Hakuna Kidani, What a Turtleful Phrase!

[gopherdame]

Love the picture of the girls in the window. I think in the future you may have 2 little girls going on early walks with you. We had a great time at the lake with my husband's new family. We plan on stopping in Iowa on our way to Disney in Nov. They told us that was too long though, isn't that sweet? So we may make a special trip to Iowa. I always have a hard time getting excited for a trip without grandkids, but I'm finally starting to get excited now that it's only 100 days!

 

[addictedtothemouse]

If I could only go to one park it would be MK.
I love that pin where Minnie and Mickey are sitting in the diamond ring, so pretty. I really like that EPCOT bracelet too.

 

[GoofyFan1515]

We have been known many times to have a gallon of milk in a styrofoam cooler. The girls eat cereal sometimes for breakfasts before we head out to parks. That allows us to hit rides and shows and get a lot in before they are ready to stop for a mid-morning muffin or fruit or something. I will make this note about the Pop refrigerators: they are not super cold. The milk would really be better off in ice in a cooler, in my opinion. The fridge was fine for keeping cheese slices and salad cooled, but as far as having good cold milk, having it sitting in an ice bath was much more effective.

I understand the reason, I just can't see justifying taking up space with milk when there are MeMom leftovers to be had!!!

After a good night's sleep on the sleeper sofa, I was up and running again in the morning.

Well, not running, but I was moving, and I was not going to waste Disney time hanging out in the room. There wasn't time to go to another resort, so I just walked around Art of Animation.

Lots of great AoA pictures, and just like the empty park pictures, I love the early morning resort ones before everyone else gets up and spoils the views!!!

Choose a park for today.



I would choose the purple one.

I would choose the light blue one. You are up early enough to take advantage of those MEMH!!!

By the way, is anyone else 'bothered' by the fact that Epcot is not listed after Magic Kingdom?

Absolutely! They should always be listed in the order they opened!!!

I was looking for a pin for Trent and Brandi.





I ended up getting this.

Nice pins, and great choice!

Epcot bracelet.

I know someone who would probably really like this one.........

The fruit speaks to me.

Somehow the fruit just tastes better at Disney!

Jill called and said I had a friend who needed her MeMom, so I headed back to the room. I told her to come to the window and I would wave.

Look, up in the 'prison'.

Too funny!!!

 

[tinkgurl]

I wish we would've made the time to go over to AoA and explore. It looks so neat!

 

[PlutosRHM55]

Wow, I think this is the most empty I've seen a resort. You had an optimum morning there MeMom. And I totally agree about the whole EPCOT mishap. Spread the wealth? I don't know. I guess Disney tries not to be as biased as its DISers lol

Wow AoA really got the best of everything: Lobby, Architecture, Food and Merchandise! I love the pin you chose, I actually don't remember Disney ever having wedding themed pins haha Anyways, want that Fab Five pin and all of the iPhone cases! My paycheck cannot come sooner because I need to get my hands on one of the Haunted Mansion cases on eBay. Yeah, I'm gonna be broke in about a day

And yes, the food court is quite tempting. DISNEY, WHY DO YOU DO THIS TO ME?!?!?!

 

[MeMom]

Love the picture of the girls in the window. I think in the future you may have 2 little girls going on early walks with you. We had a great time at the lake with my husband's new family. We plan on stopping in Iowa on our way to Disney in Nov. They told us that was too long though, isn't that sweet? So we may make a special trip to Iowa. I always have a hard time getting excited for a trip without grandkids, but I'm finally starting to get excited now that it's only 100 days!

Yes, Sophie may join us in a year or two, but I don't think we'll ever get Brooklynn to come along. She's a 'sleep in' girl whenever she can be.

I know what you mean about it not being as exciting without the grandkids. You really have to talk to yourself about what kind of trip it is going to be abd plan to do different things than you would if they were there. You have 99 days to talk to yourself.....

ready,
set,
GO!

That's nice that you have added some new family and that they want to hang out with you again.

If I could only go to one park it would be MK.
I love that pin where Minnie and Mickey are sitting in the diamond ring, so pretty. I really like that EPCOT bracelet too.

Magic Kingdom is the park for most people. There are so many rides and shows there, so it's a great first choice. I guess some people go to Magic Kingdom only, too, and never touch the other parks.

I almost got the diamond ring pin, but I thought the hats were a little more downplayed in the Mickey department for Trent's sake.

I understand the reason, I just can't see justifying taking up space with milk when there are MeMom leftovers to be had!!!

Lots of great AoA pictures, and just like the empty park pictures, I love the early morning resort ones before everyone else gets up and spoils the views!!!

I would choose the light blue one. You are up early enough to take advantage of those MEMH!!!

Absolutely! They should always be listed in the order they opened!!!

Nice pins, and great choice!

I know someone who would probably really like this one.........

Somehow the fruit just tastes better at Disney!

Too funny!!!

Speaking of my leftovers, later in the trip, my ziplocks are put to good use. I become Jarvis's mother in a big way. Those who have been around a while know what that means. Those that haven't will learn.

Disney fruit is delicious!

I wish we would've made the time to go over to AoA and explore. It looks so neat!

Little Guy would have loved it!

Wow, I think this is the most empty I've seen a resort. You had an optimum morning there MeMom. And I totally agree about the whole EPCOT mishap. Spread the wealth? I don't know. I guess Disney tries not to be as biased as its DISers lol

Wow AoA really got the best of everything: Lobby, Architecture, Food and Merchandise! I love the pin you chose, I actually don't remember Disney ever having wedding themed pins haha Anyways, want that Fab Five pin and all of the iPhone cases! My paycheck cannot come sooner because I need to get my hands on one of the Haunted Mansion cases on eBay. Yeah, I'm gonna be broke in about a day

And yes, the food court is quite tempting. DISNEY, WHY DO YOU DO THIS TO ME?!?!?!

My paycheck needs to double for me to put some action behind all of my Disney dreaming.

 

[LookinUp]

For some reason, the internet fairies would not let me back to Distown for a few days. But I finally got a little pixie dust.
So do you still want to play Scrabble, MeMom? Or we could build one of those puzzles with 1000 tiny pieces. They travel well in their small tins, and they are quiet, pretty fun for those 3am wide-awakes when a hip or ankle is not happy to walk.
OK, back to catch up now.

 

[CanadianWDWfan]

I love your morning walks...so peaceful. It's a great time to get some wonderful pics!

I enjoy the morning hours too when guests are just getting going and kids are excited to see what lies ahead.
I enjoy listening on the bus to the "first timers" planning out their day and what they hope to do.

I too wish they changed the mug design...we have more than a dozen of them at home already.

Since we can't leave well enough alone, we have altered the trip once again.
We are now doing a split stay. 6 nights at POP and 4 nights at ASMovies.
Lexi saw a video and asked if we could stay there and I said why not.
It will be fun to see it again, the last time we stayed there was in 2004.

Anyone use Garden Grocer? Do the cold foods stay cold when they are dropped off at the resorts?
Haven't decided whether or not we will rent a car or take a taxi to Walmart.
Seems easier to have things delivered.

I'm glad you went ahead and got the lizard for your class. I can't wait to see what you have planned for your room.

I have that AoA pen and I think of you every time I see it. I remember how much you wanted one and they were sold out...maybe a little Disney fairy will pop one in the mail for you in a few weeks.

 

[MeMom]

For some reason, the internet fairies would not let me back to Distown for a few days. But I finally got a little pixie dust.
So do you still want to play Scrabble, MeMom? Or we could build one of those puzzles with 1000 tiny pieces. They travel well in their small tins, and they are quiet, pretty fun for those 3am wide-awakes when a hip or ankle is not happy to walk.
OK, back to catch up now.

I am always up for a game of Scrabble. A thousand piece puzzle - I would need to be in the mood for that. I would have to have a place to leave it out and work a little at a time throughout a week or two.

Glad you got your internet fixed. That is a must these days!

I love your morning walks...so peaceful. It's a great time to get some wonderful pics!

I enjoy the morning hours too when guests are just getting going and kids are excited to see what lies ahead.
I enjoy listening on the bus to the "first timers" planning out their day and what they hope to do.

I too wish they changed the mug design...we have more than a dozen of them at home already.

Since we can't leave well enough alone, we have altered the trip once again.
We are now doing a split stay. 6 nights at POP and 4 nights at ASMovies.
Lexi saw a video and asked if we could stay there and I said why not.
It will be fun to see it again, the last time we stayed there was in 2004.

Anyone use Garden Grocer? Do the cold foods stay cold when they are dropped off at the resorts?
Haven't decided whether or not we will rent a car or take a taxi to Walmart.
Seems easier to have things delivered.

I'm glad you went ahead and got the lizard for your class. I can't wait to see what you have planned for your room.

I have that AoA pen and I think of you every time I see it. I remember how much you wanted one and they were sold out...maybe a little Disney fairy will pop one in the mail for you in a few weeks.

We have used Garden Grocer, and our food was cold when we got it. I think it has a very good reputation. It's nice when you can go to the store yourself, though, and really do your own choosing. Either one will help you out with the food bill as far as lessening what you will spend on Disney food and getting a little more variety.

For the past year, I have been wanting to go back to the All Star Resorts to take pictures and to show Bella the fun stuff at Movies. It hasn't happened yet, but it is high on the list for the December trip. I know I will make more of an effort to get it done, since I can also get Christmas decoration pictures this time, too.

I'm going with a wild animal theme for the room. Nothing extravagant at all - just a bunch of our animals all around the room and a bulletin board set scattered among several different boards. I worked in the room yesterday, but I won't be going back until Monday. I brought home things to work on here, but I am not ready to give up my last few days of freedom to get caught up working in that building yet. I will spend enough hours there next week. I'll take pictures when it's finished, but it's nothing exciting. The frilled lizard is cool, though. I'm glad I went ahead and got him, too.

How does that AoA pen write? I had the chance to get as many as I wanted in June, but I wasn't sure about the quality. I have bought the packs of 5-6 Disney pens before, and they have been pretty weak. I don't get them any more. Just tell your fairy friend to hold off on that pixie dust.

I do have a request for your fairy, though, and that is to tell me more about the Wilderness Explorer activities they are doing at Animal Kingdom. I am thinking about incorporating the idea of having my students earn 'badges' in the form of stickers as we do our Science and Social Studies topics this year. For instance, students would earn a Weather, Space, or Animal Habitats badge (sticker) for the folder after completing a series of tasks and using a rubric. I think it would be a good motivation for the students and fun for me to sneak some Disneyness into my teaching. So, your fairy could do something free for me if she would be willing to get some good pictures of the activities and badges AK is using. Do you think Lexi would be willing to explore this a little for me? Since the girls couldn't go in AK in June, I didn't go check it out. Brooklynn has already asked if we can do this in December, and there is no doubt that it will be very high on my list!

 

[CanadianWDWfan]

Absolutely! I will get you all the info and pics that you will need.
If it is open to kids of all ages (Lexi is 13) she will be happy to do it.
It's always nice when Disney adds something new.
Your class will be awesome with all the animals! You always make it a fun environment for your students.
Okay, no pen.
It writes fine but I don't use it a bunch...it sits there with the AoA notepad really for decoration. I completely know what you mean about the pack of pens, I find them weak too after awhile.

After I posted the question about the Garden Grocer I went and read up here on the DIS and they do have a great reputation.
Thanks for giving your opinion. I think that may be what I decide to do.
Funny thing is I don't really need "groceries" per say, I now have to have distilled water for my CPAP machine and because there is a min order I will add some snacks, cheese strings, veggies, juice and Cherry Pepsi.

Have a good day!
I'm off to work...29 more sleeps til Disney! I'm ready for a vacation!

 

[MeMom]

Absolutely! I will get you all the info and pics that you will need.
If it is open to kids of all ages (Lexi is 13) she will be happy to do it.
It's always nice when Disney adds something new.
Your class will be awesome with all the animals! You always make it a fun environment for your students.
Okay, no pen.
It writes fine but I don't use it a bunch...it sits there with the AoA notepad really for decoration. I completely know what you mean about the pack of pens, I find them weak too after awhile.

After I posted the question about the Garden Grocer I went and read up here on the DIS and they do have a great reputation.
Thanks for giving your opinion. I think that may be what I decide to do.
Funny thing is I don't really need "groceries" per say, I now have to have distilled water for my CPAP machine and because there is a min order I will add some snacks, cheese strings, veggies, juice and Cherry Pepsi.

Have a good day!
I'm off to work...29 more sleeps til Disney! I'm ready for a vacation!

Anita got me a couple of Wilderness Explorer booklets, but she said the cast member was kind of stingy about it and didn't really want to give them to a grown-up. Is that what you told me, Miss Anita Wigd?

When we get groceries, the haul is usually milk, lunch meat, cheese, bread, salad, fruit, breakfast items, and snack things.

When you get inside 30 days, time flies!!!

 

[MeMom]

When I got back to the room, the others were beginning to get ready for the day. Jill and I and the girls went down to the food court to get breakfast.





Jill asked the girls what they wanted.
Brooklynn said she wanted Mickey waffles.
Bella said she wanted macaroni and cheese.
The food court had neither of these.

They did have waffles, though.
They looked like this.



There were plenty of breakfast foods from which to choose.





Yum!



I have read that Pop Century no longer has chocolate chip pancakes. We will probably be walking across the bridge for breakfast some days in December.

After breakfast, we went to the Little Mermaid Pool for some water time.











The girls ran through here for a minute as we walked back to the room.



The rest of the morning was spent packing up, because this is the day we were going to Vero Beach.

But first, we were going to run to Downtown Disney.

Arriving at Downtown Disney.



I still do not have one of those at my house, but someday, I will. Maybe when I finish paying off my house, I will have money to do things like this.

All of you non-shoppers, close your eyes, because DTD has stores, and stores have things to take pictures of, so.....





Cute little ears.



Looking outside toward the Lego Store.



Poor Sophie has to put up with so much silliness.

 

[MeMom]

Brooklynn always gets her picture made with the crocodile.



Bella's turn.



Which one do you like best?



Old Genie Boy in vacation mode.









Looking toward Basin.




That's it for now. Hope your hump day has been a good one so far.

 

[KatMark]

I am drooling over the breakfast pictures now.

The girls look like they are having a lot of fun in the pool.

And a Disney trip, short or long, is not complete without a visit to DTD and more window shopping with MeMom. By the way, I liked the black bag the best (the Mickey over the Minnie one).

 

[Mndisneygirl]

Well this sure brightened my hump day. It was a bit dreary (work!).

I chuckled at the pool pictures - my Paige does just what Bella does - hangs on the railings! We joke about pole dancing.

I would love a waterfall plant display like that too. As much as I try, my yard just doesn't look like that!

It's so fun to take the same pictures of the kids each year and see how fast they grow. Time just keeps on flying by...

 

[Britard]

Glad to be (finally)joining in to the report!

You guys always have such a way of making me desperate to plan a new vacation whenever I read your reports!

I love window shopping with you, MeMom

 

[DWGal210]

There's nothing like a Disney breakfast! Hmm, breakfast for dinner may be on the menu for me tonight! That sounds good!

I have debated getting that Snow White shirt more than once. Maybe in December it'll come home with me.

I'll have to wander over to AofA this time. Do you know if Pop-stayers can use that pool? It looks lovely!

 

[pooh'smate]

Love all your pictures. We are going to fly in a day earlyand stay one night at AOA so we can hang out at the pool. 61 days and we are getting so excited.

 

[sunny_stace]

Oooh I want that Snow White shirt!!

Sophie looks so cute with her silly ears on! Super adorable! As are the girls with their croc pictures!

 

[CanadianWDWfan]

Love your breakfast pics! I bet we will be walking over there for a meal or two.

I want to wait til December to experience everything then when we stay there but I may not be able to wait.
Being so close to POP is just so darn tempting.

No matter how cold it will be...Lexi and I will be swimming in the Mermaid pool in December.
Looks like the girls had a nice time at the pool before DTD shopping.

Always fun shopping at DTD!
I would choose the bag with the pink trim.

I did spot a bag in one of your pics that I have on my "to buy" list.
Here's a pic. Will make the perfect lunch bag for work.



Sophie looks adorable in her purple Mickey princess ears.

I can't wait to get to DTD and see all the new merchandise...it seems like forever since I was there last.
The new Small World towel is so cute!

Well, it seems like we will be taking a cab to Walmart for supplies. Both my DMom and Lexi want to go pick things out.

I hope you are right and these days will fly by til we go.
I just wanna get there!