~A XMAS STORY~decorations, crowds, pixies..AND A BLOODY NOSE~ACTUAL UPDATE 11/9 p190

[iluv2go2disney]

Great pictures. I love the first PhotoPass one of you and Ray. My DH usually has the same "smile" in pictures.

 

[disneymom1980]

My DH has the same smile in pictures too.....he says he can't really smile in the picture unless he's allowed to look at me .

I wish that we could have gotten Anna to ride Soarin with us. I know she would have liked it, and she would have been fine. However, since we'd never ridden it before, I couldn't give her any idea of what it was like, and I think that's why she was so worried.

Of course you have to leave me hanging on the Teppan Edo review . I hope you guys enjoyed it since I'm still trying to convince DH he'll like it.

 

[LISAMWDW]

All caught up! Great updates!

Can't wait to hear how your dinner went!

 

[KristinAnne]

Yay! I'm glad Luke went Soarin'! I'm looking forward to hearing how you like Teppan Edo! Great pictures too. The sky was really blue when it finally got nice!!

 

[DisneyLaura]

just thought i would share this with you guys. my sister's boyfriend send it to me. it's a documentary that was recently entered into the national film registry about a family's trip to disneyland in 1956. it's about 34 minutes long and the disneyland part starts around 20 minutes in. it's really just heart-warming and you can see how that magical feeling we all get when we go there now was the same back then!

http://www.archive.org/details/barstow_disneyland_dream_1956

That was really cool. Thanks for sharing. Kind of cool since they were from CT like me.

well, peyton and the colts are out. ray is NOT happy. he was hoping for a manning/manning superbowl. and the colts lost that game due to defensive penalties in overtime. so ugly.

atlanta also lost today. so that's another one of my teams that's out.

and alabama lost yesterday. WHAT IS UP WITH FOOTBALL THIS WEEK????? (other than the vandy win on wednesday, of course! )

so now my only hopes are the titans, the giants and the dolphins. other than i don't care about any of the other teams. congrats to anyone whose teams actually played WELL today!

I wanted Miami to win, they're my team ever since I was a little girl.

have fun at disney on ice!!!!!! i loved it. i hope you do. let me know what you think - i wanna see pictures! yes, eli's belly is a sight! don't you just love "my cousin vinny"? i've seen it like 100 times. myself and a friend did a scene from it in high school, the one where marisa tomei is on the stand and giving her expert opinion on the independent rear suspensions. it was so much fun trying to talk like her! ask tara (she's from new york) - i have a thick southern accent so me as a new yorker is pretty funny!

Disney on Ice was cool but not the same one you saw It was Mickey and Minnie's Adventure, I forgot the name of it. She loved it. Of course as I went to take a picture with the brand new batteries I put in the camera in the parking gargage that I just bought from Target on sale for 25 cents, yeah they didn't work, so no pictures for you. I was so upset because the pictures would have been great. She stood in front of me the whole time until almost the end. Tinkerbell was there but with Peter Pan. She was asking for the Princesses though but she was happy with Tink.

And on the subject of Brazilian tour groups. I guess you could consider the couple in front of us at Typhoon Lagoon a tour group.............they were the most disgusting humans ever! He was in a speedo and far too hairy and she was in a thong and far too cheesy. If that were not bad enough they proceeded to pick and pop and mess with each others back and neck acne while in line. My children were mortified, DH and I were disgusted, and the two pimple poppers had not a care in the world.

That is just gross

Dawn - great update and pictures of SE. I love taking pictures of that. Especially when different light hits it. Loved all of your photopass pictures too. That Luke is such a cutie pie.

 

[Philadisney]

Wow after the rain it looks like it was beautiful out! The sky looks gorgeous in your Mission Space pictures. I can't wait to read about your dinner in Japan, I haven't been to the restaurant there since they rehabbed it but I used to love it!

 

[jerseygirl81]

I found your TR last night and with the bonus of a snow day I was able to catch up with it this morning. Nice condo, sorry about the rain, I'm glad Luke liked Soarin that is one of my fav rides. I love your pics and I'm looking forward to more. Linda

 

[IndianaHoosier]

I LOVE ready your trip reports!!!

I made my dog Hoosier a dog tag in the Land building while I was there too!
You are right...it took forever...but worth it. It looks so cute on his collar!!!

You always take such great pics....You've got skillz!!!!

 

[Spartangirl]

The pics in front of SE are great!

I never noticed the engraving machine in the Land before...I'll have to make my dogs tags next time!

Glad everyone enjoyed Soarin'...it really is worth the extra wait for the front row!

I can't wait to read about your dinner in Japan.......the last few times we've gone to Epcot, we've debated eating there...still haven't made it yet!

 

[troobabiee7]

Great update! I love all the Spaceship Earth pictures. And Anna took some gorgeous pictures of the World Showcase! I'm glad everyone liked Soarin', it's definitely my favorite ride. Can't wait to hear about dinner!

 

[shane&jakesmom]

Love all of your great pictures. I have been reading your TR but have not posted anything. I liked the photo pass pictures. Can't wait to read more. Oh, great condo also.

 

[punkin413]

My nephew use to do the same thing with his Coke. It was so gross and it always looked like someone split oil in his cup. My brother in law use to call it oil slicks!

ewwww.....that's how brett's was too! it was so gross. he'd always get his own coke though because no one wanted to share with him. maybe he did it on purpose!

Just found your post and I love it! Sounds like you always have a blast at DW. We just went for the very 1st time and we loved it. Our little guy actually walked up to the characters and gave them hugs on the 3rd day. We live in Roswell/Alpharetta area. where are you from?

thanks so much! glad you guys made it to WDW and loved it!!! so cute about your little boy. i'm actually from nashville (tennessee), but i live near athens now. so not too far from you!

Cool update!! I am so glad Luke liked Soarin!! It is now my favorite ride at Epcot!!! I just can't wait for Hollie to ride it!!!
Those birds!! Now, I had pet parakeets my whole life, but I would NOT want a big bird nose diving at my head!!!! I would freak out!!

me too! i was worried he'd freak out but he liked it. my family had a pet parakeet and i hated that bird.

Aww the picture of you all in front of Spaceship Earth are all so cute. I love your haircut..I forgot to tell you that.

The picture Anna took is so cool! I love it.

oh, thanks! i got it all chopped off last april and haven't looked back since. i like it short - easier to take care of. but i do have to get it cut once a month - it grows fast!

Great report... Can't wait for the rest! I love going at Christmas time... It's my favorite.

thanks! yes, we really loved all the christmas decorations. we will be back for sure!

Awesome Update!

I'm pretty sure where you saw all those birds was where we saw this guy walking away from the McD fries place. He had a tray FULL of fries and some drinks and this bird swooped down and did look like he was dive bombing him

It was crazy. I told Matt he better be glad I wasn't carring that tray b/c it would have all been straight up in the air and on the ground if that had been me

yeah, i probably would've FREAKED out if that happened to me. i might have even fainted. you never know with me and birds.

Great update, just love the picture's in front of spaceship earth. Soarin is my ds favorite ride. In April we're going and ds had to make sure we fit that ride in.

thanks! be sure to get fastpasses for soarin! i don't think i've ever ridden it without a fastpass.

An update! Luke is so entertaining. Love the photopass pics. We always have to wait for 1st row at Soarin' too! It's just not the same in the other rows. As for the birds, I would have been worried about either being dive-bombed in the head or being pooped on!

thanks! yes, luke is always good for a laugh! with the birds, poop is a secondary thought to me when i'm having irrational, terrifying thoughts of them landing on my head and pecking my eyes out!

Yay! An update from Dawny girl! I'm glad that everyone enjoyed Soarin. While at DLR in Sept, I cried like a baby on Soarin and a stranger (nice lady) took my hand and held it during the ride. She didn't say anything, but just held my hand and smiled as if I made her day!! See, we had to do baby swap b/c DH had to wait with Madi and I was all by myself!

were you scared or just emotional? either way, i'm glad you made a friend. that's so sweet!!!!

Dawn,

I would point out all the pictures that I love, but there are too many. You take such awesome pix. I wish I had your knack for non people filled shots. You rival Erica for great pix......

Sake....mmmmmmmmmm..and Teppan Edo....peeps for sure.

wow....thanks! i love the sky behind mission space but i can't take credit from mother nature for that one! and yes, there will be peepage at teppan edo. LOTS of it!

I love this set of pictures. I love after a good rain, when the clouds begin to part, and the sun shines through. Gorgeous!

And on the subject of Brazilian tour groups. I guess you could consider the couple in front of us at Typhoon Lagoon a tour group.............they were the most disgusting humans ever! He was in a speedo and far too hairy and she was in a thong and far too cheesy. If that were not bad enough they proceeded to pick and pop and mess with each others back and neck acne while in line. My children were mortified, DH and I were disgusted, and the two pimple poppers had not a care in the world.

yeah, it's so pretty after it rains, especially in florida!

OMG, THAT IS JUST GROSS!!!!! i'm so glad i didn't witness that.

it's so funny because my cousin married a girl from brazil and she's not hairy!

that story...I think I threw up a little in my mouth....

same here.

I noticed everyone still looked pretty wet in the photo pass pictures.

I've yet to run into brazilian tour groups, and pray that my streak continues!

I have to admit that every time I read about he brazilian groups my mind automatically adds "wax" to the sentence.

yeah, we were still sorta damp, but drying off pretty quickly. anna and chris had on jeans and they were taking longer than the rest of us to dry off. definitely hope your lack of brazilian tour groups continues! they are crazy. luckily i didn't witness anything that needed to be waxed.

I apologize for my behavior..................
I promise to never wear a thong again.

Didn't know DJay was that hairy....

 

[punkin413]

Nice update Dawn! It is so fun to see people enjoying Soarin for the first time - especially front row! Your pics are great! Luke was really funny in the Christmas pics! And Ray looked so happy!

As for the Brazilians - Do they HAVE Tvs? I mean Yellow sweat suits and Fanny packs - and they look like they're under 30!

I'm glad you survived the bird attacks!

thanks! you are so right about the brazilians' fashion taste (or lack of it)! and every person we saw was younger than 25 i'd say!

Dawn,
I am so glad the sun came out for you guys and turned out to be an awesome day. LOVED the sunny picture at Mission space. Luke is so stinkin' cute, glad you got him on Soarin' and you all had a good ride. We've done every row in soarin', and row number 1 is by far the best, I've never asked to wait but I will this year.
Great pics, can't wait for more. You will be eating at one of our favorites so can't wait to see what you think, we thought they refurbished that place to look incredible too.
Lesley

wasn't that sky at mission space just so pretty? yeah, definitely ask for soarin. usually you only have to wait like 5 minutes, if that. stay tuned for teppan edo! i should be able to get that out in a couple of days.

To soar or not to soar?
To soar, of course!
Always to soar!
That is my favorite ride of all!

Great pictures, as always!

I'm glad to see you made it bravely through the dive-bombing birds.

Keep the pictures coming for about the next seventy days until I get back there again.

of course! i knew we would all soar - just wasn't sure about luke but he did great. the only way i made it through those birds was by closing my eyes. there was no other way i could've done it! i promise to keep the pics coming for you for awhile as long as you promise to do so for me for the next two years!

Great update! You have some awesome pictures! Glad to hear Luke went on Soarin! I wonder if Hannah will like it. She will be 4 when we go in June.

thanks! just tell her it's like a big swing set at first and then you get to pretend like you're a bird!

Great pictures. I love the first PhotoPass one of you and Ray. My DH usually has the same "smile" in pictures.

thanks! ray looked so thrilled in that first one!

My DH has the same smile in pictures too.....he says he can't really smile in the picture unless he's allowed to look at me .

I wish that we could have gotten Anna to ride Soarin with us. I know she would have liked it, and she would have been fine. However, since we'd never ridden it before, I couldn't give her any idea of what it was like, and I think that's why she was so worried.

Of course you have to leave me hanging on the Teppan Edo review . I hope you guys enjoyed it since I'm still trying to convince DH he'll like it.

awww.....that's so sweet!!!! next time maybe anna can ride now that you'll know what it is. you guys are leaving in two weeks, right? i should be able to get teppan edo done before then!

All caught up! Great updates!

Can't wait to hear how your dinner went!

thanks! you will see dinner hopefully in a couple of days.

Yay! I'm glad Luke went Soarin'! I'm looking forward to hearing how you like Teppan Edo! Great pictures too. The sky was really blue when it finally got nice!!

me too! i hope to get teppan edo done in a couple of days. yes, the sky was GORGEOUS when the sun came out!

That was really cool. Thanks for sharing. Kind of cool since they were from CT like me.

you're welcome! jon (my sister's boyfriend who sent it from me) grew up in connecticut so i'm sure he thought it was cool too.

I wanted Miami to win, they're my team ever since I was a little girl.

me too!

Disney on Ice was cool but not the same one you saw It was Mickey and Minnie's Adventure, I forgot the name of it. She loved it. Of course as I went to take a picture with the brand new batteries I put in the camera in the parking gargage that I just bought from Target on sale for 25 cents, yeah they didn't work, so no pictures for you. I was so upset because the pictures would have been great. She stood in front of me the whole time until almost the end. Tinkerbell was there but with Peter Pan. She was asking for the Princesses though but she was happy with Tink.

bummer about your camera! glad you guys enjoyed the show. i think there are a few different ones - i'm sure they're all good!

Dawn - great update and pictures of SE. I love taking pictures of that. Especially when different light hits it. Loved all of your photopass pictures too. That Luke is such a cutie pie.

thanks! and yes, luke's cute - and he knows it!

Wow after the rain it looks like it was beautiful out! The sky looks gorgeous in your Mission Space pictures. I can't wait to read about your dinner in Japan, I haven't been to the restaurant there since they rehabbed it but I used to love it!

that sky in the mission space shot is so pretty! i remember thinking that but i didn't really realize how blue it was until i saw the picture. stay tuned for dinner!

I found your TR last night and with the bonus of a snow day I was able to catch up with it this morning. Nice condo, sorry about the rain, I'm glad Luke liked Soarin that is one of my fav rides. I love your pics and I'm looking forward to more. Linda

thanks for joining in!

I LOVE ready your trip reports!!!

I made my dog Hoosier a dog tag in the Land building while I was there too!
You are right...it took forever...but worth it. It looks so cute on his collar!!!

You always take such great pics....You've got skillz!!!!

thanks so much! i try on the pics. i really want to get a mack daddy camera before we go back. right now i just have a point and shoot.

The pics in front of SE are great!

I never noticed the engraving machine in the Land before...I'll have to make my dogs tags next time!

Glad everyone enjoyed Soarin'...it really is worth the extra wait for the front row!

I can't wait to read about your dinner in Japan.......the last few times we've gone to Epcot, we've debated eating there...still haven't made it yet!

thanks! the engraving machine is between the bathroom area that's upstairs and the entrance to garden grill. there are several benches along the wall next to it. hopefully i'll have dinner done in a couple of days!

Great update! I love all the Spaceship Earth pictures. And Anna took some gorgeous pictures of the World Showcase! I'm glad everyone liked Soarin', it's definitely my favorite ride. Can't wait to hear about dinner!

thanks! anna always takes good pictures.

Love all of your great pictures. I have been reading your TR but have not posted anything. I liked the photo pass pictures. Can't wait to read more. Oh, great condo also.

thanks for saying hello! glad you're reading along.

 

[OneTreeHillAddict]

I love all your Epcot pics...the one you liked with the colors is gorgeous! We love Teppan Edo. They have some yummy food! (And my kids LOVE the monorail dishes!) I think it's the new "in" place to eat. Le Cellier used to get all the hype but TE is so much better!

Soarin' is a great ride. My mama loves it! This was their first time riding it. It's her new favorite!

Looking forward to hear the next installment!

 

[MadiMouse]

I was emotional...not scared! LOL

 

[xoktenox]

So glad to see your day at Epcot wasn't all rain. The sky looks like it was really beautiful in some of those pictures. You get a big for walking through those birds! I would have done the same thing, grabbed BF's arm and just made a run for it. But if one of them came near me idk what I'd do I love all the photopass shots too, especially the silly ones of Luke. That boy is just too cute!

 

[IluvXU]

Okay... just noticed your new siggie.... love the Tink pic. I cannot wait to hear/see how that happened!

 

[jordanyosh]

it's so funny because my cousin married a girl from brazil and she's not hairy!

 

[CanadianWDWfan]

Very cute Photopass pics, I always like the seasonal borders.

Luke is such a character himself, always seems like he is enjoying himeself.

Love the topiaries, alot of work must go into them. So pretty.

Soarin'... what isn't to like about it. Amazing ride. Glad you had fastpasses and could still make your ADR.

Your pups may have gotten some Disney magic in those dog tags.

Can't wait to hear bout Tepan Edo, it's on my ADR list for August.

 

[scottny]

great update and pics.

ooh Brazilian tour groups. we did not see any while we were there but I am sure IN June we will.

Glad he liked Soarin'.

Birds, Biff would have walked around the other way. no matter how long it took.