From Pop to the Top - Funtastic Adventures in the Summer Sun!

[MeMom]

The character pictures are just too cute. Looks like Bella has a thing for Pluto. I think it's cute that she is already showing which characters she likes more than others.
I have an ADR for CM in March. I think we'll surprise the girls with it since they've been wanting to eat here forever.
Have you and Jill discussed plans for March yet?

She did like that Pluto.
Jill called him 'Tuto' when she was little.
She called little - yiddle.

As for March, here's what it looks like could happen. We will probably take the Saturday morning flight (13th). I won't have to pay for a room for the night before just to sleep, and coming in to MCO and WDW in the daytime is just so much more exciting to me. Jill will either get two or three days off. If she has to leave on Tuesday, the rest of us will probably stay until Thursday and come home in the evening. Brook would stay and Bella would travel with Jill. If Jill can stay until Wednesday night, then we probably will just all come home together. I would like at least one park a day and an extra day for DTD. Saturday through Wednesday would cover that for us. If she has to leave on Tuesday, I would like for the rest of us to get a little more time in, and if we're going to stay, we might as well stay until Thursday.

All of that is assuming our friend can get off all that time. She likes to go for 5-6 days, usually, if she can get the time, since she doesn't get to go very often. Nothing is set in stone. I have the entire week off.

ok caught up again. 93 pages I had to get through. LOL

I plan on seeing The Hall of Presidents in October, never been but here good things about it.

Ooh that root beer float sounded good. Nice parade pics.

The plans for October look great. Can't believe I miss you by 4 days. :O(

Very exciting to be tall enough to ride "Dinosaur". Scary ride though and loud. LOL

I was told we r doing Kali again this year. Just wish it was longer.

Love "ITTBAB" such a fun show.

Great pics of walking around on the 4th. I have got to see an opening ceremony one time. MK was really empty. Very nice.

MMMM, Chef Mickeys. We r going there the day before we leave and I cannot wait. Been a while.

The 4th of July show sounded nice. I would love to see Disney on every holiday.

WOW!! I am caught up again.

See ya real soon....

Hey, Scott! We want to cover every holiday at Disney World, as well. We've been there on Christmas Day (arrived in the evening and made it to Magic Kingdom! ), Thanksgiving Day, St. Patrick's Day, Easter week, Fourth of July (more than once), and New Year's Day and Eve. We want to do them all!

We will be there the week before Memorial Day next year. We are arriving 5/22 & leaving 5/29. Oldest DS graduates college on 5/21 & we will leave the next day. Gotta start planning soon!!

Planning is so much fun, even when it's far away.

Note to self... in addition to bench hopping, Dumbo is a good covert op to gain pics of the Fantasyland expansion.

Love Brooklyn's purposeful hair swing!

Wow, looks like Chef Mickey went all out for you. He must have seen your name on the ADR list!

How cute are Mickey and friends in their colonial uniforms? Love that!!

All caught up now. Not long until your October trip!!

We thought those colonial outfits were so cute.

Not long. Three weeks from now, we should be in Magic Kingdom.

What are your dates?

Well, a Memorial Day, free dining meet would be perfect, don't you agree? Of course I think I live like 6/10 of a mile from your daughter so that would be a more practical meet but WDW would be way more fun.

I'm headed that way next weekend. We're going out to a 'fair' of some sort Saturday. Let us know if you want to hook up while we're out.

 

[Tink9721]

That will be an interesting experience. Do you think you'd like to do the Disney College Program someday?

Probably not until my senior or junior year though. I'm living at home and commuting to school for at least my freshman year. I know some people think that's a bad idea, but I don't think I'll be ready to move out yet, and that way we don't have to pay for a dorm. Room and board at both colleges I'm looking at is ridiculously expensive. I'll probably start living on campus my sophomore year. Anyway, I want to live on campus for a year before I go to Florida. I'm definitely not going from living at home to living in Florida

This was a beautiful, touching show. When they played 'Taps', a man in an ECV took off his hat and stood very slowly on obviously feeble legs and put his hand over his heart. I felt tears well up in my eyes. At one point, they asked the veterans to stand. All ages of men stood. It was a show we would recommend you seeing if you are in Disney World on July Fourth.

I always cry when I hear Taps because they played it at my grandpa's funeral last November. He was a WWII veteran.

 

[laashley]

Chef Mickey's is always such a fun time! We were seated in the little room area as well. Did you notice that you could see Cinderella's Castle out the window? Added to the experience for us!

Looks like for our October trip on the 16th we are going to head to DTD instead of MK. Was really hoping to meet you all. What are your plans the rest of the time you are there? Any meets outside of the parks- don't think any of our park days match up.

 

[MaryAz]

Great updates!! We are doing Chef Mickey's for Christmas Eve Dinner I see Jill shopped at Kohl's for the girls 4th of July tops-so did I-we have the same ones great pics and details as always.

 

[MHTeacher]

Love the breakfast at Chef Mickey's! We loved it during our May trip.

VoL--one of our favorite things. It sounds as if the 4th of July concert is very moving.

 

[moparop]

MMM!! Chef Mickey's breakfast! We have that planned for one morning this fall and there seems to be very conflicting info on whether or not the main cheese is making rounds again. I sure hope he is!

I've heard Voices of Liberty once before and they were amazing. I can only imagine how moving the 4th of July show was!

 

[karebear23]

Chef Mickey's looks like so much fun!

I would have teared up hearing VOL. We missed them last time we went to Epcot. Hopefully we will see them our next trip!

 

[MeMom]

Probably not until my senior or junior year though. I'm living at home and commuting to school for at least my freshman year. I know some people think that's a bad idea, but I don't think I'll be ready to move out yet, and that way we don't have to pay for a dorm. Room and board at both colleges I'm looking at is ridiculously expensive. I'll probably start living on campus my sophomore year. Anyway, I want to live on campus for a year before I go to Florida. I'm definitely not going from living at home to living in Florida

I always cry when I hear Taps because they played it at my grandpa's funeral last November. He was a WWII veteran.

I think the College Program would be an awesome experience in so many ways, along with getting the Disney name on your resume.

I don't blame you for staying home. Dorm fees are very high. Trent went to a junior college and then a university both around here and commuted. It was a drag sometime, but it saved megabucks! He'd stay with friends sometime, but having stayed in dorms many times through the years at basketball and soccer camps, he wasn't impressed with dorm life. He liked his nice big room at home.

I'm sure many people thought of so many loved ones who have served in the military during that sweet show. It was a honor and recognition to all soldiers.

Chef Mickey's is always such a fun time! We were seated in the little room area as well. Did you notice that you could see Cinderella's Castle out the window? Added to the experience for us!

Looks like for our October trip on the 16th we are going to head to DTD instead of MK. Was really hoping to meet you all. What are your plans the rest of the time you are there? Any meets outside of the parks- don't think any of our park days match up.

I don't know that we even looked out the window, to be honest. Seems like maybe for a second, I did.

We're planning to go to DTD on Tuesday morning, then back to Saratoga Springs. We have to meet UnMagical Express around 3. We might go to the Boardwalk Sunday night, or possibly even to Pop. We plan to eat lunch at Poly on Saturday (16th). Those will be our out of park times, so just let us know.

Great updates!! We are doing Chef Mickey's for Christmas Eve Dinner I see Jill shopped at Kohl's for the girls 4th of July tops-so did I-we have the same ones great pics and details as always.

Fun! We enjoyed it for Thanksgiving dinner. Mickey and the gang, good food, and family - made for a great time!

Jill shops at Kohl's quite a bit. They have reasonable prices and good sales, as well as coupons.

Love the breakfast at Chef Mickey's! We loved it during our May trip.

VoL--one of our favorite things. It sounds as if the 4th of July concert is very moving.

Have you ever seen the flag ceremony in Magic Kingdom? That's another very moving experience.

MMM!! Chef Mickey's breakfast! We have that planned for one morning this fall and there seems to be very conflicting info on whether or not the main cheese is making rounds again. I sure hope he is!

I've heard Voices of Liberty once before and they were amazing. I can only imagine how moving the 4th of July show was!

Rumor was that they moved him outside and that was a major bust, so they put him back at table rounds. I guess only someone who has been there this week would know for sure.

Chef Mickey's looks like so much fun!

I would have teared up hearing VOL. We missed them last time we went to Epcot. Hopefully we will see them our next trip!

I love hearing them, but it's usually not something we do when the girls are with us. The friend that is going with us in March enjoys them, so we'll try to hear them again then, I'm sure. I am all for lots of shows for those of us who don't have to be on rides all the time.





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Three weeks from this morning, we will be going to Animal Kingdom. The plan is that Trent and Tanya are going to get one day tickets and join us that day. I hope that works out. The park closes at 5, so after that we will possibly go to the Boardwalk for dinner and fun. We may then go over to Pop and let the girls swim in their 'fave' kiddie pool until our cousins arrive. We also want to get a glimpse, if possible, of any progress being made across the lake.

Yesterday, I spent about two hours in Trent's room cleaning and boxing up things he has left here. I'm trying to get it in better shape for others to use it when they are here. I told Wigd that it was a nice trip down Memory Lane looking at all of his plaques, trophies, certificates, etc. That boy made the most of his high school years, for sure. It made me realize that we should make the most of our experiences, as well, for they last for only a fleeting moment in time. As grown-ups, with defined experiences like high school and college behind us, we can make every day life a good experience. I know I will take the inspiration I gained yesterday from dusting off Trent's memories and wonderful experiences and carry that into today and into my school days this week. Each day is truly a clean slate, and it could be one of a million more, or it could be the last. I know that as a teacher of young children, I do touch lives every day. I pray that it will be in good ways and that they will remember the time they spent with me as being positive, productive, and fun.

Jill will be loading the next set of pictures, which will be our night at Bay Lake Tower with Wigd and Shocker, and she has some more video, so we'll be back later. Have a beautiful Sunday!

 

[declansdad]

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Three weeks from this morning, we will be going to Animal Kingdom. The plan is that Trent and Tanya are going to get one day tickets and join us that day. I hope that works out. The park closes at 5, so after that we will possibly go to the Boardwalk for dinner and fun. We may then go over to Pop and let the girls swim in their 'fave' kiddie pool until our cousins arrive. We also want to get a glimpse, if possible, of any progress being made across the lake.

Yesterday, I spent about two hours in Trent's room cleaning and boxing up things he has left here. I'm trying to get it in better shape for others to use it when they are here. I told Wigd that it was a nice trip down Memory Lane looking at all of his plaques, trophies, certificates, etc. That boy made the most of his high school years, for sure. It made me realize that we should make the most of our experiences, as well, for they last for only a fleeting moment in time. As grown-ups, with defined experiences like high school and college behind us, we can make every day life a good experience. I know I will take the inspiration I gained yesterday from dusting off Trent's memories and wonderful experiences and carry that into today and into my school days this week. Each day is truly a clean slate, and it could be one of a million more, or it could be the last. I know that as a teacher of young children, I do touch lives every day. I pray that it will be in good ways and that they will remember the time they spent with me as being positive, productive, and fun.

Jill will be loading the next set of pictures, which will be our night at Bay Lake Tower with Wigd and Shocker, and she has some more video, so we'll be back later. Have a beautiful Sunday!

Very nice MeMom!

Have a great Sunday.

 

[WrightFamily06]

My guidance counselor will be there, too!

Have a blast!

How ! We did have a blast MeMom , just finally getting around to catching up on every-one's reports and gonna try and start my own ! We've had such a busy time since we got back with laundry,school,soccer,boy scouts, uploading & editing pictures , putting everything away , cleaning up the messes our dogs decided to leave us while we were gone and getting ready for a move we just found out about on vacation to California at the end of October !

Great updates MeMom & Jill

-Love the early morning PoP pictures , you always do such a beautiful job MeMom !
-Bella is soo silly, the traveling to the bathroom picture and bow pic are too cute !
-Nice Disney Store pictures, I'm hoping when we move to find one close by although in our new location there seems to be not much close by lol
-Great pictures of the opening show Jill
-Awesome Buzz Lightyear Space Ranger Spin pictures
-The park looked so empty for being 4th of July , where was everyone at ?
-So cute how Bella really checks Minnie & Mickey out and Brooklynn is def a pro with the characters !
-Great construction pictures Jill
-Adorable pictures of Brooklynn opening ToonTown such a lucky girl
- the ToonTown shopping pictures , it's hard to believe the next time we are at WDW that will all be gone !
-Precious pictures & video of the girls with the Stepsisters & Stepmother
-I that mural at the Contemporary !
-Nice Chef Mickey's pictures and the breakfast looks so yummy
-You got me very teary eyed this morning w/ your voices of Liberty Concert Story , Veterans & Our Men and Women in uniform have such great respect for our country ! Such amazing people that we can all learn from !

 

[reelmom]

You always have such profound words, MeMom. Thank you for taking the time to share them with us.

 

[999ghostslover]

Aww. MeMom. What a great way to look at boxing up those old momentos. I'm so glad you hold the memories so dear.
Are y'all going to the Madison Street Festival on Saturday? Abs will be in the parade with her Indian Princess tribe. The boys and I will watch the parade and walk around the street vendors a bit. Tom and Abs will leave there to go to her cheerleading and then home for a quick break before one of us takes her to a birthday. Next year cheerleading is going to have to go. None of us like it but we are making her see through her commitment. Anyway, if that is the fair you are talking about we would love to meet up. Jill, if you have a time and place that works let me know.

 

[celeste.]

I'm just catching up on all my DISing & trip reporting & looking at your updates from the past week.

I love the picture of Bella trying to take flight! She's so cute!
It looks like you guys had fun at Chef Mickey's! The food looks good and it looks like you had good character interaction.

 

[manntra]

Looked like a happy breakfast at CM!! I do love Pluto too
Such a touching story about VOL....I was weepy too
You always say just the right things MeMom tomorrow WILL be another clean slate day

Tracy

 

[Charleston Princess]

Hurray for being in Animal Kingdom in three weeks!!!

You are so right about making the most of each day. That is something I should strive to do -- some days are easier than others, for sure!

 

[Tink9721]

I think the College Program would be an awesome experience in so many ways, along with getting the Disney name on your resume.

I don't blame you for staying home. Dorm fees are very high. Trent went to a junior college and then a university both around here and commuted. It was a drag sometime, but it saved megabucks! He'd stay with friends sometime, but having stayed in dorms many times through the years at basketball and soccer camps, he wasn't impressed with dorm life. He liked his nice big room at home.

I'm sure many people thought of so many loved ones who have served in the military during that sweet show. It was a honor and recognition to all soldiers.

I think it'll be awesome! And being down there for an entire semester I'm bound to run into you at some point

Yeah I'm looking at Rhode Island College and University of Rhode Island. RIC is about 20 minutes away so that's not bad at all. URI is a little farther. About an hour I think. But I'd be even more hesitant to stay in the dorms there. They're not the safest dorms apparently. A family friend went there and someone broke into her dorm and stole her laptop, her jewelry, her CD's, basically everything that was at all expensive. URI has four different campuses. Their main campus is the one that's an hour away, but they also have one that's 20 minutes away. If it's possible I'll try to take at least one of my classes there. I don't think the commute will bother me too much unless I have really early classes. My mom commutes an hour to work every week day and she doesn't mind it much.

A lot of my friends think I'm crazy because I don't want to get away from home. A lot of them can't wait to move out because their parents drive them nuts. My mom and I get along great and I'm in no rush to move out and she's definitely not in any rush for me to leave.

My mom and I made a Disney dinner tonight! We got some recipes from allears.net. We made the wild mushroom and chicken pasta from Crystal Palace and the seasoned green beans from Chef Mickey's We messed up the beans a little bit(That may have been my fault ) but they were still good. The pasta was AMAZING and tasted exactly like the pasta at Crystal Palace.

 

[punkin413]

She touched him!

maybe she felt brave enough to touch him because she's so fond of the little pluto she carries around with her. pluto is one of my faves, too!

 

[MaryAz]

Such inspiring words MeMom-thanks for sharing them with us!!

 

[disneykiwi]

Hey Memom, Jill and everyone

We have had our first full week here at WDW and it has been wonderful. Have been to all 4 parks but we are all really struggling with the heat and humidity - we dont get these temps at home. My 7 yr old nephew is having a hard time keeping up with our commando schedule - we underestimated how tough it would be for him and have had to curtail alot of the plans otherwise the wobblies start and the stamping of feet etc which is rather embarrassing in a full park!!!

The first day at Magic Kingdom I nearly passed out from the heat and my mother and sister got great pleasure out of tipping bottles of water over my head to cool me down - I am sure it is something they cherished having permission to do.

Love your country, the people are so friendly and welcoming. The pink lemonade is divine - we dont have that at home. Been on Toy story mania - I was hopeless - 7 yr old beat me. done the safari, loved Phillarmagic. Had a blast at the 50 Prime time diner - brother Bob was brilliant. Have achieved so much really and loved it all. Went to the Mickeys not so scary party which was fantastic and now we have booked another one as there was so much we didnt do.

Quiet day today - started out with breakfast at Chef Mickeys - so your photos were great as I have now experienced it myself. took a ride to the local Walmart which is an amazing place - we could have spent the day there - everything seems to be so cheap. Then checked out some resorts.

Staying at the Dolphin which is a lovely place - so big we keep still getting lost.

Best stop now before I write a whole trip report on yours!!! sorry about that. We are having a day at Universal tomorrow as we want to do Harry Potter world - big fans.

Have a good night

 

[Cat0727]

MeMom you have such a way with words