Ho! Ho! Ho! Away we go - A Disney Christmas - 2/15 Dec TR final thoughts and FEB TR!

[ladybugmom]

Oh wow!! Can't wait to see snow and PP pics!! My brother works in DC and lives in VA and he's been talking about how crazy it is up there, too!! Stay warm!!

 

[Charleston Princess]

I will do a special winter update post, don't worry! I just got my Photo Pass CD today! I am so excited!

Adorable pic that you added to the front page -- I laughed when I saw that the lizard managed to sneak in for it.

Oh I am sooooo glad I went shopping yesterday. I remember what it was like in December so I figured it would be a good idea, and I can only say thank goodness I did! It was mad in the store at 10:30am today, and I have seen photos on the news of grocery store parking lots jam packed grid lock, and shelves empty!!! hour long lines in the store! ICK! I am relieved that our powerlines are all underground. b/c they say it is going to be heavy snow... But we have a great gas fireplace in our house and we leave that on all day, stay warm, watch the snow falling, wear our jammies, and drink lattes and hot chocolate!!! YES, I just might be baking on Sunday -- I want to get my Valentine's day cookies going, so we will see! You are right, it is cozy... I made brownies on Wednesday, so maybe we'll do the same thing! I will be DISing for sure!!!

What kind of Valentine cookies do you make? I am so looking forward to your next update!

I will be watching to see how your trip to the exhibit goes!

I am soooo looking forward to heading down to the city! I need an outing in a huge way!

 

[MeMom]

They keep talking about snow of epic proportions...

Oh I am sooooo glad I went shopping yesterday. I remember what it was like in December so I figured it would be a good idea, and I can only say thank goodness I did! It was mad in the store at 10:30am today, and I have seen photos on the news of grocery store parking lots jam packed grid lock, and shelves empty!!! hour long lines in the store! ICK! I am relieved that our powerlines are all underground. b/c they say it is going to be heavy snow... But we have a great gas fireplace in our house and we leave that on all day, stay warm, watch the snow falling, wear our jammies, and drink lattes and hot chocolate!!! YES, I just might be baking on Sunday -- I want to get my Valentine's day cookies going, so we will see! You are right, it is cozy... I made brownies on Wednesday, so maybe we'll do the same thing! I will be DISing for sure!!!



OH yeah, Slammed is an understatement. They have drawn some lines between areas that will get 1 - 2 feet... we are on that 2ft line...

Sounds like you are prepared to have a warm, cozy, fun time inside while 'the weather outside is frightful'. Stay safe and enjoy the brownies and the Dising. Seems like a perfect way to ride out a snowstorm to me.

 

[2xcited2sleep]

I agree with MeMom-- sounds like you are all set to make the best of the storm. It does sound quite frightful. I am VERY thankful that it is missing us up here. But I'm still planning on a cozy weekend and DIS'ing!!

Oy! Just heard our weatherman say they are going to be measuring the snow with a yardstick down your way!

 

[manntra]

Phew was I behind!!
Love your Samantha Brown Sleigh Ride I can't believe all of those decorations.... Supercute picture of all of you in the sleigh!
Beautiful castle pictures from your solo trek through MK!
I can't believe you are getting all of this snow again! We haven't had one major snowstorm yet! I am right on the edge of the Pennsylvania border and this one is missing us too! I wouldn't mind having some!!

Tracy

 

[Happydog]

Good luck with your snow!!! We are getting some...just not as much as you guys! I like to sometimes get snowed in...it gives me the chance to catch up on things I usually find myself too busy to do because of the coming and going!! I am going to try to get my daughter's room painted!!!

Good for you! Well it does give us time to do stuff otherwise, I agree! And so that isn't a bad thing, definitely crazy weather! It could be up to 2 feet they say.... or more... gasp.

It was CRAZY! It would have been more but the snow started a week before xmas break and we'd already had 2 days earlier in the month. We were basically snowed in for almost 3 weeks!!!

The previous year was just as bad but that was ice and wind that knocked everything out. Last year the kids didn't get out of school until 6/26 due to all the snow days.

Good grief! WOW! That happened to us I think it was when DS7 was just 1 1/2... the power at our old house went out for Ice on trees... it was a mess. We borrowed my inlaw's generator so we could have some light. And we spent a few nights in a hotel near work, so we could function during the work week! We had 5 days built in. Went to school for 1/2 day today, so it counts.... I think they are going to play the "State of Emergency" card... if so that waives the days lost... I suspect we will be out for two or more days this coming week....

With all the talk about VB bags I finally had to go check them out. I had been looking for an everyday one and settled on the Olivia in Java Blue. I am super excited about it - well a little worried about the ties on it - but overall excited. So I wanted to thank you for sending me in that direction.

I'll be back to check out your photo pass pictures!

Oh! I can't wait to see what you got! I will check out the style and pattern! Don't let WigD hear ya, she will feel compelled..... OH boy here I go again! Baiting her.... Don't worry we love you Anita

Oh wow!! Can't wait to see snow and PP pics!! My brother works in DC and lives in VA and he's been talking about how crazy it is up there, too!! Stay warm!!

Yes well I am taking lots!!!! Yup, we all live over here -- DBIL and Inlaws, so the whole area is a crazy place to be right now!!!! Glad I am looking outside at the whole mess and not in it!

Adorable pic that you added to the front page -- I laughed when I saw that the lizard managed to sneak in for it.

I KNOW wasn't that a hoot.... he STILL clutches that iguana!! I guess I made a good call on that one... he loves his "stuffies"... I hope this summer we can get actually GOOD photopass pics. I have terrible luck with these pictures!! I will need to come up with serious bribery if I want good ones! WE had a few that are cute, and the Pirate's League pics...

What kind of Valentine cookies do you make? I am so looking forward to your next update!

SUGAR cookies! Heart shaped rollout cookies.. Like Christmas... not sure if I will this weekend, maybe the dough... want to give them out on Friday, so will probably roll and bake Monday... frost Tue and Wed, pack Thursday and deliver with love Friday!

I am soooo looking forward to heading down to the city! I need an outing in a huge way!

Oh I am sure! Well let me say I suspect I will feel that way after this weekend!

Sounds like you are prepared to have a warm, cozy, fun time inside while 'the weather outside is frightful'. Stay safe and enjoy the brownies and the Dising. Seems like a perfect way to ride out a snowstorm to me.

Yes! I think we are ready for it all!!! Should be fun!!!! I am kinda happy about this fun because we missed in in December! Well we drove through it but of course missed the aftermath being at Disney...

I agree with MeMom-- sounds like you are all set to make the best of the storm. It does sound quite frightful. I am VERY thankful that it is missing us up here. But I'm still planning on a cozy weekend and DIS'ing!!

Oy! Just heard our weatherman say they are going to be measuring the snow with a yardstick down your way!

Yeah, yard stick. Well, what else can I laugh at? The ding-a-lings who waited until the last minute to get TP and Bread? Ummmmm some seriously bad looking scenes at the grocery stores... there is going to be a revolt!! Yes, we got board games, brownie mix, MOVIES, cookie dough stuff and ribs for dinner... which my husband is grilling outside as we speak... which is kinda fun!

Phew was I behind!!
Love your Samantha Brown Sleigh Ride I can't believe all of those decorations.... Supercute picture of all of you in the sleigh!
Beautiful castle pictures from your solo trek through MK!
I can't believe you are getting all of this snow again! We haven't had one major snowstorm yet! I am right on the edge of the Pennsylvania border and this one is missing us too! I wouldn't mind having some!!

Tracy

So glad you got caught up... It really was pretty amazing and fun! The lights were so neat! Yes, we are getting it again!! at least we are inside and not in the car!! Yes, it is odd how it can completely miss areas that normally get snow! Well, I can mail you some...

 

[wigdoutdismom]

They are teasing us with another winter snow advisory Sunday night and into Monday.....
and us with conferences next week.

 

[Happydog]

Alright – the time has finally arrived for me to finish this TR!!! I am stuck in side watching the snow come down down down… and well, with drifts over 3 feet high, it is likely best to just sit tight, and remind myself about Disney in December… when of course I was complaining about the cold !!! We can’t even open the back door…

I was terribly remiss last night.

We made some plans and a few purchases…. I will share those later…



In the meantime… Let's Get this Show on the Road!!

So our final morning at the Beach Club was busy with packing, and organizing everything we had brought and accumulated during our week at Disney! We were doing laundry, packing, the boys were in the bathtub, and we all managed to get it done, showers, baths, laundry, packing, by the fated time of 11am. It was a scramble but we brought the luggage down, and my husband was cursing the Christmas tree box! I got my last yogurt parfait and we walked over to Epcot. We were going to meet up with WigD and her crew again!

So it had been raining off and on this morning, just sprinkling but I wasn’t pulling out my camera much. We headed to Japan for lunch at Yakitori House. My DH went to see about FPs for Soarin, Test track, or for KP. We checked out the Koi and then I ordered lunch for the three of us it was a great lunch on a cool damp day, and my DH got a Shwarma platter in Morocco and brought it over to Japan!

Hidden Mickey in the Koi Pond!

Regarding lunch, I really liked Yakitori house for QS! It was a great Udon noodle soup with meat and the boys had the same meal that they get at Tokyo Dining, minus the monorail dish! We all ate and then I got a text from WigD that they would meet us over in Japan!

My DH got our KP mission and DS7 and 4 were already starting on the Japan mission when WigD and Marc and Baylor got to the Japanese Pavilion. We chatted a bit and the boys finished the mission in Japan and we headed towards China… So we walked and chatted along the way, and DH and DS4 got a hot chocolate that was too hot to drink, and we let the boys roam around China. We met up with another DISer there -- Jeujeubean I think she is!? -- and we continued along...

The mission took us next to Mexico, so we continued our trip around the world. DH took DS4 on “Donald’s Boat Ride” while Baylor and Anita were able to get their photo with Senor Donald! My DS’s are just not into the characters (yet) so he continued his KP mission..

In this mission the garland lights up and a message is revealed!

Well the finished Mexico and before I could intervene, we somehow headed to Norway, where we were at least able to convince my son that we should ride Maelstrom vs. do another KP mission!! So that is what we did. DH grabbed a set of FPs and took DS4 around for some more exploration while the rest of us rode Maelstrom. When we got out the line was really really long, for this ride of all rides!!!, but with the FPs now up, my DH took our boys and Baylor on it again.

We were excited to go ride “the Cotton Ball” so we all went over to see what the line looked like. It was long, but it moved very quickly, and soon we were riding listening to Dame Judy Dench!!! and learning all about our futures!

At this point we were getting on the afternoon and it was time for us to start our drive. We had a set of FPs for Test Track that we gave to WigD. So we said our goodbye’s, I snapped a few photos at the front of the park, and we headed back across to the International Gateway.

My hair is a wreck in this photo, but such is life in misty inconsistent rain!!!!

CONTINUED in the NEXT POST!!!

 

[Happydog]

So on our way out of Christine and WigD's entrance/exit... we started to walk back over to the BC, but took a detour over to the Boardwalk instead... We wanted to try the fried ravioli that we had eyed a few times.. and I wanted photos of the Boardwalk's Christmas decorations. So I snapped these....

It was a really cute display, and I think the decorations at the Boardwalk are some of the nicest I saw on the trip... I really loved the tree and garlands, and especially the cute train around the base of their Gingerbread creation! Gotta love Donald in the chimney!

Back at the BCV, we got in our car, and headed over to DTD, where we were going to get our last CS meal at Earl of Sandwich. A place we had never tried.

I went to place the order, and ducked into World of Disney, and into Once Upon a TOY story… I grabbed a few souvenirs and a new lightsaber… and then I grabbed our lunch and walked over to Goofy’s where I used our final five snack credits! YUMMMMMMMMM YUMMMMMMM YUMMMMMM I miss GOOFY'S!!!!

I headed back to meet the boys with all my purchases; they were hanging at the Lego Store playing with the building centers out front. DH had called me before I managed to sneak into the Christmas shop, so I missed my last chance to get one of those ornaments I had eyed the night before. OH well, this summer, or maybe this short trip for the cruise, we’ll see! We made it back to the car, and headed out of Orlando. It was just 6pm as we left the city area.

I won’t bore you with the drive, but it was completely uneventful, and we arrived at home right at 8am. This was with a few stops for gas and snacks, but otherwise it was a very easy drive comparably!

When we got home we got organized, and we put presents under the tree… we didn’t tell the boys that the gifts were there (only saying Santa had told us he would be stopping by) and they didn’t even notice for a few hours!

We strategically saved the Wii games until we got home, so when the boys went downstairs to play, we took a nap!!!!

AND, well garwsh, everybody. THAT IS IT.


SO, I will come back for a final post of details and summaries... I will go ahead and post my final comments and souvenirs in my last update, and I guess maybe tomorrow I will have time to start my SUMMER PTR… complete with cruise interlude and snow storm play-by-play!!
I am off to make some brunch for my boys, and well we are going to tackle the snow... it is a winter wonderland outside to be sure!!!!

 

[eandesmom]

you drove home all night long? UGH! I wouldn't have been able to stay up to watch them open presents once I got home!

LOVE the topiary pictures towards the end with all the santa hats.

I need to remember Yakitori House as CS option when we are there. It sounds like you had a really busy, but fun, last day and end to your trip.

Enjoy the snow and hopefully you aren't too housebound!

 

[SoonerGirl]

How fun that you and Anita got to tour some together!

I was able to make it over to the Boardwalk to take a peek at the decorations as well, and I agree, they were really pretty.

Love the pics of your boys digging into Santa gifts

Can't wait to see your souvies!!

 

[Native NYer]

Love the photos.
The decorations make me want to plan a Dec. trip.

Hope you're enjoying the snow

 

[shannn]

Sounds like a perfectly casual last day. I love that you got to hook with Marc & Anita and hang out!

I can't believe you drove all night and then had the energy to do Santa Claus!! I'm impressed.

Sorry that your TR is coming to an end, but looking forward to your final thoughts!

 

[KathyRN137]

It was a really cute display, and I think the decorations at the Boardwalk are some of the nicest I saw on the trip... I really loved the tree and garlands, and especially the cute train around the base of their Gingerbread creation! Gotta love Donald in the chimney!

You're right, those Boardwalk displays are gorgeous!

Kudos to you for being able to drive all night and then do presents in the morning!! (Good call on saving the Wii games and getting in a nap!)

I really enjoyed reading about your trip... you have a lovely family. I'll be reading along on your PTR...

Happy Snow!


Kathy

 

[wigdoutdismom]

It was such a fun day hanging out with you all!
Stay warm and safe!
Can't wait to see some pictures of your snow! I just told Baylor about it, he is in awe!
Anxious to hear more about the cruise and summer plans!

 

[Happydog]

They are teasing us with another winter snow advisory Sunday night and into Monday.....
and us with conferences next week.

Oh dear! Well they are suggesting all that comes our way too!!! SO just after we get out from under this, we get it again, but apparently not as bad... good grief though! It is fun and very pretty!

you drove home all night long? UGH! I wouldn't have been able to stay up to watch them open presents once I got home!

LOVE the topiary pictures towards the end with all the santa hats.

I need to remember Yakitori House as CS option when we are there. It sounds like you had a really busy, but fun, last day and end to your trip.

Enjoy the snow and hopefully you aren't too housebound!

Well, NO, actually "I" didn't drive home all night long. I drove from Orlando - 10, and DH drove from 10 until almost 5am or so, then I drove the last few hours... it was not bad at all. Compared to before, good grief! I am no good all night, my DH is more of the night owl.... we have great books on tape and that is all it took!

We were "alert" until noon I say... then thanks to movies and Wii, we were able to get a good three hour nap in! And we went to bed pretty early! The benefit of our trip was that we still had almost a week left for vacation, before school started up again, so that worked out well!

The front entrance was so pretty! I wish we were able to see more, frankly, I should have made it over there at night, but b/c we were at the BCV we used the IG entrance...

Yakitori House was quite good! Ginger cake... yum

How fun that you and Anita got to tour some together!

I was able to make it over to the Boardwalk to take a peek at the decorations as well, and I agree, they were really pretty.

Love the pics of your boys digging into Santa gifts

Can't wait to see your souvies!!

It was quite fun! More coming later tonight!

Love the photos. The decorations make me want to plan a Dec. trip. Hope you're enjoying the snow

Seeing them makes me want to plan a December trip again too! Trust me! We are enjoying the snow!!!!

Sounds like a perfectly casual last day. I love that you got to hook with Marc & Anita and hang out!

I can't believe you drove all night and then had the energy to do Santa Claus!! I'm impressed.

Sorry that your TR is coming to an end, but looking forward to your final thoughts!

Well, we didn't have too much energy but all we had to do was sit there and watch !!! The drive wasn't too bad in the end, I am just glad that we didn't have snow on the drive home!

We had a great day with them, and I would have really enjoyed spending more time if we hadn't needed to get on our way...

I hope to finish up stuff here tonight... then start my new PTR tomorrow... I won't be working on Monday, I think that is a safe bet

You're right, those Boardwalk displays are gorgeous!

Kudos to you for being able to drive all night and then do presents in the morning!! (Good call on saving the Wii games and getting in a nap!)

I really enjoyed reading about your trip... you have a lovely family. I'll be reading along on your PTR...

Happy Snow!
Kathy

Thanks so much for reading along! I have truly enjoyed writing this one! Oh yes, Wii and movies work like charms, and we use them very very strategically!

I thought BoardWalk was really nice.

It was such a fun day hanging out with you all!
Stay warm and safe!
Can't wait to see some pictures of your snow! I just told Baylor about it, he is in awe!
Anxious to hear more about the cruise and summer plans!

Oh I took LOTS!!! You will see! The snow was nuts. Crazy nuts. It is slowly tapering off now, Which is good. They say flurries for a few more hours. But it is done with us at this point, thank goodness!!!

 

[stace208]

What a wonderful ending to a great trip!

Looking forward to snow updates, sovie pics, and summer plans!

 

[DisneyCP08]

I just read all 36 pages of your TR and loved it. My mom and I are planning a surprise christmas trip from Dec 23 to the 29 and I loved some of your ideas. Hopefully we will be just as lucky as you guys were with some rain on Christmas day to keep the crowds away. Great TR

 

[2xcited2sleep]

Really? It's over? What a lovely, magical Christmas trip!! Thanks so much for sharing it! I can't wait to hear all about your cruise and your summer plans!

 

[ladybugmom]

LOVE the pics from the Boardwalk!!! Beautiful! I'm sad that your TR is coming to an end! I've really enjoyed reading it!!