Braved the Sept humidity in WDW - We're back! (new pics added 12/2/09)

[All7OfUs]

You know what I like about that picture of your son with Alice?? His little bare feet! I know some people might be thinking- EW! But what a fun detail to add. Maybe it wasn't intentional, but I like it.

 

[Todd_H]

Very nice! Teaching him young... WTG Todd! That is a very cute picture... Great one to bring out around high school time, maybe the meeting of his first girlfriend ...

Thanks! Yes, we're going to have to keep this one in our minds for future use. My dad liked to embarrass me in front of girls I brought home (saying things like "Gee, son... she's A LOT prettier than you said she was"), so I can't wait to embarrass my son .

You know what I like about that picture of your son with Alice?? His little bare feet! I know some people might be thinking- EW! But what a fun detail to add. Maybe it wasn't intentional, but I like it.

Oh yeah... the feet. I forgot to explain that. If you look back to my first post in this thread (the intros), you will my the picture of my DS sitting in front of the Fountain in France taking off his crocs. That's when the shoes came off. At the time, the boy had this thing about taking his shoes off everywhere (he still does, actually... though not quite as bad as he used to be). We got to where we didn't try to fight him on it unless there was real danger or if we were in a restaurant (as a parent, you learn quickly to pick your battles with your children). We did get approached by a CM suggesting that we put his shoes back on (he had evidently seen some horrific things happen to children's bare feet in Epcot), but nothing ever happened (plus we were strolling him around everywhere anyway).

 

[disneygirlinnj]

That photo of him and Alice is beautiful! And you can tell that you're a 'seasoned' photographer because you actually got down to their level to take the photo. It wouldn't have had the same effect as if you were standing normally.

 

[Todd_H]

Don't have too much to write about day 4, however, day 4 should be a really fun and busy day. We'll start out by heading to Typhoon Lagoon for some waterpark action. I'm really excited about TL this year because the kids absolutely love being in the water (the ocean, a pool, whatever). They enjoyed TL last trip, but neither were tall enough to do some (actually MOST) of the slides. I think we'll have some success this year and DD may even be tall enough to do the Crush n Gusher, but not 100% sure (if I'm not mistaken, there was an unusually high height restriction on this one). Anyway, I also got a waterproof shell for my p&s camera that will also make it into the water with us, so we'll see if we can get some creative shots. We'll probably eat lunch there and then head back to the room for some rest time before heading back out to Epcot that night.

At Epcot, we plan to do as much as we can given the short period of time we'll have for rides that evening (we may just have time for Soarin and Test Track). We have an ADR at Teppan-Edo (never eaten there) at 7:50 which should put us getting out just in time for Illuminations. I tried to photograph Illuminations from the Japan Pavillion back in May, but I'm not happy with many of the shots I got. So given the fact that we'll already be right there in the Pavillion, I'll probably try it again. Here are a few from May that came out o.k.

As I already said, this will be a bit of a short day in Epcot for us, but as of now, I think we're also going to be in Epcot on our last night... more of that later .

 

[crocko]

Went to Teppan Edo this past December....we really liked it.

 

[SilverL]

We're going to Teppan Edo as well. I'm really looking forward to it, having never been to that type of restaurant before.

 

[annnewjerz]

Teppan Edo is a possibility for us in December---either that, or Tutto Italia, so make sure to let us know what ya think.

After seeing pictures of Jeff's shots from Tokyo Dining it makes me want to try there as well, but from what I understand it's not a Disney owned restaurant, so a lot of the sushi choices aren't on the dining plan.

PS: I can't believe you're up to like 8 pages already for just your PTR. Your TR is bound to be a DISboards phenom at this rate.

 

[oregondaddyof2]

We are scheduled to do Teppan Edo on one of our Epcot nights... i am sooo looking forward to it... Good choice

 

[scoot241]

Another one here doing Teppan Edo. It will also be our first time; should be fun!

 

[jordanyosh]

These pictures are AWESOME!

 

[All7OfUs]

This one is on our short list of places to try in EPCOT next year!! Looks like a fun group thing to do!

As usual your photos are stunning! Kudos!

I"m sure with the Sept. heat, TL will be a welcome thing for everyone!! I really look forward to seeing what you come up with using the waterproof gear!

 

[Todd_H]

These pictures are AWESOME!

Thanks, Jordo!

As usual your photos are stunning! Kudos!

I"m sure with the Sept. heat, TL will be a welcome thing for everyone!! I really look forward to seeing what you come up with using the waterproof gear!

Thanks! I'm not hoping for much on the waterproof camera shooting, but we'll see how it goes.


Glad to hear so many positive comments on Teppan Edo. Ali and I have been to Japanese steak houses before but the kids haven't been to one yet. We thought it would be fun and entertaining for them.

After seeing pictures of Jeff's shots from Tokyo Dining it makes me want to try there as well, but from what I understand it's not a Disney owned restaurant, so a lot of the sushi choices aren't on the dining plan.

That's good to know for future reference. I think we're going to try some sushi from Tokyo Dining before our dinner that night. I'm curious to see if their sushi holds up to the sushi at the California Grill. We're not able to do it this time, but we love to slip up to the CG and sit at the bar for drinks and sushi at some point during our solo trips, but that's not going to happen this trip. Here's a picture of me and Ali when we were down last October (excuse the spilled drink on my shirt... the bartender did it, not me ). No really, the bartender did it... drink went flying across the bar and into my lap. First drink of the night too. The bartender was very cool about it and comped us for the drinks.

 

[jordanyosh]

First of all, those drinks in front of you look good.

Our family has never been disappointed with Teppan Edo or it's earlier version either and we're Japanese/American so we do know our Japanese food.

Can't wait to see all your pix from the upcoming trip!

 

[annnewjerz]

Here's a picture of me and Ali when we were down last October (excuse the spilled drink on my shirt... the bartender did it, not me ). No really, the bartender did it... drink went flying across the bar and into my lap.

Mhmmmmmmmm, that's what they all do---blame it on the bartender.

If you are looking for other sushi options, I know there is a sushi bar in the Polynesian. I doubt it'll be up to par with CG, but it seems to get good reviews, I think we might grab some for lunch during our trip in October.

 

[MRYPPNS]

Hi! I followed the link in All7ofUs' report. I'll be in WDW the week after you....Sept 30 to Oct 4.

Love your Haunted Mansion pictures....more please!!

Your kids are adorable!

 

[All7OfUs]

Uh, huh, RIIIIIIIIIIIIGHT....

J/K! My kids tell me mine doesn't even have to be a glass of wine, I can even do that trick with water.

I was actually glad to hear about the good reviews from CG and sushi. That is one our list of "let's think about its", and I keep hearing all kinds of good things about their sushi.

Hey, MRYPPNS! Thanks for the shout out (even if just in name). I didn't know you were following along. But I do see you over on Wings and Kathy's PTRs (those are the ones, right?)

For the record...Comped drinks are always good. I'd take one in the lap anytime for a Disney priced drink.

 

[Todd_H]

Hi! I followed the link in All7ofUs' report. I'll be in WDW the week after you....Sept 30 to Oct 4.

Love your Haunted Mansion pictures....more please!!

Your kids are adorable!

Hi MRYPPNS! Thanks for joining us! I'll definitely post some more pictures for you shortly.

Uh, huh, RIIIIIIIIIIIIGHT....

J/K! My kids tell me mine doesn't even have to be a glass of wine, I can even do that trick with water.

It does take some talent, doesn't it

I was actually glad to hear about the good reviews from CG and sushi. That is one our list of "let's think about its", and I keep hearing all kinds of good things about their sushi.

You HAVE to go to the CG! It and Jiko are my favorite restaurants on the entire property (however we have not tried them all... maybe about 1/3 of them). And yes, the sushi is the best I have ever had anywhere.

For the record...Comped drinks are always good. I'd take one in the lap anytime for a Disney priced drink.

Yep, me too! I think I may have another accident on our next trip.

First of all, those drinks in front of you look good.

Our family has never been disappointed with Teppan Edo or it's earlier version either and we're Japanese/American so we do know our Japanese food.

This is great to know. Thanks, Jordo

Mhmmmmmmmm, that's what they all do---blame it on the bartender.

If you are looking for other sushi options, I know there is a sushi bar in the Polynesian. I doubt it'll be up to par with CG, but it seems to get good reviews, I think we might grab some for lunch during our trip in October.

Where in the Poly do they serve sushi? For the record, we loooooooove the Polynesian and have only been able to stay there one time a couple of years ago. Ali and I splerged and spent three nights there and had a room that was technically a "garden view" room, but we had an MK view. Here is a picture from our balcony from that trip

We bought into the DVC about 4 years ago with a small 100pt VWL contract that allows us a two bedroom villa in one of the slower seasons every two years. However, we have always said that if the DVC builds a resort at the Polynesian, we will mortgage E-VE-RY-THING to be able to buy in there! It was all I could do to hold off the temptation of buying into Bay Lake Towers!

Side note, I did the math one time of what it would take to buy enough DVC points to be able to live in WDW upon retirement... you don't want to know. Plus, it would have to go on record as the absolute WORST investment in history (but the thought is kinda cool, isn't it?). Actually, that wouldn't be an investment, it would technically be "buying into a lifestyle."

 

[Todd_H]

For MRYPPNS

I'm missing the catwoman in the series above. Hopefully I can capture her on this trip.

see if anyone can tell me what (or where) this is in the HM:

and here's a better one of two of the three hitchhiking ghosts

 

[annnewjerz]

Where in the Poly do they serve sushi?

From what I understand, it's right near Kona Cafe in the Poly. It's called Kona Island sushi (I believe).

If you hop over to the restaurant board, you can read all about it. I don't believe they do DDP credits, but you can pay OOP and either take out or eat there, but from what I understand there is limited seating. I've never been, so definitely don't take my word for all of this. If you do check it out in September, let me know how it is so I can avoid it in October if it was cruddy.

 

[disneygirlinnj]

yup annewjerz is right about the sushi bar at the poly. I believe it's RIGHT outside the Kona table service off to the side.. mabye kinda by the coffee kiosk? I remember seeing it but honestly drawing a blank as to exact location!