Back from Wonderland:wAlice,Madhatter,ChesCat&White Rabbit 11/11Thank You

[brookelizabeth]

Quick post to let you know I'm here and in the process of catching up!!

 

[cjackearl]

I've missed 2 updates somehow. So sorry! I know I read the first one and thought I'd responded. Turning 40 must have addled my brain.

Yak and Yeti looks interesting. I know my crew would like it. I actually had Dim Sum in a San Francisco restaurant, but it was NOT high class at all! Chicken feet and all that, but seriously yummy stuff.

I agree, the safari is so interesting. You never know what animals will be out and active, although you always know you'll capture those poachers in the end.

 

[cjackearl]

Forgot to mention that we enjoyed Flame Tree also, the rub is quite tasty and didn't find the birds annoying. It didn't feel hot to us and it was a hot day.

 

[praisehisname]

Mmmmm...Your dinner looks amazing! Good choices!

Denise

 

[brookelizabeth]

Alright! All caught up now! Really, wonderful report - loving all the detail. Your day at AK was great - open to close at AK in August...wow-I would have been melting!

Glad to hear a positive review of Y&Y, we enjoyed it there too and hope to go back!

 

[PracPerfPatricia]

I think I might have read something by her last year for Chinese New Year. I have some red envelopes left from our celebration, certainly not enough for this year's group. I'd be happy to send you some! Just PM me your info.

You have lucky money envelopes! If you're sure your not going to use them...I'd be happy to have them......Thanks I'll pm you my address

Quick post to let you know I'm here and in the process of catching up!!

Hey Brooke-I can't believe that you're back wow...I'm going to scoot over to hear all about your trip...

I've missed 2 updates somehow. So sorry! I know I read the first one and thought I'd responded. Turning 40 must have addled my brain.

Yak and Yeti looks interesting. I know my crew would like it. I actually had Dim Sum in a San Francisco restaurant, but it was NOT high class at all! Chicken feet and all that, but seriously yummy stuff.

I agree, the safari is so interesting. You never know what animals will be out and active, although you always know you'll capture those poachers in the end.

I wish I could use the 40 excuse for my addled brain...but I had that special bd...last year and I think I was addled well before that...like since I was 5...

Y&Y is really good but I also really like Chinese food...Hmmm...love SF....chicken feet not so much...we did a Dim Sum with a group of friends from DH's office...one of the gals was Chinese-American so she knew what everything was...and she stayed away from the chicken feet...she said it was an acquired taste......

I agree that it is reassuring that no matter how many times you go on the safari-you know that the poachers will be caught...

Forgot to mention that we enjoyed Flame Tree also, the rub is quite tasty and didn't find the birds annoying. It didn't feel hot to us and it was a hot day.

Yep...we thought it felt pretty nice at the table there-comfortable-a lot of those tables are well covered...and we didn't notice nearly so many birds as I had seen there once before...or read about in some other tr's...

Mmmmm...Your dinner looks amazing! Good choices!

Denise

Thanks Denise...it was an all around great day...we were very fortunate...

Alright! All caught up now! Really, wonderful report - loving all the detail. Your day at AK was great - open to close at AK in August...wow-I would have been melting!

Glad to hear a positive review of Y&Y, we enjoyed it there too and hope to go back!

.

Thank You...I am a very detailed writer...I'm all about those adjectives......

As for August-I'm not sure I would pick August as my first choice in terms of time of year-largely due to the sweltering oppressive Florida heat and humidity..again-unless that was the only time were able to go and it meant the difference between going or not...

 

[PracPerfPatricia]

Something very exciting occurred today...

My Disney Photopass CD arrived...

Only other DISers would understand the true excitement this can generate:

in addition to my own humble photos, I now also have photos like this:​

and this:

and this:

But there is one particular series of photos on the disk that is from the Studios...that convinced me to buy the disk...but unfortunately the Studios aren't up next -Epcot is......so we'll have to wait for those...

but I actually got a couple of cute shots in Epcot myself (I can hardly believe it...)

Bruce ingesting my offspring...

Yes Jedi Mickey and French Minnie had a short but tempestuous romance in World Showcase-here they are sharing a baclava in Morocco...

And that is Remy in Chefs de France-we umm had dinner with him...



2 other little exciting things are in the works...(providing distraction from some of the less exciting things and stressful things

We have 2 trips in the works for next year -both of which involve Disney-one more so than the other...

1. We may really be meeting Remy as we are going to Paris for a week (7 nights) towards the end of March 2010...we're going to rent an Apartment so we can sort of "live" like a French family and also it will be less costly and we can have our breakfasts and lunch or dinner (probably one meal out each day) in the apartment...the Disney part comes in-we are going to do a daytrip to Disneyland Paris...so I'm going to have the Fun/torture of planning one perfect day there...imagine picking one perfect day in the MK...amazing but tough...(I've been to Paris and love it but never with Alice and Rabbit-just Emily and of course Hatter-but I've never been to DLP...)

2. We are going to celebrate Alice's 16th birthday at WDW-6 days, 5 nights...Oct. 6-11 2010...it looks like we'll stay at the WL...Alice is a huge WL fan...and we think her grandfather will love it too......after I'm done this TR-I'm going to open up a TR for this-I need lots of ideas...(I have lots of ideas too...) This means I'll finally and truly get to a MNSSHP...

Hmm...maybe i should do a ptr on both...can I do a tr on a daytrip...even if it is to DLP...can I do one all together...I guess...I mean there aren't rules on this...are there...?

 

[Charleston Princess]

Love the Photopass pictures so far -- too cute!

Both of your 2010 trips sound terrific!!! I think I am a tad bit jealous.

 

[hhockman]

SO glad you got your Photopass CD and I got to see a couple before I left!

I'm quite a bit more than a tad bit jealous of your trips...especially the Paris one. I want to go to Europe so bad. I really want to go to Great Britian, but I'd like to go to Paris as well. Our 10th anniversary is next April and I know at one time Matt was trying to plan a trip to London, but it's just never going to happen $$$-wise right now. Someday. I can't wait to see picture from that trip! I hope you'll share them all and not just DLP (I want to see DLP too, but I'd like to see them all).

I'm excited about your October trip too. I can't wait to see the pictures where you finally meet all of your Alice characters on that walkway from Toontown to Tomorrowland (if it is, in fact, still Toontown). We're still planning to go in June and I am over the top excited that Harry Potter is going to open at Universal before we go, but by October I'll be ready to go again. Good thing I have the weekend in January 2011 to look forward to too, right?

Can't wait to see the rest of your Photopass pictures when I get back. I so wish I could get online while we are there.

 

[jenjolt]

OOOH how exciting do your trips in 2010 sound!!!! You are going to DLP...oh I'm so jealous...can I come along???? You guys are going to have a great time in Paris!! I love that you take your kids on all of these great trips!!

Awww...a birthday celebration!!! I can't wait to hear about all of your plans! I know you guys will love MNSSHP!!

 

[Lady Lallie]

It is my dream to go to all of the Disney parks around the world and Paris is first on my list outside of this country. You are going to have an amazing time!

You can do the day trip on your PTR. That's what I would probably do!

 

[Flossbolna]

Great pictures - photopass and your won Epcot ones. Love the Mickey Minnie romance shot!

Exciting news on your trips. I am glad you could convince your DH to do the daytrip to DLP! It really is a beautiful park. Getting there from Paris is really easy, just make sure to be there early. Rope drop really pays off for a day trip. If you have any questions, I am happy to help, but I found the DLP board here on the DIS very helpful, too. Don't bother making any special meals at DLP though, maybe after the park closes for, but not during operating hours. The food is not spectacular, pretty expensive and I am sure you will have better options for good meals during the rest of your stay in Paris. But if you need a break: head out to the Disneyland Hotel just at the entrance, they have a cafe on the first floor with windows overlooking Main Street which is a great place to sit quietly for half an hour!

Getting in appartment in Paris is a smart move! I love exploring foreign markets and there is so much wonderful food you can buy in Paris. And eating out is pretty expensive. Also, it will most likely give you much more space than those tiny hotel rooms. Even though we are used to much smaller rooms in Europe, Paris and London are famous for the hotel rooms which have the size of a closet!

I think you could do a wonderful double PTR for both trips!

 

[dismagiclover]

Oh my goodness what an exciting update this is! First,
for Photopass CD arrival! We all know how I feel about that
Second, for DL Paris. I was in Paris last March and spent a day at DL. It is a beautiful park. Probably the most beautiful Disney park I've been to It wasn't all that crowded when we went in March, but it was a tad bit chilly. Late March in Paris is not prime weather time, but you probably already know that. Of course, that probably help reduce crowds so not a bad thing.
Third, for an October trip. We're hoping to go down for MNNSHP next year as well, though we're thinking just a weekend trip over Halloween. Anyway, I look forward to all the great planning you have to do!
But don't forget about this trippie. You can't keep us hanging too long

 

[PracPerfPatricia]

Love the Photopass pictures so far -- too cute!

Both of your 2010 trips sound terrific!!! I think I am a tad bit jealous.

I think I actually started dancing when I saw my photopass CD-for real...

I am feeling pretty lucky about next year's trips...don't be too jealous though...I think I foresee DLP somewhere in your future...and in the immediate feature I also see a really great trip to the F&W festival...

SO glad you got your Photopass CD and I got to see a couple before I left!

I'm quite a bit more than a tad bit jealous of your trips...especially the Paris one. I want to go to Europe so bad. I really want to go to Great Britian, but I'd like to go to Paris as well. Our 10th anniversary is next April and I know at one time Matt was trying to plan a trip to London, but it's just never going to happen $$$-wise right now. Someday. I can't wait to see picture from that trip! I hope you'll share them all and not just DLP (I want to see DLP too, but I'd like to see them all).

I'm excited about your October trip too. I can't wait to see the pictures where you finally meet all of your Alice characters on that walkway from Toontown to Tomorrowland (if it is, in fact, still Toontown). We're still planning to go in June and I am over the top excited that Harry Potter is going to open at Universal before we go, but by October I'll be ready to go again. Good thing I have the weekend in January 2011 to look forward to too, right?

Can't wait to see the rest of your Photopass pictures when I get back. I so wish I could get online while we are there.

Heather-I am also happy to see you (well you know what I mean......and that you posted but aren't you supposed to be at WDW right now.?..get to going so you can have all those magical experiences and come back and tell us about them...)

I hope you get to go to Great Britain in the not too distant future...(in London especially-there is a little hotel chain (fairly reasonable) that we stayed at on our last trip-Rabbit was 2 1/2, Alice was 10...that I would never have dreamed to have turned out as nice as it was...so if you ever want some ideas on planning a moderately priced trip to London w//some great daytrips-you can get to a ton of places based in London... I'd love to help...-right now I haven't see what the pound has been doing-it wasn't too bad in the summer...the flights can get you-but if you're willing to go off season...November-March-you can get some deals...ok finished with my ramble-I obviously am a huge London fan too!-Hatter and I had a Londonmoon!

I think there is a significant possibility that when I meet the Alice characters at the HP, I might just... I have wanted to go to the Halloween party for a while now...and especially this past year-I think I'll explode... (I can't wait to read everyone's tr's that are going to I can take notes....)

(I ran the whole half marathon by DH and he was very supportive-he said that if I am able to put that much training and effort in...(and trust me ITS GOING TO BE A LOT OF WORK-that he would be supportive of me going...(I think he secretly wants to go too...first I need to make some forward progress...)

OOOH how exciting do your trips in 2010 sound!!!! You are going to DLP...oh I'm so jealous...can I come along???? You guys are going to have a great time in Paris!! I love that you take your kids on all of these great trips!!

Awww...a birthday celebration!!! I can't wait to hear about all of your plans! I know you guys will love MNSSHP!!

Hey Jen... Are you packing?...I think I forgot to tell you that when I told David that you dress up like a mad scientist and blow up pumpkins...he looked like he was ready to propose marriage......He wants to take his 1st grade teacher and his new second grade teacher out to the movies to see Cloudy with a Chance of Meatballs...I wonder if he'll spring for treats? but neither of them blow up pumpkins, are Disers or have Nobby...

I would love to take everyone with me-dismeet in DLP...how cool would that be?...Hatter and I had a chance to go to both London and Paris before without the children and I am really glad to be able to share them with the kids-they are both remarkably child friendly if you plan well (and we all know how much fun the planning is...)...they are different trips with them but equally wonderful...

...but yeah come to think of it, they are pretty lucky kids...hmmm....I'm tucking that away for when I need them in my old age...


Yes and speaking of my old age... I'm going to need some help planning some of Alice's B-D with some suggestions from people who are hmmm....at least a good decade + younger than me...who know what all the cool kids are doing...

It is my dream to go to all of the Disney parks around the world and Paris is first on my list outside of this country. You are going to have an amazing time!

You can do the day trip on your PTR. That's what I would probably do!

I've had the dream too... (Getting to Hong Kong and Tokyo will prove a little more challenging...but I definitely would like to do it...Hatter was losing his mind when he saw the changes in store for Hong Kong...he is desperate to go there when its done-so that bodes well...and I think Hong Kong is a nice entree into Asia-its got that East-West thing going for it...)

I am really excited about Paris-but it is going to be challenging to plan that one perfect day...for DLP...I think I'll survive the challenge however...

I think I will do one big PTR for the 16th bd trip in October-and put the daytrip to DLP in it (plus maybe a few Paris photos if anyone wants to see those)...since this TR I'm writing now is my first-I think I'm learning a lot and should be able to do a better job including things I'm learning by watching how the rest of you incorporate your photos...

 

[PracPerfPatricia]

Great pictures - photopass and your won Epcot ones. Love the Mickey Minnie romance shot!

Exciting news on your trips. I am glad you could convince your DH to do the daytrip to DLP! It really is a beautiful park. Getting there from Paris is really easy, just make sure to be there early. Rope drop really pays off for a day trip. If you have any questions, I am happy to help, but I found the DLP board here on the DIS very helpful, too. Don't bother making any special meals at DLP though, maybe after the park closes for, but not during operating hours. The food is not spectacular, pretty expensive and I am sure you will have better options for good meals during the rest of your stay in Paris. But if you need a break: head out to the Disneyland Hotel just at the entrance, they have a cafe on the first floor with windows overlooking Main Street which is a great place to sit quietly for half an hour!

Getting in appartment in Paris is a smart move! I love exploring foreign markets and there is so much wonderful food you can buy in Paris. And eating out is pretty expensive. Also, it will most likely give you much more space than those tiny hotel rooms. Even though we are used to much smaller rooms in Europe, Paris and London are famous for the hotel rooms which have the size of a closet!

I think you could do a wonderful double PTR for both trips!

Hey Floss,

I'm glad that you like the Minnie-Mickey photo because they had a little romantic interlude in the World Showcase Countries...-coming up in the next update...

DH was really pretty good about the daytrip to DLP-he just doesn't think this trip is the right time to stay overnight there and I have to agree-it's too short and there is so much in Paris to do......

we will be there for rope drop and I know I'm going to have a ton of ?s for you if you don't mind...since you've been to both WDW, DL and DLP-you know what is really worth focusing on/riding/seeing when we go...and some of that info could be really helpful...

Personally, I find those little hotel rooms charming and full of character-I think they're kind of romantic... but I know what you mean and can not see Rabbit being happy in that kind of space...

I love the markets too...I think it will be fun to purchase foods for breakfast and probably dinner-going to the boulangerie, and patisserie-and what do they call the green grocer/produce stores-again???...I think we will make lunch our "dining out" meal of the day...It should be a great cultural experience for the kids-Alice has already studied French for 2 years and I'm going to try to do some French language tapes with Rabbit...(I studied in college-and know enought to get by...at least I can order food and purchase groceries..

Oh my goodness what an exciting update this is! First,
for Photopass CD arrival! We all know how I feel about that
Second, for DL Paris. I was in Paris last March and spent a day at DL. It is a beautiful park. Probably the most beautiful Disney park I've been to It wasn't all that crowded when we went in March, but it was a tad bit chilly. Late March in Paris is not prime weather time, but you probably already know that. Of course, that probably help reduce crowds so not a bad thing.
Third, for an October trip. We're hoping to go down for MNNSHP next year as well, though we're thinking just a weekend trip over Halloween. Anyway, I look forward to all the great planning you have to do!
But don't forget about this trippie. You can't keep us hanging too long

I knew you would definitely get the photopass Cd excitement dance...

I know the weather is Paris in March can be unpredictable-usually erring on the chily side although when we were there 5 years ago-same time-there were a couple of pretty warm days-so go figure...I guess it's all about the layering...

I've heard others say that they thought DLP the prettiest part too......can't wait to see if I agree...

The October trip is going to be special for a variety of reasons...Alice's bd, my inlaws are coming and I'm hoping a few other family members, the Halloween party...SO I"M GOING TO BE IN UBER PLANNING MODE-lots of uber neurotic trip planning will be shared...

(I'm planning on posting some of our Epcot Day tonight-featuring all kinds of stuff including a Mommy meltdown...not my finest moment...)

BTW-I picked up Marathoning and (Half Marathoning) for mortals and I haven't run screaming from it yet...but then again I've just begun it...

 

[Lady Lallie]

Of course we will want to see Paris pictures! You could probably do a whole mini-Paris TR if you wanted. I'd be willing to read it!

 

[Flossbolna]

Are you planning to do the WDW half marathon in January 2011??? I am planning to do that, too! I chickened out from a 10k this August due t lack of training and I really want to have something that seriously keeps me training. I think comitting myself to a race on the other side of the Atlantic would really make me train hard! It would be so emberassing to fly over there and then chicken out of it!!!

Bad news about DLP (or actually rather good news): nearly all of the attractions there are much better than at WDW as they are newer and they put much more money into it... So very little should be skipped. But I think nodnol and I will do a few comparisons on our TR which might be still in time for your trip. In 2003 we were in DLP in March and had perfect touring weather, so it can be nice, but you could even have snow! But then again, DLP was built as an all year park at a place where they have real winter. I am sure you will have a great time!!

 

[mousescrapper]

Hi Patricia,

love the photopass pictures....especially the one in front of the EE view at AK...can't wait to see the DHS ones...very cool!

I also got the cutest from Jedi Mickey and French Minnie on their Moroccon date....

love the news of the additional trip you so can do two PTR's or a combined one...you know I'll be reading

Scrappie J-

 

[KathyRN137]

Oooh-la-la! DLP! How exciting!

(Oh, yeah, and the rest of Paris, too...)

You know what excites this crowd!

The October BD/MNSSHP trip sounds amazing and the WL is the perfect choice! Perhaps you could rent DVC points and impress Hatter with how comfortable the villas are for families!


Kathy

 

[mickeysmyboy]

Yippeee for getting you photopass CD!!! I love the pictures!!! I'm still on the fence about pre-ordering a CD for next month! I'm affraid if I do I we won't get enough photopass pictures taken to be worth it!

WOW!!! Next year will be a fun filled year for you guys!! I can't wait to hear about your Paris trip!! One of these days DD and I are goingto take a girls only trip to Paris and do DLP on the side!

I'm soooo excited that your going to get to go to MNSSHP next year!!! I know you really wanted to go!! MNSSHP and WL?! Sounds like a great trip to me!!