"Don't forget a picture of the food!" Updated 8/16! A Fall TR!

[JoeyEmmaMomma]

I love that character spot at Epcot.
Your girls are adorable with them!

 

[Gracefulskinny]

Yea, I know what you mean, our next spin on it was a little better, I see the appeal, I think maybe it needs a better refurb though...

That it does!

 

[Dugette]

Cute window decorations!

I love how it looks like Olivia is hailing the Epcot bus.

Love how much fun Olivia is having in your Test Track video. So cute!

Ugh, sorry Spaceship Earth didn’t go so well for you. Not a fun one to be stuck on. And I had that happen once before with the photos missing and just cartoons – I think it might be related to the ride breakdown.

Aw, the Character Spot! That’s been a good one for us too. Love how happy and excited the girls look! And they do look so Disney in those outfits!

I feel like I always end up in the first row on Living with the Land (not complaining!) Not sure I’ve seen people picking veggies in there before, cool!

 

[DMGeurts]

Loved the updates!@!!!!

Your window turned out magnificant!

I totally think I would splurge on a preferred room too, if we ever stay at a resort other than FQ. LOL

Your breakfast looks amazing! So do your snacks! We have yet to try Sunshine Seasons, I hope to eventually try it some day.

We love Living with the Land too - it's a nice relaxing ride.

Hate SSE with a passion... The girls and I always cry going backwards, it's just too steep. Praying you didn't get stuck there... I think I would have a panic attack if that's where we got stuck... Even worse if the lights were to come on during that time, because I bet it's super high up there, and I would totally freak out. Nope - not a ride I enjoy at all.

Don't love the new TT as much as the old one either, sigh. But I doubt they'll ever change it back.

Loved your Meet n' Greet photos too - it looks like you really enjoyed that! And you are right - your outfits are perfect for each one! Love it!

Thanks for a great update!!!

D~

 

[Jackiemarie21]

Yummy Strawberry shortcake! It's on my list to try next time!

I personally LOVE SSE. But probably mostly for nostalgia reasons. When I went to EPCOT as a kid there were tons of really neat rides that are mostly all gone. SSE is one of the only "originals" left. I remember waiting in a ridiculously long line and riding it with my dad. When we went on anything dark or tall or fast my dad rode with me and my brother with my mom. dad would say my mom would rub off on me and I wouldn't have any fun. I remember riding it with him and he explained all the construction to me (he is really into how to mechanical things). It's just such a good memory for me! When we went last time charlotte loved it too, so warm fuzzies for me all around! It's funny how things like a ride can do that?

Love your character spot pics, you are right they just scream Disney!


I am so happy you updated!

 

[STLMickeyMom]

You beat me to updates! You are on it!

Sounds like a great start to your day! I never knew there were streamers at Epcot for opening either.

Your character meets look great! The girls are so cute with them and I love Maddie clinging onto her Elsa/Anna doll!

What a bummer about SSE. We liked it ok, but I had trouble getting the family out of the ball when we were done.

Your snacks loom delicious! I have got to try that strawberry shortcake sometime!

 

[MissMaryQC]

Yay for updates! I'm sure the holiday season is upon you and your family; busy, busy, busy! In the best way!

Yummy Mickey waffles!! I'm of the opinion that Mickey shaped food always tastes better.

Test Track looks like fun! Olivia is a little thrill seeker!!

Sorry about SSE; it's never fun when that ride breaks down. But especially when the malfunction leaves you and your DD stuck in not so pleasant areas of time Hopefully your next ride is better.

I adore all your photos from the Character Spot. Maddie's face in your family photo with Mickey is really priceless!

Can't wait to hear about Figment; he's a favorite of mine!

 

[OregonMomToWDW]

I am all caught up. Love the Character Spot photos. Sorry you left your bathing suit behind but I am super proud of you for getting another one and enjoying the time.

Next time, I am going to splurge for the preferred room, if we stay at Pop. We liked Pop, so it is a possibility.

We rode SSE for the first time. It didn't break down and we got photos, but it wasn't a have to ride again ride for us.

 

[buckeyeprincess24]

Just discovered your TR and I love it! Olivia and Maddie are adorable!

 

[Denovagirl]

Your window looks so cute!

Sorry about your not so great SSE experience

So many cute Character Spot pictures, love them!!

Thanks! I LOVE doing the window, its so cute to come "home" to at the end of the day!

Yay! Updates! I love the pics of the girls with Minnie Mouse. So adorable!

Me too! They turned out pretty cute!

 

[Denovagirl]

I love that character spot at Epcot.
Your girls are adorable with them!

Thanks!

That it does!

Cute window decorations!

I love how it looks like Olivia is hailing the Epcot bus.

Love how much fun Olivia is having in your Test Track video. So cute!

Ugh, sorry Spaceship Earth didn’t go so well for you. Not a fun one to be stuck on. And I had that happen once before with the photos missing and just cartoons – I think it might be related to the ride breakdown.

Aw, the Character Spot! That’s been a good one for us too. Love how happy and excited the girls look! And they do look so Disney in those outfits!

I feel like I always end up in the first row on Living with the Land (not complaining!) Not sure I’ve seen people picking veggies in there before, cool!

Haha, I know that pic of Liv hailing the bus, lol... I posted that one on FB that day, it was so cute.

Overall, a good start at Epcot, even with the SSE dud ride!

Loved the updates!@!!!!

Your window turned out magnificant!

I totally think I would splurge on a preferred room too, if we ever stay at a resort other than FQ. LOL

Your breakfast looks amazing! So do your snacks! We have yet to try Sunshine Seasons, I hope to eventually try it some day.

We love Living with the Land too - it's a nice relaxing ride.

Hate SSE with a passion... The girls and I always cry going backwards, it's just too steep. Praying you didn't get stuck there... I think I would have a panic attack if that's where we got stuck... Even worse if the lights were to come on during that time, because I bet it's super high up there, and I would totally freak out. Nope - not a ride I enjoy at all.

Don't love the new TT as much as the old one either, sigh. But I doubt they'll ever change it back.

Loved your Meet n' Greet photos too - it looks like you really enjoyed that! And you are right - your outfits are perfect for each one! Love it!

Thanks for a great update!!!

D~

Yay! Glad you liked the update!

Yes if you ever stray from FQ I would def get the preferred! The walk we had last year at AoA compared to this were sooooo far!! Especially at the end of the day, or when you realize you forgot something you have to run back for!

Haha, I didnt think about how high up we mustve been when going backwards on SSE! I was more worried about the bad lighting and effects making me queezy!

I really do just love the photos this day, they are just SO Disney! Glad everyone is enjoying them!

Yummy Strawberry shortcake! It's on my list to try next time!

I personally LOVE SSE. But probably mostly for nostalgia reasons. When I went to EPCOT as a kid there were tons of really neat rides that are mostly all gone. SSE is one of the only "originals" left. I remember waiting in a ridiculously long line and riding it with my dad. When we went on anything dark or tall or fast my dad rode with me and my brother with my mom. dad would say my mom would rub off on me and I wouldn't have any fun. I remember riding it with him and he explained all the construction to me (he is really into how to mechanical things). It's just such a good memory for me! When we went last time charlotte loved it too, so warm fuzzies for me all around! It's funny how things like a ride can do that?

Love your character spot pics, you are right they just scream Disney!


I am so happy you updated!

Awwww, cute SSE story!!! Makes me wonder what those rides our kids will remember most when they look back! My guess- Haunted Mansion, lol..

You beat me to updates! You are on it!

Sounds like a great start to your day! I never knew there were streamers at Epcot for opening either.

Your character meets look great! The girls are so cute with them and I love Maddie clinging onto her Elsa/Anna doll!

What a bummer about SSE. We liked it ok, but I had trouble getting the family out of the ball when we were done.

Your snacks loom delicious! I have got to try that strawberry shortcake sometime!

Teehee, yea, well I was "on it" that week but not the last 2!!! I blame Christmas...hahahaha

Yay for updates! I'm sure the holiday season is upon you and your family; busy, busy, busy! In the best way!

Yummy Mickey waffles!! I'm of the opinion that Mickey shaped food always tastes better.

Test Track looks like fun! Olivia is a little thrill seeker!!

Sorry about SSE; it's never fun when that ride breaks down. But especially when the malfunction leaves you and your DD stuck in not so pleasant areas of time Hopefully your next ride is better.

I adore all your photos from the Character Spot. Maddie's face in your family photo with Mickey is really priceless!

Can't wait to hear about Figment; he's a favorite of mine!

Heehehe, yes we had a great morning at Epcot, and my Olivia IS a little thrill seeker. I am pretty sure Maddie is going to be the same too. I think its just the fact that we go to theme parks and places with rides and characters a lot, so they love it and aren't scared!

I am all caught up. Love the Character Spot photos. Sorry you left your bathing suit behind but I am super proud of you for getting another one and enjoying the time.

Next time, I am going to splurge for the preferred room, if we stay at Pop. We liked Pop, so it is a possibility.

We rode SSE for the first time. It didn't break down and we got photos, but it wasn't a have to ride again ride for us.

Yea, I am glad I picked up the suit too, better to have fun and enjoy our time!

Def get the preferred room, it wasnt even really that much more money! I was pretty surprised.

Just discovered your TR and I love it! Olivia and Maddie are adorable!

Thanks! Glad to have you here! I apologize in advance for lacking in the update department. I will try harder after the Holidays!

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Hola my friends!

I won't even bother apologizing, it must be getting old, lol... hopefully after the Holiday I can get these updates cranking at a faster rate! Actually....













Turns out I may HAVE TO get them done a lot more quickly becauseeeeeeeee we're going to....

This has just been decided this week actually. We were thinking a lot about our trips for the upcoming year, mainly because we like to fund them with tax returns, and that time shall soon be upon us, and we already knew a couple things we wanted to do:

#1 Olivia's Birthday Trip! This is extra-super special bc she really hasn't had much time with all of mom & dads attention since nearly 3 years ago, pre-Maddie, and she chose a short trip sans sister over a birthday party (yay!) this year! This has already been planned and were are going to Dallas, not too far, only about 4 hours away, to spend the weekend and visit the American Girl store!

AG is something very new to our family, and I was half-dreading, half looking forward to this time for a while now. Dreading bc it is EXPENSIVE but looking forward too bc, duh, FUN! Something we can get into and do together, I love it.

At this point Olivia knows exactly what we are doing, but there is one small surprise... she thinks she's getting her first doll for her birthday, bu actually we already got it as her Christmas gift! Turns out the one she really wants was Doll of the Year and expires with 2014 so we sorta HAD to get it now. I think she'll be pretty surprised on Christmas morning! And I think we will have lots of fun doing all the doll activities at the store in February for her special day! I already spoke with my good pal Lori about making us matching girl & doll birthday outfits for the occasion!

#2 VEGAS BABY! This has become an annual thing (like Disney) for the hubs and I, what can I say, it's the "adult Disney World" after all... and I love anyplace that revolves around good themeing, so Vegas is a treat for me!

Originally we wanted to go in January, like we did last year, but we've decided to go March instead, gives us a reprieve from saving spending money during the holidays.

So that brings us to our "family" trip of the year, which has been all about Disney thus far, but we really, really liked the idea of visiting the Smoky Mountains in the fall/winter next year and renting a cabin for a week, like we REALLY want to try this, but its soooo hard to give up the idea of Disney for a whole YEAR!! Thus, the DLR plan was hatched.

Basically the Smokies is a fairly affordable trip, we'd drive and its around $400 gas round trip, and then we would be splitting the cost of the cabin rental which would make our half $500-700. Then, we'd do a lot of our own cooking and just hanging out at the cabin, hiking, which is basically free and such, so not too much extra cash needed.

Then we got to thinking what if we did a short mini- Disney trip, only my snag was I would find it hard to go to WDW and not do all my faves and then some, if I go there I can't do a mini-trip, so DLR was considered. We actually ending up watching the DLR planning DVD and some TV specials on it and we were sold. We would love to see the original Disney, and walk where Walt himself has walked. Also, Carsland looks amazing! And really it's fairly affordable.

We are going to stay across the street at a good neighbor hotel, do 4 days/3 nights and I think it will be so FUN! Seems a lot less to plan and perhaps a little more low key of a trip, which will be nice, annnnnd we still get our Disney fix!

SO yeah, WE'RE GOING TO DISNEYLAND!!!

But wait, the best part, we don't have to wait in anticipation for year to go!! Whhhhhhaaaaaaattttt!?!?!? Not waiting an INSANELY long time for a Disney trip seems like a DREAM! But it's true, plan is last week of April or first week of May!!

That means in a row, Dallas, Vegas and DISNEY!!! SQUEEEEEEE!!!

So now my question to all of you:

And DLR tips?

Which do you think is better end of April or first of May?

Let me know, because planning a DLR vacay is like starting over! All my Disney knowledge is barely useful here!! I must RESEARCH!

Love ya all, and I will try to get a REAL update soon, I already have it written but need to upload pics!

<3


Edit:

I had some time so continue down to the next Disney Update!!! \/ \/ \/

 

[Denovagirl]

Surprise!! I had some time, so I am posting a SHORT update real quick!




When we left off Chris and Olivia were heading to go Saorin' and Maddie Moo and I were going to meet up with that loveable Figment!

The line was pretty short, about 10 minutes, so we hopped in and soon we were singing along with Figment! Maddie really enjoys this ride, so it was so fun to ride it with her.

​

I also let her play around in the dump area some.

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And then we did something new to us, we went and played and checked out the jumping fountains!

​

I couldn't quite capture the water hitting her, but she was seriously having some fun!

We spent quite some time doing this, and it was so relaxing, I just loved having 2 days in Epcot so I could slow down like this, versus rushing all around the park, it was so enjoyable!

While we were here a Monorail came by and I managed to capture some photos, which make me smile, I couldn’t help but take pictures every time a monorail whizzed by, it’s just SO COOL!

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I finally got the call that Chris and Liv were done, so I told them to meet us at Figment so we could ride again, since the line was still short.

So on we went for round 2 on Figment!

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Olivia really enjoyed it too! Especially the skunk part!

Next we decided to go check out the Sea’s pavilion, and of course that means Nemo!! Again, a pretty short line, and our first time seeing the whole queue! Granted, we were walking by it all pretty fast, but still!

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After our cruise through the big, blue world we decided to try another first, Turtle Talk with Crush. We waited about 5 minutes for the doors to open, and then in we went. Olivia sat up front on the floor, but Maddie stayed with us a few rows back. I have to say, this was really cute! I don’t know if I would do it every time, but it was really humorous, and we did enjoy it a lot!

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When we were done hangin’ with Crush we went over to take a few obligatory pics in the Shark play area!

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So cute, and then FINALLY it was a moment we had all been waiting for, and another first, lunch at Beaches and Cream!

I snapped some random, but pretty shots on our walk to the International Gateway...

(Food & Wine Crowd)



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Up next, checking out the Beach Club, and our yummy lunch at Beaches and Cream!

 

[missangelalexis]

A trip to Disneyland!! That is SO exciting! It sounds like 2015 is going to be quite a busy and fun year for you guys!

Lots of great pics fron the rest of your Epcot morning, sounds so fun!

 

[Denovagirl]

A trip to Disneyland!! That is SO exciting! It sounds like 2015 is going to be quite a busy and fun year for you guys!

Lots of great pics fron the rest of your Epcot morning, sounds so fun!

Haha, yes! I don't know which I like best, a year with little trips scattered throughout, or waiting a whole year for one massive/killer trip like our last one... I suppose maybe we can switch off?? There's just so many places we want to visit, but we can stand the thought of NOT going to Disney!!!

 

[annegirl]

Sounds like a fun year for trips!

We are also thinking our next disney trip will be Disneyland since we could drive to it... But don't know when that will be.
That's exciting! I'm sure you guys will have so much fun.

The picture of the monorail looks like it could be a disney ad.

 

[MissMaryQC]

How exciting is 2015 gonna be for you guys?!?!? I'm so glad y'all are getting an American Girl for Olivia; I still have my Molly AG. It is really expensive (I bought stuff for Molly well into my 20s) but it's such a fun thing for a little girl. And they used to have dress patterns and such instead of just buying the clothing, I always enjoyed those.

Vegas baby! Sounds like a great way for mom and dad to get some RnR. And the Smokey mountains, beautiful. A week in a cabin is like a dream! And to top it off a DL trip!, not gonna lie, I'm a little jealous you guys are gonna have such a blast!

Your Epcot morning looks like such a fun and relaxing one. It's hilarious that WS is slammed with people while you were able to basically walk onto the rides in Future World. I hear BandC is delicious, we've never been, but I'm kinda dieting to get the kitchen sink, even just for the little show they put on. :rofl:

 

[STLMickeyMom]

I can't wait to read all your DL research--it'll save me from doing my own if we ever get there!

Awwww--your Epcot day sounds relaxing and fun! I'm glad you all got to take your time and really enjoy it. Maddie looks like she's having a blast dancing around and playing in the water!

 

[Jackiemarie21]

All your trips are so exciting!

We have thought about the cabin in the smokies a few times, it looks like so much fun! You guys will also have so much fun on your trip to the american Girl store. We have one here in STL and I love it! We got Charlotte her 1st American girl doll (the bitty baby) at 2 and I love getting her new accessories and clothes for every holiday! In fact Bob and I were just at the store Friday night, getting some Christmas stuff.

I think you will love DLR! We went for one day in 2006 and it was so much fun. The weather cooperates a little better and I love the way it feels. So nostalgic!
I didn't plan much or anything so I am of no actual help! But you will enjoy it!


Loved your update! I love how the monorail goes all the way around EPCOT. It's so cool!

 

[Chicago Mo]

whaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaa?

uour gone forever then BAM we are hit with ALL THIS NEWS?!?! Dallas- Vegas- AND Disneyland?!?! HOLY CROW GIRL!!!!

I am SOOOOOOOO happy for you!!!!

SO HAPPY!!! I cannot wait to hear all about the plans!!!

FANTASTIC pictures!!! I love them all i cannot pick just one
Figment.. Oh my favorite little purple mischievous maker! Just love him.. aren't the fountains a blast! we adore them! must play!!!

 

[OregonMomToWDW]

Yay for Disneyland! I am super excited for you. I will have to think of tips. You must see Aladdin (CA) and you must see Mickey's Magical Map (DL). Really good shows. I don't know much about the parades, since we usually don't sit still enough for those.

They do have Dole Whips but not as much selection.

Carsland is so cute. Must ride the Mater's tractor ride. Bugs Land has lots of rides for little ones.

Hungry Bear restaurant is one of our favorites for QS. We have never done a sit down there, but the character breakfast at DL looks to have a variety of characters. For CA, we like the pasta and pizza place (over by Mickey's Silly Symphony Swings) and we like Flo's V-8 cafe in Carsland. We went 2nd weekend in April and for a weekend, California Adventure was not crowded at all. There were longer wait times at Disneyland, but we rode everything we wanted.

There are no fastpasses for TSMM. Even in April, that was our longest non Carsland wait (about 30 minutes). You don't really need a fastpass for Soarin. For the Cars ride (the main ride in Carsland), we waited 75 minutes for Single Rider. You MUST get fastpasses. Try to ride as early as possible, because it breaks down a lot in the afternoon and fastpass riders end up having to wait just as long to ride. It is really cool to ride at night, so try to get fastpasses again at night. Grizzly Roaring Rapids ride is fun, you can get really soaked.

You will love World of Color. Try to see that.

Check ride closures. Indiana Jones was closed when we went last April.

I will try to think of more. Feel free to ask questions. Marissa will be there in 2 weeks.