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

[wdwgirl03]

Holy cow, 11 pages already! I didn't even know you started yet. Time to catch up...

 

[ladybugmom]

Wow!! The decorations and light at MK are just breathtaking!! I can't imagine going into a park without a stroller and a bag (or even my kids for that matter)--how nice!!!! Glad you were able to enjoy your evening!

 

[jordanyosh]

Thanks for the picture shout out!

Man. You were troopers that night!

Kidani looks beautiful.

Main Street Bakery....I don't think I've examined it that closely...I think I might need to do that in a few weeks.

 

[TyRy]

WOW - a few bad days at work, and no Dissing time and I totally missed that you started this. All caught up now and can't wait to read more.

 

[John's Mom]

Brook,

Great TR and pictures (as always)!

Kathy

 

[blessedby3]

Brook,
I have been anxiously awaiting your trip report and dont know how I have missed it!! Thanks for the great pictures of Spectro! It is one of my favorites- I even have it for one of my ringtones.

The pictures all look great and Im looking forward to hearing all about it.

One positive note- my ticker has gotten shorter since you left. Our original travel dates of Thanksgiving have been moved to May15th
I CANT WAIT!!

 

[IBelieveInTheMagic]

Hi Brook! I love all the updates and pictures!

I loved the hot chocolate picture (or lack thereof) and your comment about it with the lid!! HA HA.... I still love the picture, lid and all

How fun to have your family with you, your precious Henry taken care of and sleeping and you and Joe having a fun date at the MK - that rocks!!

I look forward to more...

Heather

 

[3prettyprincesses]

Cute update! And color me jealous too! Going to MK at night ALONE with my DH would be a little slice of heaven! How fun for you both. A Disney date, aaaahhhh!

You know, I've never gone in the Main St. bakery! Did you just do this when you read that? I know, how have I never gone in there yet? I most definitely will next trip though, especially after seeing those chocolate croissants. Love the pics too of the firehouse and city hall. Those are all on my list for our next trip. I fully intend to sloooooow down and see all the details this time. No more charging through the parks, racing from one ride to the next like a crazy person.

Anyhoo, I'm enjoying your TR. Looking forward to the next installment!

 

[OhMari]

January Thaw.
I'm sick of snow.


Loving the report.

 

[aceys_h0ney]

Brook! Let me tell you how happy I am to have stumbled upon this. I was an avid reader one or two trip reports ago. Well a tragic thing happened, I had to cancel my much planned and beloved Disney trip last year. I was so heartbroken that I could not come back to the DIS for a very very long time. Well thankfully I am planning another trip, one of which we will hopefully get to follow through with. So I started poking around the forums again. Lo and behold there is a trip report by you! Sorry I have not read it all yet I am just so excited to have one to read! Henry sure is growing up. Can't wait to read all about your December trip!
Sorry I hope I don't sound like a crazy stalker I just love your trip reports and this seems like the perfect way to get back in the Disney spirit!

 

[ClaireW]

Great Spectro pictures

Must add 'play with camera settings' to my to-do list!

 

[DWGal210]

Hey there!

Love the pictures!

So I was reading on MeMom / Jills report that you gals are trying to get a MOA meet together...if you do, let me know! I live about 3 1/2 hours from the mall and would love an excuse to get up there again and do some shopping!

 

[MHTeacher]

OK.....when are we getting an update?

 

[DreaGirl]

Did someone say girls trip?! I'm in! I wish parks tickets weren't so darn expensive! If you find a flight and room for cheap it's the tickets that break the bank!

Still so envious of you and Joe footloose and fancy free in Magic Kingdom! No bag, no stroller...

Your hot chocolate picture cracked me up. Oops.


I could just hear the Spectro music looking at those pictures. On this magic night...

Can't wait to hear how you wake up at 6:30 without an alarm. You should have let me know you needed one, B. would have been happy to wake ya'll up at 5:30!

 

[MaryAz]

 

[thegreggersmom]

Yeah! I just found you, too. Cannot believe how BIG Henry is getting.

 

[brookelizabeth]

Great update Brooke. Any visit to Disney without a stroller and bag is different.

As for the bakery treats...
Drool is right... I love love those chocolate croissants... they are for sure my favorite breakfast treat ever. Even Doug knows that is what I want at Disney... no questions ask. Thanks for making me extra hungry!

So when is your next tentative trip?

Those chocolate croissants are delicious! I am not huge on a plain croissant, but mix in the chocolate and I'm allllll for it. I could easily go for one right now.

Next trip is currently booked for December 2010. DIS Cruise + land stay; however.....September is calling. And we can only afford one trip this year... Nothing yet is fully decided - but September is looking more and more appealing for a bunch of reasons.

Nothing like Spectro music to get the Disney spirit going. How nice that you got to see the parade unexpectedly. How wonderful for a little time alone (just the two of you). I remember having the feeling of freedom when my kids were little. It makes you feel like a bird. You feel like you can go anywhere and do anything....Love it!

You actually don't look tired at all! Too bad for the 90 space mtn wait.....ugggghhhh....... but I love you pics inside the buildings. I think the firehouse is so cute.

Well, me thinks you might oversleep in the morning, but I just have to wait to find out!

You are too sweet for saying I don't look tired! I think I look horrible! But, I know I've looked at other people on the DIS when they have said the same thing and gone "What?! They look fine!" We are more critical of ourselves...

It really was a fun adventure with just the two of us! To be able to move quickly and not deal with the baby swap...very nice!

The other day I went to the mall with DBF, and we were both getting hungry. We stopped at Nathan's to get fries, but then I saw they had corn dogs and I just had to get one! I didn't grow up eating corn dogs and I've probably only eaten one in my entire life, but when I think about them, I think about you and how much you love the nuggets at Casey's! I remember your CDN ticker!

I will have to get some at Casey's when I go in April. It's a must do because I drool every time you mention them. (The same goes for the apple turnovers that BrooklynnsMommy loves so much!)

That's great!! I was tempted to do the CDN ticker again for this trip, being I didn't get them in September, but just went with a more generic one. Perhaps for the next trip...he he. I had SO many people ask what they were and then laugh!!

I don't really ever get corn dogs anywhere else except Casey's. Just something about them, and being on Main Street...!

What a great first night! Ooh, those Main St. Bakery goodies look yummy! So cool that you got to see Spectro. It's nice that you and Joe got to take a little time and play by yourselves.

It was an excellent way to start the trip. It almost felt sneaky....

 

[brookelizabeth]

Yum! Apple turnovers!!

Those are yummy!

They are so very good. Joe got one a few trips ago and I took a bite. I miss the French Toast Loaf though!

Just reading that you heard the Spectro music made the Spectro music play in my head and that made me so happy

I LOVE that parade. It is a MUST see for me. Thanks for the great reminder on this cold, winter night

Henry is adorable, as always!

You are welcome! I love it too! I was very bummed thinking we would miss it this trip. It was a wonderful surprise! And thank you for the compliment about Henry.

What a great night at the MK! I know exactly what you were feeling when you had no bags and no stroller! You need that every once in a while!

Love the Mickey glass vase too, that is awesome!

It was so strange, yet wonderful being free of a bag and stroller! I think as Henry gets older (and future children) I will try my hardest to become bag free on those trips!!

That would be Todd and myself! Jason wasn't at that meet.

I had thought it was you, but couldn't remember for sure! I was laughing so hard during that little ordeal I had tears on my cheeks!

The pictures were wonderful, and watching Spectromagic is the perfect way to start your trip. I agree the corn dog nuggets are magical at MK.

Your FIL did a great job at picture taking also.

Thanks! I hope next time I see Spectro I will have a new lens and can pick up some of the closer-up details too. The floats are so amazing!

My FIL is a good photographer - he has won quite a few local awards for his photography work even. I know have all his files (and video! ), so I'll be sure to share them as we go along! I love having pictures from others because everyone always sees things in different ways.

I have never tried these casey corn dog nuggets. I feel like I need to make a trip just to check them out because of all the talk and pictures.

Just wait for the pictures.....later in the TR....

Great update. Glad you got to see Spectro. What a fun,bagless evening!

Thanks! It really was! Spectro was such a great surprise.

Hi Brook!

WHAT?! No CDNs!? I sincerely hope for those of us that love them as much as we do, you don't neglect their procuring!

What a fabulous, bag-less night you had. and he added bonus of Spectro is just plain cool!! Love it!

I have to admit, it'd be a toss-up between TTA and Space for me. I love them both. The 90 min wait would def. be a deal breaker for me to.

Yes, those "crisper" pix of Kidani are very nice.

I kept telling myself back in September I would get them "next time" we were at MK and ended up NOT getting them. And that was playing in the back of my mind that night, but I just couldn't stuff them in - I wouldn't have enjoyed them. But, I'll let you know, I DID GET THEM THIS TRIP! You guys will just have to wait for a the beautiful moment....

I love TTA and SM as well - they are two of my favorite rides! I love that the TTA hardly ever has a line.

I think I might have even more pics of Kidani since I now have my FIL and SIL's files. I just have to go through them and upload yet! I'll be sure to share.

 

[brookelizabeth]

I am joining in. I may not comment much if I get really busy but I am reading. Henry is getting so big. I love the new pics in your siggy.

thanks for reading! I totally understand about not being able to post - I get so far behind sometimes when real life interrupts!

Thank you on the compliment on the siggy!!

Brook, I love that you and Joe got a late night together in the Magic Kingdom. It's neat being able to spend a little alone time together, in such a special place. And thumbs up for being able to see an unplanned Spectro! Woot!!

I tried the corn dog nuggets in your honor on our trip. They were pretty tasty.

How does the GAC work? Do you have to prove Joe's eye condition? I'm asking because our youngest has Autism and it's something I've thought about for future trips.

It really was a lot of fun to go there late night. I was kinda surprised that Joe wanted to come at first, I was just gonna go solo! But, I was really glad that he did!

on the corn dog nuggets! Glad you liked them! I have heard they also sell them at AK (cannot recall where), but I haven't tried them yet....I wonder if they are as good?

For the GAC you don't have to prove anything - you can simply just go to any guest services and explain your need. For Joe, he needs to be able to sit in front for shows-he just says "I'm legally blind, can I get a Guest Assistance Card for the shows, so I can sit near the front so I can see it better?" (that sorta thing). They pull out a card and put a stamp on it that explains his need - which we show to a CM at the show and they lead us to the location - which is usually the roped off handicap section. There are stamps for all sorts of needs, so whatever he needs you can just explain and they will do it-no questions asked. And it's good for your whole trip.

Hey Brook! I’m behind a bit so I’ll start with commenting on the first set of installments I missed and then go read the next.

How awesome that they were able to join you on this trip!

Woohoo!

Way to go Joe!

Ain’t that the truth!

Picturing BE dropping to her knees with both hands lifted high and screaming to chandelier.

Whew! Good job keeping those #’s handy.

What an AWESOME looking room! Absolutely amazing.

I remember those days.

Too funny! I wound up a couple of the same pics that my mom had on her camera.

What a cool arrival activity!



WOHOO! Time to unleash the inner park beast!

I laughed out loud at your comment that I bolded above! Inside, yes, that is pretty much what I did...outside, I was cool and whipped open the Passporter!

I remember that feeling from my solo morning. It is definitely nice to just walk right in and not have to worry about anything.

Wohoo! That’s awesome. Unless you’re a parade hater. (cough…Jordan…ahem) Which you are aren’t. So awesome it is.

That’s hilarious!

Good form!

YIKES! That’s like 1980’s SM crowds right there.

It is a good mission and worthy of song.

I’m glad you did. I haven’t seen too many pics of this place before.


How cool is that?

Uh-oh. I sense an impending disaster young Jedi.

Joe isn't big on parades....but he does like Spectro. He humors me though with other parades!! I still have yet to see the normal 12:00 parade at MK or the entire Block Party Bash though...NEXT TRIP! Sorry Joe!

We saw it even longer later in the trip...120 minutes!

Awesome job Poppa!

He does some really nice photography work! He's been through a couple classes and belongs to a camera club...we even have a few of his prints framed around our house. I now have all his files, so I'll be sharing more!

I love it...I agree with ME...you sound so excited to be going out with out a stroller...and I know you adore Henry...you must have been so thrilled to see Spectro...kind of romantic like a date... I want to see some unlidded Hot Chocolate next time...

too bad about Space...I hope you get on during your trip and that you get some of those corn dog nuggets...

It was like a date! And the next night we had another!

I'll keep that in mind about the unlidded cocoa!

Oh yes, SM and CDNs are coming up....

 

[brookelizabeth]

Holy cow, 11 pages already! I didn't even know you started yet. Time to catch up...

glad to see you found me!!!!

Wow!! The decorations and light at MK are just breathtaking!! I can't imagine going into a park without a stroller and a bag (or even my kids for that matter)--how nice!!!! Glad you were able to enjoy your evening!

They are really, really beautiful! I don't feel like I could even really capture the beauty of all the decor. It glowed just perfectly....

Thanks for the picture shout out!

Man. You were troopers that night!

Kidani looks beautiful.

Main Street Bakery....I don't think I've examined it that closely...I think I might need to do that in a few weeks.

Your very welcome! I think I said it on your TR after I posted the pic, but next time I'm going to try to get Joe and Henry to do it too....

Kidani is really beautiful, very peaceful - it certainly doesn't feel like you are in Florida or at WDW, it's very relaxing...just you wait!

yes! You must go visit the Main Street Bakery! Do you like ice cream sandwiches? If so, at any time of the day (including breakfast!) you can get one of theirs....two GIANT cookies and 3 scoops of ice cream. One snack credit!! Everything I've had there is good. Yum.

WOW - a few bad days at work, and no Dissing time and I totally missed that you started this. All caught up now and can't wait to read more.

Tracy! Glad you found me!!!

Brook,

Great TR and pictures (as always)!

Kathy

Thank you!!! More to come (finally)!

Brook,
I have been anxiously awaiting your trip report and dont know how I have missed it!! Thanks for the great pictures of Spectro! It is one of my favorites- I even have it for one of my ringtones.

The pictures all look great and Im looking forward to hearing all about it.

One positive note- my ticker has gotten shorter since you left. Our original travel dates of Thanksgiving have been moved to May15th
I CANT WAIT!!

Your ringtone! I LOVE THAT! My phone is not nearly fancy enough to have that sorta thing, but if I ever upgrade.....!

That is awesome about your ticker getting shorter, and that is QUITE the jump! What made you decide to switch dates? BLT... (I have some pics coming up of it at the end of Day 2 - not many, but a few!)

Hi Brook! I love all the updates and pictures!

I loved the hot chocolate picture (or lack thereof) and your comment about it with the lid!! HA HA.... I still love the picture, lid and all

How fun to have your family with you, your precious Henry taken care of and sleeping and you and Joe having a fun date at the MK - that rocks!!

I look forward to more...

Heather

Thanks on the hot chocolate comment! I really truly did mean to take another picture after we were settled into our Spectro spot, but we ended up standing the entire time, and between that and taking pictures...it was gone before I remembered!

It was a big treat to have the family along. My MIL loved being with Henry too! And he loved being with them. It made it a very different trip too. Not in a bad way, just different!