DH is a mailman...neither snow nor rain-Jan '11 TR (UPDATE 3/31)

[mgsmom]

Are you asking about the FW dock? The launch sign you just sent was the boat dock that leaves from MK right there under the monorail station. We go between CR and WL to get to the FW dock - you can't see it from the monorail.

There are also FW boats that go back and forth to CR and WL - which I love because it is a 5 min ride and we're on the monorail to Epcot! You can probably see the boat dock for CR from the monorail - it's on the backside of the resort.

 

[QuirkyButterfly]

Just a small question I forgot to ask before... How do you tell the difference between Chip and Dale? I can never remember, I don't want to insult them if we ever meet .

 

[FairyGodmotherJen]

Oooohhhh, I want to go in January/February!! I keep telling myself that someday our Christmas break is going to work out where we have enough days off after New Year's that we're going to make it. Someday....

Great pictures! It's great that you were able to hit whatever it was you wanted. I laughed, though...your girls were in hoodies, but wanted to go swimming, huh? Sounds like my three. They wouldn't hesitate! If I have to wear a hoodie, it's too cold to swim, heated pool or not!

 

[disneydreamingdebby]

I did, I did see that commercial during the Super Bowl! I told Charles afterwards that I wanted a Passat.

Great morning at the Magic Kingdom! I couldn't believe it when you said you left around 11 -- it seemed like you must have been there so much longer considering how much you got done. There's definitely something to be said about January.

Too funny about the gold high heels! Who wears those to tour a theme park?? Ridiculous!

We'll forgive you for not being a rule breaker and taking pictures behind-the-scenes. LOL!

I am glad you saw it! The heels ...

I really should have ridden Dumbo.

Have just come across your TR and what a journey to the airport! Am glad you still managed to make it to Orlando on time.

Love the pictures of Epcot and MK - what a great time to go to Disney. The crowds look non-existant and you managed to get through a lot!

Thanks for joining us. We enjoy our winter trips (we've taken two and plan on continuing.) It is nice to not have the crowds.

Are you asking about the FW dock? The launch sign you just sent was the boat dock that leaves from MK right there under the monorail station. We go between CR and WL to get to the FW dock - you can't see it from the monorail.

There are also FW boats that go back and forth to CR and WL - which I love because it is a 5 min ride and we're on the monorail to Epcot! You can probably see the boat dock for CR from the monorail - it's on the backside of the resort.

So, I am a bit disappointed...I have a great shot of a dock, but it mustn't be your dock. bummer. You'll have to identify it for me later.

Just a small question I forgot to ask before... How do you tell the difference between Chip and Dale? I can never remember, I don't want to insult them if we ever meet .

Chip has a chocolate chip on his nose. Think little chip...

Oooohhhh, I want to go in January/February!! I keep telling myself that someday our Christmas break is going to work out where we have enough days off after New Year's that we're going to make it. Someday....

Great pictures! It's great that you were able to hit whatever it was you wanted. I laughed, though...your girls were in hoodies, but wanted to go swimming, huh? Sounds like my three. They wouldn't hesitate! If I have to wear a hoodie, it's too cold to swim, heated pool or not!

I took three personal days for the trip. My dh can't take off during holiday weeks, so we just figure out the best time for me to miss school and go from there.

I also needed to take a sick day when we changed our flight (personal days require prior approval), but that day turned into a snow day, as did the next day. So I only missed two days (one was a two hour delay.)

They didn't stay in hoodies for long...actually, it was a bit warm at the pool, but more on that later.

 

[QuirkyButterfly]

Thanks for letting me know about Chip and Dale, That is a really good way to tell them apart. I know I remember it

 

[disneydreamingdebby]

Thanks for letting me know about Chip and Dale, That is a really good way to tell them apart. I know I remember it

Somehow I just thought "chip" and reversed it!

A little throwback story about Chip and Dale.

Emma was born with a nasal tip hemangioma. It developed when she was about 2 months old. It continued to grow quickly, we saw a specialist, and when she was three, the specialist said he would continue to wait and not remove it. I sought out one of THE specialists and we flew to California for her to have surgery. The day after her surgery, we went to Disneyland. Amist many odd looks and stares, we visited all of the characters. When we approached Chip and Dale, they made a huge fuss over Emma. They got her out of her stroller and loved her up. It really made an impression on me. In my heart, I was extra fond of Dale because he had a nose like Emma's.

Six months before surgery- 3rd birthday

Day after surgery - 3 and 1/2

 

[QuirkyButterfly]

Somehow I just thought "chip" and reversed it!

A little throwback story about Chip and Dale.

Emma was born with a nasal tip hemangioma. It developed when she was about 2 months old. It continued to grow quickly, we saw a specialist, and when she was three, the specialist said he would continue to wait and not remove it. I sought out one of THE specialists and we flew to California for her to have surgery. The day after her surgery, we went to Disneyland. Amist many odd looks and stares, we visited all of the characters. When we approached Chip and Dale, they made a huge fuss over Emma. They got her out of her stroller and loved her up. It really made an impression on me. In my heart, I was extra fond of Dale because he had a nose like Emma's.

I will have to post pics later for this tale.

What a beautiful end to your story. I can see why Chip and Dale are family favourites.

 

[disneydreamingdebby]

As I was leaving the park, I had to snap some shots!

Hungry yet????

We were...at the Mara DH and I bought a Turkey Ciabatta w fries and Zebra domes (of course!)

So, this is the picture I took...

I said we were hungry! Sorry, I couldn't find a picture to substitute for my forgetfulness!

I did remember to take the important shot...

Evidence of the swimming

I was wearing jeans with a fleece and flip flops. Needless to say, even though it was about 60 with a breeze, I had to change into shorts. The sun was so intense that my legs were burning like a marshmallow in a fire (okay, clearly a forced attempt here...but I am teaching imagery and figurative language...hehe)

After swimming, the girls were hungry. Did I add that they had treats before leaving the MK for swimming? DH picked up this for them from Mara...

We bought them very few children's meals. The quick serve credits aren't divided like table service for adult vs. child.

After the girls fueled up, we headed out to HS!

(I really wish I had a good picture of me in Disney...but I do like this of dh.)

I tried to get a pic for Jackie--hehe---look how miserable my child looks--I swear she wasn't unhappy but for a second!?! I had no idea until I looked at this pic later.

This evening was not going to be as productive as last!

So we enjoyed some sights:

continued next post

 

[disneydreamingdebby]

We enjoyed The Backlot Tour

I had to stop in for a cup of coffee (dh enjoyed coffee and carrot cake cookie - said it was great; girls choc chip cookie and a cupcake!)

I just want this place to be around the corner of my house!!!

I sent dh and girls to do ToT; I wanted to shop and take pics!

With such long wait times, a tired mom, and a bit of a chill, I decided that I didn't want to stay for Fantasmic.

Being on the counter service meal, and it still being early, I decided we could try Contempo Cafe. So, we hoped a bus to the Contemporary!

YUM! I highly recommend the beef flatbread

dh had the Mahi sandwich and enjoyed it...

girls split a burger

From the Contemporary, we jumped on the monorail, got off here: and waved:

Then we took our bus back to Jambo!

 

[NikkiLovesWDW!]

Wow, you can really see how much your girls look like your husband from that picture of him! Sorry, but they don't look like you AT ALL! Of course, they are pretty girl versions of him but still.....

 

[disneydreamingdebby]

Wow, you can really see how much your girls look like your husband from that picture of him! Sorry, but they don't look like you AT ALL! Of course, they are pretty girl versions of him but still.....

haha. Really, the one is a mini-me and the other a mini-him according to our families.(I say that Emma really looks exactly like his sister...I will have to post a picture of her.) Personalities match us too. In pictures at times they really look alike, but in reality, they really don't. Their faces are so different: eyes, nose, cheeks, etc. One day, after babysitting the girls, my dh's sis said, "Do I really act that bad?" referring to how my daughter is just like her when hungry and tired.

 

[QuirkyButterfly]

Looks like a very full day! You got so much done.

I can't decide what is better for us to do stay in one park all day or park hop around? Does travel time while park hopping cut into your touring time very much? I guess it is different if you only have limited time, you want to see as much as possible.

By the way I love the picture of the empty plate with a few olives left you must have been very hungry.

 

[TanzUnited99]

The pics of those snacks is making me drool!!!

Sounds like you had a great day, regardless of the long waiting times posted at DHS!

 

[mgsmom]

You're killing me with the dessert pics!!! I'm so hungry!

I'm enjoying your TR so much - you have some great pics! I think the one of you and DH is good of both of you - you look so happy and relaxed...

 

[TinkerbellLuvr7]

Wow your food from CR looked good! I went back to reread where you got it because I thought it was from DHS but I guess I overread the part that said CR! Looks like the pool was fun at AKL! When we stayed there in 2008 (dec) it was too cold but we did love the hot tubs!!!

 

[Queenofallthings]

Hi Debby...I didn't know you had started your TR....going back to read and then I'll comment!

 

[Charleston Princess]

This was my kind of update, Debby! Zebra domes, Bo, and Darth Vader! Your DD does look miserable next to Bo. Clearly, he was not working his magic on her.

I wish there was a place like the Writer's Stop right around the corner from my house, too. What a great place with coffee, treats, AND Disney books.

I had no idea the Contempo Cafe had such yummy choices. That Mahi sandwich looks delicious!

Oh, and I am totally craving Magic Kingdom fudge now!

 

[mgsmom]

Okay ladies - I'll ask at the risk of looking dumb...

What are zebra domes?

 

[disneydreamingdebby]

Okay ladies - I'll ask at the risk of looking dumb...

What are zebra domes?

no dumb questions (unless you spent $5000 on a Disney vacation and ask where the forbidden journey ride is...)

I looked it up because I am not a foodie and had no way to really answer...

Here is the recipe (I figured Jackie's daughter might decide to whip up a batch)

Recipe
1 pound milk chocolate
¼ cup espresso coffee
5 egg yolks
¼ cup + 1 tablespoon sugar
6 sheets gelatin
½ cup Kahlua Liqueur
4 cups heavy cream
¾ cup white chocolate ganache
¼ cup dark chocolate ganache
sponge cake (store-bought or your favorite recipe)
1. Melt milk chocolate.
2. Whip heavy cream to soft peaks.
3. Mix yolks with sugar.
4. Soften gelatin leaves in cold water.
5. Mix gelatin with Kahlua and coffee. Set bowl over hot water bath to dissolve the gelatin.
6. Fold ⅓ of whipped cream into the chocolate.
7. Add the yolks, then the gelatin mixture.
8. Fold in the rest of the cream.
9. Pour mousse in flexipan domes almost to the top.
10. Place sponge circle (¼” thick yellow cake cut in a circle) on top. Leave in the freezer to set.
11. Once hard, unmold and place in glazing racks.
12. Make white chocolate ganache and chocolate ganache.
13. Put chocolate ganache in a pastry bag. Ladle white chocolate ganache to cover each dome. Simultaneously, pipe a stripe design of chocolate ganache over the dome.
14. Refrigerate to allow the glaze to set.
15. Decorate the bottom edge with coffee crunch.
16. Place a chocolate covered coffee bean on the center of each dome.
Note: One sheet of gelatin is equal to one teaspoon of unflavored powdered gelatin dissolved in ¼ cup of water.

 

[tinkerbell60]

I lost you for a few weeks, but I am here now and totally enjoying the trip report. I am so glad you made it. I would love to go when the crowds are low like that - maybe someday!