9 days 2 resorts FREE Dining Christmas Lights & a bouncing Tigger who stole my heart

[Momof2Disneyboys]

No way! I would never forget! I just always think to myself that I am going to post after I get to see the pics and then I always forget to!!! I am loving it though. Your boys crack me up. Now that I have met them it makes me appreciate the reports more. You say DS10 said this or DS8 did that and I'm like "Yep, I can see that!" LOL

Oh yes. I forgot you had the joy of having dinner right next to them! And as you know, they are not shy!! Sorry about that!

Glad you are loving the report!

 

[Jane-in-PA]

All the food pics are making me hungry!! We ate at WPE back in 2006, and I can't remember exactly what we all got, but I think I had a chicken/tortilla thing, and I remember it was so good! It was the very first meal we had on our trip (right after checking in at POR and taking the boat to DTD) and it was probably one of the best. I did not go to Goofy's Candy Co. and it is probably a good thing! Wow! I never saw so many sweets in one place! And those cupcakes and pastries have my name on them. I could eat sweets and icing in particular all day. Yum!

Sorry your DS was sick, but glad it was over quickly and he's feeling okay now. What, you didn't do like Kate Gosselin and make him sleep on the laundry room floor with a bucket? She is so not about to clean up after her sick child.

I love seeing all your Christmas decorations, and the new Mickey wreath is adorable! This is your first Christmas in the new house, isn't it? Oh, and I love the Christmas card, too!!

 

[Momof2Disneyboys]

All the food pics are making me hungry!! We ate at WPE back in 2006, and I can't remember exactly what we all got, but I think I had a chicken/tortilla thing, and I remember it was so good! It was the very first meal we had on our trip (right after checking in at POR and taking the boat to DTD) and it was probably one of the best. I did not go to Goofy's Candy Co. and it is probably a good thing! Wow! I never saw so many sweets in one place! And those cupcakes and pastries have my name on them. I could eat sweets and icing in particular all day. Yum!

Sorry your DS was sick, but glad it was over quickly and he's feeling okay now. What, you didn't do like Kate Gosselin and make him sleep on the laundry room floor with a bucket? She is so not about to clean up after her sick child.

I love seeing all your Christmas decorations, and the new Mickey wreath is adorable! This is your first Christmas in the new house, isn't it? Oh, and thanks for the Christmas card, too!!

Hey there's another long lost reader!! Glad you're back!

Hope you are enjoying the report!

You know, I've never watched Jon&Kate, or whatever it's called now. I know, and I'm even from PA!! I've seen her on TV a lot though. She sure does look mean most of the time!

Yep, first Christmas in the new house.
Glad you liked the card!

 

[praisehisname]

Your decorations are so pretty, and your dog is adorable!

 

[Jane-in-PA]

Hey there's another long lost reader!! Glad you're back!

Hope you are enjoying the report!

You know, I've never watched Jon&Kate, or whatever it's called now. I know, and I'm even from PA!! I've seen her on TV a lot though. She sure does look mean most of the time!

Yep, first Christmas in the new house.
Glad you liked the card!

Oh, I've been here all along....just not very vocal! And I'm really enjoying the TR and all the pics.

I am a former J&K watcher. I stopped watching when all the dirt started happening and the show wasn't about the kids any more. I never liked Kate, and now Jon (who I used to like) has gone off the deep end with his new "image". Ugh! But anyway, in one epidsode back in the good old days, one of the boys had a virus, and rather than have him mess up the house, Kate made him take his blanket and sleep on the laundry room tile floor with a bucket. Who does that? I can see taking precautions to minimize the mess, but sleeping on the hard floor in the laundry room? She's a winner, for sure.

You'll have to share pictures of the Christmas morning surprise! I know you said earlier what it was, but I hate to say it on the chance one of the boys might be looking over your shoulder right now! My 22-yr-old would love that, too!

 

[DisMomAmy]

I just had my response all typed up and poof - it disappeared! This is the second time this has happened to me this week!

Here we go again... I got all caught up yesterday, reading on my phone while I was at swimming lessons at the YMCA.

Your tree & decorations look great - we're getting our tree this weekend. And thanks for the card - I love the snowglobe effect.

Whispering Canyon - I have to agree about the food. I thought it was really heavy and greasy. DH loved that he could get a milkshake on the dining plan and the antics were cute but I definitely wouldn't go back for the food.

Tipping - I think it's OK to tip ME drivers since they deal with luggage, but I don't think the regular bus drivers are supposed to accept tips. My mom & I got a little lost during our 2008 trip and ended up taking the monorail to Epcot after it closed (left MK via monorail rather than on a bus to get back to Pop) and they called us a bus. We had a private ride back to the resort. We tried to tip the driver and he wouldn't take it.

DTD - I wish I could finish up my Christmas shopping at DTD! I love the soccer ball ornaments - I wish I had one for Alex. And those cupcakes at Goofy's!

 

[Dancegrl624]

I know, those stupid Wii games are so expensive! Guess my kids will be only playing Wii Sports for quite some time being that it is the only game that comes with it!

At Toys R Us this week, all video games are buy one get one 1/2 off! Just wanted to share with you in case you didn't see the Sunday ad. We bought a Wii back in Sept and we always seem to find some reason to buy our DD a game. Game Stop usually has great prices on used games too. We really love Wii Sports Resort because there are tons of different games to choose from (frisbee golf, sky diving, jet skiing, etc). The whole family loves playing it!

I'm loving your TR so far. I too could spend hours upon hours at DTD. I practically have to be pulled out of WOD!!!!

 

[Momof2Disneyboys]

Your decorations are so pretty, and your dog is adorable!

Thanks! That's my baby puppy. He's been with me longer than DH and the boys. He's 13 1/2. And the best dog ever!! He just loves Christmas time so he can lay under the tree. He sleeps a lot these days.

Oh, I've been here all along....just not very vocal! And I'm really enjoying the TR and all the pics.

I am a former J&K watcher. I stopped watching when all the dirt started happening and the show wasn't about the kids any more. I never liked Kate, and now Jon (who I used to like) has gone off the deep end with his new "image". Ugh! But anyway, in one epidsode back in the good old days, one of the boys had a virus, and rather than have him mess up the house, Kate made him take his blanket and sleep on the laundry room tile floor with a bucket. Who does that? I can see taking precautions to minimize the mess, but sleeping on the hard floor in the laundry room? She's a winner, for sure.

You'll have to share pictures of the Christmas morning surprise! I know you said earlier what it was, but I hate to say it on the chance one of the boys might be looking over your shoulder right now! My 22-yr-old would love that, too!

Well then you just need to be more vocal. Like me!

Wow, that's rough putting her kid on the hard floor when he's sick! I mean, it was a little upsetting scrubbing my 5 month old carpet in the middle of the night, but still I wouldn't put my kid on the laundry room floor!

I'm sure I'll still be writing this TR by Christmas at this rate! I always mean to tell more but each update ends up so long somehow. So anyway, I'll try to capture the Wii surprise on camera on Christmas morning!

 

[Momof2Disneyboys]

I just had my response all typed up and poof - it disappeared! This is the second time this has happened to me this week!

Here we go again... I got all caught up yesterday, reading on my phone while I was at swimming lessons at the YMCA.

Your tree & decorations look great - we're getting our tree this weekend. And thanks for the card - I love the snowglobe effect.

Whispering Canyon - I have to agree about the food. I thought it was really heavy and greasy. DH loved that he could get a milkshake on the dining plan and the antics were cute but I definitely wouldn't go back for the food.

Tipping - I think it's OK to tip ME drivers since they deal with luggage, but I don't think the regular bus drivers are supposed to accept tips. My mom & I got a little lost during our 2008 trip and ended up taking the monorail to Epcot after it closed (left MK via monorail rather than on a bus to get back to Pop) and they called us a bus. We had a private ride back to the resort. We tried to tip the driver and he wouldn't take it.

DTD - I wish I could finish up my Christmas shopping at DTD! I love the soccer ball ornaments - I wish I had one for Alex. And those cupcakes at Goofy's!

I just hate when that happens. I'll never understand where those missing posts go! And it's always when you are typing something long.

I do remember the bus driver that took us straight from the resort to the Poly for our breakfast trying to refuse the tip. But he did eventually take it. But this boat driver snatched it right up. He wasn't refusing!

I should have gotten one of those soccer ball ornaments. I think they were pretty costly. It was either $8.95 or $12.95. (I forget because I looked at so many!) Probably why I didn't get one. Maybe next time!

At Toys R Us this week, all video games are buy one get one 1/2 off! Just wanted to share with you in case you didn't see the Sunday ad. We bought a Wii back in Sept and we always seem to find some reason to buy our DD a game. Game Stop usually has great prices on used games too. We really love Wii Sports Resort because there are tons of different games to choose from (frisbee golf, sky diving, jet skiing, etc). The whole family loves playing it!

I'm loving your TR so far. I too could spend hours upon hours at DTD. I practically have to be pulled out of WOD!!!!

Thanks for the tip! I wasn't thinking about Toys R Us selling video games. Not sure I will make it there this week. We don't have one too close. I am heading to the Game Stop tomorrow though. Hoping to find some good used games!

Glad you are enjoying the TR!

 

[trixiequilts]

I just had my response all typed up and poof - it disappeared! This is the second time this has happened to me this week!

I had that happen last night!

Of course it happened when I was almost done catching up with the zillion posts that I'm behind.

I was so angry I couldn't even start over.

I WILL PERSEVERE!

Tomorrow.

 

[Pluto_fan]

I know, those stupid Wii games are so expensive! Guess my kids will be only playing Wii Sports for quite some time being that it is the only game that comes with it!

The advice I got, which seems to make sense, is to also buy Wii Play, because it comes with a second controller. You can buy just a controller for $40, or Wii Play with a controller and a bunch of little games for $50. So we'll be starting out with Wii Sports and Wii Play--that should keep them busy for at least a little while!

Your boys are going to flip out when they open up that Wii. You should wrap it up into multiple boxes - they will freak out. LOL.

If she does that, when they start opening it they will think it's another surprise trip to WDW, like they got last year!

 

[JoBird]

Great update! I must go spend lots of time at DTD next trip. I never even have been into the candy store! Oh the humanity!!! Those cupcakes are looking too good, though- maybe it's best if I stay away.




I love your tree- it is beautiful!

I decided last night that next year, to add to my ever growing trees in this house- I'm adding a tree with colored lights in my media room. We have been doing white lights for such a long time- I miss the colored ones- they are so pretty and festive!


And awwwwww, hot dog. bless his heart. At least he wasn't steaming.

Looking forward to more!


Jo

 

[Momof2Disneyboys]

Afternoon everybody!


Just back from lots of shopping all morning. I left about 45 minutes after the kids got on the bus and just got back a little bit ago. All in all it was a successful trip. Got just about everything I needed to get and I am now very close to being done with my Christmas shopping!

 

[seacrestpromo]

I have seen those Mickey soccer ornaments at DL too - let me know if you want me to pick those up for you this weekend. - Sea

I should have gotten one of those soccer ball ornaments. I think they were pretty costly. It was either $8.95 or $12.95. (I forget because I looked at so many!) Probably why I didn't get one. Maybe next time!

[/COLOR][/FONT]

DTD - I wish I could finish up my Christmas shopping at DTD! I love the soccer ball ornaments - I wish I had one for Alex. And those cupcakes at Goofy's!

 

[Momof2Disneyboys]

The advice I got, which seems to make sense, is to also buy Wii Play, because it comes with a second controller. You can buy just a controller for $40, or Wii Play with a controller and a bunch of little games for $50. So we'll be starting out with Wii Sports and Wii Play--that should keep them busy for at least a little while!

I hadn't heard about the Wii Play. That does make more sense than buying just the second controller. Hmm. . . maybe I will tell their grandparents about this!

Thanks!

Great update! I must go spend lots of time at DTD next trip. I never even have been into the candy store! Oh the humanity!!! Those cupcakes are looking too good, though- maybe it's best if I stay away.




I love your tree- it is beautiful!

I decided last night that next year, to add to my ever growing trees in this house- I'm adding a tree with colored lights in my media room. We have been doing white lights for such a long time- I miss the colored ones- they are so pretty and festive!


And awwwwww, hot dog. bless his heart. At least he wasn't steaming.

Looking forward to more!


Jo

Thanks JO! I expect to hear that you spent several hours at DTD!!

We used to have all colored lights - inside and out. But all our outside lights were junk so we threw them all out this year and bought all new, and we got white this time. The kids were disappointed, but we just thought the white would look nicer on this house. But we did keep the inside tree lights the colored ones.

 

[Monny2AE]

Congrats on getting some shopping done. Only 17 more days!

Your tree does look beautiful! We switched to "rainbow lights" this year per the kids request. We had to get new ones since our old ones weren't lighting after we got home with the tree. Nothing like turning on the Christmas music and being ALL ready to decorate only to have to stop and run to the store for new lights. I think I like the colored more now that they are up!

She isn't really a CM, she is a Jedi!

My DH got such a kick at how the Jedi's in that store stay in character so well! He would have died laughing if it were a little old lady!

 

[Momof2Disneyboys]

Monday November 9th continued. . .


So we had taken the bus back to POR rather than the boat because of the high winds. On Sunday we had used the South Depot (which is right outside the main building) bus stop. From the signs we had been seeing it appeared that the West Depot might be a little closer. All the signs around our building (27) were pointing to the West Depot bus stop. So when we got back to POR from DTD we stayed on when the bus stopped at the South Depot and waited for the next stop - the West Depot. Here is a POR map ~ http://www.wdwinfo.com/resortmaps/port-riverside.htm We just followed all the signs pointing to building 27. And it took forever!!! It was the most winding path I ever saw. I'm pretty sure there is a more direct route from the West Depot to bldg 27 than the way the signs took us. I thought we were lost in a forest! At one point we passed a quiet pool and I don't even think it was the quiet pool near our building. I'm pretty sure it was the pool clear over by bldgs 24/25. We passed lots of little ponds and some bridges. It was a nice scenic walk, but not one I wanted to take each time we got off the bus! So from then on we exclusively used the South Depot.

Here is our journey from the West Depot to our room ~

We got back to the room and got changed to go to the pool. We made our way to the pool and the kids were looking for life jackets. They aren't the strongest swimmers. Especially DS8. At CBR the life jackets are in a bin right by the pool. We couldn't find them anywhere here. I finally asked a life guard and he said you have to go check them out of the marina. We also had to do this when we stayed at CSR. This is not the most convenient thing being that the marina isn't exactly next to the pool at all. So DH goes to find us some lounge chairs and I take the kids to the marina. There's a line of people there renting bikes, so we had to wait for quite some time. And when I finally get to the front the CM informs me that I need my room key to check out the life jackets. I told him that I didn't have it with me. (DH had it back at the pool) He said I would need to go get it. So I informed him that this was very inconvenient and I wasn't very happy about it. He then just said -- fill out this paper and if you don't return them on your check out day you will be charged! He was probably the only not so friendly CM that I came upon at POR. And I could tell before I even got to the front of the line that he was already frustrated by the amount of people he was having to take care of by himself. And then I come along without my room key!

So eventually we did make it back to the pool! The POR pool is very nice and a lot of fun. One small problem - the water was very cold! We had never experienced this before at Disney. They are to all be heated to 80 degrees. This wasn't even close. The kids still went in and lasted about an hour. DH and I didn't do much swimming!

After we were done at the pool we went back to the room to get showers and get ready for dinner and the rest of our evening.

Up Next: The Boardwalk, Big River Grille, Epcot, and IllumiNations!

 

[JoBird]

I hadn't heard about the Wii Play. That does make more sense than buying just the second controller. Hmm. . . maybe I will tell their grandparents about this!

Thanks!


Thanks JO! I expect to hear that you spent several hours at DTD!!

We used to have all colored lights - inside and out. But all our outside lights were junk so we threw them all out this year and bought all new, and we got white this time. The kids were disappointed, but we just thought the white would look nicer on this house. But we did keep the inside tree lights the colored ones.

The Wii play is a very good idea-- our kids did use that a while- I think it was only $10 more.

Ahhhh the lights outside--
we've always done white up front--- all the bushes, everything- wreaths in the windows, candles too.
This year we did all that PLUS once again Mark put those big 70's lights on our deck in red and green and made a Christmas tree with just lights. Then on the top deck Mark found those 70's lights in Orange and blue for the Gators along with our gator flag.

He said he was going for the mullet look- business up front, party in the back.





I'm sure your house looks beautiful in white!

Congrats on the shopping excursion- you are too good!

Jo

 

[JoBird]

An update, an update, how I love an update.....


Okay is it just me or could that Cm have been a little nicer to ya' by telling you to fill that paper out to begin with??? Good grief. Not convenient at all. Good you complained to him otherwise you would've been walking all the way back to the pool.

And that water along with it being a bit overcast that day makes i the pool look cold!


Looking forward to Illuminations and BRG!! yum yum.

jo

 

[Jane-in-PA]

Gorgeous pictures of POR, Shelly. So many people describe POR as "lush", and that is the word that describes it best! We were in AB25 and used the West Depot every time. It was a winding path, but we were about half-way between the Main Depot and the West Depot, so it wasn't any shorter for us to go there. I think we did take a wrong turn one night! And that was probably the quiet pool that was close to our room that you passed.

Looking at the pics of the pool and the boys swimming made me freezing just knowing that the water was cold. I know some people don't like a pool to be warm, but give me bath water anytime! Refreshing is way overrated.