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

[JKSWonder]

[I am so EXCITED!!!!! I just booked Aulani for August!!!!!!!!!

Congrats Ellen! How great! There will be a trip report, won't there? No pressure, of course.

 

[exwdwcm]

Joining in your report. We are going mid November 2012 (8-17th), so love hearing about November trips. You have a beautiful family! I love the earpods in all the pics! I know I'll be facing that some day, as mine is only 4.

The meal at Yachtsman looked fabulous! Yum! It is on my to try list for sure. Can't wait to read more!

Congrats on booking Aulani too. We are DVC as well (BLT) and hope to do Aulani maybe in a few years. We're trying for baby #2 this year, so it will have to wait a few years. We've done Hawaii (Oahu) before and can't wait to go back and actually experience Aulani there too! You will have a ball. I've watched the Aulani DVC video online etc. It just looks so amazing. I know your boys will love it.

 

[Wicket's Mom]

Have a safe trip! So lucky with Aulani, wish I could do that one!

 

[meggiebeth]

Great photos! Have a great time on your holiday! You're so lucky having so many holidays- we normally only have one a year

Well done on getting into Aulani! Woohoo! It's my dream to go there, but we live soooooo far away

 

[MAGICFOR2]

Oh, I am drooling! We've been on a weight loss system for a month now - it's working, and we're eating some tasty healthy stuff, but I'm getting hungry for some good food for sure! We will have to do Yachtsman one of these days - just not on the radar usually. I'm glad Sean had a good time, too.

Nice he gets into the Legos so much. I'm thinking I should get some for one of our kids at church - he has ODD among other things - if we can keep his hands busy, he is easy to live with for sure, but he still hears what we are saying when we teach the lesson

I just noticed your Aulani post! I totally missed it!!!! CONGRATS!!! I know it will be fabulous. I will scope it out when I'm there and post some pics for you! It's nice to know you can score it at the 7 month window!!! I feel an add on coming up in the next couple of years!!! I think you've been to Oahu? What are your must dos and don't waste your time ons? I haven't really done any planning because of the whole military thing, but I'm making a bucket list.

 

[MEK]

Hey Ellen -

Are you done traveling for awhile now? I saw your latest photos and FB and they are fantastic!

I'm ready for an update! Hope all is well with you and the family!

 

[saintstickets]

I'm ready for an update! Hope all is well with you and the family!

Ditto Ellen. Looking forward to more of your TR. BTW, just made our ressies for Aulani today. We'll be there the week after Labor Day so a week or so after you are there. Any chance for a live Aulani TR update to let me know what to do, where to go and what to avoid?

 

[podsnel]

OMG! That food porn was amazing The prices are crazy though! I for sure would need the dining plan going there! My DH is a meat and potatoes man and would love it!

There are so many place I want to see. We have friends that just bought a house in Hawaii. I would love to go to Aulani but alas my next vacation to Disney is a few years off! I am going back to school in January and won't be done for a year. There goes our vacation money!

The prices ARE crazy there, I agree. That's why we waited until we had a TIW to go- 20% off at Yachtsman is VERY significant!

How is school going? What are you studying?

We have never been to Yachtsman's. It looks delicious - will have to add it to my to do list.

It is very good- I would definitely go back!

Mmmmmm dinner looks delicious!! Yachtsman almost made it to the ADR list for May but I can't remember what beat it out. So many good restaurants to always try and so many that you can't leave out!

I agree- it is VERY hard to narrow it down.

I love Wellington...nice touch with the foam on top too. Looks like something from Top Chef..bummer it was too salty though.

I would not get that again. Pods clearly had the dinner winner at our table!

Happy that Sean had such a good day and was well accommodated with his bounty of french fries

Tracy

Thanks- those fries were very, very good, BTW..

Great shots of pool and DH favorite restaurant. I love Flying Fish. It is a tradition of ours to eat at Yachtsmans on our first night.

That is a wonderful tradition! We used to have a tradition of eating lunch at Crystal Palace when we arrived. Then one year we had bad bus service, and missed it. It BROKE the spell!! Now we have been hopping all over the place-

Lovely afternoon. SAB looks so inviting right now. Sean looks like he's having a great time! I don't blame him for only wanting to swim at the world.

Dinner looks delish. Pod's steak looks fabulous. Yummy onion bread. So glad Sean enjoyed his dinner. Can't wait to see what else is in store for the evening.

Sean was having a good time at that point. Still. We just tried to be as flexible as possible, and go with what he needed as fast as possible!

 

[podsnel]

Those fries looked very tasty! Glad that Sean has enjoyed himself.

We changed our ressie for Yachtsman to Narcoossee's, think that we will try Yachtsman next time. BTW, sorry, but to me that filet looked like it had just taken a crap! I would have a hard time eating that & I love filet.

I am interested to hear how you like Narcoosees- that is the one Signature I have no desire to go back to, for me, the food was just too rich. But I know other people at our table loved it. They ordered the surf & turf or just the lobster, and were very happy.

Looks like Sean had a great day! I'm sure that helped make it a great day for everyone.

Based on that food porn we need to add YSH as a must do. Den will go for the onion rolls alone!

I am pretty sure you will love it there, Myst! And you are right- if Sean is happy, it's a GREAT day for ALL OF US!

Looks like you had a great day, SAB looks like a lot of fun. Awesome dinner at Yachtsman Steakhouse, I'm not a big steak fan but DH is, maybe that will make it on our list someday, I know you can get things other than steak there.

I hope you like it if you try it!!

I am glad to have you, Ellen! I have learned so much reading YOUR reports!!

Right back at ya!!

MMM Steak...

Are the onion rolls kind of like an onion ring thing, or more bread that peels like an onion? I've never heard of anything like it...

The onion rolls....hmmm...they are these buttery, flaky things that kind of fall apart in sections. They have dried onion on top. Totally luscious!

DS is the same about mac & cheese. He asks the waiters directly now if it's Kraft or homemade!

The pools look great!

Sometimes I think it's more the bigger kids having accidents than the little babies... My mother took DS to the local waterpark last summer and by the lifejacket area there was a boy about 5 or 6 peeing, right out in the open, then he turned around, shifted his shorts, and yep, a Baby Ruth dropped out right on the concrete! He was definitely old enough to know better, but maybe couldn't find the bathroom?

Oh that's just lovely... Maybe he was a special needs kid- I'm going to actually hope for that over a 5 year old with ignorant parents. Even still, where were his parents????

 

[podsnel]

yeah all caught up. So glad Sean and the rest of the family is having a great time. OMG food looks great but I have never read a bad meal in your trip report! Cant wait to see what more comes!!!

I LOVE that line!!!

Yachtsman Steakhouse looks heavenly. We'll have to try that during our next trip. Your photos of the pool are great- makes me want to stay at BC so badly!

I hope you do get to stay at BCV someday- it is such happy place! And that pool in unrivaled anywhere....although, we'll have to see how the Aulani pool stacks up. I'm thinkin' that one might be a contender!

Hey Ellen!!! Okay, so I found ONE of your TRs! So far, so GREAT!! Love how wonderful Sean has been on this trip! It's so amazing that he's eating new things! I remember your last trip with Sean, I don't think he ate ANYTHING except french fries. Yayyyyy Sean!

You're right- he didn't. This was much better in that respect. Hey- why were you at that BOE meeting? We have to go a few times a year to cover it for PTA council- of course, that night was different. The kids were cute, weren't they?

Safe travels! Enjoy this trip too!

Thanks! It was AWESOME!!!!

You are one well traveled Mama!!! (slightly jealous, ok a lot jealous)

Looking fwd to some new posts when u return.

I'm working on it!

Great photos, Ellen!




AND

Congratulations on scoring Aulani!!!!!! ​

Have a fun trip! Safe travels and I hope we'll see some photos too!

THANKS!!! I still am shocked our whole plan came together- logistically, all that's left is booking inter-island flights. Which I want to use some miles for, so I am waiting to have enough.

I think I'm going to update this TR before I do a post on Iberostar Grand Paraiso. It WAS heavenly there....we're going back next January....

 

[podsnel]

Have a great trip Ellen!

I have played around a bit with the new online booking and it looks great! I am glad that it worked out for you! I might try to score a studio at the Villas at the Grand Californian at the 7 months window for September and am rather nervous about it...

Here is some pixie dust for you and your September booking!! I want to do to DL soooo badly- I really need to work on that....

Congrats Ellen! How great! There will be a trip report, won't there? No pressure, of course.

There will SO be a trip report!!

Joining in your report. We are going mid November 2012 (8-17th), so love hearing about November trips. You have a beautiful family! I love the earpods in all the pics! I know I'll be facing that some day, as mine is only 4.

We really enjoy going in November-we have usually had amazing weather, and the crowds have been fine. We only have 3 more of those trips left, though- after that, tyler will be in college- although, I guess wvweryone else will still want to go, right?

The meal at Yachtsman looked fabulous! Yum! It is on my to try list for sure. Can't wait to read more!

I hope you enjoy it!!

Congrats on booking Aulani too. We are DVC as well (BLT) and hope to do Aulani maybe in a few years. We're trying for baby #2 this year, so it will have to wait a few years. We've done Hawaii (Oahu) before and can't wait to go back and actually experience Aulani there too! You will have a ball. I've watched the Aulani DVC video online etc. It just looks so amazing. I know your boys will love it.

I agree, Aulani DOES look amazing- I have watched everything I can find on the internet! I love BLT- hope we get to stay there again someday! Have fun trying for baby #2!

Have a safe trip! So lucky with Aulani, wish I could do that one!

It's going to be great! A loooong flight, though. Hope my boys can handle it!

Great photos! Have a great time on your holiday! You're so lucky having so many holidays- we normally only have one a year

Well done on getting into Aulani! Woohoo! It's my dream to go there, but we live soooooo far away

Thanks, and I agree, I AM very lucky to be able to take so many vacations. It was not always that way, though. So there's hope it's in your future, too!! DVC has made a big difference in our lives- we were told it was vacation insurance, and I have to say- that is completely what it is! LOVE my DVC!!!

 

[podsnel]

Oh, I am drooling! We've been on a weight loss system for a month now - it's working, and we're eating some tasty healthy stuff, but I'm getting hungry for some good food for sure! We will have to do Yachtsman one of these days - just not on the radar usually. I'm glad Sean had a good time, too.

Which one are you doing? How much have you lost? NO mumus in Hawaii for you or me!!

Nice he gets into the Legos so much. I'm thinking I should get some for one of our kids at church - he has ODD among other things - if we can keep his hands busy, he is easy to live with for sure, but he still hears what we are saying when we teach the lesson

The key for Sean and the Legos is the visual directions. He loves it. And we LOVE watching him put together his masterpieces- he is so focused!!

I just noticed your Aulani post! I totally missed it!!!! CONGRATS!!! I know it will be fabulous. I will scope it out when I'm there and post some pics for you! It's nice to know you can score it at the 7 month window!!! I feel an add on coming up in the next couple of years!!! I think you've been to Oahu? What are your must dos and don't waste your time ons? I haven't really done any planning because of the whole military thing, but I'm making a bucket list.

PLEASE take pics when you go!! Can't wait to hear about what you do in Hawaii!!!! Not much longer now, huh? We have never been to Oahu before- we visited Maui and the Big Island (Hawaii) on our honeymoon. There are some great threads on Mousecellaneous- Spleen is especially enlightening, and his kids are ADORABLE!!!

Hey Ellen -

Are you done traveling for awhile now? I saw your latest photos and FB and they are fantastic!

Yes- done until May 4th and the DISmoms trip! Glad you liked my FB pics- we had a blast!

I'm ready for an update! Hope all is well with you and the family!

I'm working on it!!!

Ditto Ellen. Looking forward to more of your TR. BTW, just made our ressies for Aulani today. We'll be there the week after Labor Day so a week or so after you are there. Any chance for a live Aulani TR update to let me know what to do, where to go and what to avoid?

I know it's been a while- thanks for the patience. Not sure about a live TR, but I'm sure I'll post and say hi while I'm there- so if you have any questions right before you go, I will do my best to get the info to you!! And CONGRATS on scoring AUlani!!!

 

[podsnel]

After our lovely dinner (remember that? A million years ago??) at Yachtsman, we were headed over to EPCOT. On our last trip with Sean, he was NEVER able to ride Test Track. It was just down every single time we went with him. SO SAD!!! Sean LOVES Test Track- a LOT. So we were, of course, headed straight there-

Sean was complaining he wanted to go to bed, but since it was before 8pm, we made him soldier on- Sean in bed before 8 means everyone gets up before 4! Besides...we were going to Test Track!

click to play-


When Sean says, "Daddy, pick me up"...well, that brings back a lot of memories- he's been saying it his whole life when he's tired and wants to be carried. Very cute when he was 6. Very hard to do when he is 17!!!

I can honestly say, when we got to the ride and it was actually running, there were four of us breathing a HUGE sigh of relief! I don't have many pics from the ride, because I just kept taking video of Sean- I could NOT STOP!!

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click to play-


SEAN WAS ECSTATIC!!! We were all so happy for him- he was in heaven! So much so, we went right back and rode again!

Once that was done, we decided to ride SE...but Sean was done. Not wanting to push him any further, Pods took him back to BCV, while T&T&me stayed in the park. Since we lost Sean, we decided to hit Mission Space-

click to play-


click to play-


We have this thing about Seinfeld- so the "Go Time" thing really cracks me up! The boys? Well...they have never seen Seinfeld, so they just think I'm acting like a weirdo- pretty much, they're used to it.

After landing semi safely on Mars, we went on SE-welcome to our future!

When we came out of the golf ball, it was Illuminations time- but we did not waste any time looking for seats, because it was so late and we knew (well, I knew) we had primo seats later in the trip. Instead, we took a few bad pics-

And a traditional pic, which was minus Sean, but plus multiple random body parts. What the heck?????

We did a little window shopping in England-

Before exiting the park our favorite way, through the IG.

Minutes later, back in the villa, Sean was snoring and Pods was watching tv....we called it a night and floated off to sweet dreams.

In the morning...Golf for some, wanderlust for others! Next!

 

[NikkiLovesWDW!]

Great update Ellen!! I love the videos of Sean and the boys. What a wonderful thing!

I was at that BOE meeting just to represent the teachers. The kids were SOOOO cute! I definitely picked a great night to be there!

 

[MEK]

Glad your back and updating! Fun videos. glad you had such a great evening in Epcot and that Sean had such a great time on TT.

 

[Wicket's Mom]

Hey, great that you are back! Loved the videos of Sean on TT & the Ts at Mission Space. Did you do the Orange side? We can't do that one!

We loved Narcoossee's. DH had the Surf & Turf & I had the whole Maine lobster. I would go back, didn't have any problems there.

 

[Must C Mickey]

Hooray for a new update. Loved the videos of Sean and the boys

 

[podsnel]

Great update Ellen!! I love the videos of Sean and the boys. What a wonderful thing!

I was at that BOE meeting just to represent the teachers. The kids were SOOOO cute! I definitely picked a great night to be there!

Yes- the kids were a wonderful thing at the BOE meeting- I think everyone enjoyed the whole thing! When can you have lunch to catch up?

Glad your back and updating! Fun videos. glad you had such a great evening in Epcot and that Sean had such a great time on TT.

We were very glad, too. Thanks!

Hey, great that you are back! Loved the videos of Sean on TT & the Ts at Mission Space. Did you do the Orange side? We can't do that one!

We loved Narcoossee's. DH had the Surf & Turf & I had the whole Maine lobster. I would go back, didn't have any problems there.

We always do the Orange side because we started riding before there was a choice and never had an issue (and that was back when Sean would ride, too-). I have never felt anything but fine after it- except when I've done it twice in a row- I come off a little lightheaded then, so I try not to go back-2-back.

At Narcoosees I had calamari followed by the grouper with the crab on top (I think) and I had a very tough tummy afterwards- it may just have been an off day, but Kara & Joan felt like the food was too rich for them,too- Cammie & Pam had what you and your DH had, and they were in heaven. Their food did look gorgeous, I have to admit!

Hooray for a new update. Loved the videos of Sean and the boys

Thanks Lori! I love those videos, too- they crack me up!

 

[podsnel]

In the morning, I was the first to rise (I was on DISNEY time!! No sleeping in for me!), so while the boys were all getting ready for a day of golf, I went over to the Marketplace to get breakfast for everyone.

I knew they all wanted egg/ham sandwiches, so that's what I brought back for them. And that was when i found out for sure that there were no more freshly made yogurt parfaits- CURSES, DISNEY DINING NAZI!!! That was one of my favorite things at the BC, has been for YEARS!!!! They do have the pre-made (read- SOGGY ones) in the case, but I was not ready to give in and try one of those yet. Besides, I had some other breakfast plans that morning with my handsome Shawnee....

Anyway, the boys really liked their brekkies-

Pods was taking Tim & Ty over to the Magnolia Course for 18 holes of golf this morning, they were teeing off after 10 so they could take advantage of the great discount on the course with our DVC golf membership. I would be having a day alone with Sean first at DTD, and then on to MK- much as we had done our last visit. But this post is all about golf, so....here are the golf pics Pods ACTUALLY took HIMSELF!!!

The Mickey trap is on this course-

Pods says that course is beautiful- so perfectly manicured! When they finished up, they were surprised to see---for the first time EVER (to any of us)- that the Mickey cart was there! How cool!

I give MAJOR kudos to Pods for all the pics- I was thrilled he took so many, especially the last 3!! That guy is allllllllllright!

Up next- how Sean & I spent our time together.

 

[NMW]

Pods is just like my DH Diet Coke with breakfast.