All I Want For Christmas Is an Okapi, a Dinosaur, a Herd of Elephants and ...

[MeMom]

Figures you are going this year in Oct. & we went last year. I am hoping for a 2013 Food & Wine trip.

I love the window displays in DTD. I took some pics with my phone & use those as my background on my phone.

Yes you could spend LOTS in the pin store. I went crazy on pins in Oct. but did not buy any this past trip now that I think about it.

I am pretty sure the days of 4-6 trips a year are over. I would like to get 3-4, but it's probably more realistically going to be 2-3.

We can stay the longest on summer and Christmas trips. If spring breaks line up, we could do that nicely, too. In October, some of us have to skip school, and the trip can't be as long.

Nor is it an Alabama New Year's activity!

That's what makes it all the more fun, that, and the fact that you're at Disney World!

Not northern Alabama, anyway.

True, true, true - to be in Disney World on any special day is pretty cool.

I'm still here

Busy like Jill with all the end of year activities. You are in the home stretch, Memom

I'm loving the New Years pictures.

Half a day with students left, and then a teacher day Friday.

Loving reading your new years eve report! You were out in Disneyworld having an awesome time and I was sat at home, 10 days past my due date with little Poppy!!!
xxx

Always good to see you checking in on DIStown from across the great waters.

I think our New Year's Eve night have been more exciting, but you got a new baby as the reward for you patience.

Yippeee!!! Shopping with Memom in DTD while eating my bagel this morning The only thing that could make it better is if I was really there shopping.

The last 2 trips I tried to take after you and take pictures of everything no matter how random. DH was sorting through all of the pics and kept asking questions like "why did you take a picture of a trash can in Fantasyland?" Sometimes they just don't understand

So exciting that you are almost done with school. it would be so nice to look forward to summer break again

Have a great day !!!!

Your husband would make fun of quite a few pictures of mine.

More shopping pictures to come in this report, and then, we'll start all over again in four weeks.

I love the way the sun is shining on the Christmas Shop. Great photo.

Earl of Sandwich - that is our fave when at Downtown Disney!

I like being in DTD as the sun goes down and the lights some on.

You know we do love Earl. Jill is totally loyal, but I am good with going out with Wolfgang occasionally, too.

Cute New Year's pins!!! Did you get one to commemorate the event?

I did get a 2011/2012 pin.

Hi friends! I'm back from an amazing trip!
We fell in love with POR and will stay there again!
What a pretty resort with all the magnolia trees in bloom.
It was so different from POP but we really enjoyed it.
The Royal Room was gorgeous and we loved all the little details found inside.
Our mousekeeper was great and we came home every day to a new towel animal and Lexi's toys set up in different playful ways.
One day we found them all sitting on the bed watching the Disney channel, Mickey had the remote control.
The boat ride to DTD was so lovely. We went at night so it was just perfect.
We went to POFQ for a swim in the serpent pool one afternoon and tried the begneits. Yumm!
We loved the F&G festival...the topiary's and flowers are gorgeous.
It was fun to go inside Bambi's butterfly house and see them flying around.
Loved the Tinkerbell's Winter Garden.
The Star Wars day at DHS was fun too! It was neat to watch the parade and see something different.
We really enjoyed this trip...no one got sick and it was a nice little break.
Even though it was a quick trip we did have several "firsts".
We tried Earl of Sandwich (yummy), Ghirardelli's sundaes (amazing), Contempo Cafe (good).
I went to Basin for the first time and left with some of that awesome scrub and lotion...my hands have never been softer.
We did a lot of shopping too. I indulged in bringing home several new bags.
I think we will probably do this little trip again next year.

Sorry I didn't send you any pics...I had purchased a USA travel plan for my Iphone before I left and it didn't work the whole time I was there. So now have to go insist on a refund with my service provider. I was bummed and I even missed a DISmeet because of it.

I can put up a few pics if you'd like to see them.

CONGRATULATIONS BROOKLYNN!!! It's very exciting to graduate from Kindergarden!

Glad to see you had a fun weekend with your family...and only a few more days of school left.

It was so fun seeing your pics this morning and fondly remembering myself in those places just a couple days ago.
Thanks for all those awesome pics!

I guess I better get ready for work...boy did I need this morning to laze around and catch up on the DIS.

Yes, you can share some pictures. I want to know all about it!

I can smell Basin even when someone just mentions it.

Glad you liked Earl of Sandwich. Ghirardelli's is definitely yummy!

I am thinking of changing my spring break trip to POR. I have been talking to Jill about it.

Love the AoA pictures...I loved being able to see that when I was there; such a huge change from the last time!

Wonderful DTD pictures, of course. I am dying to be back there. Katie's there now and I am soooo jealous!

I saw a Katie picture when I got home from school. Lucky girl!

I should have made my Christmas trip ADR comment clearer, we are arriving the day after Thanksgiving for a week. I guess that makes it a Thanksgiving trip, but it is my chance to experience all the Christmas festivities at Disney.

Hopefully that makes a little bit more sense

We have been during Thanksgiving week. We really enjoyed it, but now they have chopped our break short.

 

[Poolrat]

Yippeee The last 2 trips I tried to take after you and take pictures of everything no matter how random. DH was sorting through all of the pics and kept asking questions like "why did you take a picture of a trash can in Fantasyland?" Sometimes they just don't understand

Now why would you go take a picture of THAT?!?!?!?!?

 

[dancin_princess]

I'm only staying the 30th through the 3rd. I hope to get at least one day of park time and to see AoA.

Congrats to Brooklynn on graduating from kindergarten! How exciting!?!

I use sticky notes when I'm catching up.

Aw man, I missed America's Funniest Home Videos too

I'm sure you sent me "the view of where you sit" but my dumb phone never downloaded the pictures. I was so upset (

 

[MeMom]

I'm only staying the 30th through the 3rd. I hope to get at least one day of park time and to see AoA.

Congrats to Brooklynn on graduating from kindergarten! How exciting!?!

I use sticky notes when I'm catching up.

Aw man, I missed America's Funniest Home Videos too

I'm sure you sent me "the view of where you sit" but my dumb phone never downloaded the pictures. I was so upset

I almost always send you a picture from Pop. I hope you do get to visit your old stomping grounds and see Art of Animation, as well.





We went from Downtown Disney back to Pop

to catch a bus to Hollywood Studios.

We gave a shout out to Bo as we went in.

He saw Brooklynn and did a choke-hold on her just for fun.

They were just playing around. I promise, he didn't hurt her.

Gertie in the dark with some glowing eyes.

Our destination this evening was -

Brooklynn and I went on ahead, and the others were going to be coming shortly.

For those of you who have been wanting Christmas week crowd pictures, these qualify.

Do you know where I am now?

Did you guess Writer's Stop?

They have some good sweets here.

The others arrived.

Jarvis capturing the amazing lights.

 

[MeMom]

We went to pick up free hats and blowers back at the Lights, Motors, Action area.

And here is my group ready for some New Year's Eve fun!

We saw these fun guys, but didn't get pictures with them.

Star Wars stuff going on.

They always seem to be fighting over there.



We were now going to eat dinner.

The girls were fascinated by the trams on this trip. Since we don't ride in them, they think they are quite unique. I took a picture of Bella near one.

Maybe we should just take a ride around the parking lot one of these days so they can have that experience.


Brooklynn nurturing one of her friends.

Any ideas on where we had NYE dinner?

 

[Charleston Princess]

Why am I not surprised that Bo and Brooklyn were roughhousing?

Cute NYE hats! I didn't realize they did that at DHS!

Those crowds! Eek!

 

[disneyfan61]

I would love to see the lights someday.

That's great that you all got hats & noise makers. The girls must of had a ball.

I have no clue where you ate dinner but I hope it was good!

Today is my Friday as DH & I have tomorrow off. We are celebrating 27 years of marriage. (wish we were celebrating at Disney) but it will be a nice long weekend here.

 

[Stringbean&Wingnut]

Wow...the Christmas week crowds definitely descended on the Osborne Lights!!! That's so fun that they were passing out NYE toys!

 

[Poolrat]

The DHS crowds thinned out later at night ....much later of course.


Even though it is crowded beyond belief sometimes the energy cannot be beat.

You can't help but feel happy when you are there.

 

[Valgoof]

Love, love, love those lights!!!!!!! We saw them twice because my camera died the first time we saw them. My DH was so excited last year that he didnt have to drive around the neighborhoods at home so I could see Christmas lights. Can't wait to see them in 200 and something days!!!! Or as memom would say, 29 weeks from Saturday.

 

[MeMom]

Why am I not surprised that Bo and Brooklyn were roughhousing?

Cute NYE hats! I didn't realize they did that at DHS!

Those crowds! Eek!

I think Brooklynn just went up for a normal hug, and Bo grabbed her before she knew what was happening. Boys will be boys...

Yep, it was an Eek! night, for sure, at least at the time we were there.

I would love to see the lights someday.

That's great that you all got hats & noise makers. The girls must of had a ball.

I have no clue where you ate dinner but I hope it was good!

Today is my Friday as DH & I have tomorrow off. We are celebrating 27 years of marriage. (wish we were celebrating at Disney) but it will be a nice long weekend here.

I hope you get to see the lights. No pictures can do them justice. You have to see them, hear the music, see the snow, and be in the middle of the action.

Congratulations! Maybe you can do a fabulous 30th anniversary in WDW. Enjoy your long weekend!

Wow...the Christmas week crowds definitely descended on the Osborne Lights!!! That's so fun that they were passing out NYE toys!

We've seen them several times, but it was neat to see them on a special night.

The DHS crowds thinned out later at night ....much later of course.


Even though it is crowded beyond belief sometimes the energy cannot be beat.

You can't help but feel happy when you are there.

Yeah, I saw your pictures. It is fun to see other people ooh and aah over the lights. We have been there before when we were only able shuffle-step, and that's not so fun.

Love, love, love those lights!!!!!!! We saw them twice because my camera died the first time we saw them. My DH was so excited last year that he didnt have to drive around the neighborhoods at home so I could see Christmas lights. Can't wait to see them in 200 and something days!!!! Or as memom would say, 29 weeks from Saturday.

Yeah, see, the weeks number is a lot smaller than the days number! You have to play mind games with yourself.

 

[lmillercrew]

I love the parks at night! I think I would like it even more during the holidays. Hollywood will be a perfect place for a DISmeet!

 

[<3myfamily]

I don't check in for a couple of days and there is a graduation and a dance! Congrats Brooklynn... great job!

I made a quick trip to DL before our AP's are blocked out for the summer. We are getting an Earl of Sandwich & Ghirardelli's, but neither had opened yet. Your pictures from Downtown Disney are really making me crave them both now!! Guess I'll have to wait til August/September for that and to see the new Carsland.

Loving all the pictures! I especially love the updates from A of A and the Osbourne lights. I really, really, really want to see the lights one day! My DB and family were there (and I keep searching your pictures for them) and sent me a picture and said how fabulous they were!

Happy "End of the School Year"!!!! The teachers at the school I sub at are ready for the year to be done. They have a week left. I only have one 1/2 day tomorrow and then I'm done til the end of July!

 

[MeMom]

I love the parks at night! I think I would like it even more during the holidays. Hollywood will be a perfect place for a DISmeet!

Okay, Hollywood it is. Remind me what day that is, or I can go back and find it when I have time this weekend. We can come up with an easy place to meet there.

I don't check in for a couple of days and there is a graduation and a dance! Congrats Brooklynn... great job!

I made a quick trip to DL before our AP's are blocked out for the summer. We are getting an Earl of Sandwich & Ghirardelli's, but neither had opened yet. Your pictures from Downtown Disney are really making me crave them both now!! Guess I'll have to wait til August/September for that and to see the new Carsland.

Loving all the pictures! I especially love the updates from A of A and the Osbourne lights. I really, really, really want to see the lights one day! My DB and family were there (and I keep searching your pictures for them) and sent me a picture and said how fabulous they were!

Happy "End of the School Year"!!!! The teachers at the school I sub at are ready for the year to be done. They have a week left. I only have one 1/2 day tomorrow and then I'm done til the end of July!

Yay for getting an Earl and a Ghirardelli! What a treat!

You'll have to send us some good pictures of Carsland. I am hearing that it is going to be so cool!

I have a full day of paperwork ahead of me. I have to go in and get started on cumulative folders first thing. Lots of numbers go in lots of boxes. I have a grade level meeting and an all staff meeting, and I have a lot of organizing I want to start on for next year. It will be nice to have a quiet classroom in which to work. I'll have my Disney music playing in the background to make the work seem easier.


***************************************


So, here is your hint on where we ate dinner.

Make your guess, and then scroll down.


























































We often enjoy having dinner at Caribbean Beach.

That's not the real Caribbean Beach, by the way. That's just a picture of a picture.
It would be a nice souvenir for someone to bring home to put in a Caribbean Beach Resort themed room.
If they had any non-Disney resort themed rooms left.

Mingos live here.

First we shop.

I love these ornaments!

I turned this jewelry case in photobucket. Hopefully, it will straighten itself soon.

There's a hand in this photo!

One of my favorite souvenirs to bring home is Disney music.

I was happy to be at...

at holiday time!

 

[MeMom]

Another tree and cool decorations.

Prize winning treehouse.

What shall we eat?

We got a ton of stuff and shared among everyone.

The cornbread here is so good!

From where we sat.

CBR bathroom.

I went out and got a couple of pool pictures.

Back inside.

Sweet girl!!!

Looks like some silliness going on at the bus stop.

Imagine that!

I love this resort - and yes, I know I say that about a lot of Disney resorts - and I thought my friend, Kay, and I would stay here next spring, but I think I have changed my mind. I will explain further later.


Have a Fabulous Friday, DIS friends!

 

[Stringbean&Wingnut]

The themeing of the CBR really is cool. I love walking around the gift shop/food court, all of the colors and lights are so pretty!!

 

[Charleston Princess]

That's great that you all got hats & noise makers. The girls must of had a ball.

Okay, here is my confession. I must have scrolled through too fast yesterday morning and not read carefully. I was perplexed as to why they were giving out magic wands with the hats. I even thought about it when I was driving home from teaching summer school yesterday.

Now that I know they are noisemakers, it all makes more sense.

I think Brooklynn just went up for a normal hug, and Bo grabbed her before she knew what was happening. Boys will be boys...

I see someone ate the buffalo chicken sandwich at CBR. Charles and I had it in October of 2010 and my lips are still burning from it.

 

[stace208]

Happy Friday! I know it is a great feeling knowing that although you have work to do today, there are no students there with you and the whole summer is stretched out in front of you! We still have 15 days left. This week, and the next two, are lock down for state testing so it makes for some very looooooong days.

I really need to make time to get over to CBR. It looks so pretty.

Have a great weekend!!

 

[MHTeacher]

I remember those NYE crowds at DHS. Scary, at times! The year we were there, DHS had EvMH until 3 a.m., and it was amazing how the crowds thinned out after the NYE fireworks at midnight. We had gone to the Osborne lights earlier that night, and our crowd pics look like yours. Then we went about 1 a.m., and it was amazing how we could just stroll around!

Never been over to CBR. Thanks for the pictures!

 

[LookinUp]

Oh, what fun to be able to swim on NYE! Those girls are like fish - or mermaids.

I must admit, this last set of Pop pics made me a little sad, since we won't get our usual September/October fix this year. DH & I are celebrating our 15th anniversary in Oct, & he'd prefer Montréal. Or Paris, with enough pennies in the pocketbook. But then I perked up at the Osbourne Lights pics, bcz I'm now dreaming of WDW for a long weekend in December. Just not Dec 31, after seeing those crowds. Yikes!!! What a relief that CBR was so quiet.

Ok, off to wash DD's costumes for tonight's performance of Cinderella. She's having a ball. Literally. She gets to sing & wear a beautiful gown in the ballroom scenes.