A Mouse, Two Little Minnows who wear out Grumpy and Test Track Moves to Naples 11/26

[tinacaplan]

I love the Maelstrom. The paintings as you wait for the ride cracked me up last year. And I love Spaceship Earth. Glad you had such a fun evening at EPCOT.

 

[KatMark]

UM EXCUSE ME???

Whaddya mean no luck..you won a freakin $1000 like 2 days later!!!

And yes I can wait to mail it then, no problemo

Yes, I did, didn't I? What I meant was a HUGE sum of money so I could move to Florida and have coffee with my BFF every morning. Does that sound better?

I love the Maelstrom. The paintings as you wait for the ride cracked me up last year. And I love Spaceship Earth. Glad you had such a fun evening at EPCOT.

I like Maelstrom...wouldn't say I love it...I think it should be a little longer. Thanks, Tina...we really did have a good time.

 

[All7OfUs]

Your biergarten dinner looks mouth-watering- I know I sure liked my meal there! MMmmmmm!

Cutest! Little girls!!! So sweet- I can't believe she found her crown. What great luck. Maybe a little of hers wore off on you for your lucky strike with that lotto!

 

[KatMark]

Your biergarten dinner looks mouth-watering- I know I sure liked my meal there! MMmmmmm!

Cutest! Little girls!!! So sweet- I can't believe she found her crown. What great luck. Maybe a little of hers wore off on you for your lucky strike with that lotto!

Everything was delicious--except for that darn schnitzel.

It was pure pixie dust that someone turned it in or a CM saw it and grabbed it before the vehicle went back into circulation.

They really are cuties.

 

[KatMark]

So we left Mary and the girls and drove over to Downtown Disney. By the time we got there, it was dark and we were getting a little tired, so I didn't take many pictures and we only hit the stores where we knew we would purchase things and a few that I always like to browse through (even though I can't afford to buy anything):

I guess this is a good spot to post pictures of what we purchased. I have to admit I really wasn't impressed with a whole lot of the merchandise this year so we didn't go overboard with purchases (saved that money for next trip):

When Mark and the girls get frustrated at work, they say "Just Keep Swimming." Therefore, he had this t-shirt made for himself and the two girls at the office:

Gift for my best male friend:

Two ornaments:

Gift for the girl I work with who takes care of my boss when I'm away:

For the car:

This year's photo album:

Gifts for that's nice's daughter, Princess Juliana:

I also bought a t-shirt but I guess I didn't take a picture of it. It's just a pink t-shirt that says Walt Disney World on the one side--very plain and simple.

***Found the t-shirt picture:

 

[Charlefours]

HI Kathy! Finally over here to read:

I love how you included Mary and the girls on your Cast of Characters. I am really looking forward to meeting them in October!!

CSR is such a great resort! I love the fountain lit up at night. We were just one building over from you in Ranchos 7A. Great gifts! What a sweet surprise from Karin and Tom--love how they had it embroidered with your screen name. A gift from CSR? Wow!!

I am so sorry I missed our DIS Meet and you got up so early for it. I am so embarrassed I missed it. Hopefully another trip we will get to meet up.

DHS Day: Whew, I am glad they got the tickets straightened out. Not too bad of a wait time at TSMM, despite being held up. I love SOA--I was determined to find Singing in the Rain Umbrella too. I want to do the Animation Studio Tour at some point too, but we are going to wait a bit. I love the hat pictures of course!

MNSSHP night: Yum, CHH looks yummy! I was one of those who minded the no flash rule. I could not believe how many people took pictures with flashes when they were asked not to before the ride started. Love the picture of you and Mark with the seven Dwarfs.

Ak Day: Great shots from the safari. FOTLK looks amazing! I cannot believe how warm it is in AK. We all felt cooked after our day there.

Sweet thank you note from your adopted princess!

Yay for a good DIS meet with Sophia and Joe! I had the pleasure of meeting them but it was much too brief meeting. Both of our trips were rocky so I did not want to push my group to be able to spend more time with them.

Mary your daughters are just adorable!! Seems like you had a great time at Mk that evening. I will have to remember to try your Wishes spot.

Epcot: Your character connection photos are great! I was not thrilled with mine either. My DD would have loved to see the Life Cycle of a Butterfly shadow box. She just loves butterflies and loves discussing the life cycle of them. We did not make it to Voices of Liberty either--a definite on my wish list for my next trip. I'm glad you had a good meal at Biergarten. Those desserts look yummy. I love that Avery and Cayley bonded so much with you and Mark! The shots in EP are wonderful of the five of you.

Great purchases!!

I am sorry it has taken me so long to get over here. Things have been crazy for me lately!! Hopefully I will be able to stay caught up now.

 

[dizneeat]

Here we go again!

I don't get to read for two days because of work ............ and I am 5 pages behind! Slow down!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Okay, I caught up and I love ALL the new updates. Nearly fell off my chair when I saw Mark in Tom's German hat!
Can you imagine we have NEVER been to Biergarten? The food does not look very German to me and I am not a big fan of the music and entertainment either, sorry!

I could not believe HOW MUCH you got to do in one day! I guess it would take us a week to catch up with you!

Love all your shopping and gifts!

 

[OhioDisneyLover]

Love the updates. OMG, I was laughing at some of the hats Mark tried on. Too funny!

We usually sit up top at Biergarten too. Joe loves the food there. I go for the desserts.

Those minnows sure are dolls!

 

[KatMark]

HI Kathy! Finally over here to read:

I love how you included Mary and the girls on your Cast of Characters. I am really looking forward to meeting them in October!!

CSR is such a great resort! I love the fountain lit up at night. We were just one building over from you in Ranchos 7A. Great gifts! What a sweet surprise from Karin and Tom--love how they had it embroidered with your screen name. A gift from CSR? Wow!!

I am so sorry I missed our DIS Meet and you got up so early for it. I am so embarrassed I missed it. Hopefully another trip we will get to meet up.

DHS Day: Whew, I am glad they got the tickets straightened out. Not too bad of a wait time at TSMM, despite being held up. I love SOA--I was determined to find Singing in the Rain Umbrella too. I want to do the Animation Studio Tour at some point too, but we are going to wait a bit. I love the hat pictures of course!

MNSSHP night: Yum, CHH looks yummy! I was one of those who minded the no flash rule. I could not believe how many people took pictures with flashes when they were asked not to before the ride started. Love the picture of you and Mark with the seven Dwarfs.

Ak Day: Great shots from the safari. FOTLK looks amazing! I cannot believe how warm it is in AK. We all felt cooked after our day there.

Sweet thank you note from your adopted princess!

Yay for a good DIS meet with Sophia and Joe! I had the pleasure of meeting them but it was much too brief meeting. Both of our trips were rocky so I did not want to push my group to be able to spend more time with them.

Mary your daughters are just adorable!! Seems like you had a great time at Mk that evening. I will have to remember to try your Wishes spot.

Epcot: Your character connection photos are great! I was not thrilled with mine either. My DD would have loved to see the Life Cycle of a Butterfly shadow box. She just loves butterflies and loves discussing the life cycle of them. We did not make it to Voices of Liberty either--a definite on my wish list for my next trip. I'm glad you had a good meal at Biergarten. Those desserts look yummy. I love that Avery and Cayley bonded so much with you and Mark! The shots in EP are wonderful of the five of you.

Great purchases!!

I am sorry it has taken me so long to get over here. Things have been crazy for me lately!! Hopefully I will be able to stay caught up now.

Steph, I am so glad that you joined in. And thank you so much for all the kind words. I have to tell you that Avery and Cayley were absolutely adorable and it kind of made Mark and I miss having little ones with us at Disney. I'm so sorry we didn't get to meet you and Lily too. But we certainly understand and know you weren't feeling well. I'm so enjoying your TR.

Here we go again!

I don't get to read for two days because of work ............ and I am 5 pages behind! Slow down!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Okay, I caught up and I love ALL the new updates. Nearly fell off my chair when I saw Mark in Tom's German hat!
Can you imagine we have NEVER been to Biergarten? The food does not look very German to me and I am not a big fan of the music and entertainment either, sorry!

I could not believe HOW MUCH you got to do in one day! I guess it would take us a week to catch up with you!

Love all your shopping and gifts!

Karin, I died when I saw the hat on Tom's and that Mark had tried on the same one.

We had no choice but to get it done in all day as it was our only day at Epcot. I've decided next trip we really need to add at least one day on to the Disney portion of our trip.

Love the updates. OMG, I was laughing at some of the hats Mark tried on. Too funny!

We usually sit up top at Biergarten too. Joe loves the food there. I go for the desserts.

Those minnows sure are dolls!

He had some winners with his hat choices this year. The desserts at Biergarten are heavenly.

The minnows were dolls.

 

[longing2Batdisney]

Hiya! Kathy
let's see if I can recap your latest post...

first love the hat and sunglasses! have to say that one is the BEST!

love the look of Biergarten but don't know if I would care for German food (i'd have to find a German resturant around here first before trying it there)...

we all love Malestrom (sp) and the Grand Fiesta tour we do always manage to get those two in; Avery & Cayley are so cute getting in on the hat action!!

sounds like a fun end to your Epcot visit...although, I would love to do an adult only trip to WDW...I cannot imagine not having Ashton with us, it just helps the magic live on!

great purchases and love the Dory shirts!

Connie

 

[manntra]

Oh that hat in Germany is just priceless!!! My favorite one by far!!

I have always been pretty lucky with my Biergarten tablemates. I am pretty extroverted and will talk to a wall I am so happy to have a reservation here so very soon! My only problem here is that I really can't stop eating! Seriously!!!

So nice that you got to spend some time with the minnows again! Great story on the crown

Tracy

 

[KatMark]

Hiya! Kathy
let's see if I can recap your latest post...

first love the hat and sunglasses! have to say that one is the BEST!

love the look of Biergarten but don't know if I would care for German food (i'd have to find a German resturant around here first before trying it there)...

we all love Malestrom (sp) and the Grand Fiesta tour we do always manage to get those two in; Avery & Cayley are so cute getting in on the hat action!!

sounds like a fun end to your Epcot visit...although, I would love to do an adult only trip to WDW...I cannot imagine not having Ashton with us, it just helps the magic live on!

great purchases and love the Dory shirts!

Thanks, Connie. Wasn't that Germany hat just great? I really like German food and I'm a very fussy eater.

You will find that when Ashton grows up and you take your first adult trip that the "memories" will always be there of your visits with Ashton, but you will make new "memories" with your hubby; Mark and I love our adult only visits. But we also enjoy seeing it through young ones' eyes as well.

I thought the Dory shirt was very cute.


Connie

Oh that hat in Germany is just priceless!!! My favorite one by far!!

I have always been pretty lucky with my Biergarten tablemates. I am pretty extroverted and will talk to a wall I am so happy to have a reservation here so very soon! My only problem here is that I really can't stop eating! Seriously!!!

So nice that you got to spend some time with the minnows again! Great story on the crown

Tracy

Tracy, between Mark and I, I think we had five plates of food--and that wasn't counting dessert. I just wish they would have had veal.

It was a "pixie dust" moment with the crown.

 

[KatMark]

Before I do my next update, I wanted to post a picture of my Halloween costume. My best friend of 27+ years here in Chicago, is having a party and it is a themed party -- it's a Disco Party. There is a reason for this...we met at a Disco bar. Both my husband and I worked at a Disco bar--each of us at a different one at first and then at the same one. So Shelley decided it was time to go back to our "younger days" and relive the fun we used to have. So I got my costume today:

I need to find a pair of knee-high white boots to go with it and I will get my hair really curly that day.

Not sure what Mark is doing--he hates dressing up. He'll probably wear an afro wig and a t-shirt that says a saying from that era.

 

[Pooh&OurHunny]

Enjoyed the updates, Thanks for posting your goodies from Downtown. I love getting the photo albums with the years every time we go. I need to get an Ornament and I love the ones you got since we are going to MVMCP, I'm hoping they have special ones for just the party. All the times I have gone to Disney, I never taken pictures at that Pooh spot (where is it located?)

 

[All7OfUs]

Diggin it!! Groovy, baby!! I want video of your John Travolta sexy moves!

 

[KatMark]

Enjoyed the updates, Thanks for posting your goodies from Downtown. I love getting the photo albums with the years every time we go. I need to get an Ornament and I love the ones you got since we are going to MVMCP, I'm hoping they have special ones for just the party. All the times I have gone to Disney, I never taken pictures at that Pooh spot (where is it located?)

If you mean the pic with Pooh and Tigger, it is the Toy Story shop in the United Kingdom.

Diggin it!! Groovy, baby!! I want video of your John Travolta sexy moves!

I don't think that will be happening. Especially because my "partner" moved to Vegas.

 

[MEK]

More great updates Kathy. I continue to love each and every one of Mark's hat pictures. He really looks good in hats, even the goofy ones. How did you ever pass up that one in Germany? That was to freak'in funny.

Biergarten looks delish. I love the entertainment there. It's so fun. And the desserts - I am strangely craving chocolate cake now.

And Yeah to the return of the minnows. So glad you got to enjoy more great times with them in Epcot. They are so sweet.

Love the costume. White boots is a fab idea. Are you sure you don't want to wear an afro wig too?

 

[Queenofallthings]

Looking at your update with your shopping pics made me laugh out loud....we bought the exact same things!! I bought the same 2 ornaments, the sticker's for the car, and the post it note cubes for my desk......great minds think alike

 

[KatMark]

So today was our last day at the parks before we made the drive to Marco Island for a week.

I was up at 6 a.m. I had finished most of the packing the night before and only had the last minute things to do (toiletries, pajamas, etc). I took my shower and took one last walk from our room to the Pepper Market for my cappucino and Mark's coffee and took my last pictures of CSR for this trip:

I went back to the room and got Mark. I noticed we didn't have our bill on our door as we usually ahve. So we loaded up the car and drove to the front of the resort and I ran in and got our bill.

It was then time to wave goodbye to the CSR after our 9th wonderful stay, and head to the Magic Kingdom where we had a date with four special guys.

We pulled into the parking lot and, in our typical fashion, we were about to be directed to our spot which was probably about 20 rows back and at the end of the lane meaning a long walk to the TTC. However, the guy directing us where to park stopped us and told us to go to a spot nearest the yellow cone in the third row. The only thing we could figure was that the very nice parking attendant CM saw Mark wearing his brace and thought we should have a parking spot upfront (Mark only has to wear the brace now while driving). So with this little added pixie dust and a very short walk to the TTC, we were on our way:

We had just missed the Ferry Boat so we got on the monorail for our short trip to the MK.

We got through the special line for early breakfast reservations and headed to the Crystal Palace for our breakfast with my favorite group of characters.

First stop was a picture in front of the castle:

I wish I could figure out how to get that darn crane out of my pictures!

We arrived at the Crystal Palace:

We no sooner checked in and we were literally called to our table less than a minute later.

This was on our table when we got to it:

The characters were not going to start making the rounds for about five minutes and there was still nobody in the place so Mark and I went up to the buffet to get our food before the characters came out:

Then it was time to see the guys. First up was Winnie-the-Pooh:

Next up to visit with us was Eeyore. I swear every year, Eeyore makes a big deal about Mark's ears:

We had a very nice CM who escorts the characters who offered to take our picture with Eeyore and Tigger...probably because we were wearing Eeyore and Tigger ears:

Up next, Piglet and Tigger

 

[KatMark]

So we had seen Pooh and Eeyore and it was time for the last two guys to come visit. Piglet soon arrived:

And then came Tigger--my FAVORITE! Tigger was pointing to our anniversary buttons and Mark told him 27 years he had put up with me. So Tigger I guess was trying to say, well, I don't know what he was trying to say:

My picture with Tigger is a little blurry because Tigger had me bouncing with him:

We got our check and an anniversary card signed by all the characters and headed out to start hitting the attractions. I stopped and took a picture of the pretty flowers in the garden outside of the Crystal Palace:

We headed through the Castle and waited at the rope for the park to officially open. Normally, Mark and I would head straight to Dumbo. But being that we had rode it the night of the MNSSHP, he suggested we go to Peter Pan first. This is the first time ever that we were the first guests on any attraction...it was kind of neat:

From there, we went over to Snow White, Winnie-the-Pooh and then back to Mickey's Philharmagic:

We stopped in the gift shop after leaving Mickey's Philharmagic for a hat shot:

From there, it was off to Mickey's Toontown for what could be the very last time since we aren't really sure when it is going to officially close (I stopped for a cappucino along the way):

Mark in front of Mickey's house:

Mickey's mailbox:

Then it was time for one of Mark's favorite things to do--ride the train aroud the park:

We got on at Toontown and rode all the way around and got off at Toontown. We then walked through the back entrance to get over to Tomorrowland.

Up next, Tomorrowland and our very first encounter with a new friend.