A No Snooze Bar Christmas, Harry & Mickey are Waiting..it is done

[momabaarjo]

Quiet Father's Day Morning...the boys are at the cabin, so I decided to do a little scrapping!

 

[Enchanted88]

It looks like you had fun at DTD!!! Ridemakerz--- a boy's dream (and DH's too lol! ) That is such a fun thing for them to be able to do! I'm sure they'll remember that for years to come!

 

[annmarieda]

How cool your guys did ridemakerz! My guys have always been too old.

 

[reelmom]

My kids made a car there a couple of years ago. I didn't take them but DH had a blast helping them. However, I bet my kids couldn't tell you where those expensive cars are now.

My car is ready at the body shop and we are going back....this weekend! And staying onsite at the Portofino Bay Hotel. We are beyond excited to have early access(7:00) and FOTL passes.

 

[momabaarjo]

Just Chillin​

With boxes in hand, the boys are ready to head back to the room to play with their cars, but I have one more stop in DTD that I need to make and of course it really is not for me but for them. Our last stop is into Disney Days of Christmas

for the kids to pick out their ornament for this portion of our trip. Goo quickly finds the one that he wants, a HUGE glass ball but quick thinking dad saves the moment and takes him by the hand to find a more appropriate one for a 6 year old. Boo picks out the one that I had been eyeing

when Goo and dad come back with this one.

Ab on the other hand is taking longer to decide, so the boys decide to go outside and wait. She finally settles on this one,

but of course it needs a little engraving. As we wait in line, Brad strikes up a conversation and I learn that he is from a town not too far from where I grew up in Colorado. He talks to Ab and learns that this is her first visit and he wants to know where her first visit button is…yikes I had forgotten about that. So Brad being the magical CM he is went off to get personalize 3 buttons for the kids while we continued to wait. Engraving done, Brad appears with the buttons that he himself has personalized. We thank him and head outside only to find that dad has done a great job of supervising as Goo is entertaining everyone with his antics in the fountains…really?

With a wet Goo in hand we make our way back to the bus and then eventually the BWV, during which we decide that tonight it going to be a room service night for everyone. I had planned to do this already for the kids, but Jeff and I were supposed to have date night over at the Yachtsman. This morning feeling like I did I called and cancelled the reservation because I was not sure if I would make it all day and if I did the rest would probably be better than a 9 pm with my husband. Of course, little did I know that the Cowboy’s would be playing…all my husband can think about is catching the game. While he takes the boys back up to the room, Ab and I head down to the store on the BW where I picked him up a couple of $6 Bud Lights…When I got back to the room I ordered room service

Yes…the kids had pizza again for dinner, but that is what they wanted even though we had it for lunch!


and we all settled in for an early evening in the room and a much needed rest

because of course tomorrow is yet another early morning ADR but this is probably the most important one NOT TO MISS
.

 

[lilpixiebabe101]

I hope the Zeppoles when we go in November!!! I am nervous now, becasue we are going during Thanksgiving!! Oh well, everything looked so good! I'm so excited to eat there now!

It looks like you guys had a great time in EPCOT!! I'm so glad your son got picked to be a part of the little show they have in Italy! It looks like he took his job very seriously!!

Can't wait to read more!

We were there 2 days before Christmas and had them and crowds were insane. If I had to guess, it was probably just the week between the two holidays. (Sorry Tammie!!!) So unless your ressie is ON Thanksgiving day... you should be good! But that's just my thoughts!




I love DTD. Eeek about those "tourists" and eek about the almost Lego meltdown. I hate that store. I don't think I'll tell Buddy and Alexa about it...

I will not get Buddy past Disney Quest. We shall see if that will be the one date night I'm planning or not. I'm still kind of iffy on using a sitter through Disney. I need to see if I can find some threads about it.

Can't wait to see where you ADR is next. Im bad and can't remember from your PTR and am too lazy to go look! You might max out pages on this TR

 

[momabaarjo]

We Are Really in Disney World​

Monday, January 2nd, found us with yet another early morning…this morning was probably the hardest of all mornings to get my family out of bed and moving even though last night was an early night for us. I had to make a promise that nearly did this commando mom with a touring plan in charge, to cancel the remaining 2 early breakfast ADRs that I had planned later in the week. But if it meant that they would put on their happy faces this morning, it would be well worth it, because I had made reservations at Crystal Palace prior to MK opening so that we could get some great main street and castle shots without crowds of people.

So by 7:00 am we were out at the bus stop awaiting our bus to MK and by 7:30 we found ourselves lining up at MK

in the CP line and with one picture of my family waiting I had my TR title…apparently my family forgot about the deal we had made that it was happy faces and this would be the last morning I would drag them out of bed for breakfast…but I did not say I would not drag them out of bed for rope drop!

Around 7:45 they began letting our line in through the gates and onto Main Street. The site that unfolds before our eyes and takes my breath away…even my family had to stop for a moment and just stand and stare.

Yes, we really are at Disney World. We head down Main Street stopping at every photopass photographer that does not have people in line, hoping for 1 great family shot (which really did not happen) but we did get some nice ones of the kids. Then before we knew it the castle is directly in front of us along with the partner statue

and I find a magic shots photographer! SCORE!

We spent about 10 more minutes gawking at the castle and taking lots of pictures

before making our way back towards Main Street, where the kids found the attraction board and began pointing out where they wanted to go. It is true that when you enter Main Street you become a kid again, because of all us are giggling and having a great time, even the grumpy husband.

Checking the time and watching people move in the direction of CP, I know it is time that we check in too!

The main reason I booked here was to get into MK early, but I also wanted to try that Pooh’s puffed French toast and that Breakfast Laszna…okay, and Tigger is a huge bonus too! It does not take long to be seated, but our server, Ted, let’s just say is not the friendliest person around…looks like he forgot his CM happiness this morning. As well as not being very friendly, he also less than attentive to us and really abrupt in anything he said to us. Oh well, how can you be grumpy when you have this to eat and a frenship day to celebrate?

The breakfast itself was wonderful, the food was excellent and plentiful…and I was not disappointed in the French Toast and the Breakfast Lasnza was really GOOD!

Goo loved the chocolate Mickey waffles.

Then the Pooh and his friends began making their appearance at each table.

Notice that Tigger is missing (he is the one character the kids really want to meet), when he was a few tables away the parade started and apparently after the parade the characters get a break. I am hoping to be out of CP around 8:50 so we can make it to Fantasyland before the crowds at rope drop but Tigger’s disappearance is not helping my touring plan. I ask Ted when Tigger is going to be back on the floor (and he cuts me off and says when his break is over), yikes maybe he needs to bounce with Tigger and get happy. So taking my cue I ask him for our bill for which he wants to know if I will be putting the tip on the room card, for which I said NO that I would be leaving cash (he does not need to know how much I am leaving before we leave…I hate having to sign for tips and then the server knowing before you are out of the restaurant how much you are leaving). Ted leaves in a huff to get our bill, and I am impatiently tapping my foot and looking at my watch…will Tigger arrive on scene in time for us to meet him, will Ted continue to lose more of his tip with his unhappy attitude, and will we get to Dumbo before rope drop?

 

[momabaarjo]

So sorry to hear the bug got to you!!!

What a trooper. But M:S Orange? Seriously? I'm glad you didn't suffer the same fate my son did there!

The things a mom has to do...I knew Jeff could not do it after what happened at Forbidden Journey and I was not comfortable letting Ab & Boo go off on their own for the first ride....

Your meal at Via Napoli looked spectacular, despite the dessert disappointment.

Looks like you had some fun in the World Showcase. We NEVER spend as much time as I would like there!

Boo said that was his favorite part, was the countries!

May I say how nice it is that your kids are so cooperative in getting their picture taken together.

Don't ask how many shots I take before I get a good one, I have them trained that I will take pictures until they give me a good one, so get it over the first time and we can move on....

Downtown Disney is not my favorite place. Getting there is a major pain using the Disney buses from any resort on property. Getting back is even worse! (I devised a plan where my family takes one of the resort boats then we take a bus from there to EPCOT before returning to the Beach Club)

Disney Quest is DEFINITELY not my favorite place. The Lego store is cool- my boys love it. I have not been to Ghiardelli, that would probably influence my opinion of DTD in a positive way.

It sounds like RideMakerz was a winner with your crew!!!

And I'm all caught up!!!

It looks like you had fun at DTD!!! Ridemakerz--- a boy's dream (and DH's too lol! ) That is such a fun thing for them to be able to do! I'm sure they'll remember that for years to come!

Yep, they loved it! My dh loves to buy old cars and always has great intentions of restoring them...last month he bought a Hudson Hornet (just like Doc)...you might have seen him around town pulling the thing on a trailer...we are going to call him Tex, Doc's Texas Cousin!

How cool your guys did ridemakerz! My guys have always been too old.

But you have a princess and got to do BBB...that I am jealous of!

My kids made a car there a couple of years ago. I didn't take them but DH had a blast helping them. However, I bet my kids couldn't tell you where those expensive cars are now.

My car is ready at the body shop and we are going back....this weekend! And staying onsite at the Portofino Bay Hotel. We are beyond excited to have early access(7:00) and FOTL passes.

OHHHH....I am so jealous! Have a butter beer for me! And drive home safely! I would love to see the Portofino! I want a trip report or at least a hotel report!

We were there 2 days before Christmas and had them and crowds were insane. If I had to guess, it was probably just the week between the two holidays. (Sorry Tammie!!!) So unless your ressie is ON Thanksgiving day... you should be good! But that's just my thoughts!


I AM STICKING MY TONGUE OUT AT YOU ASH!

I love DTD. Eeek about those "tourists" and eek about the almost Lego meltdown. I hate that store. I don't think I'll tell Buddy and Alexa about it...

I will not get Buddy past Disney Quest. We shall see if that will be the one date night I'm planning or not. I'm still kind of iffy on using a sitter through Disney. I need to see if I can find some threads about it.


DONT GO ON THE WEST SIDE THEN...not really anything down there to draw you anyway....

Can't wait to see where you ADR is next. Im bad and can't remember from your PTR and am too lazy to go look! You might max out pages on this TR

Is there a page limit on TR's?

 

[partyof2]

Oh no now I want to eat breakfast at Crystal Palace! I didn't realise they had special items. I wish I was keeping track of how many times my ADR wishlist had been tweaked.

I hate when servers blatantly ask about their tip, makes me feel really uncomfortable. You'll get your money buddy, cool your jets.

I especially hate when they pick up your cash and say, "I'll just get your change", but what they actually mean is, "Is this all for me!?"

 

[momabaarjo]

Oh no now I want to eat breakfast at Crystal Palace! I didn't realise they had special items. I wish I was keeping track of how many times my ADR wishlist had been tweaked.

I hate when servers blatantly ask about their tip, makes me feel really uncomfortable. You'll get your money buddy, cool your jets.

I especially hate when they pick up your cash and say, "I'll just get your change", but what they actually mean is, "Is this all for me!?"

I am a very good tipper, especially if the service is good! I have been a server, so I know how hard you work and I reward for it...I have been known to leave HUGE tips when the service deserves it! But at a buffet when all you need to do is clear plates and bring drinks...But when you have attitude well...lets just say we did nothing to get the kind of service he gave us. All I can think of was Jeff went to the bathroom with Goo as we were being seated and he did not like that I could not order their drinks. I watched and he was not nice with anyone...I did leave him about 10%...which is standard for a buffet...no way was he getting the 20%...now at other buffets we ate at they got 20%...


If I know about all the special food items at the different restuarants...what does that say about me?

 

[lilpixiebabe101]

Is there a page limit on TR's?

Well I didn't shift your responses inside my response.

Don't stick your tongue out at me! Lol I told we should make an ADR just for Zeppolis!

Haha about not going to the West Side.. Do you think I could not go to the Disney Store?!?! Plus I want to to the EoS.. Maybe I'll do my shopping before they get there So all we will have to do is go to Disney Quest .... hmmm.

And es! There is... I think its 200? lol!

If I know about all the special food items at the different restuarants...what does that say about me?

We all do! Means we will all be fat and happy when we come back from Disney!

 

[momabaarjo]

Smile and Enjoy, This is Fantasyland​

Still waiting for our bill from Ted, Tigger appears and begins making his way around the last few tables on our side of the Crystal Palace but looking at my watch there is no way we are going to make it to Fantasyland before rope drop, looks like we will be waiting for Dumbo instead of Dumbo waiting on us. Sigh…but who can be grumpy when a bouncing Tigger appears at your table and Goo is excited to ask to bounce with him.

After the bouncing is over, Ted finally comes with our bill and I leave not much of a tip. His attitude was just too unmagical, he gets the 10% for a buffet because he did keep my water glass full and for the most part the dirty dishes cleared. I am not going to let him ruin the morning and before we know it we are walking through the castle and then entering into Fantasyland on a mission to get to Dumbo. Of course, the park has now been open for 15 minutes and a line has already formed, but the wait time should not throw us too much off schedule, which the plan for the morning is to do Fantasyland by early afternoon. I send Jeff with the kids to Dumbo while I head over to get Fast passes for Pooh (for which I also get a bonus Philharmonic Fast Pass, good all day) and then meet them in line. The kids are not too excited about riding Dumbo, but this is Fantasyland and where it all began with the classic Disney characters, so smile and enjoy the ride (which will be the theme most of the morning). Boo and I get into 1 Dumbo, while Jeff and the other 2 load in a couple Dumbos behind us and after about a 20 minute wait we are flying with Dumbo and getting a peek into the new Fantasyland Expansion.

After exiting Dumbo, our next attraction is Snow White.

I explain to the kids that they are lucky because in a month or so this attraction will be gone forever, another classic being modernized…which gives me mixed feelings. The kids were not impressed with Snow White, but again smile and enjoy because we experienced something that the man himself designed. Looking at my fast pass times, we know can use Pooh and pick up another fast pass so I head the family in the direction of Peter Pan to get more fast passes and to ride Small World before heading back to Pooh. Once we enter into Small World

Boo begins groaning, but I remind him that smile and enjoy the ride is our theme! Well once we actually get onto the barges and enter into Small World he decides to display his acting skills, but luckily they are silent and in good fun!

I know it is a pretty cheesy ride, but still something you have to do when at the Magic Kingdom, right? After unloading, it is back to Pooh but before we get to Pooh we find that the caraseol is now running with no line and the kids want to ride.

Afterwards, they all give a try at removing the sword from the stone, without any luck.

Then it is off to Pooh to use our fast passes, and for the first time, I regret picking up a fast pass because the new stand by line is so cool and totally interactive, even Ab and Boo are interested in taking part of all the activities.

Oh well, maybe when we come back to MK later in the week. After riding Pooh, we head towards the Tea Cups

where we send the boys to ride on their own because neither Jeff or I do spinning, and well Ab has spotted a character she wants to meet. The boys come back immediately and tell us they have to have someone over 14 ride with them…great, who is that going to be?

 

[momabaarjo]

Well I didn't shift your responses inside my response.

Don't stick your tongue out at me! Lol I told we should make an ADR just for Zeppolis!

I plan too...and if no one goes with me, too bad for them!

Haha about not going to the West Side.. Do you think I could not go to the Disney Store?!?! Plus I want to to the EoS.. Maybe I'll do my shopping before they get there So all we will have to do is go to Disney Quest .... hmmm.

The Disney at EoS are on the opposite end of DTD from Disney Quest...hmmm, maybe you could just avoid DTD when the family gets there...I am not too big on the Disney Store, although I think you need to do BBB with Alexa!

And es! There is... I think its 200? lol!

I doubt I get to 200 pages...we only have 5 more days to get through!



We all do! Means we will all be fat and happy when we come back from Disney!

Fat, but not happy...but sure enjoyed all the treats!

 

[lovethattink]

Ted was a bummer, but glad you got to see Tigger before leaving! Loving the pictures!

 

[Nalshersmom]

I love the pics with almost nobody else there. How early did they let you in? The earliest we could get for the BBB was 8:40, and I would love to have some pics like those. We also just bought photopass +! CP looks pretty fun, but there is no way I can squeeze in another ADR, so maybe next time.
I can't wait to see where ya'll go next!
Amy

 

[natebenma]

Wow, simply amazing photos from an empty Main Street.

Love the magic shots, the one with the partners and the 3 kids in an (almost) empty plaza in front of the castle.

We have never dined at the Crystal Palace for breakfast, but getting a pre-opening meal there is on my bucket list. The food looks yummy!!!

We did have a lunch there, and had the same issue with Tigger. He never made it to our table and then the characters broke for the parade. We left before the characters started up again.

The picture you have of the 3 kids with Tigger is totally worth it, though.

Sorry to hear you had crappy service. There is really no need for that!

Sounds like it has been a successful morning hitting the classics!

 

[momabaarjo]

Ted was a bummer, but glad you got to see Tigger before leaving! Loving the pictures!

I love the pics with almost nobody else there. How early did they let you in?

Our ADR was at 8:05 am (park opened at 9 am) and they let us in about 7:45 am! It was so totally worth it...

The earliest we could get for the BBB was 8:40, and I would love to have some pics like those. We also just bought photopass +! CP looks pretty fun, but there is no way I can squeeze in another ADR, so maybe next time.
I can't wait to see where ya'll go next!
Amy

Warn your family about photopass and tell them you will be stopping every chance you get!

Wow, simply amazing photos from an empty Main Street.

Love the magic shots, the one with the partners and the 3 kids in an (almost) empty plaza in front of the castle.

I know a few stray people always seem to make it into the shot, but for the most part it was perfectly empty!

We have never dined at the Crystal Palace for breakfast, but getting a pre-opening meal there is on my bucket list. The food looks yummy!!!

The breakfast was really good and so worth it!

We did have a lunch there, and had the same issue with Tigger. He never made it to our table and then the characters broke for the parade. We left before the characters started up again.

I have heard the same thing on several threads about Tigger...you would think that they would do something about it...

The picture you have of the 3 kids with Tigger is totally worth it, though.

Goo wanted to bounce with Tigger....I have a great video of the 2 of them bouncing together!

Sorry to hear you had crappy service. There is really no need for that!

Let's just say the the crappiest meal and service is about to take place later on this day... even worse than Margaritaville!

Sounds like it has been a successful morning hitting the classics!

Yep, touring plan....check!

 

[annmarieda]

I can't seem to keep up with dis very well these days. I am so glad you got to your prerope drop ADR at Cp! Too bad your server kinda sucked. I probably would have left a small tip too. I like your ole and enjoy the ride mantra for the day. I think with older kids, you really do have to have hat whole in fantasyland.

Limit on pages I think is 250... At least in some threAds maybe trip reports as less?

Small world in MK is not one of my favorites, but it is a must do for dh. Not sure why... I can skip but he can't .. Go figure

Love the scrapbook pages!

 

[stepdisney]

What a wonderful trip report. I know it may seem like you are doing a "commando" but your aren't. you and your family really enjoyed all of the shops and things that make WDW more than just an amusement park.

 

[lilpixiebabe101]

Fat, but not happy...but sure enjoyed all the treats!

I know that EoS/The World of Disney Store are the opposite end from Disney Quest! That's what I was implying! Was that I could do the Marketplace of DtD without them and only go to the Westside with them for Disney Quest! hehe!

Limit on pages I think is 250... At least in some threAds maybe trip reports as less?

Small world in MK is not one of my favorites, but it is a must do for dh. Not sure why... I can skip but he can't .. Go figure

Love the scrapbook pages!

I was picking on her about how many pages in she is already