Inching My Way Closer to the Castle Final thoughts/future trips 4/2p90 The End 4/4p92

[MEK]

Great recap! You know my favorite first... that margarita in DTD! I'm not sure that they are really all that special but I just love them. Maybe it's the atmosphere.

Oh...YUM! That rita was soooooo good. It was the perfect drink for the start of the trip. Sooooo good!

I have been tempted to hop a bus over to POR just to try a beignet. That is my level of devotion to fried food.

What time does your flight arrive on Saturday? I'll have to bring you one! Of course, they are better when they are warm. But that powdered sugar - what a mess!

I think I've said before that BLT has never really "called" to me but between your TR and Brook's and a few others I am now thinking I might want to give it a try.

Well - you sure can't beat the location. I think every DVC'er should try it at least once. I probably won't stay there again for awhile, but I certainly enjoyed my stay there.

Looking forward to more. And in just 6 weeks we'll be back. And I already know of a few firsts for that trip!

6 Weeks! I need to start packing!

Wow, so many firsts and you're just through day 2!

I think my favorite first was that margarita. No - maybe it was the trip to the TOWL. No - wait- I think it was pool hopping at the Poly.

Funny you should mention beignets, yesterday we went to the zoo with my SIL and they are considering their first trip to WDW. We were talking about resorts and Jared piped up and said that the best resort at WDW was POFQ because you could eat beignets everyday

That is so cute! Covered in powdered sugar everyday. Nice Jared! I love that he said that.

Great re-cap of firsts! I can't believe how many things you got to do already!

I know they all seem like pretty basics things, but they were mostly all things I really wanted to do. Nice to have that bucket list.

I really enjoyed your TR. It looks like you guys had a wonderful trip. I loved both of your amazing pictures!

Thanks! I am so glad you enjoyed the TR and following along. We were happy to have you. Thanks for compliment about the pictures!

 

[Nermel9]

I love reading the recap and firsts from the first 2 days, what a great idea! I love that you can keep going back to Disney over and over and there are still new things to discover!

 

[glennbo123]

Nice recap Mary Ellen!

 

[MEK]

Awesome recaps! How fun to get another highlight of your fun firsts! You did so many fun things, and got such beautiful pictures of it all! (but I must say, I'm particularly jealous of those benigets!)

I love finding new things to do in Disney. Even if they seem small and insignificant. Like a luggage transfer. I have changed rooms plenty of times, but normally I am with DH and we had a car so it was easy. That's why I had the sherpa look going on the first day. I couldn't figure out how to leave everything at luggage services so I didn't condense well.

beignets - I am getting more in May since my first two nights will be at POR.

I love reading the recap and firsts from the first 2 days, what a great idea! I love that you can keep going back to Disney over and over and there are still new things to discover!

Before my May trip I made notes of things in other people's TRS that I really wanted to do or try. So I made a conscious effort to try new things, no matter how insignificant they were. It's fun to go back and actually write down the new experiences.

Just wait till Day 3!

Nice recap Mary Ellen!

Thanks Glen. I drug this TR so long that I thought it would be fun! Stay tuned for more!

 

[MEK]

Day 3 started with us waking up for the first time at BLT. I had cover on the balcony and then had my
FIRST Run on my private running path

This is obviously a picture taken during the daylight. My first run was actually in the dark. It was quite an interesting experience running back as the first rays of light were just beginning to peak their way over the 7 seas lagoon. (obviously no pictures)

When I got back to the studio I experience my
FIRST sunrise over Bay Lake

Jen and I spent the morning at the Animal Kingdom where we quickly gathered FP's for the Safari and then headed over to Asia for a ride on EE. We were lucky enough to behold this lovely sight.....

We wandered over to EE where I experienced my FIRST back to back front row rides on EE

After EE I experienced my First Frozen Chai latte (thanks Brook!)

To accompany my Frozen chai latte I had my FIRST jalapeno stuffed pretzel.

I do NOT have a picture to mark this momentous occasion. All I can tell you is that frozen chai latte and Jalapeno pretzels are a little overwhelming first thing in the morning.

After EE we rode the safari where I was lucky enough to get my favorite (and most artistic) picture of the whole trip.

I love this picture and its was pure LUCK that I got it! Yeah!!!!
I like this picture too because I think giraffe are the coolest. I just learned that they have they highest blood pressures of any animals because their heat has to pump blood all the way up to their brain. The blood vessels that carry the blood to their brain course up through their long neck, working against the forces of gravity.

After the Safari we watched Nemo (first time for Jen, upteenth time for me since I love it so much.

After Nemo we were pretty hungry so we went in search of food.

I had my FIRST meal at Restaurantsaurus. As you may or may not recall, I was starving and scarfed my sandwich down in 30 seconds flat. But I did photograph dessert.

I really enjoyed lunch here and I WILL be back. Bonus - Great AC!

After lunch we headed to Dino. This is one of my favorite attractions. I think its a hoot. Surprisingly, this was one of the longer lines of the trip because they had one side closed.

After Dino we did a little more shopping before we headed back to BLT. I want to post this last picture that I took on our way to Nemo. I never really noticed this before this trip and I thought it was a cool shot.

And no recap is complete without another hidden Mickey

I took more pictures today than any other day because AK is my favorite park to photograph, so I will leave you with just one more (of the bagillion pictures I took)

When we got back to BLT we spent a little time in the lobby. Being the good DISers that we are we managed to take a few more pictures.

It may have been at this point that Jen gave me my first photography lesson on how to adjust shutter speed to photograph water.

Continued in Next Post

 

[MEK]

Jen and I both fought the urge to power nap. Instead we had our FIRST visit to the BLT pool.

I don't know what it was about this trip (other than the fact it was 90 degrees everyday, but I really enjoyed my pool time. It was hard to drag myself away.

I mean, come on....look at that water.....

After our lovely pool break we got cleaned up and headed to my
FIRST meal ever at the Garden Grill

[

Although I did not love the actual set-up of the restaurant itself (possibly because I kept getting stepped on by a 4 year old boy), I did love the food. It was excellent. The fish was delicious! It was the freshest fish I have had in a long time (probably because it was just swimming in the tank below me that morning).

And who can't help but love these characters...

Great character interaction! It's one of those places which is perfect for good food and lots of characters.

After dinner we did a ride on soarin, then MS, then TT. Then we got over to the world showcase right in time for this

And while I was hoping to write more than just a recap to Day 3, I realized that I ended the night with my
First ever ride home at night to my room on the monorail.

Day 3 Firsts:

Jogging Past the Seven Seas Lagoon (my private path..lol!)
First sunrise over Bay Lake
First Back to Back FRONT row rides on EE
First Frozen Chai
First Stuffed Jalapeno Pretzel
First Meal at Restaurantsaurus .....Eat there -----It's good!
First Meal at the Garden Grilll



Up Next.....More Firsts

And Don't forget to check out Jen's PTR at http://www.disboards.com/showthread.php?t=2677102

Plus Jen has the flu or something else really bad right now. She is completely under the weather, so send her some props!!!!!

/COLOR]

 

[All7OfUs]

I really must admit, the food at GG looks surprisingly tasty!! Another lovely lineup of firsts, and for me, I think the most "bestest" one is going Home on a monorail! How cool is that one?

 

[Ducky4Disney]

I am interrupting this recap and list of firsts because I am conscious enough to make one more post (the flu is trying to kill me, or it's pneumonia or bronchitis). And I just mustered the energy to pull the pics off my phone.

Don't think there's anything spectacular on here, but we'll see.

Yummy!

This was a lot of fun! Despite having some less-than-stellar bar service...

Ya know this one got sent back to my best WDW buddies as soon as I took it!

Oh yeah, the other side of the balcony.

This is the background on my phone now. I love this shot because it reminds me to relax. From now on, I will have more pool time planned into my WDW trips!

Mmm... Garden Grill yummies! Menu has changed slightly, but it's still amazing!

Wonder if I can PS out that lady...

Best. Day. Ever!

Kouzzina yummies!

I swear I'm gonna have fiber optic lights put somewhere on my property one day, maybe on the walkway to my house or incorporated in a backyard patio - wouldn't that rock?

The Ear Hat dilemma. While MEK was sorting out her AP issue, I was having a hard time picking out ears for my nieces!

My final choices:

Nyquil, and back to bed

D4D

 

[MEK]

I really must admit, the food at GG looks surprisingly tasty!! Another lovely lineup of firsts, and for me, I think the most "bestest" one is going Home on a monorail! How cool is that one?

In many, many trips to Disney (too many to count, but I think somewhere around 14) this was my first time staying on a monorail resort and it was pretty darn cool.

I hope that I get the chance to stay at the Poly or the GF, even if its just for one night. I know it won't be anytime soon if our DVC contract passes, but its sure nice to dream about.

GC was really, really good. The food was great! Seriously good fish and whatever else was on that plate!

 

[MEK]

I am interrupting this recap and list of firsts because I am conscious enough to make one more post (the flu is trying to kill me, or it's pneumonia or bronchitis). And I just mustered the energy to pull the pics off my phone.



Nyquil, and back to bed :faint

D4D

Wait - you took ALL those pictures with your PHONE! Darn - you are good!!!!!

Please get well fast Jen. And you know I have to ask this - Did you get your flu shot this year????????

 

[2xcited2sleep]

Another fun day of firsts! Only you would have your own private running path! In May you'll have to try the path over to DHS.

That photo of EE reminds me why I haven't been on it. That looks like a serious incline!

I thnk pool time is the secret to a good vacation!

You got some great Illuminations photos!

Feel better, Jen!! The photos you take with your phone are a lot better than what I take with a "real" camera!

 

[dawnbu40]

You ladies both took some awesome pictures

We have never tried the Garden Grill but it looks really good! We need to try that sometime

Jen-get well soon!

 

[Stringbean&Wingnut]

When I got back to the studio I experience my
FIRST sunrise over Bay Lake

Disney sunrises are the best, aren't they??? How beautiful, I'd love to see the sun rise over Bay Lake one day (but Crescent Lake is beautiful as well!)

Yeah Illuminations!!!! Gorgeous shot!

 

[Ducky4Disney]

Wait - you took ALL those pictures with your PHONE! Darn - you are good!!!!!

Please get well fast Jen. And you know I have to ask this - Did you get your flu shot this year????????

I did get a flu shot! Which is why this is totally unfair! But my fever has broke and I am feeling human again (well, as human as I was before this bug got me ) and this house needs some major TLC; guess who's left to do it?

That's right, me.

D4D

 

[manntra]

That photo of EE reminds me why I haven't been on it. That looks like a serious incline!

It may be a serious incline but there isn't a "decline" after that And remember there are great views from up there....ya know after all I was stuck on it

Loving your recap of photos and firsts! I would have that beignet powder all over me...I can just picture it! Forgot about the bride shot from HM! Soooooooo awesome! And the safari picture in the mirror

Thank you for the information on the giraffes....I didn't know that either, but it totally makes sense.

Hope you are having a good weekend and that you are feeling better Jen

Tracy

 

[Queenofallthings]

So sorry to hear that you're not feeling well Hope you're back to yourself in no time

Great pics once again ladies...I could look at your TR over and over and never tire of your pictures...they are amazing!

 

[KatMark]

Love Giraffes are my all-time favorite animals (and part of reason we are trying AKL). I really want to try a First Frozen Chai this trip.

As always, great recap and photos, MaryEllen.

 

[Nermel9]

I love that there are so many things that you did each day that were firsts! I love the fountain pictures, where the water looks different, that's so cool! And the Illuminations pics are amazing!

Hope you're feeling better Jen! Seems like everyone is sick lately!

 

[MEK]

Another fun day of firsts! Only you would have your own private running path! In May you'll have to try the path over to DHS.

Well, if you can have your own private entrance then I can certainly have my own running path!

That photo of EE reminds me why I haven't been on it. That looks like a serious incline!

It gives that illusion, but it really isn't that steep (unless you get stuck on it like Tracy did).

t looks like a serious incline!

I thnk pool time is the secret to a good vacation!

I totally agree. I am becoming more of a pool time person and less of a park person. I really enjoyed spending more time at the pool and a little less at the park.

You got some great Illuminations photos!

Thanks! They are fun to go back and look at. I forgot what they looked like!

Feel better, Jen!! The photos you take with your phone are a lot better than what I take with a "real" camera!

I hope she is on the mend by now.

 

[MEK]

You ladies both took some awesome pictures

Thanks!!!

We have never tried the Garden Grill but it looks really good! We need to try that sometime

!

I wasn't crazy about the booth set up, but I really did love the food. It was great! Nice selections and everything was very tasty.

Jen-get well soon!

I hope she does. She has a Disney trip to plan!

Disney sunrises are the best, aren't they??? How beautiful, I'd love to see the sun rise over Bay Lake one day (but Crescent Lake is beautiful as well!)

I am so glad I had this opportunity to stay so close to the castle AND enjoy the beautiful sunrises. I can't say it enough, its as awesome location.

Yeah Illuminations!!!! Gorgeous shot!

Thank you!

I did get a flu shot! Which is why this is totally unfair! But my fever has broke and I am feeling human again (well, as human as I was before this bug got me ) and this house needs some major TLC; guess who's left to do it?

That's right, me.

D4D

That happened to Nick and I one year. We got the flu shot and we still got the flu or some equally horrible thing.

And, of course, you still need to do everything at home. That means you will be behind for the next work.

No rest for the weary!

It may be a serious incline but there isn't a "decline" after that And remember there are great views from up there....ya know after all I was stuck on it

I hope that NEVER happens to me! NEVER!

Loving your recap of photos and firsts! I would have that beignet powder all over me...I can just picture it! Forgot about the bride shot from HM! Soooooooo awesome! And the safari picture in the mirror

Thank you and I DID have beignet powder everywhere. It was getting very, very messy. I am not a naturally neat person so it was not a pretty scene.

I love the safari pic, too. That's my number one fav from the trip!

Thank you for the information on the giraffes....I didn't know that either, but it totally makes sense.

Yeah - I never really thought about it before, but their hearts have to work over time. I guess they don't have much of a lifespan.

Hope you are having a good weekend and that you are feeling better Jen

Tracy

Ditto. Get well soon Jen!

So sorry to hear that you're not feeling well Hope you're back to yourself in no time

!

Great pics once again ladies...I could look at your TR over and over and never tire of your pictures...they are amazing!

Thanks so much Queen. I am enjoying going back and looking at my pics that I haven't seen in a few months.

Love Giraffes are my all-time favorite animals (and part of reason we are trying AKL). I really want to try a First Frozen Chai this trip.

As always, great recap and photos, MaryEllen.

Thanks!

And if you love giraffes, you will LOVE AKL. Even without a savannah view you can see giraffes 24/7. Its so cool. I love that place.

The frozen chai was pretty good. It was actually a little heavy, but maybe because I drank it with a jalapeno pretzel.

I love that there are so many things that you did each day that were firsts! I love the fountain pictures, where the water looks different, that's so cool! And the Illuminations pics are amazing!

Its amazing how many firsts you can find, even without trying. In May I think I will be eating in five new restaurants.

Jen taught me how to take the water pics. I need to get my camera out and start practicing again.

Hope you're feeling better Jen! Seems like everyone is sick lately!