Hunny even my socks smell like Disney! ~ "relaxing" Sept 2010 trip!1/24/11 RACE TIME!

[IheartDDuck]

You are so right though about Disney having a distinct smell to it. Certain smells trigger memories for me too. Can't explain it.

You're not the only one that's awkward sometimes with characters. I don't take pictures with them myself, unless I am with my niece or nephew, because I always end up like .

 

[mainstreet1997]

Call it your "princess pose"

Kind of similar right? There are better examples of the pose Im thinking of, I just cant find them right now!

 

[Captain_Oblivious]

He was really disappointed you couldn’t “tour” the castle, poor thing! He thought you could see the suite and walk through the castle (now that would be cool!)

I can't blame him there. I remember walking through as a kid and thinking, "That was it? 2 shops?"

Good one! He's a better man than me for enduring that drop twice.

We got right on Space Mountain with our fast passes and Lee was NOT happy that you had to sit by yourself in a row…I sat in front of him and he dug into my shoulders the entire ride. I LOVED IT!!!! Still bumpy and all, but I was so happy to ride and Lee HATED it

Boooooooooo.

Sorry, I'm an Eagles fan. That comes naturally to me.

I wasn’t so sure about trying to take a bus to EPCOT and run through to Beach Club that way, so we took a bus to DTD and then one to BC. BIG MISTAKE I probably could have done cartwheels around EPCOT 5 times in the same amount of time – heck I probably could have stopped for a ride around Spaceship Earth on top of that…ok now I’m just exaggerating (slightly)

Yeah, we've made that mistake before. Ugh.

OREO BON BONS – these must be created in heaven while angels look on and sing…I couldn’t say enough about them and they are difficult to explain when people ask me what they are. I just cant make them sound as good as they truly are [/B]

Please try!!

 

[If U Had Wings]

I did my first split stay last year and had no problems with it at all. Yes, staying at one place is much more convient, but if you don't have kids with you it's not all that much of a hassle. My friend and I did three nights at All Star Sports and 4 nights at the Boardwalk Concierge. (Normally that's not in my budget at all, but we managed to get a phenomenal deal). Disney moved all of our bags. We checked out of Sports early, and didn't make it back to the Boardwalk until after 4pm so we didn't have to really worry about our room being ready. If you really want to try some of the deluxes try it! I'd do it again in a heartbeat. The deluxes are really starting to spoil me.

It sounds like your MK day was great - rain and all.

 

[Shannon84]

Great update, Shannon. Your pictures are awesome...and I love the shot on Splash Mountain. Sorry Lee didn't like Space Mountain. Here's an idea--you do Space while he does Big Thunder.

NEVER take a bus to Downtown Disney and then to a resort. Buses to Downtown Disney are ALWAYS horrible--no matter from what resort.

We've not stayed at POFQ. We have visited and it is a nice resort (we have our own moderate we always stay at). We have stayed at two deluxes--Contemporary and the Poly; our dream is to stay at two more that interest us -- the Beach Club is one of them...I think it is really beautiful.

Thank you

Yeah we learned our lesson bus wise...at least the dinner made up for the horrible transportation issue!!

I do love the look of the Poly, I really enjoy visiting that resort when we are there. I have had breakfast at Chef Mickeys recently...I have to ask a stupid question but is it ever loud with the monorail coming straight through the Contemporary??

When I first started coming to WDW with my parents when I was younger I don't remember there being any value resorts, i might be wrong So I remember staying at Caribbean Beach, Wilderness lodge, and even Yacht Club (but at that age I thought the theme was for "old people" ) - now I would LOVE to stay at those same places, but now its on my budget

Love that shirt Shannon....wow...it's like you pre-made your shirt for the 2011 Princess Half.....

Ok.. Loved this update and the photos!!! Esp the one of Lee at one of my all time fave spots!!!! They have an ice cream sandwich with cookies that my DD13 loves....ever since we stopped there one night during an EMH....I think its called Sleepy Hollow or something...lol....funnel cake looked great too

Haha too funny, I should run it - I already have the outfit!!...I should tell Lee that and see what he says You know I really want to try and think of a cute costume to run in...but that has to wait until I get a little faster!!

I could go for an ice cream sandwich right now!! The funnel cake was nice and fresh too which made it 10x better

You are so right though about Disney having a distinct smell to it. Certain smells trigger memories for me too. Can't explain it.

You're not the only one that's awkward sometimes with characters. I don't take pictures with them myself, unless I am with my niece or nephew, because I always end up like .

I love the disney "smells", sometimes its the different parks or resorts and sometimes the rides have different smells too

I love to take pictures with them, I just cant converse with them

Call it your "princess pose"

I love it, "princess pose" and I had to show Lee the picture you shared, he has a big crush on Tina Fey!!

Boooooooooo.

Sorry, I'm an Eagles fan. That comes naturally to me.

Oh noooo!!! Eagles fans are vicious!!

On our way to dinner not only did we have to keep waiting for a bus to show up - when we did get on the bus it was our drivers turn to switch out for a break - a lady wanted a picture with the bus driver - I felt after hour 1 we were being punked

The oreo bon bon was an oreo cookie with some sort of cookies and cream on top and then all dusted in chocolate...see I can't do it justice

I just found this, not sure how updated it is...but Im going to try it!! http://allears.net/din/recipes/rec_oreo.htm

I did my first split stay last year and had no problems with it at all. Yes, staying at one place is much more convient, but if you don't have kids with you it's not all that much of a hassle. My friend and I did three nights at All Star Sports and 4 nights at the Boardwalk Concierge. (Normally that's not in my budget at all, but we managed to get a phenomenal deal). Disney moved all of our bags. We checked out of Sports early, and didn't make it back to the Boardwalk until after 4pm so we didn't have to really worry about our room being ready. If you really want to try some of the deluxes try it! I'd do it again in a heartbeat. The deluxes are really starting to spoil me.

It sounds like your MK day was great - rain and all.

I have been pricing some split stay trips, but every time I mention it to Lee he says "we have plenty of time to think about it" umm hello its never too early to plan for Disney!! I think we will either do moderate with the weekend at a deluxe or all moderate...either way I am sure I will be spoiled room wise and always want the nicer rooms

 

[proud_canadian]

Can't wait for more updates!

 

[KatMark]

I do love the look of the Poly, I really enjoy visiting that resort when we are there. I have had breakfast at Chef Mickeys recently...I have to ask a stupid question but is it ever loud with the monorail coming straight through the Contemporary??

When I first started coming to WDW with my parents when I was younger I don't remember there being any value resorts, i might be wrong So I remember staying at Caribbean Beach, Wilderness lodge, and even Yacht Club (but at that age I thought the theme was for "old people" ) - now I would LOVE to stay at those same places, but now its on my budget

I have never found Chef Mickey's loud from the monorail--just from all the people in the restaurant. We stayed at the CR a couple of times and never heard the monorail when in the room.

I know there were no values when we stayed there (but I'm a lot older than you ). It was the CR and the Poly at first and then the modrates started coming and more deluxes. We've stayed, as I said earlier, at the CR and Poly; we've also stayed at the All-Star Sports (three nights and we left...didn't like it) and the CSR (Coronado) which has become our "home."

 

[MEK]

Great updates. Glad that Lee is really getting into the trip, even though he didn't "love" space mountain. At least he tried and Splash is a great alternative. I love seeing pictures of space with the lights on. Very cool and actually adds to the magic for me.

Ughhhhh to the bus. But lesson learned. Now you will always take the bus to Epcot. I love CMC. Fun restaurant. And, of course, who doesn't love a side trip to the Beach Club!

 

[Shannon84]

Can't wait for more updates!

YAY cause I have them coming today I promise

I know there were no values when we stayed there (but I'm a lot older than you ). It was the CR and the Poly at first and then the modrates started coming and more deluxes. We've stayed, as I said earlier, at the CR and Poly; we've also stayed at the All-Star Sports (three nights and we left...didn't like it) and the CSR (Coronado) which has become our "home."

Its disney...we are all kids there right?? I have never seen CSR, I need to make a trip over there next time and see it in person...what parks/other resorts is that one by?

Great updates. Glad that Lee is really getting into the trip, even though he didn't "love" space mountain. At least he tried and Splash is a great alternative. I love seeing pictures of space with the lights on. Very cool and actually adds to the magic for me.

Ughhhhh to the bus. But lesson learned. Now you will always take the bus to Epcot. I love CMC. Fun restaurant. And, of course, who doesn't love a side trip to the Beach Club!

Thanks I was so happy he was starting to love the trip...he actually asked me yesterday if we were going to try and go next year...yes I have created a monster

 

[Shannon84]

We interupt this TR to bring you a quick life update! I promise I will post the first part of Hollywood Studios this weekend!! I just wanted to share a few things that are happening around here I feel like you guys are friends and family I can talk to

Lee and I went to the Richmond Highland games and Celtic Festival last weekend and here are some pictures

Of course I had to wear my new Mickey shirt

We watched some athletic games...this one is the caber toss...they toss a large pole called a caber - similar to a telephone pole! This is a video...



Oh and this morning I ran a 5k and finished in my best time to date
andddd of course had to layer up with wine & dine half marathon shirt

One last thing...we went to a wine festival last night with a Halloween costume contest...for those of you who have ever seen the show "Jersey Shore" (these people are crazy!) I am dressed up as "Snooki". I got some good laughs from it too

Back to your regularly scheduled program! I will be back tonight with a Disney update

 

[IheartDDuck]

Ha ha, love the Snooki costume!

 

[JMat]

All Caught up! Great updates and love the photos The highland games are outstanding and look really exciting..

im also making a mental note for next trip... wear "princess" TShirt!! lol

 

[Shannon84]

Ha ha, love the Snooki costume!

Thanks!! It was a fun - but FREEZING outside

All Caught up! Great updates and love the photos The highland games are outstanding and look really exciting..

im also making a mental note for next trip... wear "princess" TShirt!! lol

The games were amazing to see and Lee was able to find family history items which was awesome

Yes I recommend the princess shirt, it got lots of attention and I loved it

 

[Shannon84]

Just to let you in on my mind set from the beginning of our trip…I was WORRIED the first few days about storms and rain hitting Florida. There were storms brewing in the Caribbean and they kept warning us about heavy rain for Wednesday (after our experience with heavy rain all Tuesday night I was getting worried). We mentally prepared ourselves for a wet day at Hollywood Studios and dressed accordingly. So Lee wore his bathing suit and I am in a pair of comfy running capris, etc. – This ended up spoiling me!! I was SOOOO comfortable I have sworn off jeans for future Disney trips (at least at the parks haha)

This would be the day I wish we were rope drop people!! I can usually finish my day here at Hollywood Studios (Still MGM in my mind) pretty quickly, but I wanted to make sure we hit up the shows (some things I might skip after a first trip)

Guess what we did first? We ran through the gates and made a mad dash for….can you guess it?

the restroom sorry I couldn’t resist! I made Lee stop for our first pictures in DHS together…we are ordering our photopass cd this weekend, so hopefully I will get those to share with you soon!

Dear Hollywood Studios…please get rid of this stupid stage show in front of the hat..I mean I love these movies (shhh don’t tell anyone!) but why is this stage now a permanent fixture?? End rant

Next was a mad dash for TSM to get fastpasses, which were almost out for the day. I have decided getting in line for fastpasses is a stressful situation. I always end up behind the newbie who can't figure it out and I want to help so bad, but I don’t want to appear pushy either…internal struggle

After we grabbed our TSM fastpasses, we headed towards ToT and RnR (I wasn’t sure I would be able to get Lee on either of these, but I was riding regardless)

Just as we were making our way down the street we noticed a movie role “audition” taking place…I wish I had more pictures of this. We stayed to watch the whole thing and it was HILARIOUS, these guys always crack me up and they are one of those things you can't find in other parks outside of Disney

We stopped for a few ToT pictures as well…this is a GREAT ride in my opinion and I wish I could go over and over again on it! I convinced Lee to go on this and he agreed as long as he did not have to do RnR or Expedition Everest when we went to Animal Kingdom. DEAL! (Those have single rider lines so I was ok with that)

It said 20 minute wait, but it was a walk on. Just as in the Space Mountain deal as we were walking on they announced only “some” of the elevators were working which freaked Lee out. He was about to turn back when I told him it probably wasn’t busy enough to run them all that day (oh man I am going to be good with kids when I have them one day )

We were seated next to a 4 year old girl riding for her first time and her not so confident father. Lee hated it from the moment the elevator moved. As soon as we were about to drop he closed his eyes and didn’t open them until it was over He screamed his head off and when I looked over the little girl was laughing (though her father was still not sure about this crazy ride) I wish I had purchased the picture because it's Lee holding on for dear life with myself and the little girl looking at him and laughing!!

Next was RnR…I went through the single rider line and right on the ride…I practically skipped through the video part. I LOVE the launch on this ride, the theme, and the music LOVE IT!! I am not so sure about going upside down (I prefer drops over going upside down)

I was STARVING because we forgot to grab breakfast as usual…so we were off to try and check into 50’s prime time café early. On the way we snapped a few Roger Rabbit related shots

When we got to the restaurant it was packed and the hostess explained we would have a little wait. Well only about 3 minutes later they called our name and we were seated at a table with the TV attached!

I cannot remember the name of our server, but she was pretty good. She kept picking on Lee for having his elbows on the table and he was yelled at for texting in front of the entire dining area.

I ordered the fish sandwich with a salad and Lee had the fried chicken (they let him change out the greens for corn). Both of our lunches were VERY good and we finished it off with brownie sundaes (which had the usual toppings, but also toppings such as caramel popcorn)

Up Next:The rest of our beautiful (no rain) day and my mission to find Lotso

 

[KatMark]

Thank you

Yeah we learned our lesson bus wise...at least the dinner made up for the horrible transportation issue!!

I do love the look of the Poly, I really enjoy visiting that resort when we are there. I have had breakfast at Chef Mickeys recently...I have to ask a stupid question but is it ever loud with the monorail coming straight through the Contemporary??

When I first started coming to WDW with my parents when I was younger I don't remember there being any value resorts, i might be wrong So I remember staying at Caribbean Beach, Wilderness lodge, and even Yacht Club (but at that age I thought the theme was for "old people" ) - now I would LOVE to stay at those same places, but now its on my budget



Haha too funny, I should run it - I already have the outfit!!...I should tell Lee that and see what he says You know I really want to try and think of a cute costume to run in...but that has to wait until I get a little faster!!

I could go for an ice cream sandwich right now!! The funnel cake was nice and fresh too which made it 10x better



I love the disney "smells", sometimes its the different parks or resorts and sometimes the rides have different smells too

I love to take pictures with them, I just cant converse with them



I love it, "princess pose" and I had to show Lee the picture you shared, he has a big crush on Tina Fey!!



Oh noooo!!! Eagles fans are vicious!!

On our way to dinner not only did we have to keep waiting for a bus to show up - when we did get on the bus it was our drivers turn to switch out for a break - a lady wanted a picture with the bus driver - I felt after hour 1 we were being punked

The oreo bon bon was an oreo cookie with some sort of cookies and cream on top and then all dusted in chocolate...see I can't do it justice

I just found this, not sure how updated it is...but Im going to try it!! http://allears.net/din/recipes/rec_oreo.htm



I have been pricing some split stay trips, but every time I mention it to Lee he says "we have plenty of time to think about it" umm hello its never too early to plan for Disney!! I think we will either do moderate with the weekend at a deluxe or all moderate...either way I am sure I will be spoiled room wise and always want the nicer rooms

First, I love your Halloween costume, Shannon. I've never seen the show, but our youngest son (age 22) watches it faithfully.

Poor Lee...he didn't like TOT. I'm with you, I could ride it over and over again.

Can't wait to hear about the rest of the day at DHS.

 

[sjs314]

I am joining your TR, loving it so far and can not wait to read more. I went looking for TR for end of Sept and beginning of Oct and yours was the first I came upon. We had a trip planned for this November but had to cancel and decided on Nov/Dec 2011 but were talking today about maybe taking advantage of the FD which for now ends on Sept 29 so thought perhaps we will go end of Sept/Oct. We want to stay at the Beach Club during Food & Wine too , anyhow great trip report so far

 

[IheartDDuck]

Next was a mad dash for TSM to get fastpasses, which were almost out for the day. I have decided getting in line for fastpasses is a stressful situation. I always end up behind the newbie who can't figure it out and I want to help so bad, but I don’t want to appear pushy either…internal struggle

You are so right about that one with fastpasses being stressful. The last time I went, I did my normal dash to get fastpasses at Soarin. Of course, I ended up behind what I thought was a bunch of newbies, because they were all slow as molasses. So here I am behind them, muttering to myself to just get the fastpasses, and I was so tempted to do it myself. Well, I ended up eating my words on that one, because the fastpass machine was actually not working. Whoops. My bad.

 

[Captain_Oblivious]

Dear Hollywood Studios…please get rid of this stupid stage show in front of the hat..I mean I love these movies (shhh don’t tell anyone!) but why is this stage now a permanent fixture?? End rant

Agreed!

We stopped for a few ToT pictures as well…this is a GREAT ride in my opinion and I wish I could go over and over again on it! I convinced Lee to go on this and he agreed as long as he did not have to do RnR or Expedition Everest when we went to Animal Kingdom. DEAL! (Those have single rider lines so I was ok with that)

It said 20 minute wait, but it was a walk on. Just as in the Space Mountain deal as we were walking on they announced only “some” of the elevators were working which freaked Lee out. He was about to turn back when I told him it probably wasn’t busy enough to run them all that day (oh man I am going to be good with kids when I have them one day )

Wow! You have some remarkable powers of persuasion. Lee, Lee, Lee...if only I had been there to warn you... You could have at least let him read my write-up of this ride before you forced him on it.

Love that picture, though. I must say, the atmosphere in there is really, really cool.

We were seated next to a 4 year old girl riding for her first time and her not so confident father. Lee hated it from the moment the elevator moved. As soon as we were about to drop he closed his eyes and didn’t open them until it was over He screamed his head off and when I looked over the little girl was laughing (though her father was still not sure about this crazy ride) I wish I had purchased the picture because it's Lee holding on for dear life with myself and the little girl looking at him and laughing!!

Now that's just really cruel. So why didn't you buy it?


I've never actually ridden RnR. I don't know how I would handle going upside-down.

And we had an awesome time at 50's PT. Definitely a keeper!

 

[megcellent]

Just stopped by to say HI! I've enjoyed reading your TR. I am considering running the Princess Half in February with a couple friends, but I can't decide ... i've only done one 10k, but several 5Ks. I'm just not sure about a half. Was it enjoyable? Did Disney have the route fun and entertaining?

 

[MEK]

Great update. Love the picture you got in ToT. At least you got Lee to go on it! Question - will he ever go on it again?

You lunch looks so yummy!

Great morning in HS.

OH - great Snooky costume.