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

[Happydog]

I think I know what the surprise is.....
but I was hanging out with you a week ago today.

Is it what I'm thinking?

Welllllll "yes" and "no" ... Coming up later today, sorry for the agony! I have GOT to get some house stuff done!!!

 

[2xcited2sleep]

Pirates League looks so fun! I know I keep saying it but your boys are so gosh darn adorable.

Surprise?! Hmmmm.... you bought DVC and your paperwork just arrived?

Can't wait to find out!

 

[Charleston Princess]

It really was great! We all ate a lot because we were actually hungry, and then we were set with lunch.

Then, I won't have to worry about getting into Pecos Bill's during the lunch rush!

Yup! That about did it! He loved it I bought several...

I have shingle envy now.

You know it was a hoot, and fun! They liked it. And I don't think it is a "baby/little boy" thing... frankly there were lots of girls too, older, so it must take over after BBB for some gals, b/c that is more fun than being a princess to the over 10 crowd I think... The girls looked cute! And like I said there were lots of boys!

I think Chelsea would look great as a pirate! It is so up her alley!

Hmmmmm....

So what kind of Happy Dog Trip Report would it be, if Happy Dog didn't unveil some big Disney surprise in the middle of it??? STAY TUNED... ANY GUESSES?????

My Regular TR update coming this afternoon as well... I want to get at least ONE more day underway!!

Gah!!! I hate cliffhangers! Let me think...I think you are planning a spring break trip...

I think I know what the surprise is.....
but I was hanging out with you a week ago today.

Is it what I'm thinking?

Hmmmpppffff! Insider knowledge isn't fair.

 

[SoonerGirl]

Love the Pirates League pictures, that looked like loads of fun! I thought about reserving it for Jared but we already had a few extras we were paying for this trip and I didn't want to spend the money. I guess it's a good thing I didn't know about the passholder discount because I probably would have done it then.


No fair leaving us with a cliffhanger!! Get back here and spill the beans!

 

[Native NYer]

I love the Pirate's League results. Your boys look great. Now, I'm definitely scheduling this for my nephew.

Did the boys wash the make-up for dinner at Ohana's? Or did you dine with pirates?

Can't wait to read about your Disney surprise.

 

[2xcited2sleep]

Hmmmpppffff! Insider knowledge isn't fair.

I agree, CP! Although now that we know Anita's "make me a snowflake" persona is just a sham I'm not surprised to find out she's a tease!

 

[stace208]

Oooooo-a surprise!! Please don't be long to come spill the beans!
I have so many guesses running around in my head-an extra trip, DVC, a solo trip...

 

[eandesmom]

Oh I love surprises!

you did let something slip about a resort change for the spring trip.....

hmmn.

housework, schmousework!

 

[manntra]

I agree, CP! Although now that we know Anita's "make me a snowflake" persona is just a sham I'm not surprised to find out she's a tease!

Sorry Anita!
The PLeague looks like so much fun for both boys and girls! Their makeup was great.....and they looked to really enjoy themselves.
Okay lets get moving with the surprise!!! The day is ticking away!

Tracy

 

[2xcited2sleep]

Surely your house is clean enough by now...

 

[gellybean]

Oh heavenly happydog, you're killing me with suspense!!!


I don't dare guess.... but but....UGH!





Thank you so much for your detailed review of the Pirate's League. It is oooooooooooooooo so tempting. I wish they would have extended the 50% off discount farther into January. I may have to call tomorrow and see what kind of availability they have left..... tempting, tempting, tempting!



Literally CAN NOT wait til your next update!!!

 

[Happydog]

This evening we had dinner scheduled for ‘Ohana at the Poly. It was the first time we had ever been. While the Pirates were still somewhat “made up” we decided to throw them into the bath before dinner. So, thank goodness for whirlpool sized bathtubs! As you can see, the pirates met a soapy fate…

It took a lot of washing and some eye makeup remover to get my boys back, and even then, we laughed that our DS4 looked a little like Adam Ant even still. Never the less to The Poly we went! Driving to the resort was easy, and after we parked we went straight away up for our reservation.

Again, I am sorry to disappoint but I didn’t take any dinner photos. But I guess I could borrow a Lapu Lapu photo from SOMEONE, Shann?? LL?? because I believe they have had that treat... (WOW -- that was strong!! ) Since the menu is the same for everyone, it shouldn’t come as a surprise in terms of what we dined on!!! It was as some have called it, a “meat fest”!!!! AND very good I might add! DS7 loved the sticky wings and the shrimp, DS4 ate the steak and sticky wings. I had brought an apple and carrots with me so they managed to get a somewhat balanced meal!

The dessert was fabulous, the wings and potstickers, all was AWESOME, and we just couldn’t eat everything they put on our table, but we sure tried! Needless to say we will be back in June!!! I already got that ADR!!!

Rolling out of the Poly we then took the monorail back to the MK! Again I failed miserably in the photographer department this first trip to MK, I made up for it later in the trip, I was just being the kid in a candy shop about the decorations and I was so excited... but here is one shot of the castle from afar… it is rather lame I know!!! But I have much better shots as you will see. The boys were fading fast, so we went to Tomorrowland, and used a set of SM fastpasses from earlier, and DS4 and DH rode Buzz. We then met them to watch one of the Christmas specials with Stitch and Buzz Lightyear. I think it was called "Tomorrowland Christmas Special"... it was funny, and very upbeat.

So we made our way out of the Magic Kingdom as Wishes started. We watched as we rode the monorail, which was kinda fun. As we were leaving the Poly one little DS decided he wasn't going any further.... he was ready to pass out right here on this bench!!!

DH carried him the rest of the way and as we left I snapped these of the Lobby tree by the entrance to the resort.

We made it back to the Beach Club without mishap, and they boys brushed their teeth and once in their PJ's we got them to bed. DH and I hung out a little longer (Gotta love that 1 bedroom villa!!!) and I went to fill our mugs and nose around the gift shop. I snapped some photos of the BC decorations at that point, so my next entry will just be about the BC.... and my

LATEST SURPRISE... Don't worry I won't make you wait MUCH longer! Gotta get my tumble monkeys into bed! School tomorrow

 

[DisneyMom14]

Since I have yet to introduce my family of travelers I thought I would do so first thing with a picture of us our final night of the trip... I have some good Photopass pics, and I will include these as well, but here at least is one decent shot of all of us... I have 874 photos... I am going to pick out the best for Photo Bucket, but to get us started, here is at least one family shot! This is DH, DS 4 and 7 and Me.... we are wearing our Mickey and Minnie Santa hats... which I had to have, and bought while there... DH drew the line at wearing Disney head gear, but the sleigh driver made him put it on for this photo... had to laugh!

The SHOW began with the pending SNOW. Friday the 18th – a Day that will live in Maryland History as the “Worst December Snowfall on record” Now of course the weather people are likely to exaggerate, but it was a LOT of snow. NOT that we were around to see it or play in it, because we were in Florida by then, but I digress… the anticipation on Friday of the doom that was to occur “sometime after 9pm” was indeed in the air -- ALL over the Washington Metro area. We were all at work in a panic. There we were each watching the weather channel, watching the images on the computer, emailing back and forth about our plans that were now firmly changed. Originally, we had planned to leave Saturday, after a “leisurely” morning with Christmas gifts, a final swim lesson, and last packing of the car, we would make our merry way down 95 to Disney. Nope. Not this time folks, our first time driving, our Amtrak AutoTrain tickets LONG gone, there was NO turning back.

My Husband went to the library for books on tape and to the bank during his lunch and prep periods (fortunately there was a holiday concert assembly so he had an extra hour). Me, I went to the store up the road to get some snacks, and a few other last minute items I needed to send to my parents. The store looked like it always does before snow but WORSE. I think everyone was doing their Christmas Dinner shopping in fear they would not be able to get out of their house for five days!!! The radio told me that the malls were packed, the roads were busy, that everyone was out doing what they could before the fated hour of 9pm…. (do you hear the Haunted Mansion music playing here? You should!! )

I left work early, by an hour, and drove straight home. There I packed my parents Christmas box, and scurried to the post office which was fortunately empty. Back home I was met by my DH with two boys and a pizza in tow. I had started packing suitcases, threw more clothes in the wash and dryer, and then we had the boys discover the “big reveal” with the scrabble chips. Oh! That was so fun! I recommend this method to ANYONE interested in a surprise! They LOVED the word scramble! As soon as it sunk in, they were really excited you could see, and directly after that, I took my DS7 to karate. While he was there, I was next door getting a manicure and pedicure! Talk about time management!!! After that hour, I zipped home with him, my DH was starting to prepare the packing plan for the car. Fortunately I had taken the car to the carwash the day before and had a deluxe inside and out done on it, so it was happy and really ready for our trip as well! DH is a master packer, but he sent me upstairs with strict instructions to not come down until those suitcases were done! And it was now 6pm!!! With the boys in front of Snow Buddies (how appropriate, right?) DH watched the Computer for updates on the weather, and I packed and packed and packed. He had packed his suitcase the night before. I had barely started making piles! But boy did I hurry! Suitcases filled, DH started packing the car. I packed our grocery box and car bags for the kids (snacks, etc). I had two big Disney shopping bags, BIG RED from my last trip the “Celebration!” bag, and the bag I bought back in 2005, “Happiest Celebration on Earth!” These had Christmas presents and decorations. I frantically packed these and turned them over to my DH for the Car. He is very tactical about car packing, everything has to go “just so”… I then moved to the house, which was in TOTAL disarray b/c I was expecting to have another day to put it all in place! So I ran around with a watering can, I packed up remaining xmas cookies some for us on the trip, some for my two neighbors, I ran plates down the street to them, and then I tried to neaten up the pile of clothes that I hadn’t packed but needed to fold, made beds, shut blinds, etc. etc… Ever so often I looked at the clock: 6:30 … 7:00 … 7:30 … 8:00 … 8:30 tick tick tick … the car mostly packed now, my DH started hovering… “What else?” “We got to go, or we won’t be!” You know, all those loving husband phrases that cause more stress to an already stressful situation!! At one point, I remember cramming a toiletry bag of everything I saw on my bathroom counter, and at the end, as my DH was shooing my outside so he could set the alarm, I ran around upstairs and downstairs with my oversized handbag (one I wouldn’t have brought normally – big stylish leather thing not at all Disney-like!) throwing various this and that’s into it… DH brought the car around to the front of the house, and the boys were loaded in the car. We gave them their goody bags, they were very excited, we hooked up the DVDs and made sure they had their Leapster and Digi, neck pillows, confiscated 1st class airline pillows (shhh… don’t tell…) their favorite “stuffies” – ONE each, and their big fleece pullovers. I flung myself into the front seat with too many things crowding my feet, but we were in the car, the house locked, the Christmas lights glowing brightly outside and on the tree indoors, and we shoved off the curb…

Down 270, as it merged with 495, the snow started. It was 9:18…

Sorry I'm late but I'm catching up! Wow!!! What a hectic and stressful start to your vacation! so glad you made it out in time!!! I was biting my nails!!!

 

[2xcited2sleep]

I think your photos are great!

Sure wish if I conked out on a lobby bench that someone would carry me off to bed!

Get your minds out of gutter, people!

Are you guys big Poly fans? I have to say I was underwhelmed when I cruised through in December BUT it was very quickly and I did not have a lapu lapu.

for the next update.

 

[Happydog]

Pirates League looks so fun! I know I keep saying it but your boys are so gosh darn adorable.

Surprise?! Hmmmm.... you bought DVC and your paperwork just arrived?

Can't wait to find out!

HA! NO, NO chance on that one... but you know I am always up for a surprise...

YES the Pirate's League was great fun! The boys loved it I think!

Then, I won't have to worry about getting into Pecos Bill's during the lunch rush!

I have shingle envy now.

I think Chelsea would look great as a pirate! It is so up her alley!

Gah!!! I hate cliffhangers! Let me think...I think you are planning a spring break trip...

Hmmmpppffff! Insider knowledge isn't fair.

Now Now!! WigD SORTA knows... but not really

Brunch definitely beats the lunch crowd!!!

And you don't have to have shingle envy....

Well, I would think a CLIFF HANGER would go perfectly well with your covert spy mission theme on your PTR.... oh. Wait. This is my TR.... NOPE nothing Spring Breakish...

 

[shannn]

I'm getting jealous of all the Disney surprises on these TRs. Spring Break 2011 just isn't cutting it! I'm going to have to keep begging for some sort of 2010 vacation. Maybe if we buy a DVC contract with some expiring points! Maybe I should head on back to the timeshare store!

Oh, before I do, you asked and you shall receive! One extremely strong Lapu Lapu coming your way. :drink:

And a small boy covered in sticky wings. If you squint maybe it will look kind of like one of your cuties!

 

[Happydog]

Love the Pirates League pictures, that looked like loads of fun! I thought about reserving it for Jared but we already had a few extras we were paying for this trip and I didn't want to spend the money. I guess it's a good thing I didn't know about the passholder discount because I probably would have done it then.


No fair leaving us with a cliffhanger!! Get back here and spill the beans!

Yes we did a few special things this trip too, the PL being one of them, so I completely understand!

Beans spilling shortly...

I love the Pirate's League results. Your boys look great. Now, I'm definitely scheduling this for my nephew.

Did the boys wash the make-up for dinner at Ohana's? Or did you dine with pirates?

Can't wait to read about your Disney surprise.

He will likely love it! Well as you can see in my post, we decided to go ahead and clean them up since a lot had worn off anyhow, especially around the mouth area! But there were a few pirates at Ohanas that night!

Surprise coming up!

I agree, CP! Although now that we know Anita's "make me a snowflake" persona is just a sham I'm not surprised to find out she's a tease!

Call it the mystique of a second grade teacher...

Oooooo-a surprise!! Please don't be long to come spill the beans!
I have so many guesses running around in my head-an extra trip, DVC, a solo trip...

Lots of great guesses!!! You wont have to eat much more popcorn, I promise!!!

Oh I love surprises!

you did let something slip about a resort change for the spring trip.....

hmmn.

housework, schmousework!

Well the resort change is true, we went from Boardwalk to Beach Club again after we chatted with WigD last week.. so we are split staying between BLT and BCV. BUT that is not it...

I hate housework chores! BUT I did get some done!

Sorry Anita!
The PLeague looks like so much fun for both boys and girls! Their makeup was great.....and they looked to really enjoy themselves.
Okay lets get moving with the surprise!!! The day is ticking away!

Tracy

tick tick tick....

Surely your house is clean enough by now...

Well it was more like find a home for all the flipping Disney Odds and Ends!! AND cleaning up the various messes I left before we left last week in such a hurry!! All better now. I can see the floor in my sewing room again!!

Oh heavenly happydog, you're killing me with suspense!!!

I don't dare guess.... but but....UGH!



Thank you so much for your detailed review of the Pirate's League. It is oooooooooooooooo so tempting. I wish they would have extended the 50% off discount farther into January. I may have to call tomorrow and see what kind of availability they have left..... tempting, tempting, tempting!

Literally CAN NOT wait til your next update!!!

Yes if you can swing it, it sure is fun for little boys, and a 6 yr old surely!

Okay, not much longer now!!! LOTS of guesses I know... BUT something yesterday sealed the deal... do you remember what it was that I saw? IF you have been reading WigD's TR, then you have a teensy weensy clue...

 

[Native NYer]

Just love that photo of the castle in the holiday lights. So beautiful.

Between your tr and Anita's, I may be leaving Disney on Sept. 1st a DVC owner

 

[Happydog]

I'm getting jealous of all the Disney surprises on these TRs. Spring Break 2011 just isn't cutting it! I'm going to have to keep begging for some sort of 2010 vacation. Maybe if we buy a DVC contract with some expiring points! Maybe I should head on back to the timeshare store!

Oh, before I do, you asked and you shall receive! One extremely strong Lapu Lapu coming your way. :drink:

And a small boy covered in sticky wings. If you squint maybe it will look kind of like one of your cuties!

PERFECT!!!! Thank you!!!! YUP that was it!!! Lapu Lapu Goodness!!! AND I totally remembered that you said your son loved those sticky wings. Shoot. My whole family loved those sticky wings!!! I am coming over to your new TR right away!! Thanks for the PM!!!

 

[Happydog]

Okay everyone... So there is a silver lining to that snow storm... My DH originally scheduled to use three personal days for the three days leading up to Winter Break (Xmas eve and Day)... BUT due to the mother of all December snow storms, schools were closed! This was good news b/c DS7 didn't have to miss school either, and DH got his personal days back... So while we were still at Disney we started wondering what we would do with those lovely three days... Now DH is kinda funny about Disney. He firmly believes this is our FAMILY vacation place. While there are lots about Disney he likes, he still justifies this with our kids... I won't complain of course, nor remind him that we had been twice WITHOUT children, but I am not going to push my luck!!! ANYHOW, we booked our bounceback for our June add on, and I casually mentioned that maybe we should book a second... he said nah, lets do an adult getaway with these days... So I didn't give it another thought that week. Now shortly before we left for our Christmas stay we cancelled the Auto Train and as an incentive, my DH booked a cruise on the Disney Dream, the 5 day two stops at Castaway Cay (this is WITH our kids)... we both loved the Disney Cruise we went on several years ago. AND when he did that he was stunned by how inexpensive the cruises were in January and February... I told him that I would love going on one of those cruises again, but he said no, not without kids, we'll come up with something else. Well, guess what? He decided yesterday that ironically, the short Disney cruises were the best deal out there for a quick getaway that met all our criteria, and he said "lets do it! " SO there you have it! DH and I are going on a three day Disney cruise to the Bahamas February 25 - 28th! AND we are staying ONE night at the Disney Hilton Head resort, on the 28th, to break up the drive home and to check it out! I am so excited!!! We will miss three days, a Thursday and a Friday 1/2 day, and a Monday. The Four night cruise was most of a week and not a weekend so it was harder to justify workwise, but this was easy! He felt a little guilty not taking the kids, and when I said we could stay at Disney World that one night he said "NO, not going without the boys, but what about HH?" SO I was happy with the compromise! I get to go to DTD and the Disney Outlet the day we leave for the cruise (since we will have time that morning) and will get my fix and a new shirt for my summer trip!!!! SO there you have it people! I gotta get me another TICKER!!!!!