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

[Lovemy3babes]

What a wonderful way to end the night Brook. I'm a little envious that you got to meet MeMom and her family. I bet you all had fun but I can see how not having your special ones there was hard. Those lines were crazy!

 

[luvfigment]

Sorry your family didn't make it to the fireworks. It looks like despite that you had a great night. The videos your in laws took inside the MK were great! Its also pretty cool that they got in so late.

The pictures of thos apples and goodies from Goofy's Candy company did make my mouth water. YUMMY! I really need to go in there next time. It just stinks b/c I don't think DN will be able to go in b/c despite the face he is only 2.5 he has a severe peanut allergy. Oh well. He can stay outside with his Mom. hee hee.

On a side note your trip in Sept is coming up quickly...did you end up making ADR's?

 

[disneydusted]

That was a huge update!!
I was glad you pointed out he castle from your hammock because in your fireworks photos it is tiny! That shows how massive those fireworks were! Amazing! I'm sure you all enjoyed the booming coming across the water! Was there music piped in at the beach?

 

[DWGal210]

So (as usual) I am LATE to the party but got here just in time to hear about NYE! That was SO much fun!! I had the best time. You are absolutely right that it was as if we'd known each other for a long time - the conversation was very easy and nice, I had a GREAT time!! I was sad the rest of your crew wasn't there, but glad you met up with them later.

My sister was so funny - I talked her into going to the Poly with me and she kept asking, "So how exactly do you know these people?" I told her all about the Dis....I am pretty sure she thinks I'm nuts but she agreed it was a VERY fun time!!

 

[brookelizabeth]

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!

Henry really loves to take pictures...I wonder where he gets it from? We have a couple visitors today and we were walking around Central Park, Henry got a hold of one of the cameras and took about 15 random shots. A couple were really pretty good though! I need to have him do more pictures and do another blog post from his perspective, everyone loved that one.

It was really hard - and just frustrating - for both them and me, to know we were SO close.

The fireworks were simply amazing. They just light up the sky everywhere we looked! I really love fireworks and even though Joe didn't make it, this was still one of the highlights of the trip! I hope we go on NYE again so we can both enjoy them. (and maybe Henry will be old enough to stay up that late!)

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.

I love that one too! If he only had Mickey ears on it would have been perfect.

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!

I figured a few DISers would like to see the pics - with that exact thought! It really is quite a sight, and experiencing it all. Surprisingly things move very smoothly considering.

I love Holiday Wishes! So, so beautiful! Do they do the same show each year? I know the NYE fireworks were slightly different than last years - last year I watched via the webcam and the Travel Channel, so they must change those each year, but I don't know about Holiday Wishes.

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.

I'm glad you saw that! Those boys were so goofy, weren't they? We all were quite entertained! Not to mention the beautiful fireworks! We watched last year on the same webcast, it was fun to be there meeting the people and sitting in that very spot!

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!

Oh no worries, plenty of Disney nerds around! I would be bawling as well. Did you ever post them on YouTube or anything? I'd love to see it all again!

I was very glad to have Joe and Henry (and KK) by my side during the trek back to the resort. It was fun to experience that with them!!

 

[brookelizabeth]

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.

It was strange being apart for him for the new year...even though we aren't generally ones to be at a party or anything - but still. It was weird for him too. We gave each other a kiss and a "Happy New Year!" greeting later after we were well on our way back to Kidani and realized!

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!!!

It was a rough moment for me. Watching these beautiful fireworks and this wonderful moment where everyone around me is cheering, but my heart was sad, both because Joe wasn't there, and because both he and KK were missing it all! But, overall it was a great night - they weren't terribly bummed about the fireworks, and we had a fun adventure back to the lodge!

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!

The beach + hammock + Wishes was awesome!

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!

Those apples talk to me every single trip. And when I used to go to the Mall of America a lot, they had a store called Rocky Mountain Chocolate Factory with similar apples. Those spoke to me too.

Finally I responded, paid an ABSURD amount of money for an apple and loved EVERY SINGLE BITE! I just might have to pay them another visit in September.

The bus line was pretty entertaining! People were in such great moods and the buses were flying in and out with TONS of them lined up in the queue ready for dispatch. Disney did really well!

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!

We never even once thought about closed roads and all that. Completely makes sense though! As the week went on the transportation became a bit slower and slower - especially at MK where the driver had to check in and sometimes even wait in a queue to get what resort they should pull up to.

It was a very memorable evening! The Poly beach was PERFECT for the fireworks. I think I'd want to try for the MK next time, just to do it - I'm a little wacked like that. But, the beach really is awesome. I think I forgot to mention too they had a PARTYYYYYY rocking out at the Poly - live music at the pool, games, etc. It was really great!

It is my last night at WDW. We pack up and leave for NOLA in the morning.

That is funny about your hair! Thankfully I have only gotten that comment the one time! But I think I would do the same as you if I got it more often!

 

[brookelizabeth]

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.

Those guys were HILARIOUS! MeMom always talks about how goofy they are, and she is not kidding! Constant jokes, but they were also very sweet guys. It was a joy meeting them - and all the other DIS folks!

The fireworks are incredible! They shoot off from all over MK, there is just nothing like it! I hope we go back again for NYE (but arrive on the 30th, and start doing the parks on the 1st! ) so we can all see them.

I don't blame you for the 9:00 thing! It was a LOT of people. But really, it moved very smoothly and quicker than I figured.

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!

If I remember correctly Bella and Brooklynn both CRASHED out pretty quickly after the excitement of the fireworks died down. Bella might have even gone before it all... it was a really great night - wonderful DISers and beautiful fireworks!

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

It was pretty near perfect! I truly enjoyed those moments relaxing there with Wishes.

Oh that is sad about DLP! I don't remember Grammy or Poppa saying there was much of that going on, I sure hope not....

I really want to do NYE again - it was such a great experience, very different, but in a good way. Like I noted above, I think we would arrive on the 30th and just relax and enjoy, then start doing the parks on the 1st when the crowds have left. You get the best of it all then!

 

[brookelizabeth]

What a wonderful way to end the night Brook. I'm a little envious that you got to meet MeMom and her family. I bet you all had fun but I can see how not having your special ones there was hard. Those lines were crazy!

It was great to meet MeMom, Jill, Trent, Jarvis, John, Drew and the girls. They are wonderful people! I felt like I was chatting with old friends, same with Katie and her sister!

The lines were nutty! It was so strange to see that many people everywhere, but kinda neat too!! I was impressed with how Disney handled it all.

Sorry your family didn't make it to the fireworks. It looks like despite that you had a great night. The videos your in laws took inside the MK were great! Its also pretty cool that they got in so late.

The pictures of thos apples and goodies from Goofy's Candy company did make my mouth water. YUMMY! I really need to go in there next time. It just stinks b/c I don't think DN will be able to go in b/c despite the face he is only 2.5 he has a severe peanut allergy. Oh well. He can stay outside with his Mom. hee hee.

On a side note your trip in Sept is coming up quickly...did you end up making ADR's?

I really love that Poppa took so much video - and was so jealous that they were INSIDE the park. And they watched from backstage!

Ooooh, that does stink about your DN! There are peanuts all over that store though - it is best for him to stay outside...or perhaps they could venture on to the Lego Store.

We did make ADRs! And I actually have to cancel one after some discussion. I just hate canceling it, I really want it. I WILL be doing a PTR very shortly to share it all - I hope to get the New Orleans updates done quickly. At the latest I want to start the PTR in early August.

That was a huge update!!
I was glad you pointed out he castle from your hammock because in your fireworks photos it is tiny! That shows how massive those fireworks were! Amazing! I'm sure you all enjoyed the booming coming across the water! Was there music piped in at the beach?

Isn't it funny how tiny the Castle seems? It real life it seems larger, but on camera it's teeeeeeeeny! But then, like you said the HUGE fireworks. I never realized it was going to be such a great view from the Poly, but it really is! And yep, the music was piped in, I think the speakers were on the Poly itself, but anywhere I was on the beach area I could here it all just fine.

So (as usual) I am LATE to the party but got here just in time to hear about NYE! That was SO much fun!! I had the best time. You are absolutely right that it was as if we'd known each other for a long time - the conversation was very easy and nice, I had a GREAT time!! I was sad the rest of your crew wasn't there, but glad you met up with them later.

My sister was so funny - I talked her into going to the Poly with me and she kept asking, "So how exactly do you know these people?" I told her all about the Dis....I am pretty sure she thinks I'm nuts but she agreed it was a VERY fun time!!

HELLO!!!! Great to "see" you again!!! It was a very, very fun night. Anytime I think about it I get a big grin on my face. I wish I would have captured some of those moments of you two playing with Brooklynn. She just loved you! She is so sweet.

My in-laws were the same way...a bit skeptical, unfortunately they never got to meet anyone! Joe is used to it now after a couple meets - but at first he was a bit weirded out! I assured him everyone would be nice....and they have been! He really looks forward to it now. I'm glad your sister had a great time too!

 

[trinaweena]

Ok I need to stop being a lurker! I've been reading your trip reports for a long time now, i just don't think i've ever commented and I thought i should finally say hi! Henry is just too cute! I love your trip reports they are always so interesting!

 

[All7OfUs]

Hi Brook! Just came over to see what's going on over here.

 

[jenseib]

Wonderful updates! I feel for you about your boys missing the fireworks with you. If it was me I would be fuming and mad and sad. My first thing would be blaming my DH for not leaving early enough...because that would be true. LOL! I think I would be more upset not being with Claire though. I just know how special it would be to share that moemnt, but I'm sure they could probably see them from the monorail too and Henry was probably out anways. LOL!

 

[brookelizabeth]

Ok I need to stop being a lurker! I've been reading your trip reports for a long time now, i just don't think i've ever commented and I thought i should finally say hi! Henry is just too cute! I love your trip reports they are always so interesting!

Thank you for reading and posting!!! It's great to hear from you!

And thank you for the compliments! I really enjoy writing the TRs and sharing it all - it makes the memories live on, and its a lot of fun to look back and read them too!

I just opened your TR and will get caught up ASAP.

Hi Brook! Just came over to see what's going on over here.

Hey there! Not a whole lot this morning...just got back from my run, inhaled some breakfast and started my IV tap of coffee.

Oh - this just in: gotta go change a diaper. Yippee!

Wonderful updates! I feel for you about your boys missing the fireworks with you. If it was me I would be fuming and mad and sad. My first thing would be blaming my DH for not leaving early enough...because that would be true. LOL! I think I would be more upset not being with Claire though. I just know how special it would be to share that moemnt, but I'm sure they could probably see them from the monorail too and Henry was probably out anways. LOL!

I was a bit upset with Joe...I won't lie! I asked him about 10 times why they didn't leave earlier. But, looking back, they did leave with enough time, and they just didn't know it would take that long...but IN the moment it sure was hard to be cool about it!

 

[brookelizabeth]

Happy Friday everyone!

I have a few minutes to do a quick update...so when we left off we had just watched the phenomenal NYE fireworks display and made our way back to Kidani.

The next morning all we had time to do was to pack up the few remaining things, soak in a bit more of the lodge and board ME.

The previous night MeMom and BrooklynnsMommy had given Henry a gift, but as you might recall, he was sound asleep by the time they made it...so, that morning it was a wonderful surprise!

A couple Matchbox cars, a Cars Color Wonder book (which he LOVED, it was a great thing for the plane and the time we spent in the hotel in New Orleans!), a Cars pencil set, and some fruit snacks.

Thank you so much for the gift!!!!!

We were soon all packed and ready to go.

It was a rainy and dreary day, which matched our moods - we were all a bit sad to say good-bye to Disney!

As usual, I felt compelled to take a bunch of pictures as we were leaving - I never feel like I quite capture the essence of the resorts!

I can hear the music when I see this picture!

Watching the rain and waiting for ME.

It came. We were all hoping there would be a magical moment of "Sorry, your bus isn't coming until tomorrow!" but...

The ME bus was FULL!

Rain coming down...

Henry kicked back and enjoyed the ride!

We made it to the airport without any troubles and found our gate, which had TONS of people all around. I found out then that Florida State had made it to the Sugar Bowl, which was that night. Everyone was talking football and all decked out in their team gear. We were the only clueless family...

We all ventured our ways to get some snacks before the flight...however, Poppa was turned away at a counter due to a fake $20! The rebel! It was really bizarre, Grammy had gotten that from her bank back home - somehow it slipped through!

Alright, I gotta get rolling....stay with me, we are about to land in New Orleans!!!

 

[Lady Lallie]

Look at Henry's too cute little shoes lounging on ME. So adorable.

Seriously, everytime I read your report I want a baby so badly.

 

[jenjolt]

Awwwww I'm so sad to see the Disney portion of your trip end!! What a wonderful gift from MeMom and Jill, very Henryish!!!!

That picture of Henry's feet on the back of the chair was WAY too cute!!!!

Can't wait to hear about the New Orleans part of the trip!!

 

[wdwgirl03]

Aww, that first picture of Henry getting ready to open his gift is super cute and then the one of him with his little suitcase is adorable too (and kind of sad ).

I was going to say, rain on the last day...what a fitting ending. Last days always stink. I am always secretly hoping our flight would get cancelled or the bus doesn't come too so we can stay a little bit longer. No matter how many times you go it is always a bummer when it comes time to leave.

 

[ptcrn]

I'm just getting caught up after several missed updates!

I decided to play Disney Bus Roulette

This made me LOL!!

It is just crazy how many cars and strollers and people were everywhere!

Love all the decorations at the Grand Floridian. I would love to see that gingerbread house in person someday. Amazing how intricate it is!

The little celebration/birthday room in the back.

I have never noticed this before! What a fun birthday party that would be for a kid!

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

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So cute!

But, in the end I purchased this instead:

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

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I have one of these! Love it. We made Mickey pancakes last week and they were a hit with David!

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???

OH my goodness, too funny! I would have died!


The DIS meet looks like fun. Sorry that the boys didn't make it in time. I would have been crying!

 

[ptcrn]

Such cute pictures of Henry opening his gifts! That was so nice of MeMom and Jill!

Watching the rain and waiting for ME.

This is the saddest picture- he looks so melancholy!! I hate leaving Disney, and all the rain just makes it sadder, doesn't it?

Love his little feet up on the seat!

Can't wait to read about New Orleans and then hear about your September plans!!

 

[praisehisname]

What a sweet gift from MeMom and crew! Sorry it was such a yucky day, but like you said it probably matched your mood. Loved Henry's little feet on the bus! about the fake $20 bill. Did he go back to the bank when he got home?

 

[brookelizabeth]

Look at Henry's too cute little shoes lounging on ME. So adorable.

Seriously, everytime I read your report I want a baby so badly.

He's such a goof, he loves to sit like that, with his hands behind his head too!

on the baby. I look forward to celebrating with you (and Marc) when it all happens!! I look forward to the TRs, sharing the magic through his/her eyes!

Awwwww I'm so sad to see the Disney portion of your trip end!! What a wonderful gift from MeMom and Jill, very Henryish!!!!

That picture of Henry's feet on the back of the chair was WAY too cute!!!!

Can't wait to hear about the New Orleans part of the trip!!

It was a VERY Henry gift. He was elated! He filled up that Color Wonder book sooooo quickly. We now have several of them, they are genius!

Aww, that first picture of Henry getting ready to open his gift is super cute and then the one of him with his little suitcase is adorable too (and kind of sad ).

I was going to say, rain on the last day...what a fitting ending. Last days always stink. I am always secretly hoping our flight would get cancelled or the bus doesn't come too so we can stay a little bit longer. No matter how many times you go it is always a bummer when it comes time to leave.

He really enjoys pulling his own suitcase, especially down the plane aisle. All the flight attendants always oooh and awwww at him.

Last days DO stink! I always hope the same thing...so does Joe!!

I'm just getting caught up after several missed updates!

This made me LOL!!

It is just crazy how many cars and strollers and people were everywhere!

Love all the decorations at the Grand Floridian. I would love to see that gingerbread house in person someday. Amazing how intricate it is!

I have never noticed this before! What a fun birthday party that would be for a kid!

So cute!

I have one of these! Love it. We made Mickey pancakes last week and they were a hit with David!

OH my goodness, too funny! I would have died!


The DIS meet looks like fun. Sorry that the boys didn't make it in time. I would have been crying!

I never noticed that room at Goofy's either until I saw it on another TR, then I just happened to notice in December. It would be a very fun place! There is a similar candy store (non Disney themed) here in NYC that I looked into for parties. The price made me though!

Isn't that Mickey head thing great!!! Henry was so excited the first time I made him Mickey shaped peanut butter toast!

It was pretty hilarious about the "are you a boy or girl?" thing! She was only about 6 or 7, so I took it in stride. Her parents just chuckled and apologized for their very inquisitive child. I told them not to worry, she made it a fun (and memorable) bus ride!

Such cute pictures of Henry opening his gifts! That was so nice of MeMom and Jill!

Watching the rain and waiting for ME.

This is the saddest picture- he looks so melancholy!! I hate leaving Disney, and all the rain just makes it sadder, doesn't it?

Love his little feet up on the seat!

Can't wait to read about New Orleans and then hear about your September plans!!

His face said it ALL! None of us wanted to leave.

Henry has grown up so much since this trip. Now whenever he watched a Disney movie he sees the Castle at the beginning and says, "Mommy you want to go to Mickey's house very bad?" "Yes, do you?" "Yes!" I can only imagine what our last day Henry picture will look like this coming trip!

What a sweet gift from MeMom and crew! Sorry it was such a yucky day, but like you said it probably matched your mood. Loved Henry's little feet on the bus! about the fake $20 bill. Did he go back to the bank when he got home?

I do believe my MIL went back to the bank. She didn't act too concerned when it happened - all the rest of us had to touch it, investigate, etc.! It was a VERY good fake, it just felt a bit stiff, kinda like new money. Good thing the cashier checked it!