DONE 7/28!! My Life on the DVC Blacklist - an August '09 Pre-Trip.

[PrincessV]

Oh, V - the pictures are amazing!

Thank you!

Leo is adorable. I like the new color combo on your hair-are you straightening it more?

Thanks! Sort of - it's decided it's not so curly anymore so I'm blow-drying it most days. It no longer requires a flat iron - it's doing that just with the blow-dryer... in RAIN!

It is not horrible

But it's not great, either. When I looked through all my pics and saw my new shorts after the skort it was instantly clear which was the more flattering, lol!

Honestly, Leo just keeps getting more and more adorable

Thank you! I absolutely love photographing him - when he's feeling cooperative.

I love the fact that you and he picked out your ADRs together. I guess that is a big benefit to having an only child. If I tried that I would get 5 different answers and whichever I picked I would be accused of playing favorites, always doing what he/she wants to do, we never do what they want to do, etc.

The flip side, though, is that the only child expects to always have his way.

Oh, and I'm an only, too. Picture two of us duking it out for who gets his/her own way daily!

I learned that lesson last year. Although the storm we came in on got me a DVC contract.

We loooove Fay!!!

Awwww... cute! Evan just asked if we can steal your ducks. He's going through a phase....I hope. Either that or I see an orange jump suit and some shackles in his future.

Just wait - Leo wanted to bring someone home, too.

Awesome pictures! And I agree...you look cute (in a platonic kind of way! ) in the skort so don't get rid of it.

Aww, thank you! That stupid skort drove me nuts though; the waistband kept expanding all day until it was barely staying up.

we have come to learn that when you go often enough(several time a year) it seems the plans are ALWAYS changing

SO true!

AMAZING PICS V!!You are so VERY talented.

Thanks T2!

WOW...Your pics looks amazing''


They look like they could be postcards

And thank you, too!

Now, you know Leo is going to spurt out his new saying at the "wrong" time!

OMG, you know it!

 

[PrincessV]

And you were at the Poly. QUOTE]
Exactly!

Great pics, V!

Thanks Mr. T!

Wow, V, those photos are amazing. I know it was a pain, but hauling the camera was worth it !

It totally was worth it... but I seriously doubt I'll be willing to schlep it around again for a long time!

This is the part where the plan becomes something like gas, right? This too, shall pass?

Tambu has a ceiling??? I must admit, I've never looked any higher than the lid on the blender...

BWAHAHAHAHA!!!! That's virtually what I said out loud when we sat there, "Oh wow, I've never looked up there before, and I've spent a LOT of time in this place!"

Yeah, we'll have Leo saying cute stuff like that and then there's Michael..."this ride sucks"... YAY - can't wait!!!

Only Leo's not very cute these days. Chances are good he'll wind up in Small World Hell, too.

Actually it was more like "this ride is LAME!"

And it was!

 

[dlwharp]

Tambu has a ceiling??? I must admit, I've never looked any higher than the lid on the blender...

Me neither - I am already dreaming about the Lapu Lapu (or 21 ) I'm going to have in August

 

[lazydoxy66]

What a bummer. Rain and luggage problems are the pits.
I can't get over how cute Leo is. He must like to have his picture taken. 'That's money baby'.

 

[DisneyJo]

"I think our server has a fake British accent. Do you know her Jo? "

I did see that one and replied to you Miss cheeky

But, thanks to having all plans foiled, I snagged some really pretty shots, if I may be so immodest as to say so. Enjoy!

Beautiful photos V and Leo is growing so fast!!!!

 

[lovemyblt]

SHeeesh I missed the whole weekend & week with my cold..... I finally caught up.

Love the pictures and I love that you "took time to stop and smell the roses"
I can't tell you how many times I have looked at someones pictures and gone "Where is that? I never saw that"

Leo is adorable!

 

[askelton]

I love your pics too!

 

[puggymom]

"I think our server has a fake British accent. Do you know her Jo? "

BWAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHA

Lesson 1: Be Flexible. Or, Don’t Plan Squat for Day One

I have to agree, I past making a PLAN, jsut plan what park for what days to avoid the crowds.

Don’t we look happy? Appearances can be deceiving.

Uh-oh

Darn, he just gets cuter, doesn't he!

 

[DisneyJo]

BWAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHA

And your point is?????? How did I know you'd find that funny? LY/MI

 

[puggymom]

And your point is?????? How did I know you'd find that funny? LY/MI

Because you know me so well

 

[TheDISneyFamily]

I feel like I'm stalking Mo... LOL! I've posted right behind her at each TR...

HOLY COW! Amazing pics, V! These were taken with the big camera? Yes, you need to take it with more often, even if it is a pain. It's the price we have to pay for great photography. You really have talent & a good eye. Tell Leo that we can't wait to see him again!

 

[jordanyosh]

Okay V..all caught up! You have a great writing style.........

 

[GreatBiscuit]

Awesome update! Loved the photos. The random sandle on a post shot was priceless!

 

[sharkB8HooHaHa]

LOVE the pictures! And the ducklings. I'm often tempted to start quacking and divert them from their proper momma so I can take them home. But them I remember that they grow into big ducks with big duck poo.

I figure one of these days I'll drink a lapu or 21 with you girls and all I'll see is the ceiling of Tambu...or the tile in the bathroom.

Hugs for Leo on his last day of school

 

[PrincessV]

I am already dreaming about the Lapu Lapu (or 21 ) I'm going to have in August

I can't get over how cute Leo is. He must like to have his picture taken.

Ah, but only some days. Trust V - you'll see!

I did see that one and replied to you Miss cheeky

Beautiful photos V and Leo is growing so fast!!!!

Thanks Jo - I can't believe how grown up he looks all of a sudden!

I can't tell you how many times I have looked at someones pictures and gone "Where is that? I never saw that"

Me too! It's amazing that I've been to WDW literally 100's of times and still find new things!

I love your pics too!

Thank you! We so need to schedule a group shoot with Jordan when she gets there.

BWAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHA

I totally thought of you when I Tweeted that Mo!

HOLY COW! Amazing pics, V! These were taken with the big camera? Yes, you need to take it with more often, even if it is a pain. It's the price we have to pay for great photography. You really have talent & a good eye.

Aw shucks - thanks Michelle! I just might bring it in Aug, but with the lighter lens. It's not as good, but my neck is STILL hurting.

Okay V..all caught up! You have a great writing style.........

Hey Jordan! Thank you!

The random sandle on a post shot was priceless!

Poor Gramma could not figure out why I was photographing it. I knew I wouldn't be the only one to find it funny!

I figure one of these days I'll drink a lapu or 21 with you girls and all I'll see is the ceiling of Tambu...or the tile in the bathroom.

YES!!!

 

[PrincessV]

Moving on, once I’d snapped too many photos and we’d determined that the rain wasn’t going to give us a break, and our room still wasn’t ready, we (I) decided to just head over to Epcot, since our dinner reservation was there anyway.

Minus a Plan, we did some exploring by the seats of our pants and really enjoyed the little things! Things like…

The Flower & Garden Festival

Minnie’s Butterfly Garden (where we watched several butterflies come out of their cocoons!)

We grabbed a “snack” and basked in the sunny views of Mexico:

Somewhere in there, we managed to ride Spaceship Earth and the Mexican ride. But it didn’t take long until it was time for our dinner at Garden Grill.



You’ll remember my Disney Dining issues. Decreased food quality, spotty service and limited menu diversity? Despite my concerns whilst planning the August trip, I hadn’t worried about May; we were returning to a couple old favorites that had never let me down before.


Oh. SNAP.


First to get the axe from future trips was Garden Grill (GG). I’ve eaten at GG a bunch of times and have always been happy with the quality of food. Not so much this time.

The fish was so salty as to be inedible. The beef wasn’t unusually tough, considering the cut (flank steak), but it had no flavor this time. The turkey tasted gamey.

And where in tarnation heck were the crisp, flavorful, insanely fresh vegetables of our last meal there?!

Not on our table, I assure you. We got a few soggy chunks of yellow squash and a snap pea. Yes, a snap pea. We split it three ways.

Gramma and I were really disappointed, as we’ve raved about the GG food before.

But I’ll give credit where it’s due; GG still excels in a few areas:

1. It was rotating. It hasn’t sometimes before, so this is a plus.
2. Service was very, very good.
3. I still think it’s the best for character interaction.

I happily sat in the far middle of the booth and snapped away whilst Leo played with the critters…

“That’s right, you heard me – we demand equal pay and universal health care or the kid gets it! Payment may be made in nuts.”



Guess who showed up last, but with a birthday card and cake for Leo?!

This was totally unplanned; our server surprised us with it! Leo never got to really celebrate his birthday earlier in May, so I let him wear the Birthday button for that day at WDW. He got a LOT of attention and enjoyed it immensely!



After our somewhat crappy-yet-fun meal, we headed back to the Poly and finally found our room. Note that I tried the online check in for this trip to see if I might want to use it in Aug. It was fine. Not great, but fine. I’d made a request for a top floor, and got it. Yay! But there was no line for regular check in, and a short one for online check in. So much for speeding things up. And, despite saying that we’d be arriving at 9:30am on the online check in, our room wasn’t ready until after 3pm. It was all good, but I can’t quite see the point of bothering again.


Anyway, we found our room in Tokelau, overlooking the quiet pool. See?

I think the monsoon that struck just as we got there added nicely to the south pacific themeing.





Our Plan got rained out.

Our dinner food was a let-down.

And I’d yet to get a Lapu Lapu into my belly.

But you know what? The Poly delivered all I expected of it; I went to bed peaceful and relaxed and ready for whatever might come the next day.


Sadly for me, the next day was going to start at one freaking AM.

 

[Sooze]

Well, I'm going to join the throngs of people in telling you how WONDERFUL your photography is!! WOW!!!

Thanks for the fun updates I'm glad I don't have to wait until August to hear some V Disney Stories.

 

[mommytothreeboys]

Great pictures of Leo with the characters! SO cute!
Sorry GG was disappointing...that stinks!

The rain pics at the Poly are pretty...that seems silly to say, but the rain adds something! Great job!

Can't wait to hear more!

 

[cmp1111]

Ugh! I'm sorry you had a not-so-great meal. But Leo looks happy.

I'm a little worried about your 1:00 a.m. wake up...

 

[Disneyland_Mama]

Dude - that piece of birthday heaven looks AMAZING!!

Please tell me it tastes as good as it looks!