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

[brookelizabeth]

How fun to go wander by yourself! You got some really great pictures. I'm glad you escaped the madness in Epcot unscathed. LOL! Just nutso!!!!!

It was kinda fun to tour by myself! I am still hoping for a solo trip someday, so this was a little taste.

I keep meaning to get over to AKL. The photos are gorgeous. The animals look amazing. The zebra domes look inviting, but so far it has not happened. One of these days...

I love how you took the bull by the horns and went exploring on your own. We went to Epcot on NYE in 2002 on our honeymoon. It was VERY crowded but nothing like these photos show. I wanted to stay to watch Illuminations in the park, but DH wanted to go back to the hotel. In the end, we ordered champagne from room service and watched the various parks night shows from our balcony. (We were in a DTD hotel.) How's that for a random NYE tangent on your TR?!

Just another thing to put on the "Next Time" list! Those lists grow and grow, but someday you'll get it!

Ooooh, that sounds like a GREAT way to spend NYE though! How cool that you could see the various shows from your hotel balcony too!

Is there a story about the Teddy Bear Lady sitting in the lobby at the GF?

Yep, from what I can remember the woman is from the Orlando area - her and her late husband always loved the GF and stayed there many times. So she sits in the lobby quite a lot - I've seen her show up on other TRs too. Now where the Teddy Bears come in, I can't remember...maybe her husband had a collection of them or something? Hmmmm! I think she gives them out sometimes to little kids. It's something like that! I wish I could remember better.

Phew, many pages later I am caught up! Love your updates as usual! So many things to comment on - I'll pick 2:
Ugh, those crowds!
Boma Breakfast & Zebra Domes....yummmmmmmmy....
Ok, 3, giraffe pictures

I've been updating a ton lately, gotta get this baby finished. I'm itching for a PTR now too.

From one prodigal DISer to another... Hello!!


Kathy

Hi Kathy! It's so great to see you around again!!!

 

[brookelizabeth]

This update has almost zero content. Just a lot of cute pictures of Henry....

We left off with me touring solo, facing the mob in Epcot and enjoyed the beautiful Christmas decorations of the Grand Floridian and the Boardwalk. I headed back to Kidani to find that Henry had just woken up (and so had Joe!), so we three went off to the arcade.

Henry really enjoyed "playing" the car and motorcycle rides...and there were a ton of them! I think this arcade had more motor type games than regular games.

He doesn't know yet to keep his eyes on the road.

He also has great ambitions to be a rock & roll star!

We enjoyed this simple time of just hanging around at the arcade, letting Henry run from car game to motorcycle game, to another car game. He was so excited and loved playing them all, it was fun for Joe and I to watch! But, I have to say it... I'm not looking forward to the day when he realizes it takes money to play those games for real!

Before we left the arcade I realized I hadn't taken a picture of the new DVC windbreaker so I struck a pose for ya!

Heading back toward the lobby, look what Henry found!

He was quite enthralled with all the animals right outside every time we walked to or from the room.

What goes perfectly with a bumming around around the resort?

Ice cream of course! It wasn't a Mickey Bar, but a Butterfinger Bar - Joe had a couple of these during the week and man, oh, man...yummy! I still am partial to any food shaped like the Mouse though.



Just a quick little update - I gotta go get the clothes out of the dryer at the laundry mat or we won't have clothing for church tomorrow! Have a great Sunday everyone!

 

[moparop]

Henry really enjoyed "playing" the car and motorcycle rides...and there were a ton of them! I think this arcade had more motor type games than regular games.

He doesn't know yet to keep his eyes on the road.

He also has great ambitions to be a rock & roll star!

We enjoyed this simple time of just hanging around at the arcade, letting Henry run from car game to motorcycle game, to another car game. He was so excited and loved playing them all, it was fun for Joe and I to watch! But, I have to say it... I'm not looking forward to the day when he realizes it takes money to play those games for real!

We played video games the same way when we were kids. I am ashamed to admit how old I was when I found out there was more you could do!

 

[Charleston Princess]

Very cute pictures of Henry enjoying the arcade!!!

 

[Flossbolna]

I love it how you can be happy to just enjoy family time at WDW without having to maximize every minute! Sounds like you had a lot of fun with Henry.

 

[Kurby]

just starting to read your tr.

we'll be there on friday and can't wait. it's a short 7 day trip for us - usually we stay 14 days

we're expecting to spend a lot of time during the afternoon in the resort pools with this heat.

how are you guys cooping?

 

[Lady Lallie]

Super cute pictures of Henry!!

 

[TyRy]

He doesn't know yet to keep his eyes on the road.

But he was right - it does say Smash Smash on the screen...

Before we left the arcade I realized I hadn't taken a picture of the new DVC windbreaker so I struck a pose for ya!

I really like that windbreaker...may have to get one next trip when DH isn't looking since I already have one exactly like that from work.

 

[IBelieveInTheMagic]

Hi Brook!! I'm getting caught up again and as always, love all your reports!! Something I immediately noticed is how much Henry has already grown up since this last TR! I've been trying to keep up with some of your posts on FB and he looks so grown up now!!

I'm glad you guys are headed back soon and everything worked out on your DVC - good for you guys! You guys deserve it after the move and everything you've done!

Keep up the great work!
Heather

 

[praisehisname]

But, I have to say it... I'm not looking forward to the day when he realizes it takes money to play those games for real!

Lots of great pics of Henry!

 

[All7OfUs]

Awesome pictures of arcade fun! Henry's having a blast!

 

[MEK]

Great pictures of Henry!!!!! He is so darn cute and I remember those days like yesterday. I also remember the days of many, many quarters and the prepaid cards. Now my kids wouldn't be caught dead there. Well, not completely true - but its low on the list of favorite things to do!

Butterfinger bar....YUM!

 

[CJsMom]

My boys have totally figured it out, and let me tell you, the arcade is NOT cheap!
Great pictures of Henry - and love the windbreaker!

 

[pooh'smate]

Henry is so cute playing in the arcade.

 

[Lovemy3babes]

Fast cars and rock and roll? Brook, you better keep an eye on your son! LOL!! Henry is adorable!

 

[ClaireW]

This update has almost zero content. Just a lot of cute pictures of Henry....



Am considering trying to put together a TR after our Sept trip but fear it would be mostly pictures of the girls with a glimpse of something Disney now and again!

 

[glennbo123]

Hey Brooke! I realize you're probably nearing the end of this puppy, but thought I'd let you know that I've been reading some via the links. I've read the "Touring Kidani", "A Magical Moment for Me", and the "This was Worth the Whole Trip" installments. I'll have to chip away at the others also -- it's a fun TR! Thanks for sharing your trip with us.

 

[Flossbolna]

Hey Brooke! I realize you're probably nearing the end of this puppy, but thought I'd let you know that I've been reading some via the links. I've read the "Touring Kidani", "A Magical Moment for Me", and the "This was Worth the Whole Trip" installments. I'll have to chip away at the others also -- it's a fun TR! Thanks for sharing your trip with us.

Hi Glenn! I am glad that you found Brook's TRs, they are all great! And besides great writing they come with the most spectacular pictures! Both Brook and Joe are very talented photographers.

 

[MHTeacher]

Henry's too cute playing at the arcade!

 

[brookelizabeth]

We played video games the same way when we were kids. I am ashamed to admit how old I was when I found out there was more you could do!

I bet your parents loved that you didn't realize it though! I plan to totally milk it as long as I can.

Very cute pictures of Henry enjoying the arcade!!!

Thanks!! He just loves those bamos (motorcycles).

I love it how you can be happy to just enjoy family time at WDW without having to maximize every minute! Sounds like you had a lot of fun with Henry.

It really was a fun time. We enjoy letting him lead us and getting excited with him about things that we normally wouldn't even take a second glance at!

just starting to read your tr.

we'll be there on friday and can't wait. it's a short 7 day trip for us - usually we stay 14 days

we're expecting to spend a lot of time during the afternoon in the resort pools with this heat.

how are you guys cooping?

First,
Woooo! Just a few more days for you!!! I am a tad green with envy about your regular trips being 14 days. That would be VERY nice.

I think you are smart by planning your afternoon inside or at the pool. With NYC being so warm lately (90-100 degrees every single day!), we've been staying inside as much as possible and then taking Henry to the parks in the late afternoon or evening for him to play in the water fountains. Thankfully most of the public city parks here have water fountains or misters. There is a public pool near by, but its closes really early...which makes no sense to me! We are planning a beach trip too - just gotta find the right weekend!

Super cute pictures of Henry!!

Thanks! It was fun to watch him run from machine to machine!

But he was right - it does say Smash Smash on the screen...

I really like that windbreaker...may have to get one next trip when DH isn't looking since I already have one exactly like that from work.

You are right! I didn't even notice that!

But your one from work does not say "Disney Vacation Club Member" on it!!!! It really is a nice jacket, I love the giant pouch in the front for stuff.

Hi Brook!! I'm getting caught up again and as always, love all your reports!! Something I immediately noticed is how much Henry has already grown up since this last TR! I've been trying to keep up with some of your posts on FB and he looks so grown up now!!

I'm glad you guys are headed back soon and everything worked out on your DVC - good for you guys! You guys deserve it after the move and everything you've done!

Keep up the great work!
Heather

Can you believe how quickly he has grown up in the last 7 months?!?! I am shocked everyday at how much he has grown up. Sentences are pouring out of him now, he's growing like a weed (almost 40 inches!), and can do so much more than what he could in December. Everyday it's something new! It's exciting and sad all at the same time.

Thank you for your kind words! Things really have worked out so beautifully. There are some details with the house back in MN still hanging on, but hopefully that gets straightened out SOON and we can be done with it. It was supposed to close in June! It'll happen though, just takes time.

Lots of great pics of Henry!

Those games are so expensive! I can't believe it! When he gets older he can get ONE card and that will be that unless he wants to spend his own money on it...I couldn't believe they were basically $1 and UP! Chuck E. Cheese is more my style at $0.25 per game.