Everything Old Is New Again! - A Dec 2010 Trip Report : THE FINAL ENTRY page 45

[FreezinRafiki]

Thanks. I've lurked and read along, but haven't posted much. This one though really was great! Such awesome photos.

I figured as much. I tend to do that too when things get busy. (Not really sure if the laundy smiley is "busy" or not, but he does look like he's working hard. )

 

[FreezinRafiki]

Let's recap a bit, shall we?
In the past 4 days we've done:
Magic Kingdom (Rope Drop to 9pm)
DHS (Rope Drop to 8pm)
Epcot (almost RD to 11pm)
Animal Kingdom/MK (almost RD to 11pm)

Today was going to a well deserved relaxing, lazy type of day. It was check out day, so we packed up all of our stuff and loaded it into the cars. We did a last sweep for any personal belongings and said good bye to our Tree House. It served us well and was a great place to stay. I really hope to be able to do it again some day.

Grandma, Grandpa, Madison, Kaylene and Kayden headed off to Downtown Disney to catch Tangled at the AMC theaters. Evan didn't want to see the movie, so Bambi and I took him mini golfing.

We'd never done any of the mini golf courses at WDW, so we decided on Fantasia Gardens. It was between that and Winter Summerland, and with it already being so cold in Central Florida we decided that we didn't need to see any more snow - real or fake.

It started off a bit chilly, but the sun came out it finally warmed up enough to shed the jackets and sweatshirts!

Fantasia Gardens is modeled after parts of Disney's Fantasia Movie. And staying true to the movie, some of the holes are just...odd. All of them were fun, though!

Here's Evan's Tee shot....

...and the ball used on his very first hole in one!

This hole was actually very hard. The alligator's mouth is very small, and almost impossible to get a golf ball through. Even standing right here, it would go in about half way, then roll back out. Evan was determined to get it though rather than going around.

It was a very enjoyable day of golf. We did get stuck behind some people that took it a bit to seriously - farthest away hits first, taking their time lining everything up, etc. Settle down people, you're playing mini golf at Disney World, not Amen Corner at the Master's. The only reason to be taking that much time is if you have money riding on the game. And if you are placing bets on Disney mini golf, you've got far more serious problems than I can help you with.

The coolest part was at the end - when you turn in your putter, they give you a free Disney golf ball. Ours had Grumpy on them.


It was getting to be lunch time when we finished and Evan wanted some Mac & Cheese. We figured we'd take the quick drive over to Coronado Springs and eat at their Pepper Market. The kids had the Mac & Cheese there before and loved it.

Some of the decorations at Coronado Springs

So we wait a few minutes, get a table, then walk up to the kitchen area where we order our food. No Mac & Cheese. None what so ever. They also got rid of the Philly Cheese steak with green chilis that Bambi and I were craving. So, that was enough of that place. We told the hostess we were disappointed that they no longer had those items and we left.

It was getting near the time that the movie would let out, so we decided to go to Downtown Disney to get some food and meet up with everyone else. We knew Kayden wanted to eat at TRex, so we put our names on the list and let Evan play in the fossil area to kill some time.

Finally, the rest of the group caught up to us and we had a light meal at T-Rex. Well, as light as you can there - I think between the 8 of us, we had an appetizer sampler, a few small salads, a bowl of soup, some drinks and maybe two kids meals. The bill was still over $100.

Anyway, after we left and let the kids play with the Legos, Bambi realized she lost her phone somewhere in TRex. She went back, spoke to several employees and never once felt like they cared the slightest bit. She essentially got a blow off response. Disney is awesome at Guest Service. But remember, TRex is not owned or operated by Disney. I think Disney needs to inform them that if you want to be on Disney Property, you need to work a little harder at doing the things Disney Guests expect. Anyway, Bambi did eventually find her phone (it was at a tiny little table that they first sat us at that was waaaaay to small for 8 people.) Note I said she found it - she walked back into the restaurant and started looking.

Well, let's move on to much more pleasant things, shall we?

The kids had walked by all of the caricature artists and had been asking for to get one. We had time to kill before our Boma ADR that evening, so we decided to let them.

I'm sure by now you're asking yourself "goodness, how much did that cost?" Honestly, I have no idea. Bambi paid and assured me that I didn't want to know and just look at how happy the kids are and what a cool souvenir this is and look at how happy the kids are.

I admit - they turned out really cool: (you'll have to excuse the poor photography here. I realized last night I would be doing this entry today, so I sneaked into the kids rooms' after they were asleep and took the picture with my Blackberry.)

Evan's artist asked him what color baseball uniform he wanted. He replied Blue. I was watching him color in the uniform when I noticed his name tag said he was from Cuba. I casually mentioned how the uniform looked strikingly like the Cuban national team. He looked back at me, smiled a very large smile and said "oh, I guess you're right. I hadn't noticed that."

After their sittings were done, we walked down to Goofy's Candy Company to burn up the rest of our unused snack credits on truck loads of processed sugar. Man I love Disney.

Ah, that's better. Snowmen and shorts. Like it was supposed to be the last week.

UP NEXT: Dinner at BOMA and an unexpected photo shoot.

 

[afwdwfan]

It was check out day

I hate check out day

...and the ball used on his very first hole in one!

Good job, Evan! Congratulations!

It was a very enjoyable day of golf. We did get stuck behind some people that took it a bit to seriously - farthest away hits first, taking their time lining everything up, etc.

Did they have caddies following them around ready to rip somebody's head off if they so much as breathe during their backswing?

Cause that would be kind of cool actually.

Note I said she found it - she walked back into the restaurant and started looking.

Too bad that they weren't helpful, but I'm glad it worked out anyway.

I realized last night I would be doing this entry today, so I sneaked into the kids rooms' after they were asleep and took the picture with my Blackberry.)

Wow, you actually plan ahead and put effort into the TR? Er, uh... I mean they look awesome!

After their sittings were done, we walked down to Goofy's Candy Company to burn up the rest of our unused snack credits on truck loads of processed sugar. Man I love Disney.

MMMMM.... candy!

 

[Captain_Oblivious]

Let's recap a bit, shall we?
In the past 4 days we've done:
Magic Kingdom (Rope Drop to 9pm)
DHS (Rope Drop to 8pm)
Epcot (almost RD to 11pm)
Animal Kingdom/MK (almost RD to 11pm)

I'm impressed you could still get out of bed.

It was check out day

Fantasia Gardens is modeled after parts of Disney's Fantasia Movie. And staying true to the movie, some of the holes are just...odd. All of them were fun, though!

That's a great way to describe both the course and the movie. We really enjoy playing mini-golf there, though.

...and the ball used on his very first hole in one!

Nice job Evan!!

We did get stuck behind some people that took it a bit to seriously - farthest away hits first, taking their time lining everything up, etc. Settle down people, you're playing mini golf at Disney World, not Amen Corner at the Master's. The only reason to be taking that much time is if you have money riding on the game. And if you are placing bets on Disney mini golf, you've got far more serious problems than I can help you with.

Where's a course ranger when you need one? Maybe you should have hit into their group.

So we wait a few minutes, get a table, then walk up to the kitchen area where we order our food. No Mac & Cheese. None what so ever. They also got rid of the Philly Cheese steak with green chilis that Bambi and I were craving.

No Philly cheese steaks? That's just...inhuman!

Well, as light as you can there - I think between the 8 of us, we had an appetizer sampler, a few small salads, a bowl of soup, some drinks and maybe two kids meals. The bill was still over $100.

Anyway, after we left and let the kids play with the Legos, Bambi realized she lost her phone somewhere in TRex. She went back, spoke to several employees and never once felt like they cared the slightest bit. She essentially got a blow off response. Disney is awesome at Guest Service. But remember, TRex is not owned or operated by Disney. I think Disney needs to inform them that if you want to be on Disney Property, you need to work a little harder at doing the things Disney Guests expect. Anyway, Bambi did eventually find her phone (it was at a tiny little table that they first sat us at that was waaaaay to small for 8 people.) Note I said she found it - she walked back into the restaurant and started looking.

$100 for a couple of salads and they can't help find a phone?

I'm sure by now you're asking yourself "goodness, how much did that cost?" Honestly, I have no idea. Bambi paid and assured me that I didn't want to know and just look at how happy the kids are and what a cool souvenir this is and look at how happy the kids are.

One meeeeellion dollars.

Evan's artist asked him what color baseball uniform he wanted. He replied Blue. I was watching him color in the uniform when I noticed his name tag said he was from Cuba. I casually mentioned how the uniform looked strikingly like the Cuban national team. He looked back at me, smiled a very large smile and said "oh, I guess you're right. I hadn't noticed that."

Very subtle. I prefer to think it's a Phillies throwback uniform.

 

[petals]

Luvin your trip updates. Your pics are getting me more excited for mine and now stealing an awesome tip for where to sit for parade at MVMCP. I never saw the Toon Hole before either and luvin the tie dye t-shirts

 

[KatMark]

This update was great, but really needs no words as this picture says it all!

 

[dvczerfs]

nice update barry!! great pics. i now know what happen to the wisc. sw.shirt. i think you got your meets mixed up, thats ron (commando) you probley did meet up with ray too. thats ok, i call randall, ray for some reason. anyway, great update terry!

 

[FreezinRafiki]

I hate check out day

Normally, I do too, but we did have two more nights at Bambi's parent's house.

Did they have caddies following them around ready to rip somebody's head off if they so much as breathe during their backswing?

Cause that would be kind of cool actually.

No, but they did give us dirty looks when our camera clicked too loudly.

Wow, you actually plan ahead and put effort into the TR? Er, uh... I mean they look awesome!

Nothing but the best for you guys!

I'm impressed you could still get out of bed.

All in a day's work at WDW.

That's a great way to describe both the course and the movie. We really enjoy playing mini-golf there, though.

I have other words for it, but they're not printable on a family friendly Internet.

Where's a course ranger when you need one? Maybe you should have hit into their group.

I would have, but I didn't have my FU wedge with me.

No Philly cheese steaks? That's just...inhuman!

Yup. I'm thinking about boycotting Disney in protest.

Very subtle. I prefer to think it's a Phillies throwback uniform.

Riiiiiiiiight.

Luvin your trip updates. Your pics are getting me more excited for mine and now stealing an awesome tip for where to sit for parade at MVMCP. I never saw the Toon Hole before either and luvin the tie dye t-shirts

The Toon Hole caught me by surprise too. I had to get a pic before the ripped the place up.

 

[FreezinRafiki]

This update was great, but really needs no words as this picture says it all!

Thanks!

nice update barry!! great pics. i now know what happen to the wisc. sw.shirt. i think you got your meets mixed up, thats ron (commando) you probley did meet up with ray too. thats ok, i call randall, ray for some reason. anyway, great update terry!

I did call him Ray, didn't I? Well, Ron, if you're reading - sorry about that.

 

[FreezinRafiki]

Well, I gave it my best, but I don't think I'll be able to get this TR finished before my next trip - mostly because I leave in about 20 minutes. I'll try to do an update or two from the hotel, otherwise I'll finish when we get back home in a week and a half. Happy Easter Everyone!

 

[KatMark]

Have a safe and magical trip.

Happy Easter.

 

[Poolrat]

Safe Trip !

 

[that's nice]

Well, I gave it my best, but I don't think I'll be able to get this TR finished before my next trip - mostly because I leave in about 20 minutes. I'll try to do an update or two from the hotel, otherwise I'll finish when we get back home in a week and a half. Happy Easter Everyone!

Happy Easter to you and the family. Have a wonderful trip. 'See' ya when you get back!

 

[petals]

Have a great trip

 

[kaileighbug]

Well it looks like I missed you leaving...hope your family is having a great trip.

 

[FreezinRafiki]

Have a safe and magical trip.

Happy Easter.

Safe Trip !

Happy Easter to you and the family. Have a wonderful trip. 'See' ya when you get back!

Have a great trip

Well it looks like I missed you leaving...hope your family is having a great trip.

Thanks for the well wishes, everyone. We had a great trip and made it back safe and sound. I'll start a TR for that trip as soon as I finish this one. So I guess I'd better get working...

 

[chloe770]

Welcome home!

 

[afwdwfan]

Thanks for the well wishes, everyone. We had a great trip and made it back safe and sound. I'll start a TR for that trip as soon as I finish this one. So I guess I'd better get working...

Welcome home! I'm glad you had a good trip... can't wait to see how the surprise went with the kids.

Now get busy writing before these guys lose their patience!

 

[FreezinRafiki]

Like the parks, Animal Kingdom Lodge had a humongous Christmas Tree in their lobby.

But that's not why we were there. We had dinner reservations at Boma. We had never eaten there before, and to be honest, I'm surprised I got other people to agree to go. Bambi's father is a very traditional meat-and-potatoes guy, her mom is a vegetarian, the kids are, well, kids and don't like to venture very far from mac & cheese and chicken nuggets. But we decided that we'd be adventurous and try the "Flavors of Africa."

The food got mixed reviews. Some of it was wonderful, others were not quite as appealing, and some was never even made it to the plate because it just seemed too weird. The restaurant itself is really neat and I enjoyed the food, but I can't see us going back.

After we settled up the bill, we headed back up the stairs to the lobby. And what to our wondering eyes should appear, but a Photopass Photographer set up in front of the Christmas Tree. And not just any Photopass Photographer - she was all set up with studio lighting rigs. She meant business. I didn't know if she was setting up for a private shoot or something, but I asked if we could get a few shots. Not only did she take a few shots, she took dozens! Dozens upon dozens! Every combination of kids, parents, grandparents, etc. And here now, for your view pleasure, I present....Us.

As you can see, the Photographer really worked well with the kids. And even when other families were walking up and getting in line for pictures, she never once rushed us. She took all the pictures we wanted, plus suggesting other ones. Disney Magic: Check!

Oh, and the shirts were inspired by my arch-nemesis, Tim (that's nice.) He posted a picture of some that he and his family received as a gift for their recent trip. I thought they looked cool, so I found directions online and we made our own. They didn't turn out nearly as vibrant, but they're still pretty sweet.

From there, we all piled into the cars and headed back to Grandma & Grandpa's house in Lakeland to crash for the night. (Not the cars - those made it safe and sound. I was talking about us crashing. Into the beds. There was no bed damage either, in case you were wondering.)

UP NEXT: It was our last day in the parks. So we went to 3 of them.

 

[Jazzabelle508]

I love all the pictures that the photopass person took! I didn't know they even had photopass people in the resorts untill I joined the DIS. How cool that you got one that was like a professional photoshoot. That is now on my list of things I want to do (if I find it) on a future trip.