Baby and the Tramp...and a Pop (half) Century! Where Did It Go???

[SwansLoveDisney]

I love the Tangierine cafe! It's always a must-do for me.

I keep forgetting about the food and wine festival. That's going to be great.

Awesome pics (as always)!

 

[cherokeemamma]

Hi MeMom and BrooklynnsMommy,

Yippee!!! I am finally all caught up again. Love all the pictures. Brooklynn is so adorable. My 13 yo DS was lurking with me earlier today and he commented on how cute and happy she was. She really is so happy with the characters. I Love it!!! I am sorry I didn't get to see my kids at that age enjoy WDW; but I certainly am enjoying it now.

I wanted to ask you about Tony's...did you like it? What did everyone order? We are planning on eating there but I have heard rather mixed reviews. Please tell me what you thought. My DH absolutely loves Italian food. As far as the parade viewing goes we were going to try do that with Spectromagic. I hope the timing works out.

Your WS pics are wonderful. What time of the morning were you there? It looks really empty...gotta love that! I am wondering if it will be packed during F&W? Anyone know how crowded the days are?

more please....

TTFN
Darlene

 

[MeMom]

July 31st - We needed to finish World Showcase, and we hadn't yet seen Turtle Talk or ridden the new Nemo ride. Jill, John, Brooklynn, and I headed to the place that has all those. Good old Epcot. Every time we went into the park, the progress in pulling the wand down was a bit more obvious.

We did ride Nemo, and it was okay, but it seems like they could have done a lot more with that idea. We walked around in the Living Seas. Brooklynn enjoyed seeing the dolphins, manatees, and other ocean critters. We also went to ride Soarin' again.

Doesn't she look so very afraid?

I call this one "Cookie".

I call this one "Girl with Cookie".

I call this one "Bye-Bye Cookie!"

Actually, I don't know if she ever got around to eating it, but it was too cute not to buy it.

Then we headed on to World Showcase. It started raining as we reached United Kingdom. We walked through a few shops, then decided to get an early lunch. We were the first ones in line at the fish and chips place. I had really looked forward to this, but it wasn't very good.

At least we didn't think so. I guess we're more accustomed to the Americanized Captain D's fish! It was okay, and I ate most of mine, but Jill didn't care for hers at all. I don't know how much John ate of his, but this guy ate one of his leftover fries. I mean "chips".

Since it continued to rain, we went ahead and headed back to Pop. Jill and John had an appointment with a DVC rep, and I planned to go to Downtown Disney to shop. Have I mentioned I love to shop? I don't really have to buy anything. I mostly look, but it's just so much fun to see all the STUFF these places have! Jill and John did go to the DVC meet, and I'll let her share more about that. A downpour came, so instead of going to DTD, I just hung out at Pop and straightened the rooms up, because they needed some organizing. I guess in my mind, too, I was sadly thinking I needed to start condensing things, because we were on the last day of July, and we were leaving on the 2nd of August!

I can't remember, but I think I met Jill and John at Epcot. Yeah, I'm pretty sure that's right. I took the bus and their DVC guy dropped them off at Epcot. Jill can correct me if I'm wrong.

We got to ride Maelstrom this time, since it was closed the first time we tried earlier in the trip. There was a lady on there that was freaking out about the drop. It was her first day of her trip, and I guess it could've been her first trip to WDW. Either way, if she was freaking out at Maelstrom, I'm not sure how she made it on some of the other rides that were in store for her.

We ate at Cantina de San Angel. It was good.

Brooklynn saw these boys playing with sticks, and for whatever reason, she found it extremely funny. Every time they tossed the stick, she cracked up laughing. Then, of course, we were laughing at her. Just softly, though. Not cackling like she was. She was all out laughing! Finally, a mom came and took away our entertainment.

These are from the correct night. I got a couple mixed in with some earlier in the report, but now I'm on the right track. I think.

We met up with Trent and Kristi, because they wanted to ride Test Track. The two couples rode first, and Brooklynn and I shared a Mickey ice cream bar. She liked the beginning of the eating, because it tasted good, but she wasn't crazy about it being so cold. It made her unhappy each time, but she kept coming back for more!

When the four young folks got finished with TT, Jill, Trent, and I were going to ride. Trent didn't want to go back to get his EMH bracelet, though, because he's just stubborn. We got in via baby swap, even without his bracelet, but then he kind of gave the guilty face, and the CM must've sensed something, because she motioned him back. If he'd never looked funny, she wouldn't have said a word, because there were a lot of people in there with no bracelets, even though EMH had already started. So, Jill and I rode alone.

We all did some shopping at Mouse Gears.

Then, we headed back to, you guessed it - POP Century! When we got back, there was a sweet card from Natalie. She was the birthday girl in the 5boyz family.

Drew and Sam had spent the day at Animal Kingdom, and then went to MGM in the evening. Here are some of Drew's pictures.

 

[scottny]

sounds like a fun and busy time. She looked adorable inside of the shark (i forget the character names i saw the movie once).
great pics.

 

[MeMom]

Another great bunch of pics MeMom. I love how people find different perspectives.

I do, too. I will so often see a picture of something on the boards that I never thought of viewing from that particular angle, and I put it on my list of "gotta haves". I really do wish I could go for a mostly photography trip. I would just like to spend several days going from place to place taking pictures. That way, I wouldn't be taking time away from doing things with the family to go take all the pictures I wanted. I can't do both when I have people with me, and the people come before the pictures. And of course, there would have to be some shopping!

If I could get someone to ride down there with me during the weekend before Thanksgiving, I would go just for that. Since our school system is now giving us the whole week of Thanksgiving, I've got 9 days free. That just screams, "Go to Disney!" to me. Unfortunately, not everyone can have that time off. I've even thought about seeing if Drew wanted to ride down there with me. He'd be off doing his thing and I'd be off doing mine. The reality is, though, as much as I'd love to do that, I've got to save my money for the Christmas, Spring Break, and next summer trips.

 

[MeMom]

Hi MeMom and BrooklynnsMommy,

Yippee!!! I am finally all caught up again. Love all the pictures. Brooklynn is so adorable. My 13 yo DS was lurking with me earlier today and he commented on how cute and happy she was. She really is so happy with the characters. I Love it!!! I am sorry I didn't get to see my kids at that age enjoy WDW; but I certainly am enjoying it now.

I wanted to ask you about Tony's...did you like it? What did everyone order? We are planning on eating there but I have heard rather mixed reviews. Please tell me what you thought. My DH absolutely loves Italian food. As far as the parade viewing goes we were going to try do that with Spectromagic. I hope the timing works out.

Your WS pics are wonderful. What time of the morning were you there? It looks really empty...gotta love that! I am wondering if it will be packed during F&W? Anyone know how crowded the days are?

more please....

TTFN
Darlene

We liked Tony's. We had heard the negative reviews, too, but I think you just ought to try all the restaurants, shows, resorts, and whatever else for yourself. People have such different likes and dislikes. One person's bad experience is another person's good one.

I got the half panini and salad. The sandwich was good, and the salad was fine, but it did need another drop or two of dressing on it. I should've asked for a little more, but I don't like to bother people unless it's really necessary. Jill got spaghetti, and as you saw, so did Brooklynn. Kristi got pizza, and she liked that. Trent got..I'm not sure. Some kind of penne pasta dish, I think. It was a massive bowl of food. I do remember that. John was on the opposite end of the table, and I don't remember what he got. Maybe Jill can tell you that. I didn't hear anyone complain about any of the food, but we're not that high class. Believe me, just about anything served on something more than a paper plate is good eating to me! We all like to eat, and we enjoyed it.

Really, the only meal that was truly poor, as in little to no flavor or appeal, was a dry chicken sandwich at -------. I'm drawing a blank on where it was. Let me think, and I'll come back and add it on. I'm wanting to say Cosmic Ray's right now, but I'm not sure if that's right or not.


I was there before WS opened. I got to the countries I could get to before they opened the bridge. I was very happy to have the place pretty much to myself! There were CMs walking all the streets, just kind of a walk through to see that everything was ready. A few of them had clipboards. There was a group on a segway tour. Other than that, it was just me and maybe five others wandering around.

I wish you had pictures of your kids at WDW when they were little, too! When did you start going? Your kids always look like they are having so much fun, and they're such good sports about playing up to the camera. You guys just look like the All-American family to me. I would be more than happy for you to represent us as ambassadors of what Americans are like! A friend of mine just the other day came across a picture of when we went and took our kids many years ago. I had all of mine, and she had two of her four. Drew is a little guy, and my friend's now college daughter is staring up in awe of Captain Hook in this picture. I do treasure having the pictures of Brooklynn, and I don't understand people who wait until a certain age to take their little ones. But, to each his own. For me, I say go for it! We had a great time with her!

 

[declansdad]

Another good update MeMom and more great pictures.

A lady on Maelstrom had the same sort of reaction while we were riding. The look on her face was priceless when she thought we were backing over the falls.

Too bad you Americans can't appreciate real fish and chips.

A full week off for Thanksgiving, don't you teachers ever work???

 

[MeMom]

sounds like a fun and busy time. She looked adorable inside of the shark (i forget the character names i saw the movie once).
great pics.

Bruce. His name is Bruce. He would not be happy with the fact that you forgot his menacing presence. Maybe you better watch the movie again. Just keep watching, just keep watching.

Thanks for always commenting on the pictures and posts. We don't know if people are really reading all this jibberish or not. I know we can't "compete" with some of the stellar trip writers, but it is nice to know a few people are enjoying what we're doing.

By the way, someday I will learn how to do the multi-quote thing. Jill told me once, but I forgot. Then I won't have to have so many posts to respond to readers.

 

[BrooklynnsMommy]

We liked Tony's. We had heard the negative reviews, too, but I think you just ought to try all the restaurants, shows, resorts, and whatever else for yourself. People have such different likes and dislikes. One person's bad experience is another person's good one.

I got the half panini and salad. The sandwich was good, and the salad was fine, but it did need another drop or two of dressing on it. I should've asked for a little more, but I don't like to bother people unless it's really necessary. Jill got spaghetti, and as you saw, so did Brooklynn. Kristi got pizza, and she liked that. Trent got..I'm not sure. Some kind of penne pasta dish, I think. It was a massive bowl of food. I do remember that. John was on the opposite end of the table, and I don't remember what he got. Maybe Jill can tell you that. I didn't hear anyone complain about any of the food, but we're not that high class. Believe me, just about anything served on something more than a paper plate is good eating to me! We all like to eat, and we enjoyed it.

Really, the only meal that was truly poor, as in little to no flavor or appeal, was a dry chicken sandwich at -------. I'm drawing a blank on where it was. Let me think, and I'll come back and add it on. I'm wanting to say Cosmic Ray's right now, but I'm not sure if that's right or not.


I was there before WS opened. I got to the countries I could get to before they opened the bridge. I was very happy to have the place pretty much to myself! There were CMs walking all the streets, just kind of a walk through to see that everything was ready. A few of them had clipboards. There was a group on a segway tour. Other than that, it was just me and maybe five others wandering around.

I wish you had pictures of your kids at WDW when they were little, too! When did you start going? Your kids always look like they are having so much fun, and they're such good sports about playing up to the camera. You guys just look like the All-American family to me. I would be more than happy for you to represent us as ambassadors of what Americans are like! A friend of mine just the other day came across a picture of when we went and took our kids many years ago. I had all of mine, and she had two of her four. Drew is a little guy, and my friend's now college daughter is staring up in awe of Captain Hook in this picture. I do treasure having the pictures of Brooklynn, and I don't understand people who wait until a certain age to take their little ones. But, to each his own. For me, I say go for it! We had a great time with her!

John got chicken parmigana sandwich. He didn't realize it was a sandwich when he ordered, but he said it was really good. All Trent talked about was the pasta he got being so good. MeMom you remember correctly the dry chicken sandwich was at Cosmic Ray's and it was such a dissapointment after the awesome one at the Electric Umbrella.

Bruce. His name is Bruce. He would not be happy with the fact that you forgot his menacing presence. Maybe you better watch the movie again. Just keep watching, just keep watching.

Thanks for always commenting on the pictures and posts. We don't know if people are really reading all this jibberish or not. I know we can't "compete" with some of the stellar trip writers, but it is nice to know a few people are enjoying what we're doing.

By the way, someday I will learn how to do the multi-quote thing. Jill told me once, but I forgot. Then I won't have to have so many posts to respond to readers.

Don't let her fool you guys, she knows how to multi quote she is just trying to bump up her post numbers!

 

[MeMom]

Or not!!! I'm really just that stupid. I WANT to learn how to do it so I DON'T look like such a dumbo!

 

[praisehisname]

I'm finally all caught up! I love all the pictures. You guys are doing a great job of telling the story. Keep up the good work!

Denise

 

[snowbell]

All caught up

your pictures are great. I feel like I am there with you. You are going again so soon... I am jealous...

 

[scottny]

Bruce. His name is Bruce. He would not be happy with the fact that you forgot his menacing presence. Maybe you better watch the movie again. Just keep watching, just keep watching.

Thanks for always commenting on the pictures and posts. We don't know if people are really reading all this jibberish or not. I know we can't "compete" with some of the stellar trip writers, but it is nice to know a few people are enjoying what we're doing.

By the way, someday I will learn how to do the multi-quote thing. Jill told me once, but I forgot. Then I won't have to have so many posts to respond to readers.

Ok I will not forget his name. I still won't go in the ocean because of Jaws.
I do not know how to multi quote either. i tried once and failed.

 

[MeMom]

So, as 49 gave up and turned into 50 earlier in the trip, July gave way and turned into August.

August is my least favorite month of the year. It means school starts back. All the fun of summer relaxation and summer camp and summer everything else is over. At least for a teacher.

And it meant our trip was about to come to a close. We wanted to pack what we could into our last full day. Our daytime plan included MGM and an 11:00 ADR at Sci-Fi. We had not eaten there before, so we were looking forward to the experience. We still wanted to see High School Musical all the way through, and Beauty and the Beast was a must. I wanted to do Star Tours if we had time. Trent and Kristi wanted to see Lights, Motor, Action.

As it turns out, HSM was about to start as we were going in, so we watched it

and then headed toward Sci-Fi. We took the obligatory car picture. Brooklynn wanted her head sticking out of the front window.

Jill, John, and Brooklynn went right across the way to get pictures with the Monsters, Inc. guys

while Trent, Kristi, and I went in to wait for our call. Our waiter at Sci-Fi has been working there a long time. He knew every word to every movie clip, and he recited them all to us. It was cute the first time or two, but not the last fifty-eleven times he said the same thing. It's dark inside the drive-in, so the pictures aren't great.


Not a hidden MeMom, but a "let's stuff the old lady in the back seat" MeMom. Just kidding. I liked the back seat. John was too interested in his food to care that an innocent person was being attacked by some gigantic creature up on the huge screen. I think Kristi was watching Brooklynn chomping on French fries while Jill took a picture. Trent and I, as you can see, were behaving perfectly.

I got the Reuben, which I had planned for quite a while to get. I had heard good reviews of it. Instead of fries, I got the cucumber-melon salad, because I like both cucumbers and melon, but it was overpowered by the onions. I took one bite and about spit it out. I knew immediately I should have gotten the fries. The sandwich was good, though. I had to try the chocolate shake that gets such great Dis reviews. It was very good, but I have had better. It did have that good old-fashioned milkshake taste.

I wanted to get a picture of Trent and Kristi's food, but I was so focused on getting the speaker in that Kristi's food (and half of her head) had to be sacrificed. I know Trent got onion rings, but I'm not sure what kind of sandwich he got. I don't know what Kristi got, but if there was any kind of a chicken strip on the menu, I'll say she got that. She's a picky eater.

Jill, John, and Brooklynn ate in the front.

Remember Brooklynn's spaghetti face picture? Well, there's a macaroni and cheese picture that looks a lot like that. Maybe worse. I'm not sure you want to see the one I call "Macaroni Up the Nostrils".

Then we were on to Beauty and the Beast, which is much loved by all of us girls. It is a favorite of mine and of Kristi and of Jill. We love the color and the costumes and the music. I wish they had more mini-musicals like this all around the parks. I hope we can fit in time to see it on our next trip.

Looks like we're passing the love on to Brooklynn, too, because she was totally taken in by this show. Look at her face!

After Beauty and the Beast, we headed to Star Tours. This was probably the hottest day yet, and it was very warm standing in the line. This was one of the few rides we had to wait much time for. I think we waited about 30 minutes. Brooklynn fell asleep, and we took turns holding her sweet, sweating little body. We did baby swap on this. I enjoy this ride. It's not too wild, but it's wild enough to be fun. I do have to talk myself through my claustrophobia on this one, though. When they close the side doors, I have to look straight ahead and truly imagine that there is an open galaxy in front of me.

Here's another one of those "just because" pictures that I like to take.

We left MGM for the last time on this trip. The sadness was beginning to set in. There were no more cocky statements of, "We'll catch it later."

I kind of liked this angle of Tower of Terror. Neither Jill nor I had ever gotten around to riding it this trip, but maybe we'll do it when our friend goes with us in March, so we can baby swap and have someone to ride with. It's another one I have to deal with my claustrophobia on, but I close my eyes and talk myself through the closed elevator part until the doors open. Then I'm okay. The height part doesn't bother me at all. I wish the ride would stop at the top longer so you could look down and take in that view of the park a little better. I'd love to get some good pictures from up there.

That's part of the day. It is 12:30 in the middle of a Tennessee night, so I'm heading to bed for a little shut-eye. More later. Maybe we'll finish this before we leave on Wednesday, but if not, we'll quickly finish it when we get back and then be ready to do a less involved MNSSHP/Jill's birthday report. Good night, all!

 

[scottny]

Great update and pics.

 

[praisehisname]

As it turns out, HSM was about to start as we were going in, so we watched it

My girls were soooo disappointed--this was not running when we were there last week.

I got the Reuben, which I had planned for quite a while to get.

Mmmmm, I love Reubens, and that looks like a good one!

My favorite ride in the World!

I love the pictures of everyone holding Brooklynn while she slept! Thanks for the update!

Denise

 

[ANTSS2001]

MeMom and the Gang!!! Hope to see you there!!!

 

[declansdad]

Thanks for the update MeMom. It looks as if you had a different cast for HSM.

I can't be the only one who wants to the "Macaroni up the nostrils" pic.

 

[SwansLoveDisney]

Beauty and the Beast is also a favorite of mine. I can't wait to see it.

I love the pic of Brooklynn watching B & the B. that's about how I feel when I watch it!

 

[Minnie&Nana]

So glad I came across this TR! What a great family and all (yes, even MeMom) so photogenic! Brooklynn is precious - she is such a happy baby.

Happy Belated Birthday to Brooklynn and MeMom!