A Winter Escape to the Enchanted Forest-Jan'13 TR:**5/21 Parting Thoughts/New PTR!

That is so cool that the characters would pause to pose so you could get a great shot. Another subtle example of the Disney magic.

Pinocchio looks like he is gesturing to "call me." I spied a cricket in the parade...

At least Jiminey doesn't give me the creeps like a real life cricket!

DaveinFallsChurch · Apr 15, 2013

emmysmommy said:
That is so cool that the characters would pause to pose so you could get a great shot. Another subtle example of the Disney magic.

Absolutely! :thumbsup2

emmysmommy said:
Pinocchio looks like he is gesturing to "call me." I spied a cricket in the parade... At least Jiminey doesn't give me the creeps like a real life cricket!

I wonder if there's a word for cricket-phobia.

Pinocchio is such a ladies man with his "call me" gestures.

afwdwfan · Apr 15, 2013

Great pictures!

Is it just me, or is Apu the ugliest character to ever set foot in the parks? He looks nothing like the movie version to me. It's kind of like those knock off Mickey's that you might find on the street in NY or LV or something.

khertz · Apr 15, 2013

The Cherry Blossom photos are just breathtaking!! The more you post, the more I am becoming convinced that we need to visit again during the cherry blossoms blooming. :goodvibes

Fantastic parade photos. :worship:

That is pretty awesome that the characters were posing for you. Looks like some of the dancing CM's were too. Their energy is incredible. I have no idea how they stay so enthusiastic even in the middle of summer when it's boiling outside.

DaveinFallsChurch · Apr 15, 2013

afwdwfan said:
Is it just me, or is Apu the ugliest character to ever set foot in the parks? He looks nothing like the movie version to me. It's kind of like those knock off Mickey's that you might find on the street in NY or LV or something.

YES!

I'm glad I'm not the only who's been thinking that. The park version just doesn't reflect the cartoon version. They overdid the tufts of hair on his forehead and sideburns. And there's too much lining and dark circles around his eyes and eyebrows! I've been calling the park version (to myself) "Hangover Abu" :lmao:

afwdwfan · Apr 15, 2013

DaveinFallsChurch said:
YES! I'm glad I'm not the only who's been thinking that. The park version just doesn't reflect the cartoon version. They overdid the tufts of hair on his forehead and sideburns. And there's too much lining and dark circles around his eyes and eyebrows! I've been calling the park version (to myself) "Hangover Abu"

Geeze, must have had Simpsons on the brain... I just noticed that I called him Apu... :lmao:

Anyway, I think your hangover comment is very accurate. :thumbsup2

DaveinFallsChurch · Apr 15, 2013

khertz said:
The Cherry Blossom photos are just breathtaking!! The more you post, the more I am becoming convinced that we need to visit again during the cherry blossoms blooming.

You absolutely should! And if you do, we could even arrange a DIS-meet!

khertz said:
Fantastic parade photos. That is pretty awesome that the characters were posing for you. Looks like some of the dancing CM's were too. Their energy is incredible. I have no idea how they stay so enthusiastic even in the middle of summer when it's boiling outside.

You're right! The dancer CMs did make efforts to frame themselves in my shots by either "aiming" their dance moves towards me or holding their mid-dance still poses in front of me. It was pretty cool. And totally agree with the effort they put it. Even though this was January, you can see the sweat beads rolling down their faces in some of these pictures. But always with a smile!

DaveinFallsChurch · Apr 15, 2013

afwdwfan said:
Geeze, must have had Simpsons on the brain... I just noticed that I called him Apu...

Actually, when I was using image search on google just now to remind myself what the cartoon version looked like, I typed in Apu as well and got a bunch of pictures of our favorite Kwik-E Mart manager! :lmao:

DaveinFallsChurch · Apr 16, 2013

IMG_6845 by DaveinFallsChurch, on Flickr

Took this one while sitting with DD outside of PotC while the rest of the family went on the ride. I don't think I had noticed this pirate before. Not sure how I could have missed it.

emmysmommy · Apr 17, 2013

You're not the only one who missed that pirate look out! I had to go back to some of my photos to see for myself. He apparently has undergone a costume change over the last couple of years. I suppose he has to keep up with the fashions!

DaveinFallsChurch · Apr 17, 2013

emmysmommy said:
You're not the only one who missed that pirate look out! I had to go back to some of my photos to see for myself. He apparently has undergone a costume change over the last couple of years. I suppose he has to keep up with the fashions!

Now you got me curious - what kind of clothes was he fashioning before?

arbolita · Apr 17, 2013

Those are some amazing Celebrate a Dream Come True pictures!

Also - I'm such a bad Marylander. I've never been to DC when the cherry blossoms are in bloom

khertz · Apr 18, 2013

DaveinFallsChurch said:
You absolutely should! And if you do, we could even arrange a DIS-meet!

If/when that trip back to D.C. ever comes to fruition, you will be the first to know! :thumbsup2

DaveinFallsChurch said:
Took this one while sitting with DD outside of PotC while the rest of the family went on the ride. I don't think I had noticed this pirate before. Not sure how I could have missed it.

Count me in as someone who has never noticed it before either! I'll have to make sure I point it out to Paxton next trip. I think he will get a kick out of seeing a pirate up there!

DaveinFallsChurch · Apr 18, 2013

arbolita said:
Those are some amazing Celebrate a Dream Come True pictures!

Also - I'm such a bad Marylander. I've never been to DC when the cherry blossoms are in bloom

Thanks!

Given the traffic on I-95 and BW Parkway, don't blame ya. We live just across the Potomac in Northern VA and our first trip to see the cherry blossoms was just last year! :goodvibes

DaveinFallsChurch · Apr 18, 2013

khertz said:
If/when that trip back to D.C. ever comes to fruition, you will be the first to know!

khertz said:
Count me in as someone who has never noticed it before either! I'll have to make sure I point it out to Paxton next trip. I think he will get a kick out of seeing a pirate up there!

Ok, now I don't feel as bad since it clearly wasn't just me that missed this little detail before. :goodvibes

afwdwfan · Apr 18, 2013

emmysmommy said:
You're not the only one who missed that pirate look out! I had to go back to some of my photos to see for myself. He apparently has undergone a costume change over the last couple of years. I suppose he has to keep up with the fashions!

DaveinFallsChurch said:
Now you got me curious - what kind of clothes was he fashioning before?

Maybe they were just in a lesser state of decay? :lmao:

DaveinFallsChurch · Apr 18, 2013

afwdwfan said:
Maybe they were just in a lesser state of decay?

The pirate probably lost a couple of pounds too.

DaveinFallsChurch · Apr 18, 2013

Monday, January 28th - 3:30pm

After the parade, I walked down to Main Street where the Dapper Dans were just beginning their set. So I took the next 15 minutes to watch their performances. I could have listened to them for another 45 minutes. As corny as it sounds, I love barbershop quartets. Dapper Dans. Be Sharps (you know what Im talking about Simpsons fans!). Theyre all good. My favorite from their set was when they sang the music/song from the Main Street Electric Parade accompanied by the musical instruments (which I have no idea what theyre called) they were holding. Wished I had more time because I would have loved to have chatted with one or two of them after their show to hear how long theyve been at Disney and how they landed the jobs.

IMG_6988 by DaveinFallsChurch, on Flickr

IMG_6989 by DaveinFallsChurch, on Flickr

IMG_6994 by DaveinFallsChurch, on Flickr

IMG_7002 by DaveinFallsChurch, on Flickr

IMG_7009 by DaveinFallsChurch, on Flickr

IMG_7020 by DaveinFallsChurch, on Flickr

IMG_7019 by DaveinFallsChurch, on Flickr

It was about 3:45pm and I received a text from DW that they were on their way back to MK. DD spent about 45 minutes in the pool. DS got caught up with his naps then spent about 30 minutes in the pool. Everyone was well rested. I texted DW back that I would meet them in front of the Resort Monorail entrance at 4:00pm so that we could head over to the Grand Floridian for our 4:30pm ADR at Park Fare. When we entered the lobby from the monorail, there was a big band playing on the second floor that sounded good. Ive heard nothing but good reviews and recommendations from my DIS friends about this hotel but Ive never had a strong urge to book a trip at this resort. Not sure why. Seems like its a very nice and cushy hotel.

We checked in to 1900 PF exactly at 4:30pm. We opted to skip the photo session. The family standing behind us overheard our plans and asked if that was possible. I told them yes, and pointed to where the photo shoot was. Of all of the photo ops associated with character meals, I think this one is the most bland with guests standing in front of a painted mural of Cinderellas Castle. And since the pictures are not included in the price of dining, the family behind us agreed that it was probably best to skip for them as well.

They sat us at a table that was right next to the one we sat in last year. Our server was once again very cheerful and friendly. Got our plates of food which was better than what I had remembered .And soon, the characters started coming over. First it was Cinderella who tried to get DS to come out of his shy shell. DD went back into her princess mode and was in heaven again.

(I gave Cindy here the "princess" glow treatment

)

IMG_7021 by DaveinFallsChurch, on Flickr

Prince Charming then showed up. Now, last year, Charming was probably the most disappointing character interaction we had because he was so one dimensional with no personality. This time was a completely different story. Charming started playing peek-a-boo with DS who was still being shy.

IMG_7031 by DaveinFallsChurch, on Flickr

IMG_7041 by DaveinFallsChurch, on Flickr

Offered some high-fives. Meanwhile, DD was completely smitten with Charming and she had that glazed over look in her eyes. Before Charming left, he told us that he would have to let Cinderellas sisters know about our prince DS. I asked him if DS was their type. He answered Hes available, so yes. That got us all laughing.

Lady Tremaine showed up next.

IMG_7043 by DaveinFallsChurch, on Flickr

DD told her how lovely hers and her daughters dresses were and the Lady responded by telling us what a well-mannered princess we have raised. When DS tried to hide again from being shy, she commented that it was because he was overwhelmed by her beauty and the purple eyeshadows.

Drizella showed up and said she was only here because she was told she had to be. Typical Drizella attitude.

IMG_7053 by DaveinFallsChurch, on Flickr

Finally, it was Anastasia who was an absolute hoot. DD told her she was her favorite princess (a reprisal of what she told Anastaisa last year).

IMG_7064 by DaveinFallsChurch, on Flickr

Later when the time came for the characters to dance with some of the kids, Anastasia picked out a young boy probably about 5 years old and was attempting a cartwheel and thenn trying to get the boy to run through her skirt underneath. It was just hilarious.

IMG_7088 by DaveinFallsChurch, on Flickr

IMG_7093 by DaveinFallsChurch, on Flickr

After the ball she returned to our section of the restaurant to finish greeting the remaining tables and then on her way out blew kisses to everyone and thanked for being such great guests.

Next Up: Evening in Tomorrowland

jecskc · Apr 18, 2013

All caught up now !! I am enjoying your photos so much. I wish I was a better photographer. I guess that starts with a decent camera, huh ??

A Winter Escape to the Enchanted Forest-Jan'13 TR:**5/21 Parting Thoughts/New PTR!

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