A Tale of [family madness in] Two Cities - Final Thoughts & PTR Link!

[disneyfan61]

ok I didn't even realize you started your TR I'm here now!! So sorry Henry started with a cold!! Looks like he did ok though. Looks like your in laws were having a good time. That is great that you got to see Spectro when you did not think that would happen.

I thought about you the other day. I was thinking that before long the Mint Milkshakes will be a McDonalds again & you are the one that go me started on those Of course I am trying to rush the months away so our trip on 4/30 will be here!! Enjoying this report very much!!

 

[brookelizabeth]

I have an update almost ready - we got our Photopass CD and I'm uploading all the video that my FIL took to bring that into the TR as well...there is a LOT of video!! I should have it all done by today...and if not, I'll post it without the video.

 

[RachelNinja]

I have grown more and more fond of DHS each trip. But navigating it is something else! I let Joe do that! I hope you don't get lost....the park is laid out sorta strange.

Not a silly question! Yep, his name is Bo - he does have a name tag. Charleston Princess' daughter, Chelsea, started the fascination with Bo insisting her picture be taken with him. So now several DISers take pictures of Bo for Chelsea, which she loves and appreciates!!

I agree! Studying the map seems to get me a bit more confused each time! It's supposed to be the other way around! I think I may just let DBF navigate ... I'm the type of person that would need to put the map on the ground to figure out which direction to walk

Thanks for the info! Now I understand the fascination! I love that there's another DISer thing to see. Even though it obviously wasn't put there for DISers in the first place, I like that it's been "taken over," haha.

Looking forward to your update

 

[Charleston Princess]

Looking forward to your update later today!

 

[moparop]

Can't wait to see more Brook!

 

[ladybugmom]

I have an update almost ready - we got our Photopass CD and I'm uploading all the video that my FIL took to bring that into the TR as well...there is a LOT of video!! I should have it all done by today...and if not, I'll post it without the video.

YAY!!! Can't wait!!

 

[MaryAz]

I am very excited for an update!

 

[gellybean]

I have to confess that I read all your updates from WDW on my Blackberry.

Addicted to the DIS much, Gellybean?! Why, yes. Yes I am.


Can't wait for your next update!! Photopass pics and video!? Oh my!

 

[SoonerGirl]

I have an update almost ready - we got our Photopass CD and I'm uploading all the video that my FIL took to bring that into the TR as well...there is a LOT of video!! I should have it all done by today...and if not, I'll post it without the video.

 

[princess&her4princes]

I have an update almost ready - we got our Photopass CD and I'm uploading all the video that my FIL took to bring that into the TR as well...there is a LOT of video!! I should have it all done by today...and if not, I'll post it without the video.

can't wait!!!

 

[2xcited2sleep]

I have an update almost ready - we got our Photopass CD and I'm uploading all the video that my FIL took to bring that into the TR as well...there is a LOT of video!! I should have it all done by today...and if not, I'll post it without the video.

Well this will be a nice thing to look forward to throughout a dreary Monday.

 

[Lovemy3babes]

How's your weather Brook? Once again, we're getting hit with snow, wind and ice. So lovely for a Monday! Or not. Looking forward to another update.

 

[MHTeacher]

An update? YAY!! Can't wait to see some great Photopass pics and see if you ever ran into any crowds!? (Maybe they just followed us around all week........ )

 

[blessedby3]

Just hanging out waiting for an update on the trip report...Lots of pictures and videos....I cant wait!! I need me a bit of a Disney fix this morning.

 

[kschafer]

No really, take your time...I'm good



Will flowers work?

 

[brookelizabeth]

We left off with our crew exploring the Streets of America.

Which naturally led to the Honey, I Shrunk the Kids playground.

We love this playground. It's so unique and Henry always has a blast. I have heard the rumor a few times that they plan to re-theme it to Andy's Room from Toy Story, which I think would be excellent! I'm a tad partial to the HISTK because I grew up with this movie, but Toy Story is much more relevant with kids today, and it matches the Pixar area. Does anyone know when/if this is supposed to happen?

This time he still had fun, but he just wasn't quite himself. It took some encouraging in order for him to go down any slides, he would just stand there and sorta look around. I could tell that cold was getting to him.

We've dubbed this Henry's slide. I have a pic of him on this slide from all his trips!

Henry and this little girl enjoyed each others company for a bit.

KK thought this whole playground was amazing, she had to find Anty and the oatmeal cream pie!

Click here for a video of Henry with the giant Play Doh

After a short visit we were back on the Streets of America,

We were walking TOWARD the Empire State Building, so this must have been a "Joe, turn around! Let me take your picture!" type of shot.

I recall my MIL reading these signs as we walked down the street, and asking me all sorts of questions about the Osborne Lights, she was pretty excited to see it!

I love the fire escape balconies, it's such a common sight in NYC, makes me homesick! And then with the Christmas decorations, everything is so festive and fun.

Continued in next post

 

[brookelizabeth]

Continued from previous post

Even the garbage cans on the Streets of America are themed!

I think I have a picture of this same window when Osborne Lights were on...

we avoided Pixar Place on purpose! and slowly made our way to 50's Prime Time Cafe for our 11:05 ADR.

I don't know if I have ever really noticed this building before

Henry walked right in!

We were seated in just a couple minutes, the restaurant was just opened and only a few tables were occupied. We were led to the back room - I didn't even know this place was that big!

I pointed out that this is where Joe and I sat last time we ate here

This wasn't our table, but our room was similar to this and we sat at the corner table.

Gotta love the boomerangs!

As we settled at our table I explained how the restaurant works; how the waitresses will play games with you, but I also told them they kinda read the group before they pull anything. On our last visit there Joe and I were both not feeling fantastic, the waitress picked up on that and we had a very normal meal. I figured my in-laws wouldn't be so into doing the shenanigans themselves, but enjoy watching other tables participate.

Oh how wrong I was!



Our waitress arrived. She passed out the menus and told my FIL to take his hat off at the table.

He folded the rim up and made a face at her!

She caught that and scolded him.

A bit more back and forth and he finally removed it.

She told him she was watching him...she knew he was a trouble maker!

She called him Pops, my SIL Princess and Joe SPARKY! Which just cracked me up every single time.

We ordered our drinks. Water all around and a few shakes. One shake was for me, peanut butter and jelly. When we were here last time I hadn't known about this, but had since read a few reviews and just HAD to try it.

The waitress came back with the drinks

Chocolate shake for Joe - he said it was "too chocolatey"

Peanut Butter and Jelly shake for me. DELISH. So, so good! I will be making this at home at some point! I think it was Heidi who pointed me to the recipe on AllEars.net, thank you!!!

Continued in next post

 

[brookelizabeth]

Continued from previous post

Henry was being a bit fussy, not wanting to sit in his chair, etc. so I missed exactly what my FIL was doing to taunt the waitress but it was enough for him to end up like this!

Shame! Shame! Shame! Later my FIL said he was watching the kids at the table right in front of him and he said they looked SO scared that it would happen to them!

Click here for a video tour of 50's Prime Time and watch my FIL get in big trouble! - the video shows that he tattled on his wife, so he got in trouble! No tattling!

Henry found it hilarious that Poppa had his nose on the wall!

He was doing better sitting in his chair after some entertainment!

"Sparky" got scolded for elbows on the table. I laughed at him.

Eight seconds later, she caught ME with my elbows on the table. He laughed at me!

The meal was going great. It had been a cool morning so everyone was happy to be inside and getting warmed up, everyone was laughing and smiling and enjoying it all.

Our food came and we started to scarf it down.

I was trying to entertain Henry in this picture!

Pot roast for me,

meatloaf for Joe.

pot roast for KK,

and FIL had the Chicken Pot Pie, which you can kinda see in the table picture above. I *think* my MIL got the meatloaf....I was too distracted with Henry to truly take notice!

I attempted to have Henry eat some off my plate.

Not happening.

I ordered him a chicken noodle soup off the kids menu. He loves soup and would normally scarf this down.

My encouraging him to eat something just started a melt down.

Serious melt down...HUGE tears...and by that time our little back room had other families at the tables. So I removed him from the room and we hung out in the hallway with the bathrooms while he calmed down.

He normally doesn't melt quite as dramatically. Sometimes he will refuse, he is two, but this was very over-the-top. I knew it was a mix of him not feeling well and it was nearing nap time.

So that sealed the deal for the family. After lunch we'd head back to Kidani.

When I was back at the table with a calm Henry we all received our Clean Plate Stickers which we proudly bore on our shirts.

Despite the antsy toddler and the melt down, we had a wonderful meal. Everyone thought it was fantastic.

And the waitress didn't charge us for the untouched Chicken Noodle Soup. She rocked.

Christmas tree in 50's

Here is another video of 50's, in the front of the restaurant

We made our way out of DHS, taking pictures along the way.

The crowds had built up some while we were at lunch

We stopped for a moment to watch what was going on, we knew our family would love the Streetmosphere skits....but this was different, instead of doing a skit they were just talking about what DHS has to offer. The various thrill rides, shows, etc. Which is a great way to inform the masses, but I was hoping for a funny skit!

Such a pretty tree!

Looking back at the park...I didn't want to leave, but knew it was best.

Continued in next post

 

[brookelizabeth]

Continued from previous post

I noticed there was a bus for Animal Kingdom directly outside and was wowed by our stroke of luck, a bus waiting and hardly any walking! Perfect for Poppa since the wheelchair had been returned.

The bus starts on its way. Henry is enjoying the ride with his Poppa, which relaxes me.

Poppa is a really funny guy!

I like how the mirror was reflecting a Mickey head. I know, I'm weird!

I was so relaxed that I didn't realize this bus was going to Animal Kingdom PARK. Not Lodge! Even when the announcements started talking about rides at AK, and my in-laws were asking questions about the park, I didn't clue in. Seriously, I was ZONED!

Sooooooooooo....the bus arrives at AK. We are told the bus stop for AKL was clear on the other side of the bus stops.

Ya.

Not good. Poppa really can't walk that far.

So he throws out the idea of hopping the fence! Apparently that was easier for him than walking all that far?!

I had NO IDEA my FIL was this rebellious!

So, yep. That's what we did.

We totally hopped the fence. 5 adults, a toddler, a stroller and a huge park bag. Under the fence, across the bus drive, over another fence, across the bus drive and to a waiting AKL bus. I'm sure we were a sight to see! The bus driver watched us do the whole thing and didn't say a word. MIL swore he glared at her though.

We soon arrived at the LODGE

Henry said "Weeee!" every time we zipped him up or down the ramp that was along side of the stairs leading to the bus stop.

As we walked to our room we passed a huge picture window and almost always saw animals out there. There was also an overlook balcony that we found ourselves on a lot! The animals would just draw us out, it was amazing to watch them!

Continued in next post

 

[brookelizabeth]

Continued from previous post

Light fixture on the balcony

The view looking to the right off the balcony

Henry went straight down for a nap. He was pooped! I hoped a good nap would make him feel better.

FIL and KK were staying in the room, so Joe, MIL and I decided to adventure around Kidani!

******************
My FIL took a LOT of video on this trip, I have been uploading it the past few days, hence the delay in the update! And it's still uploading!!!! Here are some clips leading up to where we are currently in the TR:

• Walking down Hollywood Blvd
• Just walking around in the park
• Near Luigi's Garage
• Henry meeting Mater and McQueen

And! Our Photopass CD arrived! This catches us up to where we are in the TR: