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

[snowbell]

I am so behind... trying desperately to catch up. Joe and I got back from Disney on the 14th.... we had such an amazing time.. and believe it or not - We just had our first experience at Earl's.... had the best sandwich EVER!!! We went back three times. Asian chicken wrap (no wontons)

So excited that you get to go to the world so soon... and if I did not mention it earlier .... Congrats Jill and the whole family! Sophie is such a pretty name.

if you happen to go to wilderness lodge -- kindly make a wish for me

 

[MeMom]

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!!

The colors are so bright and cheerful, and I love any of the resorts that have the tropical feel. The food court has delicious chicken and vegetables, too. It's a great place that I have visited often but never stayed at.

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 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.

No, we did not do any magic on anyone on NYE - just blew in the New Year with a lot of racket!

I think the buffalo chicken was John's. Had Drew been there, he would have probably gone for that, too.

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!!

Good luck with your last two weeks. Our kids were nuts the last two weeks.

CBR is very pretty.

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!

Strolling is a much better situation. I didn't even think about trying to go back, though.

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.

It was awesome to be able to be in the pool on NYE!

Paris would be a nice vacation for an anniversary.

Have fun at the Cinderella performance. Hopefully our girls can be in some fun school plays as they grow up.

 

[Lovemy3babes]

Ooooo, I LOVED this update MeMom! CBR is where Morghan and I will stay in October so I looked at each of your photos for a long time. We have plans to eat in the food court too. Yay! Wonderful update!

Happy Friday to you!

 

[IluvXU]

Way behind too. School winding down and Hannah's recovery has really taken its toll on my DIS time!

Love the resort pics of CBR. It was my first on sight experience, and we have only been by on the Magical Express buses. We will have to visit there soon!

 

[wigdoutdismom]

I need more info on your change of mind about CBR to POR.
We really enjoyed POR a couple of years ago when we weekended there...

I checked with member services today and we have a dedicated 2br for that stay. That will be better in my opinion. No sofa to make into a bed!

 

[MeMom]

I am so behind... trying desperately to catch up. Joe and I got back from Disney on the 14th.... we had such an amazing time.. and believe it or not - We just had our first experience at Earl's.... had the best sandwich EVER!!! We went back three times. Asian chicken wrap (no wontons)

So excited that you get to go to the world so soon... and if I did not mention it earlier .... Congrats Jill and the whole family! Sophie is such a pretty name.

if you happen to go to wilderness lodge -- kindly make a wish for me

We're always glad to see you when you get a chance to visit!

Yay for getting to finally eat with Earl.

Wilderness Lodge for baby wishes? Can do!
I am thinking of doing some extensive research - such as seeing which way the coins land, heads or tails, and then what kind of baby is produced from that magical fountain, boy or girl.

Ooooo, I LOVED this update MeMom! CBR is where Morghan and I will stay in October so I looked at each of your photos for a long time. We have plans to eat in the food court too. Yay! Wonderful update!

Happy Friday to you!

I have been to CBR maybe 4-5 times, but I still have never wandered far from the main area. This summer, I am making my way further out to see more of the room areas. It's always been either raining, too dark, or on a time constraint, so I haven't been able to wander, but this summer, it is happening!

I don't think you will be disappointed in the food court offerings. If that chicken wasn't so darn good, I would get the vegetable combo, but I can't pass up the chicken.

Way behind too. School winding down and Hannah's recovery has really taken its toll on my DIS time!

Love the resort pics of CBR. It was my first on sight experience, and we have only been by on the Magical Express buses. We will have to visit there soon!

We are sure glad that Hannah got the care she needed and is all fixed up now. I know about the phrase 'emergency surgery', and it is scary.

Along with the colors and the food at CBR, I also enjoy the music that plays in the background. It would be a good CD to have.

I need more info on your change of mind about CBR to POR.
We really enjoyed POR a couple of years ago when we weekended there...

I checked with member services today and we have a dedicated 2br for that stay. That will be better in my opinion. No sofa to make into a bed!

I have talked with Jill a little about it.
Here's my thought process. We will have spent 4 nights in a beachy resort. You may be familiar with it. It's called Beach Club.
Jill has stayed at two resorts that I have not - CBR and POR, so after we leave Beach Club it would be nice to stay at one of those. Since we'll only be paying for three nights, due to the extreme kindness of some DIS friends, this is the perfect time to upgrade from value to moderate, right? I've never stayed at either one, and Kay has only stayed value.

Immediately, I thought we would stay at CBR, as I have long wanted to, but then I thought that going from BC to CBR would give me two beachy-type trips, whereas going from BC to POR would give one trip two entirely different experiences, and I could hold CBR for adding on to the tail end of a Pop trip in the future.

Those are my thoughts. What does anyone else think? I have been looking at POR a little more, and if the money is there when it's time to make the reservation, I think that is what I am going for this time. Then I will still have CBR and another beachy trip to look forward to.

As long as I can be away from others to sleep and not wake the masses with my snoring, and as long as I have access to a bathroom so that I can start on my day at 3-4 o'clock in the morning without disturbing others, I am good. When I have to stay in a room with someone else - only a very small inner circle of unlucky people - I let them get to sleep first while I go shower and read at night, and then I fall asleep after they're 'gone'. If I fell asleep first, they would be in trouble! Then, in the morning, I just try to be as absolutely quiet as I can be while I get up and ready.

 

[hollisterluva92]

Seeing Brooklynn in cap and gown brought back memories of my three doing the same thing when they were little.

$270 is not bad, I guess, but every one night there, I could stay two at Pop. I'm kind of cheap.

-I agree! I would take two nights at Pop over one night at Vero any day!
-What a sweet family picture! Brooklyn looks so grown up!
-I love Brooklyn's dance costume! So pretty!
-Bella's bathing suit is super cute!
-Love the flowers! Gorgeous!
-I agree, I love getting Disney gift cards!
-I still haven't seen the dance party parade!
-I could spend a lot of money at the pin trader store!
-I love that seahorse ornament! So pretty!
-I would love to have those coasters!
-I also love bringing home Disney music! I have the Wishes CD and the Disney Greatest CD's!
-What a gorgeous wreath!
-Love that tree!
-All of the food looks yummy!
-I love Bella's new stuffed friend! I collect those Disney Baby stuffed animals, and I have yet to get that one!

 

[micandminforever]

DH and I are staying POR in the fall. I love the idea of the queen size bed over the standard bed. Plus The one other time we stayed their it was the Dixie landing days. I loved the tropical fell of CBR also. I hope they will come back in the next update of CBR and put in queen size beds. I also love the double sinks at POR, POFQ, and CBR.

 

[Megablocks]

Don't turn my laptop on for a couple days and there's all this fun stuff to catch up on!

I loved seeing the pictures of the lights. Seeing those in person this year was just amazing. I really hope to see them the next time we go, too.

I can't offer too much about CBR, since we only stayed there once, eighteen years ago scared1, but I'm sure you can tell by my signature that we LOVED POR. We stayed there till Pop opened, and of course that's now our Disney home. Both the mansions and Alligator Bayou are gorgeous, so you really can't go wrong either way.

I am so excited you guys are staying at BC a few days; that is my dream resort, so I can't wait to see your pictures from there!

 

[belleinpink]

If you are in the mood for sweets, this is the place to go.

These are some of my favorite treats - a little salty mixed with the sweet.

THAT'S MY STORE!!!!!! I know most of the people in those pictures!!!! In fact I worked with the man in the blue shirt last night. He is a trainer and was training a new group of college programers last night. You'll have more apples to take pictures of when you visit in 4 weeks!!!! REcently we developed a Goofy apple that they featured at the Candy Palace opening at Disneyland Resort!

 

[lovedonaldduck]

I understand the POR/CBR logic, it would be nice to vary the theming a bit more. We've never been to either but I've always loved the look of POR from pictures. It is still on my wish list but renting points and staying DVC is working really well for us right now. It would work for a short trip for us though. We've been spoiled by the DVC space so now we think we "need" it.

We stayed at POFQ on our second trip and loved it. It is still one of my favorite places that we've stayed!

 

[disney<333]

Congrats to Brooklynn on graduating! I always love early mornings at MK, but I've yet to see the RD show. I LOVED the lights! CBR is on my list to stay. Next time we stay moderate, It'll probably be CSR because their rooms are a little bit bigger and they have queen beds and that's important to this family with two teens.
I enjoyed my stay at POR. I see your logic. You'll have a great time no matter where you stay.

 

[LookinUp]

Yea for a BC stay!!! Distown friends are generous souls.
I like your idea of following with a POR chaser. Did you also consider POFQ? I'm thinking more than just beignets. I loved the more intimate feel and the quieter pool, & it's an easy, pretty walk or boat ride to the amenities at POR. Also loved the dedicated, single-stop bus service - without multiple stops, it's faster to & from parks! Just my 2 cents. Either way, you can't lose!

 

[MeMom]

-I agree! I would take two nights at Pop over one night at Vero any day!
-What a sweet family picture! Brooklyn looks so grown up!
-I love Brooklyn's dance costume! So pretty!
-Bella's bathing suit is super cute!
-Love the flowers! Gorgeous!
-I agree, I love getting Disney gift cards!
-I still haven't seen the dance party parade!
-I could spend a lot of money at the pin trader store!
-I love that seahorse ornament! So pretty!
-I would love to have those coasters!
-I also love bringing home Disney music! I have the Wishes CD and the Disney Greatest CD's!
-What a gorgeous wreath!
-Love that tree!
-All of the food looks yummy!
-I love Bella's new stuffed friend! I collect those Disney Baby stuffed animals, and I have yet to get that one!

I still want to visit Vero one of these days. I know it is beautiful!

I don't even know how many Disney CD's I have.
Several.... .....and they bring me much happiness when I leave school in the afternoons.

DH and I are staying POR in the fall. I love the idea of the queen size bed over the standard bed. Plus The one other time we stayed their it was the Dixie landing days. I loved the tropical fell of CBR also. I hope they will come back in the next update of CBR and put in queen size beds. I also love the double sinks at POR, POFQ, and CBR.

I will explore POR a little more this summer and then make my decision a little firmer. After that, it will just be a matter of cost. If I can afford three nights of moderate, we'll go for it.

The double sinks have never really been a big deal for us, because I get up and get ready before anyone else needs a sink.

Don't turn my laptop on for a couple days and there's all this fun stuff to catch up on!

I loved seeing the pictures of the lights. Seeing those in person this year was just amazing. I really hope to see them the next time we go, too.

I can't offer too much about CBR, since we only stayed there once, eighteen years ago scared1, but I'm sure you can tell by my signature that we LOVED POR. We stayed there till Pop opened, and of course that's now our Disney home. Both the mansions and Alligator Bayou are gorgeous, so you really can't go wrong either way.

I am so excited you guys are staying at BC a few days; that is my dream resort, so I can't wait to see your pictures from there!

We are staying at Beach Club because Wigd and Shocker are so very kind. It's a little surreal right now. I have visited many times, but to know I can take a sunrise walk around that beautiful area - that will probably sink in a little later.

If it doesn't work out to stay moderate this time, I will get to it eventually. I want to stay at all Disney resorts, if I live long enough to have the chance.

THAT'S MY STORE!!!!!! I know most of the people in those pictures!!!! In fact I worked with the man in the blue shirt last night. He is a trainer and was training a new group of college programers last night. You'll have more apples to take pictures of when you visit in 4 weeks!!!! REcently we developed a Goofy apple that they featured at the Candy Palace opening at Disneyland Resort!

You'll have to let us know when you are working, and we can come by and say hello!

A Goofy apple sounds fun.

I understand the POR/CBR logic, it would be nice to vary the theming a bit more. We've never been to either but I've always loved the look of POR from pictures. It is still on my wish list but renting points and staying DVC is working really well for us right now. It would work for a short trip for us though. We've been spoiled by the DVC space so now we think we "need" it.

We stayed at POFQ on our second trip and loved it. It is still one of my favorite places that we've stayed!

It would be very easy to get spoiled to the nicer resorts. We've stayed at Animal Kingdom Lodge, Wilderness Lodge, and Saratoga Springs. It would certainly be nice to stay at those kinds of places all the time. We still have to visit Pop, though, since it has been our Disney home, pretty much. That may change in the future as our travel party needs change, but for now, it works for us to stay value and then occasionally get to stay at a nicer place.

We have stayed at POFQ. That was a great trip, and Brooklynn loved the pool slide!

Congrats to Brooklynn on graduating! I always love early mornings at MK, but I've yet to see the RD show. I LOVED the lights! CBR is on my list to stay. Next time we stay moderate, It'll probably be CSR because their rooms are a little bit bigger and they have queen beds and that's important to this family with two teens.
I enjoyed my stay at POR. I see your logic. You'll have a great time no matter where you stay.

Yes, we will have a good time. Since I missed the wonder that is Flower & Garden Festival this year, I will be more than ready to be there next year.

Yea for a BC stay!!! Distown friends are generous souls.
I like your idea of following with a POR chaser. Did you also consider POFQ? I'm thinking more than just beignets. I loved the more intimate feel and the quieter pool, & it's an easy, pretty walk or boat ride to the amenities at POR. Also loved the dedicated, single-stop bus service - without multiple stops, it's faster to & from parks! Just my 2 cents. Either way, you can't lose!

We have stayed at POFQ, so we're looking for something new to check off the list. My normal order would be CBR, POR, and then CSR, but since we're getting Beach Club time, I think changing the order might be best. I can get two different experiences in on one trip, and then I'll still have CBR to look forward to possibly at the end of a Pop trip.

 

[lauren_elizabeth]

I haven't been on the DIS in awhile, so I haven't been keeping up with any reports, but I just wanted to stop in and say CONGRATS on another little girl! Sophie Kate is an adorable name. Is Sophie going to be short for Sophia or is it just Sophie?

 

[MeMom]

I haven't been on the DIS in awhile, so I haven't been keeping up with any reports, but I just wanted to stop in and say CONGRATS on another little girl! Sophie Kate is an adorable name. Is Sophie going to be short for Sophia or is it just Sophie?

Glad you could stop by, Lauren!

Sophia sounds more sophisticated, and Sophie sounds more relaxed and fun.
You know which one fits us best, so Sophie it is.

 

[lauren_elizabeth]

Glad you could stop by, Lauren!

Sophia sounds more sophisticated, and Sophie sounds more relaxed and fun.
You know which one fits us best, so Sophie it is.

So sweet! September is a great month to have a birthday!
It will be here before yall know it, too!

 

[CreightonsMomma]

All caught up.....again! Brooklynn is getting so big. I can't believe she is already graduating kindergarten! Creighton and I were looking at your pictures and he was naming things that I didn't even know he knew. It amazes me how much he learns while he is at Disney. So, to all those naysayers that kept telling me he was too young and he wont remember it:

 

[CanadianWDWfan]

I love shopping for treats in Goofy's Candy Co.
We had fun this last trip picking out different things to bring home for Aaron.
I think we ended up with the family box of salt water taffy in a cute themed box, large mickey cookie, candy apple, hot cinnamon candies, pretzels and I know I'm forgetting something else...

Lexi likes the frozen drinks there.

CBR is so colorful and fun! We went and looked around last year and we want to stay there sometime.
I am looking at it for next year...we are planning to go back around May again cause we loved this time of year so much.

You are so lucky to stay at Beach Club...it's gorgeous and a dream of mine too!
I think you should stay at POR! We had an awesome time there, I would highly recommend it!
Your spring trip with Kay is shaping up to be so lovely!

 

[MeMom]

So sweet! September is a great month to have a birthday!
It will be here before yall know it, too!

June and July are nearly booked full already, and August will be crazy because school starts back, so I would agree with you on that!

All caught up.....again! Brooklynn is getting so big. I can't believe she is already graduating kindergarten! Creighton and I were looking at your pictures and he was naming things that I didn't even know he knew. It amazes me how much he learns while he is at Disney. So, to all those naysayers that kept telling me he was too young and he wont remember it:

Don't think a thing about the naysayers. You just keep doing what works for your own family. We've taken babies, and we've had a great time, and we'll take the next baby and have a great time, too. And yes, there really is much to learn at Disney World. At least kids can get exposed to some degree of other cultures without leaving the country. It's better than the nothing they might otherwise get. I know that this grown-up (me) appreciates the opportunities to see and learn about things from other parts of the world that I feel fairly sure I will never see.


I'm curious as to what pictures stood out for him.

I love shopping for treats in Goofy's Candy Co.
We had fun this last trip picking out different things to bring home for Aaron.
I think we ended up with the family box of salt water taffy in a cute themed box, large mickey cookie, candy apple, hot cinnamon candies, pretzels and I know I'm forgetting something else...

Lexi likes the frozen drinks there.

CBR is so colorful and fun! We went and looked around last year and we want to stay there sometime.
I am looking at it for next year...we are planning to go back around May again cause we loved this time of year so much.

You are so lucky to stay at Beach Club...it's gorgeous and a dream of mine too!
I think you should stay at POR! We had an awesome time there, I would highly recommend it!
Your spring trip with Kay is shaping up to be so lovely!

A cold drink from Goofy's will be a nice treat in the thousand degree heat we are going to face this summer!

I have two sets of cousins who are going next May pretty much as soon as school is out.

I am leaning more and more toward POR. I am definitely excited about calling Beach Club my home for a few days. I hope I don't get all snooty and think I'm big stuff while I am there.

I don't talk to Kay very often, but when I do, we always talk about the big trip. It'll be an old lady trip, for sure. I think the trip report title might be 'We're Hobbling Right Down the Middle of Main Street USA' .