Excuse me, you'll need to see security. What has Mickeystoontown done? Update 3/25x2

[KatMark]

Not too bad...only two updates behind.

I'm so glad you got to WPE...I really enjoyed it in January with Mary and the girls. You may just have to dump Hunter somewhere and try EOS...you will really love it.

Glad you decided on the rental car; as a mom, I agree with you about still worrying about the kids.

I love people who have been to Disney once or twice and they think they know everything.

We've never been to T-Rex so I'm interested to hear what you thought of it (and remember, I am NOT a Rainforest Cafe fan).

 

[wakica]

Great installment stinky LOL j/k I don't really think you stink. HAHA!!

So ya, what is UP with the GONG SHOW in front of T-Rex all the time??? It's a nut house - I recall our trips to Rainforest being very similar!!! Why is it that the people that aren't going into to the restaraunt feel the need to stand right in that area making it all the more confusing and chaotic???

That vinylmation store was one of the first spots we hit when we got to DTD too. LOL and DD got busy taking snaps of all the cool things made of vinylmations too like the lamps, signs etc... Very neat. We didn't buy anything either though. LOL.

 

[rndmr2]

Catching up on your last couple of updates, We ate at WPE in 2004 and it was really good. I had it in the plan to eat there in 2010 when we went but when we got to DTD, the boat dropped us off right by the Rainforest Cafe and DH wanted to try that one instead.

Was that a Goofy Vinylmation in that picture?? I thought they were all Mickey shaped...

 

[AvasMommy526]

LOl! Don't cha just love the impatient people and the know it alls! Wonder how their trips turned out for them I'm definitely going to be using the DISboards for my transport advice
We want to try EOS and now WPE, looks like we're having both now, thank you!!
TRex looks awesome, can't wait to find out how you liked it!

 

[Coconuts]

As I was reading your description of the stinky SCAR, I swear I could smell it! It's that old musty, atticy smell. My MIL's house is older and they must have a moth problem, so the entire house is permeated with the smell of that and mothballs. She smells like it when she comes to our house (the kids call it "her smell") and we reek of it when we go for a visit(which we are going for one this weekend). Every piece of clothing, and even the luggage smells when we get back. No worries, the smell is easily washed out. And you can Febreeze the luggage.

We've never been to T-Rex so I can't wait to hear your review.

 

[mickeystoontown]

I can't wait to read your review....we have this one scheduled in Nov.

I had hoped to get it posted today but just found out that we have three clients coming in before Noon.

Someday I'll take a relaxed vacation at Disney and go to DTD twice in one day!
Your hat is so cute. I can't wait to read more.

I am so glad that we added that extra day to the trip. It gave us time to take our time and do whatever we wanted to do.

I thought the hat was cute. Way back when we first started going to Disney, I had a straw hat that I wore all the time because I didn't have time to fix my hair. Hunter was just 1 when we started going so you know there wasn't any "mama" time. The hat got smushed and crammed into things and it started looking pretty bad so I threw it away. Every since then John's tried to get me to buy another one.

That lady was just lucky she wasn't stuck at DTD for an hour waiting!

We enjoyed ourselves at T-Rex, and you are right it is very loud in there. Sam had quite a headache while there, but overall it was a place I go to again.

Ain't that the truth!

We really enjoy T-Rex but if I had a headache, like Sam did, then I'd probably have to skip it. It is pretty loud.

Great update! Lol, that poor lady and kids. At least the monorail is a fun ride, and they would get to ride 2.

It kills me to hear well intentioned people totally mislead someone at WDW. It would have been REALLY hard for me to keep my mouth shut. You did good!

Great pics at T-Rex! Can't wait to see what you ordered!

That's what I told John....well, if she hasn't ridden the monorail yet, she's about to get her chance. It was so hard for me to keep quiet but I could tell that the lady was in no mood to talk.

"Great! Now I’ve gone and made you all think that we are stinky people! We’re not. I promise!"

I just about spit out my water when I read that.

Oops! I hope the water didn't ruin your keyboard.

Hi there!!
I just found your TR from a link in the 2012 CBR countdown thread. My family loves staying at CBR, 3 times so far. Plus, I love reading things from fellow CoonA**es (can I say that on the DIS? Probably not), so when I saw a TR in progress, I started reading.
I have a question about y'all's southbound route in Florida. Yours looks more interesting than ours. So far, we've stayed on the big highways, I-75 to Turnpike, to 192. Boring, though we do get to pass Cafe' Risque and all of its signs, which never cease to get comments from DW.
Ahhh... from your clues and pix, it looks like you spend some time on SR 27, and get on 192 from there. I think I'll try to do that next time if we get to that part of the state in daylight. Long ago, I used to drive across Central Florida on SR 60, and it was fun. Doesn't look like it'll add too much time, and DS will get to see some really neat stuff.

Thanks for the travel tips, and the fun TR! Can't wait to read the rest.
Chris

Hey there and welcome Chris! It's always fun to meet a fellow Louisiana resident.

Our drive is over to Vicksburg, turn down when we reach Jackson, go through Hattiesburg and then through Mobile. From there, we take I-20 until we reach I-75. We get off I-75 at Leesburg and then get on Hwy. 27. Our next highway is 192 (also known as West Irlo Bronson) until we reach World Drive. I have looked up the different mileage on MapQuest and it's really not much shorter to take the turnpike. I think it was only 10 minutes difference so we take "the scenic route" so that we can see the orange groves, the vinyards, giant ice cream cones, Citrus Tower, etc. If you want the exact route, I don't mind posting it or sending it to you via private message.

You know, I've had that thought a few times about the bus and monorail, but it never makes sense. We had some people from Beach Club jump over the the Boardwalk bus at MK because the BC bus was taking forever to get there. They figured it would be quicker to do that and walk than to wait. Wouldn't you know, not two minutes after the Boardwalk bus left, the BC bus showed up.

My DH always says "OK" when he doesn't hear me. It drives me up a wall. I would almost rather him just pull a "John McBride" instead.

We did the EPCOT to monorail to Magic Kingdom once, many years ago. I'll just wait on the next bus. I bet those folks wished they had just waited too.

John does the "ok" thing too! I just look at him and say "you didn't understand a word I said did you?" and he'll admit that he didn't.

That's too funny about the smartypants at the bus stop. People like that make me laugh.

Can't wait to see the photos of a much older Hunter! What a great way to spend a birthday!

We've never been to TRex, can't seem to tear DD away from RFC. Interested to hear what you thought, it gets great reviews!

It's crazy how many people think they know everything when in fact they don't.

You won't believe the difference between the 14 year old Hunter and the 15 year old Hunter. It's crazy!

If you like Rainforest Cafe, you'll enjoy T-Rex. The food is similar and instead of jungle animals, you get dinosaurs.

Oh no I hope you got your new car smell back!

I can't get over the picture of you and Hunter that he is that much taller than you now!

We love T-Rex. River was so upset I didn't make a reservation there this time so I took him in their dig site and let him play there for about 1/2 hour.

We did actually get the new car smell back!

I can't believe Hunter is as tall as he is. Just you wait, River will have a growth spurt and you'll be looking at him too.

Hi Lisa

Once again I'm having a fantastic time following the adventures of the McBride Clan at Disney World. I'll go out on a limb here and guess you ordered the "old reliable." That system usually works best for me. I normally stick with sandwiches, burgers or comfort food.

Hey there! I'm thinking that you guessed right.

Ooo-oo- that smell! Can't you smell that smell?!?

Too funny! Hope it wasn't a permanent addition to the SCAR.

The people who think they know it all are for more dangerous than the ones who know nothing! Sorry you had to deal with that guy.

Yum for dinner at T-Rex. We love it there, but you are right, it is very LOUD!

I know all about pulling a John McBride! My dad's hearing is awful and mine is not great, and both of us have the habit of nodding and smiling and pretending we heard it all. Must be hereditary, even though we are not related to John.

Oh that's funny! Now I've got that song in my head.

I could go for something from T-Rex right about now!

You and your dad need to make sure that you've got a third person with ya'll at all times. No telling what you'd agree to if you didn't.

oh no! Musty blankets in the hot sun. WAH! time to buy one of those little trees and hang it in the car.

Noise is a huge reason why T-rex has never been on our radar, I am curious to see what you think of the food. All caught up, fun day so far, yummy eats, pretty walks, relaxing!

If I had known that the blankets had that "stored up in the closet for a super long time" smell, I wouldn't have ever used them. I guess the heat is what brought out the smell.

This was our third trip to T-Rex so that's certainly says something about how much we like it.

You should have asked him for his DIS user name, and then when he didn't know what you were talking about, you could have screamed, "FRAUD!"



I should have! That's hilarious!

Tell John that when we were all talking at RnRC that Thursday night, Kevin asked him if y'all would pay for our trip to Disney next spring, and John smiled and nodded yes!

Oh and I told John about what he agreed to. He said that he really did hear every word and agreed "cause I'm just that kinda guy".

Can I just tell you that I ended up doing something impulsive like the lady who went to Epcot did and it did NOT turn out well at all. So Live and Learn is definitely the mantra of those inexperienced with Disney transportation!

T Rex looks so cool. I definitely need to try it soon!

Continuing to love those CBR pics!

We did that once too so I guess I'm in good company.

What a nice "extra" day you're having. Hey, anytime I could go to DTD twice in one day would be a great day!! Interesting check-in system they've got there at T-Rex. Sometimes it really is confusing where to stand and/or line up. I laughed about you not being able to hear the hostess as she led you to your table. The older I get (I hate to admit this) I sometimes have the same problem especially in a noisy place. I like T-Rex. I think it's fun and the food it pretty good too. It was a little scary to my grandson who was only 3 at the time we went because of all the noise and the animatronics are so real he just wasn't sure about the whole thing. We need to go back again and see what he'd think now.

They really need to figure out a better way to do check-in at T-Rex. It's so confusing!

It sucks getting older doesn't it? My boss likes to bring up the "we're all getting older" subject and I always respond with "I know not what you speak of."

How old is your grandson now? I'm betting he's really enjoy T-Rex if you'd prepare him ahead of time.

 

[mickeystoontown]

Isn't it amazing when you go so often and then try something new and realize you have been missing out on something! It is cool that there are new experiences around every corner at WDW!

I saw you commented about once you realized the ease of letting Disney doing the driving you all never drove again....I am right there with you!! I would rather deal with the few inconvenient issues we have had than having to worry about doing it all myself! I get enough of the driving scene in my real life!! One time and I was hooked!!

It sure is! Every time we go to Disney, we try something new whether it's a restaurant, show, attraction, etc. This time, it was Wolfgang Puck Express and Via Napoli which I'll get to later on.

Oh honey, I let Disney do all of the driving for us. I don't miss driving to and from the parks or Downtown Disney one bit.

Sorry to hear about your toe and your neighbor.

I ate at WPE for the first time this summer and it was really good. I wanted to go back for a second visit, but never got a chance.

Great pics!

Thank you!

Woo Hoo for giving WPE a try! It sounds like you enjoyed it just as much as we did.

Love the TR so far!! You three remind me of my sister, my mother and myself. We always travel together and have the best time!!

How awesome is that, a corner room at CBR! I'd want a corner room if only to have the two windows! Bummer it was such a distance from OPR but hey, walking at the CBR is much better than walking anywhere at home, IMO!!

I've always wanted to try Wolfgang Puck! The bacon wrapped meatloaf looks so yummy!! I think you may have solidified a place for WP on our trip in the spring!!

Sounds like you guys had a great first day! Can't wait to read more!!!

Thank you so very much!

Even though it was a bit further to Old Port Royale, our room location really wasn't that bad. I've heard many complain about the walks but it was very pleasant.

You definitely need to give WPE a try. It's great...a little pricey...but great.

All caught up! Have not tried WPE might have to on this next trip. How is the toe doing?

Yay for being caught up! The toe is doing a lot better but it still hurts whenever I wear "real" shoes. As long as I am in flip flops or sandals, I'm okay.

I'm joining in. I've read some of your other TR and I loved them so thought I would jump on this one as well. You and I have a lot in common. I am also a Paralegal and work in an office with just one attorney and me. I think though, we are in different areas of law. From what I can tell, I think you work in Family Law? I work in civil litigation. I did two years of Family Law and decided I would never do that again. Also, my boss' name is Paul as well.

I am currently planning a trip for next February and we will be staying at CBR. It will be me, my sister, nephew, niece and my godson. We had planned on going this past March, but after I made the deposit, we found out my sister was pregnant and due around that time so we had to cancel. My neice was born on April 30th so she won't quite be one when we do go. My sister and I went to DisneyWorld back in 1986 with our parents, but have not been back since so it's pretty much new to us. Back then, all that was around was Magic Kingdom and Epcot. We did do both parks though. Also, at that time, we were staying at a KOA camp in Kissimmee so staying on property will be a new experience as well.

Also, my nephew (who is 5) told me he wants to go on a cruise. My sister won't go because she's afraid the boat will sink so I'm considering taking just my nephew on a Disney Cruise in October of 2013. I can't wait to hear about your cruise experience. The cruise would be a birthday present for him as his birthday is Oct. 26th.

Anyway, I can't wait to read more about your trip.

Howdy and welcome! We really do have a lot in common! Working in a family law office is the pits sometimes. I hear so many sad stories and I really feel for our clients.

Oh gosh! If you haven't been to WDW since 1986, you really are going into a whole new place. There are so many things that have changed since way back then.

Have you been on a cruise before? This was our first cruise experience.

Just tell your boss that you need to be paid
to work on EVERYTHING Disney! I think they will go for that!

Wonder if he'd go for that?

Your pics of CBR are great! We are going in September-first time at CBR! I was wondering about the coffee pot in the rooms--DH is a BIG coffee drinker--are there plenty of coffee packets and what kind are they?

Thanks! We love the CBR and are looking forward to going back again next year. The new coffee pots are the single pod style. You can make two cups of cofffee at once. Our mousekeeper always left extra pods but you could always call housekeeping and ask that they bring you more. I believe the coffee brand was by Cuisinart.

Enjoying the trip report, but I was wondering why you stopped putting the links to your updates in that post on the first page? It's a little difficult to try and find them all

Thank you! I sometimes forget to post the links to the installments but I believe that post number 8 or 9 is now updated with all links.

I am so happy I didn't fall too fare behind.
I agree, that DTD buses are always slow...they seem to have their own set of rules.
WE have done EOS and love it, but have yet to make it over to WPE. Karin (Dizneeat) loves that place, and I need to fit it in somewhere sometime. I might have a chance this next trip.

It seems like every time we go to DTD, there's a bus driver change so I wonder if that's what holds up the buses there.

I have seen Dizneeat's pictures of Wolfgang Puck. They do eat there a lot and I can now see why!

I'm so glad you enjoyed WPE!! We love eating there!! Unfortunately, we probably won't make there this trip because we are trying T-REX instead. But, it's one of our favorite QS restaurants!!

I think ya'll are going to enjoy T-Rex. It should be right up your boys' alley.

I really enjoyed all the CBR pics! And T-Rex too, as I've never eaten there. I have lots of pics of the outside of it though

You should give T-Rex a try sometime. It's really good!

I LOVE hearing people who think they know everything at WDW! It's kind of like an attraction in and of itself!

LOL @ you pulling a "John McBride!" I don't have spectacular hearing, especially in a crowd, so I'd do the same thing.

I'm sure Hunter will look old and wise in the next day's pictures.

It's amazing how many of those folks who think they know everything about Disney when they really know so little.

I have found that my hearing isn't quite what it used to be either. I think it's because John has to turn the radio and television up so loud and it's affecting my hearing too.

I'm not sure why they want to be all chatty on the walk to the table! I won't think you are rude, sweetie! Just lead me to my seat!!!!

I know that they are supposed to make chit-chat but it's hard to keep up with their pace much less their conversation.

 

[mickeystoontown]

Glad to hear the foot is getting better! Sometimes my knee decides to flare up (blaming the weather), so I know how you feel.

I did not know it was Alzheimer's. I have been living with it for 21 years now. It is such a tough disease for the family to watch. Breaks my heart when I hear others are dealing with it. As awful as it sounds we are just waiting for my grandma to die so her body can be reunited with her soul, she last recognized anyone in 2004 I can't wait until I am cleared to run the Boston Marathon with the Alzheimer's Association. They are saving me a number for when I am ready!

I can certainly sympathize with you. My grandmother suffered from Alzheimer's as well. I thought the exact same thing as you....please just let her die so she can be with her loved ones in Heaven and go back to my wonderful grandmother.

I hope that you get better soon so that you're able to run the Marathon. The Alzheimer's Association is near and dear to my heart.

Sorry to butt in with a non-TR question, but you have so many experts on your page, I am hoping someone here can answer:

Can anyone tell me if there is a difference between the MNSSHP on non-Halloween days and the one held on the actual day of Halloween? I am trying to convince a friend not to limit herself to going on Halloween day because of the crowd levels, but she is convinced it is different and worth braving the crowds. Since this is her very first trip to Disney, I think she should go in early Oct. when the crowds are lighter and she is can see/do more. Thanks for letting me go off topic and thanks in advance!

I hope that somebody can answer the question for you. Hey Jen! Do you know?

Loving the updates as usual!

We love Wolfgang Puck Express, I always get that salad and its so good. Your picture made me drool.

The DTD busses from all the resorts do indeed suck!

I am a salad freak! I love 'em! John often asks if I am sure I want just a salad when I can have something better. But a salad IS something better.

Hello
Looking forward to reading more

Welcome! I hope you'll continue to post your thoughts.

We'll have to go to Downtown Disney on the night we arrive to redeem our PhotoPass+ voucher, so my husband was thinking we'd either eat at EoS or WPE. I'm leaning toward WPE...he just doesn't know it yet

Looking forward to the next part

What a husband doesn't know won't hurt him.

We haven't tried EoS yet but got to WPE finally on our last trip. We had the same thought as you, "why haven't we tried this yet?" It was by far the best CS meal of our trip. We will be returning there, but maybe not until we try EoS first.

Can't wait for the next installment!

I have no idea why it took us so long to try WPE. Now we know don't we!

 

[adisneymama]

Great update. Can't wait to hear about T-Rex. We have it booked as well. Have eaten at Rainforest several times, but thought my 5 yr old son would love T-Rex. Can't wait for more!

 

[megan511]

Love the TRex pics. Looks like we were seated in the same section.

Check in was confusing! I gave them our name and then they just kind of didn't say anything so we just stood near the podium. we were called quickly though.

The portions there are huge but very yummy!

 

[Tiggerrn2]

Hi Lisa! We're home. So sorry to hear about your neighbor and your broken toe. Hope you are healing. Caught up on your updates!! We debated on EOS and WPE ourselves. We ended up at EOS. We only chose to do the bus one day (drove our car around for most of our trip resort to resort). We took the bus to Blizzard Beach. No problems there. But I'd forgotten the little tidbit here about the busses not going from BB to DTD. We waited in the bus area for DTD for 20min after BB closed waiting for a bus before a CM finally drove by and said that bus was not running.Ended up on a bus to POFQ and then to DTD by boat. What a longgggggg end to the day that ended up being.
So now that you did no requests for CBR, do you recommend making one, and if so, which one. My friend and I are headed there for Food and Wine end of Sept. She chose the resort, so I am hoping to get a decent area. When I was there in 1996 we were in the Barbados section as well. I remember it being a bit of a walk.

 

[natebenma]

You should have asked him for his DIS user name, and then when he didn't know what you were talking about, you could have screamed, "FRAUD!"

Tell John that when we were all talking at RnRC that Thursday night, Kevin asked him if y'all would pay for our trip to Disney next spring, and John smiled and nodded yes!

 

[PennyLane1084]

Great Updates Lisa! I love Downtown Disney so much. My Fiance and I spent a few hours there walking around back in May. The Trader Mickeys (or whatever the discount store is called) is the darnedest thing to find! We also almost ate at EOS but it was SO CROWDED. The food at CPK Express looks REALLY good. That pizza and your salad has me drooling. Mmm Mmm Mmm. I love World of Disney. I could walk around that store for HOURS and never get tired of it. However, I might be pretty darn broke.

T-Rex looks like such a neat restaurant! I've never been but I imagine it's just like Rainforest Cafe but with a Dinosaur theme. And if it's anything like Rainforest Cafe I can understand how you were not able to hear the hostess. Your description of how you were "Pulling a John McBride" cracked me up. I could just imagine someone asking him the time or something and him just nodding his head like this:

Can't wait to hear more about T-Rex! ROAR!!!!

 

[dansdad]

So now that you did no requests for CBR, do you recommend making one, and if so, which one. My friend and I are headed there for Food and Wine end of Sept. She chose the resort, so I am hoping to get a decent area. When I was there in 1996 we were in the Barbados section as well. I remember it being a bit of a walk.

Jamaica 45 and Aruba 51 are about as close as you can get to OPR and the main pool without paying for preferred. We love Jamaica 45. Under 5 minute walk over the bridge to OPR. Plus it's a beautiful walk in the AM when the sun is coming up.

 

[GaRain]

Left us hanging with a promise of a food posting...man!!!
Ok, I like T-Rex, but have only eaten there once, in the ice room!
Also have only stayed at CBR once, and got lost every time I tried to find our room.....may have to try it again.

Looking forward to everything else...

 

[jusero]

Not quite caught up yet ... darned work keeps getting in my way. Don't they know I have important things to do? Like read and write TRs??? Sheesh.

Anyway, I just wanted to post this while it is fresh in my mind. Things don't stay fresh in there too long anymore. When you are taking photos of people in shadows, just turn your flash on and that will bring them out better, unless you are too far away. But it will help. Then, if the faces are still dark, you can lighten them up in photoshop.

 

[glo1770]

Oh gosh! If you haven't been to WDW since 1986, you really are going into a whole new place. There are so many things that have changed since way back then.

Have you been on a cruise before? This was our first cruise experience.

Yeah, things have changed a lot since 1986. That's why I'm so glad to have found the Disboards. I'm learning so much information by lurking around here and on people's trip reports.

I've never been on a cruise ever. But, it is something I've always wanted to do so I'm looking forward to it. I can't wait to read about your experience with it. Although, it will be slightly different for me since my nephew will only be 6 around the time we go.

 

[ohboyx3]

I'm loving the report so far! Can't wait until you get to e Dream portion... As we are taking our first cruise on the Dream in October! Will we like it???

 

[maryj11]

Great report, I have never been to any restaurants at DTD so that was interesting

 

[RachVH]

All caught up and subbed in! Can't wait to hear about the title of your TR. I will readily admit it is what drew me in!