Been There, Done That, and Yes, We’re Going Back! New 5/8- I'm back!

[Charleston Princess]

Happy Belated Birthday!!! And Happy Four Months Until Disney!!!

Love all your pictures from Hershey's! My kids, being the chocolate lovers that they are, would be in seventh heaven there!

 

[disney<333]

Putting the finishing touches on the Hershey trip, or as some like to call it “Putting on the ears!”
My mom was the first one up that morning because she had to call her credit card company or something. The girls and I woke up shortly after but we stayed in bed to give my mom some peace and quiet. When she was finished we all started getting ready for the day. We were raiding Hershey Park this day and I was really excited. When we were finished getting dressed and gathering our crap for the park (way too much of it, by the way.) we went downstairs for breakfast. The resort had full buffet downstairs so we decided to try that. There was a huge selection to choose from!! They even had a cook making chocolate chip pancakes! Hershey’s chocolate chip pancakes in Hershey, PA?! Yes, please. I think they tasted better then if I were to have them in Florida for some odd reason. After breakfast, we went to go get the shuttle to the park. Once in the park, our first order of business was to go put our junk for the water park area in a locker by the Boardwalk.

The Boardwalk is this huge water park within Hershey Park. From my understanding, it is only a year or two old. If you haven’t been to Hershey since it opened and you don’t live to far from it, I recommend you check it out. It was SO hot making the treck with all of our junk to the back of the park. By the way, this park is HUGE!! There are so many rides!!! Our mini fans were blowing, doing the best that they can do but it was just so hot. So, once we got to the Boardwalk we made a change in plans and decided to just do the water activities then. It took FOREVER to find the lounge chairs. Something you should know about me, I HATE using a map or asking for directions. I’m just not a GPS kind of girl. Using a map makes me feel like a quitter. I’m much happier with myself when I find what I’m looking for on my own. I guess it’s a good thing I know Disney World in and out. My mom decided she didn’t want to participate in the water activities she said she would be much happier in a chair in the shade reading magazines and doing crossword puzzles but she needed a chair high up and not one of those low down lounge chairs. It worked fine for her she found a lady to talk to and she showed my mom her Kindle. My mom was very impressed and since then my sister and I decided to chip in and get one for her birthday in September. Once we finally found our area to make camp, we changed into bathing suits and rubbed suntan lotion everywhere, (The girls commented that I looked like a ghost. Well, I’d rather be a ghost then a lobster any day. Maybe, just maybe, I can be that 1,000th ghost on HM?) we went in the water. It was just so hot that it felt nice to jump in. We did the wave pool for a while, (which was a little to strong for Amy and had to have a life guard rescue her!), a water slide, and then went to go meet my new love. Who is this person, well object, you ask? The lazy river! It was amazing and so relaxing. I went around the river a grand total of 13 times (you can keep going with out getting off!) Around 2:00 we met my mom for some lunch and then we left the boardwalk for some real rides and plus my mom was in the hot sun all day and wanted to go some of the shows. Amy wanted to go do the ride that was like TLSW. Well, that was on the other side of the park and there was no way this chickie was hiking up that hill in this heat. Luckily, my mom volunteered to go with her. My good Emily left, and I was stuck with DQ (Not Dairy Queen, Drama Queen) YAY! DQ was in a bad mood due to the heat and was very cranky she objected to everything I suggested. I think DQ was just hot and tired so I suggested we go and get some ice cream. DQ LOVED this idea and they had her favorite, Coldstone. Once the ice cream was finished, DQ left and Emily came back.
We found some character with very short lines so we went to go say hello.

I honestly for the life of me can not remember what else we did that day. I know we went to resort for a rest and a swim because in my pictures we all have different clothes on.

I think this is a very sweet picture!

All too quickly the day ended and we had to go back to the resort and pack to go home the next day!

 

[disney<333]

Happy Belated Birthday!!! And Happy Four Months Until Disney!!!

Love all your pictures from Hershey's! My kids, being the chocolate lovers that they are, would be in seventh heaven there!

Thanks, Jackie!
The girls loved it!

 

[Charleston Princess]

More fun at Hershey's!!! Starting the day with chocolate chip pancakes sounds perfect!!! I know all about DQs! The pics with the various characters turned out really cute!

 

[praisehisname]

We've never done the water park area, but it sounds like we need to get our butts over there! Fun!

Amy wanted to go do the ride that was like TLSW.

I'm probably going to feel so dumb when you answer, but what does TLSW stand for?

 

[All7OfUs]

Those coasters look really ....large! WOW! Wish I lived closer.

 

[oboedm]

I love the "character" pictures. For some reason, I love the fact that you can get pictures hugging a life size package of Rolos. It is just TOO WEIRD and makes me crack up.

You can clearly see the effects of Disney.

 

[MeMom]

It really is not cool that they do that. On our last night we went to go see if we could walk up at Crystal Palace. They could of sat us in under 30 minutes but it would be almost 200$ with tax and everything. Insane! We ate at PVH instead and had a wonderful meal and then we had a lot of time to enjoy the rides. Our trips are mostly CS with just a few sit downs and I like that. We go to Disney to enjoy the parks and resorts, not to eat.

That's what we do. We have 2-3 special meals, and then we eat counter service and things we've brought from home or bought at the store. We almost always have Pop-tarts and fruit in the room for a 'tide me over' breakfast. When we are able to go to the store, we have bread, peanut butter, jelly, crackers, etc. It helps with the food bill. Other than the three big meals this summer, I did a pretty good job not spending much money on food.

 

[disney<333]

More fun at Hershey's!!! Starting the day with chocolate chip pancakes sounds perfect!!! I know all about DQs! The pics with the various characters turned out really cute!

Chocolate in the morning always gets us going! I'm looking forward to Chocolate chip muffins in the morning and looking at the savannah.
Mr. Gas Station Cold Drinks.
Thanks! I like them, too.

We've never done the water park area, but it sounds like we need to get our butts over there! Fun!

I'm probably going to feel so dumb when you answer, but what does TLSW stand for?

Definitely! The park is HUGE and they offer great specials. With the price of our resort we got kids eat free at resort, free park tickets, free garden tickets, and free museum tickets.
Tomorrowland Speedway. I'm not sure I abbreviated it right. It's one of Amy's favorites. I noticed she likes the smaller things the best. (Sum of All Thrills, Drawing Class, Teacups, etc.)

Those coasters look really ....large! WOW! Wish I lived closer.

They have 11 big ones. Each one made RNRC look like IASW!

I love the "character" pictures. For some reason, I love the fact that you can get pictures hugging a life size package of Rolos. It is just TOO WEIRD and makes me crack up.

You can clearly see the effects of Disney.

I got a good laugh, too, after reading your comment.

That's what we do. We have 2-3 special meals, and then we eat counter service and things we've brought from home or bought at the store. We almost always have Pop-tarts and fruit in the room for a 'tide me over' breakfast. When we are able to go to the store, we have bread, peanut butter, jelly, crackers, etc. It helps with the food bill. Other than the three big meals this summer, I did a pretty good job not spending much money on food.

We bring breakfast food and eat it in the room. I bring things that we normally don't eat for breakfast at home to make it special. I usually get the double chocolate chip muffins from Sam's and that is what helps us make rope drop.
Lunch and dinner are usually counter service. We'll only be doing 50s and Kona in November.
I think it is ridiculous that people get the deluxe dining plan. We ate at a lot of the restaurants in Disney when we lived in Orlando.

 

[disney<333]

O.K, so I'm just getting my act together with the update about my birthday that was last week now. Sorry for that! It's been a crazy week-- I'm doing an art camp this week, kids in camp, being their taxi service, and DH is on a business trip! Crazy-ness, I tell ya.
On my actual birthday Mitch had to work during the day, so the girls and I went out together. We went to the mall and went to the Disney Store, and Barnes and Noble (They have excellent bagels there, by the way!) I had a 20% off coupon for the Disney Store. Pictures of the goodies will be in the next update.
I had a great day with the girls. They are just too sweet and funny!!
At night, Mitch and I went out for dinner. A man paid our bill and didn't even mention it to us. It was the strangest thing!! So, whoever you are: Thank You! You made my day.
Now comes the Disney related part. When I got home this is what was waiting for me.

and

The silly bandz just had to make an appearance.
We were going to have a Mickey and friends brunch the next morning but Emily felt the need to set the table for the cake.
Mitch wanted to decorate the cake so I went to go DIS for a few minutes. Sorry no picture of the cake but it was just plain, Jane!
Emily took a self portrait of me and her. Not the best picture of me, but hey, it works.

By the time we all got to bed it was close to 1 AM!
The next day was the Mickey and friends breakfast.
Sing a long!
M I C K E Y M O U S E
It's me!
M I C K E Y M O U S E
It's the Mickey Mouse Clubhouse! Come inside, it's fun inside.

It's the Mickey Mouse Clubhouse!
Roll Call!
Donald.
Present!
Daisy.
Here!!
Goofy.
Hyuck, here!
Minnie.
Hi, here.
Pluto.
Ruff, ruff, ruff.
Mickey.
Right here.
It's the Mickey Mouse Clubhouse! Come inside, it's fun inside.
M I C K E Y M O U S E!
Yes, I memorize the theme song to Mickey Mouse Clubhouse when one child is about to be 12 and the other is 14.
The menu consisted of:
Minnie's mini muffins
Goofy's Gummies (I know, I know, not breakfast food, but ya gotta live a little!)
Donald's omelets
Daisy's fruit
Pluto's bagels
Mickey's waffles and pancakes (Mickey shaped, of course!)
The pictures are on my other camera since the Sony was charging!
After breakfast we went to Sawgrass Mills! For you non-floridians, it's this GIANT outlet mall. It's about an hour away and always very crowded so we only go there every few months with a list and a plan of attack.
It has a Disney Parks outlet store with merchandise marked anywhere from 50 to 70% off! We got a few things there! I'll share pictures of our goodies in the next update!
The next day we saw my cousin and her husband and DD! They live in NY but went to Disney and came down to visit their father and us.
It was a great weekend full of fun laughs, great times, and family fun!
Coming up next: Autograph book, Epcot Passport, BIG news, and shopping pics.

 

[jillyb]

What a great birthday!

 

[Charleston Princess]

What a wonderful birthday including the breakfast the next morning! Yum! I am looking forward to seeing what you bought at the Disney Store!

 

[praisehisname]

No food pics from breakfast??? Can't wait to see your Disney goodies!

 

[MickeyisBeast]

Sounds like an awesome birthday- hope you had a great one!
I cannot wait to see all the Disney stuff you got

 

[disney<333]

What a great birthday!

Family time is always a nice way to celebrate another year.

What a wonderful birthday including the breakfast the next morning! Yum! I am looking forward to seeing what you bought at the Disney Store!

It was a great day.
Pictures will be coming up tomorrow. I'm too tired to dare even bother with Photobucket now.

No food pics from breakfast??? Can't wait to see your Disney goodies!

Sorry, Denise! We'll be having Tinkerbell for Amy's birthday on the 12th. I'm turning the entire kitchen into pixie hollow with giant grass and the whole 9 yards. I'll take a lot of pictures then. I haven't even began to think about her party with friends. I think it will be a pool party again with some crafts.

Sounds like an awesome birthday- hope you had a great one!
I cannot wait to see all the Disney stuff you got

Thanks, I did.
I didn't get that much, just a few things to Disney my day until the real thing.

 

[All7OfUs]

What a great party; so many fun touches!! Great job, Barbara- I love it!

 

[MeMom]

I had a great day with the girls. They are just too sweet and funny!!
At night, Mitch and I went out for dinner. A man paid our bill and didn't even mention it to us. It was the strangest thing!! So, whoever you are: Thank You! You made my day.

It has a Disney Parks outlet store with merchandise marked anywhere from 50 to 70% off! We got a few things there! I'll share pictures of our goodies in the next update!

I laugh so much when I am with my girls, too.
Family is such a huge blessing!

How nice to have your bill paid by a stranger! It will be fun to pass that blessing on sometime.

Do you have any idea how much a trip to the Disney Store excites a person who now has NO Disney Store?!?!?!?

No food pics from breakfast??? Can't wait to see your Disney goodies!

Sorry, Denise! We'll be having Tinkerbell for Amy's birthday on the 12th. I'm turning the entire kitchen into pixie hollow with giant grass and the whole 9 yards. I'll take a lot of pictures then.

That's what I'm sayin'!
You ate, and we didn't get to see it???

If we get left out of Pixie Hollow, we're going to have to rethink this friendship!

 

[disney<333]

What a great party; so many fun touches!! Great job, Barbara- I love it!

Thanks Liesa.

I laugh so much when I am with my girls, too.
Family is such a huge blessing!

How nice to have your bill paid by a stranger! It will be fun to pass that blessing on sometime.

Do you have any idea how much a trip to the Disney Store excites a person who now has NO Disney Store?!?!?!?
That's what I'm sayin'!
You ate, and we didn't get to see it???

If we get left out of Pixie Hollow, we're going to have to rethink this friendship!

I agree! I love doing things with my family. I think it is important and I hope the girls will remember the fun family traditions we have and will do them when they have kids of their own.
I was hopping to take pictures in the store but the phone memory was full and I had NYC pictures on my phone that I had to upload to the laptop. Next time for sure.
I'm sorry! I'm sorry! I guess next time I should just keep my big mouth shut if I don't have pictures to share.
You are too funny! The camera will be out for Pixie Hollow! I have the decorations figured out but I need help with food! What should we have for a Pixie Hollow Disney Meal?! I know we'll have cupcakes and cookies for dessert but what about dinner?! I'm thinking mini burgers and hotdogs- just need a cute name for it.
Salad- Maybe pixie hollow greens
WHAT ELSE?! Please help, everyone and get those creative brains to work.

 

[disney<333]

Keeping my promise of tomorrow (today, which is ticking by, oh so quickly.) here are the pictures of the Disney goodies purchased about 10 days ago.
Pajama pants from JCPenny. We had a bunch of coupons and DH needed a lot of new clothes. He hardly ever goes clothes shopping! It's torture to him! He says he'd rather be locked on the train that goes to Rafiki's Planet Watch. I, on the other hand, don't have a problem with either.

As you can see, I wasted no time putting them on.
They had a couple of cute Mickey ones and they were on sale for 9$ each and then there were coupons for 10 of 50 and 15 off 75! We had to do the math and make a couple transactions but in the end we saved a lot of money. Emily also picked out some long sleeve shirts for the November trip and then for NJ in December. (DH's company got an apartment that we can use and poor Amy has never seen snow so we're going for winter break!) All the shirts were under 4$.
From the Disney Store:

I also got some Tinkerbell plates that were on clearance for 2.50. They were in the dishwasher when I took the pics, so no pictures. I know, I know. I was really bad that weekend at taking pictures!
I saw a sweatshirt for Amy and I, but they were 30$ each.
I knew they would be cheaper soon so I left them for now. Oh, and we were back at the same Disney Store the next day. I wanted to get some more plates and a few placematts I had seen the day before since I had a 20% off coupon. Well in less than 24 hours they managed to change their entire inventory! All of the summer things were gone and they were in abundance the day before. They had put all the fall things out. Just a sad reminder that summer is coming to an end.
From the Parks outlet store:

This pin was only $.99!! We bought all 4. I figured they were cheap enough and the girls could trade them, which they plan on doing! In fact, as soon as we paid Amy wasted no time trading one of them for this pin:

Emily's velcro on her pin necklace wasn't sticking any more so she needed a new one. She picked out this cute one that was only 3$.

DH got a Mickey shirt for 7$ but he took it with him on his business trip! So, again no picture! He's gone for 10 nights, which is the longest he's been away in a while.
Amy fell in love with this guy so for 5$ he found himself a new home.

Emily suggested Amy name it Monomic which she did. Amy loves this thing. Monomic's first night home he had to do some work after relaxing with his buddies at the store. Amy was running around the house with him pretending he was a real monorail. She used her best monorail voice and Monomic made a stop at the living room, (I guess the CR) Kitchen, and her room, before continuing on to the front door! The front door was the MK! Along the way, she reminded passengers about all the fun things going on at the world (our house!) It was really cute and I which I had my video camera out. Emily just rolled her eyes and went to go in her room and was texting.

 

[praisehisname]

I love your new Mickey pj pants! Gee, if you had taken pics of your breakfast, we might have gotten to see your new Tink plates...