Food and Wine? Sounds Divine! An October TR - 12/2 A PTR Link!

[Leshaface]

As we all know, i've been pretty much a slacker the past month or so. And you all know I hate updating my TR without catching up on others, but right now here is another update and I promise i'll get back to everyones threads.

Also, quick update on our January trip. For over a year, there have been financial issues with my MIL and FIL. I won't go into details but it turns out they may not be coming along after all. Which really does suck. I was hoping they could finally see what we see every time we plan another trip to WDW. So for now, I changed our 2 Bedroom Villa at Kidani to a 1 Bedroom Standard at Kidani. I know there are not many 2 bedrooms available, but if something major happens for them within the next 2 weeks, hopefully i'll be able to change it back.

But for now, we're booked in a 1 Bedroom at AKV from January 2 - January 9 (7 nights). Our plan is to switch resorts on the 5th, but figured I book the entire trip at AKV, just in case there is nothing available. I know the weekend we're leaving WDW is Marathon weekend so places are going to be booked. I'll be trying June 5 for VGF, BLT and BWV...I believe in that order. That's it for now as far as our trip! Let's get back to this TR!



As we were walking into the MK, I noticed there was no line to take a picture next to the Pumpkins on Main Street so we hopped right in. With a sleeping DS of course.







I thought Winnie the Pooh would be a good ride for everyone so that’s where we went, but someone thought it was still a good time to sleep





But he woke up as soon as we got in our hunny pot



Need to take a lesson in picture taking from PIO badly!







After our ride through the Hundred Acre Wood, the fireworks were going off!









DS started panicking during the middle, so we went inside Pooh’s Thotful Shop to hang out and look around. Luckily for me, I know all the words to the song and knew when the finale was coming up and knew when to duck back inside. I felt it the booming of the fireworks was so much louder inside the shop than outside, so back out we went to give it another try



Nope not really having it! so back in we went where there were tons more families collected inside holding their small children. The finale was coming up so DH pressed DS’s ear to his shoulder and held his hand over his other ear. I really should have taken a picture. It was such a sweet moment and you could see the beautiful display of colors bursting behind them.

We were finally ‘released’ from Pooh’s Thotful Shop in search of a quiet and peaceful ride. I’m not sure if IASW really fits those characteristics but we gave it a whirl.

I don’t think I’ll ever stop taking photos of the Tangled bathroom area




Continued in next post

 

[Leshaface]

Continued from previous post

I actually don’t mind going on this ride, because I love seeing DS grow up. This was his very first IASW ride at Disneyland at 8 weeks:









And now at 1 years old:









So big now!

DS started falling asleep (as would anyone!) towards the middle and knew it would be a good time to head back to the hotel. I remember thinking how lovely it was that our hotel was just a quick walk away!

A very eerie shot of the castle







No bus for us! I see our destination beyond it



And yet, another absolutely terrible photo!



We all did our nightly routines of showers and getting ready for the next day. It's so funny how 3 adults can turn down so quickly with one bathroom. We've got it down from vacationing with each other all the time!

As we were getting ready for bed, I heard some music outside our balcony. I went to look and saw the Electrical Water Pageant! I didn't take photos but did take video of it. If I get around to it i'll post it, but it was so cool being able to see something i've only heard of. We would all take turns standing outside with each other watching it. Definitely a fantastic way to end the night!

Just a recap of the day, as this 'day' has turned into 3 months!

-Checked out of AKV, checked into BLT
-DS received his first haircut
-Lunch at BoG
-Artist Point for Dinner
-Nighttime at MK

Tomorrow was DHS!

 

[Pinkocto]

Those scary faces do not bode well for DM and the rest of the trip


Bummer about your inlaws, I hope things change and they're able to go with you.

What a fun ending to a wonderful day, fun that you caught the water pageant. I thought that was really cute, and I liked the music.

 

[franandaj]

Sounds like a nice relaxed evening, too bad your DS was so scared by the fireworks. How cool to see the water pageant from your balcony. I missed it every night when we stayed there.

When is your bday?!

It's actually tomorrow, but the actual milestone one is a year from now! Yikes!!!!

 

[PrincessInOz]

So sorry about your IL. I hope things improve for them soon.

That looks like a great night at MK. And I love the shots of your DS in IaSW!!!! How cute.
My DS was also scared of firework noises when he was young. I hope yours grows out of it quickly.

 

[Dugette]

I love the family pictures with the pumpkins and sleeping DS! Cute!

Wow, those It's a Small World comparisons are pretty cool to have. Such a big boy now!

Glad you caught the Electrical Water Pageant! Good way to end the night.

 

[tdashgirl]

I haven't been on the DIS for a few days ... so happy to see another update. The small world comparison photos are adorable.

 

[TheMaxRebo]

Those "pumpkin" photos are great - what a good spot!

Poor little guy with the fireworks - I know when I was a kid I really didn't like loud noises. Meanwhile my kids can't get enough of fireworks!

Sounds like a nice little after-dinner trip ... and how convenient to just walk back to your room!

 

[Leshaface]

Those scary faces do not bode well for DM and the rest of the trip


Bummer about your inlaws, I hope things change and they're able to go with you.

What a fun ending to a wonderful day, fun that you caught the water pageant. I thought that was really cute, and I liked the music.

Uh, my poor DM. It doesn't get better i'll say that much..

The water pageant is such an awesome surprise! I honestly didn't even think about it before making our reservation at BLT, so to see it right from our balcony was fun!

Sounds like a nice relaxed evening, too bad your DS was so scared by the fireworks. How cool to see the water pageant from your balcony. I missed it every night when we stayed there.


It's actually tomorrow, but the actual milestone one is a year from now! Yikes!!!!

HAPPY BELATED BIRTHDAY!!

So what are the plans for next year?! Or did you already say on your TR and I missed it somehow..

So sorry about your IL. I hope things improve for them soon.

That looks like a great night at MK. And I love the shots of your DS in IaSW!!!! How cute.
My DS was also scared of firework noises when he was young. I hope yours grows out of it quickly.

I'm hoping he does too. Fireworks are so beautiful, especially at WDW!

I love the family pictures with the pumpkins and sleeping DS! Cute!

Wow, those It's a Small World comparisons are pretty cool to have. Such a big boy now!

Glad you caught the Electrical Water Pageant! Good way to end the night.

The IASW pictures - i'm so glad that we took them. It will have to be a tradition from now on!

I haven't been on the DIS for a few days ... so happy to see another update. The small world comparison photos are adorable.

Hiya! Are you still going in Oct?

Those "pumpkin" photos are great - what a good spot!

Poor little guy with the fireworks - I know when I was a kid I really didn't like loud noises. Meanwhile my kids can't get enough of fireworks!

Sounds like a nice little after-dinner trip ... and how convenient to just walk back to your room!

I think that's awesome that your kids like fireworks, especially at such a young age. You're definitely lucky that you don't have to run and hide

 

[Leshaface]

Wednesday, October 9, 2013

This is what I had written down on our master plans for the day:

DHS
Lunch somewhere
Brown derby for dinner at 6:50

Big time plans right?! Let's see if we can stick to it.

Everyone had slept good last night, except for my poor DM who was battling a major cold. I told her she didn’t have to come with and could hang back and meet up with us later or we could come back and get her if she didn’t feel comfortable venturing out to find us on her own. I don’t even know why I bothered asking, there was no question that she was coming with us. That’s why I love her. She never complains about anything that’s wrong with her. In fact, I was the one bugging her the whole time about medicine, staying back etc. Otherwise she would have never went and got medicine for herself. Since she was coming with us, I asked if she would like some tea instead of coffee this morning and she agreed that it would be better on her throat. I went to the Fantasia Market over at the Contemporary and bought a large tin of a variety of teas. Luckily for me, I had purchased a sleeve of to-go cups at home, so we were able to take our coffee/tea with us.

Surprisingly we were down at the bus stop at 9am



DS’s beverage of choice



See all those people behind DM in the first photo? They were all waiting for DHS, because I kept hearing people complaining about how ridiculous the wait had been etc. We were still waiting for a bus after 15 minutes and finally one bus showed up for DHS and there was a MOB of people that rushed the bus. We tried to hang back for a few minutes to let the people that were actually there before us to load first but people that had just shown up to the stop were making our way on. We went into survival mode and made our way on to the bus though! With standing room only at this point, a very nice woman forced her child (maybe 11?) to stand in front of her so I could sit down with DS. She was so nice about it and didn’t even hesitate. From reading Duggete’s TR, we had quite the opposite experience with folks getting up from their seats on the bus for me or DH when we had our DS in our arms. We never asked, nor gave off the vibe that people should give up their seats for us. There are so many hidden illnesses that I hate judging and assuming because someone looks healthy, they aren’t.

Anyway, 40 minutes later we arrived!



Made a mental note that we needed to get a picture in front of the Monsters University topiaries on the way out



AGGGH!



I took this picture for the sole purpose of recalling how long it took to get through that monstrosity of a crowd



Only 5 minutes!

The first thing I wanted to do was take DM on a ride she wanted to get on last time we were heree, but ran out of time so that’s where we headed first.



Taking pictures along the way



Still haven’t been here yet




On our way to the ride, we got distracted by a cute alien







I love DS’s mouth in this shot!



Continuing on our mission





You can see they’re already prepping for the Osborne Lights









I can’t believe the start setting up this far in advance! Remember this is October 9, so I have no idea if this had already been here for a while or what,

 

[Leshaface]

We finally made it to our destination (and I’m still not sure if we took the long way or short way ) Can anyone tell me!? Maybe I’ll look at a map next time.



Also, why did they get rid of grabbing folks to particpate in this scene?



I thought he may get scared of the loud noises



Nope!

Walking by various props



Anyone know where that rabbit is from?! You’ll get major points if you do!



I think this was from The Great Muppet Caper, but I could be wrong



Getting on the tram





Newest addition?



Because I always take a picture when I’m on this ride



I think this part is so cool



DH took this for some reason



He’s chillin’





Continued in next post

 

[Leshaface]

Continued from previous post

I was a little nervous about Catastrophe Canyon, because DH was sitting closest to the action











He did so good! Proud of that little boy.

One of my fav movies



Once our tour was over, we actually hung out for a bit in the AFI Showcase Shop.

My all time favorite musical ever!







Another favorite musical of mine, which DH hates!



Titanic





The Lord of the Rings?



The Shining



Finally made it into the gift shop…I wouldn’t mind hanging this over my bed so it’s the first thing I see in the morning when I wake up



My favorite scene from this movie!



This is cool





Uhh, did I mention I like Mr. Depp?



Some shirts I thought DH would like and wear





And this one, I just want in my size!


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[Pinkocto]

Ok, I fail on the rabbit. Hopefully someone will come up with the answer. I love that props warehouse. I thought for sure they still had guests do the extra rolls in that first show. Was it very early?

It might have been a little shorter walk from the other side but not much.

Poor DM, what a trooper! Excellent idea to bring disposable cups with you.

 

[eandesmom]

What a brilliant idea, packing to go cups!

Isn't that crazy that they start setting the lights that early? I remember it bumming me out a bit on my 2012 trip, kind of wrecked the pictures.

Backlot tour was closed while we were there, I would like to get on it this trip. Fun update!!!!!!!!!!!

 

[PrincessInOz]

Great idea about the disposable cups.

Yes, I was surprised at how early they put up the lights at DHS but then, there are a lot of them to put up.

Thanks for sharing the Backlot Tour. We didn't have it in our must do list this last trip; so it was nice seeing it from your camera.

Your DS is so good. and cute. definitely cute!

 

[franandaj]

Togo cups are a great idea if you don't have a hyper vigilant recycling spouse who makes you use reusable bottles and cups for just about everything! We actually had "words" as to whether or not I could buy a case of 1 liter bottles for the Roadtrip!

I'm glad Calvin enjoyed the tour, especially after having a little problem with the fireworks the night before. Sorry your mom still wasn't feeling better.

It's nice that people were nice to you and offered a seat on the bus. I hate riding the busses at busy times, our scooters take up two banks of seats and then the drivers make you get out of the scooter so you take up even more seats. The people on the bus just glare at you, we try to avoid busy bus times.

 

[Leshaface]

Ok, I fail on the rabbit. Hopefully someone will come up with the answer. I love that props warehouse. I thought for sure they still had guests do the extra rolls in that first show. Was it very early?

It might have been a little shorter walk from the other side but not much.

Poor DM, what a trooper! Excellent idea to bring disposable cups with you.

The rabbit is actually from the movie "Honey, I blew up the kid!" Such an old movie (and kinda corny), but I remember loving it when I was younger.

I just looked at a map. Yep I think we took the long way.

What a brilliant idea, packing to go cups!

Isn't that crazy that they start setting the lights that early? I remember it bumming me out a bit on my 2012 trip, kind of wrecked the pictures.

Backlot tour was closed while we were there, I would like to get on it this trip. Fun update!!!!!!!!!!!

I like having the option if we're running behind to take our beverages to go. Because there is no option in the morning of having coffee or not. It's a necessity for me!

If anything for me, seeing the light setup made me sad, knowing that in a few months the beautiful display would be on and I wouldn't be able to see it in all its glory

Great idea about the disposable cups.

Yes, I was surprised at how early they put up the lights at DHS but then, there are a lot of them to put up.

Thanks for sharing the Backlot Tour. We didn't have it in our must do list this last trip; so it was nice seeing it from your camera.

Your DS is so good. and cute. definitely cute!

Lol definitely cute, I agree!

Togo cups are a great idea if you don't have a hyper vigilant recycling spouse who makes you use reusable bottles and cups for just about everything! We actually had "words" as to whether or not I could buy a case of 1 liter bottles for the Roadtrip!

I'm glad Calvin enjoyed the tour, especially after having a little problem with the fireworks the night before. Sorry your mom still wasn't feeling better.

It's nice that people were nice to you and offered a seat on the bus. I hate riding the busses at busy times, our scooters take up two banks of seats and then the drivers make you get out of the scooter so you take up even more seats. The people on the bus just glare at you, we try to avoid busy bus times.

Okay, so i'm OBSESSED with recycling at home. I'll buy a case of water at Costco and we'll go through it in like 2-3 months because we have so many reusable cups at home. So when it comes time for our vacation and actually using up 24 bottles, I do cringe And when it comes to my coffee, I don't care if it's in a to-go cup or a reusable cup. There just needs to be my 'wakey wakey' liquid in it!

I remember you saying that about the busses before. I don't understand why people would get so upset. Uh hello, everyone has places they need to go too! Sometimes I wish I wasn't so nice (actually a mean spirit comes out of me when we're at MK in an update soon) and would actually speak my mind to rude people.

 

[Leshaface]

After doing the Backlot Studio Tour and walking around the gift shop for a few minutes, we were let out right by a Character spot and those characters happened to be Mike and Sulley! DS absolutely loves Sulley and carries him around the house so of course we needed to take some pictures with him. Too bad I didn’t plan better and wore our Monsters Inc shirts this day, instead of at the MK.



Right as we got in line, they went for a quick 5 minute break.



But soon they were back and we were going through the line pretty quickly. To pass the time, I took some pictures of things you would see on a college campus!







Some of the Frats and Sororities at MU








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Can’t forget the faculty



Campus Map



Obviously I loved looking at all this stuff because I had just thrown DS a Monsters 1st birthday party right before our trip.

Then it was time! DM wanted to take pictures rather than do the meet so she took the camera…Does anyone remember her quick photo lesson after BOG? Let’s see if she took it all in..



Poor Mike, I was ignoring him to see DS’s reaction to Sulley









Good job with the shots DM!

And the PP shots







After our meet, we debated about getting lunch, but no of us were terribly hungry so I looked at the Character times to see about doing another M&G. Jake, from Jake and the Neverland Pirates was going to have a Meet fairly soon, so we headed over to the Animation Courtyard where the Meet would take place.

 

[Leshaface]

Took a picture of the Backlot Studio Tour entrance for some reason



There was a decent line to meet Jake, but not as long as the line for Sophia Guess I’m glad I only have a little boy right now. It really did take a while to see him because he took a break while we were in line, so it took about 20 minutes. But it was worth it for the pictures we got!

Again, DM took pictures along with the PP







Oh and this is cropped. When we returned home from our trip and was looking at our PP pictures, I noticed that the Mike and Sulley meet AND the Jake meet was not in our pictures. I notified PP guest services and submitted a form and a picture of what we were wearing and the date and time. The next day I received at least 15 pictures. So if you ever lose some PP photos, contact GS and I’m sure they’ll be able to recover those missing photos





And the PP

















DS was trying to go with Jake in this one



Saying goodbye

 

[eandesmom]

Those Jake pictures are ADORABLE!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!