lovely woman who fought hard against her cancer. Rest in Peace my friend...you will be truly missed.

I just was catching up with your TR and read about Tracy. I'm so sorry to hear this sad news - she will be missed.

Thank you for sharing your trip with us - it has been fun reading all about your fun trip!

 

[ronnmel]

I've already fallen behind. Oh boy! I'm kinda glad you won't be doing any more updates before Christmas, that way I won't fall behind again.

I'm hoping to try Beaches & Cream this trip. Obviously, I love seeing all your Beach Club pictures.

Looks like you had a great time at Epcot.

The lit up trees close to the Swan are very pretty.

Oh man, I would NOT have been happy with those screaming people in the pool. You couldn't call the front desk to let them know it had started again? Like PhoenixStrength, I always make it a point to book a room away from the pools for that specific reason.

 

[englishrose47]

I'm here. Just being quiet.

Hey that's me the QUIET one !!!

 

[emmysmommy]

First, not knowing which day is your birthday around Christmas... I'll just wish you a Happy Birthday every day between now and New years!! (unless of course you just had your bday .)

What great photos by the fountain in France. It's good to see more smoochy photos of you and Mark.

That was very nice of Nicki to get Mark the Santa Mickey hat - such a great addition to any collection.

There were parents at the pool with the rowdy crowd?? Such a shame that people are not more considerate - or in this case even a little considerate. Errr....

 

[dizneeat]

Really great pics at Epcot, Kathy! What a fun start to your vacation!

Not so fun ....... people being inconsiderate at the resort! I really hope it was only that one night though.

 

[goofy4prez]

I

We had a great photographer and he had us in stitches.

I'm not sure I remember seeing Mark without a hat on in WDW. He does have some hair (wish I did)

Looks like Mark has the Michael Jackson thing going on.


We were then....toast. We had nothing left in us. And my stomach was killing me...which it had been all night and was gettinig progressively worse. We kissed Nicki and Todd goodnight after planning what time to meet the next morning and Mark and I grabbed a cab back to the Coronado. We got to our room and knew right then and there that we would be taking a walk to the main building, El Centro, to talk to them about what was going on right outside of our room. First, we went inside and checked to be sure our luggage arrived...which it had. We walked to El Centro and informed them that it was now 10:15 at night and there are over 100 people in the quiet pool screaming---girls screeching at the top of their lungs, boys shouting and doing cannonballs in the water, beer and wine bottles everywhere with the parents smoking wherever they chose and talking very loudly. They promised to send someone over and end it.

Mark and I walked back to our room and he got his bathing suit on and went to the hot tub. Now, I think the Coronado hot tub holds 40 some people (it is the largest on property); when Mark got there, there were probably close to 60 people in, most of it teenage boys. He was not a happy camper.

I unpacked, Andy and Des arrived and we all went to bed...we had to be at our park by 8:15 a.m. the next morning. We know sooner all hit the pillows, and the noise outside started again. I was NOT getting up to redress and walk to the main building again. I figured I was so tired I'd fall asleep and not hear them. Yeah, that didn't work...at 1:15 in the morning I was still awake listening to screeches and yells.

Overall, the first day could not have gone better. We were so happy to be with Nicki and Todd, Andy and Des loved being with us and we were having a great start to a special birthday celebration.

It's a shame that WDW cannot find a nice balance between large groups and those who are not in these groups. I'm not sure what could be done, but there must be something they can do about kids running around uncontrolled past midnight while their parents and chaperones drink themselves into oblivion with no concern for their little "darlings" and leave their bottles and cans all over the place.
Up next, where do we go on Friday?

Kathy, I can't wait to read more on this TR. I hope you, Mark, and the rest of your family have a wonderfully blessed and Merry Christmas!!

 

[LaniesMom]

Great update!
I cannot believe that your camera didn't blow up from the picture of Stitch!

Since I am not on fb much anymore (in-law drama...I actually canceled my old account and started a new one, i think I friend requested you but if not I will again) I wanted to wish you a very blessed Christmas with your family.

Merry Christmas!

 

[TanzUnited99]

Great updates Kathy!

I love all the Photopass pics, especially the one of you and your sis in America

It's nice seeing the parks and resorts all decorated for the festive season

I love that 'Don't make me unfriend you shirt'!

 

[annmarieda]

I love all the photo pass pictures of all of you! It looks like you are off to a great start at gathering some amazing memories!

The grumpy "don't make me unfriend you" shirt had me laugh out loud!!!

I have never been to Beaches and Cream. Every trip I say maybe and then maybe never happens. Maybe in February .....

I am so sorry about the large group. I really hope that we don't experience this in February. CSR is a very large resort, right? And with the expo for the phm being there... I wonder maybe we should think of staying some place smaller....

Up very late, I hope you were able to get up for your early morning!!!

 

[dizneeat]

The grumpy "don't make me unfriend you" shirt had me laugh out loud!!!

I have never been to Beaches and Cream. Every trip I say maybe and then maybe never happens. Maybe in February .....

Ann, I bought one of the "unfriend" shirts and happily wore it!
As for B&C ..... if we get together in February, why not at B&C? It would be so much fun! Zoe is allowed to have loads of ice-cream, isn't she?

 

[annmarieda]

Ann, I bought one of the "unfriend" shirts and happily wore it!
As for B&C ..... if we get together in February, why not at B&C? It would be so much fun! Zoe is allowed to have loads of ice-cream, isn't she?

We should! And yes, Zoe is allowed ice cream

 

[dizneeat]

We should! And yes, Zoe is allowed ice cream

It's a date, Ann!

Kathy, sorry for taking over your thread!

 

[disneydancer86]

Joining in!! Thanks to MeMom, I have developed quite the addiction to reading trip reports..

Just an aside, I am from Elgin, IL originally so we were just around the corner from each other! I live in the central part of the state now though.

I loved CSR when we were there. We never went to the Dig Site pool, so we never encountered large groups of kids, really. (We were there in early May also, which may have contributed to the lack of noise)

Looking forward to reading the rest of your TR!

 

[eandesmom]

Some wonderful wonderful photopass pictures that first night! Love the "bridge" shots, I always love that angle. I swear, there are hills at Disney that seem to be new each trip. Like I didn't notice it was a hill before. Bummer that Nikki didn't like her drink, I am hoping over break to finally get over to the dining report. So pretty in the WS over the holidays, I cannot wait to see it for real finally.

Out of curiosity, why did Des get an AP but Andy didn't?

I always hear about Pop Warner, but what exactly is it? I've never known. Sorry they were at your resort though, that is a huge bummer.

 

[jenseib]

I would be so irked about the kids being loud at the pool. Thats ridiculous. I have heard Disney is lax with Pop Warner kids.

 

[KatMark]

Guess I won't complain about my 60 degrees for the high today. It was 80 yesterday though.

But it's cold there now, I hear.

What a great update

I honestly can't think of a better night out than Beaches and Cream with good friends

You all look so happy in the photos and I love it !!!!

We were very happy and we loved Beaches & Cream.

Sure! I'd be surprised if you had much of an audience on Dec. 25.

That's what I was thinking.

Ah, the return of the hat pictures! Nice to see Andy getting in on the action.

Andy loves doing this with his dad.

You forgot the rest of the title: My Favorite Attraction (if nothing else is open and I have a gun pointed at my head)

Come on...we know you at least like it better than Tower of Terror

Did you have to get FastPasses?

No, smarty pants...we didn't.

So you weren't TOO tired, then, right? You just wanted to ditch the kids.

Well, we were too tired to walk one end of Epcot to the other and my stomach was killing me. But we wanted some alone time with Nicki and Todd and figured they could use some "alone" time too.

Sorry that was such a pain. I would not have been happy, either.

I was not a happy camper.

I love your photos in Epcot with all the lights, so pretty!
yay for Nicki getting Mark a Santa Mickey hat!

you should of called the front desk again about the noise, that is SO rude! we don't stay by the pools for just that reason!

Thanks, Lisa; they turned out great.

I had no idea that was where Nicki disappeared to.

Calling the front desk doesn't get you to the front desk...but a call center.

Love the different color palm trees

I thought about Pop Warner being at CSR. Apparently that might have been an over flow resort for them since it has been AllSSp and POR previously.

Sorry you had to endure all their noise....

The palm trees were really pretty.

I had heard the horrid stories, but thought with their troubles in the past they might have calmed down...I thought wrong.

luvin all the updates. The new frames on the photopass pics are fab to. I love the one with the castle and sleigh.

There are so many great options to choose from for the photos.

 

[MAGICFOR2]

What a fun first day! Love the hat pics and the dueling lollipops! You got a lot of really nice photopass pics. We never seem to see the photopass guys at any pretty spots, just the usual castle, ride, etc. spots. I'm sorry that your stomach was hurting - starting to get worried what it will be... too bad about the party crowd.

I wanted to add that I was sad to hear about the passing of Manntra. She will be so missed here and at home, I'm sure. I am praying for her family and friends.

Now have a Merry Christmas! I hope you get to have time with both of your boys! I will have one of mine here, so I'm beyond excited!

 

[Nermel9]

Great updates! I love all of the photopass pictures, I really love the cute holiday borders they have! Everyone looks like they are having a great time in Epcot!

Ugh don't you hate when you're in a park, and then you get so tired and you have to leave immediately? It's like all of the hours of walking and having fun hits you all at once and you just crash!

I love the Boardwalk, but that bakery does get packed! The Swan looks adorable, I really have to check out the Swan and Dolphin someday!

I was wondering how going during Pop Warner week would be, so they were obnoxious at CSR? I've heard they are fine in the parks, but they are really annoying at the resorts. If they were really loud, I would probably ask to move.