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

[CreightonsMomma]

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

Some examples were:

At the beginning of your last set of pictures when you posted pictures of the parade he said "Where Woody and Present?". We have never stood and watched this whole parade, but we have walked past it. I have no idea how he knew Woody was there.

He also pointed out Stitch and he has never watched Lilo and Stitch before, the only time he saw Stitch was when we took him in March of 2011. Actually, I think we did see him one time at Epcot. Maybe in July of 2011.

When he saw your Goofys Candy Store picture he remembered when we watched them dip marshmallows in the chocolate and covered them in m&ms he said "I wove em n ems"

You had also posted a picture of the Fantasyland map and he said "Roller-coaster?". In March we took him for the first time on The Great Goofini.

Other things he notices are shapes, colors, he knows which rides are in what location. When he saw the Speedway pictures he went and got his little drivers license that they give out to the kids and said "my turn?" I had no idea he still had that little license or where he found it.

We first took him when he was 16 months old and his vocabulary blossomed on that trip alone he started saying Ball, Car, balloon and some other words but I cant remember.

When we look at pictures I can see it in his eyes that he remembers when he was there. People always tell me that they are waiting until their kids are older because they want them to remember it. I'm glad I didn't wait because to be honest, i'm not sure that I could have taught him the things he knows now without going there.

It is just amazing to see him grow and learn in a place that a lot of people think it is just a vacation spot. It is a lot more than that and no matter the age of a person, I think everyone can learn a thing or two there.

 

[MeMom]

We left Caribbean Beach to go to another resort.

I am betting that most of you know exactly where I am standing now.

Yep, the bee-yoo-tee-ful Polynesian Resort.

Trent and the girlies make their way downstairs.

Didja know?

I always enjoy reading the informational/educational things around the resorts and parks.

I spy a castle between those palm trees.

Not on Main Street, but you still have the opportunity to spend your Disney dollars, if you would like.

Christmas on the islands.

DIS folks assembling outside Dave and Kathy's room, which was ground floor right on the beach facing the castle. It doesn't get much better than this.

That's my kids on the blanket, Anita facing them, and Llana's mom and Lexi beside her.

Fuzzy, but I'm pretty sure this is Elena and Pat and then Llana's family.

I didn't get any better pictures.

And now, I present to you one of the reasons I prefer to watch fireworks from this angle rather than from inside the park.

 

[micandminforever]

I love the fireworks pictures. Maybe I will be able to join you one year at the Poly for fireworks on NYE.

 

[MeMom]

I enjoy seeing the whole spread, which I cannot see from inside the park, so this is my favorite viewing spot. Plus, you can sprawl out on a blanket and not be squeezed in on a curb.

All the DIS people were so fuzzy that night.

My only 'capture' of Llana was that one.

Also, Cara and her family had planned to come over, but they couldn't get there due to transportation issues. I guess after a certain time, they were turning people away. I'm not sure of the details, but sadly they were not able to make it.

See, more education - I teach my kids about imports and exports.

We joined the 197,000 other people leaving the celebration.

Puppy enjoyed celebrating.

Back at Pop, the jukebox lights were out.

I think that meant it was long past bedtime.


We will not be back for NYE this year, but if Dave and Kathy have the webcam going, I will be watching! You guys will wave at us, won't you?

 

[MeMom]

Some examples were:

At the beginning of your last set of pictures when you posted pictures of the parade he said "Where Woody and Present?". We have never stood and watched this whole parade, but we have walked past it. I have no idea how he knew Woody was there.

He also pointed out Stitch and he has never watched Lilo and Stitch before, the only time he saw Stitch was when we took him in March of 2011. Actually, I think we did see him one time at Epcot. Maybe in July of 2011.

When he saw your Goofys Candy Store picture he remembered when we watched them dip marshmallows in the chocolate and covered them in m&ms he said "I wove em n ems"

You had also posted a picture of the Fantasyland map and he said "Roller-coaster?". In March we took him for the first time on The Great Goofini.

Other things he notices are shapes, colors, he knows which rides are in what location. When he saw the Speedway pictures he went and got his little drivers license that they give out to the kids and said "my turn?" I had no idea he still had that little license or where he found it.

We first took him when he was 16 months old and his vocabulary blossomed on that trip alone he started saying Ball, Car, balloon and some other words but I cant remember.

When we look at pictures I can see it in his eyes that he remembers when he was there. People always tell me that they are waiting until their kids are older because they want them to remember it. I'm glad I didn't wait because to be honest, i'm not sure that I could have taught him the things he knows now without going there.

It is just amazing to see him grow and learn in a place that a lot of people think it is just a vacation spot. It is a lot more than that and no matter the age of a person, I think everyone can learn a thing or two there.

I am with you on the early memory. Brooklynn remembered things when she was very young. One time, after we had stayed at ASMusic and now were staying at Movies, we walked past the Music food court - outside. She said, "There's where we get a biscuit." I had to shake my head. That had been a long time prior to that walk. Steel trap mind, Jill used to say.

It really makes me happy that you enjoy looking at the pictures with Creighton and that he has such a good memory of his Disney times.

I love the fireworks pictures. Maybe I will be able to join you one year at the Poly for fireworks on NYE.

That will happen. Maybe we can try for 2013 or 2014?

 

[Poolrat]

What a great Night!!!

Were ther text messages flying back and forth about how long it took everyone to get back to the room?
I think I remember I almost got back to my room at the same time!!!!

 

[Megablocks]

That sounds like an awesome night! You got some great firework pictures. I would have loved to be on that beach watching the fireworks!

 

[lmillercrew]

I agree with the POR decision. We love it there. The grounds are just so pretty and relaxing, plus you can share the pool with POFQ! BONUS!
You had a very busy night. Going from place to place and still getting AHmazing pictures of fireworks! (I meant to spell that wrong teacher)
I will have to look at my planning book again to remember what day we are at Hollywood. I'm pretty sure it's that Thurs.

 

[Kgroo]

Awesome firework pictures !!!!!!

Hope you are having a great holiday weekend!!!!

 

[MeMom]

What a great Night!!!

Were ther text messages flying back and forth about how long it took everyone to get back to the room?
I think I remember I almost got back to my room at the same time!!!!

There's not much that compares to sitting on the Poly beach with family and friends on a holiday evening.

That sounds like an awesome night! You got some great firework pictures. I would have loved to be on that beach watching the fireworks!

We wish you had been there, too!

I agree with the POR decision. We love it there. The grounds are just so pretty and relaxing, plus you can share the pool with POFQ! BONUS!
You had a very busy night. Going from place to place and still getting AHmazing pictures of fireworks! (I meant to spell that wrong teacher)
I will have to look at my planning book again to remember what day we are at Hollywood. I'm pretty sure it's that Thurs.

I am takeing a brake from being a teechur for a few weeks, sew wee can awl spell thangs as rong as we whant two four a littel wile.

Just let us know. Being at Pop, even if that is not a Hollywood day, it shouldn't be hard to get over there for a quick meet at some point.

Awesome firework pictures !!!!!!

Hope you are having a great holiday weekend!!!!

The fireworks were incredible!

I am still thinking about how great it is to have a three day weekend. The cool thing is, when the three day weekend is over, I still have the rest of the week off!

 

[TCKK]

I love all the NYE photos. Those are awesome fireworks photos too! Looks like so much fun.

 

[Stasieki]

Fireworks look amazing

I hope you have enjoyed your weekend. I'd love a meet next time Jill is up here.

 

[MagicShell]

Wow Memom, I can totally tell why you like that view of the fireworks. They look AMAZING! Seeing fireworks from the Poly beach is now on my list of must dos one day. Thank you for sharing so many great ideas.

 

[wigdoutdismom]

What a fabulous night we had on NYE!!!
I'll say that I'm sold on seeing the big fireworks from just that spot. Do you think Dave and Kathy will be there over the 4th, or will we be beach bums....

I don't know if I told you about the horrid traffic jam we got in at DTD heading back to SSR. I think Marc needed to turn before we got into the traffic but he was following the GPS....
I think we sat for well over an hour.

Soooo, that has prompted me to look into a stay on the monorail for NYE this year. Lots of options, but I have a feeling a cash stay is going to be so expensive.
I might just try to book BLT for that night, but not move out of the resort we will call home for the entire trip.


Also I wanted to tell you that you and Kay will have your own bathroom, IF the snoring gets too bad, Kay could always make out the sofa bed in the living room.

One more thing, I know someone that has Vero points and has BEEN asking you to come down.
Maybe next summer.....

 

[sunny_stace]

Those fireworks are amazing!! They did the surrounding-the-park style fireworks when we were there for the MK 40th anniversary and it was unlike anything I had ever seen! I would love to see the NYE ones in person someday! For now, I will continue to wait for October - now that I am officially booked!!! October 5th can't come soon enough!

Hope all of you American Dis-ers enjoy your long weekend!

 

[uncw89]

What a great Night!!!



Were ther text messages flying back and forth about how long it took everyone to get back to the room?
I think I remember I almost got back to my room at the same time!!!!

Yep! I do believe there were a few texts going back and forth!!! I was texting Anita and Jill!! After I got to the bus stop at MKit wasn't bad, but getting to the bus stop was CRAZY!!! After I got on the bus it wasn't bad. Out of the gropu I think I got back to my room first. Jill and family had a really tough time getting back to the room.

What a fabulous night we had on NYE!!!
I'll say that I'm sold on seeing the big fireworks from just that spot. Do you think Dave and Kathy will be there over the 4th, or will we be beach bums....

I don't know if I told you about the horrid traffic jam we got in at DTD heading back to SSR. I think Marc needed to turn before we got into the traffic but he was following the GPS....
I think we sat for well over an hour.


You had a tough time getting back too!!

Soooo, that has prompted me to look into a stay on the monorail for NYE this year. Lots of options, but I have a feeling a cash stay is going to be so expensive.
I might just try to book BLT for that night, but not move out of the resort we will call home for the entire trip.

That would be good if you could get a room for that night!! It doesn't look like there are any availabel , but you could get lucky!! I waitlisted for that week in a std studio, but I'm not holding my breath!!! I'm not even sure I'll be able to go. Right now I'm booked at SSR that's all I saw online for the whole time.


Also I wanted to tell you that you and Kay will have your own bathroom, IF the snoring gets too bad, Kay could always make out the sofa bed in the living room.

One more thing, I know someone that has Vero points and has BEEN asking you to come down.
Maybe next summer.....

Great firework pics!! Us Diser's were looking a bit fuzzy that night!!! O didn't even realize that you had taken those. Too bad we didn't get a good group shot....next time!!!!

 

[lmillercrew]

Phonetic spelling!!! Oh the English language is SO difficult!

 

[declansdad]

Great pictures of the fireworks.

Was there not a couple of people with you taking requests on the live feed before the fireworks began? I seem to recall hearing some Disney standards.

 

[MeMom]

I love all the NYE photos. Those are awesome fireworks photos too! Looks like so much fun.

The fireworks were great, as was the company.

Fireworks look amazing

I hope you have enjoyed your weekend. I'd love a meet next time Jill is up here.

We'll give that a try. I am not sure when she'll be here next, other than when she comes through just for a 'stop in' after they leave Kentucky. They are taking the dog up there to stay while they're in Florida. It will probably be sometime later in July before they come again for the weekend, so we will let you know.

Wow Memom, I can totally tell why you like that view of the fireworks. They look AMAZING! Seeing fireworks from the Poly beach is now on my list of must dos one day. Thank you for sharing so many great ideas.

We enjoy it because you can the whole span of fireworks, and it is less crowded. We also just enjoy being in the atmosphere of Poly, so it all works together for a nice experience for us.

What a fabulous night we had on NYE!!!
I'll say that I'm sold on seeing the big fireworks from just that spot. Do you think Dave and Kathy will be there over the 4th, or will we be beach bums....

I don't know if I told you about the horrid traffic jam we got in at DTD heading back to SSR. I think Marc needed to turn before we got into the traffic but he was following the GPS....
I think we sat for well over an hour.

Soooo, that has prompted me to look into a stay on the monorail for NYE this year. Lots of options, but I have a feeling a cash stay is going to be so expensive.
I might just try to book BLT for that night, but not move out of the resort we will call home for the entire trip.


Also I wanted to tell you that you and Kay will have your own bathroom, IF the snoring gets too bad, Kay could always make out the sofa bed in the living room.

One more thing, I know someone that has Vero points and has BEEN asking you to come down.
Maybe next summer.....

As far as I know, they will not be there. Kathy wanted to go, but Dave said they had already been too many times this year.

You just have to go into a Poly fireworks visit with the mindset that it will take you a while to get home, so just go with the flow, don't stress about it, and plan on sleeping in the next day.

We'll get to Vero eventually. We were going to come over for a day this summer, but then our dates had to change because of school and camp.

Those fireworks are amazing!! They did the surrounding-the-park style fireworks when we were there for the MK 40th anniversary and it was unlike anything I had ever seen! I would love to see the NYE ones in person someday! For now, I will continue to wait for October - now that I am officially booked!!! October 5th can't come soon enough!

Hope all of you American Dis-ers enjoy your long weekend!

October 5th it Jill's birthday and the day we arrive, too! See you there!

Yep! I do believe there were a few texts going back and forth!!! I was texting Anita and Jill!! After I got to the bus stop at MKit wasn't bad, but getting to the bus stop was CRAZY!!! After I got on the bus it wasn't bad. Out of the gropu I think I got back to my room first. Jill and family had a really tough time getting back to the room.



Great firework pics!! Us Diser's were looking a bit fuzzy that night!!! O didn't even realize that you had taken those. Too bad we didn't get a good group shot....next time!!!!

It took us a while, but we fully expected it. We just took our time and strolled. We had nothing special planned for early the next morning.

I don't know why we didn't think of getting a big group shot.

Phonetic spelling!!! Oh the English language is SO difficult!

Here in Tennessee, it is sometimes hard to teach Phonics and Language, because people tend to draw out and add syllables. I have a southern accent, but nothing like some of these people do! Bella is getting pretty southern in her speech as she develops it. Belle is Bay-uhl right now. We may have to send her up north for a while to take the edge off of this before it 'gits too bay-uhd'!!!

Great pictures of the fireworks.

Was there not a couple of people with you taking requests on the live feed before the fireworks began? I seem to recall hearing some Disney standards.

I believe there was a little bit of entertainment going on. I try to tune them out, though, and pretend that I don't know them.

 

[marDgreen88]

GREAT fireworks pictures!

So funny that you mention that there was a webcam recording the fireworks because I actually watched it on **********.com! (I'm not one for going out on NYE and hanging out with all the drunk people, hahah.) And before the fireworks started, I could have sworn I heard someone yell, "JARVIS!!!" I had no idea yall were there though! How funny!

Sounds like a perfect way to spend your New Year!