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

[kaysmommie]

Great update Sara. How what a yucky day it looked like in your pictures. I love all the PP pics by the castle and the ones of the statues too. I forgot LTT was doing a breakfast with characters while CP was closed. I used to love back when they had characters for dinner! Chip and Dale are favorites too. That breakfast sounds yummy, especially the chocolate croissant. I love the kids pics with the characters too, so cute!

 

[mermaid764]

Wow LTT looks like an amazing restaurant, too bad the breakfast was only temporary cause it sounds awesome.

I love Minnie in her colonial dress...too cute.

And how fun that they made such a big deal out of your kids birthdays...what a special moment for them

 

[mom2mek]

Oh man, I really want to try LTT for breakfast now. So sad that is not an option. I just love the characters in their colonial outfits, and Chip & Dale are always so much fun! I also love the family style meals.

We ate at LTT for the first time last October for dinner. It was a spur of the minute thing and we were able to walk right in. I did love the atmosphere in there. Dinner is the standard Thanksgiving food, which was good, but I'd love to try the lunch someday. I sure wish they'd bring back the characters!

I would love to do dinner or lunch at LTT next time. Especially if we are ever back there for the holidays. Perfect place!

Oh I loved this update. Chip and Dale are Danielle's favorite. They're so fun and such trouble makers. You really did have the best character interaction. Breakfast sounded great too. The kids look so happy. I love that Michael played along and your Mom and Pop Pop did too. I hope someone went back and fixed the salt shakers. That does make me a little nervous.

Yes, they are! I don't think we have ever run into a "Chip" or a "Dale" that wasn't very mischievious! LOL about the salt shakers - I doubt they actually were able to twist them with those big paws - but they certainly played the part that's for sure!

That breakfast sounds terrific! I wish they still did it. We would love to do that one on our next visit!

Yes, I wish it was standard too! It was a lovely breakfast!

Great update Sara. How what a yucky day it looked like in your pictures. I love all the PP pics by the castle and the ones of the statues too. I forgot LTT was doing a breakfast with characters while CP was closed. I used to love back when they had characters for dinner! Chip and Dale are favorites too. That breakfast sounds yummy, especially the chocolate croissant. I love the kids pics with the characters too, so cute!

Thanks Nichole! Oh the weather does not improve, unfortunately. We made the best of it though! The chocolate croissants at LTT were excellent - wish it was a regular offering!

Wow LTT looks like an amazing restaurant, too bad the breakfast was only temporary cause it sounds awesome.

I love Minnie in her colonial dress...too cute.

And how fun that they made such a big deal out of your kids birthdays...what a special moment for them

Yes, the kids enjoyed that they rang a big bell and "announced" their birthdays in the restaurant - very fun!

Sara

 

[HeyIt'sMe]

...
After our cold walk up Main St, the Liberty Tree Tavern was like walking into your warm and welcoming grandmother’s house just in time for a hearty breakfast. The restaurant itself is very cute and homey.
...
A few moments later , the waitress brought around the fruit bowl and the breads. It was so refreshing to have a fruit bowl that wasn’t filled with melon (not that I mind melon, it was just a nice change). This one was filled with strawberries, apple slices, and blueberries and it was very tasty.
...

Sara ~

We love LTT and eat there for lunch every trip. Your description of it is perfect -it IS cute and homey!

Hey, did you notice the fruit in the fruit salad represented red, white and blue? How cool is that?

Debbie

 

[mom2mek]

Sara ~

We love LTT and eat there for lunch every trip. Your description of it is perfect -it IS cute and homey!

Hey, did you notice the fruit in the fruit salad represented red, white and blue? How cool is that?

Debbie

That's so funny, Debbie, because when we were there I don't think I really noticed, but when I was looking back at the pictures and saw one with the fruit in it I realized that it was probably done for that reason! Disney and their attention to detail!

Sara

 

[laashley]

Liberty Tree Tavern sounds so yummy. Really is too bad they don't offer it usually. We have never had a character meal with Chip and Dale, they sure seem like big fun!

Great photopass pictures in front of the castle. Yes, it looks a bit gloomy, but atleast it wasn't pouring.

Looking forward to seeing how you made the best of a not so perfect weather day. And good thinking on the stroller cover!

 

[mom2mek]

Liberty Tree Tavern sounds so yummy. Really is too bad they don't offer it usually. We have never had a character meal with Chip and Dale, they sure seem like big fun!

Great photopass pictures in front of the castle. Yes, it looks a bit gloomy, but atleast it wasn't pouring.

Looking forward to seeing how you made the best of a not so perfect weather day. And good thinking on the stroller cover!

Chip and Dale are always fun!! You should try to catch them at Garden Grill for dinner (they stopped doing the characters at lunch time) - we love it there!

Nope, wasn't pouring, thank goodness!


....Yet.....



Sara

 

[mom2mek]

Day 6 – February 12, 2010
Magic Kingdom
Chapter 3

If you recall from the other night, we rode Thunder Mountain after Spectro, but Katie missed out since she had fallen asleep in the stroller right before the parade. Her two favorite rides are Splash Mountain and Thunder Mountain (she is still an inch shy of riding Space Mountain), and since Splash was closed during our time there (for good reason...brrr) Thunder was her only big "thrill" ride and I didn't want her to miss it. The weather being what it was, I decided during breakfast that if it wasn't raining when we were done, we would head to Frontierland first and attempt to ride before the skies opened and they closed down the ride (or it was just not enjoyable to get on it).

It was shortly after 9:00 when we left Liberty Tree. No real crowds whatsoever on our way over, and we took our time strolling down the wooden walkway down by the water. I love how you can notice things when it is quiet in the park. Things like how the music changes from one land to the next. I adore Frontierland and always feel like the scenery is taken straight out of an old John Wayne western!

The only thing that was worrying me was the constant threat of a cold downpour!

The guys sat this one out - guess their breakfast was sitting a little too heavy in their guts to hop on the wildest ride in the wilderness. So Mom and I jumped in the non-existent line with the kids and within a minute or two we were hopping on board! Michael rode by himself, I rode with Katie, and Mom rode with Emily.

(sorry about the scary eyes)

(Katie is such a goofball)

Shawn set himself up to take a few pictures as we passed by.

(There we go....Michael by himself, me and Katie behind him, and Mom and Emily behind us)

[

As we rushed off the ride, giddy with excitement, the girls wanted to ride again. Michael was good to go on with the guys to head to Tomorrowland, so Mom and I took the girls back on for one more ride.

Before leaving, Shawn got a picture of us heading back up to ride again.

We switched up our ride partners this go-around and had another fantastic ride with no wait!

(Again, goofy Katie....)

With two rides on Thunder Mountain under our belt, we headed back towards Liberty Square and then on to Fantasyland. On our way over, we saw this one-legged duck. Poor guy!

In Liberty Square, the girls misbehaved and got put in the stocks!

At this point, I'm not really sure what the guys did. I've got Shawn's pictures to go by, so I will post those and we can all guess! I'm pretty sure they went towards Space Mountain to ride and/or fastpass, and along the way stopped to enjoy some castle scenery.

The WDW horses are SO beautiful!

And low and behold, guess who they saw headed to Toontown (we can assume) as they were arriving???

They carried on into Tomorrowland, but Shawn took a few more pictures of the castle before leaving the hub.

(I love this one…the grass is so green and lush….the park is empty, and the castle looks so magical)


On the way over the bridge, Michael and Pop Pop stopped to make a wish.

I absolutely TREASURE this photo and am SO thankful to Shawn for capturing such a sweet moment!


There it goes! Wonder what he wished for?

Next stop….

Up next....the girls side of the story and we think WE are cold???


Sara

 

[mkluvsmickey]

Yay for two rides on BTMRR first thing! I just love that ride. It's neat to see the pics of you guys riding it too.

Love the picture of the horse in front of the castle. And the one of Michael and Pop Pop making a wish is absolutely priceless!

(Am I first this time?? )

 

[mom2mek]

Yay for two rides on BTMRR first thing! I just love that ride. It's neat to see the pics of you guys riding it too.

Love the picture of the horse in front of the castle. And the one of Michael and Pop Pop making a wish is absolutely priceless!

(Am I first this time?? )

LOL...First and only! Surprised everyone with a lunchtime posting so no one is reading it!

I love the picture of Michael and Pop Pop! When I first saw it I didn't realize that it was the exact moment of Michael wishing! SO cute!!

Sara

 

[vamassey1]

Work has been horrible, no time for dissing.

What neat shots Shawn got while y'all were riding. BTMR is a family favorite. The pictures in hub and walking towards Tomorrowland are fabulous. What special memories.

Can't wait to hear what the girls did.

 

[kdevoe]

I'm in!!! Just found your TR yesterday and have read the entire thing (so far). It really seems like you and your family are having a great time. YEA!!!!! Can't wait for another update.

 

[mom2mek]

Work has been horrible, no time for dissing.

What neat shots Shawn got while y'all were riding. BTMR is a family favorite. The pictures in hub and walking towards Tomorrowland are fabulous. What special memories.

Can't wait to hear what the girls did.

Thanks girl! Yeah, work is crazy busy for me right now too. I can usually write up installments at night and if I fall asleep before posting, I try to post during lunch the next day. I'm hoping I will be able to keep updating and get this thing finished...although without another trip to plan right now, it does help pass the "disney" time!

I'm in!!! Just found your TR yesterday and have read the entire thing (so far). It really seems like you and your family are having a great time. YEA!!!!! Can't wait for another update.

Awww...thanks for reading! Welcome...I hope to have more up soon!

Sara

 

[vamassey1]

I'm hoping I will be able to keep updating and get this thing finished...although without another trip to plan right now, it does help pass the "disney" time! Sara

Same thing here. I would fell more urgency if there was another trip in the plans.

 

[KathyRN137]

On the way over the bridge, Michael and Pop Pop stopped to make a wish.

I absolutely TREASURE this photo and am SO thankful to Shawn for capturing such a sweet moment!


There it goes! Wonder what he wished for?

Sara, these are precious!

Way to go, Shawn!


Kathy

 

[mom2mek]

Sara, these are precious!

Way to go, Shawn!


Kathy

Kathy, so glad you are back posting (or have you been back and I just haven't seen??)

I see you are going on a Mom's trip in January! Yay!! SO happy for you!

Still going in June though, right?

Sara

 

[lovebuzzandwoody]

Would be nice if they would keep LTT open for breakfast! Maybe if they get lots of good feedback??? It looked and sounded really wonderful.


I stole the pic of the castle with the gardens in front.


And love, love, love the wishing picture. So sweet!

 

[therussells08]

Your breakfast at LTT sounds amazing! We are eating there for the first time in December. It will be the day after Christmas so I am hoping for some "home cookin"!

I love all of the pics that Shawn takes. That one of Mickey walking is really cool, and the one of the horse in front of the castle! Also, the one of Michael and Pop Pop made me tear up! It's beautiful!

 

[mom2mek]

Would be nice if they would keep LTT open for breakfast! Maybe if they get lots of good feedback??? It looked and sounded really wonderful.


I stole the pic of the castle with the gardens in front.


And love, love, love the wishing picture. So sweet!

Yes, it would be nice to have another option for breakfast in the MK, wouldn't it? Maybe I should write a letter!

Thanks Nicole! Your cruise is getting so close - are you SO excited, or what?

Your breakfast at LTT sounds amazing! We are eating there for the first time in December. It will be the day after Christmas so I am hoping for some "home cookin"!

I love all of the pics that Shawn takes. That one of Mickey walking is really cool, and the one of the horse in front of the castle! Also, the one of Michael and Pop Pop made me tear up! It's beautiful!

What a wonderful place to go the day after Christmas!! It will be perfect!! I love that one of Mickey walking too!! So cute!

Sara

 

[mom2mek]

Day 6 - February 12, 2010
Magic Kingdom
Chapter 4


So, back to the girls....we were heading into Fantasyland and it was about 9:40 I believe. First up, Peter Pan since it only had a 10 minute wait. (Sorry not a lot of pictures for the "girls" side of the story), then we went ahead and took a ride on It's A Small World since we knew the guys would not want to ride (and when I say "guys," I mean Shawn and Michael - Pop Pop would of course). Of course we girls love this ride. We walked right on and enjoyed our ride on this classic "Walt" favorite!

(terrible picture - don't even know why I'm putting it in here)


After Pan and IASW, it was about 10 minutes after 10:00 and the rain had started. It wasn't terrible, just drizzly, but it was a cold drizzle. We decided to head over to the Carousel since that was another one we skipped on our rope drop MK day on Wednesday. Emily searched and searched for Cinderella's horse (she rode it last time so now she knows what to look for) but alas when she started looking, she couldn't find it, and just decided to get on any horse. She was happy though, and of course, Katie was in heaven. She loves the Carousel.

We ran on over to Snow White after the Carousel and took a quick ride with no wait here either. It was about 10:30 and the park was pretty empty still. The cold temps, the rain, and the "green" TGM rating, probably had something to do with that, I'm guessing. We hung out in the gift shop afterwards and did a little "hat" hunting...

As we were leaving, we heard some familiar voices from outside the giftshop.

Some very disgruntled voices.

These ladies were hilarious as usual! We watched a few people in front of us get talked "down to" and eventually it was our turn. I took video with my phone (which I have no idea how to post) and Mom attempted some photos with her phone camera (she has the same quality phone as me). They handed Drizella the autograph book and she yelled "Where's Michael?" when she saw his name in the book. I said he was riding Space Mountain, and she asked "well, why are we signing his book when he didn't even want to meet us?" I explained that all 3 kids were sharing the book and so she reluctantly agreed to sign it.

Anastasia immediately took Emily's jacket off and started turning the arms inside out. She put it back on her so that the princesses wouldn't show and told her that the jacket looked much better that way.

Emily and Katie were really laughing. Then the fireworks that shoot off during the castle stage show went off and Drizella yelled out to the crowd "Don't worry....Cinderella is just cooking again!" Then she said to just us..."I'm sure that explosion means she burned the meatloaf again." It was some great character interaction and after the girls got a couple of pics and their autographs, Lady Tremaine said "We're done with you!" "NEXT!!!!" Oh my word, we were cracking up!

I called to Shawn and let him know that we were heading over to see if we could get a picture with Ariel and after my pitiful pictures with the step-family, I was wondering if he could meet us over there with his camera so we would at least get some good shots with the mermaid. He said they would be over in a few and would meet us there.

For the most part, this is what the boys did while we rode Peter Pan, Small World, Carousel, Snow White, and met the step-family. They wandered into Tomorrowland and rode Stitch (yuck) and when they came out it was raining so they hid under an awning (or stepped into a CS place they couldn't remember - I can only assume Cosmic Ray's) and had some nachos and something else while waiting for it to stop. It didn't, so they rode Buzz twice (Shawn getting his highest score ever at 450,000 or something), and he took this picture to "prove" it:

I told him that his picture didn't "prove" anything!


They looked around in the gift shop, and then they rode the People Mover, and grabbed fastpasses for Space Mountain.

Then they made their way back across the hub to meet us at Ariel's Grotto.

About 5 minutes till 11:00! I have never noticed the gargoyles on the sides of the castle...pretty cool!

A little black and white effect of the back side of the castle...

The line for Ariel was fairly short, (or so we thought), and we had never seen her before or gotten her autograph so we took our opportunity and hopped in line. Unfortunately, the rain was really coming down and we were getting really cold. We really had no idea just how slow that line moves.....

One point of frustration for me was that a group in front of us was standing under the umbrella and refusing to move up in the line. Now I know we were ALL cold and wet (including them), but they were leaving a large gap between them and the people in front of them, and to be honest, doesn't everyone get a turn under the umbrella? As soon as the group WAY in front of them moved up enough so that they could be under another shelter, they moved. They saw I had two kids with me and there were more kids lined up behind us, so it just bothered me that they spent a good 10 minutes waiting under the umbrella and not moving the line along and giving everyone a chance underneath it. By the time they moved, we had to just keep walking so that the line wasn't looking longer than it really was, so we didn't even get any time under the umbrella. Oh well, Mom and I had our ponchos and the girls had hoods on their jacket dresses so we weren't complaining too much. Just kind of rude, in my opinion.

Mom got a phone call about my grandfather so she excused herself from the line to move somewhere a little more private and we waited a little while longer in line.

Eventually, Shawn and Mom both arrived and waited to just enter through the exit when it was our turn. We walked in to the adorable grotto and I felt so bad for Ariel - she had to be freezing. I'm pretty sure they heat the rocks or something for her, but still...the girl has very little on and it was chilly with absolutely NO sun out - it had to be cold!!

As was usual with this trip, Katie was very eager to meet any characters...

Continued in next post....