Disney Vacay with the Love Bugs (New 6/23 update ~ Chef Mickeys)

[onescgirl]

That's a really nice picture of Lexi and Levi. I think the family one after that looks pretty nice too.

I've never seen a "magic" shot without the magic. Bummer.

Way to score a window seat!

Thanks. We actually have a few "magic" shots w/out the "magic".
They must be having cut-backs in the editing department.

Hi! Love your TR! Thanks for the post links, both at the beginning of the TR and at the end of each post. Makes it so much easier to follow along. Your kids are so beautiful! I always thought twins would be really cool.

I love a TR with links!
Having twins has been wonderful! I tease about Levi always picking on his sister, but they are REALLY close. They're either fighting or loving each other all day, but they're always together.

I love Lexi's dress! Did you make it or have someone else?

Ugh, that crane would've made me so mad!

We love eating at CRT! Isn't it so neat in there?! How awesome you got a table by the window. We haven't been for breakfast before, so we'll have to try it!

Lexi's dress was made, but not by me. I ordered it on Ebay from someone that makes them. You just pick out the material choices & give the measurements. That's much easier for me.

It was pretty cool eating in the CRT & I still can't believe we scored a window seat! I was prepared to not get one.

GREAT UPDATE!!! Although I worked at BBB, I've never eaten at CRT. It was always a huge goal of mine when I lived down there and it never came true! Oh well, gotta leave some things undone for the future!!

The food looks great too! Do you think the price (OOP) would have been worth it..same with your 2 credits to TS. Having kids for sure would make it worth to me..just once like you said but as adults, I would feel maybe like I would get a better value for 2 credits at a signature restaurant?? What's your opinion on it??? The food looked yummy!!

Ps.. your dress is super cute! It looks like black and blue ones that I have from Old Navy!

I didn't think it would be worth using 2 of our TS credits, so we paid OOP for that meal. I chose brkfst since it would be the cheapest meal.
I think it would be worth it to do once, but I don't think I would want to pay OOP for lunch/dinner because of price difference.
The food was great & it's all-you-can-eat. You can ask them to bring out more of anything that you have.
Thanks for the dress compliment. It was super cool & comfortable for the parks. It would have been nice to wear more sundresses at the parks since they're more comfortable than t-shirts/shorts, but I couldn't keep from wearing Disney t-shirts!

Great update!!! I LOVE the pictures you were able to get on Main Street (too bad the PP pictures had the crane still... ) But still, they are GREAT!

Wow, your breakfast at CRT looked like such a fun time... especially with the window seat upgrade!!! The pictures make we want to go there now too!!! (my restaurant list increases practically by the day!)

I did not get my hopes up for a window seat because I knew we probably would not get one. I was so excited that we did!

There are so many restaurant choices, it's hard to pick which one to go to. I was stressing months over it & was still making changes until the week before the trip.

I am catching up slowly but I think I am all caught up now! That is a great plan to head down for 1 day before checking into WDW. It looks like you all had a long drive but at least you managed to get your nails done before your first day, LOL. I always get a pedicure before vacation too. It's my start of vacation indulgence! LOL

It's hard to get caught up once you've been away for a while.
A girl's gotta get her nails done!
I was bummed I didn't have the time to get the pedicure before the trip, but I had one the day after we got back. That ended up working better for me because my feet was aching after all that walking!

Your first day at Epcot sounds like so much fun! We love Akershus and Biergarten too! Your family outfits are so cute, and I love the way you decorated your windows.

Thanks!
Belle at MK looks like the same Belle as at Akershus but with the different outfits!

I didn't realize that until you said that, but I went back & looked & I think it is the same Belle!!! I just thought they both were gorgeous Belle's, I didn't even realize it may be the same one!

Can't wait to read the rest of your TR!!

Such beautiful pictures! The kids must have been so excited to find out about CRT. I always try to keep certain things about our Disney trips secret but I get so excited that I always end up telling everyone! I love the pic of Lexi and Levi walking up the ramp to the castle it looks like they are all alone in the park. How annoying about the crane - I wonder if it will still be there when we go in January.

I have a hard time keeping secrets too. I wanted to keep where we were staying at a secret, but that slipped out before we went.
Lexi & Levi walking up the ramp is another favorite picture of mine. It was neat no one else was around so I could get the shot.
I think by looking at other TR, the crane is gone. You will be going in perfect weather in Jan!

 

[JPFamilyMom]

GREAT update. love an empty mainstreet in the am. What a great surprise for the kids. I was going to also offer to edit the crane out for you, but glad someone else is able to do it for you. I love Lexi's dress. And the shot of the two of them is too cute.

 

[skier_pete]

Such beautiful pictures! The kids must have been so excited to find out about CRT. I always try to keep certain things about our Disney trips secret but I get so excited that I always end up telling everyone! I love the pic of Lexi and Levi walking up the ramp to the castle it looks like they are all alone in the park. How annoying about the crane - I wonder if it will still be there when we go in January.

Not to step on Onescgirl's thread - but you COULD have the crane in January, depending on when you are going - they bring it in to take the lights off the castle shortly after the holidays. However, a lot of times it is still up first thing in the morning, but then they tuck it back down behind the castle mid-day....so even if you see it up in the morning, check back later to see if it's down.

(You can tell I've spent too much of my life thinking about that crane! )

 

[onescgirl]

I've finally found time to catch up on everyone's TR's, looks like you all had a great start to your vacation. The GPS can be confusing sometimes, she told us to exit straight and we were suppose to turn right. Oh well. Glad you got to explore DTD. Looks like a very fun first day in the parks, what a great Epcot day.

I love my GPS, but it has screwed me up several times.
I'm glad you're caught up! I feel like it's hard staying caught up.
We had a great 1st day at Epcot!

Great update Amy!

I love how excited the kids got when you told them where you were really going for breakfast! There is something truly magical about eating there...everyone should do it once!

Love the pic of the kids too...it's great....but I also like the one family shot!! You have a beautiful family!!!!

They were really excited which made it more fun!
Thanks for the picture compliments.

Ugh...the crane! We had the crane in 1997 (the were taking down the 25th anniversary cake), in 2000, (castle repair work) and 2006 (taking down the castle bling from when they put all that gold crud on the castle). When we went in 2007 - there was finally NO CRANE. We were so excited...our friends we went with thought we were nuts, shouting "No Crane, No Crane!" down Main Street. The crane was up one of the days in '08 - but since then we've been pretty fortunate.

They SHOULD make a Photopass template that you can cover the crane with!

CRT is super-overpriced for what you get - but sort of HAVE to do it at some point...we did it twice with free dining in '07 and '08 - Felt it was better because it was "free" - DD wants to do it again, I'm thinking maybe next year.

It's nice that Lexi said it was her favorite meal of the trip - kinda makes that price worth it. Right?

I never did know what the crane was even doing to the castle that week?

CRT is over-priced but the demand is there, so I guess they can charge it. And, you're right, free-dining makes it not-so-bad. We did pay OOP, but it was the only meal we paid OOP.
I'm glad I booked it & it did make it worth it since Lexi said it was her favorite meal.

 

[mickeystoontown]

How fun that you were able to surprise the kids with a meal at Cinderella's Royal Table! They looked like they were super excited when you gave them the news.

 

[onescgirl]

GREAT update. love an empty mainstreet in the am. What a great surprise for the kids. I was going to also offer to edit the crane out for you, but glad someone else is able to do it for you. I love Lexi's dress. And the shot of the two of them is too cute.

Having the empty streets gives you enough motivation to get up early for those brkfst reservations!
Thanks for Lexi's dress compliment. I love the pillowcase dresses!

Not to step on Onescgirl's thread - but you COULD have the crane in January, depending on when you are going - they bring it in to take the lights off the castle shortly after the holidays. However, a lot of times it is still up first thing in the morning, but then they tuck it back down behind the castle mid-day....so even if you see it up in the morning, check back later to see if it's down.

(You can tell I've spent too much of my life thinking about that crane! )

You're right, we did get a few shots that the crane would not be in the way, but it was very random.

 

[onescgirl]

How fun that you were able to surprise the kids with a meal at Cinderella's Royal Table! They looked like they were super excited when you gave them the news.

They were super excited & it made it that much more special!

 

[Dancegrl624]

I LOVE early morning at the MK!!! It's just so gorgeous. We finally ate at CRT this past trip and it's so pretty inside. Madison loved it too!

 

[disneydreamingdebby]

Great pictures!!! Shame about the crane... We ate at CRT our first trip; happy we did, I think it is great to do it once.

 

[laashley]

Boo on the crane. Love the pic of Levi and Lexi. Sounds like the whole CRT experience was wonderful. I'm sure the kids joy made the costly meal worth it!

 

[klacey1]

I love Lexi's dress-- the matching sneakers are adorable! Sorry you didn't get the perfect Christmas card picture, but the castle PP pics are still great! I know I said it before, but your family is just beautiful!
Glad everyone enjoyed breakfast-- what a great table!

 

[onescgirl]

I LOVE early morning at the MK!!! It's just so gorgeous. We finally ate at CRT this past trip and it's so pretty inside. Madison loved it too!

It is totally worth getting up early to be there early in the morning!
I bet Madison did enjoy eating in the castle for the 1st time.

Great pictures!!! Shame about the crane... We ate at CRT our first trip; happy we did, I think it is great to do it once.

It is great to do at least once. And, I'm sure Lexi will want to eat at CRT again.

Boo on the crane. Love the pic of Levi and Lexi. Sounds like the whole CRT experience was wonderful. I'm sure the kids joy made the costly meal worth it!

It was worth it to eat in the castle

I love Lexi's dress-- the matching sneakers are adorable! Sorry you didn't get the perfect Christmas card picture, but the castle PP pics are still great! I know I said it before, but your family is just beautiful!
Glad everyone enjoyed breakfast-- what a great table!

I love those sneakers too! I wish now I bought two pairs because she wears them all the time. They're not black & white anymore, more like black & dirt
Thanks for the compliments

 

[onescgirl]

I hope everyone had a great Thanksgiving! I went shopping from 10:00 pm Thursday till 1:00 pm on Friday! I go every year with my sister & mom and we love the tradition. This was my 1st time staying out all night. I had a great time & was able to get everything I wanted, but I sure was tired yesterday!

Brad had braces while we were in WDW. He never would smile big in our pictures while he had braces. His braces were taken off last week & he looks so handsome with his new big smile!

TR-

We left the castle & headed for the rides in a near empty park.
We, minus Brad, rode the teacups & were the ONLY ones on the ride.

We went to one of our favorite rides in the park, SPACE MOUNTAIN!
We LOVE this ride! I am terrified of rollercoasters, but WDW coasters are just my style since they don’t have loops & gigantic hills.
I like how they’ve started taking a picture on the ride. It would even nicer if they included it for free on Photopass CD’s like Test Track pictures.

We did Buzz, speedway, visited Minnie & Mickey’s house & rode Goofys Barnstormer. Do you think they will get rid of Minnie & Mickey's house for good? It's hard for me to imagine they would do that.

Lexi wanted her picture made with Tinkerbell . The wait said 15 minutes & a CM told us that would be shortest wait of the day. We wait in line about 15 minutes, then they let a group of people (including us) through the door, we’re in! No, it’s another hall to wait in. We wait another 30 minutes. Then we’re finally let in the real door to meet Tinkerbell.
I only know Tinkerbell from the movie Peter Pan. We’ve never watched the Tinkerbell movies, so I don’t know this Fairy’s name.

I don’t remember what all Tinkerbell was doing or saying to Lexi, but she was super funny & cute!

This was probably Levi’s lowest point of the week. It’s our 1st day/morning at WDW & he’s wanting to go to the rides, but he has been waiting for fairies.
He was very content to wait by the wall, but the fairies were not.

They called him over & I loved how they interacted with him!

I thought this fairy was the best & she cracked me up. Lexi & Levi don’t seem to know what to think of her.

I’m gonna have to rent a Tinkerbell movie so I can see these other fairy characters.


We left & rode SM again. Too bad we never planned any cool SM pics. You can see Lexi kept her eyes close.

We rode several more rides & then went back to CBR for a swim.
We finally get to see our resort for the 1st time




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[Momof2Disneyboys]

Great update! Looks like a very fun day! I tried to sneak into the meet & greet line for the Fairies, but the boys were having no part of it. We've never seen the new Tinkerbell movies either.

I wish they would put the Space Mtn pics on the photopass card too! I don't understand why Test Track is the only ride you can do that at. Seems like it should be all or nothing.


I can't wait to hear what you thought of CBR and the pool!

 

[jenbear123]

I've never been in to meet the fairies. The wait is always ridiculous...plus now that I think of it, I can't remember where they are! That evil fairy looks hilarious. I have no idea who she is either

 

[disneydreamingdebby]

I love that Lexi wanted to see the Tink and that Levi is patient about it! Don't you wish SM had four seats in a car? I hate that I can't get my whole family in a picture...then again, I guess it is a nice feature for families of three!

 

[onescgirl]

Great update! Looks like a very fun day! I tried to sneak into the meet & greet line for the Fairies, but the boys were having no part of it. We've never seen the new Tinkerbell movies either.

I wish they would put the Space Mtn pics on the photopass card too! I don't understand why Test Track is the only ride you can do that at. Seems like it should be all or nothing.


I can't wait to hear what you thought of CBR and the pool!

Maybe one day you can sneak & see the fairies!
I don't understand why ride pics are not included. It's strange TT is the only one. I never see anyone buying the ride pictures.

I've never been in to meet the fairies. The wait is always ridiculous...plus now that I think of it, I can't remember where they are! That evil fairy looks hilarious. I have no idea who she is either

Only see them in the morning. If a 15 min wait was really 45 minutes, I can't imagine how long of a wait it would be later in the day.
We do not like waiting for characters. We only do it if it's a short line. But, the fairies were great to meet!

I love that Lexi wanted to see the Tink and that Levi is patient about it! Don't you wish SM had four seats in a car? I hate that I can't get my whole family in a picture...then again, I guess it is a nice feature for families of three!

Levi's learned to be patient with the girly stuff .
SM is one of the only rides geared towards 3 instead of 2 or 4. You're right, I guess it is nice for families of 3. I noticed we can see the 4th persons legs in the 1st picture, so I guess we all are in one picture, kindof!

 

[chunkymonkey]

I like your SM pics, they came out so nice. Everyone looks so good in them! I don't know why but everytime I rode SM, my pic came out so unflattering and just plain terrible so I usually wince everytime I see myself. I think it just takes it at a really unflattering angle on me. But you guys look great!

 

[marvali]

Just wanted to check in and say Hi Amy! Hope you had a good Thanksgiving holiday and weekend.

 

[jc040404]

Love that the fairies pulled Levi in! Our first time meeting them, we had no clue who the others were either. I remember being directed to one and going the wrong way. Glad to know someone else hopped in line for characters they didn't know! The newer movies are on Disney Channel lately, if you are really that interested.

And since I've fallen behind.. Your castle breakfast looked wonderful! It was so nice to read something positive about going there. Too often, I've seen nothing but complaints about being rushed and the food being awful. It's kept me from trying it. Glad you had a nice time!