Delicious Indeed!

[Cat0727]

I love walking around Epcot at night I'm glad you and Howard were able to have some alone time.

Mission:Space is a "never again" for me as well. I only rode the green side and it got me queasy! I can only imagine how the orange side is.

 

[IheartDDuck]

I take my job on Mission: Space very seriously too. Phooey on people who don't!

You had some Epcot day for sure.

 

[RachelNinja]

You've been updating like crazy girl! So glad you and Howard had a chance to enjoy Epcot on your own It's fun to travel with a group, but nice to be able to step back and go your separate ways sometimes too.

I tried Mission:Space green side once. Once was enough for me, I still felt sick. It wasn't so much the movement that got me, but the illusion of movement on the screen if that makes sense. The tight quarters didn't help either!

I didn't write any updates yesterday though, so I don't have anything to post today unless I write something now! I'm hoping the rest days don't take as long to write. It's a LOT of merchandise photos!

It really is nice to just walk around by ourselves. I mean, we LOVED going with them, and we are planning something for 2013 too, but splitting up so we could do what we wanted to do was the smartest move. There are only so many hours in each day!

Aww, it stinks that you felt sick from that ride. I was surprised that there was so much movement. I didn't expect it. But I can deal with simulator rides because I tell myself that I can always just close my eyes or look away.

I love walking around Epcot at night I'm glad you and Howard were able to have some alone time.

Mission:Space is a "never again" for me as well. I only rode the green side and it got me queasy! I can only imagine how the orange side is.

I would've liked to sit there a bit longer and enjoy the environment and let more people exit out of World Showcase so we could take our time and enjoy. I'm sure Howard would've liked to try taking some nighttime photos too!

Ugh, just reading about the orange side makes me feel sick! If the pressure is so heavy that it's difficult to move, how exactly are people who are sick supposed to reach for the bag and aim?! YUCK!

I take my job on Mission: Space very seriously too. Phooey on people who don't!

You had some Epcot day for sure.

Haha, NICE! It IS a very serious responsibility! When you're in WDW, it's all real ... no flaking! I hope that girl gets the magic back again.

Yup, and now it's time to move on! I'm hoping to get these TRs done so next year I can focus on the Disneymoon TR!

 

[NeverlandClub23]

LOVE the updates! I was debating on whether to try the green side during our trip in December. I think I'm going to opt out after reading your experience and the other people who've commented. Unless my bf rrreeeeaaaallllyyyy wants to go, I think my stomach and I would be better off without it. My brother went on the orange side during his last trip with us and he looked so green after (haha! maybe if he'd gone on the "green" side he would've looked more "orange" ), and he has a Super Stomach!

Is it too early to say that I can't WAIT to read about your Disneymoon?

 

[Jennifer48]

I've never heard of those Applause-O-Grams! Are they at all the parks in Guest Relations? I most definitely will use them. I don't think that enough CM's are thanked for their work

 

[RachelNinja]

LOVE the updates! I was debating on whether to try the green side during our trip in December. I think I'm going to opt out after reading your experience and the other people who've commented. Unless my bf rrreeeeaaaallllyyyy wants to go, I think my stomach and I would be better off without it. My brother went on the orange side during his last trip with us and he looked so green after (haha! maybe if he'd gone on the "green" side he would've looked more "orange" ), and he has a Super Stomach!

Is it too early to say that I can't WAIT to read about your Disneymoon?

Yeah, I pushed off trying the green side for a really long time, but I really felt like it was time, haha. It was late in the day, so I knew I'd be okay if for whatever reason I got a headache. I also knew we weren't having a park day the following day. Maybe it's not worth it if you don't want to deal with feeling sick!

Hehe, my Disneymoon PTR (not started yet) is what's getting me to work through this TR faster than I was before! Plus, I'm starting to forget details! Haha.

I've never heard of those Applause-O-Grams! Are they at all the parks in Guest Relations? I most definitely will use them. I don't think that enough CM's are thanked for their work

I didn't remember that that was what they were called, but I did know they had cards or forms to fill out at Guest Relations. I'm going to make sure I keep track of names so that I can fill them out again in the future! I can't recall if I told the person at the front of Le Cellier about Jeremy because I usually like doing that or asking for the manager. They deserve the credit!

 

[RachelNinja]

Tuesday, February 22: Yay for Rest Days!

On Tuesday morning, I woke up at a decent time. It was maybe 9 or so? Everyone else was still sleeping, I believe, so I got up and got ready. I'm so used to being up first anyway so I could take my time in the bathroom. I don't like feeling rushed at all. When I was done and ready to start the day, I went to mix the batter for potato pancakes. We had our food schedule, so it was easy to know what we were having on which day! Yup, we even planned our meals! Plus, the main reason we planned it so far in advance was so that we could bring stuff from home. I brought the potato pancake mixes from home so that we wouldn't have to buy it there (my mom buys it on sale, so it was much easier to just pay her for 2 boxes than buy it at Publix).

I don't remember if I woke Howard up or if he woke up on his own. I did very much like going over to his room and poking his face though, haha. He came out and took some pictures of my breakfast. So glad we had paper towels to soak up some of that grease!

I always have to get used to these pans because I'm very used to nonstick or anodized.

It required a lot of rounds because I was only using one pan. When we're there with my family, my mom has me use 2.

I think this was the last batch, but I didn't make any special Mickey heads. That's what I usually do with the last bit!

I guess as I was cooking, Howard went to take pictures of our view from the screened in balcony area (there was a table out there with chairs).

When we got the room, we were told that we could see Disney fireworks at night because we were all the way at the edge of the Orange Lake property. However, we were never there to see them (or we were too engrossed in the movie we were watching!).

Breakfast is served!

We bought bacon from the store on Sunday night, so when Ray and Dani got up, they quickly made that too. Yum! Gotta have protein, right?

Let's just de-grease that protein!

I love how the property is well-kept.

Here are some more pictures that Howard took that morning. First, this is one of Ray's purchases from the Japan pavilion from the night before. We also saw Dani and Nik's necklaces. They each picked a pearl and had them set. They had nice sized ones too! I think they were in the 7cm and up range because I told them to pick the ugliest, hairiest ones there. They listened and were rewarded! The CM there commented that they knew how to pick 'em too! I wish we were there to watch it, but again, there were only so many hours in the Epcot day!

I love Doritos even though they make my fingers orange. That was in the random basket thingie on the table that we used for all our snacks.

I brought some tea bags too, so I had to have some of that to help with the greasiness of breakfast!

Our lighting.

We really just relaxed that morning and just went online and took our time getting ready. Haha, you can see that I'm on Facebook. Oh, you can also see that our dining room table was actually pretty messy for the entire week with all our souvenirs and whatnot. That was because we ate our quick breakfasts at the counter (when we ate cereal at separate times on park days) and then our other meals in the living room area.

We weren't going to lounge ALL day long though. We had a plan! A Disney plan! And that included heading to Downtown Disney!

 

[wdwgirl03]

Woo hoo for doing Mission:Space! I enjoyed the pictures seeing as the only ones I have of it are from the outside. I just can't bring myself to try it.

That's awesome you did the Applause-o-gram. I have never heard of those but would totally do one for a great CM. For our last couple trips I've filled out the DVC surveys and they always ask about encounters with cast members who went above and beyond. I always try to atleast mention something positive-I feel like so many people on the DIS lately complain about the "magic" being gone. I guess I'm blind because I don't see it and you know how often we go! haha

 

[klacey1]

You've been such an updating machine lately, it's hard to keep up! It sounds like it was nice for you and Howard to go off by yourselves! I feel the same way about MS-- fun, but not twice in a row fun!
Potato pancakes? Never had them, but they look really good! Do they taste like hash browns?

 

[kathleen27]

Wow! Lots of updates!!!

Your bear is so cute. We love build a bear!

Nice pictures on Gran Fiesta.
Can't believe the people touching everything!

I'm glad you had fun with the Kim Possible missions! We haven't tried that yet!

I wasn't as impressed with the Kringle Bakery this year. We were there 3 years ago and coudn't decide what to get. This year we didn't see anything we wanted.

Its so nice that you and Howard were able to spend some alone time on the trip! It sounds like it worked out well so that everyone could do what they really wanted.

I don't remember hearing about the eggs on Test Track. I'll look for them next time.

Yikes! Mission Space.
I don't like either side very much. Glad you were able to get through it feeling ok.

That's really nice that you filled out an applause card. I didn't know you could do that!

We were in Epcot this night! (Monday)
We arrived pretty late. And started in World showcase.
I had dinner in China, then we headed to future world. Check he times board near test track, (yikes!), then rode Spaceship Earth, then Nemo. We spent a little time in the Seas pavillion, then were in the gift shop when Reflections started!

The potato pancakes look good! I've never heard of them. Maybe I'll look for them, I love anything potato! We often make Mickey head pancakes too!

 

[PirateKate]

I loved reading about the KP missions you did. We did Mexico and Norway, too and we also startled someone by making that skeleton dance.

It's so nice that you and Howard got some alone time to tour the way you wanted to. It sounds like such a great night.

I actually love the orange version of Mission Space. I didn't like the green version. It still seemed sickening, but without all of the cool effects.

 

[not_Joanna_eggs]

Ugh. I swear I commented, but the gremlins must have eaten my post Darn-it. Well let's just assume I was awesomely witty and funny in it and such a work of genius just can't be repeated

Glad you had a great waiter at Le Cellier! We had a waiter like that at Flying Fish once. He picked on me the entire meal! DH loved it It really made the meal memorable and fun. I think Howard is right, the look for a ring or name on the reservation to make sure it is "okay" to pick on the person.

The duffy costumes are cute. I have a BAB bear from DH, which we refer to as "broken bear" because he bought it as an apology for breaking both of my arms! So he is dressed with both arms in slings. I think it is time for a new costume though, so next trip I might need to check out the Duffy costumes.

Yay for the fake fireworks. Those are totally my happy place too

Yay for the KP mission in Norway. I would like to do it once when not in the midst of my bachelorette party. Though that made the CM interaction all that more hilarious!

DH wasn't sitting next to me, so I don't have anymore tips for you on what is what in the TT line this time

Yay for doing Mission Space! I totally feel you, we too take our MS jobs very seriously. Once we were in a pod by ourselves, just me and DH and we hit the other buttons, just to be safe

The Applause-o-gram is so cute. I don't think I've ever seen those before. Must make a mental note!

Sounds like a great Epcot day.

We really need to work on working "rest days" into our plans too. Can't wait to hear about yours!

 

[Nermel9]

Yay I'm so glad you went on Mission Space! The first time I went on, I was afraid to even look at the buttons when I had to push them, and I thought something bad would happen if I didn't, like I'd ruin the ride! I'm pretty sure Brandon reached over and pushed them for me! I was just so terrified of not looking straight ahead the whole time, I really thought I'd be the one to have to use a barf bag and that would have been embarrassing!

I love Spaceship Earth, I love listening to the music from the ride in my car all the time, and then when I hear it on SE, I'm like "OMG it's the music from my car"! I know, weird right?

I don't think I've ever heard of an Applause-o-gram! What a great idea! Where is guest relations in Epcot, anyway? Is that where you go when you need to upgrade your tickets? I'm going to have to go there our first day in October and get our Park Hoppers, since we are staying in Pop our first night, and our package with WL doesn't start til the 2nd day!

Mmm your pancakes look good!

 

[RachelNinja]

Woo hoo for doing Mission:Space! I enjoyed the pictures seeing as the only ones I have of it are from the outside. I just can't bring myself to try it.

That's awesome you did the Applause-o-gram. I have never heard of those but would totally do one for a great CM. For our last couple trips I've filled out the DVC surveys and they always ask about encounters with cast members who went above and beyond. I always try to atleast mention something positive-I feel like so many people on the DIS lately complain about the "magic" being gone. I guess I'm blind because I don't see it and you know how often we go! haha

I love that they have these ways of applauding the CMs. I really appreciate it when parents write a note or tell me I'm doing a good job, but I really like it when they write or tell the principal! I don't get anything out of it, but it's still nice for the higher ups to know that you're doing a good job.

I agree with you about people complaining about the magic being gone. If we encounter a rude CM (like the morning of Epcot when we were given wrong directions by the CM on the segway), it's annoying (and yes, I still write about it here, haha), but I still think that maybe he/she isn't having a good day. Maybe the CM doesn't feel well but still has to work. I know I have different moods at work because of that!

You've been such an updating machine lately, it's hard to keep up! It sounds like it was nice for you and Howard to go off by yourselves! I feel the same way about MS-- fun, but not twice in a row fun!
Potato pancakes? Never had them, but they look really good! Do they taste like hash browns?

I really want to get this done so I can start the Disneymoon PTR! The potato pancakes don't taste like hash browns. They don't have the same texture because it's made from batter. It's just something I grew up having because we didn't always want regular pancakes. I think hash browns are better, in my opinion, but these are much faster. No shredding required!

Wow! Lots of updates!!!

Your bear is so cute. We love build a bear!

Nice pictures on Gran Fiesta.
Can't believe the people touching everything!

I'm glad you had fun with the Kim Possible missions! We haven't tried that yet!

I wasn't as impressed with the Kringle Bakery this year. We were there 3 years ago and coudn't decide what to get. This year we didn't see anything we wanted.

Its so nice that you and Howard were able to spend some alone time on the trip! It sounds like it worked out well so that everyone could do what they really wanted.

I don't remember hearing about the eggs on Test Track. I'll look for them next time.

Yikes! Mission Space.
I don't like either side very much. Glad you were able to get through it feeling ok.

That's really nice that you filled out an applause card. I didn't know you could do that!

We were in Epcot this night! (Monday)
We arrived pretty late. And started in World showcase.
I had dinner in China, then we headed to future world. Check he times board near test track, (yikes!), then rode Spaceship Earth, then Nemo. We spent a little time in the Seas pavillion, then were in the gift shop when Reflections started!

The potato pancakes look good! I've never heard of them. Maybe I'll look for them, I love anything potato! We often make Mickey head pancakes too!

I always feel silly walking into Build a Bear, but I still do it anyway because it's so much fun! And my students know I have one too, so it's not that odd if I were seen, haha.

I'm hoping to explore more of the WS restaurants and bakeries next time, even if we're not getting anything to eat. I want to see what everyone else has eaten! Haha.

I have the things to make the Mickey pancakes, but I haven't used them yet! Haha.

I loved reading about the KP missions you did. We did Mexico and Norway, too and we also startled someone by making that skeleton dance.

It's so nice that you and Howard got some alone time to tour the way you wanted to. It sounds like such a great night.

I actually love the orange version of Mission Space. I didn't like the green version. It still seemed sickening, but without all of the cool effects.

I hope to try some of the other missions next year! It'll be easier with just Howard and me. Haha, only two big heads crowding the phone.

I wonder if we'll still be willing to ride the green side next time! Haha. Even though we were fine this time, I still think it's kind of a little nerve-wracking since it has the potential to get people sick.

Ugh. I swear I commented, but the gremlins must have eaten my post Darn-it. Well let's just assume I was awesomely witty and funny in it and such a work of genius just can't be repeated

Glad you had a great waiter at Le Cellier! We had a waiter like that at Flying Fish once. He picked on me the entire meal! DH loved it It really made the meal memorable and fun. I think Howard is right, the look for a ring or name on the reservation to make sure it is "okay" to pick on the person.

The duffy costumes are cute. I have a BAB bear from DH, which we refer to as "broken bear" because he bought it as an apology for breaking both of my arms! So he is dressed with both arms in slings. I think it is time for a new costume though, so next trip I might need to check out the Duffy costumes.

Yay for the fake fireworks. Those are totally my happy place too

Yay for the KP mission in Norway. I would like to do it once when not in the midst of my bachelorette party. Though that made the CM interaction all that more hilarious!

DH wasn't sitting next to me, so I don't have anymore tips for you on what is what in the TT line this time

Yay for doing Mission Space! I totally feel you, we too take our MS jobs very seriously. Once we were in a pod by ourselves, just me and DH and we hit the other buttons, just to be safe

The Applause-o-gram is so cute. I don't think I've ever seen those before. Must make a mental note!

Sounds like a great Epcot day.

We really need to work on working "rest days" into our plans too. Can't wait to hear about yours!

It must be fun to be able to work at a restaurant and pick on people, haha. I like those servers who can read people. I went to Outback a few months ago with Howard, and the guy was joking about everything. Then like, a few weeks later, I went with my family, and we had the same guy. He was just polite and still efficient, but he didn't joke around because of the atmosphere (haha, my family's too serious). I thought that was pretty cool.

Aww, that's so cute that you have "broken bear" ... although it's not so cute why you got it in the first place! It's fun that there are Disney costumes! BAB has Disney ones too in terms of character costumes, but the Duffy ones are World Showcase related!

I remember you also like the Mexico fireworks, so when we were there, I pointed it out to Howard. "JOANNA LIKES THIS TOO!"

I want to go back to TT and take pictures of the most random things and be like, "Chris probably knows what that is."

If you don't push the buttons on Mission: Space, what's the point of riding? What's the point of being in DISNEY WORLD?!? I think MOST kids go through a "I'm too old for this stuff" phase and have to act all cool. I just didn't think that little girl would have reached that stage already, but I guess everything starts earlier nowadays.

We were initially going to build rest days into our Disneymoon, but my friend convinced me to get park hoppers and go every single day instead! She was like, "You want the freedom since you're staying on property. If you're ever going to do it, now's the time!" So I'm very excited that I don't have to feel like I have to plan every single minute of every single day!"

Yay I'm so glad you went on Mission Space! The first time I went on, I was afraid to even look at the buttons when I had to push them, and I thought something bad would happen if I didn't, like I'd ruin the ride! I'm pretty sure Brandon reached over and pushed them for me! I was just so terrified of not looking straight ahead the whole time, I really thought I'd be the one to have to use a barf bag and that would have been embarrassing!

I love Spaceship Earth, I love listening to the music from the ride in my car all the time, and then when I hear it on SE, I'm like "OMG it's the music from my car"! I know, weird right?

I don't think I've ever heard of an Applause-o-gram! What a great idea! Where is guest relations in Epcot, anyway? Is that where you go when you need to upgrade your tickets? I'm going to have to go there our first day in October and get our Park Hoppers, since we are staying in Pop our first night, and our package with WL doesn't start til the 2nd day!

Mmm your pancakes look good!

Howard and I not only push the buttons, we follow all the directions with the joystick too! Haha, and we're loud and eager about it too. Like, "WHOA, to the left! C'mon!" We're idiots, haha.

HAHA, I love the "OMG it's the music from my car!" thing. Well, I listened to IllumiNations all the time before associating it with the show, so when I heard it there, I was like, "WHOA, it's like DIS Radio in REAL surround sound!" And I always think about you too because I know how much you love it! You're the reason I purposely went to listen to it in the first place!

Guest Relations can be found on the left side when you walk into the park. It's right past the little covered pathway by Spaceship Earth. The first thing you'll probably see is Art of Disney or whatever store is there. You have to walk farther down. I believe there's also a Guest Relations OUTSIDE of the turnstiles on the right side. I thought about going there to get the GAC, but I kept thinking they'd open the park earlier, and I didn't want to lose our spot in line. I would think that's where you'd go to do any ticket stuff since it's before the turnstiles.

PARK HOPPERS! First time Howard and I will have them will be during our Disneymoon!!! SO EXCITED!

 

[RachelNinja]

Tuesday, February 22: Pins Pins Pins!

We all got ready after our breakfast and headed to the car to go to Downtown Disney. I actually think we stopped by Walgreens though to pick up a sponge. Haha, I think that was the day. I know we definitely needed one on one of the mornings since we didn't bring one, and nothing came in the welcome package.

I believe I fell asleep on our way to Downtown Disney. I fall asleep ALL the time. I guess because I was the first one up and on my feet for a long time making breakfast, the moving car just lulled me to sleep. Apparently, Howard did get lost or he turned left too soon or too late or something. Haha. Too bad I wasn't up! I don't think it was that difficult finding parking, so that was a relief.

Oy, this is why people write their trip reports right away! I know that one of our first stops was the pin store. I was curious to see what they had. There's always small part in the back of my mind that just hopes and wishes that there will be a pin for the Tomorrowland Transit Authority! I know they had a People Mover one a long time ago, but a newer one would be awesome! This is not the TTA pin ... or a pin at all ...

These are some of the pins that Howard and I saw and photographed. We are firm believers of the whole "if you take a picture of it, it's like you own it!" Here are the ones I photographed:

I love FOOD pins!

I don't know why I took a picture of this one. Maybe in the spirit of our ADR later that week? Maybe it was right next to the others I was photographing?

Yeah, not so sure about this one either!

I am ALWAYS on the lookout for a Grumpy shirt where the image isn't so large and in your face. Most Grumpy shirts are for guys.

I will be Mrs. and Howard will be Mr.!

I initially thought these Vinylmation were cute because you knew which one you were getting. Then I started enjoying everyone else opening their boxes!

I like this one because of Scrump!

I also like pins that have the characters on the rides.

I liked seeing this display case of pins because of the DeeBee pins! My former student had told me about the DeeBees because I hadn't heard about them before. They're little creatures that run around the park at night, and some of them have adopted aspects or dressed like their favorite lands or rides. In class, when another student suddenly yelped because she thought something bit her on the leg, I said, "Maybe it was a DeeBee" and the other kid and I were the only ones cracking up about that!

These are the ones that Howard photographed:

As simple as these are, I think they're really cute and classic.

Howard likes Steamboat Willie. We had so much fun seeing him last year in Fantasmic.

When the Cuties first came out, I loved them. Now they have so many other cute versions of the characters like the Pook-a-Looz and such.

More pins!

I do love the characters as babies!

If this weren't so expensive, I would've gotten this for Howard because he is obsessed with Tron. The only thing is that we have kind of stayed away from pins because of the cost AND because we like getting inexpensive ones and trading!

Haha, neither of us like sports. Don't know why he took this! I guess cuz we're supposed to like the Yankees?

These geeky ones are more his style.

We'll most likely be at WDW during Star Wars Weekends during our honeymon, so Howard's going to have a blast. I said I'd try giving the movies another try (as a kid, I watched the original trilogy ... recently I tried but couldn't get through the newer ones).

Elvis Stitch.

Okay, that's it for pins, but that isn't it for merchandise pictures! What else is there to do at DTD? Oh, people actually buy things ... maybe we'll do that later ...

 

[Jennifer48]

Howard should stick to Vinylmations, I think the pins are more expensive and its too addicting!

You don't HAVE to like the Yankees!

 

[SoonerGirl]

Everytime I walk into Pin Traders I walk out of there with at least half a dozen pins! They are very addicting once you start buying them......

 

[Bridora]

I'm still here, just playing catch-up!

Great updates! I really enjoy reading about your trip...you guys are a fun bunch! Here are a few of the things I wanted to comment on:

Your videos are awesome! I especially enjoyed the Soarin' seat-belt and Club Cool videos...I love how they capture the fun you all had.

HWB is so cute! My daughter has a Build a Bear monkey named Conrad that has the same striped hoodie...only he wears it sans pants and his little belly sticks out a bit.

I absolutely love the Mexico pavilion and always try to capture that atmosphere in pictures...it is hard to do! I love to eat inside as well and watch the boats as they go by. The fireworks on the ride are one of my favorite parts as well; and I am right there with you on rules! DH is always teasing me about being a stickler for rules and I always point out that rules exist for a reason!!!

I like all your shopping pictures...I still think that's a great idea; I just need to practice that more often! That Magic Kingdom Vinylmation in one of your last updates was cute...I haven't seen that one before.

Can't wait for more!

 

[RachelNinja]

Howard should stick to Vinylmations, I think the pins are more expensive and its too addicting!

You don't HAVE to like the Yankees!

We do have some pins though that we bought from the outlet in 2010 for 50 cents each. That's really why we went back to the outlet on that Sunday. We were hoping to get more! I can't believe we only bought 20. We should've bought them ALL!!!

Haha, I guess I don't HAVE to like the Yankees, but I was raised in a Yankees family. In actuality, I don't really have a preference. I just support any of the NY teams (and by support, I mean, I know the names of the teams ...)!

Everytime I walk into Pin Traders I walk out of there with at least half a dozen pins! They are very addicting once you start buying them......

I think the fun is in trading them, and if I bought them there, I wouldn't ever trade! Of course, there are still those few that I am always looking out for, like the ones that really have a sentimental meaning behind them. Howard bought me an IASW pin during the middle of the year because I really wanted that pin in Virtual Magic Kingdom. He was able to trade someone and get it for me, so it was so sweet that he got it for me in real life too since VMK closed!

I'm still here, just playing catch-up!

Great updates! I really enjoy reading about your trip...you guys are a fun bunch! Here are a few of the things I wanted to comment on:

Your videos are awesome! I especially enjoyed the Soarin' seat-belt and Club Cool videos...I love how they capture the fun you all had.

HWB is so cute! My daughter has a Build a Bear monkey named Conrad that has the same striped hoodie...only he wears it sans pants and his little belly sticks out a bit.

I absolutely love the Mexico pavilion and always try to capture that atmosphere in pictures...it is hard to do! I love to eat inside as well and watch the boats as they go by. The fireworks on the ride are one of my favorite parts as well; and I am right there with you on rules! DH is always teasing me about being a stickler for rules and I always point out that rules exist for a reason!!!

I like all your shopping pictures...I still think that's a great idea; I just need to practice that more often! That Magic Kingdom Vinylmation in one of your last updates was cute...I haven't seen that one before.

Can't wait for more!

I am a HUGE fan of videos even if the quality isn't that great. They take me back to the moment in a way that pictures can't. The sounds really trigger all these memories!

Haha, Conrad sounds like a cutie!

I'm all about rules for EVERYTHING. I even get annoyed with drivers who don't follow the rules. I'm exactly like you ... they're there for a reason! Wish my students would realize that too!

We'll have way more shopping pictures ahead! The thing that also helps is knowing what we want to get. Like we knew that we wanted to get stuff from Mickey's Pantry for our apartment, so it helped minimize buying elsewhere.

 

[RachelNinja]

Tuesday, February 22: Wandering Around DTD

We continued shopping at DTD because we still had time to kill before meeting up with the 3 of them and having lunch. Oh, for those of you who are friends with me on Facebook, I apologize that these are pretty much the same exact captions. Haha, there really isn't much to write when showing merchandise pictures. But an added bonus is that Howard's pictures are in here too!

This was the duffel promotion this year. You could buy it for a price if you spent a certain amount. I'm so glad I got the 2010 one because it was so much bigger (it's the one I used on this vacation, and I use it for church retreats too)! This is like an overnight bag.

The other thing to get with a certain dollar amount purchased was this blanket. We thought about it, but looking at the size measurements, we figured it'd be too small.

I LOVE puzzles, but I think I'd get frustrated with this 1000 piece. I like the good ol' 500 pieces that are more cartoon-y, so it's easier to match colors, haha.

This Duffy can chase after you. Or at least in my mind it can, which is why I stayed away.

They had all the teeny-tiny collector packs, of course, but I didn't get one this year because I got the ones I wanted last year with one pack + trading!

Creepy! Haha, where are the Ewoks banging away on these heads?

Cute notebooks! Love that they have Mickey ears and such!

If I knew these lasted forever and were good geeky pens, I would've gotten this set for Howard. He uses the Sharpie things though, at least when he was sketching the other day.

I wanted these. I really did, but I couldn't justify the price. I put them down and said I'd think about it.

We left Once Upon a Toy and passed by a really bright Earl of Sandwich. Ahh, we were hungry at that point, but it wasn't our meeting time yet.

Howard and I then headed to the ghetto Lego store. They were fixing up the real one, so we were in this huge yellow tent that was harsh on the eyes because it cast a yellow tint on everything. We saw the huge Harry Potter set.

I took pictures as Howard looked around. It was very crowded in there. Not only was the area very small and covered in yellow, there were also a ton of kids just running around. Yes, I do know that we're in Disney World, and that means kids running around. But for some reason, it was rather annoying in this store, maybe because of how it was set up.

That didn't stop Howard from having fun browsing!

I don't get how people could be enticed to buy things with this yellow tint. I can't even look at these pictures for that long.

There was one set I thought was cool ... the Death Star!

Haha, with its hefty $399.99 price! I have a video of this, so I'll post that later. It was cool because there was a scene for each "room," and I was making up the non-Star Wars dialogue for it! That's why I liked the set, haha.

The next stop was Mickey's Pantry. HF and I had $100 to spend as an engagement present, and I knew it would be spent here! There were so many things I wanted for our future kitchen because we would never buy all those things with our own money. This was cool, but it wasn't one of things we purchased.

This wasn't one of the things either.

Haha, this shirt was hilarious. I love that random CM behind me, haha.

We also stopped by Goofy's Candy Co to look around. I really wanted to make a treat this trip!

Then we saw all the wonderful snacks. We were definitely going to buy some of these! My Disney friend from home (she's the mom of one of my former students) gave me a $30 gift card before I left for this trip because I was really sick and in pain the day before and she wanted to cheer me up. She told me to spend it on something really yummy and delicious, so I bought snacks with it!

(continued in next post)