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

[mom2mek]

The dreaded last day....

The crowds were pretty bad during the week we were there. We waited 25 minutes to ride Living with the Land on our first Epcot day, but we do love that ride. Three FPs in hand, you're set!

Yeah - the crowds on this day were brutal - worse than our Thanksgiving trip! We managed ok, just didn't take a lot of pictures so I'm having a harder time figuring out the order that we did things! I was glad to at least have FPs for Soarin, TT, and MS though.

So glad to get to read an update before heading out with my sis. Burly and I are on our way "home". Catch up with you when we get back!!!

Don't be jealous. Ok. Go ahead. Be a little jealous....

Woo-hoo!!! Have fun you two!! Can't wait to (hopefully) read about it when you get back!! Hint hint....

Sara

 

[mkluvsmickey]

You can't be on your last day without a new ticker, that is just not allowed. Tell Shawn I said so.

Love the girls shirts! Very cute. Wow on the crowds!! It's a good thing you know what you are doing. We will be in Epcot next Friday with my Dad and he'll be using an ECV. I'm already prepared for that slowing us down a bit, which is fine. Glad to hear the boys enjoyed Sum of All Thrills. We're hoping to try that as well.

 

[mom2mek]

You can't be on your last day without a new ticker, that is just not allowed. Tell Shawn I said so.

Love the girls shirts! Very cute. Wow on the crowds!! It's a good thing you know what you are doing. We will be in Epcot next Friday with my Dad and he'll be using an ECV. I'm already prepared for that slowing us down a bit, which is fine. Glad to hear the boys enjoyed Sum of All Thrills. We're hoping to try that as well.

I will pass that message on for sure, Michelle!

Yeah, I expected the crowds to be a little bit worse this day than the rest of our trip, but could have never imagined them being THAT bad!!

The ECV was a blessing at times and actually helped speed us up, but it was also a slow down at times since we weren't sure where to go for certain things, ya know? Overall though, I'm glad he had it!!

Sara

 

[mommytothreeboys]

OH no....last day? So sad.

Those crowds sound horrible! We have been so lucky to have low crowds on all our visits. Or should I say SPOILED instead of lucky? At least you have a few DIS tricks up your sleeve and can handle the crowds!

LWTL is one of my very favorites! I hate gardening myself, but for some reason, the Disney greenhouses fascinate me!

Thanks for the Mission Space pics...I've never been on it due to my motion sickness issues, so I've never seen the inside. Good to know!

 

[kaysmommie]

on the crowds this day!! At least you know how to tour the park so that helps . The girls shirts are so cute! LWTL is fun to ride every other trip. We rode in June to get out of the heat. Glad Pop Pop used the ECV. Looking forward to your Beverly update . Yes you need a ticker!!

 

[mom2mek]

OH no....last day? So sad.

Those crowds sound horrible! We have been so lucky to have low crowds on all our visits. Or should I say SPOILED instead of lucky? At least you have a few DIS tricks up your sleeve and can handle the crowds!

LWTL is one of my very favorites! I hate gardening myself, but for some reason, the Disney greenhouses fascinate me!

Thanks for the Mission Space pics...I've never been on it due to my motion sickness issues, so I've never seen the inside. Good to know!

Yeah Missy, for as long as we can swing it, I will try to take the kids out of school to go at an uncrowded time as it is much more enjoyable for me. I know it is inevitable that at some point we will have to go during peak times, but at least we do know some tricks. I was so grateful we had low crowds the rest of our trip - just a bummer that our last day was so crazy-crowded!

I think if you did a cruise, you should be able to do MS green version - it's really not bad at all!

on the crowds this day!! At least you know how to tour the park so that helps . The girls shirts are so cute! LWTL is fun to ride every other trip. We rode in June to get out of the heat. Glad Pop Pop used the ECV. Looking forward to your Beverly update . Yes you need a ticker!!

Ever since going on LWTL, it is a must for us on every trip!

I do need a ticker, don't I? So do you!!!

Sara

 

[lovebuzzandwoody]

I don't know which I think is funnier, Nicole - the fact that you might think I made those shirts or the fact that you wrote for me to go slower!!

I don't think I can go any slower....and I can't even sew on a button!

Sara

Well darn on both fronts!

I can't sew either!

 

[*dreamit*doit*]

I have to agree with the others...write s-l-o-w-l-y.... I don't want this to be over either. Especially without a new ticker...yet.

Sorry about those crowds. We were there last year the week before Presidents' Day and it was great; no crowds at all! We decided to stay through the weekend and it was PACKED!! Ugh.

 

[mrsksomeday]

I am with Michelle, you need a ticker, it is just so sad not to have one .

It is wonderful that you get to spend time in WDW with your parents, we have been there when it was brutally cold too. Amazing how many people were there your last day. You did a great job getting the FP's that day. I totally get why you want to take a long time to finish your reports, it feels so good to relive our time in WDW doesn't it?

 

[laashley]

You must have a new ticker before you get through. Either write slower or get planning!

Yuck on the crowds at Epcot. Atleast this was the last day. Yay for figuring out a new plan with the crowds. Love the girls shirts, very cute!!!

 

[mom2mek]

I have to agree with the others...write s-l-o-w-l-y.... I don't want this to be over either. Especially without a new ticker...yet.

Sorry about those crowds. We were there last year the week before Presidents' Day and it was great; no crowds at all! We decided to stay through the weekend and it was PACKED!! Ugh.

Yeah, this last day was a doozie, crowd-wise! I can only imagine the rest of that weekend was mobbed. My parents were there for the better part of Saturday, and went to the MK..... They barely got off Main St the whole time they were there!

NO worries on the writing slowly part....I got that covered!

I am with Michelle, you need a ticker, it is just so sad not to have one .

It is wonderful that you get to spend time in WDW with your parents, we have been there when it was brutally cold too. Amazing how many people were there your last day. You did a great job getting the FP's that day. I totally get why you want to take a long time to finish your reports, it feels so good to relive our time in WDW doesn't it?

I'm not a fan of being tickerless....even if it is WAY out in the future, I would feel better with one. Gotta work on Shawn!

Yeah, there's so much finality to it, when you actually finish writing about it. That's why I'm hoping I have another trip to plan before I get through this last day.

You must have a new ticker before you get through. Either write slower or get planning!

Yuck on the crowds at Epcot. Atleast this was the last day. Yay for figuring out a new plan with the crowds. Love the girls shirts, very cute!!!

I don't know if it's physically possible for me to write slower....but I will try!

Crowds = Even though I was sad it was our last day, I was glad when I saw those crowds...originally we were thinking of going that Friday through the following Friday, and I am glad we switched it so we only had to deal with those crowds one day.

Sara

 

[my2disneyboys]

Hey Sara,
I finally had some time to get caught up on your report- just in time for it to be your last day!

I love your pictures- Shawn did a FANTASTIC job with capturing Wishes! How romantic to be snuggled with your hubby on the beach at the Poly. It must have felt like a private viewing!

I love Ohana and that dessert is - SO GOOD!!! We have gone there a bunch of times and for our next trip we decided to skip it and try some new places. I know I am going to miss it though.

So, I think you should plan a trip for the last week in January!! But this time let's not plan it that you arrive the day we leave!!

I am looking forward to the rest of your last day and hearing your final thoughts!

 

[mom2mek]

Hey Sara,
I finally had some time to get caught up on your report- just in time for it to be your last day!

I love your pictures- Shawn did a FANTASTIC job with capturing Wishes! How romantic to be snuggled with your hubby on the beach at the Poly. It must have felt like a private viewing!

I love Ohana and that dessert is - SO GOOD!!! We have gone there a bunch of times and for our next trip we decided to skip it and try some new places. I know I am going to miss it though.

So, I think you should plan a trip for the last week in January!! But this time let's not plan it that you arrive the day we leave!!

I am looking forward to the rest of your last day and hearing your final thoughts!

Hi Nickie! That night on the beach was SO cold, but it was indeed romantic and pretty close to a private viewing that's for sure, since no one else was as crazy as us to be out there!

It's hard to not pick some of your favorites when planning ADRs but in order to find "other" favorites, you have to force yourself! 'Ohana will still be there for another trip!

Oh how I would love to go back as soon as January! But I don't think that's in the cards this year.

Sara

 

[Stasieki]

I've enjoyed your TR once again. I always look forward to them so hopefully I don't have to wait long

 

[mom2mek]

Day 7 – February 13, 2010
Epcot
Chapter 2

Hmmm….so where did I leave off??? Sorry it has been so long since I last updated….really hate posting about this last day….but I will carry on!

Ok, so we checked out of the Poly, were late getting to Epcot, encountered enormous crowds, secured fastpasses for Soarin, rode Living with the Land, saw TTWC, secured fastpasses for Mission Space and Test Track, shopped, rode MS with girls while boys did SOAT, and now we were on our way to Club Cool! Phew – got that?

After we tricked the kids with Beverly for the first time earlier in our trip (on that blissfully uncrowded Epcot day ), they had been thinking about tricking the grandparents all week! We meandered into Club Cool very casually and met up with Pop Pop, Shawn, and Michael and gave the grandparents the “taste test”.

The kids thought this was the most fun – tricking their grandparents!

“No, really, Grandmommy, try it….it’s really tasty” *snicker, snicker*

The reactions were as expected but none of us had our cameras out. Doh!

The kids all wanted to take some more samples of the ones they did love and Emily decided she wanted to give Beverly another try. Silly kid! This time we were able to catch her reaction with our camera. Too funny!

After CC, we decided we should grab some lunch. I had wanted to go over to Sunshine Seasons, but instead was outvoted for what was closest – Electric Umbrella. Luckily we made it in before it was mobbed and used up a bunch of CS credits. Food was fine – nothing to write home about – and as we were getting ready to leave the place was PACKED.

(Love this picture)

We made our way over to the World Showcase where we, once again, decided to split up. Mom and I had one thing on our minds – Grey Goose Slushies. Michael wanted to show Pop Pop the Kim Possible missions, so the boys went on a hunt for the KP kiosk and Mom and I took the girls and made our way through some very thick crowds and headed to the right towards the UK and France.

(Pop Pop and Michael got a little crazy on the ECV at this point so I was fine that I would not be a witness to them getting thrown out of Epcot later in the day on their outing! LOL! Just kidding)​

The details of this day are so fuzzy for me, but I know we did some window shopping with the girls and Mom grabbed a couple of things in the UK shop. We stopped in to see a little bit of the Beatles group and thought they sounded great, although looked a bit off once we saw them up close! LOL!

We managed to meet back up with Shawn, but not Michael or Pop Pop as they were doing their KP mission. But Shawn had brought us a surprise – a wonderful wine from Germany and some yummy chocolates. We sat in France and enjoyed our wine and chocolate while the girls jumped around and played.

We caught the tail end of Serveur Amusant and made a note to make sure to see that whole show next time. The girls and I wandered through France and decided to order some beautiful hand-painted parasols for souvenirs for the girls. They both decided what they wanted painted on the parasol as well as what color they wanted and we stood in line to place our order. Afterwards, we grabbed our coveted GGLCS and went back over to a bench to sit and enjoy.

(Picture taken by Katie)

(Yes, both my GGLCS glass is empty as well as my wine glass…what can I say….)​

After a few minutes, a certain little kitty came out and Katie about jumped out of her skin! MARIE!! We were first in line to greet her and Katie was so excited!

Shawn spent some time in Japan where he eventually met back up with Pop Pop and Michael.

Michael really wanted to do the pick-a-pearl thing like the girls had done on our earlier day, so Shawn obliged. He really enjoyed doing it!

The WS portion of our day was a bit of a blur for me (maybe it had something to do with the crowds….or maybe it had something to do with the glass of wine, chased by a GGLCS…..who knows) , but what I do know is Mom and I spent the bulk of the afternoon between France, the UK, and Canada and not a whole lot else. Go figure!

Off next….our first ever Le Cellier dinner experience!!!


Sara

 

[therussells08]

Great update! I have read about the Beverly so many times on others TRs and I am so mad at myself for never trying it! That is on the top of my list for December!

I must say, my favorite is the Grand Marnier orange slushie. I get one of those every time we go! (Sometimes I get two...)

 

[mom2mek]

Great update! I have read about the Beverly so many times on others TRs and I am so mad at myself for never trying it! That is on the top of my list for December!

I must say, my favorite is the Grand Marnier orange slushie. I get one of those every time we go! (Sometimes I get two...)

Don't be mad at yourself!! I guess it should be tasted at least once so you know what all the hub-ub is about though! LOL!

I have had the orange one too and like it, but I think my favorite is still the lemon. So refreshing! Although I hear they have a Cosmo slushie going on right now (not sure if it's for the F&W Festival or if it's permanent) and that sounds right up my alley! Yum!!

Sara

 

[mom2mek]

Just a quick post to show off a little something in my signature!!!

Apparently, Shawn is ok with attempting a trip back to our favorite place over the kids' spring break week! Yes, it will be busy, but we are hoping since Easter isn't until the end of April, that going the first week won't be too awful! Anyone been during the busy Spring Break season (March and April) but about 3 weeks before Easter??? How was it?

I'm so excited I could come out of my skin!!! Now, I do need to wrap this report up, so I can start some planning!!! It's only 5 1/2 months away!!

Sara

 

[mommytothreeboys]

Great Epcot Day! Love the Beverly pics...that never gets old!

Oooooohh! Marie! Very cool!

So jealous of the new ticker! We have gone after Easter week before and the crowds were great. Not sure about before, sorry. Unfortunately our Spring Break this year IS Easter week...UGH.

 

[mom2mek]

Great Epcot Day! Love the Beverly pics...that never gets old!

Oooooohh! Marie! Very cool!

So jealous of the new ticker! We have gone after Easter week before and the crowds were great. Not sure about before, sorry. Unfortunately our Spring Break this year IS Easter week...UGH.

Easter week is usually our break too, but I think because Easter falls so late in April this year, they decided to go with an earlier week. Since they get out June 3rd, it would mean basically coming back from spring break with only a month left to go if they kept Easter week as their break - makes for one long winter. I'm happy they are doing it, plus they still get Good Friday and Easter Monday off around Easter.

I think after Easter until summer crowds start coming is probably much, much better, but I'm hoping since we are hitting it about 3 weeks before Easter and after a lot of college spring breaks, we might be ok. Not max crowds, according to TGM, but up there for sure. But I think I can handle it!

Sara