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

[goofy4prez]

WHY do you think I took the picture? I did it just for you.

I appreciate that. It is just helping to build the anticipation of our long over-due return "home" to WDW. November/December can't come soon enough.

 

[KatMark]

What??? Every good Dis'er knows that the lines are always shorter when it rains.

True...but a Baileys shake was really calling my name.

Well, if you have to shop, this at least makes it more tolerable...

Yes it does.

Now that sounds like a good plan.

I'm sure almost every man out there would agree with you.

Is it possible to hate it?

You'd be surprised how many people i know that do not care for it (kind of like I don't care for Illuminations).

Congratulations to Mark!!!

Thank you.

Congrats to Mark! What an awesome accomplishment.

It really is for someone so young...he hasn't turned 25 yet.

You must be so proud. It's an exciting time for you as parents!

We are extremely proud and so happy he is giving back in the sport he loves.

Congratulations to Mark! I saw this on FB. What a wonderful accomplishment! I wish him much success!

Thanks, MEK!

I think I am caught up with updates as well. I loved all your Christmasy pictures from DTD. I just love how DTD gets more and more festive during the holidays!

I was very impressed with it.

Raglan Road - on my ADR list for this summer. Can not wait!!!!!! The Bailey's drink looks really yummy!

We have enjoyed both of our meals at Raglan Road. After dinner, be sure to get one...great dessert.

Now I remember why I never go in those stores.

There was some really weird stuff in this store. I wish I could remember what she bought her mother...I just remembered thinking, "Really?"

I'm interested to see what that's like.

Des went last month and brought Andy home a bowling pin drink bottle.

I'm interested to see what that's like, too.

It's delicious.

I'm really impressed with your bus mojo. How do you do that?

We got really lucky this trip (although we've had great luck at OKW too.

D'oh! Never mind.

You didn't expect perfect, did you?

Depends on how much she likes crowds and waiting?

Well, since it doesn't look like I'll get the update done before I leave work, all I'll say is we did NOT wait in line.

Congrats to Mark on the new position!

Thank you, Mark.

great news on the new wrestling position i bet he will have a ton of fun with that.

Thanks, Dan...an exciting new chapter in his young adult life.

Congrats to Mark.

Good bus Mojo to SSR/ DTD and then to CSR. I have to yet to have great bus mojo to DTD.

Thanks, Pat...he's very excited.

I was really surprised how well we did with the buses to DTD.

As everyone has already said... "congrats to Mark" ... what a wonderful accomplishment...

Thank you...we're all very excited about it (and it's more money too!)

Sigh... I love a little shopping at DTD... so many fun things... too little time...

I'm very lucky because Mark doesn't mind shopping with me.


That Bailey's Milkshake looks absolutely EPIC ...

You MUST try it on your next visit.

Ditto to that Karin!!

Kathy~you all must be on cloud nine!!

Thank you...we all are.

Behind...again...but had to say I loved the latest pics/updates...but I really singed in to say WAY TO GO MARK!!!!!!!!! I am so proud of him and I KNOW this feels incredible Mom Kathy!!!!

Thank you, Judy. We are proud, he feels blessed and we feel blessed to have him as our son.

I said it on Facebook but will say it here! HUGE CONGRATS!!!
Hope the wedding plans are coming along!
Love as always your updates! SO much fun. I agree with D~ want the drinks!!!

Thanks again, Mo.

Wedding stuff is all done except for the centerpieces for the tables.

I would like one of those drinks right now too.

 

[KatMark]

Okey dokey, getting caught up again here...on to day 4!

Pretty soon you'll be passing me up if I don't get going on this.

We've never done Cape May. The breakfast and characters look great! I love this pick of the boys because they're all leaning

The characters are great fun and I love how the boys are leaning. The food was so-so, but I'm going back in June on our girls trip.

Love all the matching t-shirt pics! You're all so coordinated, love it!

They were fun to ahve made up.

Awesome photopass pics in front of SE too, I love the back of the shirts!! What a great, fun group you guys are.

We are a bunch of clowns if you want to know the truth.

Bummer about the crabby pp dude though. At least your pics came out good though, the one of Andy pulling Pluto's tongue is cute!

Andy had a thing for the tongues, and Markie had a thing for the tails.

Don't you love WS? I really do. It's like traveling all at once, isn't it?

It is...and it is as close as I will ever get to visiting one of those countries, so it makes it all the more special.

The China hats are hilarious! Good pic!

Wasn't that a cute one?

Teppan Edo looks delish, minus the screeching child of course! When my girlies were younger, I was so paranoid about them being loud like that in public so Todd and I were very quick to whisk them outside if they got loud. We joked that from the time they were about 15 months to 2 1/2 years old, we didn't eat out.

We ate out, but we would go to the restroom or something of one of the boys acted up.

So sad that Nicki had to leave!

Yes it was; but I'm going to see her in 36 days.

Yay for MVMCP! I think Gaston's looks awesome, I'd love to try out that drink there. I adore It's a Small World and Peter Pan, they're two of my family's favorites.

I like Peter Pan well enough, but I'm just not waiting in a long line for it.

Fabulous pics of the castle and wishes!!! And I cry too Kat, it's ok.

I knew you would cry like me.

That parade looks like such fun, I wish we'd have kept our December trip. Great pp pics of you and Des!

I wish you hadn't cancelled either so we could have met; one day my friend, one day.

Phew, that's day 4. I'm getting there Kathy. At least I'm making the effort, unlike those who shall remain nameless...

You are making a MUCH better effort than you know who.

I appreciate that. It is just helping to build the anticipation of our long over-due return "home" to WDW. November/December can't come soon enough.

It will be here before you know it. I can't believe I'll be at Disney for one day of fun in 33 days.

Well, the update isn't getting done now as I have to leave work in 20 minutes for the train. I will try to do it tonight (I don't think our Blackhawks are on to distract me) after I get my nails done and we grab a bite to eat.

I really want to get it done before I forget anything else. I'm not sure I'm going to do a PTR...I've lost a lot of readers...whether it is because I have been exceptionally slow on this TR or people are bored of us, I don't know. We shall see.

 

[Minnie&Nana]

Kathy, please forget about the readers who did not stay onboard this time - I don't always post, but your PTRs and TRs really brighten my day and I would miss reading.

I think many others feel the same and you would be very missed around here. Of course, you must do what is best for you, but please know lots of us would miss hearing about your plans and the fun you always have - especially those of us who have had a long wait between visits. Your photos are always fabulous! Only a very few TRs make me feel it is the next best thing to being there and yours is one of the top.

 

[PhoenixStrength]

Don't worry too much about the drop in readers. I've noticed there are far less people on DIS in general lately. Plus, even with your drop in readers you still have a TON more than I do! I'm still very interested in hearing about your trips.

 

[MeMom]

I'm not sure I'm going to do a PTR...I've lost a lot of readers...whether it is because I have been exceptionally slow on this TR or people are bored of us, I don't know. We shall see.

I think everyone is just so busy all the time. A lot of our regulars dropped off when they became Disney travel agents. I'm sure more just got sick of seeing our gang over and over - and over - again. I check in every morning and every evening, but just trying to keep up with our own report takes time. As much as I would like to read even more reports, I just barely get to peek in on the few I visit regularly. I am not at all good about reading pre-trip reports, but I enjoy the actual trip reports that follow. Disney pictures and stories add a few moments of happiness to a grueling work week.

 

[OneTreeHillAddict]

So maybe this will be an annual thing now? (A visit in December) It is a beautiful time of year to go. I can't decide which is my favorite though. Flower and Garden, Christmas, or Fall. I love them all.

When I was a kid I remember a lot of people having white or silver trees. They were very common. Nowadays silver is nearly obsolete and white is rare. There is a Christmas tree site I like to look at. I think the name is Treetopia. They have the cutest tress on there. Upside down, corner trees, all kinds of stuff.

 

[annmarieda]

Did I miss something? Let me just say, I fall behind... I get caught up... but I am NOT bored with your reports!! I LOVE THEM. As long as you write I will be subscribed.

 

[solana131]

I'm still here too! I used to be able to DIS all day at work, but with the new job, I can only check it from my phone at lunch...so I don't post alot. But I'm here following along

Love my KatMark reports

 

[dvc4life]

Oh, Kathy, please don't stop with your reports. I can't remember if I have posted on your reports before or not but I love to read them. They are such fun. And I love to see all the pictures as well.

I can say that I am not a big poster to threads. Mostly because I am not a very articulate person. But I do enjoy reading so many.

Thank you for sharing your trips with us.

 

[afwdwfan]

You'd be surprised how many people i know that do not care for it (kind of like I don't care for Illuminations).

I do detract a little bit from Fantasmic, just based on the line/mass of humanity to get in there. The show itself though, I love.

As for Illuminations, I like it, but I can also understand why someone wouldn't enjoy it. I feel like it is a little overrated. It's probably my least favorite evening show. If they'd get rid of the slow parts in the middle of the show I think it would be a lot better. It's 2013, we as a society don't have long enough attention spans for that spinning globe anymore!

 

[pas130]

I really want to get it done before I forget anything else. I'm not sure I'm going to do a PTR...I've lost a lot of readers...whether it is because I have been exceptionally slow on this TR or people are bored of us, I don't know. We shall see.

Well, Kathy I am still here In fact, I think many of us are. Since you are my Dis friend..it is imperative you keep up the wonderful TRs!!!!!!!!!

Don't worry too much about the drop in readers. I've noticed there are far less people on DIS in general lately.

I have noticed this too! Kathy needs a big ole' Quality not quanity...and we all rock here!!!

 

[Pluto0809]

Yay, I was only one update behind. I thought I would be much further behind.

First of all, Congratulations to Mark on his new job.

I have not been over to the West side of Disney since 2010. Splitsville sounds interesting and we may have to check it out in October.

I love all of the Christmas decorations at DTD. Mom and I were there after dark and we missed a lot of them. Those Santa Mickey topiaries are really cute.

You had some great luck on the buses from DTD. Last week it took me an hour from DTD to ASMu.

 

[mickeystoontown]

Kathy, don't stop writing the trip reports. I often wonder if I still have readers because my reports drag out so very long...as in almost a year long. I bet if you looked at the number of hits on your report, you'll see that you do, indeed, still have readers.

 

[marvali]

We hopped the bus and headed to Saratoga Springs.

To be so old, you're a lot more agile than I thought you would be.

All of that walking made us thirsty so we stopped to get an adult beverage.

You guys stopped? For an adult beverage??? You mean something more adult than coffee at Starbucks???

And Des and I had the simply wonderful Bailey's Shake:

That Bailey's shake does look yummy!!!

Goofy candy anyone?

Well of course! I'm a big Goofy fan remember???

In no time at all, we were back at the Studios:

Okay, I agree with your earlier comment about Epcot not being much different when it comes to decorations. They are there, it just seems more spread out and you have to really look for them at times! Maybe because those two parks are so spread out with lots of open space.

We want to congratulate our youngest son, Mark. Mark will be starting a new journey in his adult life. He will be an assistant coach for wrestling at Loras College in Dubuque. Mark has coached kids club wrestling for 8 years, high school wrestling for 4 and he is now able to coach wrestling at the college level. From this day forward it is GO DUHAWKS!!!!

Congrats to Mark!!! All his hard work is starting to pay off!!!

I'm interested to see what that's like.

Right up your, uh, ALLEY???

(sorry it was just sitting there, I HAD to do it!!)

You are making a MUCH better effort than you know who.

I don't know who "you know who" is, but I for one am completely caught up again!!!

(unlike you know WHO!!!)

I think everyone is just so busy all the time. A lot of our regulars dropped off when they became Disney travel agents. I'm sure more just got sick of seeing our gang over and over - and over - again. I check in every morning and every evening, but just trying to keep up with our own report takes time. As much as I would like to read even more reports, I just barely get to peek in on the few I visit regularly. I am not at all good about reading pre-trip reports, but I enjoy the actual trip reports that follow. Disney pictures and stories add a few moments of happiness to a grueling work week.

No pre-trip reports for me! That just means people will be expecting me to start a trip report when I return.........and FINISH it!!!

 

[mommy2mrb]

We want to congratulate our youngest son, Mark. Mark will be starting a new journey in his adult life. He will be an assistant coach for wrestling at Loras College in Dubuque. Mark has coached kids club wrestling for 8 years, high school wrestling for 4 and he is now able to coach wrestling at the college level. From this day forward it is GO DUHAWKS!!!!

so happy for Mark! what a wonderful opportunity for him!


love all your DTD photos! seeing all the decorations makes me so happy!

 

[glennbo123]

Congratulations to Mark! From the pictures you've posted in the past I can see that he's a really outgoing coach, so I know that he'll be great at it.

I'm glad you guys went to Cape May Cafe. I've never been, but I have a sister who swears by it.

 

[GoofyIsAsGoofyDoes]

I’m still reading as well.
Posting… now that’s gotten to be harder the past ten days or so.

This working for a living thing is really a pain in the..
Now if I could land a job doing something I absolutely love to do.
Say like the guy in this random story I ran across:

We want to congratulate our youngest son, Mark. Mark will be starting a new journey in his adult life. He will be an assistant coach for wrestling at Loras College in Dubuque. Mark has coached kids club wrestling for 8 years, high school wrestling for 4 and he is now able to coach wrestling at the college level. From this day forward it is GO DUHAWKS!!!!

Huge Congratulations to Mark and the whole family.
Dedication and passion pay off. I hope someday to see my boy doing what he loves. That’s the real win in raising young’ens; seeing them strive and succeed, follow their dreams, and even survive a few battles along the way. That’s the real pay off.


Oh… and by the way, I enjoyed letting you take us around DTD. Nice pictures and a good choice in beverage consumption may I say.

We’ll have to see how things go at Fantasmic.
Keep writing, we’re still here.

 

[dizneeat]

Kathy I am still here too! I might not post all that much because life gets in the way sometimes, but I still read. Please keep posting.

 

[Moira222]

Kathy I am so far behind I had to resort to using your chapter links. So pardon my seemingly random comments

I love how Spaceship earth caught Marks' hat. SO FUNNY! it just really works! Can you believe I have never yet riddent SSE? For sure next month!!
The photos of all of you in front of Epcot are

great - front and back! It just really shows the joy you all have in Disney & in each other. You definitely need a new digital photo frame for all these goodies!


I may have already commented because I realized that I did read these day 4 updates....sigh...i was really behind till I got to the crabby photopass person, then remembered it all. DOH!

I don't blame you a bit for offering the seats at the Christmas parade to the nice people & not the pushy ones. I would have done the same thing. how funny that the polite kids' & their families lived so close to you.
I love the Christmas parade photos -- but was it warm? I feel like some of those castmembers must have been roasting in those costumes!


LOL --- if you had to get mad a Des for something, I guess the bill is the best thing ROFL - that breakfast menu at WPE looks yummy. and the breakfast pizza...oh myyyyy


I know I said it on FB but it's worth repeating WAHOOOOOO on your clean bill of health Kathy! that is something that never gets old

WOW You got the cowboy version of TGMR? I have only heard about it, never saw pictures. How exciting! I just love how they replicate the Wizard of Oz. THe sets are so good! Are you going to see the new Disney OZ movie this weekend? We won't go for opening weekend, but its definitely a movie that all 3 of us want to see. I hope we make it!

Alisha does look like a natural holding her cousin's baby. Mark's response is hilarious!

I've never been to the west end of DTD -- that Candy Cauldron looks dangerous!


and I love your & Marks "I'll be your Mickey" and "I'll be your Minnie" shirts. How many Mickey shirts do you own? I think you even have my BFF Lesley beat.


I noticed in Day 5 that the main street of DHS was not lit up -- do they not have the Osborne lights lit every night? are there only special nights when you can see them?