Basking in the Glow of the (not so) Creepy Clown -2/11-Pictures, Final Thoughts, PTR!

[All7OfUs]

A banana!!!!???? I just don't even know what to say here....




Great photos of the construction. I'll refer Tim over here, since he asked me to capture what I could. And was a miserable failure at.

I can't even imagine riding the Speedway with a 3 year old. Glad he has a few years to hone his skills.

 

[ptcrn]

I am finally getting caught back up after our trip! I missed a lot of updates!

Before I forget, you were asking someone about the price of the Mickey ice cube trays- they are $5.95. I bought a red one- I can't wait to make ice cubes with it! And Jello! David was very excited and he picked it out.

We spent a ton of time in the Boneyard- but somehow never saw the big "sand" pit!! How could we have missed it? I can't believe we missed it! Is it off to the left as you enter? We spent most of our time in the water section! We are totally eating at Restaurantosaurus next time- the bucket and shovel are awesome!

I think that picture of Henry sitting at the bar at Beaches & Cream is the cutest thing ever!!

Love Henry's reaction to seeing the castle for the first time! And I can just taste that chocolate croissant right now. Don't you think Dunkin Donuts could make something like that? It can't be too hard!

I can't believe how low the crowds were when you were there! Had free dining started at that point? Our crowds weren't bad, but there were definitely longer wait times than you had.

All your pictures are so awesome- it is helping me with my Disney depression!

 

[Stasieki]

I really liked doing Crystal Palace before park opening. We didn't get out of there until about 20 minutes after the park opened, but it was so nice seeing Main Street empty (even if we were rushing because we were late!). It's tempting to try to add another ADR for a CP morning in March!

Well... if you decide to do that Friday, March 6 seems like it would be an excellent choice of days... that's when we will be there. I think our ressie is at 8:05.

 

[GreatBiscuit]

I'm catching up and just read "Flying or Fish". Love the title btw.

My girls LOVED Nemo. In fact, we listened to the music yesterday on D-Cot.

Great photos as always.

And I LOVE that you mentioned needing to “go with the flow” directly below a photo from the song “Go With The Flow”.

Well played my friend!

 

[GreatBiscuit]

I'm glad you got your popcorn!


LOVE the Boardwalk at dusk photos!

 

[GreatBiscuit]

Annnnnnnnnnnd Done.


Awesome updates BE!

Your RD morning looked fantastic! (Even if there was no nifty show.)

Great pics as always. Now I'm off to catch the video clips.

(Can't wait to see the Main Streen collision!)

 

[that's nice]

Why do you people insist of updating on the weekends????


Sorry about that! I must admit that I have used your handy chapter links to catch up!

I love Henry's reaction heading up Main St! Brook, are you one of those rouge stroller drivers?

Great pics from Dumbo (and good choice Henry!) Wow it looks like they have took down a lot of trees during construction.

How great to hit all those rides in 1 hour! I think Juliana & Henry would get along fine. She would love him for picking a pink cup on the teacups!

Main St. bakery is da bomb!!!!! So GOOOOOOODDDDDD!!!!

 

[jenseib]

Hey Brook! Hope everything is OK. I haven't seen you in a day or so. LOL!

 

[mickeystoontown]

Glad to hear that you made it to rope drop but then sad to hear that they didn't have the music and dancing. Oh well, at least Henry was delighted by the train and Mickey Mouse.

Great picture of the construction while flying around on Dumbo. I need to go over to the other threads and see what the current construction looks like.

Those Main Street bakery goodies look super good. You know we've never had one thing from the bakery. I can't believe that we've been to Disney 15 times (and the MK too many times to count) and I've never sampled those luscious looking baked goods you guys ate.

 

[Tinker_Tam]

Just checking in. Hope everything is ok with all of you!

 

[brookelizabeth]

I'm here! I've been super busy this week, and just plain tired from being sick. I'm feeling better now, so attempting to get caught up! I hope to get back here during Henry's nap, reply and do an update!

 

[MEK]

Hey Brooke-

I was wondering what happened to you! So glad to hear you are feeling better. Looking forward to your next update!!!!!!

 

[SoonerGirl]

It took me awhile but thanks to your handy links I'm all caught up!

I have to go all the way back to arrival day (I know, I know!). I felt so bad for you with your dinner mishap (going for Mexican when there was none to be had). They did have a small stand set up when we went in May where you could get a few simple things, nachos and the like, of course finding a table to sit and eat would've been a challenge. Option #2 turned out awesome anyway especially since you were able to WALK RIGHT ON to Soarin' after dinner! I was so excited to read that Henry loved it

On to AK - I've never noticed that dedication stone, very cool! I'm sorry you missed Flights of Wonder again, but I certainly understand the pull of the A/C while in AK, man it's hot there!

Your dinner at Beaches and Cream looked good, I'm not a fan of onions, but love good onion rings - strange, I know. Henry's big smile over his birthday balloon was too cute!

I was so excited to hear you made the MK rope drop and then crushed when you said you thought it was just ehhh. I understood completely though when you said you didn't get the song, that's what makes it so awesome! You totally got ripped off on the opening.

How fun that you got to see PUSH, in all my trips I've never seen him. It looks like he was drawing quite the crowd by the time you shut your camera off!

And finally, a big fat CONGRATULATIONS on your Feb/Mar trip! 15 days - wow! I'm insanly jealous!

 

[vamassey1]

Oh dear I was 2 updates behind.

I'm so sorry you made it to rope drop and they didn't give you the Full Monty. I love the opening show. I brings tears to my eyes. I'm just a sentimental sap.

Henry looks so happy to be there. You had a fabulous morning in Fantasyland. The sweets looks so good from the bakery. It's been years since we stopped in there, I really need to slow down.

Hope your feeling better and looking forward to more.

 

[glennbo123]

Caught up! Good line mojo on some of those rides. That Main St. Bakery is something else, right? "I'll take one of everything please."

 

[brookelizabeth]

I LOVE all your pictures!!

First of all, congrats on making it to the opening show at the MK. In my 20 some-odd trips, I had never done it either until our last trip and it was pouring rain! From your description, I can tell they left some stuff out during ours. As for the little show on Main Street, that's a little later. I think they do the opening show at like 8:50 maybe and they do the little show on Main street around 9:15/9:30...from what I remember. Many times we've just missed the opening but saw the Main Street one. It's cute!

Getting to do all of Fantasyland in the early morning is soooo awesome! I love doing that. And GREAT shots of the Fantasyland construction! I'm so excited to see what the finished product will look like!

Mmmmmm Main Street Bakery!

I have seen that little show on Main Street - the one with the singers/dancers doing the Trolley Song, right? I LOVE that! It's such a fun song!

I am super excited about the Fantasyland expansion as well - and it's interesting that some plans have changed to make it less "girl-centric" but they haven't told us how yet. I want the plans to leak!

You can't beat Fantasyland right after RD! What a fun morning.

Those construction walls, though...ugh. I'm excited for the expansion, but I wish they'd do something with the walls in the meantime! At least to make them more interesting to look at! Maybe some murals, or something?

I can't believe that illy coffee was $4! I have to get back to the bakery this trip...I've only eaten there once, and my cinnamon roll was really stale. But they get such raves, I'm totally willing to give them another chance!

It would be nice if the walls had a bit more to them. The ones in the back do have some paintings on them of what the expansion will be, but it doesn't take up the whole wall. Even if it was just a crazy display of random Mickey Heads it would look better than plain! It will be a long haul of construction walls though.

I've never had one of the cinnamon rolls, they just aren't my thing - but Joe LOVES 'em, and he's uber picky about freshness, so it must have been a weird moment that you got a stale one. Was it in the morning when you went?

Way to go choosing a banana, H! I love his face at seeing the castle for the first time. That must have been such a gratifying moment!! Hurrah for raising a banana eating Disney lover!

Fantasyland looks kinda sad with all the construction.

He was SO SO excited about the Castle! It was very cute. Joe and I were thrilled!!

Great update, Brook. I showed it to Mark and he said "HIGH FIVE" to Henry for Dumbo first!!! You got great shots flying high up in Dumbo of the construction (mine didn't turn out as we rode at night this year). You threw me for a minute when you said Tomorrowland Transit Authority had a long line in the sun, then I saw you were riding the Speedway (I always made Mark do this with the boys!). Your breakfast at the Bakery looks yummy...something we still have never done. And to Henry for picking a banana.

Ooops! I said the TTA when I meant the Speedway! I gotta go back and change that....thank you for letting me know!

Henry is a diehard Dumbo fan! He talks about Soarin', Test Track, and Dumbo from the trip the most!

Wow! What an awesome morning... you got a ton of fun things in in what amounts to a short amount of time from what I have read! That is great! I have to admit, everytime you post a picture of something happening I get a little tear in my eye that I will be doing that with my kids soon! Thanks for sharing all of this with this lucky reader!

Isn't it exciting to know you will be there VERY soon experiencing it all with your loved ones??? That is the best and worst part about reading TRs. I often get weepy reading them when I either just finished a trip (missing it!) or when I'm about to go on one (anxious to get there). It will be pure magic and wonderful for you to watch their eyes light up with it all!

Love those Dumbo ride pictures!! Henry looks like he is loving that ride. We actually missed it on our trip this past May. It is on our for sure list for next May. The pictures of the construction are so cool! I will have to check out Poolrats pictures.
And PUSH is so fun to watch. We always try and catch him. He sang our dd Happy Birthday one year and we got her picture with him. SO FUN!
Looking forward to what will happen next with you guys!

Henry has done Dumbo one or two other times, but we haven't hit it every trip due to the often long lines. I am thinkin' he'll want to ride it every time now, he enjoyed it so much!

That is so cute about PUSH singing Happy Birthday!!! I love those little extras that Disney has!

 

[brookelizabeth]

I guess they have surveillance video of me standing on the bench and holding the camera over the top? It really only lasted a few seconds. The guys above - maybe they are not really guests, but Disney security ready to take down an old hobbler like me if I try it again.

I usually take the Dumbo pictures while the family rides, but now that there are 'secret' things to be seen, I will be riding it on this trip. We'll see what changes have taken place between Poolrat's visit just days ago and next Saturday.

That is exactly what I was thinking when I posted the picture! They aren't really guests, they are undercover security!!! They kinda look like it, don't they??? You will be there soon MeMom, take a spin on Dumbo and snag us some pics!

I don't think there is a better breakfast out there than a chocolate crossiant!!

Such cute videos that you capture!! Thanks for putting them in!
Love little Henry's face when he is on Main Street.....priceless moments that you now have a little collection of

Re: Rope drop....I must confess that if I am there at rope drop it is to get in the park early for FP's not the show itself

Tracy

I looooooooooove the chocolate croissants. For me it's a perfect combo of sweet and savory. They sell them at the bakery next to my house, but I never get one unless I'm in Disney.

Loved the look on Henry's face when he saw the castle. Too cute!

I wasn't planning to ride Dumbo this week on my adult-only trip, but I may have to ride just to get those super secret glimpses over the walls!

Love the croissants from the bakery. Yummy place for breakfast.

The Dumbo ride provides a GREAT view of the construction. You can see easily over the walls and see the progress. It will be really fun when more attractions are built and there is less dirt!

Brook, your pictures of the bakery treats makes me want to go back now!! We love that bakery! Everything in there is sooo good, and the smell coming down Main Street...Yum! DH is a very happy camper when we stop there!
Henry's delight in being in the MK is so sweet. I love how he talked about Mickey's house in the video.
So where did you go next??? Maybe COP? or... Swiss Family Robinson Treehouse? Do tell!

I loooooove that smell too....and I realized after I got back from the trip that when I walk past the bakery next door it has a similar scent. Now, it's not quite the same, but it's close! Melty, gooey, chocolate. Too bad there isn't a giant Castle up the street to stare at!

I'm so sad that you finally made it for a RD and got totally gypped on the show. That would be something that would happen to us the one and only time we'd ever see it (not that we ever will in the near future!)

I'm going to guess that you are headed to one of the mountains next?

March! We WILL resolve this RD issue in March!! Thank goodness we'll be at BLT.

They sure loved it! Liam is 4.5 as of Thursday. It's so sad how quickly they grow up.

It sure is! Evidence of this is that I am making costumes of two of the characters for the boys for Halloween.

Looks like a wonderful MK morning. We went to the Main Street Bakery for breakfast for the first time a few years ago. I was in charge of finding tables and Ryan was going to get food. He came back with a Krispie Kreme doughnut, a fruit cocktail and a rice krispie treat. Yeah, I felt robbed!

4.5?!?! SERIOUSLY?! How did THAT happen? I swear he was younger than that!! 4.5!

Oh man! Next time YOU are in charge of food at the Bakery!

Great FL update! Yummy treats for bkfst. Yay for construction pics.

Thanks! It was a really nice morning getting some FL covered and filling our bellies with goodness!

 

[brookelizabeth]

I love these Mickey pictures. Especially the one of Mickey in the middle. Love how you can see his reflection in the spinner thingy. You can find a stuffed Mickey in alot of our Disney pictures also.

Being a one kid family, I love it when my DS choses to ride with me, but I'm fine with him riding with Daddy on the Indy cars, because he drives as well as Henry drives. You get bumped all over the place.

Great job on Henry picking a banana, but of course he picked that because he knew Mommy and Daddy would share.

Loving the report, like always. You are so good with the pictures. And I'm about to check out that other report of the newer construction pictures. And I'll try to take some pictures when I'm there next month. If I remember.

It was very cute that Henry wanted to bring his Mickey onto the rides with us! Later in the week the character switches out with the new one he buys and he got comments EVERYWHERE we went about it!

I wonder when our kiddos will learn to drive? Until then I think I'll have Henry ride with Joe on the Speedway!

Hey Brook! I am finally working on getting all caught up. I just made it throught the first day and it looks like a great day. Isn't Chik-Fil-A good? I used to eat it in MD all the time then when I moved back to RI they didn't have it. So when I would go visit my sister in VA I would have to block out time to go there. LOL. At least now we have one in Colorado about 5 mins away...too bad we are on diets. LOL

What an amazing view...I think I saw on FB you had a geat one. I am shocked that Joe didn't want Pizza...just from reading past TR he wil always eat Pizza.

So glad Henry was tall enough and enjoyed Soarin...such a magical day. Looking forward to catching up more and reading more about your trip!

CFA was soooooooooooo good! I told Joe already that if our flights are around lunchtime in March we'll be eating in the airport before leaving on the ME!

That man ALWAYS wants pizza! He could seriously eat it every single day and not get tired of it. It's very, very rare that he isn't in the mood for it.

Speaking of Chik-Fil-A, I think of you often. We are getting a new one by the grocery store we shop at!!! Can't wait to try it out! I hear they do a "free sandwich" day when they first open. I will have to be sure to make it there that day! Never had one before.

Ooooh, free sandwich day at CFA. Drool! If it's not common around where you live the line might not be horribly long either! I got the original, and I would recommend it. Delish. Nice juicy chicken!

I am having SERIOUS fantasyland envy. We didn't make it to most of those, either they aren't on the kids radar anymore or, lines were too long, or or or or.

I want your morning! Not that I didn't have fabulous ones but....still! It just sounds perfect! The lunching pad has never been open when we've been there but you just can't beat the Main Street Bakery!!!!!!!!!!!!

$4 for canned Illy is steep though.

I am not looking forward to the day when Henry is "done" with Fantasyland. Sigh. I'll just have to sneak off to the park on my own and do it alone! Though, it will be fun doing the "big rides" with him and the water parks. It will be so different as the years go on!

I'm thinkin' on your Girl's Trip coming up you guys should do a RD morning and hit up all the Fantasyland rides! That would be so much fun with girlfriends and you'd get your fix!

Henry is so cute in those pictures! He looks like a happy, happy boy!

Your morning in fantasyland sounds wonderful! Isn't making rope drop wonderful! The lines are nothing!

I love the construction pics! I'm going to make DH go on dumbo with me just to get a look and take a few myself! Your right, Dumbo is quintessential disney! It's one of those things gives me that magical feeling inside!

All those wonderful treats at the bakery! I really looking forward to a Main Street Bakery breakfast! I may avoid the $4 iced cappuccino though! Yikes! You know, my target doesn't sell the Caribou iced coffee anymore! The have rows and rows of the starbucks iced mocha and things but I'm just not a fan!

I wonder if Caribou stopped producing them????! That would be a SHAME. I'll find out next month when I go back to MN and demand Caribou anytime we are near one. Seriously, the best coffee EVER. YUM! When I lived here in NYC before I was married and I'd go back to MN for visits I would go directly to the Mall of America and to Caribou before going anywhere. Now I'm pretty certain there are a few in the airport that we'll just have to hit up!

I am now hungry for something sweet. Darn you! LOL!
O am laughing so hard now about Push singing Zippidy Doodah! I keep singing that song to Skip and I tell him I am brainwashing him to only think good things when he here's it, and then he will want to get to Disney to hear it! LOL! Though Claire is not supportive. She likes the brainwashing idea (she has no clue what it means), but she really hates my singing, and she tells me to stop all the time.

All this food talk is making me hungry as well! And we have NOTHING easy in the house.

That is funny about Zippidy Doo Dah! Henry likes my singing still. I'll give him a year until he tells me to stop, I KNOW how bad it is!

 

[brookelizabeth]

Fake opening show!!!

Yeay for Henry (and Mickey ) being so excited to see the Castle!!!

Great pictures of the expansion! I love seeing a glimpse of what they are up to behind that wall.

Oh, I am so excited that Henry loved the tea cups! Even when I was Henry's age, I always loved riding them! I still do!

The snacks from the Main Street Bakery look delicious as always. Yum, yum, yum!

I still love those teacups too! Even though I'm starting to "feel" them and going super fast isn't quite as fun as it used to be, I still gotta ride!! When I was little it was the Tea Cups and BTMRR that I always dreamed about riding.

What a successful morning!! You got a lot done!

I hate that the Lunching Pad doesn't open until 11!

I was SO ready for that pretzel at 10!! (good thing we make it back to Tomorrowland later! )

Yum yum yum to the Main street bakery. I love those chocolate croissants. I missed having one this past trip.

What a bummer about the opening show, that is the pits. One trip that happened to us, but most RD we have seen the real one (and since we make rope drop that means we have seen a lot of the shows).

How sweet Henry liked Dumbo so much, you got a lot of fun stuff done quick!

When we went into the Bakery I wasn't sure what to get, then I saw THEM and rejoiced! If we hadn't gone into the Bakery I probably would have missed out on one this trip too!

My Guess is Adventureland!
Great updates that cinnimon roll looks like well heaven!!!!!!!!!
Im glad Henry finally showed lots of enthusiasm about seeing the castle!

Joe devoured that cinnamon bun (with a bit of help from H-Man!). They aren't my thing, but he gets it every single time!

I agree with you. The short MK rope drop show isn't worth it.

But the full one is my fave!

I look forward to seeing it! It was your video that I watched, thinking I had now seen it (I avoided all RD videos previously so I could be surprised), well....I was surprised by your video!

I was also disapointed they didn't have caribou coffee anymore. Why? Because my best friend works for the company in Ohio and I never tasted it. I wanted to taste it and send her pic of me and the drink. Bummer.

I sure hope Carbiou didn't stop making it. It is soooooooooooo GOOD! I love Caribou anything. It beats Starbucks by MILES and MILES! Yum! I didn't realize their company was based in Ohio - I just figured they were in MN since the shops are all over the state. I sure hope they decide to branch out east!!! Give the Starbucks here in NYC a run for their money.

Love the look on Henry's face when he sees the castle

0 wait time for the tea cups

My DH & I LOVE those cream cheese filled pretzels!! Too bad they were not open yet But the Main St. bakery is awesome!! Love those choc. croissants

Looks like a great morning so far. I am going to guess you go to Buzz.

Henry's reaction to the Castle was wonderful, Joe and I laughed along with him and were so excited. He recognizes the Castle on movies now too.

that stuffed tigger did come home with us! My brother got it for Caleb but Caleb pays no attention to it! LOL! I thought it was awesome! I call it a Rolly Polly Tigger! LOL!

That Tigger is SO soft and sweet! If Caleb doesn't want him, you can just take ownership until he is interested. Henry didn't care much about stuffed animals for a long time. He would play with them from time to time, but they mostly just littered his bed. Probably within the last year or so he has gotten more into them and "talks" them all the time. When he's really upset about something they comfort him, it's very cute! He gets quite attached to a few now too.

 

[brookelizabeth]

I am so amazed that they did not show the proper show!! How sad!

While I think the show is cute and I always thought that Henry would enjoy it, personally I think the show is just a nice bonus. For me the main draw is being in the parks when they are still fresh. For me there is nothing better than that morning excitement: a new day full of adventures!!

Brook, I still have no idea what November 2011 will really bring, but it would be a lot of fun see you then! I love that idea of you coming for weekend to WDW!

It was a bit disappointing we didn't get the real show, though I didn't know it until we got home!

We probably won't ever rush to make it to RD again, if we make it - great, but if we don't, that' okay too. I do like to get there as close to it as possible, but we savor those slow mornings! And during the slow season it truly does not make a very big difference. March will be another story though!

It's a bit of a pipe dream for me in November as well....we can dream, right? We'll seeeeeeeeeee!

I love when kids make their animals/dolls talk! Great pics of the construction!

This had me very confused at first, but then I figured out what you meant!

Oh my, that looks good! I have the recipe for the cinnamon buns, but now I need to get the recipe for the chocolate croissants!!!

I love it when Henry talks his animals too! It's very cute. He does it a LOT now. When he gets upset he always grabs one and says "What's wrong Henry?" and then Henry answers, "My Mommy won't let me have fruit snacks." (or whatever trauma it may be). It's pretty cute....and settles him down, amazingly!

I didn't realize I had put the TTA until you and Kathy mentioned it! I gotta go back and fix that.

WOOT for happy times in Fantasyland!! That is great!! Henry looks like he is having the best time ever!!!

Hmmmm....I have ridden Dumbo at Night at the start of Wishes and really enjoyed it, but I wasn't sure I would ever ride it again. However, I will definitely have to ride it once in January so I can see the updates to the construction! I can't wait for the new additions to Fantasyland!!

Hmmmmm....Main Street Bakery I love the smells that come from there! I haven't eaten there in awhile because the confectionery is where my heart lies but I might have to make a stop there in Jan!!!

Wait a sec.

The ONLY time you have ridden Dumbo is once at night?!???! You gotta ride it again Jen! Dumbo is so simple and easy, but it is just one of those lovely classics! You get such wonderful views of the park (and the construction now!), just sit back, let the wind fly through your hair and soak in all the magic as you fly high in an elephant!

I will ride your HM if you ride my Dumbo. <handshake>

YUM! Madeline refuses to go on those cars amymore. She HATES the smell. haha

They DO stink! Boys don't notice that sorta thing.

I think you were there during the absolute least crowded week of the year. There was no one there - amazing.

Thanks for the construction site photos. I caught a glimpse over there at night, but no pictures. I didn't look any different from what you posted.
Buzz Lightyear!

Oh, wait, did you go to COP to see my oven? (I mean my soon to be defunct oven)

The projected crowds were between 1 and 3 I think for the entire time. September RULES. It might be our last September as well since H will be starting school next year. Sometimes the NYC schools do start later though, so maybe, just maybe!

No CoP this trip. I kept meaning to get over there, but the timing just didn't work. I was going to ride alone at one point so we didn't have a squirelly toddler on it, but.... I will ride in March! I WILL!

I love how you described Henry's reaction to the castle, I got all giddy and excited FOR him!

It's funny, our last trip was kind of commando style and with each of your updates I am looking forward more and more to a more laid back trip. Even taking time out to enjoy treats at Main Street Bakery instead of rushing to another ride sounds devine to me!

I think Henry gets cuter in each set of pics you post, love how you can see the joy on his face. That is exactly why taking young kids is well worth it, right?!

I gotta say, while I have a commando heart in me and just want to get to EVERYTHING, my dear husband has forced me to tour differently otherwise he's not happy. And I get it. Henry is happier too when we move slower and go with the flow. And that makes me happier, so it works. I sometimes have to tell myself to "let it go" or "walk slower", etc. but it's worth it. And you don't come home nearly as exhausted!

BUT, one of these days, if I do a solo day or trip, I'm GOING FOR IT! Commmmmmmmmmmmmmmmando!

And yes...that magic in the little one's eyes.... there is nothing like it!