Flowers, Segways & DIS Meets, Oh My! - Updated 10/26, Final Thoughts-FINALLY!

[BippityBoo]

HI!!! I am all caught up---sorry I have been SO MIA this week

The plants and flowers in the MK are just wonderful!! Everything looked so colorful and bright. I am so happy that you got to see Spectro!! It is a family favorite of ours and I hope that it comes back soon

I agree with you about Lotso Bear...why do they have him as a character to hang out with in DHS?? I was waiting for him to get nice because I knew that he was at the meet and greet

 

[photographymom517]

I've been working on catching up on my subscriptions last night & this morning. I read yours first & had a reply all typed up & my computer restarted when I went into the kitchen for a minute. Grr! I ended up losing everything I wrote to you!

I love all of your pictures! It definitely makes me want to go to Disney for the F&G Festival sometime. Since we went this year in June, first on my agenda is Christmas, second is a Disney cruise, so I'll put F&G at third for now. Although after reading your entire report & seeing all the pictures, I might have to move it up from third!

I never realized you could eat at Norway either. It is a tradition for me to stop in France every trip for dessert. With the hot, humid temperatures, I just wasn't thinking about food this trip in France...so we stopped to watch the movie & then moved on. We ended up in Norway starving so we stopped for a snack and our son desperately needed a drink! While there, I noticed the sandwiches & wished I would have skipped my lunch to have one of those instead. I decided to wait & see if I could find a review on the sandwiches, so I was pleasantly surprised to read yours & see the pics!!

I loved all the topiary pictures! It was nice to see the ones of the Fantasia characters & also the fairies. I have all boys in my family, but for some reason my son (age 2) loves to watch Tink so I have seen bits & pieces of the movie! I was glad you wrote descriptions beside each picture though because I have no idea which is which! I took pictures of every sign I saw at Disney so I'd have good descriptions for my trip report!

I also was glad to see you ate at GF cafe. GF is my dream resort!!! We are more of a casual type family, so I doubt that we will ever stay there (maybe just for one night sometime?) but I will definitely try to stop & visit next trip to at least take some pics of the lobby. It is so beautiful there!

I'm sure I had more to say, but now I can't remember...stupid technology! lol I am yet to learn...copy & paste or type into Microsoft Word first...then post on DIS I tell myself that everytime I post, but never do it & always lose what I typed! Anyway, I can't wait to read more of your report!!! Its really great so far & I love the pics!!!

 

[klacey1]

What a great MK morning! PP is my absolute favorite Fantasyland ride as well-- I don't know why, but it just brings you to such a happy place!

 

[Disneygrl36]

Loved your MK morning. I was so glad to finally make it to MK welcome in October...it really is such a special way to start the day.

I feel the same way about Peter Pan....it really is just a simple dark ride but it is so magical to me. I love flying over London & I guess it takes me back to my first ride on it as a child.

IASW dolls.............KK really made me think about some things!!!!

Love the PP pic of you & your Mom.

Ready for more in between all your baseball madness

 

[manntra]

Don't you just love the opening ceremony at MK? And then walking down Main Street with everyone welcoming you and waving
I can relate to your hurried feeling especially with it being your only day there....no matter how many times I go there is always some things I have to get done
Looking forward to the rest of your afternoon and dinner plans!!

Tracy

 

[SoonerGirl]

I got behind, but I caught up this morning!

So first, I have never eaten in Norway either, and your sandwiches did look good! Pastries too!

What a haul to the GF, but I am glad you enjoyed your meal, and I was laughing about the monorail stop escapade! I am sure you are not the only one to ever make that mistake! Spectro photos were great! I was glad to see them because I won't be able to this trip -- but I guess the new summer nightastic shows will be fun... I just love the music to Spectro. AND how fun you saw the opening show at the MK! I soooo want to be able to do that this trip... I have never seen it!

Hi HD! You should be in WDW now - hope you're having an amazing time

Glad I could humor you with my monorail mishap! Still can't believe I did that

I hope you get a chance to see the opening ceremony at MK this trip, it's a great way to start the day!

What a delightful morning you two had! I love it when you can move through the parks and not feel like you are dodging people every step. Very cute picture of you and your mom!

It was definitely not a dodging people morning, the afternoon was more crowded, but the morning was nice

Looks like a great MK morning! I love the photopass pic of the two of you!

Had to laugh about your Kingdom Keepers reference. I have read all 3 of them and totally agree that IASW, and some other things that I won't mention since you're still reading, will never be the same again!! Both of my kids have started to read the first but not gotten through it and I think it's probably a good thing right now!

Have you read the Peter and the Starcatchers books by Dave Barry and Ridley Pearson? Excellent books. I liked them even better than KK.

Thanks for the TS3 tip. We were going to see it in 3D tomorrow but I think we'll just save that money! I bought a pocket pack of tissues today...

It really was a great morning!

I haven't had much time to read lately so I'm only about 100 pages into the 2nd KK book. Those books really do change the way you look at things though don't they?

I haven't read the Peter and the Starcatchers books yet, but I plan on it. Justin read one of them a few years ago and really enjoyed it.

 

[SoonerGirl]

Well, WOW---Two updates while I've been off this board all week. (My computer got a nasty virus, but I think it's all cured now!)

First--We've never eaten at Grand Floridian Cafe. Your meal looked delicious---I have looked at the menu before and considered it, just never booked it. I know Dana (racefanof88) really likes GFC, too. Maybe I should try it during our next trip.

Oh, and your transportation mishaps sounds like something I'd do!

Second----Glad you got to watch Spectro! I love it---For some reason, now I'm singing, "On this magic ni--ight....."

Third---Sounds as if y'all had a good morning at MK the next day and got a lot accomplished!

Ugggg, sorry about your computer - viruses suck! I nearly picked one up from Photobucket not that long ago but thankfully my anti-virus software picked it up before it could do any damage.

I was very happy with the GF Cafe, we'll be going back for sure

WDW transportation was NOT my friend that day

We crammed quite a bit into that MK day!

HI!!! I am all caught up---sorry I have been SO MIA this week

The plants and flowers in the MK are just wonderful!! Everything looked so colorful and bright. I am so happy that you got to see Spectro!! It is a family favorite of ours and I hope that it comes back soon

I agree with you about Lotso Bear...why do they have him as a character to hang out with in DHS?? I was waiting for him to get nice because I knew that he was at the meet and greet

No problem - life gets busy sometimes!

I was very happy we were able to catch Spectro, it was a great parade!

After seeing TS3 I'm just baffled as to why Lotso was the character chosen for the Meet & Greet - I can't imagine kids wanting to meet him!

I've been working on catching up on my subscriptions last night & this morning. I read yours first & had a reply all typed up & my computer restarted when I went into the kitchen for a minute. Grr! I ended up losing everything I wrote to you!

That stinks! I don't usually write my replies in word, but I always type my updates in it and then just copy and paste - I've lost one too many posts!

I love all of your pictures! It definitely makes me want to go to Disney for the F&G Festival sometime. Since we went this year in June, first on my agenda is Christmas, second is a Disney cruise, so I'll put F&G at third for now. Although after reading your entire report & seeing all the pictures, I might have to move it up from third!

I don't know - I'd probably keep it at 3rd, Christmas and a cruise sound awesome!

I never realized you could eat at Norway either. It is a tradition for me to stop in France every trip for dessert. With the hot, humid temperatures, I just wasn't thinking about food this trip in France...so we stopped to watch the movie & then moved on. We ended up in Norway starving so we stopped for a snack and our son desperately needed a drink! While there, I noticed the sandwiches & wished I would have skipped my lunch to have one of those instead. I decided to wait & see if I could find a review on the sandwiches, so I was pleasantly surprised to read yours & see the pics!!

Can you believe I've never gotten a pastery in France?! I know, I know, I have to rectify that - I just never seem to be hungry enough for one when we are around there!

The sandwiches in Norway were really good.

I loved all the topiary pictures! It was nice to see the ones of the Fantasia characters & also the fairies. I have all boys in my family, but for some reason my son (age 2) loves to watch Tink so I have seen bits & pieces of the movie! I was glad you wrote descriptions beside each picture though because I have no idea which is which! I took pictures of every sign I saw at Disney so I'd have good descriptions for my trip report!

I had to take a pic of the fairy signs or I never would have remembered who they all were!

I also was glad to see you ate at GF cafe. GF is my dream resort!!! We are more of a casual type family, so I doubt that we will ever stay there (maybe just for one night sometime?) but I will definitely try to stop & visit next trip to at least take some pics of the lobby. It is so beautiful there!

The GF is so pretty, I love to visit it, but doubt I'll ever stay there. We're a little more laid back then the GF feels

 

[SoonerGirl]

What a great MK morning! PP is my absolute favorite Fantasyland ride as well-- I don't know why, but it just brings you to such a happy place!

Isn't PP great?! It's just one of those attractions that instantly puts me in a good mood

Loved your MK morning. I was so glad to finally make it to MK welcome in October...it really is such a special way to start the day.

I feel the same way about Peter Pan....it really is just a simple dark ride but it is so magical to me. I love flying over London & I guess it takes me back to my first ride on it as a child.

IASW dolls.............KK really made me think about some things!!!!

Love the PP pic of you & your Mom.

Ready for more in between all your baseball madness

I love the opening ceremonies at MK, I agree it is a great way to start the day!

Peter Pan must be so special because it has Walt's touch on it, it's just a fabulously simple yet wonderful ride!

Just keep your happy face on while riding IASW and all will be fine

Don't you just love the opening ceremony at MK? And then walking down Main Street with everyone welcoming you and waving
I can relate to your hurried feeling especially with it being your only day there....no matter how many times I go there is always some things I have to get done
Looking forward to the rest of your afternoon and dinner plans!!

Tracy

Doesn't it make you feel so special walking down Main Street with everyone smiling and waving and telling you good morning? Where do they do that? Only at WDW

I hated that I put myself in commando mode that morning - we needed at least 4 more days I think....

 

[SoonerGirl]

I hope no one minds a little real life update here - I promise I'll get back to my MK day soon, probably tomorrow. I just wanted to share a few pics from late last week and over the weekend.

The other day I took the kids to the zoo, it's been crazy hot around here, so we went early and left early! A few pics from the day:

Jared loves these little statues that they have all over the zoo, I must have a dozen or more pictures just like this one, he wants one taken almost everytime we go!

The cats were very scarce this morning, probably because it was so hot - I thought these would be the only kind we would see

but we lucked out and caught a glimpse of the elusive snow leopard

walking along

The kids had to stop and check their wing span against that of an eagle

Love the gorillas! Just like when we are at AK, the boys had to nudge me along....

We have a baby chimp right now - so cute!

And my own little chimp

These grizzly bears are another favorite of mine. We've had these two at our zoo since they were just cubs. They were rescued in Alaska after their mother was killed

And a few more pics from the day

Then, this past weekend Jared's team played in the state tournament. They took 2nd - very admirable for the division they play in! Here are a few pictures of him from the weekend. First batting

I felt sorry for this little catcher - his pitcher was getting a little wild on him here near the end of the game!

Jared got to pitch a little

But that is not his forte, he is a catcher and loves that position!

Getting the sign

One more of him catching

And here he is with his trophy after the game. I cropped him out of the team photo since I don't have everyone's permission to post pics of their kids online

It was a great weekend of baseball! We are starting to wind down now with Justin's summer league. Jared will probably have two more tournaments and then his World Series. Justin had his last two games of summer basketball tonight, so that is done - I can see light at the end of the tunnel!

 

[kate_wdw]

We have a baby chimp right now - so cute!

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How adorable!

 

[ladybugmom]

******************
AND, after seeing the movie I'm surprised that Lotso is the character that was chosen for the new meet & greet - he is NOT a nice bear!

This is EXACTLY what I told Brent after the movie! I was shocked at how evil he was and how nice and huggable they have portrayed him at HS?!

Wow!! Ya'll got a lot done in MK--lots of rides ridden for sure!! PPF is Ally's favorite ride, too!! And Small World is Claire's--you have me curious about those dolls now!!

Your zoo pics are AMAZING!! You got some great shots!! Congrats to Jared on his 2nd place win!!!

 

[PrincessInOz]

Zoo shots are amazing! I love the snake!

Congrats to Jared on 2nd place. He must be really pleased!

I haven't seen TS3 yet - but I posted Lotso up in my TR! DS wasn't sure to hug him or what...so he kept his distance. Thank goodness he did this..I think he would have been MORTIFIED to find out he hugged a bad bear

 

[jenniferkeala808]

hey michelle! super cute pics of the zoo especially that baby gorilla! Aren't they so amazing to watch? And great pics from the baseball game! Can't wait to see the next update of MK!

 

[Charleston Princess]

Love all the zoo pictures!!! The boys look like they had a lot of fun! Some of those animals look a little hot! I know our Atlanta zoo creatures are probably not enjoying this heat.

Congrats to Jared's team taking second in the tournament.

 

[MeMom]

Great zoo pictures! I especially love the one of the baby chimp, but they are all wonderful.
I am glad you shared. I love 'real life' updates from DIS friends.

This is EXACTLY what I told Brent after the movie! I was shocked at how evil he was and how nice and huggable they have portrayed him at HS?!

I know. I felt totally deceived!
I was all prepared to love this cuddly, sweet-smelling Grandpa bear.

 

[wdwgirl03]

Amazing zoo pictures! I love the baby chimp and your chimp. That is great. We were actually just at our zoo on Father's Day because dads get in for free.

 

[nittanyliongirl02]

Subscribing! I took a trip with just me and my mom for college spring break in 2005 and LOVED every minute of it. I always joke and say that she is more fun to go with then my husband. He's kinda like your husband, and at the last mention of Disney told me "we don't need to go back there for a while". Oh well, I can wait until 2012 for the all new Fantasyland anyways!

Great report so far! Keep it coming!

 

[KatMark]

Love the zoo pictures -- I love going to the zoo (we're going to do that one day while Mark is recuperating from his surgery if he is up to it).

The baseball pics are great too. You may see the light at the end of the tunnel...but it will be spring before you know it.

 

[SoonerGirl]

How adorable!

Isn't he cute?! He kept swinging around on that rope trying to get one of the older chimps to play with him, the older chimp was totally ignoring him though!

This is EXACTLY what I told Brent after the movie! I was shocked at how evil he was and how nice and huggable they have portrayed him at HS?!

Wow!! Ya'll got a lot done in MK--lots of rides ridden for sure!! PPF is Ally's favorite ride, too!! And Small World is Claire's--you have me curious about those dolls now!!

Your zoo pics are AMAZING!! You got some great shots!! Congrats to Jared on his 2nd place win!!!

There were so many great new toys that they could have picked for the M&G too - why that awful, mean bear??

We did get a ton of attractions in, we were commando touring for sure! You'll have to read the first Kingdom Keepers book to find out about the dolls

We have a pretty nice zoo and I love to go! If it hadn't been so hot we would have stayed longer, we didn't even visit the back side of the zoo, so I missed the giraffes - I'll have to go back soon.

Thanks for the congrats for Jared, they had a pretty good weekend.

Zoo shots are amazing! I love the snake!

Congrats to Jared on 2nd place. He must be really pleased!

I haven't seen TS3 yet - but I posted Lotso up in my TR! DS wasn't sure to hug him or what...so he kept his distance. Thank goodness he did this..I think he would have been MORTIFIED to find out he hugged a bad bear

Snakes fascinate me, but they also give me the creeps - I love that picture, but can't look at it for very long

You'll love TS3 when you get a chance to see it - take tissue, it's a tear jerker!

 

[SoonerGirl]

hey michelle! super cute pics of the zoo especially that baby gorilla! Aren't they so amazing to watch? And great pics from the baseball game! Can't wait to see the next update of MK!

That baby chimp is so cute and he wanted someone to play with him so bad, but all the other chimps were just laying around trying to pretend like the baby wasn't there begging them to play

I'll have another MK update up later today

Love all the zoo pictures!!! The boys look like they had a lot of fun! Some of those animals look a little hot! I know our Atlanta zoo creatures are probably not enjoying this heat.

Congrats to Jared's team taking second in the tournament.

The zoo is always fun. They are in the middle of building a huge new area for the elephants, it looks really neat from what I can see of the construction - can't wait until that is done, mostly because it will mean that our elephants can come home - they are at another zoo while the work is being done here.

We saw lots of animals just laying around - it was hot for sure!

Jared's team had a pretty good weekend of baseball, we were proud of them.

Great zoo pictures! I especially love the one of the baby chimp, but they are all wonderful.
I am glad you shared. I love 'real life' updates from DIS friends.

Thanks MeMom! I love it when people post just regular stuff from their everyday lives too, so I was hoping no one would mind if I did!

I know. I felt totally deceived!
I was all prepared to love this cuddly, sweet-smelling Grandpa bear.

I'm still trying to figure out what Disney was thinking here - did they not see their own movie before they decided to thrust this mean old bear upon us?!