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

[KatMark]

But then I'll have to point out every morning that you left out the part about Starbucks. See, you just can't win.

I most certainly cannot win with you!

This one... just wish Mom could have gotten it centered a little better.

I think she did a great job!

You're not getting rid of us that easy.

Shucks.....

Well, I was agreeing with Mark that 50's is better, but yes, I do like Sci-Fi. And like I said, you're not getting rid of us that easy.

Disagree; my meatloaf and chicken are ten times better than what we had at 50's!

Wouldn't be a KatMark TR without them.

Thank you (more coming up)

Could have been a little awkward if someone else had stepped out that door instead of you...

I probably should not have mentioned that I always have the camera so all the pictures are of him all the time, should I?

You had to wait 15 minutes??? In the picture of the 2 of you, the place doesn't look very crowded at all!

It was empty; but I think they try to keep things going on a smooth pace and don't "overcrowd" the restaurant. It was fine...we were early anyway.

Well, I guess there is some food that we agree on.

I am a huge fan of steak and baked potatos.

Yachtsman is another one on my list that I'd like to try sometime. I agree with Mark that the salad has too much "stuff" on it, way too fancy for me! But the steak looks delicious.

You and hubby should really do it...it is very good.

What is it about guys taking pictures when we come out of the bathroom? I have a similar picture of me coming out of a Tomorrowland bathroom that DH took on our Honeymoon.

Men are strange. That is why!

I LIKE Cowboy Mark!

Thanks, Jen.

The food looks amazing. I will get thre someday. I had a reservation for last Nov. but it was just going to be cutting it too close, so I canceled it.

I hope you can reschedule it soon...so worth it.

Love the pics in your update.

Thank you so very much.

What is the starwood member?!?!?

It's like being a member of any hotel...LaQuinta, etc. The Dolphin and Swan are "Starwood" hotels.

Love the updates and LOVE LOVE LOVE the hats!!! you guys are awesome!!! may i ask how long you have been married?

Gee, thanks, Mo. Yes, you are free to ask. Mark and I will be married 30 years this month.

Dinner looked great although that salad was whacky! Can't wait to eat at Yachtsman next week!

Jill in CO

Whacky salad for sure; but excellent meal. Enjoy yours there next week.

Goodness gracious, that steak and potato looks pretty darn good this morning. My peanut butter and crackers ain't going to cut it this morning.

I have a SmartOne frozen meal for lunch and I'd much rather have that steak and potato.

I never understood parents who just let their child(ren) sit there screaming and crying and them not check to see what's making them upset. That's so stupid to me.

It's so easy to step outside and calm the child down. You would think it would be upsetting their own conversation as well.

 

[KatMark]

So we finished our marvelous dinner at Yachstman and decided to stroll the Boardwalk. A few pictures as we strolled:









We stopped in the shop:









I think in this next one I'm going to buy this when I'm there with the girls next month and surprise hubby:



More strolling:





Mark's dessert from the temporary Boardwalk Bakery:



This guy wanted to share:



Some street entertainment:





We were getting tired at this point and had an early start for the next morning so we walked back to our resort.

We saw these trees when we were there in December and I just loved them:









We stopped and got me a hot fudge sundae and then went up to our room. Fantasmic was going on and we could see parts of the lights and then saw Mickey on his mountain. It was awesome.

We turned in shortly after that...it was a good day.

Up next, one of our favorite breakfasts at Disney and F&G

 

[MEK]

What a nice evening. I still have Yachtsman on my list to try! Sounds like you had a wonderful meal - well all except for the screaming child. Ugh!

What a nice evening for a stroll. Those lighted palm trees are pretty darn cool. How neat that you could see part of Fantasmic. Very cool.

I love your shirt - its very cute!

 

[shan23877]

What a nice evening! A stroll on the Boardwalk sounds just perfect after dinner!

Those palm trees are pretty cool.

 

[Chicago Mo]

God bless 30 years! I hope Tom and i are the same!!!! you give me hope!!!

OMG the pictures of the trees are BEAUTIFUL!!!
all of boardwalk is! I didn't know about being a member of a hotel.. you must tell me more about this!? I'm clueless!

 

[Captain_Oblivious]

It sure helped; it also made me think of you a lot.

And here I was being nice and complimenting you on the view.

Are you leaving with the other guys, Mark? Don't let the door hit you on the way out.

Not at all! Somebody has to stick around and make fun of your FiveBucks addiction.

We arrived a little too early, so we stopped at the gift shops in the Beach Club and the Yacht Club and Mark decided to give all of my DIS friends what they like best...hat pictures:

They never get old!

We had to wait about 15 minutes for our table. A picture of some of the night's offerings:

Mmmm...dead cow.

(he didn't really care for it...too much other junk on it as he put it)

Salad just gets in the way of the steak, anyway.

Dinner was spectacular...just as good as December and we will definitely be going back.

The only thing that put a damper on the evening was the child in the high chair in the room next to us (I had a view of her through a cut out in the wall) who screamed for an hour while her parents and the rest of the people laughed, drank and talked. It was a little annoying in a signature restaurant. The entire table totally ignored her.

Want to borrow my taser?

But then I'll have to point out every morning that you left out the part about Starbucks. See, you just can't win.

Well, I was agreeing with Mark that 50's is better, but yes, I do like Sci-Fi. And like I said, you're not getting rid of us that easy.

And why should we leave when we're right?

I think in this next one I'm going to buy this when I'm there with the girls next month and surprise hubby:

Hope he's not reading this!

But if he is, Hi Mark!

We saw these trees when we were there in December and I just loved them:

Cool!

 

[KatMark]

I was up by 6:00 to get showered and ready for our day. Since we were going to Epcot after breakfast, Mark and I had both brought our Mine Mine shirts. However, they were predicting a high of 85 for the day and I was in the need of some sun, so I ended up wearing a tank top so I could work with the sun (and with this crappy weather in Chicago I must say my tan is fading quick).

Anyway, showered, Mark up and showered, we gathered our luggage and walked down to put it in the car. We debated taking a bus to a park and then to the resort for breakfast and then reversing it to get back to the Dolphin to go to Epcot. In the end, we just got in the car and drove to breakfast...so much simpler.

We were going here:



Scenery as we walked to our destination:











And then we were finally here:



We absolutely love this place for breakfast. And since we've got a few new ones we love too, we decided to do Boma for this trip and not do it in August.

Our food:











Everything was delicious as always...except the Pressed Pot Coffee (nowhere near as good as Kona and I won't order it again) and Mark said the french toast bread pudding or whatever it was did not appeal at all...he left half of it on his plate.

Light fixtures:





Decorations:



After settling up the bill, we headed back into the lobby where I took a few more pictures and we went into the gift shop...one of THE best gift shops at all of the resorts in my opinion:









And a morning hat picture



Purchases made (I can never leave this store without purchasing something), we walked back to the car. We got in the car and it dawned on me: we're going to have to pay to park at Epcot. We didn't get anything for our window at the Dolphin and we aren't using their transportation. In a panic over what is it $14? I called Nicki since they stay there frequently. She said to drive back to the Dolphin, park the car, etc., etc. Or we could see if they'd give us a discount for parking when we got to Epcot since we had AP's. Well, we didn't want to go back to the Dolphin and have to park the car in the self-parking lot again, so we just drove to Epcot.

On the way, we saw a favorite of mine that I would not be doing this trip at least



And soon we were pulling up here



We pulled up and I asked if we got a discount for having an AP. She said I don't think so...but let me see your ticket. I gave her my AP and she said, "oh honey, you don't pay at all...go on ahead." I don't know if this is true or if we were just granted some , but it was nice having that $14 in my pocket as something would be shipped to our home that I couldn't resist.

Up next, we FINALLY see Flower & Garden.

 

[afwdwfan]

Disagree; my meatloaf and chicken are ten times better than what we had at 50's!

So does that mean that everyone can come over and try your meatloaf and chicken after we try Cynthia's ribs???

I think in this next one I'm going to buy this when I'm there with the girls next month and surprise hubby

Like Mark said... I really hope he's not reading this.

Mark's dessert from the temporary Boardwalk Bakery

Looks delicious!

We stopped and got me a hot fudge sundae and then went up to our room. Fantasmic was going on and we could see parts of the lights and then saw Mickey on his mountain. It was awesome.

Ok, that makes that view even more impressive!

Not at all! Somebody has to stick around and make fun of your FiveBucks addiction.

I think we've got that covered.

 

[afwdwfan]

(and with this crappy weather in Chicago I must say my tan is fading quick).

It has been a beautiful, sunny past couple of days in the high 70's - 80's just a few hours drive to your SE. Just sayin...

In the end, we just got in the car and drove to breakfast...so much simpler.

Good idea

Everything was delicious as always...except the Pressed Pot Coffee

It's definitely no Starbucks

Mark said the french toast bread pudding or whatever it was did not appeal at all...he left half of it on his plate.

The beauty of a buffet. If you don't like it, get something else.

On the way, we saw a favorite of mine that I would not be doing this trip at least

You included that picture just for Mark, didn't you?

We pulled up and I asked if we got a discount for having an AP. She said I don't think so...but let me see your ticket. I gave her my AP and she said, "oh honey, you don't pay at all...go on ahead." I don't know if this is true or if we were just granted some , but it was nice having that $14 in my pocket as something would be shipped to our home that I couldn't resist.

Nice! $14 in your pocket is $14 in your pocket!

 

[wiigirl]

Love the pics!

 

[jedijill]

Free parking is an AP perk.

Love the Boardwalk area. I agree that AKL has the best gift shop on property! I could go broke there.

Jill in CO

 

[goofy4prez]

Kathy, I have totally enjoyed following this thread. Your pictures of your stay at Boardwalk are awesome. I love that area of Disney! I'm not a big breakfast eater, but you have me reconsidering my thoughts about doing more than one breakfast in December with your pictures.

I can't tell you how much I am hoping to finally meet you and Mark later this year in WDW. With all the posts, threads, photos, and pm's these past five years, it will be a joy!

 

[Nermel9]

Your dinner at Yachtsman looks great, I really have to eat there someday!

Strolling along the Boardwalk sounds fantastic, I love the Boardwalk especially at night, it's just so pretty! And those palm trees all lit up at the Swan and Dolphin are beautiful!

Yum, breakfast at Boma is my favorite!

Glad you got to park for free with your AP!

 

[MEK]

This hat looks great on Mark. I love it!

You are just an updating fool today!

Yeah for checking in at AKL. I can't wait to stay there in October. And Boma breakfast - YUM!!!!!

 

[Pluto0809]

The Boardwalk looks so pretty at night! I've only seen it in the daytime. That's ok because it's something for a future trip!

The picture of the Phineas and Ferb dolls freaked me out a little. The one (I have no idea which one is which) on the lower left corner looks like it has four eyes!

I wanted to do Boma for my October trip but DH shot it down. Maybe next February. My DB and SIL will be picking most of our restaurants for the February trip so I have no idea where we will end up!

 

[solana131]

Boma breakfast....AHHHH, it makes me want to stay there just for that. Without a car, it is just too far away to do if we are staying elsewhere, but I will be there for dinner at least once every trip *LOVE*

 

[DisMomAmy]

All caught up! I enjoyed the pictures of your room at the Dolphin... we've decided to take that one off our list of options since there is no Magical Express service, but I wouldn't hesitate to consider it in the future.

Thanks for sharing the picture of Mark's Wedge Salad... I'm a big fan, but I agree with Mark, that one has too much other stuff on it!

Free parking is one of the reasons I get an AP. Staying offsite and having 8 park days on this past trip, the AP saved us over $100 just in parking!

Can't wait to hear about your day at Epcot!

 

[Captain_Oblivious]

In the end, we just got in the car and drove to breakfast...so much simpler.

You really get spoiled when you can drive yourself rather than have to wait on the buses.

And then we were finally here:

That AKL building still stuns me every time I walk in there.

Everything was delicious as always...except the Pressed Pot Coffee (nowhere near as good as Kona and I won't order it again)

Kona coffee kind of ruins you for everything else. So much better than Starbucks, you know?

After settling up the bill, we headed back into the lobby where I took a few more pictures and we went into the gift shop...one of THE best gift shops at all of the resorts in my opinion:

We have the huge credit card bill to prove it!

On the way, we saw a favorite of mine that I would not be doing this trip at least

Making your trip that much better!

We pulled up and I asked if we got a discount for having an AP. She said I don't think so...but let me see your ticket. I gave her my AP and she said, "oh honey, you don't pay at all...go on ahead." I don't know if this is true or if we were just granted some , but it was nice having that $14 in my pocket as something would be shipped to our home that I couldn't resist.

You included that picture just for Mark, didn't you?

 

[KatMark]

What a nice evening. I still have Yachtsman on my list to try! Sounds like you had a wonderful meal - well all except for the screaming child. Ugh!

I'm really surprised you've not tried it yet; you'll have to plan it soon.

What a nice evening for a stroll. Those lighted palm trees are pretty darn cool. How neat that you could see part of Fantasmic. Very cool.

It was awesome seeing Mickey on his Mountain!

I love your shirt - its very cute!

Thanks, I got it at Sears on sale for like $11.99!

What a nice evening! A stroll on the Boardwalk sounds just perfect after dinner!

Those palm trees are pretty cool.

It was a good way to let our food settle and not feel so full. The palm trees are really neat.

God bless 30 years! I hope Tom and i are the same!!!! you give me hope!!!

Thank you, friend. We've had our ups and downs, our health scares, but we have taken it one day at a time.

OMG the pictures of the trees are BEAUTIFUL!!!
all of boardwalk is! I didn't know about being a member of a hotel.. you must tell me more about this!? I'm clueless!

Thank you. It's just like any other reward program. You sign up and you earn points every time you stay at the hotel. Mark and I used points toward a free night during our stay in Naples in April with points earned for every time he has stayed at LaQuinta (and we've used them for one night stays in Orlando when we didn't want to pay for a night at Disney when we got in late).

You know I love you!

And here I was being nice and complimenting you on the view.

You are very nice...and I'm sorry (not)

Not at all! Somebody has to stick around and make fun of your FiveBucks addiction.

Thanks...I think.

They never get old!

They will be if they don't come out with some new hats soon!

Mmmm...dead cow.

But it was a very good dead cow I had that night.

Salad just gets in the way of the steak, anyway.

Agreed and why I didn't have one!

Want to borrow my taser?

Yes, please.


Hope he's not reading this!

But if he is, Hi Mark!

Mark ONLY reads what I choose to show him on the DIS. I'm no dummy (quiet, Marv!)

Cool!

They really are...love the way they changed colors.

 

[KatMark]

So does that mean that everyone can come over and try your meatloaf and chicken after we try Cynthia's ribs???

Absolutely!

Like Mark said... I really hope he's not reading this.

Mark doesn't spend much time on the computer except to check his emails for his baseball games.

Looks delicious!

He liked it; I think we'll be going back for more when we stay at the Boardwalk in December.

Ok, that makes that view even more impressive!

It was so neat!

I think we've got that covered.

You most certainly do.

It has been a beautiful, sunny past couple of days in the high 70's - 80's just a few hours drive to your SE. Just sayin...

We had a beautiful weekend and Monday and Tuesday were in the 80's...then it all went to he**. But at least we didn't get the snow some people got. Is taht an invite to come and see you? We've been thinking of going to Indianpolis one of these days...we hear they have a terrific zoo.

Good idea

It ended up being the best one for this particular trip.

It's definitely no Starbucks

No, my Starbucks would have been much better than that pressed pot coffee. At least I had the juice (and several glasses) to make up for it.

The beauty of a buffet. If you don't like it, get something else.

Totally agree; and that is why I don't do Ohana for breakfast...I don't like family style when they have very little of what I'll eat to begin with.

You included that picture just for Mark, didn't you?

ABSOLUTELY!

Nice! $14 in your pocket is $14 in your pocket!

Yes, and I spent it just a couple of hours later.

Love the pics!

Thank you...I'm glad you are enjoying them.

Free parking is an AP perk.

Good to know for future trips; thanks, Jill.

Love the Boardwalk area. I agree that AKL has the best gift shop on property! I could go broke there.

Jill in CO

I always try to make the AKL gift shop one of the last or I wouldn't have any money for the rest of the trip.

Kathy, I have totally enjoyed following this thread. Your pictures of your stay at Boardwalk are awesome. I love that area of Disney! I'm not a big breakfast eater, but you have me reconsidering my thoughts about doing more than one breakfast in December with your pictures.

There are some awfully good breakfast places to eat at Disney; I don't eat breakfast at home (I have a little Fiber One Bar every day), but in Florida and Disney, I love my breakfasts.

I can't tell you how much I am hoping to finally meet you and Mark later this year in WDW. With all the posts, threads, photos, and pm's these past five years, it will be a joy!

Bob, Mark and I are looking forward to meet you and your DW as well. It will be a special treat.

Your dinner at Yachtsman looks great, I really have to eat there someday!

Jen, it might actually end up being a favorite over LeCellier...it sure has for us.

Strolling along the Boardwalk sounds fantastic, I love the Boardwalk especially at night, it's just so pretty! And those palm trees all lit up at the Swan and Dolphin are beautiful!

If it weren't for our Christmas trip in December, we probably would never have walked the Boardwalk. We've always forgotten it in the past. But now we really enjoy it.

Yum, breakfast at Boma is my favorite!

Boma is great; I think Kona has the edge in my heart because of the coffee and bacon, but Boma is right there.

Glad you got to park for free with your AP!

Thanks.

This hat looks great on Mark. I love it!

Thanks, MEK.

You are just an updating fool today!

I want to get this done before I leave for the girls trip and meeting you and I'm still playing with an August PTR idea.

Yeah for checking in at AKL. I can't wait to stay there in October. And Boma breakfast - YUM!!!!!

Mary Ellen, I wish we were checking into AKL; we just went for breakfast. But our plan is to stay at AKL in August of 2014 with the kids for their one-year anniversary.

The Boardwalk looks so pretty at night! I've only seen it in the daytime. That's ok because it's something for a future trip!

It really is, and the lights around all the surrounding resorts in that area make it breathtaking.

The picture of the Phineas and Ferb dolls freaked me out a little. The one (I have no idea which one is which) on the lower left corner looks like it has four eyes!

I had to go back and look at that picture and you are right...it does look like he has four eyes.

I wanted to do Boma for my October trip but DH shot it down. Maybe next February. My DB and SIL will be picking most of our restaurants for the February trip so I have no idea where we will end up!

It will be interesting to see where you do end up in February. Why did DH shoot down Boma?