Food, Fun, and Frivolity: 8 Funtabulous days w/pics! UPDATE 1/20 HELP!!!!

[Leshaface]

Leshaface, I have enjoyed catching up since I have been sort of MIA for a little bit. A few things...

Hi Bonnie!! I actually posted a message on your profile..not sure if you saw it, but so good to see you...or hear from you!

1. I LOVE it that you got a pug puppy!!! Keep loving that little puppy to pieces, they are very affectionate dogs! Enjoy!!!

I knew you were gonna love that I got a Pug!! He's a handful but he's awesome! He's grown so much since we got him, and his fur is lightening up a little bit. Still has that adorable 'Yoda' face though!

2. I love your report on your Epcot day! I also think Morocco and Italy are both beautiful at Epcot...and the real Italy is also beautiful! Hang in there for the real Eiffel Tower...you'll get there someday. I will probably be old and decrepid (sp.?) when I get back to Italy again!

I love Epcot! I really like Morocco because of the loud music they play in their 'market place' area. And the items there are so pretty!

3. I know I have told you this before, but you and your DH are absolutely adorable! Seriously, you guys are just way too cute! And I love the look on Belle's face and the look on his face in that pic of them together...too funny!

Haha thanks!!! It was such a fun meet! We hardly ever take pictures with characters that don't have a costume on, so for us to take a picture with a non-costume character(not recalling the actual name...is it a face character??) was so much fun!

I have missed reading your thread! Glad to finally have a little time to read again! Just been so busy...work, DH's school (going to become a school administrator), the kids with school Halloween preparation (DH is carving pumpkins with them as I type this!), plus numerous family outings. All good things though...so when I start to feel overwhelmed I try and take a step back and remember that all of the things keeping us busy are very good things...too many people spend all their time taking care of someone who is ill or visiting someone in a hospital... so when I think of that I am very grateful for the busy life I lead!!

Omgoodness, that reminds me, what are your kids being for Halloween??? It's great to think and stay positive during busy/overwhelming times!!! I love that type of attitude!

Hey Leshaface...we got our performance time it will be 10:30AM on November 21st, on the stage across from Monsters Inc. I hope you guys can come by and hear us for a little. I'll be the one playing the saxophone on the edge. Probably the only woman in a dress!

Wonderful!!! I'll definitely try to make it over there, even if it's by myself...my DH and I made a deal...he goes with me to Sunday's Extra Morning Hours at Disneyland and if he goes, he can go to ESPN Zone to watch his Packers play! Sacrifices right?!?! So i may show up by myself if you don't mind!!

The kitty you lost looks *exactly* like my Moxie. I'm so sorry for your loss. Your new babies look adorable though. I'm going to Europe with a friend on Monday! We are flying into Amsterdam staying there 3 nights, taking a train to Paris staying there 4 nights, and flying to Barcelona and staying there 3 nights. I've never been before either but the travel and hotels weren't bad. I would say for everything including airfare, hotels, train from Amsterdam, plane to Barcelona we are spending around $1400 a piece. But we aren't staying at fancy hotels. Just clean ones with decent reviews. BUT it's going to be expensive once we get there. I believe sales tax is close to 20% in Paris, and things are just generally expensivve, I've read signature drinks at Hemingway Bar at the Hotel Ritz are about $40US.

I think you could do it cheaply it just depends on what you want to do when you get there.

Anywho I just caught up on your trip report, I just love the photos you take!

Omgosh how weird! And my DH and I were JUST today, talking about the name Moxie for an animal and how neat it would be!! Crazy!!

Ooooooh you're leaving Monday!!?!?! How awesome!! Sounds like you have a busy, yet exciting itinerary!!!

Are you joking?? $1500 pp for all that??!? That, IMO, is TERRIFIC!!! We, also, wouldn't be staying at fancy places...just clean places that have a good reputation. 20 percent sales tax is RI-DICULOUS! And here I am complaining about Cali's sales tax almost getting to 10% soon!!

Looks like if I want a drink, i'm gonna have to hike my skirt up and put my flirting skills to the test!! Totally kidding!!....hmm, or am I?!?

Anyways, I hope you have a BLAST!!!! And please come back and report how wonderful your trip was!!

 

[Leshaface]

Okay guys! So i'm making some cupcakes to hand out for our family kids for halloween and I HAVE to share them with you, cuz you guys will appreciate it more!

I'm almost done, so I'll be back to post them!!!

 

[franandaj]

Wonderful!!! I'll definitely try to make it over there, even if it's by myself...my DH and I made a deal...he goes with me to Sunday's Extra Morning Hours at Disneyland and if he goes, he can go to ESPN Zone to watch his Packers play! Sacrifices right?!?! So i may show up by myself if you don't mind!!

Whatever! It would be fun to see you even if it's only for a few minutes! I understand sacrifices. Usually for that means, yes you can go in shops and buy more expensive stuff that we don't need nor have the space for!

Okay guys! So i'm making some cupcakes to hand out for our family kids for halloween and I HAVE to share them with you, cuz you guys will appreciate it more!

I'm almost done, so I'll be back to post them!!!

OK, it's been 4 hours! Where are the pictures? We got a Banberry pie from Polly's at the Traffic Circle when we got take out for dinner (did you ever go there?) so I need to build up an appetite!

 

[Leshaface]

Haha! Sorry Allison, it took FOREVER and a day to make these... but here they are!


Toy Story Aliens

Zero from Nightmare Before Christmas

And last but not least, Mr. Jack Skellington!

I'm giving these to the family kids, but the Aliens are Confetti cupcakes with vanilla frosting, Zero is Chocolate with Milk Chocolate frosting, and Jack is Red Velvet with Almond Buttercream frosting!!!!

 

[Leshaface]

OK, it's been 4 hours! Where are the pictures? We got a Banberry pie from Polly's at the Traffic Circle when we got take out for dinner (did you ever go there?) so I need to build up an appetite!

Omgosh Polly's has the best pies!!!

We lived a minute from there...we lived on 15th street right behind that Office Depot or Staples maybe??? I know there's a burger king and a laundromat in that little shopping center...wow the memories...i used to do our laundry there every week!

 

[franandaj]

Those cupcakes are amazing! Also I was gone all day and just got home at like 9:00 so I was only being funny! What are the green things on the Alien Cupcakes? Those are my favorites!

Omgosh Polly's has the best pies!!!

We lived a minute from there...we lived on 15th street right behind that Office Depot or Staples maybe??? I know there's a burger king and a laundromat in that little shopping center...wow the memories...i used to do our laundry there every week!

I kinda know where you lived (only because we go to Staples a lot) but yeah, we love Polly's for take out (Salisbury Steak is my fave...but they were having a pie special so we couldn't resist). We had a concert in West Hollywood today so we were up at 6AM, on the road by 8:30 and the show started at 3:00, there is a lot involved in putting on the show and that is why we love the Disney shows because they take care of all the details, setting up chairs, stands, big instruments, all we have to do is walk on stage and play! Today we had to do everything (get the chairs and stand from the band room at the HS and put them on stage) and it is a lot of work! But it's fun to play for a happy crowd! Long concert (2 hours with intermission) and then we have to take everything back to the band room and then there is Hollywood traffic to get home, ugh! Thank god for take out!

Our Disney show is less than 30 min, we are in and out in no time and then we get free admission to the park! What a deal!

 

[bangzoom6877]

Your cupcakes look so awesome! I want some!!! Especially the red velvet...love those!

DS5 is going to be a chef for Halloween. I had a lot of fun putting that costume together. I bought him a child size apron and chef hat on Amazon for $7! I wrote on the hat "Chef Philip" (at his request!), and last weekend, we took some things out of the fridge (jam, sauce, ketchup, mustard, molasses, etc.) and we "decorated" the apron! He wears the apron over a white t-shirt and he wears jeans. I draw a moustache (handle-bar style) in him with brown eyeliner pencil. And I will be putting a little flour onto his face. He carries a dish towel over his arm (it has a recipe for salsa on it!), and a small whisk with a small plastic bowl! He wore this for his party at school on Friday, which my parents attended. Too cute! DS3 is Woody the Cowboy! And I am going to be Minnie Mouse! DH is in school all day today but will be wearing his black robe and red mask when he gets home, to greet the trick-or-treaters!

 

[franandaj]

DS5 is going to be a chef for Halloween. I had a lot of fun putting that costume together. I bought him a child size apron and chef hat on Amazon for $7! I wrote on the hat "Chef Philip" (at his request!), and last weekend, we took some things out of the fridge (jam, sauce, ketchup, mustard, molasses, etc.) and we "decorated" the apron! He wears the apron over a white t-shirt and he wears jeans. I draw a moustache (handle-bar style) in him with brown eyeliner pencil. And I will be putting a little flour onto his face. He carries a dish towel over his arm (it has a recipe for salsa on it!), and a small whisk with a small plastic bowl! He wore this for his party at school on Friday, which my parents attended. Too cute!

Hey! That's cool! At our concert yesterday we dressed up for the second half and I was a Chef too!

 

[Leshaface]

Those cupcakes are amazing! Also I was gone all day and just got home at like 9:00 so I was only being funny! What are the green things on the Alien Cupcakes? Those are my favorites!

Haha I knew you were being funny! The aliens have mentos for eyeballs, sour green apple straw for antennaes (sp), and sour green apple licorice belts for ears! It was so fun to make those!


I kinda know where you lived (only because we go to Staples a lot) but yeah, we love Polly's for take out (Salisbury Steak is my fave...but they were having a pie special so we couldn't resist). We had a concert in West Hollywood today so we were up at 6AM, on the road by 8:30 and the show started at 3:00, there is a lot involved in putting on the show and that is why we love the Disney shows because they take care of all the details, setting up chairs, stands, big instruments, all we have to do is walk on stage and play! Today we had to do everything (get the chairs and stand from the band room at the HS and put them on stage) and it is a lot of work! But it's fun to play for a happy crowd! Long concert (2 hours with intermission) and then we have to take everything back to the band room and then there is Hollywood traffic to get home, ugh! Thank god for take out!

Yikes! What a busy day you had!!! I hear you about traffic...I used to work (well internship, I didn't get paid so it SUCKED!) in Santa Ana, and would be off by 5:15 (could the time be ANY WORSE??!) so it always took a while for me to get home, even though LB was only, what 15 mins away??

Our Disney show is less than 30 min, we are in and out in no time and then we get free admission to the park! What a deal!

Your cupcakes look so awesome! I want some!!! Especially the red velvet...love those!

The red velvet is sooo delicious and moist! And the frosting is what made it really!! I've never made the frosting before (I usually only do a cream cheese frosting with red velvet cuz it pairs well), but the Almond buttercream sounded like a good match with the red velvet, and it turned out fantastic! I wish I could ship some out for you all, but i'm sure they would turn out A MESS if I did that!

DS5 is going to be a chef for Halloween. I had a lot of fun putting that costume together. I bought him a child size apron and chef hat on Amazon for $7! I wrote on the hat "Chef Philip" (at his request!), and last weekend, we took some things out of the fridge (jam, sauce, ketchup, mustard, molasses, etc.) and we "decorated" the apron! He wears the apron over a white t-shirt and he wears jeans. I draw a moustache (handle-bar style) in him with brown eyeliner pencil. And I will be putting a little flour onto his face. He carries a dish towel over his arm (it has a recipe for salsa on it!), and a small whisk with a small plastic bowl! He wore this for his party at school on Friday, which my parents attended. Too cute! DS3 is Woody the Cowboy! And I am going to be Minnie Mouse! DH is in school all day today but will be wearing his black robe and red mask when he gets home, to greet the trick-or-treaters!

Is Philip a chef from Ratatouille?? Is that what gave you guys the idea?? He should have a little stuffed, fake rat, sticking out of his hat or apron pocket!! That would be so cute! Aww, a little Woody!?! And see, I can't WAIT to have kids for two reasons: 1, to take them to Disneyland/world, and 2 to dress them up for holidays! But that's it...someone else can have them the rest of the years! JK

 

[bangzoom6877]

Is Philip a chef from Ratatouille?? Is that what gave you guys the idea?? He should have a little stuffed, fake rat, sticking out of his hat or apron pocket!! That would be so cute! Aww, a little Woody!?! And see, I can't WAIT to have kids for two reasons: 1, to take them to Disneyland/world, and 2 to dress them up for holidays! But that's it...someone else can have them the rest of the years! JK

I always make red velvet cake with cream cheese frosting too. I make it every Christmas. I make it from scratch using a recipe from a famous place in NYC (called Sylvia's). It's amazing and very easy to make! I never buy packaged frosting anymore...ever since I discovered how easy it is to make buttercream frosting or cream cheese frosting a few years ago I never looked back!

Philip wasn't the chef from Ratatouille but I love your idea!! Too cute! His apron didn't have a pocket, it was very basic. He always says he wants to be a chef when he grows up. So that's what he wanted to be for Halloween! He has been saying he wants to be a chef since he was 3 years old! He loves to help me in the kitchen, especially with baking! When we stayed at BWV this past summer he told me that he wants to open up a hotel with a restaurant. I asked him how much it will be to stay there for a night, and he said "$5"! Oh how I wish it was that cheap to stay at Disney World...I would be, like, living there!

 

[Leshaface]

So we're walking through the World Showcase to get to the front of Epcot to get on some rides and use our Fastpasses! So what's after Italy?! Germany I believe, and for some reason I missed this last time we were here!!! How can one miss such an integral part of Germany, I have no idea...maybe it was the slushies from France...and the champagne in Italy...and that beer in the U.K......mmmnope still don't know...

I just think this country is awesome! The cool trinkets, the people (although a little stinky in the sweltering summer heat, but still awesome)

I still need/want to try Biergarten...especially from the rave review of Bangzoom!


We decided to skip the other countries since we REALLY wanted to get on some rides! So we head over to Soarin' and of course GLORIOUS as ever! Then on to Imagination! I just think that ride is so gosh darn cute! We then used our last Fastpasses for Test Track!

It was time to get ready to head back to CSR to change since we had a date at Flying Fish at 6:55.

So we don't stay long at CSR, since we decided (or maybe we HAD to do it, since there was no easier way to get to the Boardwalk), to walk from DHS. Which was actually really nice! Took some pics along the way!

A furry friend..

We arrive right on time for dinner!!!


---FLYING FISH---



After dinner, I wanted to walk off our grand meal. So we head over to the Yacht and Beach Club resorts

And OF COURSE, we HAD to take some Photopass Pictures!!! I mean, why not right?!?

What a busy, fun-filled day we had! But I was SSSTTTOOKKKED for tomorrow!!! It was to be our FIRST EVER character meal!!!....also, we had NO idea what tomorrow had in store for us!

P.S. We walked a total of 11.48 miles today!

 

[Leshaface]

We had a VERY early morning ahead of us...well 7:30am Disney time may be a little early for some (including us on our vacation, but whatev).

We had a 7:30 breakfast Cape May Cafe and I was super excited! I've never experienced a character meal before, and to be honest, I wasn't sure if it was 'acceptable' for two adults to be having character interactions with no kids at our table. But again...WHATEV!

Drama and breakfast click below!


----Cape May Cafe----

After our great breakfast we get on the boats and head over to DHS!

First ride?!?!

This ride rules! It's a little different from Disney's California Adventure version, because at DHS's, your elevator actually moves through a room, where at DCA, you move up/down a level to view a 'scene'. Still great though no matter where you ride it!

Next up!

Ahhh, LOVE Aerosmith!! And LOVE the take off on this ride! So rejuvenating after a humungo breakfast! Haha!


OOooh and I forgot....there were LOTS of these lovely people roaming the parks...so lovely in fact I HAD to take a picture of one of the groups!



LOL!

I know there's always threads closing regarding the Brazilian Tour groups, but I didn't have an issue with them...yes, they're loud and like to take up all the walking space...but they're not trying to ruin my trip, so i'll use my word again...WHATEV!


So let's go over to one of my all-time FAV movies!!!

Okay, so I'm not trying to be gross or anything, but I really took a double look at this and brought it up to DH and he said, "Is this for real and how did they get away with that?!" Look where the finger is...

Doesn't it just look....wrong and sinful?!? YIKES!!!


On to the next area...

We were walking through here on our way to meet one of my FAVORITE Pixar characters!

This person was SMALL!! I mean, incredibly tiny! DH got mad that Mike Wasowski was able to put his arm around ME but not around DH. So DH literally moved his arm and put it around himself so he wouldn't 'look' or 'feel' left out!!!! LOL!!!

 

[franandaj]

Hey, so since we were there at the same time, just to give our "what we were doing" my folks took the rental car out to go birding. DP and I went up to MK on the bus, ate at CHH and hit Mickey's Philharmagic, and a couple other easy rides like Mike & Sulley's laugh floor, before going back to the THV where we cooked dinner that night with the family.

You guys seem to be having a lot more fun!

 

[Pooh&OurHunny]

wonderful updates, I love the pictures especially the 2 of you from Photopass...You 2 will have a very beautiful child together...

 

[franandaj]

Those are some great character meets! I loved this update!

 

[Leshaface]

Hey, so since we were there at the same time, just to give our "what we were doing" my folks took the rental car out to go birding. DP and I went up to MK on the bus, ate at CHH and hit Mickey's Philharmagic, and a couple other easy rides like Mike & Sulley's laugh floor, before going back to the THV where we cooked dinner that night with the family.

You guys seem to be having a lot more fun!

What is Birding?? Ahh, I LOVE the Laugh Floor!!! One day, hopefully, I'll get picked on! Or even better my DH! I think that show would do great over by the Monsters Inc ride at DCA, don't you think? It would bring more people over to that area of the park...yes, there is two shows over in that vicinity already (Muppets and Aladdin), but i'm just thinking about myself! Cuz I would DEFINITELY go to it everytime i'd visit DCA!

wonderful updates, I love the pictures especially the 2 of you from Photopass...You 2 will have a very beautiful child together...

Aww thank you!! Let's make a pact and not tell my hubby about that last part...he wants kids soooooo stinkin' bad right now, I can't handle it! I think this would just put him over the top!! But thanks all the same!

Those are some great character meets! I loved this update!

Thank you!!! And Allison, I PROMISE to get over to your PreTR!!! I was lucky enough last night to knock out two updates since I had time in between cleaning up dinner and getting ready for bed! I like being busy, i'm not complaining, but there are times when i'm like, man, can i get some Disney time!?! I would love for there to be a day when I don't have to worry about cleaning, cooking, or working, and dedicate that entire day to eating, watching Disney movies, and being on the Dis!!!

 

[franandaj]

What is Birding??

It's when you go out to places in nature and look for birds. My parents are way into it up in the SF Bay Area. They are part of the birding society. You keep track of all the birds that you see and report back on them via the internet. My mom keeps track of how many different birds she sees in her yard each day and then goes at night and enters it online.

Every time they go somewhere new they go out and try to see different birds that they had never seen. When we took them to AK, they took FOREVER in the Aviaries on the walking trails. In one of them, the CM recognized them a knowing more than the average guest and talked with them for almost an hour. Luckily we had split up with them that day and I was riding EE!

 

[norybell]

Great updates!

Glad to hear you had such a nice meal at Flying Fish...I've been there twice and was underwhelmed both times, but I think I may have just ordered the wrong thing -- I'll have to try it again someday; you can't beat the atmosphere!

 

[bangzoom6877]

Awesome updates! And I love your pics! My favorites of course are the ones you took of the Boardwalk! LOL, not that you and your DH are not absolutely adorable!

You make me wanna go back today! I still have to wait until August just to make our DVC resort reservation! But we are nearing the 8-month mark for our cruise, so I am very excited about that...haven't been on one since summer 2006!

I wish I had the guts to go on Rock 'n' Roller Coaster...Aerosmith is my all-time favorite band! I have seen them 6 times in concert. The first time was in 1994 on their "Get a Grip" tour, and the most recent was in June 2009. Love them, and what a show they always put on!! But I'm so darn scared of roller coasters...I get anxiety just taking my son on Big Thunder at MK! I'm a big baby when it comes to rides...I'm more of an "it's a small world" kind of gal!

And yes, I definitely recommend Biergarten in Germany...highly!! Their beer sampler is wonderful, and the food is oh so delicious!! Fantastic entertainment too...my favorite WDW restaurant so far...but keep in mind we haven't been to any signatures yet (unless you count CRT as a signature because it is 2 credits on the dining plan).

 

[npierce25]

your trip report is great!!!!