I Can See Epcot From Here! ~ A November Trip and Dining Report ~

[Mndisneygirl]

When my DD hears Journey's "Don't Stop Believin'", she says, "It's the "Bedtime Stories" song!" Yep, that's the song from the closing credits. And all the kids know Aerosmith's "Dream On" from the closing credits of "Miracle". Disney movies include the occasional song from our era!

Isn't that the truth! Another reason to love Disney! (as if I needed one) My DD9's school choir sang Don't Stop Believin too!
I should watch Miracle again, it's been a while. Since it's hockey season...


BTW - guess what song I downloaded from itunes yesterday?
Yup - Jessie's Girl!!

 

[Momof2Disneyboys]

What a great report, pics and video today Shelly! I know my wife and boys would have liked to see RS too - they are so into the 80's rock scene.

Drakes - have a great trip!

Happy Friday everyone!

Thanks Sea!

Congrats on rocking out with Rick Springfield Woo Hoo! I must admit that groupie lady was a bit creepy.

Illuminations. My absolute favorite.

And Jo....tisk tisk...such language. Never seen it with 44's before, usually it's with $$ I tuned into American Idol just for Mr. Tyler. He's probably old enough to be my dad but I couldn't resist.

Thanks Kim! It was a great night!

When my DD hears Journey's "Don't Stop Believin'", she says, "It's the "Bedtime Stories" song!" Yep, that's the song from the closing credits. And all the kids know Aerosmith's "Dream On" from the closing credits of "Miracle". Disney movies include the occasional song from our era!

I love when movies have 80's songs in them!!

 

[Momof2Disneyboys]

Thanks to everyone for the well wishes over my grandmother!
Shelly, the concert looked great, so glad you didn't give up and leave. My DS7 and I have tickets to see Big Time Rush in July (they're coming to our state fair). My son is beside himself (of course they sell tickets to a concert mainly for kids 7 months early- poor things, that's a long time to wait!!)
So sad it's almost over. Start your PTR right away!

I'm so glad we didn't leave!

That's going to be a long wait for your DS!

I don't know if I can start a PTR 7 months out!! I just don't think I would have enough to talk about all that time! Plus my plans are not all that exciting.

BTW - guess what song I downloaded from itunes yesterday?
Yup - Jessie's Girl!!

 

[Momof2Disneyboys]

Happy Sunday everyone!

I hope you are all enjoying your weekend. We've been a little busy. Yesterday DS9 had a soccer game. On the way there the car said -1. Then it warmed up to 0 by the time we got there. I think it's a balmy 15 today.

After soccer we had to go to the Game Stop. They were having a some big Pokemon event! The kids got to download something or other for free. Then we went to Target and Walmart. And Chili's for lunch.

Today we've talked about Disney a lot. Surprise, surprise! That seems to be our usual Sunday afternoon when we are stuck inside because it's so cold out! When we went to Arby's for lunch there was a sign on the door saying they are closing at 6:00 for the Steeler's game. And it's not even the Superbowl, yet! Yes, living less than an hour from Pittsburgh our whole town will go crazy if they make it into the Superbowl!

We don't have school tomorrow. So I will probably have an update for you sometime! I'm so sad that I only have 2 days left to report on!!

 

[sjs314]

Hey Shelly-

Sound like you did have a busy weekend, it is cold here too was 1 degree when I got up and took the dog out , no idea what it warmed up to. I tend to hibernate in the winter unless it is really necessary for me to go out for something, I send DH to the store but I stock up well so he only has to pick up milk, bread etc. I just wish it would warm up some, I hate to think of my heating bill come next month

I can not believe your TR is almost over either but on the bright side there are 2 more days

 

[jbmom]

I have been enjoying your trip report, I don't usually comment on trip reports yet I believe I commented on your last one as well. I have boys almost the same age as yours. We are going to Disney the same time as your family this year. It is our 5th late August/early September trip and I don't like the heat so it must not be that bad!

Oh and I may or may not have won Rick Springfield concert tickets in the '80s by knowing his real last name.

 

[Momof2Disneyboys]

Hey Shelly-

Sound like you did have a busy weekend, it is cold here too was 1 degree when I got up and took the dog out , no idea what it warmed up to. I tend to hibernate in the winter unless it is really necessary for me to go out for something, I send DH to the store but I stock up well so he only has to pick up milk, bread etc. I just wish it would warm up some, I hate to think of my heating bill come next month

I can not believe your TR is almost over either but on the bright side there are 2 more days

I will hibernate for days during the winter and then I start to go a little crazy and need to get out, no matter how cold it is!!

Yep - 2 more days to report on!

I have been enjoying your trip report, I don't usually comment on trip reports yet I believe I commented on your last one as well. I have boys almost the same age as yours. We are going to Disney the same time as your family this year. It is our 5th late August/early September trip and I don't like the heat so it must not be that bad!

Oh and I may or may not have won Rick Springfield concert tickets in the '80s by knowing his real last name.

Welcome!

Wow you are experienced in that time of year! Tell me more about it please! Is the heat unbearable? Are the crowds as low as everyone says they are? How do your boys handle the heat? Do you do the parks all day or just in the morning and late evening when it's not quite as hot?

Okay, so you intrigued me. I just looked up Rick Springfield on wikipedia. I did not know that wasn't his real name. And I didn't realize he was 61 years old!!

 

[T*Bird]

I have been enjoying your trip report, I don't usually comment on trip reports yet I believe I commented on your last one as well. I have boys almost the same age as yours. We are going to Disney the same time as your family this year. It is our 5th late August/early September trip and I don't like the heat so it must not be that bad!

Oh and I may or may not have won Rick Springfield concert tickets in the '80s by knowing his real last name.

I will hibernate for days during the winter and then I start to go a little crazy and need to get out, no matter how cold it is!!

Yep - 2 more days to report on!




Welcome!

Wow you are experienced in that time of year! Tell me more about it please! Is the heat unbearable? Are the crowds as low as everyone says they are? How do your boys handle the heat? Do you do the parks all day or just in the morning and late evening when it's not quite as hot?

Okay, so you intrigued me. I just looked up Rick Springfield on wikipedia. I did not know that wasn't his real name. And I didn't realize he was 61 years old!!

Wow, I didn't know that wasn't his real name either! Or that he is from Australia. Or that he is a day older than dirt. (I will borrow that every chance I can get!) You learn something new every day!

Sounds like you had a nice weekend, Shelly. Did they win their soccer game? We are watching the Steelers game right now and were just talking about how cold the fans look. I asked my DH if he would go to a game in weather that cold, and he said only if LSU was playing for the national championship!

BTW, Shelly, you ask almost as many questions as I do! J/K, it's great that you have an August veteran to help you out!

 

[jbmom]

I will hibernate for days during the winter and then I start to go a little crazy and need to get out, no matter how cold it is!!

Yep - 2 more days to report on!


Welcome!

Wow you are experienced in that time of year! Tell me more about it please! Is the heat unbearable? Are the crowds as low as everyone says they are? How do your boys handle the heat? Do you do the parks all day or just in the morning and late evening when it's not quite as hot?

Okay, so you intrigued me. I just looked up Rick Springfield on wikipedia. I did not know that wasn't his real name. And I didn't realize he was 61 years old!!

It is very hot and humid. We do rope drop then take a break at the pool and head back out late afternoon. We drink lots of water and there is a lot of air conditioning. I'm a heat wimp, I live in Michigan we aren't exactly known for our scorching heat. Although I would take 95 degrees right now that its below zero and has been all weekend! My boys seem to tolerate the heat pretty good at Disney. We have been so many times we don't have to rush around and see everything. Is there a August chat group this year? The only one I have seen is the Who's going in August thread. There doesn't seem to be a lot of chatting on it.

I didn't realize he was that old!I loved him back in the 80s. Never would have guessed he was in his late 30s! He sure doesn't look it in your pictures.

Wow, I didn't know that wasn't his real name either! Or that he is from Australia. Or that he is a day older than dirt. (I will borrow that every chance I can get!) You learn something new every day!

Sounds like you had a nice weekend, Shelly. Did they win their soccer game? We are watching the Steelers game right now and were just talking about how cold the fans look. I asked my DH if he would go to a game in weather that cold, and he said only if LSU was playing for the national championship!

BTW, Shelly, you ask almost as many questions as I do! J/K, it's great that you have an August veteran to help you out!

I'm shocked he's a day older than dirt. I read a lot of Tiger Beat back then, I'm sure thats how I knew his real last name. Good grief, is Tiger Beat still around?

 

[Momof2Disneyboys]

Wow, I didn't know that wasn't his real name either! Or that he is from Australia. Or that he is a day older than dirt. (I will borrow that every chance I can get!) You learn something new every day!

Sounds like you had a nice weekend, Shelly. Did they win their soccer game? We are watching the Steelers game right now and were just talking about how cold the fans look. I asked my DH if he would go to a game in weather that cold, and he said only if LSU was playing for the national championship!

BTW, Shelly, you ask almost as many questions as I do! J/K, it's great that you have an August veteran to help you out!

I didn't know he was from Australia either. I guess I actually only new very little about him.

We had a nice weekend. They lost the soccer game, but he played well and had fun.

I watched some of the Steeler game. I couldn't believe all those people sitting out in that cold weather for a football game!! Now that's dedication!

I know, that was a lot of questions. And I'm sure I'll think of more!

It is very hot and humid. We do rope drop then take a break at the pool and head back out late afternoon. We drink lots of water and there is a lot of air conditioning. I'm a heat wimp, I live in Michigan we aren't exactly known for our scorching heat. Although I would take 95 degrees right now that its below zero and has been all weekend! My boys seem to tolerate the heat pretty good at Disney. We have been so many times we don't have to rush around and see everything. Is there a August chat group this year? The only one I have seen is the Who's going in August thread. There doesn't seem to be a lot of chatting on it.

I didn't realize he was that old!I loved him back in the 80s. Never would have guessed he was in his late 30s! He sure doesn't look it in your pictures.

I'm shocked he's a day older than dirt. I read a lot of Tiger Beat back then, I'm sure thats how I knew his real last name. Good grief, is Tiger Beat still around?

I don't know how we will survive the heat. We aren't exactly used to it much here either. But you are right -- 95 degrees does sound good right about now!

We are just going to plan to take it easy. Like you, we have been there many times so there is no need to try to squeeze everything in.

How are the crowds?


I don't think I remember what Tiger Beat is. . . It sounds a little familiar. . .

 

[Momof2Disneyboys]

Day 7 – Friday November 12



Today the plan was to be at DHS for rope drop so we could ride TSM. Since when we went to DHS in the afternoon earlier in the week the fastpasses were all gone. So we got up and got ready. It was a beautiful day and we debated skipping DHS and staying at the resort all day! But in the end DS11 decided that he had to ride TOT this trip! So out to the boat dock we went. Yes, this time we remembered that it was a boat to DHS, not a bus!

Guess we should have left a little earlier. It was almost 9:00 when we arrived. We went in and they had already started the opening show. No big deal, we have seen it plenty of times! But we were pretty far back in the crowd. When they let everyone go we all headed for TSM. The crowd was huge. When we got there the line was clear up past the fastpass machines. And the fastpass lines were even longer. It was crazy! We've been in the TSM opening stampede before, but I never saw anything like this. When we got up by the building the wait time said 30 or 40 minutes, I don't remember exactly. DS11 looked at me and said – do we have to wait, we have this game for the Wii at home! I told him that him & I could leave and go do something else if he wanted and he yelled – RNRC!!! So we said good-bye to DH and DS9 and headed for RNRC.

It was a beautiful day, probably our warmest so far!

There was a photopass photographer out, so we stopped. This guy was great! DS & I had a lot of fun with him!

He told us to act surprised or scared here, I don't remember which. I look like such a dork!!

We got to RNRC and there was no wait!

What we really came here for was TOT! We didn't ride it earlier in the week. Wait time said 13 minutes! We probably actually waited about 25 minutes.

I hadn't gotten the boys shirts at WDW for a few years and wanted to get them each one this time. Well DS11 had been waiting all week because we wanted his to be a TOT shirt!

I liked the one on the left better, so naturally he chose the one on the right!


Up Next: More DHS
(continued in next post)

 

[Momof2Disneyboys]

I came out of TOT and checked my phone to see if DH had called. He hadn't, but Jodi (JoBird) had left a text saying that she knew we were at DHS and she wanted a picture of TOT! How funny that she sent that text when we were on TOT! So I sent her a pic! Then my phone rang and it was DH saying they had just got done at TSM. Good grief, they must have waited forever!

We met back up and the boys wanted a snack. It was probably 10:00am and they wanted ice cream. But we were on vacation, so I said yes! We stopped at a little snack cart by the Tip Board. DS11 got a Mickey Ice Cream Sandwich, DS9 got an Itzakadoozi Bar, and DH & I shared a Chocolate Covered Frozen Banana! Total: $10.25

Very yummy! Then we all sat there discussing what we wanted to do the rest of the day. We told the kids we could either stay at DHS or go back to the BWI and go to the pool. Without hesitation they both picked swimming! That was fine with us. We had done nearly everything we wanted to do at DHS between our afternoon there on Tuesday and this morning. We didn't get to see Indy or LMA, but we have seen them both before and will see them again.

So we stopped for some family pictures in front of the hat and then headed for the boat back to the BWI.

Up Next: Lunch and Swimming at the BWI!

 

[JoBird]

What a great morning!!!

Love the pics of you guys--- I think the ones of you and DS11 are so adorable. You had a good photographer!!
Love the tink shirt- so cute.


It didn't seem tooooo crowded that day. I guess everyone was in line for TSMM.
And you got really good pics of the inside of TOT. I want all of those antiques in my house. I never have time to stand around and look at all of them- what I really want to do is go under the ropes and look at all of the furniture and books.
It is a dream of mine.

OMG- I sent that text to you knowing you would be there but had no clue that you were ON the ride.
Must be that psychic/psycho thing again.
I liked the shirt your DS chose... but I liked the other one better too. Why is it that kids always go for the things you wouldn't choose??

Great update!!!! It made me reaaaaaally wish I was there right now.

 

[T*Bird]

I didn't know he was from Australia either. I guess I actually only new very little about him.

We had a nice weekend. They lost the soccer game, but he played well and had fun.

I watched some of the Steeler game. I couldn't believe all those people sitting out in that cold weather for a football game!! Now that's dedication!

I know, that was a lot of questions. And I'm sure I'll think of more! [/COLOR][/FONT]

Too bad they lost the game, but that's part of sports, isn't it? I'm glad he played well and had a good time!

Go Steelers!! I know you were jumping for joy over that win! Super Bowl bound!

I had to tease you over the questions because I feel like I am always bombarding you with questions. Sometimes I try to phrase them in a different form or put several questions in one sentence so I won't have 15 ?'s in the post.

 

[T*Bird]

Great update! I can't believe how crowded TSM was at the beginning of the day! (It wasn't even there when we last went) It worked out great for you to split up so that everyone could get to do what they wanted. I love the PP pics of you and DS11! It's so much fun when the photographer is into it. And great pics of the whole family, too! You got some really good pics of TOT, and that is so funny that Jo was texting you at the very time you were there! And BTW, I happen to like the shirt your DS chose best. I'm glad y'all finally got a good day for swimming!

 

[jbmom]

We all love RNR Coaster and its so nice to be able to ride it as a family instead of ride swapping. Ds who just turned 12 does not like TOT, the rest of us like it and he will ride it once a trip. He loves all other thrill rides though.

Sorry I forgot to answer your question about crowds. I think thats what keeps us coming back at that time of year. Plus now ds is in middle school now and I don't really want to take him out for a week even though the school is okay with it. He would rather not miss school either. The last week of August in particular has been great. We went once the week after Thanksgiving and it was more crowded then and the boys couldn't swim much since it was cold. In fact we went to an amusement park a few years ago and they didn't understand why we had to stand in line so long. We never stand in line at Disney for more than 10-15 minutes. This year we are going to Universal for the first time and a few other things off property so we will be there for 2 weeks.

I have a question for you. I had originally booked CBR for our trip but a friend told me the main pool didn't have any shade. Is this accurate? Sometimes we don't want to swim with the boys but I can't imagine sitting in the afternoon sun with no shade at the main pool. Are the quiet pools shaded? We ended up switching to POR again even though I'm leary about another frog or something falling on my head! I'm a little sad about not sticking with CBR though we have never stayed there and thought we would really love it too.

 

[sjs314]

I have to comment before I read today's update on your TR Shelly.

First off I could not sleep last night so I started looking at a thread on here of Crowd Pics, and I am going along scrolling page after page and all of a sudden I see a pic with a boy no wait 2 boys I recognize and sure enough when I scroll back up it was a post you made from your January 2009 tirp

All along I have been thinking if they offer discounts further into the year that I am going to switch my dates and go later in Oct but I have to say the crowd pics from September really look good, end of October it seems is quite busier, so hot and sticky or low crowds

I went end of August Shelly and I do recall it being hot but I do not recall big crowds so they must not have been bad at all

As for Rick Springfield, I did not know he was 61 that is even older than me and I am old

Tiger Beat there is a name you do not hear often either

Now back to the new installment of your TR

 

[sjs314]

Great Update- I am starting to think we just might never get to ride TSM, since we just are not rope drop people, last time we went it was so crowded being Spring Break so we did not even try to ride TSM. Of course I would choose a 2 hour wait for TSM over a 15 minute wait for TOT or RNRC but since I was with thrill ride enthusiasts they won out. I need to go to Disney with your DS(9)

The photopass pics of you and older DS came out realy nice.

Nothing wrong with ice cream in the morning at Disney, frozen bananas was one of my DS's favorites.

Didn't you know there is a unwritten rule that a child must always choose opposite what the parent likes?

I do not think I have ever taken pictures inside TOT, granted I only rode it twice and was totally crazed both time, I see you sat in the very front, that is where I sat the first time and one of the reasons why I think I hated it so much, plus my fear of heights and falling

 

[onescgirl]

What a great morning!
I love how you were able to get some pics of just you & your DS 11! I can't believe he passed up TSM, but at least you didn't have to wait in that long line!

 

[Momof2Disneyboys]

What a great morning!!!

Love the pics of you guys--- I think the ones of you and DS11 are so adorable. You had a good photographer!!
Love the tink shirt- so cute.


It didn't seem tooooo crowded that day. I guess everyone was in line for TSMM.
And you got really good pics of the inside of TOT. I want all of those antiques in my house. I never have time to stand around and look at all of them- what I really want to do is go under the ropes and look at all of the furniture and books.
It is a dream of mine.

OMG- I sent that text to you knowing you would be there but had no clue that you were ON the ride.
Must be that psychic/psycho thing again.
I liked the shirt your DS chose... but I liked the other one better too. Why is it that kids always go for the things you wouldn't choose??

Great update!!!! It made me reaaaaaally wish I was there right now.

I really like how those pics of DS & I turned out. If every photopass photographer was like that I would definitely get the photopass every time!! Speaking of which, I just asked DH yesterday if he thought we should get it this time. And he of course said -- If you want to. Gee, that was helpful! Then he asked if I had anyone we could share with and I said yes, DUH!! Does he ever listen to me???

Yeah, there were no crowds anywhere else, just at TSM.

Funny I was thinking of you when I was taking all those pictures inside TOT. I knew how much you love that stuff!

I knew DS was going to pick the other shirt. I just wonder which one he would have picked if I said I liked the other one more. . .

Too bad they lost the game, but that's part of sports, isn't it? I'm glad he played well and had a good time!

Go Steelers!! I know you were jumping for joy over that win! Super Bowl bound!

I had to tease you over the questions because I feel like I am always bombarding you with questions. Sometimes I try to phrase them in a different form or put several questions in one sentence so I won't have 15 ?'s in the post.

Oh yes, I am just ecstatic about the Steelers going to the Super Bowl. Now that's all we will hear about around here!!

Hey, there's nothing wrong with questions!!

Great update! I can't believe how crowded TSM was at the beginning of the day! (It wasn't even there when we last went) It worked out great for you to split up so that everyone could get to do what they wanted. I love the PP pics of you and DS11! It's so much fun when the photographer is into it. And great pics of the whole family, too! You got some really good pics of TOT, and that is so funny that Jo was texting you at the very time you were there! And BTW, I happen to like the shirt your DS chose best. I'm glad y'all finally got a good day for swimming!

Thanks! I would have liked to ride TSM, but I was with DS11 that it wasn't worth that long of a wait. RNRC & TOT are way more fun!

That pp photographer was wonderful!

I did like DS's shirt once I saw it on him!