In the Spirit of the Season

[kwitcherkicken99]

 

[annmarieda]

No way! We're planning to arrive on 10/13 and probably leave on 10/20. It's not quite set in stone just yet, which is making me batty, but the trip itself isn't set in stone. How 'bout you?

Our package with Disney is booked. Our dates are behind yours by about a week. Now if only I could get airfare to cooperate our plans would be truly set in stone.

It is nice to read your Disney story and your youngest daughter is really pretty.

awe, thanks.

I know...

Finally all caught up Took me long enough! My only excuse is that life has been too busy. My travels have been for fun, and two trips that weren't so fun, and of course most of these trips are last minute. We had to visit my husbands grandfather who was ill and then two weeks later fly back out again for the funeral. He had a very long and healthy life, and is illness was short, so a lot to be celebrated and thankful for. With having to go to the funeral, it meant I couldn't fly home to my family, so we made a last minute decision to drive down and spend Easter with my brother and his family as my parents were flying up. So at least I got to see them, even if it was very brief. Then we were just back down at my brothers for my nieces birthday. My husband and I don't have kids, so its a shock to the system spending a whole week with my nieces constant go go go! THe last two trips have been loads of fun though.

It does sound like you had a couple bittersweet trips. And yes... kids are goo go go for sure. Sometimes I am amazed that I have survived having the kids I have.

That's awful about your fall. Hope your hand is all better now? Glad to hear the running is progressing!

Hand still hurts if I use it in just a certain way... but mainly good. The running is progressing... This week, I will be up to running 2.5 minutes at a time! I know it doesn't sound like lot, but when I started out at 20 seconds... this is a good thing.

Your breakfast at Akershus looked amazing!! Love Alex's comments about the empty park! I am in the process of trying to convince friends of ours (who hopefully will be joining my husband and I in September) that waking up early and getting to the park early is a good thing. Not to mention getting those early morning reservations. But I still get the looked at like I am a crazy OCD woman

Oh! you have to convince them. The parks are so amazing all quiet in the morning! And.. moving around once the crowds come is never as fun.

thinking eating around the world is an excellent idea. Looks like you had fun until it just got to be too busy. The food looks yummy, will have to do this in September.

I plan to do this on our trip too. I hope to have better success with it than I did in December. Food and Wine starts half way through our trip, so I am hoping that it will help..not hinder our efforts.

a big for the iphone! I love my iphone!

I LOVE my phone. I even got a cute little case for it.

It seems like you had a wonderful trip during Christmas break.. I can't wait to read your PTR for your next trip.. Oh and btw you may notice that I have a new ticker.. I went ahead and started planning my trip for this upcoming Oct. just in case we get a job.. So maybe some Pixie dust will come our way very soon..

I hope everything works ok for you for your upcoming trip. You definitely deserve some pixie dust!

Hi Ann! remember me?

I am finally caught up again!

First let me tell you that I do NOT like the thought of your TR coming to an end .... you HAVE TO start a PTR soon.

So glad you liked Boatwrights. We LOVED it the last time we ate there and I do hold an ADR for August.
It was funny to look at the photos as we had the exact same meal - Alex had Tom's and Zoe mine! You then had my dessert - the breadpudding - isn't it wonderful?

That last photo of Zoe watching Illuminations is just awesome! The expression on her face is priceless.

I will start a PTR soon. I didn't think it would take me this long to finish this TR, but life can get busy.

Boatwrights is among my favorites at WDW for sure. Too funny we ordered much the same way.

I love Illuminations and I love the picture I got of Zoe watching it.

I can't believe how far behind I have been. I am soooo sorry! Glad to hear that everything's OK with your hand. Can't believe you're about to wrap this trip up!

Please, I know how easy it is to get behind!

I need to get this TR done... I have been draggin it out too long.

I love, love, love the pic of Zoe with her Princess dress and her pink cons. Awesome.

It is one of my favorite pics too.

Boatwrights looks really good. I love that kind of food, so it might be worth a trip one of these days.

It really is worth a trip!

Illuminations...my favorite nighttime spectacular!

It is mine too! I am so glad I didn't miss it. We came so close... I would have been sad.

A Happy Mothers Day to everyone!!!!

 

[annmarieda]

Saying Good Bye

It is said that all good things come to an end. There was no exception to this when it came to my trip. Thursday, 12/22 was our day we checked out of WL.

I wouldn't say we slept in nor would I say we got up early. It was 7am when we all got up. I had had a hard night. After trying to pack up a bit, I think I was in too much a hurry when taking my nightly meds that I didn't drink enough water, so my tummy was super upset. (and no, it wasn't just the impending end of the trip causing me grief) It also could have been that bug the guys had earlier in the trip. Either way, I woke suddenly in the night with a sudden urger to... well, you know. However, by 7am I was up and better.

We go up and went to breakfast at RF. We all got the waffles. The strawberry orange cream ones for me (yes, again) Actually, Steve and Zoe even had an order of them (we had to use up cs credits) Alex was the only one not to have the strawberry ones. He had the pecan ones.

After breakfast I took some last pictures from our balcony.

We then finished packing so that we could... check out. We took our bags to bag check and then we took one last bus ride from WL to MK so that we could catch a bus to CSR.

This little jaunt to CSR made Steve very very nervous. I think he would have spend the day in the lobby of WL just so that we would not possibly miss DME. I really really put my foot down though. I not only wanted to see CSR, but I had heard some very nice things about the buffet and wanted to try it for lunch. I was sweating bullets though until we got there since the ride was taking FOREVER and Steve was getting more and more agitated with every passing minute. I remember praying that it would all work out and be worth it.

When we arrived, I knew it would all be good. The resort was beautiful.

The buffet was amazing. What an awesome use of a cs credit!!!! I would say it was comparable to any of the other buffets at WDW..only with maybe fewer options. (but not that much fewer) Aside from wanting to see CSR and try Pepper Market, I really wanted us to fill up before the long flight I knew we would have. I think we accomplished that goal!

I can't list everything we had, but trust me... it was all yummy! Our server was also so nice and helpful. She was the one who mentioned to us that we had to have a slice of that cake. OMG! She was right!!!

After we stuffed ourselves, we had to get moving. Since I knew Steve would be extra nervous about hitting the gift shop once back at WL and the shop at CSR was easy to get to, I thought we should quickly pick up our 7 snack credits to take with us. Unfortunately, the cm was having a very very hard time. I think it took her forever to help the guest ahead of me and then even longer to help me. In the end we had to call a manager over. The amount of stress coming off my dh was now at a high and I think he was about to leave with out me.

Luckily, once we were on our way it did not take long to get to MK. (the trip their had taken 20 minutes)

We arrived back at WL and Alex took one last walk in so that he could refill his mug.

I had wondered the entire trip where the buffalo was. Once we loaded onto DME and I sat in my seat, I saw him.

I guess the entire time we were there, I never once went out through the main enterance.

Next Chapter: What Do You Mean My 6 Year Old's Seat Is NO Longer Next to Mine???

 

[annmarieda]

So how much did we see and do in a 2 week time frame? Honestly, I missed more than I wanted to. In each park there was something I missed. Something I planned, but didn't get to do. I am not quite done with this TR, so I will wait till the end to go over my highs and lows... but for now here is the tally.

Rides
Big Thunder Mountain Railroad (3)
Haunted mansion (2)
Cinderella's Carrousel
Pirates of the Caribbean (2)
Finding Nemo
Journey Into Imagination
Living with the Land Boat ride
Sum of All Thrills
Toy Story Mania
Kilimanjaro Safari
Expedition Everest
Universe of Energy
Spaceship Earth
Test Track (2)
Tomorrowland Speedway
Astro Orbiter (2)
Tomorrowland Transit Authority PeopleMover
Buzz Lightyear’s Space Ranger Spin
Splash Mountain
The Great Movie Ride
Backlot Tour
Star Tours (2)
Snow White’s Scary Adventure
Dumbo’s Flying Elephants
Tea Cups
Aladdin’s Magic Carpet
Stitch’s Great Escape
Dinosaur(2)
Triceratops Spin
Grand Fiesta Tour
Maelstrom


Shows/Attractions
Enchanted Tikki Room
Living Seas Aquarium
One Man’s Dream (2)
Beauty and the Beast Musical
Osbourne Family Lights
Flights of Wonder
Pangani Trail
Maharajah Jungle Trek
Rafiki’s Planet Watch
Candle Light Processional
Country Bear jamboree
Honey I Shrunk the Kids Play Area
Indiana Jones Stunt Show
Fantasmic
Phillharmagic
Its Tough to be a Bug (2)
Finding Nemo the Musical
The Boneyard
Kim Possible Mission Great Britain
Kim Possible Mission Germany

Parades/Firework Displays
Mickey's Once Upon a Christmas Parade(2)
Holiday Wishes (2)
Move It! Shake It! Celebrate It! Street Party (2)
Mickey’s Jingle Jungle Parade
Memories and You Castle Show
Main Street Electric Parade
Illuminations

Characters Met
Seven Dwarfs
Terrance
Tinker Bell
Lady Trumaine
Cinderella (3)
Prince Charming
Druzella
Anastasia
Mickey (3)
Minnie (3)
Belle (2)
Aurora (2)
Ariel (2)
Snow White (2)
Marie
Duffy
Pluto
Goofy(2)
Donald
Daisy
Stitch (2)
Green Army Man
Fairy Godmother
Lilo
Doug
Meeko
Miss Bunny

Dinned At
Garden View Tea Room
Earl of Sandwich
Everything Pop (3)
Casey's Corner
Cinderella’s Royal Table
Columbia Harbor House
Aloha Isle
Ohana
Sunshine Seasons
Coral Reef
Karamell-Kuche
Kringla Bakeri og Cafe
Roaring Fork (4)
Starring Rolls
Wolfgang Puck Express
Tusker House
Yak and Yeti Quality Beverage Window
Kusafiri Coffee Shop and Bakery
Safari Pretzel Kiosk
Safari Egg Rolls Kiosk
Sanaa
Le Cellier
Main Street Bakery
Pecos Bills
Writers Stop
Backlot Express
Mama Melrose
Sci Fi Dinning
Crystal Palace
Contempo Cafe
Kona
Pizzafari
Restrauntasaurus
Yak and Yeti (table service)
Akershus
Boatwright’s Dinning Hall
Boulangerie Patisserie
Tangierine Cafe
Pepper Market

Resorts Visited
Wilderness Lodge
Contemporary Resort
Animal Kingdom Lodge
Grand Floridian
Polynesian
Beach Club
Yacht Club
Boardwalk
Port Orleans French Quarter
Port Orleans Riverside
Coronado Springs Resort
Pop Century

 

[tinacaplan]

WOW! That is a truly stunning list of accomplishments! You had a truly amazing trip! You really did experience Disney at Christmas.

I'm glad you made it out to CSR. It is such a beautiful resort. We'd probably be staying there this summer were it not for the fact that its been totally booked for part of that week for months...not sure why. Oh, that and Mark's not wanting to stay anywhere but at the BC! Sorry, that still cracks me up, given his...um....frugal nature (he's pretty cheap, actually ).

Your pictures of WL are really pretty, too!

 

[Stringbean&Wingnut]

I'm glad you guys were able to visit CSR before leaving! And that you finally found the buffalo!

Uh oh...I'm not liking the title of that next chapter...

 

[annmarieda]

WOW! That is a truly stunning list of accomplishments! You had a truly amazing trip! You really did experience Disney at Christmas.

I'm glad you made it out to CSR. It is such a beautiful resort. We'd probably be staying there this summer were it not for the fact that its been totally booked for part of that week for months...not sure why. Oh, that and Mark's not wanting to stay anywhere but at the BC! Sorry, that still cracks me up, given his...um....frugal nature (he's pretty cheap, actually ).

Your pictures of WL are really pretty, too!

I can relate. Steve will likely never want to stay in any resort but a deluxe (which is why I hope to stay at BC with him on our anniversary trip...along with a short cruise)

I didn't get many pictures of WL, it was a beautiful resort for sure!

I'm glad you guys were able to visit CSR before leaving! And that you finally found the buffalo!

Uh oh...I'm not liking the title of that next chapter...

Yep.. not sure why I never thought to make my way out the front... but I too am glad I found it.

And yes... we had tons of magical moments over the course of 14 days. However, for the remaining 24 hours or so... there was nothing but NON magical moments.

 

[lovethattink]

Glad you got to CSR to the lunch buffet!

I have never seen that buffalo either. Guess what my next quest will be?! And we always go out the main entrance. Do I look left or right?

Your room had a beautiful view! I'm sure you'll love the BC, that was the first resort we stayed at, and we loved it so much it was our 2nd stay too. Then I got this idea of staying once at every resort, but we got "stuck" with out favorites!

 

[annmarieda]

Glad you got to CSR to the lunch buffet!

I have never seen that buffalo either. Guess what my next quest will be?! And we always go out the main entrance. Do I look left or right?

Your room had a beautiful view! I'm sure you'll love the BC, that was the first resort we stayed at, and we loved it so much it was our 2nd stay too. Then I got this idea of staying once at every resort, but we got "stuck" with out favorites!

Look straight... It is almost directly across the "street" from the main entrance.

I want to stay at BC with dh because of food and wine, but also because we stayed at YC (well, the girls and I did... not dh) and I fell in love with the pool area. We will see though. I also want to pull off a cruise that same trip.

 

[momabaarjo]

WOW...the view from your balcony was awesome...so jealous of that one! I can just see Steve tapping his foot...but that would be me, nervous about time tables! How did I miss knowing that CBR had such a great Christmas tree!? And the buffet looks great...

 

[annmarieda]

WOW...the view from your balcony was awesome...so jealous of that one! I can just see Steve tapping his foot...but that would be me, nervous about time tables! How did I miss knowing that CBR had such a great Christmas tree!? And the buffet looks great...

We did have a good view. We could see the EWP each night and in the windows across from us... a reflection of Wishes (but if we went to a window across the hall we could see the show)

We didn't actually make it to CBR... we went to Coronado Springs Resort.... and the buffet was really good. I think what made it better was the fact it was only a counter service credit. The holiday decorations there were very nice! I think CBR is the only moderate that we didn't make it to... and then we only made it to one value. Other than that... we hit all the resorts...right? Well... wait... I guess not SSR or OKW.... Hmmm I guess we floated by though. Does that count?

 

[PryncessChrysty]

Your view at WL was fabulous!

Thank goodness you made it back to your resort for DME, I was starting to sweat bullets for you! lol


I totally understand what you mean about being there for so long, but not being getting as much accomplished as you wanted to. That always seems to be the way for us, the longer the trip, the less we seem to see & do. I think, for us at least, we get in the mind set that even though it's on our itinerary, we can always hit it later cuz we have time. Next thing you know, it's time to go home. That's why we always start planning on our next trip on the plane ride home.

 

[MEK]

Sad to see your TR come to an end, but that lunch buffet at the Pepper Market looks SO good. And that resort really IS so pretty.

 

[leshunlenese]

What a nice line up. You all certainly got alot done! I loved your view too! I think i read somewhere that WL was getting a massive refurb? I think? I cannot remember.
You are already at the end of your TR

 

[KatMark]

Ann, your pictures from your balcony at WL are beautiful. I remember seeing that buffalo when we went to the WCC in 2008.

I'm so glad you thought "my home" was beautiful. And thank you for the Christmas pictures from there (I do want to get there one of these years for Christmas).

I've heard great reviews on the Pepper Market's buffet and so glad you enjoyed it.

Your upcoming update sounds terrifying.

 

[annmarieda]

Your view at WL was fabulous!

Thank goodness you made it back to your resort for DME, I was starting to sweat bullets for you! lol


I totally understand what you mean about being there for so long, but not being getting as much accomplished as you wanted to. That always seems to be the way for us, the longer the trip, the less we seem to see & do. I think, for us at least, we get in the mind set that even though it's on our itinerary, we can always hit it later cuz we have time. Next thing you know, it's time to go home. That's why we always start planning on our next trip on the plane ride home.

Secretly... I also start planning my next trip before I am even on my way home.

We did make it back with plenty of time to spare. If my memory is correct, I think we didnt have to be back to WL to catch DME until 3:30pm... so we had LOTS of time... Steve just gets worried.

Sad to see your TR come to an end, but that lunch buffet at the Pepper Market looks SO good. And that resort really IS so pretty.

Pepper Market is on my to do list for the next trip for sure!

What a nice line up. You all certainly got alot done! I loved your view too! I think i read somewhere that WL was getting a massive refurb? I think? I cannot remember.
You are already at the end of your TR

I believe you are correct. I think it is going to take a while though... and since I really don't plan to go back there it won't affect me. However, I do wish that they had the refurb before we went. Oh well, it was a nice enough room with out the refurb!

Ann, your pictures from your balcony at WL are beautiful. I remember seeing that buffalo when we went to the WCC in 2008.

I'm so glad you thought "my home" was beautiful. And thank you for the Christmas pictures from there (I do want to get there one of these years for Christmas).

I've heard great reviews on the Pepper Market's buffet and so glad you enjoyed it.

Your upcoming update sounds terrifying.

The update would be terrifying if I didn't have it in me to be... well, firm Frustrating is more like it... and definitely UNBELIEVABLE

Glad you liked the pics. Your home was definitely decorated well for the holidays.

 

[annmarieda]

What Do You Mean My 6 Year Old's Seat Is NO Longer Next to Mine???

We arrived at the airport just fine. From what I can remember (now I am gong off memory more than my notes) getting through security was uneventful. Quickly though, our ease of arrival was replaced by frustration and down right aggravation!

Just to recap, Zoe and I had flown together on SW and had an amazing flight. It was easy and nice and the staff was not only accommodating, but friendly and nice. Steve and Alex had flown on Continental/United and their flight had not been so perfect. Not horrible, but not perfect like ours.

Fast forward to checking in for our departure. There had been some issues when we checked our bags back at WL. I remember it took a while and I remember that they were trying to get something sorted out for us, but ultimately couldn't. Well, when we got to the gate, we quickly found out just what trouble we were having.

Even though we had "picked seats" apparently they were over booked and everyone was checking in. So the airline was shuffling people around.

Our seat arrangement for the first leg from Orlando to San Fransisco was not too bad. We were put two and two only 7 rows apart. Honestly, this wasn't the end of the world since we had already flown to MCO separately.

The second leg was the problem. We did not have seats together. The gate agent in Orlando was less than helpful. I was told repeatedly by him that there was nothing that he could do. The flight was now booked that way and I would have to wait until just before boarding on that second flight to see if we could get things changed. Meanwhile, I asked him about preboard because of Zoe's condition (SW had not even batted an eye) He looked over our reservation and told me there was no indication that had been noted on the reservation so no...again nothing could be done. I think he realized at that point he was SERIOUSLY setting off my mama bear anger... first you tell me that there is nothing that can be done regarding my 6 year old being seated by herself. Now you tell me, my child with a medical condition (who is going to be potentially seated by a stranger) can not have priority boarding.

Now, I have been know to not be able to hide my emotions. My facial expression apparently is telling of what I am thinking or feeling. Apparently at this point... my thought or feeling that was being conveyed in my expression was that he better rethink it and fast. Reluctantly (and with a bit of a "next time" lecture) he gave us "section 2" boarding passes. This only put us with people with small children... but I would take it over pushing and shoving with all the main passengers. (and believe me.. these were some pushing and shoving sort of flights...NO ONE was happy)

As I mentioned, the flight was a very very full one. The gate agent began requesting that anyone with carryon luggage come see him so that he could check their bags for free. We had both carryon luggage and personal bags...so the offer seemed good (especially to Steve) For some reason tough, I was hesitant. Something seemed... well, I am not sure what it seemed... but I remember being nervous about the process. Keep this in mind for later. Steve urged me to go along with it. He said they had the same thing happen on their flight down and to trust him.

Upon entering the plane, I very quickly discovered that SW wins again. SW, I had ample leg room. This plane... no leg room what so ever. I had to contort myself in order to pick up anything that Zoe had dropped on the floor.

I can't remember if it was this leg or the next that Steve had to deal with an unhappy passenger, so I will tell the story in this update rather than the next. Just keep in mind it actually might have been on the next flight.

Basically, since we were two and two, there was one seat that was available next to the guys. Well, as everyone seemed to have been shuffled around.. a family with a teenage girl approached Steve (window) and Alex (aisle). Taking one look at the two of them the mother exclaimed. "NO, NO..NO! NO! NO!" She then proceeded to hold up the line getting down the isle in order to get a flight attendants attention. She refused to let her daughter sit next to the guys. The girl ended up being embarrassed enough to tell her family that it was ok...she would just sit there. (thinking now though, I am not sure why they didn't just have dad sit there ) Mom was insisting that they sit closer together and she convinced someone sitting behind the guys to give up their seats so she could monitor the girl. The entire flight she was making snide comments about my guys sitting next to her daughter. I guess everyone was just a bit out of sorts with how packed in were were.

Next Chapter: Calling Mr. Davidson... Mr. Steve Davidson

 

[KatMark]

I cannot believe the airline guy was NOT going to let you and Zoe have every opportunity to sit together. ALL children under age 13 at the least should sit with their a parent, no questions asked.

I'm truly afraid to hear about the second leg of the trip.

 

[dizneeat]

Ann, it's unbelievable they didn't want to let you board early. I mean .... come on, what harm does it do to have a few kids on board first?

Don't like the way your luggage story starts out .... I have travelled to much to NOT see some "drama" in the near future.

 

[momabaarjo]

Oh, Ann...I had not realized you had so much issues coming back. What was it about the boys that this mother had issues with...I dont think they look all that scarey! A father and a son?! Coming back on our flights Jeff and Ab had a 7 year old sitting with them...without parents because they were spread out all over in addition to 2 other siblings. Sometimes, that is the downfall with SW.

I want to say that the issue was everyone being grumpy leaving Orlando...but that was not the leg of the flight!