A Mother's Day Cruise on the Fantasy sandwiched between BCV (Complete 10/12, p.33)

[lizzyb]

On board!

 

[Pinkocto]

I left off with mom and I heading to DTD. We were heading to meet *********** and her DD. (I don't know if she likes to say her name on here so I'll just refer to her by her board name.) I was really looking forward to meeting them because hers were among the very first TRs I started reading on the boards, and that was before I started posting. We had been texting back and forth that morning. She and DD wanted to eat at Rainforest Café for lunch and the plan was if they could get right in we’d meet after for ice cream at Ghirardelli but if they had to wait mom and I would meet them in front of the restaurant. Just as the bus got to Westside I got a text that they were able to be seated right away. Perfect timing, we got off and walked towards the Marketplace shopping along the way.

There were walls everywhere, I have not been keeping up on what is being done at DTD











This flower arrangement was gorgeous



It was super hot and these poor kids were out singing. My heart felt for them.



We stopped in Basin for a bit and mom found some chapstick she fell in love with. We also saw some soap we thought would be good for gifts but figured we would be back. Of course we didn’t…







Next up was TrenD, one of our favorites. We spied a few things but resisted.



This used to be where the walk through to the sports store was. I was really out of the loop of what’s going on at DTD.



Empty handed we headed out. I showed mom Little Miss Matched and we went through Goofy’s Candy Co. She then wanted to look at the Rainforest Café’s shop but I didn’t want *********** to see us and think we were stalking them. Mom scoffed at my fears and still wanted to go.

She was amused by this frog. He was similar to Turtle Talk with Crush.



I thought this was too cute



We browsed the whole store and then headed over to Fun Finds. This guy was just too funky.



We saw a few other things that we didn’t pick up and should have. The ‘we’ll be back’ struck again.

A little while later we caught up with *********** and her DD. We got some delights at Ghirardelli and sat outside and chatted for a while. They had fabulous southern accents which I just soaked up. I have a bad habit of not even thinking that someone will have a different accent then I do since I hear them in my voice when I read their TRs…

I had a strawberry shake, I think she got a salted caramael sundae. It looked heavenly.



And mom had a warm chocolate chip cookie



I was a bit bossy and insisted that she share when we found out our new friends had not known there were even cookies on the menu. I think they might get one in the future now. Thanks again Alicia for that cookie knowledge!

We had a fabulous time chatting about trips and Disney. They were leaving that afternoon and still wanted to do some shopping. I think we would have been chatting long after we parted if they weren’t heading home. I hope one day our paths will cross again. Thanks again for meeting with us and sharing part of your vacation!



It was super hot that day so mom and I headed back to BCV after our marvelous meet. We wanted to swim in SAB.

This poor guy was falling asleep on the bus.






Evening plans included seeing Chubby Checker at the Flower Power Concert and dinner at Via Napoli.

 

[Pinkocto]

On board!

Hi thanks for reading!

 

[MEK]

I am always surprised by people's accents as well. I never know what people are going to sound like. Not at all shocked by yours and your moms' voice but that might be because we live in the same general area. I always have a hard time with the southern accent and the midwestern accent. I just never expect it.

I heard it was REALLY hot the weekend you arrived. My GF was down there picking up her daughter from college and warned me about the 95 degree weather. I was thrilled that it cooled down at the end of the week.

Fun pics. Those walls at DTD were annoying, but I think its going to look great when they are done!

 

[mousetravel]

Hey, there Getting caught up again. Love the new update!

Thought it was funny how people say you & your mom look alike (I think you do, too), because that's what everybody says about me & DD!

That was kinda strange about all the crazy construction "happenings" going on at DTD.

That frog at Rainforest Cafe is so funny! That was neat!

I think we got some really good pictures! We had a great time with you & your mom. Funny about you mentioning the accents!!
It would be fun to meet up again someday!

And that sleepy guy is pretty funny!

 

[dolphingirl47]

Downtown Disney looks really sorry for itself. It was nowhere near as bad in December. I am sure it will be lovely once it is finished, but I always have enjoyed wandering around there and it makes me sad to see it in such a state.

Corinna

 

[Pinkocto]

I am always surprised by people's accents as well. I never know what people are going to sound like. Not at all shocked by yours and your moms' voice but that might be because we live in the same general area. I always have a hard time with the southern accent and the midwestern accent. I just never expect it.

It takes me a while to adjust, I love accents, fascinated by them, just don't expect them. I don't know if there is such a thing but I'd love to take a class on why different areas produce different accents.

I heard it was REALLY hot the weekend you arrived. My GF was down there picking up her daughter from college and warned me about the 95 degree weather. I was thrilled that it cooled down at the end of the week.

Hot hot hot! We liked it but had to make sure we didn't overdo and always had fluids in the backpack. The heat continued on the cruise.

Fun pics. Those walls at DTD were annoying, but I think its going to look great when they are done!

I can't picture how it's going to change. I've been really bad at keeping up with the news.

 

[Pinkocto]

Hey, there Getting caught up again. Love the new update!

Thought it was funny how people say you & your mom look alike (I think you do, too), because that's what everybody says about me & DD!

You think so too? We just don't see it.

That was kinda strange about all the crazy construction "happenings" going on at DTD.

Looking forward to the end result, they say more shops. I like more shops

That frog at Rainforest Cafe is so funny! That was neat!

She was fascinated! Fun that they have extra things like that. I didn't pay much attention, bummed that I missed something funny.

I think we got some really good pictures! We had a great time with you & your mom. Funny about you mentioning the accents!!
It would be fun to meet up again someday!

I hope our paths cross again, that was such fun! Thanks so much for getting together

And that sleepy guy is pretty funny!

I had to keep looking at him, I couldn't believe he was actually sleeping! Poor guy must have been exhausted!

 

[Pinkocto]

Downtown Disney looks really sorry for itself. It was nowhere near as bad in December. I am sure it will be lovely once it is finished, but I always have enjoyed wandering around there and it makes me sad to see it in such a state.

Corinna

Some of the walls I couldn't figure what they needed them for, looking forward to seeing whatever they're doing.

 

[Pinkocto]

I left off with us heading back to BCV. We went straight to the room, changed into our swim suits and went in search of SAB.

We found it without much trouble

But the trouble came when we were trying to find some chairs. People here are HORRIBLE about saving chairs. And then don't remove towels after they leave so you really have no idea if the chairs are taken or not... We eventually found some on the island in the middle of the lazy river. Now this thing is awesome. Super deep, sand covered bottom, nice current, perfect water temperature. Life was good. I swam while mom floated on a tube. We ended up talking to a fellow DVCer for a good 15-20 minutes while we all floated around.

Snagged this cute picture of mom when I got out

We were there around two hours and then headed back to the room to get ready. Chubby Checker was playing at Epcot, which was a must do for me this trip. I saw him last year and he was so good I knew mom would love seeing him too.

We got to his 5:30 concert almost on the nose. We had left with plenty of time but the IG was swamped and I had to stop and get my PAP activated... Thankfully we left with plenty of time because we used all of it.

This guy may have gotten older but he still has the moves!

He engages with the crowd, has tons of energy, and seems to have tons of fun. Loved seeing him again and mom agreed he was great.

Then off to dinner. It was only 6:00 and our reservation was for 7:10 but mom suggested we go see if they could take us early.

Amazingly we got seated within 5 minutes of checking in. Great idea mom! Thanks to Alicia and Mary Ellen we tried this place last December. It was on the list for this trip. During dinner mom asks if we can come back next weekend after the cruise. Thanks to the handy dandy MDE app I was able to make us a reservation for 8:30 Sunday night the next weekend. I am a huge fan of the new system, sorry if you don't like it.

Fried vegetables to start. These are awesomely delicious!

We were going to get two small pizzas to try different ones but our fabulous server said we could get two different halves on a large pizza.

I love this picture!!!

Suddenly she was not excited

Until I asked why the long face

Oh my goodness was this pizza even better than we remembered! The flavors are so fabulous and the crust is divine. We ate half and took half home for breakfast the next morning.

Our server had about 3 weeks left on his year and was planning on a month long trip of the U.S. with friends before going home. Too cool to have that opportunity.

Mom thought the ovens were fabulous as well as the pizza makers.

She almost ordered the tiramisu but when the time came to order she realized she was too full. Some people next to us had one and it looked delicious. Not to worry, she would remedy this next weekend.

Next up, winding down the evening.

 

[rentayenta]

That pizza looks amazing! I missed the name of the restaurant. Looks like a must try.

Your mom looks very happy. SAB has a lazy river? I knew abut the sandy bottom. Its like a water park almost.

Bummer on the chair savers.

The meet looks like fun! You love your strawberry.

Someone else saw Chubby Checker last year and wrote about it. They also said he was really good. He seems like he'd be a nice guy.

 

[dolphingirl47]

What a shame about people saving shares and not clearing up after themselves. When we were there in December, SAB was deserted. I love the lazy river there.

I am glad that you made the concert in time and that you enjoyed it. That pizza looks lovely.

Corinna

 

[MEK]

SAB is such a great pool, but I think the whole chair thing must be annoying. We were there in early March so it really wasn't a problem. But I did find some people hogging those lazy river inner tubes.

Yay for Via! I love that place. The restaurant is so cute and t he pizza is so yummy. It's a win-win. Glad you were able to get in early.

Glad you got to see Chubby checker. I think once a good performer, always a good performer.

fun update!

 

[Paula Sedley-Burke]

Great update my friend! SAB looks fab! Jo and I are super excited to be staying there this fall with you. To think we will all be floating around lazy river together! Oh my re snagging those beds! We noticed this at SSR! Jo took a photo we couldn't believe it there was a prominent sign right there suggesting guests not to do it!

That photo of Mom is too cute! Little face poking through those cool rocks. I love MDE too Pam! Totally works for us. What about when we almost missed our slot and you just changed our time for Winnie the Pooh on the monorail. That was too cool for school!

Now those pizza's look yummy! No room for dessert...never...even a Polly managed a yoda cookie and a bucket of blue ice cream in HW&V. Homework! Next time try harder lol.

Chubby checker! He is like our Tom Jones we say as an entertainer he is a fine wine. Matures and gets better with age!

 

[Toria]

Hi! It has been a long time and I am happy to be joining in on your TR! We have taken a couple of cruises, but I did not do any TR's though. I am currently trying to talk the DH into going on one next month. Can't wait to read the rest!

 

[franandaj]

Looks like a great day! I love the pizza at Via Napoli! There are just too many good places to eat at WDW you can't fit them all in!

DTD is even more torn up than when you were there. They are turning it into another new themed area called "Disney Springs". There are supposed to be more retail and dining experiences once they are finished, but it will be a painful process while they are working on it.

 

[Pinkocto]

That pizza looks amazing! I missed the name of the restaurant. Looks like a must try.

Your mom looks very happy. SAB has a lazy river? I knew abut the sandy bottom. Its like a water park almost.

Bummer on the chair savers.

The meet looks like fun! You love your strawberry.

Someone else saw Chubby Checker last year and wrote about it. They also said he was really good. He seems like he'd be a nice guy.

Oops, I forgot to say. Via Napoli was the pizza place. SO GOOD!

Strawberry is one of my favorite flavors, no doubt about it! Everyone I've met on these boards have been fabulous! Mom just goes with the flow, she gets along with everybody.

That Chubby is a performer, goes in the audience, dances with people. Ladies and men. Just seems to have a great time. Brings people on stage. Last year he did this too, he gave special attention to a mentally challenged young man. It just brings tears to the eyes. I'd love to see him again if the opportunity ever arises.

The lazy river at SAB is not big but its great. No, you really don't need to go to a waterpark if you're staying there.

 

[Pinkocto]

What a shame about people saving shares and not clearing up after themselves. When we were there in December, SAB was deserted. I love the lazy river there.

I am glad that you made the concert in time and that you enjoyed it. That pizza looks lovely.

Corinna

People were audibly grumbling about how long the IG was taking. What can you do... Im glad we made it, didn't miss anything. And still managed good seats.

I just don't understand people, take your dirty towels when you leave. The CMs are not slaves!

 

[Pinkocto]

SAB is such a great pool, but I think the whole chair thing must be annoying. We were there in early March so it really wasn't a problem. But I did find some people hogging those lazy river inner tubes.

Yay for Via! I love that place. The restaurant is so cute and t he pizza is so yummy. It's a win-win. Glad you were able to get in early.

Glad you got to see Chubby checker. I think once a good performer, always a good performer.

fun update!

Yep, for some reason kids think its fun to have multiple tubes. Beasts! I really think the CMs that are already walking around should be able to remove towels after a certain point.

Love that Chubby! We were all singing and dancing along with him

That restaurant is so delicious! Probably wouldn't have tried it if it hadn't been for your and Alicia's reviews.

 

[Pinkocto]

Great update my friend! SAB looks fab! Jo and I are super excited to be staying there this fall with you. To think we will all be floating around lazy river together! Oh my re snagging those beds! We noticed this at SSR! Jo took a photo we couldn't believe it there was a prominent sign right there suggesting guests not to do it!

That photo of Mom is too cute! Little face poking through those cool rocks. I love MDE too Pam! Totally works for us. What about when we almost missed our slot and you just changed our time for Winnie the Pooh on the monorail. That was too cool for school!

Now those pizza's look yummy! No room for dessert...never...even a Polly managed a yoda cookie and a bucket of blue ice cream in HW&V. Homework! Next time try harder lol.

Chubby checker! He is like our Tom Jones we say as an entertainer he is a fine wine. Matures and gets better with age!

I can't wait for September!!!

Love MDE, I really do. I'm sorry some folks are having a hard time with it. And even better now that you can add more FP+'s after you've used up the others.

Don't worry, mom makes up for dessert next time!

Love that Tom Jones. The stepmom and I had tickets to one of his concerts but sadly it was canceled due to his health. Chubby was awesome, very worth a viewing if you ever come across him.