I'm back!
CRAZY week. I went fishing with Kristin's dad and some friends on Lake Ontario in New York from Wednesday through Sunday, and Kristin called Thursday to tell me she had a kidney stone that wasn't going to pass on it's own. She went into surgery Monday and had it removed. She's recovering.
All in time for the kids to start school, including Dylan going to high school. The pain subsided long enough for her to get Dylan a backpack, and the kids are now settling in.
That also means I need to get up earlier, and therefore, go to bed earlier. Even though I'm not doing so tonight.
Anyway, I'm finally responding to the latest comments. Thanks for your patience!
Ok, here goes:
How did I miss such an epic update?! Shame on you Disboards notifications!
Not a problem. I've been away for over a week, so you've had plenty of time to catch up!
Your meals from Shutters look AMAZING!! That steak looks delicious, and are you kidding with those desserts!? They're huge! Looks really yummy... and now I'm hungry!
Shutters was great! If we don't return to CBR next year, we'll probably still eat there. How could we not?
The pictures of CB are great! I love the sunset, and the way some of the buildings seem to change color in the light. Nice job! I really need to get back there, I forget a lot of what that resort looks like.
It became "home" quick. While we were there. CSR is still the real home, though
LOVE the family photo!! And I STILL haven't been to the Seas. I was going to go this last time, and opted not too. I'm saving it for when we take K back. She loves Nemo, so I think she'll really enjoy this and I didn't want to see it without her.
Some years, we're in the mood for the Seas, and other years, we're not. Well, I always am. And we always eat at Coral Reef.
Great update! Can't wait to read more!!
Thanks! More is coming tomorrow!
Oh wow that key lime dessert looks amazing, I think I need to schedule a lunch stop at SS
Meringue is one of the 3 or 4 foods I don't really like, so I never get it. But Kristin loves it!
Hello! We are back from Disney and I am back at work. Ugh. I can't be expected to jump in with both feet...I need to ease into it so I'm taking breaks and reading trip reports.
I can get behind that plan! Welcome back!
HA! You could have warned up the tenderloin with the iron. Like Michael Keaton did when he made the grilled cheese with the iron in Mr. Mom.
I'll have to remember that next year. It sounds like it should work.
Haven't seen that movie in FOREVER, but I remember seeing it in the theater!
YUM! I like my steak medium rare too. It's funny when you eat out with people who eat their steaks well done. Grosses them out!
While I don't understand how anyone could prefer well done! The blood is what makes it so good!
Emily's note is so cute. In a day of texting it's nice to see a hand-written note.
If you saw my phone, you'd understand
(Jim Gaffigan - "You're not having cake for breakfast. You're having fried cake with syrup for breakfast.")
That's hilarious!
This is how it was for us too. I have many pictures in Epcot where it looks deserted. We are used to being there during Food & Wine and the walkways are clogged with food kiosks and people. We really enjoyed having more room and less crowds.
That park really consumes the crowds, too. So it typically doesn't feel THAT crowded, except for some specific places.
We love Sunshine Seasons too but we've only had breakfast there. I would love to try lunch one day. When we had breakfast there I wanted to get a strawberry shortcake from the dessert case but I didn't think I could yet. Figures after we were done eating and heading to use our Soarin' FP+ I saw a guy with a strawberry shortcake on his tray.
Booooo! I bet he was related to the Strawberry Shortcake baker.
Bye Duffy. Sorry I never got to meet you.....
I hear he's still in Japan. With MASSIVE lines.
Uh, and wait. Did Kristin wear an Epcot shirt to Epcot? Isn't that breaking a rule or something?
She does, but she doesn't play by the rules.
wow, Shutters is definitely a dining option you don't hear of much but looks like really good food and a good evening. Your pictures do make it look like a perfect medium rare (which one almost never gets - why ask if you aren't going to cook it to the temp I request?)
It's like they're saying "we know better than you".
My old college roommate got a steak "extra rare" when we were out one time. The waitress kept cracking jokes about it. It was done how he wanted, too.
Looks like a nice evening too - and your walk around the place sounds like a great time! That place does seem huge though (which is obviously a plus or a minus depending on your preference ... though where the pirate rooms are do seem quite far from the main building)
Everything else is on the main circle, so the Pirate rooms ARE really far out. But some people love that. More remote. More quiet.
Still really enjoy the theming of that pool! Also appreciate the old-school hand written note! Very classy
It's a really fun pool! Looks great at night, too.
ah the joys of FP+ forcing you to make 3 whether you want to or not
Just not the ones we REALLY want!
That does look odd with the open areas with the festival specific areas gone. Actually think EPCOT could use a permanent kids play/burn off energy area
Not sure why they'd remove it. Does it cause any problems being there?
And where do the butterflies go? Do they release them?
Definitely worth waiting for mid-front on Soarin' ... very excited for the new film which should also be in digital which will be great not to have all the marks on the film
Yeah, no more cigarette burns! Can't wait to see what they do in terms of footage, too.
Living with the Land is one of our favorites - like you, always a ride you just have to take pictures on. Would be interested in doing the Behind the Seeds Tour at some point
We want to, too. When the kids get a bit older. A lot of the tours look fun.
Never been a huge Duffy fan, but I know some people love him and do feel bad for those that will not get to meet him. Did hear a rumor that he may just have a new meeting location within WDW - but guess we shall see
Ooh, that would be awesome! I'll have to look into that.
Can't even remember the last time we did Ellen's Energy Adventure - probably should check it out one of these trips ... granted, we've still never done Test Track, but hey
What??
We do enjoy Nemo ... the 27.6 mile queue for it not as much
They really can fit them in that theater, though! But it does take forever to get inside.
Yay updates!! And just in time for me to be able to procrastinate doing school work! Thank you for that!
I love the huge update on CBR!! I haven't eaten at Shutters in years, since before they redid the menu... and it looks phenomenal!
Emily's picture with Duffy is super cute, looks like you guys had an awesome time at EPCOT. I haven't really ever gotten into the food at Sunshine Seasons... except for the strawberry shortcake
Procrastinators are preferred readers for my trip reports. Especially since I often procrastinate when it comes to posting
Shutters was the best surprise of the trip Very happy with that meal!
I have never had the strawberry shortcake! Although I keep hearing that I should.
I am woefully behind again.
So am I! For now. Lots of updates coming in the next few days, though.
First, before I forget, I'm quoting you here: "He and his wife were really nice, even if they were filthy, disgusting Bears fans." Really? Seriously? After I steered you to the CSR which you loved for years until you cheated on her? I don't know if I can forgive you for that.
Hey, I could've called them "Packers fans". So cut me some slack!
Great morning/early afternoon at the Animal Kingdom. The construction there just makes me so sad and it will not be done for at least two more years? UGH!
I know! But we got through it at MK, and the results were pretty darned impressive.
That's cool that they have some of the Club Cool drinks at AK.
Animal Kingdom keeps getting better! The new Harambe Market was a lot of fun.
We've never eaten at Shutters, but then there is only two or three restaurants that I'm willing to travel to a different resort than the one I am staying at for a meal. I'm glad you enjoyed your steak.
I still want to try Olivia's
Always nice to have some pool time...and especially at night (I just love the pools at night).
Especially in June! It was a little too cool in May to enjoy the CSR pool last year, every night. Not that we didn't swim at night or anything, though
Great day at Epcot so far. Love the group Disney Visa picture...very cool.
It's a great photo spot! Worth doing every year, IMO, if you have the card.
Yay for a Nilla TR! Just found you but now I will be here for the rest!
I love Sunshine Seasons but DH prefers the QS in Japan.
Welcome! I like the one in Japan, too. But not as much as Sunshine Seasons
Love all your pics from your walk around CBR.
Thanks! It was a fun walk. And long!
Your dinner at shutters looked good, we never ate there, even though we stayed there a few times
I heard it's gotten much better in recent years, so you may not have missed anything!
Nice night swim pics at the pool, that is such a great pool.
It is! Still like the slide better at CSR, though. But this one is still fun. Most slides are.
We Love Sunshine Seasons, My fave dessert is the Strawberry Shortcake, have had it the last couple times I ate there. There are so many other great things there but I can't resist.
I agree, but end up getting the same thing every time anyway
Cool that the dolphins were so active for you
Yeah, we just missed the whole show, though! Still fun watching them, though.
Catching up on trip reports this week (hopefully!)
I'm planning on doing that THIS weekend!
Loved all your pictures on the safari, of the resort, and epcot!
Thanks! All are very photogenic.
Shutters was surprisingly wonderful! I'm a big fan now.
Enjoying your trip report
What dates were you there? We are maybe planning on going in June next year but I'm not sure what would be the best week to go.
Thank you!
6/8 - 6/19. We'll more than likely be doing a June trip next year, again. It really wasn't as hot or crowded as I expected.
Ok, it was pretty hot. But not unbearably.
You are really making me want to book CBR for our next trip. I'm going to have to convince my husband, though, since he wants POR.
I know people who love POR, too. I like CBR (and CSR) much more, but you can't really go wrong with any of the moderates.
You didn't ride Spaceship Earth?! That is a must do for my family. My kids just love it. I've only been to Sunshine Seasons once, but it made me want to go back. However, my parents who usually travel with us didn't care for the crowded atmosphere so we haven't been back. Next trip. I can't wait for the updates to Soarin' to be in place. Why row B1?
We didn't ride Spaceship Earth YET
Sunshine Seasons does get crowded. We always try to get their early.
B1 is "front and center". No one's legs are in front of you.
I'll have to remember the Test Track single rider line; our Tier 1 FP is for Soarin' but we'll be able to squeeze in a TT stop!
Sunshine Seasons, as always, looks fab!
Single-rider is the best! I wish they had it for more rides.
Love that restaurant! We HAVE to hit it every year.
Speaking of restaurants, I have the Coral Reef update just about ready to go, and will be posting them tomorrow night. Stay tuned!
That's cool that they have some of the Club Cool drinks at AK.
