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

[tinacaplan]

Hi! Just followed you over from Katmark's TR, but I've seen you in so many other spots here on the Dis, too, and I was looking at your signature and realized...hey...I think she has a son right around my son's age. And you do! My son, Max, is about two months older! And you are quite a seasoned Disney traveller with him, it seems. We're taking Max for his first trip this February, so it only made sense to finally read your TR.

And I read through the whole thing. Sounds like your trip went really well. BWV looks so beautiful. I think it might be the only EPCOT resort I want to stay at. Great updates on AK. When my husband and I visited there last February, we missed so much (including all of Dinoland) that I am grateful to be getting such good tips here for what do when we go with Max.

Great NYC pics. We're in CT and were down there just a few weeks ago ourselves.

Your son is beautiful and I'm really enjoying your report.

 

[bellebookworm9]

New York is so pretty! I've never been, but I'd like to visit someday. The peppermint brownie from Starbucks is my new favorite treat, along with the pumpkin scone.

 

[podsnel]

Great Christmas pics! The city is always soooo gorgeous at Christmas, and sooooooo crowded! Your mention of Tea at the Plaza made me think....I've never done that, and I would LOVE to go with my BF Clare, and her daughter, Stephanie, who is my Goddaughter. I just saw them last night and we were trying to think of a girlie thing we could do together (we all live right outside of NYC)- I think high tea would be PERFECT!! I'm calling them in a bit- thanks for the inspiration! When I googled it, I found this site with some really yummypics of the tea- http://whatscookingamerica.net/EllenEaston/PlazaTea/PlazaTeaMain.htm

Sorry you had bad service at R&C- at least your food looked good- I think I'll put that on our list for November's trip. Have you ever gone to St. Andrews restaurant in NYC? They have the BEST sticky toffee pudding- even my girlfriend, Fiona, loved it and she is Scottish- it's her fave dessert from childhood!

 

[MaryAz]

Great holiday pics of NYC-almost makes me want to go there if it was not so cold....Love all the displays. Sorry the lunch took soooooo long. Food looked yummy though.

 

[chloe770]

You shoulda seen the Mickey Mouse too. I wasn't quick enough to grab a picture of him, but....

I saw that Mickey when I was there in October. He was pretty scary. I may have a pic of him. I'll look later.

I lived in NJ for 8yrs and went to college at FIT. I was in the city atleast twice a week. I have never been in Central Park, never been to the Statue of Libery, could see the Empire State building from my dorm and was never there. Someday I will be a tourist in NYC.

 

[LoveMyTwoPrincesses]

Loved all of your pictures of NYC!

We have been to Rose & Crown a couple of times and our service was fine and the food brings us back. My complaint is about the size and location of that restroom. It is a disaster with kids, isn't it?

 

[gellybean]

I now have to add NYC Christmas trip to my ever growing list of travel wishes!
Gorgeous! I'm so jealous of the proximity y'all have to all those awesome places!

Rose and Crown sounds YUM! That's our CP reservation NEXT Saturday. Glad to hear the food was good! Slow service is a nightmare with a little kid! So glad Henry rocked it out though! I'll be sure to bring a few things for entertainment.
Thankfully our ressie is 5:15 for the 8:15pm show so if things run long it won't matter! Hopefully it was just a fluke of a new server in training!

Glad to have you back on the DIS and posting! I totally understand life getting in the way though. AHEM!

Have a Merry Christmas!

 

[NikkiLovesWDW!]

Gorgeous NYC pictures!!! We didn't make it much past St. Pat's when we went so it's nice to see the pics of FAO and The Plaza. I can't help but think of Home Alone 2 every time I see it!! So funny how much more crowded Rockerfeller Center is now that the tree is lit! Isn't that light show on the side of Saks beautiful!? I loved that!

 

[blessedby3]

Thanks for sharing all those NYC Christmas pictures
I had seen just a few on facebook, but enjoyed all those others in your trip report too Such a festive atmosphere.

Sorry your R&C meal went so long. I hate getting stuck at a restaraunt anywhere, but especially at WDW. Because of that we usually only get cs meals, and schedule 1 or 2 ts for the whole week. I hate missing out on those rides

 

[PopArtGal]

Awesome that they put Roger Rabbit on the card! I miss him!

 

[brookelizabeth]

Beautiful pictures of NYC all decorated for Christmas -- love all the window displays -- so pretty and festive!

$19 to skate at Rockefeller Center! Wow! And here I was thinking $9 a person was a bit pricey to skate at the rink they have set up in Centennial Olympic Park here in Atlanta!

Dinner at Rose and Crown looks delicious! We really enjoyed our meal in 2009 there. Our service was not that slow -- too bad Ray would disappear for such long periods of time -- that would have driven me nuts -- glad Henry had his Buzz toy to keep him distracted.

Ya, the $19 is a BIT much. I couldn't believe it when I saw that price - and knowing how many people are willing to pay that! I guess it's kind of a new NYC experience when you are visiting if you are into ice skating, but man....

I'm so glad to hear the R&C deal was a fluke! Perhaps there was some training going on in the back and she couldn't get back out. Who knows!

Thank you for sharing the beautiful pictures of Christmas in New York! I've always wanted to visit there during the holidays so I enjoyed the tour

Glad your food was good at R&C but sorry to hear your server was so slow. We've eaten there several times and never had stellar service but I don't think it was ever as slow as yours.

It really is very beautiful and festive here! Everywhere you go there is some sort of display. Later this week we are going to walk around our neighborhood, so I'll share some pictures of the street decorations and some of the houses.

Wow!! NYC looks amazing at Christmas time!! Thank you for sharing all those pictures!! I would love to walk down those same streets some day!!!! Glad you guys had a great time!!

Hmmmm...Rose N Crown!! I love that restaurant!! I have never had slow service like that before, so I'm going to say it was a fluke! You should definitely give it a second shot!! It has always provided an amazing meal!!!!

I was thinking you and LL wouldn't eat there so often if it was that slow of service! Either that, or I am very impatient. I really do think it was a fluke though from what everyone has said. The food was SO GOOD! We'd def go back!

I Christmas in NYC.

R & C looks great. I need to add it to my possible ADRs list.

Isn't it beautiful? I just love it all! Even my little Astoria neighborhood has some great decorations!

I would recommend R&C. The food was very good - it's true comfort food!

Hi! Just followed you over from Katmark's TR, but I've seen you in so many other spots here on the Dis, too, and I was looking at your signature and realized...hey...I think she has a son right around my son's age. And you do! My son, Max, is about two months older! And you are quite a seasoned Disney traveller with him, it seems. We're taking Max for his first trip this February, so it only made sense to finally read your TR.

And I read through the whole thing. Sounds like your trip went really well. BWV looks so beautiful. I think it might be the only EPCOT resort I want to stay at. Great updates on AK. When my husband and I visited there last February, we missed so much (including all of Dinoland) that I am grateful to be getting such good tips here for what do when we go with Max.

Great NYC pics. We're in CT and were down there just a few weeks ago ourselves.

Your son is beautiful and I'm really enjoying your report.

Thank you for reading! I gotta get over to your PTR!

This was Henry's 5th trip, the first time we took him he was 14 months old. I have to say this age was the best so far! It was very magical to experience it all through his eyes.

Dinoland is a blast for the little ones - the Dig Site and Boneyard are fun, and just the whole area is bright and colorful.

 

[brookelizabeth]

New York is so pretty! I've never been, but I'd like to visit someday. The peppermint brownie from Starbucks is my new favorite treat, along with the pumpkin scone.

It really is a beautiful City! There are many not so pretty aspects, naturally with this many people living here, but overall, it's amazing. And they know how to do Christmas!

I LOVE the pumpkin scone! YUM!

Great Christmas pics! The city is always soooo gorgeous at Christmas, and sooooooo crowded! Your mention of Tea at the Plaza made me think....I've never done that, and I would LOVE to go with my BF Clare, and her daughter, Stephanie, who is my Goddaughter. I just saw them last night and we were trying to think of a girlie thing we could do together (we all live right outside of NYC)- I think high tea would be PERFECT!! I'm calling them in a bit- thanks for the inspiration! When I googled it, I found this site with some really yummypics of the tea- http://whatscookingamerica.net/EllenEaston/PlazaTea/PlazaTeaMain.htm

Sorry you had bad service at R&C- at least your food looked good- I think I'll put that on our list for November's trip. Have you ever gone to St. Andrews restaurant in NYC? They have the BEST sticky toffee pudding- even my girlfriend, Fiona, loved it and she is Scottish- it's her fave dessert from childhood!

Oh! I'm so glad I mentioned that then! It will be WONDERFUL I'm sure! The prices aren't actually that bad considering....and those pics...oh my...YUM. That is a lot of food! That's more than Disney's it looks like. I so gotta do this next time my Mom comes to visit!!

I haven't been to St. Andrews...Googling that now... Mmmmm, that menu looks yummy. And it's easy to get to! I might have to suggest this next time Joe and I can escape on a date night. Thanks for the tip!

Great holiday pics of NYC-almost makes me want to go there if it was not so cold....Love all the displays. Sorry the lunch took soooooo long. Food looked yummy though.

To us it's not too bad out, between 30 and 40 - today was in the 50s - but I know to you that is probably frigid! We are from MN, so we almost can go without a coat.

I saw that Mickey when I was there in October. He was pretty scary. I may have a pic of him. I'll look later.

I lived in NJ for 8yrs and went to college at FIT. I was in the city atleast twice a week. I have never been in Central Park, never been to the Statue of Libery, could see the Empire State building from my dorm and was never there. Someday I will be a tourist in NYC.

Yes! Post a pic of him if you can find it!

I suppose when you are a student and living in NJ you just don't have time for any of that. I never visiting the Statue of Liberty when I lived here previously - Joe and I finally visited on a return trip. I LOVE Central Park, so we go a lot. Plus they have a "big sandbox" so.... You'll have to come back to visit and see all those things!

 

[brookelizabeth]

Loved all of your pictures of NYC!

We have been to Rose & Crown a couple of times and our service was fine and the food brings us back. My complaint is about the size and location of that restroom. It is a disaster with kids, isn't it?

Yes! It is! I had to include that bit for the other Moms with little ones reading this report. I couldn't believe they didn't have a changing table in there....and it is tiny! I didn't like weaving through the bar either.

But, we would go back - the food was delish!

I now have to add NYC Christmas trip to my ever growing list of travel wishes!
Gorgeous! I'm so jealous of the proximity y'all have to all those awesome places!

Rose and Crown sounds YUM! That's our CP reservation NEXT Saturday. Glad to hear the food was good! Slow service is a nightmare with a little kid! So glad Henry rocked it out though! I'll be sure to bring a few things for entertainment.
Thankfully our ressie is 5:15 for the 8:15pm show so if things run long it won't matter! Hopefully it was just a fluke of a new server in training!

Glad to have you back on the DIS and posting! I totally understand life getting in the way though. AHEM!

Have a Merry Christmas!

When you come visit we will have to meet up! I think you two would love it here - I know your hubby KNOWS and appreciates good food (being he's a chef!) and I assume you do as well being married to him and all. NYC is full of good eats!! It's so much fun to eat here. If only money was no object...

I sure hope you don't get the slow service we did! I think it's a great meal before the CP, it's true comfort food and kinda just that Christmas meal feel if that makes any sense.

I hope you have a FANTASTIC trip! And Merry Christmas to you and your family too!

Gorgeous NYC pictures!!! We didn't make it much past St. Pat's when we went so it's nice to see the pics of FAO and The Plaza. I can't help but think of Home Alone 2 every time I see it!! So funny how much more crowded Rockerfeller Center is now that the tree is lit! Isn't that light show on the side of Saks beautiful!? I loved that!

I forgot that Home Alone 2 was filmed there! I might have to watch that again. I want glimpses of the inside!

It was so packed! We are used to dealing with crowds and this was nuts. Henry didn't even see the angels and looked at me like I was crazy when I mentioned them after we had left.

I loved the snow thing on Saks too! They used to have big light up snowflakes on there that would look like they were falling during the show, but this is even cooler with the change in projections.

Thanks for sharing all those NYC Christmas pictures
I had seen just a few on facebook, but enjoyed all those others in your trip report too Such a festive atmosphere.

Sorry your R&C meal went so long. I hate getting stuck at a restaraunt anywhere, but especially at WDW. Because of that we usually only get cs meals, and schedule 1 or 2 ts for the whole week. I hate missing out on those rides

It really is! It all has made Joe and I in a very Christmasy mood this year. It's a lot of fun!

I'm with ya on the TS! I don't like getting stuck in one either. Thankfully we were pretty chill on this trip and just rolled with whatever - but sometimes I get very antsy. And while I like trying all the different restaurants, I don't like committing all that time to sit down meals either....we generally stick to an every-other-day sorta deal.

Awesome that they put Roger Rabbit on the card! I miss him!

I didn't even really notice that! It's kinda surprising! I like it!

 

[brookelizabeth]

Let's get caught up real quick in the report with the Photopass Pictures, since I finally have those uploaded!

We didn't know Stitch would be in this when we took it! Very cute!

 

[KatMark]

I am behind...but not as bad as I thought I would be. for Henry making height on Test Track and a bigger for liking it. I often forget that you can get to Image Works without riding the ride too. We've eaten at Rose & Crown probably about five times an dwe've only had really slow service once so I think it was a fluke for you. I love the photopass pictures.

 

[tinacaplan]

Cute photopass pictures. I am now more convinced than ever that I want to order a CD this time.

I also forgot to mention that I am just straight up jealous (and really happy for you guys ) that your son is tall enough for TT and Soarin'. I was so hopeful, but my short little guy is nowhere near tall enough! Oh well.

And that's fantastic that you've already been there so many times with him.

 

[KristiMc]

Great pictures! I love the ones with Goofy.

 

[3prettyprincesses]

Brook! Those NYC pics are amaaaaazing! Love them! Oh, it just makes me wish I was there experiencing basking (stole that word from your TR title!)in the Christmas ambience! I've dropped very pointed hints (ok, I said it outright) to DH that I would LOVE to go to NYC for Christmas one year. That could be my present! He said not this year so I'll have to console myself with the new camera lens I know he's getting me!

Your photopass pics are really great too! We never seem to get a good one of all of us, someone always is looking like they were sucking on a lemon or something! But yours are all so sweet! Love the ones of Henry with Goofy, Pluto and Donald Duck. I've already said it but is sure looks like this was a perfect trip for you guys! Well, minus that mysterious meltdown you keep eluding to...

ETA: Ok, is it just me or does that NYC Woody look pregnant? Or is he just retaining water?

 

[glennbo123]

Great photopass pictures Brook! I like the ones with Mickey, but the ones where Henry is looking up at Goofy are really cute. And the magic shots with Simba and Tinkerbell turned out really well.

 

[blessedby3]

Great photopass pictures!!! Love the family pic in front of the castle and the one of Henry with Stitch. I just love how they add those special details to some of the pictures