Following Dr. Seuss to BCV- a November 2011 TR Updates 6/11

[podsnel]

Oh, your Hawaii plans look amazing!!!! Will you be able to post a trip somewhere????

Yes- I'll post it on the DVC board and maybe on the TR board, too- we are staying at a Disney resort for most of it, after all!

We LOVE BD too! I have never figured out why so many people dislike it. We have only been to WDW twice, but we have dined there both trips.


Well, you better get on it if you're going to read mine. I'm onto a second BONUS surprise trip to Disneyland at this point. Hoping to finish the whole thing pretty darn soon.

Well, you may be older than I am, but were you 42 with a five-year-old child??? THAT will age you FAST!

Umm...actually, I was- when Timmy was 5 I was 42- and Tyler was 7 and Sean was 10. I completely feel your exhaustion!

Thank you Ellen! I have looked there once before, but I didn't remember to keep looking, I'm planning to have a wonderful time, Hope you stay warm and the storms quit coming!

Hey- it was 70 degrees here yesterday- you won't hear me complaining!

Wow, gone for a week, and I had 4+ pages to catch up with!

Love the pics of Sean on the beach, he looks so relaxed!

I can't wait for your Hawaii TR, it sounds like it's going to be an awesome time! If you have time, read the review of Aulani on mousesavers. She really gets to the heart of some of it's issues, and hopefully what they are improving on. I'll get to Hawaii one of these days, it's on the list...

DS and I both rode RRC and loved it as well. We also loved Star Tours as we are HUGE Star Wars freaks! We played the guessing game as to which tour we would have, and I actually guessed right! Out of all the combinations...

I will definitely look for that Aulani review on Mousesavers- I know there are a lot of food issues at the resort, but from what I've been reading lately, that seems to be improving. I can only hope it continues to do so between now and August!

Ellen, what awonderful vacation you will have in Hawaii!

I love the smile on Sean's face in his photo. That smile is beautiful & sweet.

I'm enjoying my last few days of a Florida vacayion. Been here for 3 weeks. I did get a new ticker while on my trip! Yay!

WOW 3 weeks! That's a WONDERFUL way to spend the end of winter!!

Thanks for the Sean compliment- I love that pic of him too. In fact, I blew that one up and it's on canvas 16x20 on my wall. LOVE it!!

 

[MEK]

Update? Hope all is well and you have been enjoying the wonderful weather!

 

[podsnel]

Ok.....where were we....ah yes, We had just finished a lovely meal at HBD. Sean was getting antsy, so Pods left with him to go back, while the rest of us went over to see the Osbourne Lights. Hopefully. The official park closing time was 8pm, and we were past that. But I made the boys hustle over, not even slowing down to take a decent pic of-

I was hoping for at least a glimpse of the lights- we had not seen them for several years due to them being turned on later and later in the year- I think on our last visit, we JUST missed them. So imagine our joy and wonder when, even after park closing, they were still in full swing!

Our touring plans for this vacation were to come and enjoy the lights on our last night...so this was just a bonus. So I took some photos, but nothing great because I didn't have my DSLR with me- so this is just with my water camera. Still, they are sooo beautiful!!

Complete with snow...

Timmy really gets it- I love this pic of him-

Tyler....doesn't catch on so quickly...

Eventually, the elusive teenage smile appeared...

Tim liked the hoop-

I love these lights- they just make you feel so GOOD inside...

MAN! They got so big so FAST! I am a MIDGET!!

It turns out, it was a very, very good thing we took the time on this night to visit the lights. We just never made it back here. Once again proving the lesson don't put off til tomorrow......

Cont'd next post-

 

[podsnel]

We hopped on the looooong line for the boat back...and as I recall, we were some of the last to board.

We definitely breathed a HUGE sigh of relief after our earlier evening's experience.

It was the floor for the boys-

WDW DOES wear you out, apparently even more so if you went golfing in the morning. Those kids were TIRED!!

After the first stop, we were able to actually grab a seat outside-

And walk back to the villa-

The boys threw themselves right onto the bed- I mean, pull out couch- and Sean was already snoring away blissfully back in the bedroom. Seeing things were secure, Pods and I decided to step out for a bit- and do one of my FAVORITE things- we headed over to EPCOT, to have a quiet and romantic glass of champagne (or two) in Paris....

I had done this with the DISmoms in May- we had discovered that even though EPCOT closes (tonight that was at 10), you can stay and hang out for a looooong time if you'd like, absorbing and enjoying the deserted park.

Which is especially nice back in France with a glass of champagne. Or two.

There were two girls sitting at the table next to us, and- I know, shock and surprise- we struck up a conversation.

OK- I struck up a conversation. Pods just sits and observes. Actually, he may have thrown a word or two in that night- I guess he was feeling chatty.

Really, the girls were alot of fun- they were staying at the GF for a wedding the next day. Their friend who was getting married (they were friends of the groom) had been told- along with the entire wedding party- that they were to be in bed early and sans alcohol so as not to mess up the pics the next day by the Bridezilla.

They, however, were rule breakers and not in the wedding party anyway, so they were living on the edge finishing their gran marnier slushies at 10 pm, waaaay past the admonished bedtime.

They were REALLY funny- especially the one from NJ (of course!). As the evening went on, the cleaning crew came out. And we were privaleged to meet the MOST charming and wonderful CM....he was ADORABLE. ESPECIALLY because he gave me a flower, obviously, he has AMAZING taste in women! I took his pic with our two new friends-

What a super way to end a day in Disney.

We were back in the villa before 11, and in bed watching the Big Salad on Seinfeld by 11-

Tomorrow- we're hitting Kouzzina for breakfast. YUMMMMMMM.......

 

[KristiMc]

I hope to have a holiday trip sometime. I so want to see the Castle all lit up and the Osborne lights.

What a great way to end your evening - in France - with champagne!

 

[Beth D]

Great update as usual. There is just something magical about Christmas lights, isn't there?

Champagne in France, how romantic!

 

[CRdisMom]

i do agree champagne in france after the park closes is awesome....

 

[MEK]

Yeah! Update!

I am not exaggerating when I tell you that I took 125 pictures of the Osbourne lights and I never saw that basketball hoop. How the HECK did I miss that?

What a great evening - lights, boat ride, and champagne to close the park! Love it! Hope your new friends had fun at the wedding!

 

[RGirl]

What a great evening - the lights and then Champagne in France!

And, BTW, I cannot believe you were my age when Tyler was 7. Why do you look so good now??? Will I un-age at some point????

 

[dizneeat]

What a wonderful evening! So good you got to see the Osbourne lights when you did - you are absolutely right, never put anything off for the next day!

And what a great idea to end the evening in Epcot, with a nice drink! Very well done, girl!

 

[Wicket's Mom]

Tyler's teenage coolness amuses me! I remember when my boys were like that, they finally outgrew it!

Those lights are so amazing, glad that you got to see them.

Does the staying late at Epcot enjoying the champange work only if one is staying at the Boardwalk local?

 

[rndmr2]

Glad to see your update. The Osbourne Lights pics turned out good for being with a water camera. I have been at Christmas time before but that was before they had the Osbourne lights, they would be cool to see.

Definitely a nice way to end an evening, champagne in France and new friends.

 

[podsnel]

I hope to have a holiday trip sometime. I so want to see the Castle all lit up and the Osborne lights.

What a great way to end your evening - in France - with champagne!

I really want to do a trip there during December- well, actually, at the very end of November for my birthday- which is the 29th. I was hoping to do it for my 50th this year, but I think 10 days at the beginning of the month will kind of put the kibash on that - so maybe belatedly for my 51st. I want to see all the Christmas/Holiday stuff I have never seen- like all the resorts decorated, and all those stories in the EPCOT countries. And the Candlelight Processional. Kind of like the ultimate Neighborhood Christmas Decoration drive-by, KWIM?

Great update as usual. There is just something magical about Christmas lights, isn't there?

Champagne in France, how romantic!

Yes- there absolutely is something magical about them! Makes me feel like a little kid again!

i do agree champagne in france after the park closes is awesome....

And YOU would know!!

Yeah! Update!

I am not exaggerating when I tell you that I took 125 pictures of the Osbourne lights and I never saw that basketball hoop. How the HECK did I miss that?

You were looking right- it was in that alley on the left. Timmy went RIGHT to it, and was totally perplexed by how to get in there to play!

What a great evening - lights, boat ride, and champagne to close the park! Love it! Hope your new friends had fun at the wedding!

I'm sure they had fun- they couldn't help themselves, they were a riot!

 

[podsnel]

What a great evening - the lights and then Champagne in France!

And, BTW, I cannot believe you were my age when Tyler was 7. Why do you look so good now??? Will I un-age at some point????

Are you looking at pictures from this vacation??? I feel like I have aged 30 years in the past 2. But really, we are all very hard on ourselves- you look great! And you never know what's in your future- my friend, Fiona, just turned 50 and she looks better at 50 than she did at 40- She looks AMAZING! Very inspirational!

What a wonderful evening! So good you got to see the Osbourne lights when you did - you are absolutely right, never put anything off for the next day!

And what a great idea to end the evening in Epcot, with a nice drink! Very well done, girl!

Thanks! we enjoyed it!

Tyler's teenage coolness amuses me! I remember when my boys were like that, they finally outgrew it!

Those lights are so amazing, glad that you got to see them.

Does the staying late at Epcot enjoying the champange work only if one is staying at the Boardwalk local?

So Tyler will outgrow it?? Really- he was just grumpy that trip- he has been exactly the opposite lately.

And you can stay after in the parks no matter where your hotel is- just have to be careful about when the buses end going back to your resort (but I do think they run for a while after close). It's just easier when you can walk home to BW or Y&B afterwards.

Glad to see your update. The Osbourne Lights pics turned out good for being with a water camera. I have been at Christmas time before but that was before they had the Osbourne lights, they would be cool to see.

Definitely a nice way to end an evening, champagne in France and new friends.

I rememebr seeing the Osbourne lights being set up eons ago and they were back by the backlot tour- but we were too early that time, too. They are definitely worth the effort of a correctly timed visit.

And I agree- champagne and new friends is a very nice way to end the day!

 

[podsnel]

OOPS! I forgot! I took some Flip video of the lights- one of these in when they are dancing.

click to play-


click to play-

 

[dizneeat]

Love the videos, Ellen!
Thanks for posting them.

 

[JKSWonder]

The boys threw themselves right onto the bed- I mean, pull out couch- and Sean was already snoring away blissfully back in the bedroom. Seeing things were secure, Pods and I decided to step out for a bit- and do one of my FAVORITE things- we headed over to EPCOT, to have a quiet and romantic glass of champagne (or two) in Paris....

Love this!

 

[podsnel]

Our fourth day at WDW began with breakfast at Kouzzina. And, I have to warn you, I don't have alot of pics- for alot of this day, actually. Because my Dell hard drive crashed. On my computer that was a little over a year old. Which I should have expected, because they had already replaced my laptop once, when the same thing happened at 3 months. Shame on me for not backing up more of the photos. But....all of my water camera pics were already uploaded to photobucket, so it's just pics from this day that are missing (unless I had already put them on FB, etc). ANYWAY.....

I really wanted to go here again because we had had an UNBELIEVABLE breakfast on our DISmoms trip, and I wanted Pods to try it. We checked in just before our 9:20 ADR, and were seated probably at 9:30. Sean was not all that happy about being here this morning, but he dealt with it once he knew there was French Toast to be had. I'm going to use some food porn from that other breakfast here....

I had a glass of white sangria- it is very light on alcohol, and very yummy!

I also had to order what I had eaten before, which was Stacked Kouzzina Breakfast - Two Poached Eggs, Kalamata Olive toast, Artichoke Spread and Sweet potato Hash with choice of Bacon or Chicken Sausage - $11.99

It is just SUCH a yummy, yummy brekkie! I was also having the pressed pot-

Although, sadly, Joan was not sitting across from me as I drank it. I was able to find some pics of food online, so here's whatelse we had-

Sean had a double order of kids french toast, which he devoured-

Tyler was more adventurous, and chose French Toast Baklava - Grilled Fig and Anise country bread with honey, walnuts and cinnamon with your choice of Bacon or Chicken Sausage $11.99

He loved it- but I think he prefers Tonga Toast just a little bit, since that is hands down his favorite breakfast of all time.

I told Pods to order Breakfast Skillet - served with eggs, Pequillo peppers, Nueske's bacon, onions, and Greek cheese on Sweet potato hash and topped with arugula $13.99 (I'm just SO bossy, LOL! Really, it's that he can never make up his mind and I hit it 99% of the time when it comes to getting him fed, so...yea, that. )

My 99% success rate remains! He really liked this! Timmy ordered a generic kids breakast I think, so no pics of that. ANYWAY....since it was noted on the ADR that it was my birthday at some point this year, lucky me, I got a cupcake and an OPAH song!

I'm definitely looking forward to going back here with the DISmoms in just over 6 weeks from today! We have a breakfast ADR set for the morning we go on the Dream.

We left Kouzzina and walked over to the BW bus stop. And for who knows what reason, Sean became extremely agitated. My only guess would be that he was expecting to go to the BC bus stop. Pods once again volunteered to take him back to BCV and meet us once he calmed down.

It made all of us feel pretty bad, and stressed, I have to say. FWIW- I can tell you that NOW he is doing GREAT! But then? When his meds weren't working to help him cope? Not so good.

Well, T&T & I headed for the rides we knew Sean doesn't like, to get them out of the way. First, we went on the Safari ride, since we had not done that in a couple of years, and saw this hippo.

The safari CM pointed out it was very unusual to see a hippo out of the water, so lucky us! Afterwards, we walked over to EE, and on the way detoured for-

I think we rode EE twice-

Before we got a text from Pods saying they were in the park! So we headed over to Dinoland and all took a spin on-

I think Pods & T&T rode Primeval Whirl, and then the boys and I rode Dinosaur. After which we went in search of french fries for Sean, who was still not happy- I think we got some at Flame Tree BBQ. We also walked by this band at some point-

click to play-


which was either before or after Pods & T & T got soaked on Kali...after which we went in search of Kusafiri Bakery, so that Tyler could have a cupcake. Can I just say, he was in HEAVEN over this one! It's a White Chocolate Elephant Cupcake - rich chocolate cake filled with chocolate cream, topped iwth a light buttercream and toasted coconut $3.99

Tim had a HUGE chocolate chip cookie.

Of course they thanked me profusely for knowing this even existed. And i said, Thank the DISboards, because that's why we're here.

We all decided enough was enough, and it would be a good idea to go back to BCV and take a break. Not our best day in AK ever, but certainly we made sure to have some fun!

Up next- tennis anyone?

 

[podsnel]

Love the videos, Ellen!
Thanks for posting them.

I'm happy you liked them, Karin- and I hope you get to see those lights in person one day!

Love this!

It is a WONDERFUL thing, hanging out in France when the crowds have left. It truly feels like you are sitting at a cafe in Paris- I'm guessing. Since I've yet to go to Paris. But it is similar to the feeling I had sitting with Pods in Rome, drinking frascati at a cafe and admiring the Colisseum at night, so I'm going to put it out there!

 

[JKSWonder]

We have an ADR at Whispering Canyon on the morning of our cruise. I now may need to go and check and see if Kouzzina has any availability.