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

[afwdwfan]

Todd's not smiling because he got yelled at for playing too rough.

Ok, gotta know... What did he do???

While Nicki and I charged our phones, the boys proceeded to do this

Maybe if you'd cut back on texting you wouldn't have to stop at a resort in middle of the day to charge them.

Overall, I was rather disappointed with the decorations at the Contemporary. For being the first resort, they didn't seem to go out of their way with the decorations.

Yeah, that sounds about right...

NOW we are talking decorations. Although I would never stay at the Grand Floridian (too "stuffy" for me, too for Mark)

I must say they do a knock out job with the decorations.

Great pictures of the GF. The decorations there really are pretty spectacular. But I always want to do or say something really redneck everytime I'm in that lobby just to make everybody else as uncomfortable as I feel there.

 

[annmarieda]

I love all the pictures you got, both of the decorations and of the four of you!

I agree with you on the CR holiday decorations! Seems like they would do just a tad more. But yes... GF goes WAY above!!

yay for getting your august trip squared away with points!! The group I am going with in September/October is considering options still...stay on property or not... use a discount or rent points... the options go on and on....

 

[GoofyIsAsGoofyDoes]

And we waited. And waited. And waited.

Then one of the CM's decided that HE should outfit us and take our picture (I'm telling you...we had the best CM interaction on this trip):

Yes you did.
I expect this of Disney, but y’all got showers of pixy dust.

And a view of the yummy cupcakes in the case:

So, did they stay in the case…
Or did y’all take a couple out for a spin?

I have another picture of just Nicki, but I promised I would not post it and I won't disappoint my sister. Let's just say she was making this really funny face and had me almost wetting my pants.

Sounds blackmail worthy.

The kids finally arrived. It turns out they went to Fantasyland to get FP's for Little Mermaid and then got lost. They didn't know that Dumbo had been moved and it took them a while to figure out they needed to ask where it was.

Really?

Really?

Seriously?

Seriously?

Pups!

Our ride over too soon, we discussed what to do next. The kids decided that they were going to split from us for the day and go do their own thing.

I do believe they actually commenced that policy back around breakfast time

It was then time for....

We love the Peoplemover.
It’s a great place to rest the weary dogs after a whole lot of trudging.

And this would be Todd doing you know what:

He seems to have been just a might tuckered throughout this particular day of the trip.

Had to make sure my tattoo was still there:

What about the other one…
Oh wait, was I not supposed to mention that one?

so we decided to go visit some ghosts.

Great ride… classic.

So are there still 999 happy haunts, or did someone in your party make arrangements after the tour.

I can definitely tell I'm getting old. This trip was just about six weeks ago and I'm already forgetting things. I guess if I'm going to continue TR's, I better start taking better notes.

Or just make stuff up

From there, we decided to head out to do our monorail resorts tour.

A holiday must!

Todd's not smiling because he got yelled at for playing too rough.

No, no…
You can’t let that just sit there.
What’s the story?

Time for some gingerbread house:

Always impressive, but I’ve noticed that it’s also always the same.
It might be about time to come up with a new design.

We walked up to the second floor where they play the music and hit the little coffee shop there.

Nothing like live music.
Nothing at all.

Finished with our tour of the monorail resorts, it was time to head back to the MK to try and do some rides before our dinner reservation.

Sounds like a good plan.
Lots of really good pictures in this chapter.

Y’all do a good job of playing along with the PhotoPass folks.
…makes for some very nice images.

 

[jenseib]

I am catching up again and was scrolling down. looking at the funny hat pictures in the dumbo area. And then saw that picture of Mark with a dumbo hat and dumbo under his arms and kept scrolling and just burst out laughing when I saw the dumbo between his legs. That is just so hilarious! Thanks for making my morning!

 

[MEK]

Reading from my phone cause I can't DIS this weekend. Too much to do. Adorable pics. Love the aprons. Too funny. And those PP pics are priceless. Fun afternoon for sure!

 

[disneyfan61]

Hi Kathy. Well I just read all 49 pages. Loving it! I have been away from the Dis for a few months so now I am trying to get caught up on the TR's. Also need to update my own!!!

I saw the surprise video on FB. I was wondering how long it would be before he walked into that bedroom!!!

Sorry to hear about your tummy troubles. Glad they went away after a few days.

Sorry you had to deal with the PW kiddo's & parents.

LOVE the 7 dwarfs gift for Christmas. As you know my DH is a grumpy (and dwarfs fan).

I love the pics of Des dancing with Mark in Epcot. How great was that??

Oh my when I was reading the drink list at DHS I was like "Oh I would choose the Snowball" then I read that you picked that also. It sounds so wonderful!!

Sad to hear about TT. When we were there last April it was down so we will try it in Oct. but I figured they really could not change it too much.

LOVE the dress you got for the wedding. I bet you will be stylin that day!!

Wow the CM's sounded like they went above & beyond. That was great at Starring Rolls. First they reopened for you then went out back to get the cupcake. That is so nice to hear.

Your tattoo is cute!! I need to get one one of these trips.

I have enjoyed reading & looking forward to more.

So glad to hear Dominic is doing better!! That is amazing that the doctors have not seen this type of regeneration.

Now I need to get to Nicki's dining report. (After I eat as my stomach is talking to me)!!

 

[blessedmom4]

LOVED, LOVED, LOVED all the pics for your latest updates. I am looking forward to doing the Little Mermaid someday and we loved Dumbo. Nicki, you are simply ADORABLE and it doesn't matter what kind of face you make or picture you let Kathy post! Loved how you all dressed up/mugged for the camera waiting on the lovebirds....remember when we walked around dazed and in love....oh that is right, you and Mark still do!

Praying your weekend is gong well!

 

[disnut1149]

Hi Kathy,
Just finished reading your trip report. Love all the pics!! Thanks for taking your time to do this. I really enjoyed reading it!! It looks like you had so much fun!!

 

[englishrose47]

Hi Kathy, just keeping up

 

[Shannon84]

Look at me catching up as usual fb has ruined me and I spend most of my time on there and not so much time on here!

- I am sad to hear your report on Test Track, I was worried I wasn't going to like the refurb/retheme of it and it sounds like it really isn't something to look forward to

- New Fantasyland looks amazing, I can't wait to check out the Little Mermaid ride!!

- I love all of the Christmas decor pictures, especially seeing the pictures of the lights at DHS, its been a while since I have seen those and it really makes me want to go back during the holiday time

- I love all of your photopass pictures, but the ones with Santa Goofy are some of my favorites!!

 

[mickeystoontown]

Good gosh! I was waaaay behind. First off, happy belated birthday to Mark!

The two pictures of you and Mark on Dumbo are so cute. You look like little kids...smiling and waving.

It doesn't look like the Contemporary had much in the way of Christmas decorations. Like you said, you'd think that it would have more since it was one of the first Disney World resorts.

Now, the decorations at the Grand Floridian are a different story. They look amazing! I don't know that I'd ever want to stay there but I do think that the overall theme of the resort is very well done. Throw in the Christmas decorations and it's stunning!

 

[marvali]

Sorry I haven’t been around to comment as much as I would have liked, but at least I am finally all caught up again. As usual you have some really great updates and wonderful pictures that just draw you in. Makes it feel almost like being there with you!

I can definitely tell I'm getting old. This trip was just about six weeks ago and I'm already forgetting things. I guess if I'm going to continue TR's, I better start taking better notes.

Now if you can just remember to take the notes...........

Mark and Todd were in very playful moods now that their bellies were full:

Yeah, Todd is looking really playful in this pic………….

Don't worry....we'll be back

Always easier (a little at least) to leave when you know you will be coming back………well, one day.

We stopped for some photopass pictures. I have to say this was THE BEST photographer we have ever had:

What a great picture! This is hilarious…….great job! Did the PPP suggest this pose, or did you guys come up with it yourselves?

Just had to share....got our confirmation for our August trip. We have rented points and will be staying at Old Key West for six nights in August.

Great ! Didn’t realize you were going down to celebrate my birthday!!!

 

[englishrose47]

Well Kathy I see you brought Marv out of Dis retirement !!Who knows he may even show up on my thread to pick on me !!Just kiddin' Marv we've missed you!!

 

[Poolrat]

All caught up finally.


You really did hit the jackpot with PP this trip.

I have had a couple of PP go above and beyond and usually if they had time and I asked.... a mini photo session.


I guess I did call it when the kids were looking for the "lost" Dumbo. Too bad you waited and then they went off on their own again. KIDS.


Totally missed the chestnuts at the GF. Hmmmm. I guess I need to put that one on the list.

 

[englishrose47]

All caught up finally.


You really did hit the jackpot with PP this trip.

I have had a couple of PP go above and beyond and usually if they had time and I asked.... a mini photo session.


I guess I did call it when the kids were looking for the "lost" Dumbo. Too bad you waited and then they went off on their own again. KIDS.


Totally missed the chestnuts at the GF. Hmmmm. I guess I need to put that one on the list.

"Chestnuts Roasting on an Open Fire ....."

 

[Minnie&Nana]

Catching up, Kathy! Absolutely LOVE the photo of you all in front of the MK entrance - fabulous!

It seems the Birthday Disney Surprise could not have been more perfect!

 

[petals]

Luvin the updates. Luv the Xmas decorations.

 

[englishrose47]

Kathy I started my 2013 Ptr !!!!

 

[KatMark]

I came down with a bad case of the stomach flu yesterday and did not go to work today. Hence, I've done no replies. I'm going to try to do them later today when, hopefully, my energy level increases.

 

[Disney9.9.10]

You guys are the cutest! I love the photopass pictures and the ones with the hats and stuffed animals. You really seem to be enjoying yourself.

I agree with you about the decorations at the Contemporary. I think that the point is probably to be minimalist, but there wasn't much decoration there at all. The Grand Floridian on the other hand, takes my breath away every time!