A Smile in my Heart–Magical Week of Friends,Fun & Freezing-10/28-COMPLETE!

[mom2mek]

Well, i meant fast for *you*, obviously

Maybe it's because i read it all at once...

Well, I have tried unsuccessfully for the last two hours (well....as I watching Idol and LOST) to post my next installment and I keep running into troubles. I'm gonna try again. Ugh!

Sara

 

[mom2mek]

Saturday, February 6 - Arrival Day continued...Dining with some dinos!!


We were planning on just driving down to Downtown Disney, but as expected, the kids were not too keen on getting back in the car after being in it for so long already. I decided to take them on the bus and Shawn was going to drive the Tahoe so that on our way back, we could make a quick stop by a grocery store for a few cold items. (I debated about doing a garden grocer order this time and decided against it as it didn’t seem that we had enough to warrant a whole order and fee, but I will go ahead and tell you now - this was a mistake! I should have just done the GG order).

So we split up – Shawn to the parking lot; the kids and I to the bus stop!

Where we proceeded to wait.

My first glimpse into the coming week’s inpatience exhibited by my oldest was seen right here at this lovely little bus stop. While my girls entertained themselves with laying on the benches and taking pictures with my camera and my cell phone, Michael proceeded to start in with the whining…..

“When is the bus going to be here”? “ How long is this gonna take”?

Ugh.

I assured him that we had not been waiting for THAT long, and that a bus would be along any minute. Sure enough – one came along in a few minutes.

For Animal Kingdom.

“Why can’t we just get on that one”? “Won’t it go to Downtown Disney too”?

Dear, dear, clueless child.

Then another bus came.

For The Studios.

Fabulous.

More inpatience. More whining.

Finally, by the grace of God, one for DTD came along and we got on it, along with a couple of other people. Another few minutes, and my son would have been tied up and left at the bus stop!! I kid. I kid. Well, sort of.

By this point, I knew we would be late for Trex, but felt fairly confident that Shawn would make it in time and had told him to go ahead and check us in. That is, if he didn’t get lost. Our GPS had not been very consistently reliable thus far.

On the bus ride over, I got a text from one of my friends (a bunch of them were together at DTD and then heading to AK) that they were waiting at the DTD bus stop! How funny! Maybe we would be able to say hello if our bus got there before they got on to theirs. Well, no can do. A few seconds later, she texted me back. “Bus just pulled up”. We were like ships passing in the night. Oh well….we were meeting up later at the Poly beach to watch Wishes…it just would have been nice to have seen them. Maybe it was a blessing in disguise, as my kids would have probably picked going to AK for the afternoon over lunch at Trex and some shopping.

The kids were a bit wild on the bus, but after a few maternal scoldings, they returned to somewhat normal behavior. When we got to the Marketplace, we got off the bus and that’s when I realized that I had probably just made my first mistake of the trip.

I’m pretty sure if we had stayed on the bus it would have stopped next at the bus stop that is right next to Trex. Well, craptacular! Now I had to hoof it over with all 3 kids walking as fast as their little legs could walk halfway across Downtown Disney to get to Trex.

Did I mention I had high-heeled boots on? Yes, I was THAT woman. Now, I would never think to wear shoes like that into a theme park (and believe me, I saw many over the course of that week), but I thought lunch and a little leisurely walking around DTD would be fine and like I said earlier, I had not unpacked my own stuff in our room yet. So consequently, I was wearing the same shoes that I had worn to work the previous day and then again for traveling. DOH!

Shawn called me to tell me that they had seated him even though we weren’t all there yet and that he was in the Ice Age section and had ordered himself a drink. Yay Shawn!

We made it to the restaurant about 10 minutes late and to be honest, I was grateful we were running late as it kept the kids from seeing the gift shop! That place looked very cool and I’m sure we would have spent a pretty penny in there had they had more time to notice! Score one for tardiness!

We made our way back to the Ice Age section and the dimly lit area, and through squinted eyes I could see Shawn waiting for us back in the Ice Age section.

I knew right away that I wanted to try the cotton-tini! It did not disappoint! I loved it! I didn't have a chance to snap a picture when the glass just had the cotton candy in it, as the waitresss just immediately went into the pouring of the drink over the cotton candy. Here it is afterwards. Plus, I got to keep the shaker! Woo-hoo!!

Shawn tried it and immediately made that ‘yuck-this-is-too-sweet’ face, but what do you expect from the man who drinks dirty martinis. Blech.

At least I knew he wouldn’t keep sneaking sips of my drink, right?

Continued in the next post....

 

[mom2mek]

Continued from previous post....

We ordered the Colosso Nachos for an appetizer and they were fabulous!!

While we were waiting for food, Shawn let Michael take the girls and walk around the restaurant with my camera to take pictures and come right back to the table. I was surprised at how fast they were back. The place looks really huge, but it really isn’t THAT big!

They were back pretty quickly!

Emily took this picture of Shawn:

And then this one of Shawn and Katie:

For our meals, Shawn ordered the Mega Mess-o-Bones…otherwise known as “the ribs”, and I had the Omnivore’s Delight Salad (with Chicken). Shawn said his was good and I enjoyed mine. Honestly though, I would have been just fine with an order of those nachos and a dessert. But I had to go all “healthy and what not” and order up green food! LOL!

The kids had standard kid stuff – Michael had dino-nuggets and waffle fries and the girls both had Rocksy’s Pasta – Emily had hers with alfredo sauce, and Katie had hers with just butter.

They didn’t say much, but apparently, it was fine as they ate at least half of it. My kids are so adventurous!

A strange thing happened at the end of the meal though. Emily was still wearing her birthday button that she got when we checked in at the Poly. Michael took his off (he didn’t really wear it too often, but when he didn’t and Emily got lots of attention, he would be sad and then he would wear it the next time we went somewhere….geez, that kid!)

Anyway, the waitress asked if we wanted dessert and we didn’t, so we said no, but then a few minutes later she brought out a plate with a single candle on it.

Just a plate with a candle.

OK.

She lit the candle and we all sang Happy Birthday to Emily, and then Emily looked at me and reluctantly blew out the candle. She was as confused as we were. The waitress leaned in and said that she didn’t want to bring out a dessert and then the other kids not have anything. Weird. I’m not trying to sound ungrateful or anything, I mean, afterall, we were too full to eat dessert anyway, and it was a nice gesture, but I don’t think bringing out a cup of ice cream or something small like that would have been bad, and the kids probably would have shared it anyway. I just thought it was a bit strange. I think Emily was a bit underwhelmed since on our last trip to Disney, Katie was celebrating her birthday and was showered with special treats at most places – and never once did CMs think it was mean to bring it out to her and not to the others. Anyway, we smiled and let her blow out her “plate” and she giggled at her "celebration"!

Then we rolled ourselves out of Trex!

I would definitely eat here again – the atmosphere is great (yes, it's loud, but other than the meteor shower it's not so loud that you can't enjoy yourself), and the food is good. It is pricey, especially at lunch since they don't have a seperate lunch menu, but the portions are fairly large, so it's definitely a great place to split entrees. I would certainly go back for those nachos and another cotton-tini! Yum!!

Again, the kids didn’t notice the ginormous gift shop or build-a-dino as we were leaving, thank goodness! They were too interested in all the other places we had zoomed on by on our mad dash across DTD to get to our reservation!

Legos were on Michael’s mind, and the Princess store was on the girl’s agenda. I had a little date with Goofy in store for me. We decided to divide and conquer!!

Sara

 

[Señor DonDuck]

Sounds like quite an adventure getting to T-Rex. Me thinks the drink was well deserved.

 

[*dreamit*doit*]

Wow! I was behind two updates!

Ok, so I am going to have to remember your room number - when we ever do make it to stay at the POLY...I'm requesting that room!!

I love Katie's Marie sunglasses - we have a pair just like 'em! (and the same style in Ariel and Tinkerbell...)

TRex is so much fun! We had dinner there last summer - then I was sick the next day I'm not sure if it was something I ate or not - nobody else got sick so it could have been anything - I will definitely give it another chance. The Ice Age section is so cool!

 

[mkluvsmickey]

All caught up once again! Love your room at the Polynesian! I'm not sure I'd ever want to leave it.

I can't believe that we missed you by five minutes at DTD. Probably for the best though like you said, I'm sure your kids would have wanted to stay and hang out with Monica's kids.

Great T-Rex pictures too. Strange to think we were eating there a couple of hours before you. The ice age room looks really neat. So strange about the candle on the plate thing though. I would have wondered if I was on candid camera.

Can't wait for more!

 

[mom2mek]

Sounds like quite an adventure getting to T-Rex. Me thinks the drink was well deserved.

Ha - yes, I thought so too! It was well enjoyed as well! Delicious!

Wow! I was behind two updates!

Ok, so I am going to have to remember your room number - when we ever do make it to stay at the POLY...I'm requesting that room!!

I love Katie's Marie sunglasses - we have a pair just like 'em! (and the same style in Ariel and Tinkerbell...)

TRex is so much fun! We had dinner there last summer - then I was sick the next day I'm not sure if it was something I ate or not - nobody else got sick so it could have been anything - I will definitely give it another chance. The Ice Age section is so cool!

Oh man - it sucks getting sick at Disney! We had a whole trip where we all got sick (12 of us)! It was not pretty! Glad no one else got it in your group. It's hard NOT to relate getting sick to the place where you ate right before though. Maybe after a while you can give it a go again!

All caught up once again! Love your room at the Polynesian! I'm not sure I'd ever want to leave it.

I can't believe that we missed you by five minutes at DTD. Probably for the best though like you said, I'm sure your kids would have wanted to stay and hang out with Monica's kids.

Great T-Rex pictures too. Strange to think we were eating there a couple of hours before you. The ice age room looks really neat. So strange about the candle on the plate thing though. I would have wondered if I was on candid camera.

Can't wait for more!

LOL Michelle - the plate candle was very strange. Emily looked very perplexed! What 6 year old girl wouldn't be, right?

Ahh...the room at the Poly was great! I was so happy!

I can't believe we missed you guys by so little!

Sara

 

[martinolichfamily]

Great update!
Great view from your room @ Poly!
How funny...a plate w/a candle....hmmmm.....
We also loved TRex! It may become a repeat this next trip...it was fun! Kids loved it!

 

[BippityBoo]

LOVE both of your new updates!!! Your room at the Poly is AMAZING! The view is just awesome! I always get a little anxiety when we check in...waiting for the woman to tell me where our room is!

The kids look adorable in their matching shirts!!! Love the new TRex Restaurant! Looks so cool. Cottontini is so creative! And yes---I think that is really strange to bring a candle on a plate... I dont think I would be so lucky with the gift shop as my daughter can sniff a build-a-bear from miles away! Can't wait for more!

 

[Cory's Gal]

Sara, those nachos look so yummy!!!! And I too think the candle on the plate looked a little strange...hmmm...

Great picture update and glad to see you liked T-Rex! We have thought about adding that one to our trip so it was great seeing the scenery and the food!! One of my stops in DTD includes Goofy as well!!!

 

[Avojeo]

Great update!! That is odd about the plate with the candle. How in the world did it stand up on its own? About that drink, now that look VERY YUMMY!!! Is T-Rex the only place you can get that? I will be going again in May and I am already lining up my drinks to be tried on this trip.

 

[reyasmommy]

Great update!

So do you think you can hurry up and finish your whole TR before I leave tomorrow??! I would really appreciate it!! J/k!

I really wanted to go to TREX for our trip, but haven't found any openings for our entire visit. We'll be at DTD tomorrow night and I'm hoping they'll take walk-ins, but I'm not counting on it.

DD's bday is in a couple of weeks and I think I'll get her a bday button too, but I'm worried that the other kids will get jealous if Reya gets a bunch of extra attention. But technically this trip is considered her birthday present, so I don't know what to do.

When we went to DLR for her birthday, she didn't get any special attention just a bunch of "happy birthday's" ... Sounds like they do more at WDW.

 

[hlrababy]

Hey!! I just joined your TR and I am gonna have to catch up!!!!

 

[mom2mek]

Great update!
Great view from your room @ Poly!
How funny...a plate w/a candle....hmmmm.....
We also loved TRex! It may become a repeat this next trip...it was fun! Kids loved it!

Thanks! Yeah, the plate "cake" was a bit odd....
Trex is a fun place!!

LOVE both of your new updates!!! Your room at the Poly is AMAZING! The view is just awesome! I always get a little anxiety when we check in...waiting for the woman to tell me where our room is!

The kids look adorable in their matching shirts!!! Love the new TRex Restaurant! Looks so cool. Cottontini is so creative! And yes---I think that is really strange to bring a candle on a plate... I dont think I would be so lucky with the gift shop as my daughter can sniff a build-a-bear from miles away! Can't wait for more!

Yeah, I'm still a little shocked that they didn't realize that build-a-dino was there! I was very good at diverting their eyes!! I wasn't so lucky with the rest of the stores though!

Sara, those nachos look so yummy!!!! And I too think the candle on the plate looked a little strange...hmmm...

Great picture update and glad to see you liked T-Rex! We have thought about adding that one to our trip so it was great seeing the scenery and the food!! One of my stops in DTD includes Goofy as well!!!

Yeah, we enjoyed the Trex place - it was fun for the kids and the food was good. Just might want to keep in mind to split something (or just get the nachos - YUM) The portions and prices are large for lunch!

Great update!! That is odd about the plate with the candle. How in the world did it stand up on its own? About that drink, now that look VERY YUMMY!!! Is T-Rex the only place you can get that? I will be going again in May and I am already lining up my drinks to be tried on this trip.

It's funny, I don't really know how it was standing on its own. I was too bumfuzzled by the whole thing to really notice! If you like cosmos, the cottontini is very similar (more sweet though....) I'm not sure if they have cottontinis anywhere else. But Trex has just a bar, if you just wanted to go get a drink and not make an ADR!

Great update!

So do you think you can hurry up and finish your whole TR before I leave tomorrow??! I would really appreciate it!! J/k!

I really wanted to go to TREX for our trip, but haven't found any openings for our entire visit. We'll be at DTD tomorrow night and I'm hoping they'll take walk-ins, but I'm not counting on it.

DD's bday is in a couple of weeks and I think I'll get her a bday button too, but I'm worried that the other kids will get jealous if Reya gets a bunch of extra attention. But technically this trip is considered her birthday present, so I don't know what to do.

When we went to DLR for her birthday, she didn't get any special attention just a bunch of "happy birthday's" ... Sounds like they do more at WDW.

I am so jealous you will be there tomorrow!! You can always try going at an "off" time and see if you can get in. When do you arrive, again? Are you going straight there after you get to Disney? When we went in 2008 on my youngest daughter's actual birthday week, she got extra attention at some places and other places it was just lots of well wishes. The other two didn't seem to mind too much, but it was part of the reason why going at this time of year worked out - I thought they could have a chance to have some special attention too!

LOL - finish this by tomorrow??? Picking myself up off the floor now....

Hey!! I just joined your TR and I am gonna have to catch up!!!!

Welcome Heather! Glad you are here!

Sara

 

[cdotla]

Great update! Likin' those t-Rex photos. The pics of the nachos alone have me rethinking possibly adding it to our plans!

 

[mom2mek]

Great update! Likin' those t-Rex photos. The pics of the nachos alone have me rethinking possibly adding it to our plans!

The nachos are worth a visit! They were really good!

Sara

 

[mom2mek]

Saturday, February 6th - Arrival Day continued...Time to get our shop on!!

First stop (even for us girls) was the Lego store since it was right next door to Trex.

The girls and I made a hasty retreat after oh….. about 30 seconds or so and headed over to the World Of Disney. The boys hung out for a while and raced some lego cars outside and looked around at the displays.

If you noticed in the pictures, the kids all had their fanny packs with spending money loaded up and they were ready to blow some of it even though it was just our first day! So, who am I to stop them, right?

Into the stores we go!!!

Katie picked out a Tinkerbell dress up doll playset - you know...those little plastic dolls with the different squishy outfits that no child can actually take on and off themselves?? Looked like this:

Then she decided she wanted the princess set of the same kind (even though we already have it). Then I saw the Minnie Mouse set and tried to convince her to get that one as I had never seen it before. Nope. She went back to wanting the Tinkerbell set. Then she wanted a Prince set….just the men! LOL! Never did find one of those, thank goodness! Then she went back to the Tinkerbell set again. Decision made.

I also picked her up some Princess Tiana gloves to go with her costume she would be wearing for the BBB. That one was my treat as it was part of her “costume”! Emily decided that she really wanted a visor to wear instead of some sunglasses! She picked out a very cute Minnie Mouse visor. You will be seeing it in almost every picture from here on out!

She also decided to start a charm bracelet. She saw them and was interested in them, and then I just mentioned that she could add to it, with charms from special events that she does (or from each trip). Well what child doesn’t like to start a collection? She was all on board with that. She got the bracelet and a Marie charm to start herself off. Then I bought her some Minnie Mouse ears to get embroidered later.

(Katie wasn't interested in the ears here...she wanted to keep looking...sigh)

With those things purchased we set out to try on some goofy hats!

After a while it was time to find the guys! We made our way outside and met up with them in front of the stage where some cute little girls were performing a dance routine. We started towards Goofy’s as I really wanted to get some Make-Your-Own-Treats at the beginning of the trip so I could nibble on them all week. Katie was growing very tired at that point and she was getting cold so she didn’t really want to go anywhere else. So Shawn took her to go sit down on a bench and Michael, Emily, and I ventured into Goofy’s! Woo-hoo!!!

We filled out our little forms and they started to work on them right away! I got the 3 pretzels, covered in milk chocolate, dipped in reeses peanut butter cups, and drizzled with more milk chocolate. Both kids got chocolate dipped marshmallows (Michael got white chocolate – Emily got milk) covered in rainbow sprinkles and you should have seen their EYES when they saw how they immersed them into the sprinkles tub! Hilarious!! We also got some for Katie (marshmallows) and a Mickey Rice Krispy treat with milk chocolate, and mini M&Ms on it for all of us!

While we were waiting for them to finish we went over to the Goofy’s Glaciers area and made use of our first snack credits with slushies for the kids and a cappuccino for me! Sadly, and I don’t know why, I took no pictures while we were in Goofy’s. Weird.

Meanwhile, Shawn took Katie on the carousel outside in the courtyard at DTD. First ride of the trip! LOL! She had a blast and Shawn got some great shots of her having fun! She perked up after that!

Then they joined us in Goofy’s where Katie promptly decided that she didn’t want the marshmallows – she wanted cotton candy. Oh well…guess I could be forced to eat them during the week!


After all was said and done, we made our exit from Goofy’s and took the walk back to where Shawn had parked the car. By then it had gotten pretty cold and the kids didn’t want to carry their freezing cold slushies. I wrapped them up with napkins to keep the cold to a minimum and told them to “make it work!” LOL!

We walked the country mile to get to where he had parked the car (I thought he said it was close….phew….really hating those high-heeled boots now) and we gathered up our loot and made our way back out of the parking lot and towards the Poly.

Or so we thought.

Up next...getting lost, finding friends, losing something....

Sara

 

[mom2mek]

I forgot to put this picture in and I really love it, so I'm just posting it here since I was already at my 25 limit on the previous post. Cool, right?

Sara

 

[dawnandnala]

I forgot to put this picture in and I really love it, so I'm just posting it here since I was already at my 25 limit on the previous post. Cool, right?

Sara

VERY COOL! Lovin' your trip report too!

 

[mkluvsmickey]

You're on a roll girlie! Loved this update as usual. It looks like we followed the exact same path at DTD, just a few hours apart. Love that you got your kids in some great crazy hat pictures. When we got our Goofy's treats we all sat outside and ate them right away. I thought the kids would eat a few bites and we'd be on our way, but no, they ate the whole thing!