A Very Lurkyloo Christmas is FINISHED! New 3/16: Last Day of the Trip!

[MinnieMe67]

Wow Carrie! I am now cleaning pop (Dr. Pepper of course), once again, from my keyboard. There should be a disclaimer on all Lurkyloo Trippies... "Please put aside all beverages until you are done reading, thank you!" Very very funny! And terrific pictures, Patrick!! We love Epcot, so the abundance of World Showcase shots are very much appreciated! Hope all goes well for you the next couple of weeks!

Debbie

 

[WriteDisney]

And this guy has no idea where he is or what he’s eating…

DFiance and I love that turtle! We saw him on our trip in 2008 and then found him again in 2009. I had to get DFiance over to the computer to show it to him and it definitely brightened our day (Yepp, we're nerds ). Your pics are so great. I'll have to check out that train area in Germany, the pics were great (and very funny).

 

[Happydog]

Hiya Lurkyloo! I just got myself caught up on the start of your TR... Sometimes laughter is the best medicine when we need it... I hope this TR gives you some of that. I am sorry for your loss.

I really enjoyed your beginning! I totally understand the need to make this trip a "smell the flowers" pace. The season begs for it! We were at the world for Christmas week as well, so I really love Patrick's photos because they are oodles better than mine!!! We tried Kouzzina's too (for Dinner )and agree that it was "okay" -- GREAT photos of the WShowcase! Totally love the comment about "photos from random angles" b/c that was me in October at the FWF after a few cosmo slushies ... though my pics were not as cool! The photos of the pastoral German countryside gone "little lizard invasion" were HIGHlarious!!!! Easily a scene out of a Japanese "horror" movie from the 50s.... like godzilla. Only not. I have so much fun reading your quips. Can't wait to hear what is in store next!

Lastly I will leave you with one bit of info I heard on the radio.. apparently in Orlando the Iguanas are falling from trees all over town because it is too cold, and when they get too cold they go numb... Wonder if that is happening in Disneyworld!

Looking forward to your next post.

 

[jwwi]

Your last two installments have been fantastic. I absolutely love the pictures from the train display. So funny. The pics from the Boardwalk room are so nice. Looks pretty swanky........

Good luck with the work you have ahead of you. My condolences regarding your father.

 

[A-T-G]

So glad to read this TR! It's like I'm there! Which, I'd like to be - Seriously! I'm working on DH to try to get him to sign up for a WDW trip for our 5th anniversary (This year). He claims he'd like to try to get to Paris but, I have my doubts...

...that he'll actually commit to anything and then we'll be sitting at home on our anniversary, just like always!

 

[Donald'sGirl]

Carrie loved that last installment! The lizard pics were cracking me up! you and Patrick got a ton of great photos! Can't wait to hear more.

Good luck the next couple of weeks and we will see you when you get back. Sending you a big hug

 

[disneylovin24]

Great pics

Any tips on staying at BLT? I'll be staying there in 4 weeks yay and I want to hear all the advice on staying there!

 

[MAGICFOR2]

I missed your start, but I'm all caught up! As usual, I'm lovin' your TR!
BWV looks wonderful, Kouzzina, not so much.

I loved the giant lizards in Germany! Hi-Larious!
The confused sea turtle was too! Thanks for the laughs!

 

[starann]

Ok, please post a "Spew Alert" when you post such things as Killer Lizzards My laptop screen got a bath of Pepsi!


I also wanted to tell you I got the 2010 Passporter and near the back, saw the color picts, and YOU!!!!!!! I showed it to DH and was like, "I know her, I know her" And he was like "Oh, ok"

 

[KristinAnne]

I have the cutest story about Fake Santa! We also saw him while standing in line for a Dole Whip Float. A little 4-5 year old boy must have been being naughty or not listening to his dad, because all of a sudden Fake Santa started shaking his finger at him. The little boy looked sheepish, and they walked by. Well, about 30 seconds later, they came back and his father said "Santa, Collin has something he wants to say to you." The little boy looked at him and said "I'm sorry Santa." Fake Santa crouched down and said "It's okay. I'll take that one right off my bad list and put you right back on my good list."
It was absolutely adorable. After they left he told us he'd be going home to write it down, because as often as people look at him, that's very unusual.

 

[Donald'sGirl]

I have the cutest story about Fake Santa! We also saw him while standing in line for a Dole Whip Float. A little 4-5 year old boy must have been being naughty or not listening to his dad, because all of a sudden Fake Santa started shaking his finger at him. The little boy looked sheepish, and they walked by. Well, about 30 seconds later, they came back and his father said "Santa, Collin has something he wants to say to you." The little boy looked at him and said "I'm sorry Santa." Fake Santa crouched down and said "It's okay. I'll take that one right off my bad list and put you right back on my good list."
It was absolutely adorable. After they left he told us he'd be going home to write it down, because as often as people look at him, that's very unusual.

That is the sweetest story!!

 

[LMO429]

awesome start! looking forward to more!

 

[KristinAnne]

That is the sweetest story!!

It made both of us melt.

 

[Becx N Gav]

Wow what a great start! I loved all the pictures - in fact I think I may be getting that camera! I'll have a look at others but it does sound like it can do an awful lot for the price Please thank Patrick for bringing it to my attention

I'm sorry you didn't enjoy Kouzinna - I wonder how long it will last?! It's such a shame because in May we had the most fantastic meal - I can still taste the butternut squash ravioli I would eat that every day if I could.

I'm glad they have re-vamped the Boardwalk so well, it was definately looking past it's prime in 2007 - it really put me off staying there and the villas really, but we might have to give the villas a try - will look at some recent pics and show DH.

Hope things are going ok at your fathers, it can't be an easy thing to do. I helped my Dad when my grandfather passed away and it was emotional.
Thinking of you

 

[starann]

CArrie,
Thinking of you as you pack up your dad's house. Four years ago my Bama (g'ma, we were VERY close) died and we had to pack up her house....it brought back so many wonderful memories like playing with her cosutme jewlery, all of her many magnets (her entire fridge was covered!), but it was all so bittersweet, as I knew it meant she was gone.

HUGS

 

[lurkyloo]

Just found your report. Welcome back and I am sorry about your dad. I cant imagine how you feel, but it sounds like you have some great friends and family to support you.

I follow you on Twitter and we talked a month or so ago. We bonded over the mass amount of Disney trips we have taken over the past year. I have 4 under my belt in 18 months. Ack. I think I have a problem.

Anywho, great report and i will keep your family in my prayers.

Jennifer

Thanks so much, Jennifer!

WOW .... your photo are truly stunning .... I am a big fan of "photos taken from a strange and unusual angle" and you have lots of them .... really amazing shots. I am loving this report ... really funny but also interesting and informative. Looking forward to the next installment.

Glad to hear you enjoyed it. DH has become quite the hobby photographer, and it's nice to have something to do with all the great shots he takes!

I love the results you got from your efforts!

Turned out beautiful!

All of your photos are gorgeous!!!

Thanks! I'll pass along the compliment!

So I'm reading your latest installment with my son in my lap, and he points to the pics of the train display, and says "Ooh!" When I get to the pics of the killer lizards, he says "Meow!" Apparently, killer German lizards "meow" instead of hiss or whatever. Who knew?

I believe they do this to throw off their prey. The prey hears them coming and thinks "Ooooh! A nice wittle fuzzy kitty cat is coming to greet me!" and it's all over...

Great (and hilarious!) update!! I L-O-V-E the Morocco pictures So beautiful and so many of them could be framed and hung on a wall as art! Patrick is a great photographer!

I loved the "American" version of asking to see the pins and that was one hearty looking fruit salad!

Can't wait for more! Good luck at your Dad's and I'm keeping my fingers crossed too!.

Thanks for reading along! As you have prolly guessed, things were crazy enough that I didn't get to do an update while at my Dad's, but now that I'm back I hope to be able to get back into the groove and churn out a few more installments!

Great installment! Love the pics of the train display -- we were there last Dec. and I didn't even notice that it was decorated, doh! I'm bummed to hear the "meh" review of Kouzzina. We're booked there for dinner later this month and I had high hopes.

Good luck over the next couple of weeks. I'm sure that's rough and I hope you're doing okay.

Thank you so much! And you never know, maybe we caught Kouzzina on an off-night or ordered the wrong things. You might have a totally different experience!

ITA. At Shutters, it was insisted that I take a buzzer, even though I'd been told a table was ready. I was then forced to walk away from the podium... 3 steps later, the buzzer went off, I turned around to give it back and was seated. Really, all that was necessary?!

Oh wow... that is bad.

Carrie, i can't even quote everything I want to reply on. This last post was probably one of the funniest I have read from you in a long time! You were on FIRE! Loved all the stuff you got i n Japan! Really loved the pics in Morocco! Also, I loveeeeee the Mexico pavillion, and want to eat there just for the atmopshere..but i think I owuld regret it! Did, Coral Reef chnage their menu recently? I was bummed you couldn't get your grits! But glad you got to meet my turtle friend! We told Stve hi for you last time we went

Well that must be why he remembered us! I guess Coral Reef did change their menu, although it wasn't wildly different. And I wish I could recommend San Angel Inn to you. Our first meal there was great, but last time we ate there it was pretty mediocre...

Anywho, like I said, too much funny to comment it all! Love dthe post! Can you email me the "may I see your pins" in each language??

Sure, but I can't be responsible for the reactions she gets using my phonetic spellings! She might want to go up and ask for the pronunciations herself, just to be on the safe side...

So why don't the CMs in Morocco have pins??

Because they aren't Disney CMs - the pavilion is run by the Moroccan government, and they prolly didn't wanna pay all that money for pins and lanyards for their employees!

Like InkedupMomma, I have way too many things to comment on for this installment!!
So, I think I'll just say....EXCELLENT FANTABULOUS job!!!

Patrick's pics are amazing!!! I'm going to go check out that camera now for our next trip...but I thought it was an SLR? Is it a Point and Shoot? Really? If so, that would be so cool...

Nope - not an SLR! It is basically a point-and-shoot with delusions of grandeur The body is styled like a small version of a DSLR and you can manually adjust the settings if you want, but it has a whole lotta great auto features for those of us who don't want to bother. It's the Sony DSC-HX1.

Anyway, good luck up north, I'll be thinking of you and sending you peaceful thoughts...

Anyway, in case I didn't make myself clear before...this installment totally ROCKED!

Well, thanks!

So I am reading here at work, laughing OUT LOUD many many times - too funny!!!! To make it worse, the gal I used to share space with moved to a different department, so I am literally here all by myself, laughing like a crazy person. I just saw 2 girls from accounting give me a look.

I love it! And I am happy to know I provided you with some quality online time-wasting.

Darn, I thought I quoted the giant lizard pix, but I guess I didn't. I really hate that, because the picture of the lizard going for the cookies is? Priceless!

Great installment! Makes me really sad to know that it will be at least a couple of weeks before we get another one. Then it dawns on me what an incredibly selfish thing to say that is, and I feel bad. So I'll say that I owe you a for doing what you're about to do, and a for me being selfish about it.

Hey, thanks! I will definitely try to get a new installment going. The trick to writing a good one seems to be to do it when I'm in the mood for it, rather than forcing it... but I don't suppose that excuse really cuts the mustard in the working world!

Great update Carrie! I'm glad I wasn't the only one who noticed the army of lizards all over WDW. Maybe they're really spies sent by one of those "other" parks to steal secrets Good luck at your dad's house and don't worry about your TR if you can't update we'll keep an eye on it for you

Thanks for looking out for my trippie! I love all the lizards at WDW, though I s'pose it's silly to be photographing/chasing them when I've paid all that money to see animatronic animals!

"Didn't have the sense God gave a donut hole"-hee hee-longtime lurker here-my daughter and I LOVE your trip reports.Condolences on the loss of your father.Just wanted to say you've got two more fans!

Thanks for coming out of lurkdom!

Carrie...Eric's bday is Oct 24th so it would either be end of Oct or he has been saying how much he loved DL in Dec when we were there so could be early Dec. We'll see.


I hope your time spent at your Dad's won't be too difficult but know that you have lots of folks thinking of you & sending hugs your way.

Thank you so much! I hope you are able to get out here - October and December are both great times, so you really can't go wrong!

Love all the great World Showcase shots. The pictures in Morocco made me smile because I now always go crazy taking shots of the AAR, so I know how Patrick and you feel about Morocco. I am totally jealous about the tank seat at Coral Reef. For our 1st anniversary dinner, we ended up on the 2nd tier even after several "reminders" that we were celebrating our anniversary and held our reception upstairs in the LSS.

Ugh! That's disappointing! Like they couldn't just wait a little longer for a tank table to open up?

So are you going back for your 2nd anniversary? Patrick is doing night shows the entire week so we can't really go anywhere for ours.

I just want to echo that I too cannot believe Patrick's picture are from a point and shoot. They are fantastic and look totally DSLR! Can't wait to see more.

Oh and I anxiously await the next installment whenever it comes. Mmmmm Jiko... (there really needs to be a drooling smile...)

Seriously - why *don't* we have a drooling smiley around this joint?

What a great set of updates! Commentary in random order:

Love your ability to hone in on any wedding in WDW!

At this point, it appears to be an involuntary bodily reaction for me!

Totally missed the pinata in Mexico! Isn't the inside of the pavilion gorgeous?

LOVE it! It's Patrick's favorite pavilion!

I really need to explore the Seas more... I've hardly seen any of it.

The thing is, now that it's lost any vestige of a storyline, you'd do better to go to any big-city aquarium...

What type of camera did Patrick get? His photos are marvelous. I think he is taking lessons from the Roots. He really got some unique shots. Between your writing and his photos - what a great TR

Hey, thanks! Patrick has a Sony DSC-HX1, and I think you're right - he may be absorbing some tips and tricks from the Roots (unfortunately, I am not the Photoshop wiz Jensey is!).

 

[lurkyloo]

What are these?

Whoops! I missed this last time around - so those are Japanese postcards. We bought them to hang on the wall, though.

Hey, it's 2010 now -- time to make our own rules! Souvenirs all day, every day!

I like it, I like it!

Oh the lizards!!

Carrie, do you have a problem with our reptilian/ amphibian friends? Just making sure...

Oh no, I love all creatures, even bugs! I think it's great that Florida contributes so many real animals to Disney's parks...

Now, those lizardS... have they been creatively posed? I was just expecting a train off the tracks like we saw.

I know - it looks like someone set them up that way!

Great update and great photos Patrick *Pat on the back*. Ever wonder if he feels like he doesn't get enough credit for these reports?

Hmmm... I will have to make sure he does!

Hey i Likey a Lurkyloo TR.
Witty as usual. Looking forward to more.
Luck with the Dad stuff.
Will be waiting with patience....

Thanks for reading along! I hope to have more to report soon...

You sure know how to go out with a BANG, don't you???

This update was without a doubt your best yet!!! Too funny! I nearly choked up my coffee!

Good luck with everything up north...we will be thinking of you!

Thanks so much! I wanted to leave a nice big update in case I couldn't write for a while. Now I gotta top it!

Wow Carrie! I am now cleaning pop (Dr. Pepper of course), once again, from my keyboard. There should be a disclaimer on all Lurkyloo Trippies... "Please put aside all beverages until you are done reading, thank you!" Very very funny! And terrific pictures, Patrick!! We love Epcot, so the abundance of World Showcase shots are very much appreciated! Hope all goes well for you the next couple of weeks!

Glad to hear you liked it! Sorry about the keyboard...

DFiance and I love that turtle! We saw him on our trip in 2008 and then found him again in 2009. I had to get DFiance over to the computer to show it to him and it definitely brightened our day (Yepp, we're nerds). Your pics are so great. I'll have to check out that train area in Germany, the pics were great (and very funny).

That turtle is fabulous! I'm a big fan of huge animals, and he really fits the bill.

Hiya Lurkyloo! I just got myself caught up on the start of your TR... Sometimes laughter is the best medicine when we need it... I hope this TR gives you some of that. I am sorry for your loss.

Thank you so much! I think writing it did help a bit.

Lastly I will leave you with one bit of info I heard on the radio.. apparently in Orlando the Iguanas are falling from trees all over town because it is too cold, and when they get too cold they go numb... Wonder if that is happening in Disneyworld!

Oh my gosh, that is so cool! I mean, not for the iguanas, but I would love to be there and have one fall into my arms. I hope they are OK when they hit the ground though...

Your last two installments have been fantastic. I absolutely love the pictures from the train display. So funny. The pics from the Boardwalk room are so nice. Looks pretty swanky........

Good luck with the work you have ahead of you. My condolences regarding your father.

Thank you! And thanks for reading along!

So glad to read this TR! It's like I'm there! Which, I'd like to be - Seriously! I'm working on DH to try to get him to sign up for a WDW trip for our 5th anniversary (This year). He claims he'd like to try to get to Paris but, I have my doubts...

Hmmm... but if you could get him to Disneyland Paris, that would be amazing! I say just make all the travel arrangements, tell him what days to get off from work, and put him on the plane!

Carrie loved that last installment! The lizard pics were cracking me up! you and Patrick got a ton of great photos! Can't wait to hear more.

Good luck the next couple of weeks and we will see you when you get back. Sending you a big hug

Thanks for the hug!

Great pics

Any tips on staying at BLT? I'll be staying there in 4 weeks yay and I want to hear all the advice on staying there!

Let's see... my full report won't be until Day.... 6, I think it is, which means, like, months from now! I would say to ask for a high floor, even-numbered room so you have a chance of an MK view, but it didn't really work for me. Otherwise, it's a great place, and I think you'll really enjoy it! Just know that there are no locks on the bathroom doors and the lighting in there is CRUMMY. Oh, and there are no sheer curtains, so no nakedness allowed! Aside from that, the rooms look really cool and the location can't be beat - I'll bet you have a great time!

I missed your start, but I'm all caught up! As usual, I'm lovin' your TR!
BWV looks wonderful, Kouzzina, not so much.

I loved the giant lizards in Germany! Hi-Larious!
The confused sea turtle was too! Thanks for the laughs!

Glad you got to catch up!

Ok, please post a "Spew Alert" when you post such things as Killer Lizzards My laptop screen got a bath of Pepsi!


I also wanted to tell you I got the 2010 Passporter and near the back, saw the color picts, and YOU!!!!!!! I showed it to DH and was like, "I know her, I know her" And he was like "Oh, ok"

Oooh! Really? Lemme run and look in mine ... Well I'll be danged. I made it in not once but THREE times!

I have the cutest story about Fake Santa! We also saw him while standing in line for a Dole Whip Float. A little 4-5 year old boy must have been being naughty or not listening to his dad, because all of a sudden Fake Santa started shaking his finger at him. The little boy looked sheepish, and they walked by. Well, about 30 seconds later, they came back and his father said "Santa, Collin has something he wants to say to you." The little boy looked at him and said "I'm sorry Santa." Fake Santa crouched down and said "It's okay. I'll take that one right off my bad list and put you right back on my good list."
It was absolutely adorable. After they left he told us he'd be going home to write it down, because as often as people look at him, that's very unusual.

Wow - that's a great story! He must really have some fun going around the parks at the holidays.

awesome start! looking forward to more!

Thanks! I am too!

Wow what a great start! I loved all the pictures - in fact I think I may be getting that camera! I'll have a look at others but it does sound like it can do an awful lot for the price. Please thank Patrick for bringing it to my attention.

Sure thing - camera shopping is fun!

I'm glad they have re-vamped the Boardwalk so well, it was definately looking past it's prime in 2007 - it really put me off staying there and the villas really, but we might have to give the villas a try - will look at some recent pics and show DH.

I agree - I have never been interested in the BoardWalk Villas, but now that I've seen the revamped rooms, I'm curious to try them!

Hope things are going ok at your fathers, it can't be an easy thing to do. I helped my Dad when my grandfather passed away and it was emotional.
Thinking of you

Thanks so much!

CArrie,
Thinking of you as you pack up your dad's house. Four years ago my Bama (g'ma, we were VERY close) died and we had to pack up her house....it brought back so many wonderful memories like playing with her cosutme jewlery, all of her many magnets (her entire fridge was covered!), but it was all so bittersweet, as I knew it meant she was gone.

I know exactly what you mean. I hadn't considered that it would also bring back good memories, so that was a nice surprise.

That's neat that you called your grandma "Bama" - DH calls his "BaRma"! She loves it!

 

[Mrs. Bradbury]

Hi Carrie, welcome back! You've been on my mind, last week especially. Hope everything went smoothly at your Dad's. I have 3 things to say:

1. I have a Versa and I love it! It's an S, if that matters. I have a commute and it's been a great car for that. Hope yours did OK for a rental. I was told that 4 6' cowboys wearing 10-gallon hats would be comfortable in the car - don't know if that's true (I'm 5', no hat) but it's a great visual!

2. I am so stoked that Patrick is doing the Pee Wee Herman set. I love me some Pee Wee! I don't care what Paul Reubens does in his personal life or where he does it as long no one gets hurt. Pee Wee is the BEST. I even quit a job where I had to work Saturdays when his show was on because I didn't want to miss Pee Wee. My younger kids watched Pee Wee's Big Adventure over the holidays and they thought it was great.

3. I think I remember reading that you chemically straighten your hair, correct? Well I'm a curly head myself and my daughter flatironed my hair for the first time last week and OMG!!!!! I look like a totally different person! Pass the reverse perm!!!!! My husband likes my hair curly, and it is easier in some cases, but WOWZA I had no idea my hair could look like that. I guess it's the best of both worlds.

Glad you're back, and I look forward to your updates!

 

[disneylovin24]

Let's see... my full report won't be until Day.... 6, I think it is, which means, like, months from now! I would say to ask for a high floor, even-numbered room so you have a chance of an MK view, but it didn't really work for me. Otherwise, it's a great place, and I think you'll really enjoy it! Just know that there are no locks on the bathroom doors and the lighting in there is CRUMMY. Oh, and there are no sheer curtains, so no nakedness allowed! Aside from that, the rooms look really cool and the location can't be beat - I'll bet you have a great time!



!

We already have a MK view booked so no problems there. We heard that anything below the 4th floor the view is blocked, so I really hope we can get higher up!!

 

[aharbin88]

Hey, Carrie! home!