A Baptism, MNSSHP, & FD...sweating our way through 6 days at POP!! Completed!

[that's nice]

It was the time for the show to start.

Juliana was really into it. She was playing her 'flute' along to the show.

The main course- fried chicken, ribs, mashed potatoes, & baked beans.

The chicken was moist and really good. Melody & I are not fans of ribs but we each had a few. I had 2 that were really good and 1 fatty one. Would I eat them again? Absolutely! We left the beans alone but the potatoes were awesome! Juliana ate the chicken and potatoes.

She was really into the show- I think we all were.

It was time for a little napkin twirling!

After the napkin twirling it was time for dessert.

The strawberry shortcake was OK. The shortcake was really good but I'm not a fan of frozen strawberries. Would it be that hard to have fresh berries?

The show started back up and this poor guy ended up in a tutu.

The show was coming to an end and we got to play a washboard.

Finally the show ended and all three of us agreed it was a great time! I didn't know what to expect when we booked this and I am so glad we did. We stopped at the bathroom quick. We were singing the HDDR song on our way over to the bus. That song is so catchy!! I should write the DREADED BUS. They had busses to bring you back to your resort. We got on and found a spot to relax.

We were sitting and waiting for people to get on the bus. I have no idea what took these people so long to get over to the bus but it took forever. Not only did it take long to leave but they were packing the people on. I felt like a sardine. It was the most packed bus I was ever on. I was feeling claustrophobic. Finally after 30 minutes we were off. Now the bus that we were on didn't just stop at POP. It stopped at the Swan, Beach Club, Yacht Club, Boardwalk Inn, Caribbean Beach, then finally at POP. From the time we got on the bus till we got off at POP it took an hour and 15 minutes. I was a little annoyed and I wish that I had just drove over there. Juliana passed out on the bus in Melody's arms. If we saw the show again, I would never. Ever. Again. Take the bus. The car would have been so much easier.

When we finally made it back to the room, Juliana woke up and didn't want to go to sleep. Both Mel & I were extremely tired and were getting upset with Juliana. It was close to 12 when she finally fell asleep. Thank goodness. After another full day we all needed it.

Up next... Our last day, another family tradition, our future house, say it ain't so!

 

[maroo]

Wow. Good review of HDDR. The potatoes look fantastic.

Very good information that we may want to have a car with us??

Great TR, as always.

 

[tinkgurl]

Aw...looks like you guys had fun at HDDR! You had a good view even from the balcony!

Love that family pic before the show. Juliana is so cute with her legs all crossed.

Ugh..that sounds like it was the most horrible bus ride ever!

 

[Halloweenqueen]

Was HDDR on Tuesday, the 7th?

We were at the 7:30 show, bet that was your show as well! We rode the same bus! lol We all agreed that the bus ride was the worst part of our trip. We were the first family on the bus and it took FOREVER for us to start.

My son was picked to go on stage with the blonde performer, think her stage name was Claire. It was his birthday!

Small world!

 

[that's nice]

Wow. Good review of HDDR. The potatoes look fantastic.

Very good information that we may want to have a car with us??

Great TR, as always.

The Poly bus might not be too bad. I think it was just the monorail resorts on one bus. I wonder if the boat would be still running at that time?

Aw...looks like you guys had fun at HDDR! You had a good view even from the balcony!

Love that family pic before the show. Juliana is so cute with her legs all crossed.

Ugh..that sounds like it was the most horrible bus ride ever!

The view was great! Except for one time, the performers stayed down on the lower level.

I wanted to get off that bus so bad. It made it worse that I had a car sitting in the POP parking lot.

Was HDDR on Tuesday, the 7th?

We were at the 7:30 show, bet that was your show as well! We rode the same bus! lol We all agreed that the bus ride was the worst part of our trip. We were the first family on the bus and it took FOREVER for us to start.

My son was picked to go on stage with the blonde performer, think her stage name was Claire. It was his birthday!

Small world!

Yes it was the 7pm show on the 7th!

It is a small world. After the show we were worried that with our bathroom stop we would miss the bus. I didn't understand what took people so long to get on it. Then when they were cramming more & more people on it, I wanted off!!! LOL

Here is the one picture I have of all the 'volunteers' on stage. You son was really cute and did a great job!

 

[praisehisname]

The HDDR sounds really fun! I definitely want to do it the next trip with kids.

 

[IBelieveInTheMagic]

Thanks for sharing HDDR with us! I never really thought about doing this but you have peeked my interest...that is, until you got to the bus ride! I think some of my only big concerns with the trips have been the bus rides. I agree, far too many people are packed on the buses and they drive crazy too, I tell ya!

Heather

 

[xoktenox]

HDDR looks great! I like the seats you had because you were able to see the whole stage. One day I'd really like to try this show but I haven't been able to convince myself to part with two TS credits yet LOL

I can't believe that bus ride back to Pop! An hr and 15 mins?! Thats nuts. They need to think of a better way!

 

[KatMark]

Great report on the HDDR. For some reason, we never did that or Mickey's Backyard Barbecue or the Aloha show at the Poly when the kids were little. I'm not quite sure why...but we just never did.

 

[All7OfUs]

Wow. Good review of HDDR. The potatoes look fantastic.

Very good information that we may want to have a car with us??

Great TR, as always.

A car is always the better way to go, but I think we won't have one, unless you change your mind and drive, right?! Remember how conviently flying was last time????

The Poly bus might not be too bad. I think it was just the monorail resorts on one bus. I wonder if the boat would be still running at that time?

Ok, here's how I would have done it...

Take the boat (yes, they run super late!) back to the MK then take a bus from there to your resort. OR take the boat to the Poly an walk to the TTC from there and catch your bus. Either way would have taken a lot less time, and you wouldn' t have had to sit on an uncomfy, crammed one from the Fort.

But, aside from that. I LOVED the Hoop!! There isn't a bad seat in the house. The only complaint was that I froze!! I can't imagine how Mel could wear that and not have been like a popsicle in there! Next time, I'm taking a sweater, for sure.

 

[jenseib]

It lloks like you sat in just about the same spot we did. I think we might have been 1 ot 2 over. Were you near the spotlight spot. Looking at the stage, the spotlight guy was to my left.
I hate those beans there. I think they are so gross, but the rest is good. I love the strawberry shortckae there. I'm not a fan of strawberry shortcake, but I like the way they make it. I grew up on a farm and we grew strawberries. Boy I hated picking them....but I prefer frozen, so that could be why I liked it so much. LOL! Beleive me if you had to pick them for over a month every day,every year, you wouldn't be so keen on them either. LOL!

 

[StefaniLyn]

It sounds like you all had a great time at HDDMR. I'm not a big fan myself, but then again, our waitress was kinda lame when we went. Maybe I need to give it another try. I do, however, recall the sardine packed bus ride on our ride home afterwards as well. M-I-S-E-R-A-B-L-E!

Your family picture is adorable by the way. I love little princess Juliana with posing all lady-like! So sweet!

 

[DisneyDaddy-O]

Somehow I missed your TR, maybe I didnt see the link in your siggie

Just finished catching up, we were thinking about upgrading our tickets this year to AP's. The best way is to use the ticket and then upgrade?

I had a lot of fun reading, your costumes were great. We stayed at POP once and thought is was really nice, we have stayed at POR and love it there.

We saw HDDR and absolutely loved it, it was a ton of fun and the food was pretty good.

I look forward to reading the rest and have already subbed to your PTR.

Your daughter is adorable BTW, her smile is too cute. (even the no smile ones)

 

[that's nice]

The HDDR sounds really fun! I definitely want to do it the next trip with kids.

I definitely recommend it! It was so much fun.. the show was so corny that it was good!!!

Thanks for sharing HDDR with us! I never really thought about doing this but you have peeked my interest...that is, until you got to the bus ride! I think some of my only big concerns with the trips have been the bus rides. I agree, far too many people are packed on the buses and they drive crazy too, I tell ya!

Heather

We have always had pretty good luck with the busses.... until this time. I think it is worth it. Plus the tip and tax is included. We even left our waiter a little extra. He kept our drinks full the whole time and was very nice.

HDDR looks great! I like the seats you had because you were able to see the whole stage. One day I'd really like to try this show but I haven't been able to convince myself to part with two TS credits yet LOL

I can't believe that bus ride back to Pop! An hr and 15 mins?! Thats nuts. They need to think of a better way!

I should of just went back to the boat like I was planning on. Why do I listen to CMs?

The seats were great to see everything.. I wish they just had a little more action up in the balcony.

Great report on the HDDR. For some reason, we never did that or Mickey's Backyard Barbecue or the Aloha show at the Poly when the kids were little. I'm not quite sure why...but we just never did.

A lady that Mel works with was in WDW 2 weeks ago and did the BBQ. She said it was the worst ever. Paying 50+ for cold burgers and no real 'show' wasn't worth it for them.

I would like to do the Aloha Show when Juliana get a little bigger. I wouldn't hesitate on doing HDDR again! You and Mark should go see it.... plus you always have a car... SCORE! LOL

Ok, here's how I would have done it...

Take the boat (yes, they run super late!) back to the MK then take a bus from there to your resort. OR take the boat to the Poly an walk to the TTC from there and catch your bus. Either way would have taken a lot less time, and you wouldn' t have had to sit on an uncomfy, crammed one from the Fort.

Exactly!

But, aside from that. I LOVED the Hoop!! There isn't a bad seat in the house. The only complaint was that I froze!! I can't imagine how Mel could wear that and not have been like a popsicle in there! Next time, I'm taking a sweater, for sure.

It was comfy in there. Maybe being up in the balcony was a bit warmer than being on the floor. It was so darn hot that day... it felt good. Mel brought sweatshirts for her and Juliana just incase it was cool in there.

It lloks like you sat in just about the same spot we did. I think we might have been 1 ot 2 over. Were you near the spotlight spot. Looking at the stage, the spotlight guy was to my left.

The spotlight guy was to my right... I was basically sitting behind him. It was a perfect seat though because there was some extra room between our table and the one to the right.

I hate those beans there. I think they are so gross, but the rest is good. I love the strawberry shortckae there. I'm not a fan of strawberry shortcake, but I like the way they make it. I grew up on a farm and we grew strawberries. Boy I hated picking them....but I prefer frozen, so that could be why I liked it so much. LOL! Beleive me if you had to pick them for over a month every day,every year, you wouldn't be so keen on them either. LOL!

LOLOL I think I might hate strawberries if I had to do that too!!! LOL

It sounds like you all had a great time at HDDMR. I'm not a big fan myself, but then again, our waitress was kinda lame when we went. Maybe I need to give it another try. I do, however, recall the sardine packed bus ride on our ride home afterwards as well. M-I-S-E-R-A-B-L-E!

Your family picture is adorable by the way. I love little princess Juliana with posing all lady-like! So sweet!

In using the buses the last 2 trips this was our first bad experience.

Juliana does look like a little lady in that picture! LOL

Somehow I missed your TR, maybe I didnt see the link in your siggie

Better late than never. You miss the drama that way! LOL

Just finished catching up, we were thinking about upgrading our tickets this year to AP's. The best way is to use the ticket and then upgrade?

If you purchase you tickets through Disney I don't think it matters. If you purchase your tickets from a discount seller IE AAA or Undercover Tourist it is better to use them once or more then do the upgrade. You can read more about it here--> http://www.disboards.com/showpost.php?p=18654362&postcount=7

I had a lot of fun reading, your costumes were great. We stayed at POP once and thought is was really nice, we have stayed at POR and love it there.

We saw HDDR and absolutely loved it, it was a ton of fun and the food was pretty good.

I look forward to reading the rest and have already subbed to your PTR.

Your daughter is adorable BTW, her smile is too cute. (even the no smile ones)

We were at CSR last March and loved it there. POP was good for this trip(we were trying to save a few $$$) but much busier than CSR.

Thank you for the kinda words about Juliana. She is a trip! LOL

 

[disney<333]

Great HDD review. Looks like you all had a blast! I love Juliana's dress. Bummer about the bus. So sad to your TR is coming to an end. I have to give you props though you started months after I started mine and I just finished it tonight. We leave for Disney tomorrow so if I don't talk to you before that have a great thanksgiving.

 

[DisneyFed]

Ok, I'm catching up now...Really...

 

[All7OfUs]

Took me a while to find it, but here it is:

 

[ladybugmom]

Hi Tim!!! I just found your TR and am all caught up!! It sounds like your trip was AMAZING!! Juliana is just precious!! I can't wait to read more!!

 

[All7OfUs]

Everything OK??!! Tim, come out and play!!

 

[KatMark]

Tim, did Mel ban you from the DIS???? We miss you.