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

[nilla]

To quote Mickey from Pee Wee's Big Adventure, "great so far! Action packed!"

Wait, what's this? Did I actually just read 30 pages of someone else's TR? Am I feeling ok?

I know, I know...after MEK directed her legions of fans to my TR over the Summer, I promised I would read her's (and many other TRs). For many reasons (ok, just one reason - I'm lazy), I have not fulfilled that promise. But here I am now, so no hard feelings, eh?

First off, the pictures are amazing. Simply unbelievable. Best I've seen.

POFQ was our favorite resort until KatMark turned us on to CSR last year. We still really love POFQ, though. I knew it was for me when they had Vanilla Coke (then unavailable in my lame locale) on tap in the counter service restaurant. Great pool, too.

The view from BLT is unreal!

HM is my favorite ride, too. Splash Mountain was the reigning champ until this year, when my inner goth took over and I pledged allegiance to the happy haunts.

I'm really enjoying this TR so far, and will actually keep up with it now that I'm caught up. Keep it up!

 

[KatMark]

To quote Mickey from Pee Wee's Big Adventure, "great so far! Action packed!"

Wait, what's this? Did I actually just read 30 pages of someone else's TR? Am I feeling ok?

I know, I know...after MEK directed her legions of fans to my TR over the Summer, I promised I would read her's (and many other TRs). For many reasons (ok, just one reason - I'm lazy), I have not fulfilled that promise. But here I am now, so no hard feelings, eh?

No hard feelings unless you join some of the other TR's you promised to join.

 

[nilla]

No hard feelings unless you join some of the other TR's you promised to join.

Yeah, yeah, yeah. I already gave you credit for getting us to stay at CSR for us, so what else do you want?



I'll start reading yours, too. Honest!

 

[All7OfUs]

Zowie!! THose were some beeeeeeeee-autiful pictures. AK is hands down the most photogenic park- in my humble opinion. So much to see!

Very cool Disney magic moment there! I love to see that stuff!

 

[MEK]

WOOT WOOT WOOT WOOT WOOT

Way to go, Dennis.

He informed me that he can visit about every 18 months. That is perfect for him or he gets "bored". Whaaaaaaaaat?????? Oh, he won't be getting bored on this next trip because I am going to pull out all the premium or platinum stops! It is going to be so much fun to plan that trip!

Thanks Mary Ellen Don't go sellin' yourself short on the pics, there's quite a few of yours I want to steal!

Thanks Jen. I am just so Type A. I want every picture to be perfect because I want to understand how to use the camera for a better picture. I'm frustrated because I don't. It's like music. If you don't practice and you don't take lessons, you're always going to be stuck at one spot.

Can you say: SUPER JEALOUS?!?!?!?!?

Hmm... if I can swing a trip in May for Mechanisms... and then I'll be starting school in the fall, so I might need one last trip - again. Are you in? You need more tickers!

D4D

If the soccer moms bail again (which they did for May), I would definitely go with you again in September. Last word from them is they wanted to go to Savannah, Georgia and then Hilton Head, which I would be cool with. But if they decide on Disney, maybe we could all go together. They both really like Disney and have both been there multiple times. But they are not fanatics like we are. lol! My plan was to do at least part of the vacation on points. I actually thought if we went to Disney I would suggest three nights on free dining and then 3 nights DVC. That would get them their park pass and I would need another if we go after my AP expires.

To quote Mickey from Pee Wee's Big Adventure, "great so far! Action packed!"

Stranger!!!!!!! I am pretty darn excited to see you over here on our trip report!

Wait, what's this? Did I actually just read 30 pages of someone else's TR? Am I feeling ok?

I know, I know...after MEK directed her legions of fans to my TR over the Summer, I promised I would read her's (and many other TRs). For many reasons (ok, just one reason - I'm lazy), I have not fulfilled that promise. But here I am now, so no hard feelings, eh?

No hard feelings at all! Happy to see you back on the DIS. Hope the family is well and that you in the midst of planning your next Disney trip!

First off, the pictures are amazing. Simply unbelievable. Best I've seen.

We both thank you!

POFQ was our favorite resort until KatMark turned us on to CSR last year. We still really love POFQ, though. I knew it was for me when they had Vanilla Coke (then unavailable in my lame locale) on tap in the counter service restaurant. Great pool, too.

Jen's favorite is CSR, so I had to twist her arm a bit for POFQ. But she didn't resist at all. I just thought for one night the smaller resort would work better, but after seeing all Kathy's pics of CSR I am wanting to take a visit back there.

For me, it was the pomegranate lemonade!

The view from BLT is unreal!

It was unbelievable. No one would ever tire of that view! It was like a bright light coming down out of heaven - it literally sucked me in and pulled me right to the balcony ever time I entered the room.

HM is my favorite ride, too. Splash Mountain was the reigning champ until this year, when my inner goth took over and I pledged allegiance to the happy haunts.

!

Inner goth?

I'm really enjoying this TR so far, and will actually keep up with it now that I'm caught up. Keep it up!

Now that's a promise and we look forward to seeing you again, plus I want to hear about your upcoming trip plans and how your adorable kids are.

No hard feelings unless you join some of the other TR's you promised to join.

Yeah, yeah, yeah. I already gave you credit for getting us to stay at CSR for us, so what else do you want?



I'll start reading yours, too. Honest!

And as pee wee herman would say, "now, now, now....Am I going to have to separate you two?"

Zowie!! THose were some beeeeeeeee-autiful pictures. AK is hands down the most photogenic park- in my humble opinion. So much to see!

I completely agree. I could take pictures there for hours and never tire of all the fascinating detail. There are just layers and layers of detail!

Very cool Disney magic moment there! I love to see that stuff!

I was trying so hard to take that picture without the mom thinking I was some crazed stalker!

 

[Queenofallthings]

How great is that?? I am so excited for you, that's one of my favorite times to visit because the crowds are so manageable! And a little on the selfish side....look how many MEK TR's we have to look forward too

 

[MEK]

How great is that?? I am so excited for you, that's one of my favorite times to visit because the crowds are so manageable! And a little on the selfish side....look how many MEK TR's we have to look forward too

We went in 2006 during Thanksgiving. We were lucky enough to be able to stay until the Tuesday after Thanksgiving. That Monday was sooooooo fabulous. I have always wanted to go back during that time. The Christmas decorations are up, the weather should be nice, and the crowds are low! I think it will be fun.

As far as the TRs.....I am going to have to modify my Siggie to fit all those links in.

 

[SoonerGirl]

Lift Hill Near where Tracy got stuck and had to disembark.......

Oh wow! Tracy got stuck and had to walk down from there? I'm not sure if I would have been able to do that! I have a bit of a fear of heights, on that lift hill I have to look straight ahead - no looking to the left or right to check out the view for me!

I'm so glad you two went picture happy in AK, I just love that park!

Congratulations on all of your 2011 trips Mary Ellen!

 

[wigdoutdismom]

Whoopie on that November trip! So excited for you!

 

[MEK]

Oh wow! Tracy got stuck and had to walk down from there? I'm not sure if I would have been able to do that! I have a bit of a fear of heights, on that lift hill I have to look straight ahead - no looking to the left or right to check out the view for me!

:

I think she actually had to walk up from there to some secret entrance and then they walked down in the inside. Whatever it was she had to do, it did not seem like fun AT all.

O

I'm so glad you two went picture happy in AK, I just love that park!

Picture happy indeed. I think I may have gone picture overboard!

Congratulations on all of your 2011 trips Mary Ellen!

I think 2011 is shaping up to be a very good year!

Whoopie on that November trip! So excited for you!

I'm pretty excited about that, too. I really love going to the world with Denny, but we decided not to go together again until Brian is out of the house. So next year should work out well.

 

[dawnbu40]

More wonderful pictures! We skipped AK when we were there in August and you ladies are making me regret it

Congrats on all the upcoming trips! That's wonderful

 

[MEK]

More wonderful pictures! We skipped AK when we were there in August and you ladies are making me regret it

Congrats on all the upcoming trips! That's wonderful

I can see why you might skip it considering where you were staying. I'm sure when I stay at BC I will be real heavy on EPCOT and HS and light on AK. BTW - thanks for turning me on to the KP missions. They were so fun!

I am excited about my future trips!

 

[eandesmom]

You guys!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! Those pictures are something else. Truly remarkable. I will state up front right now that while I'm totally on board for waiting for front row mojo...my pictures will suck.



For some reason I especially love those statues, there is one that totally reminds me of Max in Where the Wild things are (book, not movie) and it made me smile.

for a November trip!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! And the platinum package.

If it makes you feel any better I went to bed at 9:15 last night, worn out from cub scouts and TKD tournament and life. Otherwise I'd have fallen asleep with my computer in my lap.

 

[MEK]

You guys!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! Those pictures are something else. Truly remarkable. I will state up front right now that while I'm totally on board for waiting for front row mojo...my pictures will suck.

I doubt that. The nice thing is the train stops for awhile so you can get some pictures while things are still.

For some reason I especially love those statues, there is one that totally reminds me of Max in Where the Wild things are (book, not movie) and it made me smile.

The details in the statues are so cool. I just can't imagine the time and money that went into theming that park. Truly remarkable.

Its been awhile since I've read Max, so I forget how that book goes.

for a November trip!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! And the platinum package.

I am very excited about that ....and to do either package - platinum or premium. I might start with premium so I have something to look forward when we go back ahead.

If it makes you feel any better I went to bed at 9:15 last night, worn out from cub scouts and TKD tournament and life. Otherwise I'd have fallen asleep with my computer in my lap.

It does make me feel better because that is how my night might end tonight. I was up for the 7:30 am mass. Today was too much like a regular work day!

 

[Ducky4Disney]

Ok, we've gone like a page and a half without new pics, I can't stand it.

I appreciate all the ooh's and aah's for the EE pics but here's what all that ends. Strange how things work: I got good shots on EE and the ride was fast, but I got junk shots on the Safari and it was slow but bumpy. Go figure.

I love the Safari because it truly is a living ride. What you see will always be different, even if you get off and right back on. Having been on this so may times before I wasn't too pressed about great shots.

Trying to be artsy and I got this:

If only I had centered the horns on this shot, but we moved of course.

Why do I always get the business end of the giraffe?

D'oh! The tree was not there when I planned that shot!

The animals aren't cooperating, so I'll take some still life shots.

Enough of that, moving on. Baby warthogs!

Nice waterspray! Another "how did I get that shot" moment.

After we exited the Safari we went back through AK over to Dinoland, but I saw this first:

Cool! I love Hidden Mickey's.

It's getting more and more difficult to remember what happened in what order the longer it takes me to write this. Thankfully, I took tons of pics to remind me! If only my camera would mark the temperature too. Correct me if I'm wrong MEK, but I believe it was H-O-T, hot! Pool time was definitely in order, but we still needed to eat lunch, and I had never seen the Nemo musical. Fortunately, we were just in time to make the next Nemo show!

Having never seen this show I didn't waste time fiddling with my camera trying to take pics, I just wanted to watch it and enjoy
I AM SO GLAD I DID THAT!
That show was
I mean
Really just
So very
PERFECT!
At DHS I love the Little Mermaid show because of the opening sequence, and this was like a really long, super hyped up version of that! I was just in awe the whole time; totally mesmerized! For me, going to WDW is like job hunting. I'm always thinking "I could do that" and "I want that job!" and this was no different. Early on I lean over to MEK and say "I want to be in this show! I don't care if I'm just algae!" and I really wouldn't care if I was just algae; to be a part of this production would be AWESOME! This show should be on Broadway - just extend it a bit!

I'll continue with lunch later.

D4D

 

[KatMark]

Ok, we've gone like a page and a half without new pics, I can't stand it.

I appreciate all the ooh's and aah's for the EE pics but here's what all that ends. Strange how things work: I got good shots on EE and the ride was fast, but I got junk shots on the Safari and it was slow but bumpy. Go figure.

I love the Safari because it truly is a living ride. What you see will always be different, even if you get off and right back on. Having been on this so may times before I wasn't too pressed about great shots.

Trying to be artsy and I got this:

If only I had centered the horns on this shot, but we moved of course.

Why do I always get the business end of the giraffe?

D'oh! The tree was not there when I planned that shot!

The animals aren't cooperating, so I'll take some still life shots.

Enough of that, moving on. Baby warthogs!

Nice waterspray! Another "how did I get that shot" moment.

After we exited the Safari we went back through AK over to Dinoland, but I saw this first:

Cool! I love Hidden Mickey's.

It's getting more and more difficult to remember what happened in what order the longer it takes me to write this. Thankfully, I took tons of pics to remind me! If only my camera would mark the temperature too. Correct me if I'm wrong MEK, but I believe it was H-O-T, hot! Pool time was definitely in order, but we still needed to eat lunch, and I had never seen the Nemo musical. Fortunately, we were just in time to make the next Nemo show!

Having never seen this show I didn't waste time fiddling with my camera trying to take pics, I just wanted to watch it and enjoy
I AM SO GLAD I DID THAT!
That show was
I mean
Really just
So very
PERFECT!
At DHS I love the Little Mermaid show because of the opening sequence, and this was like a really long, super hyped up version of that! I was just in awe the whole time; totally mesmerized! For me, going to WDW is like job hunting. I'm always thinking "I could do that" and "I want that job!" and this was no different. Early on I lean over to MEK and say "I want to be in this show! I don't care if I'm just algae!" and I really wouldn't care if I was just algae; to be a part of this production would be AWESOME! This show should be on Broadway - just extend it a bit!

I'll continue with lunch later.

D4D

Your pics on the safari are great...I don't know what makes you think they aren't. We had a choice between Fesitval of the Lion King or Finding Nemo when we were there in September as we had never seen either. We did Festival of the Lion King and we loved it. But now we will definitly have to do Nemo next year.

 

[Ducky4Disney]

Your pics on the safari are great...I don't know what makes you think they aren't. We had a choice between Fesitval of the Lion King or Finding Nemo when we were there in September as we had never seen either. We did Festival of the Lion King and we loved it. But now we will definitly have to do Nemo next year.

Oh my, thank you! Everything is relative and relative to other pics I've taken on the Safari, these are mediocre. But I am so glad you like them!

FOTLK or Nemo - you can't go wrong with either one, seriously. I remember seeing FOTLK when I was 5 months pregnant with DS1 and that boy LOVED the show!
Lots of this going on in my belly: He was all over the place! It was amazing to feel him react to the music! Doing backfips and swan dives and jumping rope, I swear!

(He also liked fireworks, too bad he doesn't like them now at 4.5 y/o)

D4D

 

[nilla]

We've been alternating between FOTLK and Nemo the past several years. On this upcoming trip, we have a day and at least a half at AK, so we can do both

Hard to pick what's better, but personally, my vote goes to Nemo.

 

[MEK]

I am so happy to wake up this morning and find an update from Jen. I had lots of soccer activities going on last night and this weekend, so an update was impossible. Plus I spent some time proofreading Brian's Brit Lit paper. I usually don't proof read his stuff, but this teacher grades impossibly hard. I actually thought it was a fairly well written paper and I enjoyed reading it. We both laughed and said, "yeah it will probably be an 80". Pretty sad when even your mom can't help you get a few more points. If Brian could just get his grade up to an 85 he would be set. But the only thing I know how to write these days are trip reports! And as we all know, my trip reports rely more on pictures than on words.

So I am going to back up a bit from where Jen started. Before we left on safari, we actually made a pit stop in Harambe. Jen had to make a work related phone call which left me plenty of time to observe artifacts of the native culture.

I found this instrument very interesting.

I love music, so I basically find all musical instruments interesting.

I was sitting so close that I had to take multiple pictures to construct the instrument.

When I realized that Jen's phone call was going to take more than a couple minutes, I went on a search to find the elusive jalapeno pretzel. Score! Although I don't have a picture of this tasty morsel, trust me.....it was yummy. I'm not a super spicy hot person, so it was probably a little much for 1030 am, but I enjoyed it all the same.

So my breakfast this morning consisted of a frozen chai tea and a jalapeno pretzel. Interesting combo, if I do say so myself.

While Jen continued her conversation, I took a few more scenery shots.....

The above colors were edited in.

This was the actual view......

I did find myself taking more than my fair share of bio breaks this morning, but this is actually one of the restrooms I did not visit. I just thought the sign was pretty and I am so relieved to see that these particular restrooms are for public use! Phew!

We finally were about to embark on a journey of a lifetime......

A gentle reminder to keep animal safety in mind.....

And some helpful photography tips......

I still think of LL when I take pictures of light fixtures.......

Before we boarded I told Jen that I really hoped we didn't get the back row. As we approached the end of the queue the CM kindly asked us, "front or bow row?" Front Row SCORE!

Up Next - Mary Ellen's Front Row Pics - heavy on the scenery, sparse on the animals!

Replies soon!

 

[eandesmom]

Jen I love your comment about wanting to be in the show, even if you were just algae! It's so important to just stop and enjoy sometimes and I think it's aweseome you put away the camera for the show. Which I've still never seen.

Mary Ellen, I commend you for your breakfast choices, not sure my stomach could handle that to start out my day (though the jalepeno pretzel doesn't appeal to me at all...pretzels yes but with spicy cream cheese that early? No). You guys have done a TON so far! I have to tell you I'm so glad I went to bed when I did. Jeff stayed up till midnight waiting for the pick up call from Kendall who was at the homecoming dance, only to get the sleepover request...at midnight. I'd have been a wreck yesterday and I really needed all my calm to survive scouts. Actually my children who were a much bigger issue. LOL!