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

[brookelizabeth]

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

Thanks! He really does have a great time at arcades pretending to drive all the cars. It's fun...and currently it's frugal!

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!

So it goes from:
1) Being fun and free
2) Being cool and EXPENSIVE
3) Being lame

I think sometime during Category 2 we'll end up at DQ. Or perhaps I'll send the boys and I'll go shopping.

The Butterfinger bar was VERY good. They really should make it shaped like Mickey and it would be excellent.

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!

They aren't! I thought I had taken a picture of the cost of the cards, but I don't have it...I was SHOCKED! Some of those games cost over $5 to play. Unreal!

Henry is so cute playing in the arcade.

Thank you! It was fun to run around in there with him!

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

Good point!!

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!

Aw, that's OK! We don't mind! Cute kids are always fun to look at. One of the very best things about going to Disney is seeing it all through the eyes of little ones...it's magical!

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.

Glenn! Thanks for dropping in!! We are nearing the end - gotta do the New Orleans portion of the trip, but hopefully that will be done in just a few installments...I've gotta move on to the PTR!

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.

Thank you Magdalene!! We love taking pictures of the World too...we are entertaining getting a new lens AND a point and shoot before the upcoming trip. Can you imagine both Joe and I armed with a camera? Oh, and Henry now has one too...how many pictures do you think we can take?

Henry's too cute playing at the arcade!

Thanks!!! It was fun to be in there with him, I'm certain we'll be doing more of the arcades on the upcoming trip!

 

[wdwgirl03]

Aww, love the arcade pictures!

 

[brookelizabeth]

We left off with Henry running from machine to machine in the arcade and enjoying one of the lovely ice cream choices from the gift shop at Kidani.

Back in the room Grammy made mention of wanting to go shopping to secure a few gifts for people back home - namely her other grandson and granddaughter. The decision was made to venture over to DTD.

First up was Goofy's.

Henry wanted EVERYTHING. Of course!

I gave him a few options and he chose these - which are basically fruit snacks shaped like the Fab 5.

These are DELICIOUS.

Big heads run in the family.

The little celebration/birthday room in the back.

Henry purchasing his "noot-nacks" (fruit snacks)

Holiday eats.

Drool.

Our sole purchase...I cannot recall why right now, but I didn't get the chocolate covered pretzel rods. I really cannot think of a reason WHY I wouldn't get these considering my love affair for them..... KK did get some goodies for friends back home, and I believe Grammy also got some things for the other grandkids.

Window display outside of Goofy's.

The next store we went into was the kitchen shop.

I think I might have to get some of this, Henry would just LOVE having Mickey shaped mac & cheese!

We were tempted with this being Joe's love for pizza.

But, in the end I purchased this instead:

It's GREAT! You can make Mickey shaped anything with it! Pancakes, cookies, toast, etc.

If we needed S&P shakers, I would have gotten these, adorable!

Back out into the night and forging onward...

I thought the balloon looked very cool up there in the night sky!

About this time I glanced at my watch and knew I better hightail it over to the Poly. The rest of the family continued on with their shopping into Once Upon a Toy and World of Disney where several purchases were made.

I had a DIS meet to attend to!

In case you don't know, or don't remember, a meet was arranged with MeMom and her crew and DWGal210 - and whomever else just might show up - to watch the NYE fireworks from the Poly beach! I was pumped. First, DIS meets! Second, fireworks. Third, Poly beach. Could it get any better?!

I caught a bus to the Poly that took foreverrrrrrrrr - as most buses from DTD seem to. While riding the bus I sat next to a nice little family with a fussy and overtired 2 year old. I could relate. So, I pulled out a trick that always seemed to work for Henry - a glow stick. The crying slowed down, the wonder of the glowing thing set in...the parents smiled and thanked me. I was STOCKED with glow sticks for the beach. I figured Brooklynn, Henry and Bella would all enjoy them, along with any other kids who might be nearby!

This family also had a very talkative and inquisitive older daughter who I was sitting next to. Out of the 4, 293 questions she asked me on the way to the Poly, one was "Are you a boy or a girl?" "A girl." I answered.

And get this...

"Oh, you look like a boy." was her response!



Time to grow the hair back out???

It was an entertaining ride.

When we finally arrived I was a tad late to meet up with MeMom. They were at Kona, and we had been texting back and forth. We found each other, she passed off a big 'ol lime green colored sign Jill (BrooklynnsMommy) had made, along with a blanket to sit on. My instructions were to attempt to find people, DISers, I had never spoken to, or knew - but we knew that they had a room on the Poly beach....we kinda wanted to crash their lawn and sit there...

Continued in next post

 

[brookelizabeth]

Continued from previous post

Down to the beach I went...I walked slowly past all the rooms that were facing the beach, but I all of them were dark. I wandered a bit, texted back and forth with DWGal210 (Katie), and eventually after a few times in trying to figure out if I should just start knocking on various patio doors at the Poly, asking if they were DISers...I wisely opted against that - don't want to be in Mickey jail, and I just decided to catch a hammock and wait for the others to arrive.

I know you like my socks. They go stunningly well with my Keens.

My view. That glowing thing is the Castle.

Oh, and look what just happened to start a few minutes after I laid down in the hammock...

HOLIDAY WISHES!

Oh yes, laying in a hammock on the Poly beach watching Holiday Wishes, let me tell you, that is a very, very enjoyable time!

And what came by next?

Confession: I tear up at this part! Seriously, patriotic music of any type makes me tear up....! I just think about the history of our nation, and all those men and women who have given their lives over the years...turns the water works on in seconds flat.

By this time Katie and her sister had arrived, we chatted and just hung around until the MeMom crew showed up. It wasn't long and we were all there, standing around on the beach chatting like we had known each other forever.

Fairly soon MeMom had found the right people at the Poly and we were sitting on their lawn in front of their patio. It was a big 'ol DIS meet! And we had a blast!! The Poly people (I CANNOT remember their names!) had a webcam set up for the fireworks and tons of DISers were on it, so the boys made sure it was entertaining...

Trent and Jarvis doing their rendition of "Bye, Bye, Bye" (N'Sync). Halfway through the song Jarvis stopped and said, "Why do I even know this song?!?!" It was HILARIOUS!!! Those boys a riot. Truly. They had us all laughing so hard our cheeks hurt!

Through all this Joe and the family had gone back to Kidani from DTD and made dinner. I hadn't eaten yet. It was past 10:00 pm and I was STARVED-Joe was bringing me dinner. The plan was for them to meet up with us at the beach and I kept checking the time, calling, and texting to see where they were at - expecting them to show up at any minute.

Well, they left in PLENTY of time. But due to the enormity that the NYE display is at Disney World many, many roads were shut down and buses were re-routed all over the place. The bus ride was over an hour long to MK from Kidani. Then they had to take the monorail over to the Poly.

Long story short...they didn't make it. While I was having a wonderful time with everyone, it was bittersweet for me. I wanted Joe there. I had imagined Henry and Brooklynn playing together on the beach. Grammy and Poppa were both looking forward to meeting everyone. It was just not how I had expected or imagined.

As the fireworks started to go off Joe, KK and a sleeping Henry were on the monorail. They stepped onto the beach the moment they ended. I had left Joe around 7:00 pm at DTD, sat on the beach for almost five hours and while it was WONDERFUL meeting everyone, I didn't get to enjoy it with those I care about most dearly. Sigh.

Grammy and Poppa meanwhile were INSIDE MK! They just decided to stop rushing, since Poppa can't really keep up, in trying to get to the Poly. I can't believe they could get in that late!!

As the fireworks were going off I hid my tears of Joe not making it behind the camera...and even though I was upset, these fireworks were AMAZING!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! I kept saying "Wow!" over and over again. Truly beautiful! I am highly disappointed in the quality of my pictures. They don't even come close to capturing how magical it was.

Continued in next post

 

[brookelizabeth]

Continued from previous post

Fireworks in ALL DIRECTIONS!

After the wonderful show, and after Joe, KK and Henry had shown up we all stood and chatted for a just a bit longer and we took a group picture.

It was AWESOME to meet you all!!!!! I hope our paths cross again!

We all quickly went our separate ways-we didn't want to have to wait in line for TOO long anywhere. Joe, KK and I decided to walk with MeMom and crew to the TTC and catch a monorail to MK to meet up with Grammy and Poppa.

And for some crazy reason I remember pointing out where the ramp was for the sidewalk so he could easily push Henry down it - sometimes Joe can't see them very well - and I called it a "downer" and on other side, the ramp leading up to the sidewalk, I called it an "upper". Hey, I was tired! However, Trent found this HILARIOUS and teased me all the way to the TTC.

To this day Joe and I called them downers and uppers, and then laugh in remembrance of this moment!!

And before we go on, here is some video that Poppa took inside MK of the NYE fireworks...they were in an area I believe I told you about previously - they had opened up a walkway backstage to easily skip a portion of Main Street - it was kinda neat being behind the Main Street shops!! Anyway, that is where they stood to watch the fireworks, they said it was PACKED, even back there!

• Fireworks (2 minutes)
• After Party, close-ups of the Castle (4 minutes)
• Main Street After Party (1.5 minutes)
• CROWDS! (18 seconds)

I remember hearing the pumping music of the "trial run" after party they had on the 30th and it sounded like a BLAST, just from the bits of video that Poppa took, I bet it was! (but so not something I would want to do with a sleeping 2 year old and a stroller...!)

At the TTC we walked with the masses of people up to the monorail and we boarded - and from what I can remember, it wasn't much of a wait. They really had it organized well.

The monorails were PACKED however!

A view across the platform at the waiting masses - the lines stretched and stretched down the ramps. Everyone was in a GREAT mood though! Lots of talking and laughing.

We made it to MK and were of the few going DOWN the ramp.

Sorry it's blurry, but it's people for as far back as you can see at MK!

Despite what this looks like, it wasn't bad to move in. It was slower moving than normal, but manageable.

People waiting for the ferry

Where is the line for AKL?

Oh here it is...

Every resort's line was about 8,000 people deep. It's just the way it was. But again, people were in a great mood, and Disney was sending TONS of buses. Each time a bus would come, that line of people would cheer out. It was funny!

Continued in next post

 

[brookelizabeth]

Continued from previous post

We noticed Grammy and Poppa further up in line, so we just took our place and were happy when we saw them board and get seats on the charter bus below.

All sorts of buses were being used...

Big fancy charter buses

And old school looking buses

People every which way waiting for their bus...it really was quite a sight!

Eventually it was our turn to board and we got an old bus...but hey, it ran and did have padded seats!

All in all, it took about 1.5 hours after we arrived at the TTC to get home. Not too shabby when you think about how many people Disney had to move that night! It was almost 2:00 am and I was exhausted, to say the very least. We all dove into bed. I was half dreading the next day, saying good-bye to Disney, but also excited for what New Orleans had to offer!

 

[brookelizabeth]

Aww, love the arcade pictures!

Thanks! We had a very fun time in there!

 

[Flossbolna]

Thank you Magdalene!! We love taking pictures of the World too...we are entertaining getting a new lens AND a point and shoot before the upcoming trip. Can you imagine both Joe and I armed with a camera? Oh, and Henry now has one too...how many pictures do you think we can take?

What a TR this would be! I saw on your blog that you are training Henry to become a photographer already! I loved the moving to NYC from Henry's perspective post! It was fun to see what kind of pics he is taking.

I am so sorry that you missed out on seeing the fireworks with your loved ones. Knowing that they were so close, but still not with you must have been really hard. But you did a good job with the pictures! They are again wonerful!

 

[glennbo123]

I like your fireworks pictures! I know they can't quite capture the moment, but they look impressive to me! My favorite is one of the first ones, with the silhouette of the boy watching the fireworks from the beach.

 

[blessedby3]

More great updates
I love seeing the park pictures because I will never be there during that time
The Dismeet looks like fun-sorry Joe and Henry didnt make the fireworks! The Wishes Holiday Fireworks ARE amazing!!! We have seen them twice, during early Dec. LOVE them!

 

[KristiMc]

I was following your trip on facebook/twitter and you posted about the people that were webcasting the fireworks so I got to watch the fireworks from Ohio with you.

 

[MHTeacher]

LOVE your NYE update!

We watched the "trial run" of the MK fireworks on the 30th, and they were absolutely amazing! Anytime I watch the DVD I recorded, I just start crying---they are so beautiful! I am such a Disney nerd!

YAY for your DIS meet, but sorry the people you love the most didn't make it in time to enjoy the countdown together. At least Joe and Henry finally made it, and you got to get back to your resort together-through all the crazy crowds!

 

[TyRy]

Aww - I'm sorry Joe, Henry and the rest of the family didn't make it on time (or at all) for NYE. I'm always bummed if I'm not with DH at midnight, even if I'm having a good time somewhere. Glad the night ended on a good note though.

 

[praisehisname]

Long story short...they didn't make it. While I was having a wonderful time with everyone, it was bittersweet for me. I wanted Joe there. I had imagined Henry and Brooklynn playing together on the beach. Grammy and Poppa were both looking forward to meeting everyone. It was just not how I had expected or imagined.

Oh, Brook...this made want to cry for you. I'm so sorry they didn't make it in time. But I'm glad they did finally make it! The fireworks were gorgeous!!!

 

[CJsMom]

So sorry the family didn't make it in time! Ahh, the thought of lying in a hammock on the Poly beach watching the fireworks... Your pictures are wonderful!

 

[All7OfUs]

LOVE that eye candy!! Mmmm.... I think an apple is definitely in order! Yummo!

The bus situation looked crazy! Glad people were taking it all in stride!

 

[MEK]

Wow - that was one super mega update. Thanks so much for all the pictures of the fireworks. The NY eve fireworks look amazing. The video was so fun to watch.

I guess you never anticipated how difficult it would be for everyone to travel and I'm sorry the rest of the family missed meeting up with you. kudos to them for trying. How frustrating.

Despite that, it looks like you had a great, really memorable evening. Watching the fireworks from the Poly beach looks like a fab way to spend NY eve. If I ever am at WDW NY eve, I will definitely plan to stay at the Poly.

Is it really your last night? So sad to see your time at Disney end.

I almost forgot - that comment about "are you a boy or a girl?" was so funny and hit home with me. When I was younger I had really short hair for the longest time and I would constantly get that comment. You see what happened - I finally grew my hair!

 

[wdwgirl03]

Awesome update! Yay for a DIS meet at the Poly!That is hilarious the guys were doing Bye Bye Bye. I would've loved to see that! And the fireworks look AMAZING. So cool how they were all over.

to those MK crowds. I guess that's why when we've been there over NYE we are always gone by 9:00! LOL.

 

[moparop]

Holiday wishes from a hammock on the Poly beach sounds amazing!!

The GTG looks like a heck of a lot of fun, but what a bummer that Joe and Henry never made it. I definitely would have cried too!

I can't imagine a long night like that for the kiddos. EEK!!

Looking forward to hearing about NOLA!

 

[ClaireW]

That time on the Poly beach, in a hammock, watching holiday wishes looked just about perfect
Felt bad for you that the rest of the family didn't arrive in time though. I can not quite believe how many people there were on the move that night
We did NYE at DLParis one year but it was a bit of a disappointment - too many people pushing and shoving and being rude as we tried to exit the park really took away the magic.
But I think NYE at WDW might get added to my wish list now! Maybe when the girls are a bit older and excited about staying up late