How Much Do You Ladies Charge to Haunt the Castle? -- Departure Day up (See index

[DMGeurts]

I loved all the updates again Kathy... I"ll admit - I've been reading them since yesterday morning.

My favortie picture is of Mark holding you down with the Balloons... And I love both of your ears for this day! : )

D~

 

[lovethattink]

I think I am caught up!

Love the hats! Of course, my dh just had to have the Darth Mickey winter hat. He wore it last week at Disney. And last week we saw a Yoda hat just like it and ear muffs of Vader, Trooper, or Yoda.

Glad you got back to EOS. I'm so glad that we were a part of your first experience there. By any chance did you get to try the Wisconsin Cheddar soup?

Looks like you had a nice relaxing day off from the parks and fun at MK the next!

 

[englishrose47]

Hi Kathy!!! You are getting close !!!

 

[Moira222]

Kathy,

I have been trying to get caught up on your TR - almost there! (I am only 12 pages behind now LOL)

There were so many things I wanted to comment on as I was reading
-- that photo of you after check in was, well, so NOT a happy place photo! Sorry that the beginning of your trip was just so very difficult - in many ways. but what a great boss you have to send you first class. He rocks.

-- love your DIS meets!

--Mark in hats....oh my... i love these photos. He is just such a big kid at heart I see these photos and want to give him a hug! I LOVE the wig/hat in the dumpshop outside of EE. that is the best....and you in the little fairy type hat -- it looked like a mini top hat with fairy wings. CUTE! but I do like the hat you ended up purchasing - its the one you are wearing in the Epcot photos, right?

The other night I was reading DISboards (again!) and my sister in law, who has been staying with us for a few weeks till she can move into her new, asked me "what do you get out of reading" the DisBoards. I had to tell her about the truly wonderful friends I have made online, their fun and generous and kind spirits. How maybe it just takes a special sort of person to really want to share so much about their trips, but that its' not just reading trip reports and taking a visit to my "happy place" -- its about connecting with such wonderful people like you. I just had to share that with you.

I'll be back later to read more, work is crazy right now.

 

[marvali]

Thursday, September 20

We woke up bright and early, showered and we were on a bus and here at 7:45 a.m. for EMH's:

Nice job!

First stop:

The only time we will ride Peter Pan is if we go to EMH's and get there for one of the first rides. Otherwise, the lines are way too long and we would rather use our Fastpasses elsewhere.

I know what you mean. For whatever reason this always seems to be a very popular ride, with longer at least waits throughout the day. I do enjoy riding it every few trips though.

We then went to one of my favorites:

I finally did this one for the first time on my last trip. Actually, it may have been the first time I paid it any attention............

One very happy boy:

I think Mark and I would get along so great......we both have that Peter Pan syndrome thing going..........

Then my husband had the brainy idea that we should ride Goofy's Barnstormer. I was okay with that until he decided we should sit in the same car together. Seriously, we are too old and "wide" for that. But we had a blast on the very short ride:

This is too funny!!!

Yes, he cheated again...and I took no pictures of the scores. I told him next trip we are getting in separate cars.

Can't wait to hear how this works out for you.........

Then it was time to meet some old friends:

I love me some Chip and Dale!!!

And then I told Mark we were doing this ONE TIME only as a favor to my friend, Marv (yes, I did it in January with the girls so that Cayley would do it, but Mark and I had never done it together). We saw Marv's favorite:

It is a little scary how much you seem to be enjoying your favorite little blue character.

Let's see, first I get the tongue picture, now you claim this is my fave??? You know I am a big Goofy fan, so that would be my favorite, but honestly, I don't mind Stitch......well, except for that horrible ride!!!

Thanks for the shout out my dear friend!!! You know I love you and it IS such an honor to get recognized in your TR.....

On our way to our breakfast ADR, we stopped for another set of photopass pictures:

Like everyone else, I love this picture! Great job of doing exactly what is needed to make it look just right!

We were then arriving at my all-time favorite character breakfast at The Crystal Palace...who doesn't love Pooh, Tigger, Eeyore and Piglet?

Love the breakfast buffet at CP, and all of the characters that come around. I guess it is about time to book this one again soon.

Up first, Tigger:

Easy to tell from the smile that you were much happier taking a picture with your favorite....................


Little blue character!!!

After breakfast, we headed towards Main Street and stopped for a couple of more pictures before heading out for our afternoon/evening adventure:

It is always good to get that elusive "crane" picture whenever you get the chance.........

As we were leaving, the special parade was coming through, so we stopped and watched and I, of course, snapped a few pictures for my DIS friends:

Oh yeah, now THERE'S my favorite character!!!

Mark said we couldn't leave without a hat picture because we hadn't taken one that day yet:

Well of course you couldn't! Another batch of goodies!!!

Sorry guys...I'll finish responses tomorrow. I'm catching a nasty cold/virus and I'm going up to bed (cannot/must not be sick for the trip in 23 days).

Oh, this is so NOT a good time to start getting sick! Hope you are feeling much better after a good night's rest!

Okay, am I finally caught up again? You make it very difficult to catch up to you. Maybe while you are on your trip I will finally be able to pull it off............

 

[KatMark]

I promise to come back for responses later and possibly another update. In the meantime, I've updated our plans for the surprise trip for Mark next month (can't believe three weeks from tonight is the big reveal) in my PTR. Here's a link for those of you who may have lost it (it's been neglected):


http://www.disboards.com/showthread.php?t=2935969

 

[KatMark]

You had a nice off day, except for the wacko blaring political radio

Your morning in MK looks great! I'd love to eat at CP one time, I love Tigger (and the rest too!).

It was a nice day...even with the rain as we go to nap.

If you love Tigger, you must go to CP!

Well, you are the updating machine!
MK first thing during EMH is fabulous for getting stuff done!
I really like your picture with the balloons. It's cute that Marc is trying to hold you down!

I can't wait to find out where you were off to for the afternoon/evening.

Oh ya, my 2 cents on Boma. Much better for breakfast than dinner. Not that I didn't care for dinner, but I'd much rather go right next door to Jiko for dinner.

I love EMH in the a.m. -- we get so much done.

Thanks...I like the balloon picture too.

Jiko is on my bucketlist to try one of these days.

..... Miss update Queen!!!!!!!!!!!!

You were really busy updating, Kathy. Love all I read tonight. Aren't lazy pool and shopping days just great? Even tough, the having to get on a bus doesn't sound all that lazy to me.

Yeah for eating at Boma, EoS (can't wait to have some myself this weekend ) and Crystal Palace!
Turtle Krawl is such a yummy drink ..... no wonder you needed more than one.
MK looks like a lot of fun! And have I mentioned that I LOVE all the hat pics.

As much as I love the parks, I do love my lazy days too (especially at my age). We would have taken the boat both ways, but the rain prevented that.

Glad you are still enjoying the hat pictures.

so hope it will work out to meet you all next Thanksgiving

love that you get to stay at Beach Club, we want to try it someday too! we are going to stay at A of A next year!

love your down day! we ate dinner at Boma and was ok, breakfast looks so yummy and we love EofS so much and so excited that it is finally open in DLR's DTD, so will get to eat there in March!

a fun morning in the MK, love all the cute photos with your buddies at breakfast and of course the many hats photos!

It would be lovely to meet you.

I can't wait to try the Beach Club.

Yum, Boma breakfast! We ate there the morning after we got engaged, so it will always hold a special place in my heart!

Gosh, its bad enough that someone had a radio blaring at the quiet pool, but a political talk show! Good thing I wasn't there, or that radio may have accidentally ended up at the bottom of the pool!

What a good idea to spend the evening at DTD! Earls is an awesome diner choice and you can't beat dessert at Ghiradellis.

I have to say those drinks do look good, having two was a good choice!

I love how your ears were themed to breakfast! I'm sure that characters got a kick out of seeing Eeyore and Tigger fans!

I can understand Boma having a special place in your heart.

I actually thought of "accidentally" kicking the radio into the pool.

People try to buy Mark's Eeyore ears from him because they don't make them anymore. They sure are a great attention getter.

The photopass pictures are great. It is obvious that both of you are having a great time.

Poor Mark.

The rest day looks great. I admire your ability to stick with it and stay out of the parks. The only time I've successfully spent a day on Disney property without entering a park has been when I was in Orlando and not staying on Disney property and didn't have park tickets.

Sore loser...


And I hope you're happy about your Starbucks replacing Main Street Bakery!!!

Thanks, Andy...we had so much fun with the pictures this year.

Poor Mark my you know what! He was probably hoping to lose me for awhile so I'd stopping hounding him fo rpictures.

We thought of going to the park that night for Fantasmic, but just decided to stick to a "day away".

I am NOT a sore loser.

I am happy about Starbucks, but it is NOT replacing the Bakery.

you said you were behind them...and looking at the characters you can clearly see mr incredibles "behind" and frozones "behind" in the picture, i was trying to joke about your comment of being behind them, when we had a clear view of there "behinds" in the picture

do you get it now?

Yes, now I get it.


enjoyed all the updates...we missed our crystal palace buffet due to some unforeseen things coming up at the end of our trip...but ill get to that in about a year or so on my report...it was one of the last days after all...and im still on day one of our trip. so thanks for sharing the food pictures for me.


i love that you guys still enjoy going on the "kid" rides while there.

I'm so sorry you missed Crystal Palace breakfast (can't wait to hear what casued that).

Hey, we might be old, but we don't have to act it.

Wow what a bunch of updates !! You are the Go Girl Kathy!!, I hope Mark knows the Mark Hat Tribute is alive and well on all the P&P disney trips !!!! I havr some more to post if PB cooperates !!!

Hi Rosie. yes, I'm the update gal these days. I think I'm all caught up on your TR's.

 

[KatMark]

GREAT updates!! Love your non-park day and how relaxing and fun you made it.

My favorite picture of you and Mark is the one with you 'flying' away with the balloons and Mark holding onto you. Too freaking adorable...and I know 'Disney' balloons are special to you because of your Dad. Great picture...you guys are beyond cute! When the heck are we meeting?!

I love Boma and must try it for breakfast sometime!

Yay for your next girls trip!!

Looking forward to more and I cannot believe how quickly the surprise trip is approaching!!

Thank you.

Yes, Disney baloons are very special to me because of my dad..you are so right.

We really have to hook up soon. Maybe after I get back from vacation we can have lunch somewhere together?

I can't believe how fast the trip has gotten here either.

Ahhhh - Disney. A place where pictures like this are perfectly normal. What's not to love ??

Isn't that the truth?!?!?!?!??!

Hey Kathy,

Subbing on to your Trip Report (pretty far along I see... I'm about 1/4 through -page 12 so please excuse if my comments are way behind...)

I've seen you (figuratively) on other people's reports and I just realized that your Disname is a combo of you and your husbands... I think that's really lovely...

So Mark umps huh? That can be tough... Baseball is the only sport I follow with any consistency... love it... agree about the Cardinals... Living outside of Philadelphia I am a pretty diehard Phillies fan... although they made me pretty sad this year...

Coffee is awesome( I could write a poem to coffee)...I drink Starbucks too... luckily DH drinks it too but I have a good friend who won't touch it and always makes us do a Dunkin run also...

I hope things get happier after check in...

(I also hope that things are smoother with your mom... I guess if I continue to read I will find out...My mom just finished treatment for Ovarian Cancer (she actually has a good prognosis) but she is really depressed and doesn't want to do much and I've found my self in the position of making decisions/choices for her... it's hard becoming your mother's mother and knowing if you're doing it right...)

Anyway going back to read more...

Patricia, I'm so delighted to have you here.

When I first signed up for the DIS, I couldn't think of a name, and figured the one I chose would be easy to remember.

Mark coached both of his kids through 8th grade, and this was just the next step. He loves kids and he still gets to be involved with baseball. It is tough with some of the parents out there though.

Mark used to drink Starbucks but then decided about three years ago it tasted perfumy or soapy and he went back to his beloved Dunkin Donuts.

I'm sorry to hear about your mom, but glad that the prognosis is good for her.

Ok just got up to page 26... going to hold the next 20 pages till tomorrow...

Let's see what else I remember...

Love all the hat pictures... I didn't realize there were even that many different hats at the World...

Sorry your Prime Time meal wasn't up to par food wise... I think that Chick Fil A is pretty tasty myself... Believe it or not we have a interesting place in Philadelphia called Federal Donuts... they make- well Donuts...Donuts in the morning and Fried Chicken in the afternoon ...and its pretty darn good...

I can't believe your mom was on that many medicines... and 4 of that were antidepressants... wow that's just awful... I do hope that is continuing to feel better...

and I was sorry to hear that you lost your MIL... that's really hard and a lot to deal with...

Glad you are enjoying the hat pictures; Mark gets a real kick out of doing that.

I LOVE Chick Fil A ....haven't been in awhile so you gave me a good idea for two weeks from now as a break from decoratiing the house for Christmas. Donuts and chicken? Wow...that would be so

Yes, glad we got her away from that doctor. UGH!

It was a sad time with my MIL...but at least we were prepared and knew it was just a matter of time.

ok, before I forget, I love that Mark gets oatmeal at buffets AND puts syrup over eggs and everything! Just had to write! I'm trying to catch up, honest, but well, you read my update! So I'm starting somewhere! Love you!

Mark LOVES oatmeal and puts syrup on everything on his breakfast plate.

OMG! Jack NEEDS That Darth Micket hat asap! and Kayla NEEDS that beaker one! I love your husband!

Weren't those adorable hats? And your kids would look awesome in them.

I just went back and re-read one of the last updates. I can't believe that I missed the announcement about your resort for next summer.
Won't that be convenient!
Looking forward to it!

Silly girl! It will be so great meeting you.

Loved the updates and love the photopass pix. I think it is awesome that you both love Disney and it shows!
BOMA is awesome for dinner. I have never tried it for breakfast, but the butternut squash soup there is heavenly-and I discovered you can get that at the Mara as well.
The hat photos are so cute! Mark has quite the collection of photos going.
No park days are awesome (as I discovered this summer). There are so many amazing things you can find to do when you aren't fretting over missing out on a park day.

Thank you; I was really happy with the majority of the photpass pictures this trip.

One of these days I want to try Boma for dinner...even if I just stick with the basics (Mark is a little more adventurous than me).

If I had the time, I should make a photobook of just the hats Mark has tried on over the years.

It's always good to have a day "off" and rejunevate yourself.

 

[KatMark]

I had to the do the buy back thing this year and over a certain amount (240 hours) at teh end of the calendar year anything over goes to sick time.

Our sick time is combined with our leave time (I miss the days when they used to be separate.

Had that much - have been taking it and yet my wonderful supervisor fusses at me for taking vactaion.

My main boss (I work for three attorneys, but I consider the one I've been with for 38 years the main guy) just asked me today why I only took four days of work time off...he said I should have taken a full week. I felt like asking him if he wanted to pay for the additional hotel and I'd gladly stay longer.

I SO was going to say that. Great minds .... or is
mine just warped???

You two have your minds in the gutter again?

Love all the photopass pics. Always love the balloon one.

Thank you.

MK EHM Way to bang out the rides.

It's so easy to get so much done during EMH's.

I am due for Crystal palace, it has been a while.
Boma Breakfast too.

Yes, you must!

Way to go having a no park day and staying out of the parks. Have yet to be on property and actually do that.

Give it a try sometime...it's really fun.

I have a lot to catch up on....bear with me.

UGH! So sorry to hear about the water heater. Having to buy stuff like that always stinks. But even more so before a vacation!

Always something when going on vacation.

Speaking of Yankee Candles....I popped into the store at our local mall today. I wanted to get 1 or 2 Christmas scents. The little girl working had a coupon....buy 2 get 2 free!! I was so excited! Walked out with 4 candles for the price of 2! Woo Hoo!!

That's the coupon I used.

Seems like I always hear really good things about breakfast at Boma. Looks like there are some pretty "normal" things on the buffet. Perhaps, I can convince Ed to go there one day.

Lots of normal stuff on the buffet...and really a favorite of ours.


The pool time sounds really nice....except for that party pooper with the political radio. I mean, really?!? Who wants to listen to that junk on vacation?

Seriously, I think some people just don't think when they do something.

That downpour sounds like the perfect napping weather!

An excellent time to catch some zzzzzzzzzz's

The evening in DTD sounds really nice & leisurely! I love that Vader hat with the Mickey ears. Wish I had seen that while we were there to buy for Reid. Next time!

Reid would look adorable in that hat.

And y'all were off to a really good start the next day at MK! I love all the photos...especially the fun Photopass pictures!

Can't wait to hear where y'all headed next!

Thanks; we had a great morning at MK.

Hi Kathy! You have been really busy - you are putting me to shame with all of your updates!


I'm down to three weeks to finish this puppy up...I hope to get the rest of Disney done by Friday as Marco won't take up as much space.


Love the non-park days... ahhh rest, relaxation (uhh ok, you DID do some laundry!) napping during the rain, and ice cream for Mark! Nice. I agree, Earl of Sandwich is a must do... glad I am easily influenced by all the Disers here or I may never have known how wonderful it is. And I'm quite excited that they just opened an EoS in DTD Anaheim!!! Em and I went there last night and didn't mind one bit waiting 30 minutes for a sandwich.

I could have bypassed the laundry since I would do it at Marco. But it was free, the machines were right there and I had changed a couple of times on a couple of days and was running out of a certain item. I love Earl of Sandwich...I wish they'd put one in Chicago. How great that you got to go the other night in Anaheim.

Considering Mark is a big cheater at Buzz, I definitely support separate cars next time!! Oh, and I'm a huge puffed french toast fan at CP so you can't have too much on your plate in my opinion.

You can NEVER have too much puffed french toast on your plate.

Hopelessly behind as always; however, when you crank the updates out like you do that is to be expected I guess! (Unlike Marv and I who think it is perfectly acceptable to take a year to write a TR...). My favorite pic of them all? You floating away on a bouquet of balloons and Mark trying to catch you...that was the best "special effect" pic I have ever seen, I think you and Mark missed your calling...GREAT acting!

Judy, please don't worrya bout being behind. Marv? Marv who?

Thank you...I have a fondness for the balloon picture too.

Your Updates make me so gitty!!! I LOVE everything you guys do!! such a fun couple you guys!!!

Awwww...thank you, that warmed my heart.

Haha what great pictures!!!

Thank you...glad you enjoyed them.

 

[KatMark]

Still trying to play catch up here...but loving every minute of it

As long as you are enjoying, that's what counts.

- Boma looks so yummy for breakfast. I really loved the dinner there in July and now need to make it a must do for us. But now I'm thinking I want to try breakfast too. The ride over there seems so long, so now I'm thinking maybe we should just stay there and then I can fit in breakfast, lunch and dinner at AKL

I vote you stay at AKL and then you can do all three meals.

- Wow...I would've had a hard time not speaking my mind about the political radio blaring at the pool Not cool!

It was a struggle not to say something. I plugged my ipod in and ignored as best I could.

- Earl of Sandwich is another one I need to try. I have wanted to go there ever since the first trip and it just has never happened....but that WILL change next trip.

You seriously need to go there...even your hubby would like it.

- Gotta say, my favorite hat so far for Mark is the polka dot Minnie one

Camille had suggested he try on some girl hats (in case he ran out of regular hats) and it cracked me up when he put it on. He got some strange looks though.

- Turtle Krawl drink....Holy Moly that is alot of different Rums in there! But it does sound good!

Excellent cocktail!

- Yay for the girls trip! Beach Club will be so much fun!

Beach Club in the summer...I'll even go swimming with the girls.

Okay, all caught up....keep 'em coming Kathy....I'm ready!

New one tomorrow.

Once again, you were updating faster than I could read but that's okay 'cause I can catch up and you're headed to Disney very very soon and will need to write a trip report for that trip too.

Sorry, Lisa...I'm determined to get this done soon.

Crap, I rambled too long and forgot what I wanted to comment on. Oh yeah, I remember. At first, I thought that you were going to a park on your off day but then realized that you had to go to a park to catch a bus to the AKL. I wish we were more breakfast eaters than we are so that we could give Boma a whirl. We are, however, going to be eating dinner there in May.

I wish they had resort buses. We thought of a cab, but it was our "off day" so we weren't in a big hurry.

Despite the rain, it looks like you two really enjoyed your "off day". A little laundry, a little napping, some good food and shopping. Love those kind of days.

It was a nice day.

Your day at the Magic Kingdom looked to be a complete success. I can't believe that you actually had your picture taken with Stitch! I know that you can't stand him.

Amazing what I'll do for some DIS friends.

So I think your strategy is to keep blasting updates out there so fast there's no way I can keep up or multi-quote and make snarky comments. Well played, Kathy. Well played.

Looks like you two were having a blast even amidst the rain.

And I agree, why didn't you try EoS sooner? What a great spot that is.

Nice picture by the toy store. Are you getting that one framed?

Did I succeed? Oh, yes, I did....because you didn't multiquote like you normally do.

We did have fun, even with the rain. And we enjoyed our nap.

I have no idea what kept us away from EOS until last year.

Yes, I'm framing that picture at the toy store and sending it to Marv for his Christmas present.

you need to plan a trip like that alot of fun to have the down days.

we had 5 of those days this trip

4 included water parks, one we did not even set food in a water park just our hotel and dinner at another hotel.

try it on a trip pat you will enjoy it.

I don't know if I could do five days of "downtime"...well, maybe if I did as long as a trip as you did.

Waterparks are out for us...too many stairs to climb.

I agree...Pat should try it...she'd probably enjoy it.

Ok caught up... on the last 20 pages...

WOOHOO!

-Great Save the Date Cards for Alisha and Mark

Thank you; I can't wait to see them this weekend.

-Looks like a great Breakfast at Tusker house

I'm really glad we tried it.

-I love the tshirts for his birthday and that was a great picture of him doing the booty dance with Eeyore... glad he was able to feel that happiness...

As I said previous, after that booty dance, I knew the trip was going to go well for him.

-Looks like a great meal at Coral Reef... I'm glad because it always get mixed reviews and I've enjoyed it there too...

I'm surprised on the mixed reviews. But then everyone has different tastes. A lot of people love Whispering Canyon and you couldn't pay me to go back there to eat.

-Despite the rain you really look like you made the best of it and had a great time in WorldShowcase...

We did...and the rain did ease up and just become an annoying drizzle.

-Was that the Orange Grand Marnier Grey Goose Slushie? Very Yummy...

Yep, the Grand Marnier Slushie...do love it.

-Love the photopass photos of the two of you... so full of love and affection...

Thank you.

-Such a sweet memory to be able to call Spaceship Earth "Grandpa's Ball"

That's my boys!

& I have to do the Crystal Palace Breakfast... it looks so pretty in there...
I ummm just have to get over my irrational fear of the Pooh figures...
ummm I love them in their movies but they are just so darn BIG in costume...(especially Piglet) but it's time to get over it and just go for it...

They aren't any bigger than Baloo or Goofy.

Really fun tr... I'm so glad I have a trip in 15 days because this would have made me homesick...

Your trip will be here before you know...just sorry I won't meet you.

Looking forward to the rest...

Thank you.

 

[KatMark]

Hope you feel better real soon!!

Get good rest and remember homemade chicken noodle soup works wonders. Plus it is incredibly easy to make.


I hope you feel better soon!

Thank you; I did have Chicken Noodle soup for dinner...although it wasn't homemade.

Thank you.

We mostly have summer and then Fall and a little winter mixed in.

I wouldn't mind summer and fall, it's the winter I hate with a passion.

Aaaaaah! I LOVE IT!!!

Anything for you, my friend.

I loved all the updates again Kathy... I"ll admit - I've been reading them since yesterday morning.

My favortie picture is of Mark holding you down with the Balloons... And I love both of your ears for this day! : )

D~

Thanks, D. We're awfully fond of our ears too.

I think I am caught up!

Sorry...I've got such a short time to finish this.

Love the hats! Of course, my dh just had to have the Darth Mickey winter hat. He wore it last week at Disney. And last week we saw a Yoda hat just like it and ear muffs of Vader, Trooper, or Yoda.

Ooooh....I know a little boy who would love the earmuffs...I'll have to ook for them next month.

Glad you got back to EOS. I'm so glad that we were a part of your first experience there. By any chance did you get to try the Wisconsin Cheddar soup?

I'm happy that you and Anakin were part of our first experience there too. No, we didn't do soup...it was too hot out for soup.

Looks like you had a nice relaxing day off from the parks and fun at MK the next!

It was a very relaxing day.

Hi Kathy!!! You are getting close !!!

I can't believe how close (three weeks from tonight is the big reveal...and PTR is updated with the details of how I hope it happens).

Kathy,

I have been trying to get caught up on your TR - almost there! (I am only 12 pages behind now LOL)

No worries...I know it is hard on your Kindle.

There were so many things I wanted to comment on as I was reading
-- that photo of you after check in was, well, so NOT a happy place photo! Sorry that the beginning of your trip was just so very difficult - in many ways. but what a great boss you have to send you first class. He rocks.

No it was not a happy check in experience at all. My boss is the best!

-- love your DIS meets!

Thank you.

--Mark in hats....oh my... i love these photos. He is just such a big kid at heart I see these photos and want to give him a hug! I LOVE the wig/hat in the dumpshop outside of EE. that is the best....and you in the little fairy type hat -- it looked like a mini top hat with fairy wings. CUTE! but I do like the hat you ended up purchasing - its the one you are wearing in the Epcot photos, right?

I can give him a hug for you if you'd like. He really does love going and feeling young again. Yes, the one in the photos at Epcot is the new one I bought (I had to keep the sun off my head).

The other night I was reading DISboards (again!) and my sister in law, who has been staying with us for a few weeks till she can move into her new, asked me "what do you get out of reading" the DisBoards. I had to tell her about the truly wonderful friends I have made online, their fun and generous and kind spirits. How maybe it just takes a special sort of person to really want to share so much about their trips, but that its' not just reading trip reports and taking a visit to my "happy place" -- its about connecting with such wonderful people like you. I just had to share that with you.

Awwwww...thank you; you brought tears to my eyes...so very sweet. And I feel the same about you.

I'll be back later to read more, work is crazy right now.

I'll be here...come back when you can.

 

[KatMark]

Nice job!

I try.

I know what you mean. For whatever reason this always seems to be a very popular ride, with longer at least waits throughout the day. I do enjoy riding it every few trips though.

I like the ride well enough, but don't love it as some do to spend 90 minutes in line for it or use my precious fastpasses.

I finally did this one for the first time on my last trip. Actually, it may have been the first time I paid it any attention............

It's about time!!!!!!

I think Mark and I would get along so great......we both have that Peter Pan syndrome thing going..........

Oh, I feel you have a lot more in common than "the Peter Pan syndrome"

This is too funny!!!

Seriously, what was he thinking? It's not like we are both Size 2's!

Can't wait to hear how this works out for you.........

I think it's the pressure of having him in the same vehicle with me.

I love me some Chip and Dale!!!

Always been two of my favs.

It is a little scary how much you seem to be enjoying your favorite little blue character.

I was hamming it up for you.

Let's see, first I get the tongue picture, now you claim this is my fave??? You know I am a big Goofy fan, so that would be my favorite, but honestly, I don't mind Stitch......well, except for that horrible ride!!!

I know you love Goofy (similar personalities and all), but you also claim to like Stitch and you give me cr** for not liking him. So it was just for you that I did this.

Thanks for the shout out my dear friend!!! You know I love you and it IS such an honor to get recognized in your TR.....

Oh...stop it.

Like everyone else, I love this picture! Great job of doing exactly what is needed to make it look just right!

I always worry it's going to not look like wshat they are trying to do....but I just relaxed and let it flow.

Love the breakfast buffet at CP, and all of the characters that come around. I guess it is about time to book this one again soon.

Yes it is...puffed french toast is calling your name.

Easy to tell from the smile that you were much happier taking a picture with your favorite....................


Little blue character!!!

I have no idea what happened that my eyes are closed.

It is always good to get that elusive "crane" picture whenever you get the chance.........

I do that just so Barry has something to do in his spare time.

Oh yeah, now THERE'S my favorite character!!!

I see the resemblance.

Well of course you couldn't! Another batch of goodies!!!

Thank you.

Oh, this is so NOT a good time to start getting sick! Hope you are feeling much better after a good night's rest!

Thanks...hopefully I started the meds soon enough. If I don't feel better by Friday, I'll call the doctor for an antibiotic...she knows just what to give me when I get this.

Okay, am I finally caught up again? You make it very difficult to catch up to you. Maybe while you are on your trip I will finally be able to pull it off............

Well, someone around here has to update on a regular basis.

 

[KatMark]

I'll do an update after my boss leaves (he's leaving around 12:30), but in the meantime:

 

[marvali]

Another great update, and on 21 days until your suprise birthday trip!

Loved all the hat pictures, and your park pictures were amazing!!!

 

[KatMark]

In my last update, we had just finished seeing the little celebration parade and scooted through some shops to try on some hats for the DIS faithful.

We left the MK and walked to the buses and headed here:

(borrowed from the internet)

I have to say this was THE longest wait we had for a bus the entire trip....we waited over 30 minutes for a bus to take us to the Dolphin (I have to say if we were ever to stay at the Dolphin, which we won't, we'd be driving our own car).

Once at the Dolphin, we walked around and took a peek (we hadn't been there since it first opened):

Mark had us opening our mouths as if we were trying to catch the water during the two above pictures (what can I say...the man is a little

From there, we walked to the Alamo Desk back inside the resort and picked up our rental car for the remainder of our trip. We got a Nissan Altima which is what Mark drives at home so he was very pleased:

From there, we drove to STARBUCKS. I had not had any since the day we arrived very early in the morning and I was now needing my fix. Then we hit two outlet stores and did a little shopping (purchases will be shown--if I remember--when I do the souvenir update).

We arrived back here:

and drove to

Mark took a call from work:

We then went to take showers for our dinner this evening. We would be doing the unthinkable. We were driving to another land.

We parked here:

And were dining here:

We love Emeril's and hadn't been in years (I think the last time was 2004 when we took Andy and his then girlfriend for his high school graduation).

Our food -- which was ABSOLUTELY OUTSTANDING as always with first class service:

(Yes, I hate that entire dish of calamari ALL by myself; Mark has gotten sick the last two times he ate calamari so he was a little leery of having any).

Mark's dessert, Emeril's infamous Banana Cream Pie...and yes he ate the whole thing:

Our waiter graciously took a couple of photos for us (ignore the look of pain on Mark's face...the pictures were taken right after I banged his knee with my chair as I scooted closer to him )

Continued in next post

 

[KatMark]

Although not Disney World, we thought you might like a few pictures as we walked around the City Walk area and, of course, some hat photos:

(this store used to have some really great stuff, but we thought the quality and quantity had really gone down)

After trying on silly hats, we headed back to the parking garage and got our car and headed back to Old Key West.

We thought of going to the MK for the parade or miniature golfing, but we decided it would be best to finish up the packing and hit the sack as tomorrow (well, not really tomorrow, as the trip was two months ago, but you get the picture) would be our last day at the World and then we had a four hour drive to go to Nickiland.

Up next, where do Kathy and Mark head for their last day in the World?

 

[KatMark]

Another great update, and on 21 days until your suprise birthday trip!

Loved all the hat pictures, and your park pictures were amazing!!!

Thank you, Marv.

 

[PhoenixStrength]

That food at Emeril's look fantastic!!!!

at Mark in the Marge hair hat!!!

 

[KatMark]

It was now, Friday, September 21, and our last day at the World. I used to cry when we left the world. I don't mean just a couple of tears, I MEAN CRY!!!!!!!!!!!! I hated leaving our happy place and having to go back to the real world. But then an amazing thing happened on the DIS! I met Nicki and life has never been the same. And I mean that with ALL of my love. Nicki and Todd are the best things that ever happened to us, besides our two sons. We love them to pieces and they make leaving Disney a whole lot easier now because we get to go spend a week with them. Now, I only get a little teary eyed when leaving our magical place.

I was up at 5:45 and showered, dressed and the rest of my stuff packed. Then Mark got up and proceeded with the same routine. At 6:45, we were loading up the car, and when I returned to the room to get the rest of our stuff, I saw this on the door:

A few pictures as we left the OKW resort area...bye, bye OKW...see you next year more than likely:

We left the OKW resort and headed here (sorry, it's a blurry picture):

Once we parked the car, we headed inside:

It was soon 7:30 and we were being seated here:

The first thing ordered was:

Mark got the Big Kahuna this time:

And I got the french toast and bacon (nope, no tonga toast for me...I hate bananas):

Everything was excellent yet again and this will remain on the list of a must-do every trip. In fact, can't wait to eat there next month with Nicki and Todd.

After we finished breakfast, we walked around and took some pictures of the Poly and shopped in the gift shop. Mark would REALLY REALLY like to stay here next year for our 30th wedding anniversary (reminds him of our honeymoon in Hawaii, but there is just no way it fits in the budget with the kids getting married next year).

After we left the gift shop with our purchases, we walked back to the car to hit our next destination. Where would that be? Well, you'll have to come back later to find out.

 

[PhoenixStrength]

I get sad when I leave WDW, but I try not to cry (well, too much ) as I KNOW I will be back, even if I don't know when.

That breakfast looks yummy!