Chunkymonkey & Chunky Sisters B-day Celebration 2011!! Completed TR!

[pinkxray]

I can't believe you are almost a month into a trip report and this is the first time I have come across it. I love your trip reports and pictures.

I would have never thought to turn the flash off in Sci-fi. I love the inside of that place and can never get any good pictutes. I'll have to use your tips next time.

POFQ looks so much better with the new beds and comforters. I love the purple bedding.

You and your sisters look adorable in all of your pictures. Looking foward to more

 

[dtr_angel]

Your pictures are all so good!

My DH & I got picked for the beginning of the backlot tour on our honeymoon... we were waiting for the next show to start, and a guy came out and asked us if we could swim, lol. I think it's because we had on the bride & groom ears and just married buttons. I hadn't been to Disney since they changed the backlot tour (I miss the old one!) so I had NO idea what was going to happen, I was so scared. It was fun though. I just wish we had pictures or a video of us out there.

 

[onescgirl]

Great update! You've got some great pics of Sci-Fi. I bet they were really surprised when they walked in!
Cute pic of you & the sisters with Monster, inc

 

[SheStang94]

Subbing in. I can't wait to see the refurbed rooms, as POFQ is our home away from home!

- all up to date! your pictures are gorgeous and I can't wait to see the rooms at POFQ first hand in December! Great job! Keep the updates and the photo tips coming!!

 

[chunkymonkey]

Nice Update of Sci Fi!!! You didn't get a pic of you all sitting in the car??!!!!!

Thanks! LOL, I think CT2 has a pic of it in her camera but I have yet to get the pictures from her. Her camera is easier to use than mine, so whenever we get group pictures we usually just hand the CM her camera.

I love CS's headband and how it matches with her outfit!

Great review of Sci Fi - every time I read a review of that place I regret not booking an ADR. Oh well, there's always next time!

Lol at the volunteers getting soaked at Studio Backlot Tour and yay on meeting Mike - love the photo

Thanks! You should definitely try Sci-Fi!! The atmosphere is just so cool. The food I think is alright, it's definitely about the surroundings more.

Great update! I too love, love, LOVE the Sci-Fi! Good call on keeping your sisters in the dark (no pun intended, haha!) about what to expect - the surprise must have been excellent!!!

LOL! Yes, I was pretty excited to see their reaction. It was probably akin to mine last year!

I had that tofu once at Sci Fi... I forgot that I didn't like it. Your review made me remember. I love the tip on getting good photo. My goal is to have an ap there on our next trip. (and to take better pics than I have in the past)

Too cool that CS got a headband to match her outfit. Very cute!

I think it is funny how there are some pics that can be so standard...and some that really aren't. I have a picture of the girls and I in front of the road block too. However, the subway... I don't even know where that is!

Hi Ann! The tofu was pretty good, but the thing that made it good was the mango glaze. Tofu itself is pretty tasteless. However, I think they put too much pepper in the veggies so that's what that pretty much tasted like. CT2 seemed to like it though.

The subway is on that same street as the roadblock, think it is near to where the robot trashcan is...LOL sometimes I do get lost in DHS myself around that area. I always seem to forget where Toy Story Pizza Planet is too...

First of all, you guys look so cute and fashionable in the parks, even with the ears! The pictures of you in your Minnie ears are adorable. Where else in the world, right? I love your sister's dress, too! The picture of her taking in the GMR is great, too.

Thanks for the tip on taking point and shoot shots in low lighting. My camera was really bad with it. So, you turn the flash off? Interesting.

Thanks Tina! Yup I turn the flash off, and make sure my camera is balanced well on a ledge, or if I'm holding it, I try to lean my hand that is taking the picture on a wall so that it doesn't shake too much. The pictures will come out better that way!

tinacaplan took the words right out of my mouth! you and your sisters have the greatest style.
and I had the tofu too the last time I was at sci-fi. *yum-yum*

Aww thank you!!

I love looking at pics of Sci-Fi, especially yours I think they always come out so good!

Cute picture with Scully! The person in that costume must be so short, lol.

Thanks Christina! We thought the person in the costume must have been a girl, I mean, those legs look pretty shapely, LOL

 

[chunkymonkey]

I can't believe you are almost a month into a trip report and this is the first time I have come across it. I love your trip reports and pictures.

I would have never thought to turn the flash off in Sci-fi. I love the inside of that place and can never get any good pictutes. I'll have to use your tips next time.

POFQ looks so much better with the new beds and comforters. I love the purple bedding.

You and your sisters look adorable in all of your pictures. Looking foward to more

Thanks and welcome!! POFQ looks really great with the refurbishments. We were happy we stayed there!

Your pictures are all so good!

My DH & I got picked for the beginning of the backlot tour on our honeymoon... we were waiting for the next show to start, and a guy came out and asked us if we could swim, lol. I think it's because we had on the bride & groom ears and just married buttons. I hadn't been to Disney since they changed the backlot tour (I miss the old one!) so I had NO idea what was going to happen, I was so scared. It was fun though. I just wish we had pictures or a video of us out there.

Thank you!! That is cool that you got picked to volunteer! Did you actually get wet? Next time if I go with CS i'll have to convince a CM to pick her! LOL!

Great update! You've got some great pics of Sci-Fi. I bet they were really surprised when they walked in!
Cute pic of you & the sisters with Monster, inc

Thanks! Yup they were pretty surprised! They thought it was super cool!

Subbing in. I can't wait to see the refurbed rooms, as POFQ is our home away from home!

How exciting! When you go POFQ will be completely refurbished, so it'll be nice knowing you are guaranteed a refurbished room!

 

[sbprincess]

So, not to hi-jack your TR, but I have a question. We're going in early October for F&W. We have booked at the Dolphin right now, but had been thinking about POFQ until I realized we could do the Dolphin for about the same price. But, with free dining just having been released through September, it has me thinking. I know you've stayed at the Swan before. So, if free dining is eventually released for our dates, would you switch to POFQ to take advantage of that? It would probably save us about $600 overall to switch to POFQ (IF they do free dining, which I know may not even happen). Just curious since you've done both. Thanks!

 

[chunkymonkey]

So, not to hi-jack your TR, but I have a question. We're going in early October for F&W. We have booked at the Dolphin right now, but had been thinking about POFQ until I realized we could do the Dolphin for about the same price. But, with free dining just having been released through September, it has me thinking. I know you've stayed at the Swan before. So, if free dining is eventually released for our dates, would you switch to POFQ to take advantage of that? It would probably save us about $600 overall to switch to POFQ (IF they do free dining, which I know may not even happen). Just curious since you've done both. Thanks!

If free dining is offered, I would definitely go for POFQ! You can't beat all the free snacks you can get at F&W! Even if it wasn't free dining, I would still probably purchase the dining plan anyways, and I would choose POFQ in a heartbeat. The Swan and Dolphin though have a really great location. I loved walking to DHS and Epcot. I didn't think the rooms at the Swan were that nice. In fact, I likied POFQ's refurbished rooms better, even though they were a little smaller. But no matter what you choose...you are so lucky to be going for F and W!!!

 

[YukiPhnx]

I'm all caught up!

I love that your sister got mickey headbands that match her dress! They look like so much fun.

I definitely liked your Sci-fi pics from a previous trip, but these ones looked nice too.

I had no idea they served tofu. It seems like a pretty out-of-character food item for the Sci-fi, or maybe they were popular back then?

Mmm, the burger looks so good.

I'll definitely have to try to stake out that view for Illuminations.

I just LOVE Mouse Gears. I could spend a lot of time just looking around at everything.

 

[natebenma]

Way behind but all caught up now!!!

Love your updates! Too Too funny about your sisters getting to the FP line before you!

We got the Cowboy scene on the GMR for the first time this summer. The cowboy kicks the gangsters butt!

Great Sci Fi photos- thanks for the review.

Great picture with Mike W. Can't wait to see more cute pictures of your sisters with the characters.

 

[annmarieda]

The subway is on that same street as the roadblock, think it is near to where the robot trashcan is...LOL sometimes I do get lost in DHS myself around that area. I always seem to forget where Toy Story Pizza Planet is too...

Thanks, I will have to find it next trip. And... you are not the only one who seems to forget where Toy Story Pizza Planet is. It is kinda confusing back that way...

 

[therussells08]

I am all caught up on your DHS day so far! The race for TSM is always so stressful! I always leave the running up to DH because he's got long legs. I usually just wait for him in a gift shop or something because I only slow him down! That is so cool that CS and CT1 got there first!

That is so cool that your surprised your sisters with Sci Fi! I remember the first time I ate there I was so shocked when we went inside. That was actually the first restaurant experience I ever had at Disney!

I can't wait to read more and see more of your amazing pictures!

 

[chunkymonkey]

I'm all caught up!

I love that your sister got mickey headbands that match her dress! They look like so much fun.

I definitely liked your Sci-fi pics from a previous trip, but these ones looked nice too.

I had no idea they served tofu. It seems like a pretty out-of-character food item for the Sci-fi, or maybe they were popular back then?

Mmm, the burger looks so good.

I'll definitely have to try to stake out that view for Illuminations.

I just LOVE Mouse Gears. I could spend a lot of time just looking around at everything.

I think they serve tofu as an option for vegetarians, but people seem to like it as it's been on their menu for a while. I just wanted something that was healthy because I knew I wouldn't be later on at 'Ohana!

Mouse Gears is our favorite store. We go in there each time we were in Epcot and we always manage to find new things.

Way behind but all caught up now!!!

Love your updates! Too Too funny about your sisters getting to the FP line before you!

We got the Cowboy scene on the GMR for the first time this summer. The cowboy kicks the gangsters butt!

Great Sci Fi photos- thanks for the review.

Great picture with Mike W. Can't wait to see more cute pictures of your sisters with the characters.

Thanks!

Yeah it was my first time getting the cowboy scene too. I wonder why they seem to do the Gangster more. Either way, I can never hear what the CMs are saying. Their microphones need to be replaced!

Thanks, I will have to find it next trip. And... you are not the only one who seems to forget where Toy Story Pizza Planet is. It is kinda confusing back that way...

Too funny! I always get lost in that area!

I am all caught up on your DHS day so far! The race for TSM is always so stressful! I always leave the running up to DH because he's got long legs. I usually just wait for him in a gift shop or something because I only slow him down! That is so cool that CS and CT1 got there first!

That is so cool that your surprised your sisters with Sci Fi! I remember the first time I ate there I was so shocked when we went inside. That was actually the first restaurant experience I ever had at Disney!

I can't wait to read more and see more of your amazing pictures!

I always leave the running to DH too! Much easier on me plus that way we are guaranteed an FP for later

Yay! I loved seeing Scifi for the first time last year. It's one of those places that never fails to impress in terms of ambiance!

 

[chunkymonkey]

Hi Everyone!

Sorry for the lack of posting recently, I have been very busy at work! I also just shot a bridal shower over the weekend so my evenings have been consumed with processing those pictures.

I have also booked our vacation for this fall…: we'’re going to Taiwan and to Honolulu! So excited! We are going to Taiwan to visit DH’s extended family. It will be my first time in Taiwan. Looking forward to immersing myself in a new culture. And you all know my obsession with Hawaii from my previous TR. We’'ve been going there once a year for the past 3 years. This time I am super excited because Disney’s new resort, Aulani, will be open by the time we are there. So we are planning to stay there for 2 nights. I don’t think we can afford to stay any longer than that, that baby is super expensive! So we’ll be staying elsewhere for a week then moving on to the Aulani for 2 nights for total relaxation and Disney hospitality! I am even going to try and see if we can rent DVC points for those 2 nights. I am not sure if there is a minimum nightly rental for Aulani for DVC…- anyone know? I will ask on the DVC boards. I’'ve never rented points before so I’m a newbie!

This post will be 2 part: s…the first part is some additional pictures from CT2’s camera of our trip so far. She definitely has more pictures of me! And then the 2nd part will be Sunday part 3.

CT2 has a Canon S90 point and shoot…probably the sweeeetest point and shoot camera that I’ve ever seen and used. None of these pictures have been retouched or processed in any way and it was all shot using the auto setting.

Here’s us on our arrival day getting grub from POFQ:

Going to DTD

Me holding the Chinese chicken salad from WPE

CT1 and Me with our “ears”

A cool mug we saw

CT2’s husband loves goofy so she was deciding on T-shirts to buy. This one is pretty funny, but I think a little too silly for him.

CT2 wearing the Goofy hat

This is us on the way to Epcot for our dinner at Coral Reef. I really liked my hair this evening. For every picture after this set, I kept trying to get my hair to look nice and perfectly windblown but unfortunately I looked more like drowned rat or disheveled old lady.

Another one of my “perfect” windblown hair

Us at dinner!

The twins on line at TSM

Lotso!

Us with the giant Coke

Waiting on line for pictures with Mike form Monsters Inc.

Now, immediately following…: Sunday Part 3!

Sunday Part 3 –

After lunch at Sci Fi we wanted to get some pictures with the characters. Twice we were turned away that day from posing with the characters by the big hat because we got on line too late, and the characters had to leave. But we finally make it at their last appearance at the hat, but we only have time to get pictures with Minnie, Pluto, and Goofy. Here are some of our photopass pictures:

We decided to go to the Animation gallery for more character pictures, and boy were we in luck! So many pictures to choose from!

Here are our Photopass pics with Lotso and Sorcerer Mickey

Lotso really does smell like strawberries!

Here are pics from CT2’s camera. These characters didn'’t have PP photographers.

I can’t remember what we did after that but I know we went on RnRC again. We all skipped ToT because no one likes free-falling!

Later that evening…my sisters all proclaim they have eaten the best dessert of the lives!! Stay tuned….

 

[tinacaplan]

Another update, another round of great pictures. I have to say that my favorite digital camera ever was a Canon, and it definitely was not the top of the line model. I think they just make good cameras.

So jealous that you all met Rafiki. I would so love to run into him on this trip.

 

[annmarieda]

Wow, look at all those characters!! I love the pictures. You and your sisters look like you had so much fun!

 

[natebenma]

Great pictures! What a fantastic time you are having doing Disney with your sisters!

Congrats on your newly booked trip! Can't wait to hear all about Aulani. I don't know anything about DVC and renting points. It's great that there is a such a great resource here to get info.

 

[onescgirl]

You were able to get a lot of cute character pics!
And, when has your hair ever looked bad???????
It looks beautiful in every picture! I would love to have your bad hair day!

 

[dtr_angel]

great updates! Now I am super excited for our trip. I don't think I have ever seen that many characters where Sorcerer Mickey is. I want to smell Lotso but I'm torn - he was such a bad guy in TS3 so I don't know if I want my picture with him LOL.

 

[TanzUnited99]

on visiting Aulani!! I can't wait to hear all about your stay.

I love all the pics from CT2's camera - they look amazing! Great cup and Goofy t shirt. I think your hair looks great in the 'windblown' photos. I would be happy with hair like that in September!!

How cool that you got to meet with so many characters! Where did you find Pinocchio and Geppetto?

Ooh the best dessert of your lives?? Looking forward to drooling at your pics!!