Is That Real Chocolate? (May 2016 Trip Report)- UPDATE-2017 INVITE!

[luvflorida]

Totally enjoyable! Really love the way you breath in family life!

Thank you so much! I'm glad you're enjoying my trip report! And, you're right about family! I can easily spend an entire day at the Parks all by myself and love every minute of it, but there is something very special about experiencing the Parks with family members, especially grandkids!

 

[luvflorida]

Day Six- continued

I haven't updated lately, but I'm here now! My husband and I just got back from a long weekend in Las Vegas. Even though we didn't come home with winnings, we had a great time!

Okay, I left off with us finishing up dinner at Mama Melrose at Hollywood Studios, and the grandkids checking out the snowman outside the restaurant.

All of us, at various times, had ridden the Great Movie Ride earlier in the day, but we wanted to all ride it together, so we headed over to do just that!

The grandkids loved the scenes from the Wizard of Oz.

After the Great Movie Ride, I snapped a few pics of Megan, Daniel and the kids. It was difficult to get a picture with all three kids looking at the camera and smiling! Of course, I think my sweet grandkids always look adorable, no matter what they're doing!

It was getting late and everyone had enjoyed a full day of fun at HS, but we had to make one more stop!
Tower of Terror!

Daniel and Carter were the only ones brave enough to ride!

And here's the video. Love how Carter closes his eyes just before the drop!



This was the evening that Larry and I were going to watch the grandkids while Megan and Daniel spent the evening together at one of the parks, so we all headed out of Hollywood Studios and back to the Beach Club Resort. We took different modes of transportation to get there! It was such a beautiful evening and I wanted to get some pictures around the BC Resort, so I decided to walk back from Hollywood Studios. Larry walked to the parking lot for the car, then drove over to the resort, and Megan, Daniel and the kids took the boat back to the resort.

 

[luvflorida]

continued

Here are some of the photos I took on my walk from Hollywood Studios to the Beach Club Resort.

Looking over toward the Boardwalk as the sun was setting.

Part of the swimming area at the Beach Club.

Looking across to the Boardwalk area.

The shipwreck/water slide at Stormalong Bay.

Boat launch and pier at the Yacht and Beach Club.

Megan and Daniel spent the evening at the Magic Kingdom and Larry and I stayed with the grandkids. We took them down to the beach and watched Inside Out.

It was a relaxing end to a very busy day!

Next up- Our last day! We packed quite a bit into our final day, since our flight out of Orlando wasn't until evening!

 

[DisneyCAL]

I don't typically make comments on trip reports, but I have to say this was wonderful to read. Your family is beautiful and so nice to see the nice relationships you have with your grandchildren.

 

[ariane37]

I'm going back to your last update because I'm glad to read a positive review of MM. We haven't eaten there since 2011 or 2012 but have an ADR for lunch in November. We enjoyed it back then and are looking forward to going again!

You know, for all the times I've walked around those busts at HS, I don't think I've ever noticed Desi Arnaz! And he really does look like he's made of chocolate, and melting lol.

 

[luvflorida]

I don't typically make comments on trip reports, but I have to say this was wonderful to read. Your family is beautiful and so nice to see the nice relationships you have with your grandchildren.

Thank you so much! I think a lot of people read trip reports, but don't comment. I'm glad that you've enjoyed reading along! It was a wonderful trip and one that will be remembered for all the extra Disney magic, perks and VIP treatment! And grandchildren truly are a ton of joy, fun, laughter and love!

I'm going back to your last update because I'm glad to read a positive review of MM. We haven't eaten there since 2011 or 2012 but have an ADR for lunch in November. We enjoyed it back then and are looking forward to going again!

You know, for all the times I've walked around those busts at HS, I don't think I've ever noticed Desi Arnaz! And he really does look like he's made of chocolate, and melting lol.

We really enjoyed our meal at Mama Melrose. Now, I'd never make a good food critic, because I prefer simple over fancy. I'd say Mama Melrose is probably very similar to any other good non-chain Italian type restaurant. Most towns have a really good, local Italian restaurant that's been around for a long time, due to their excellent food and service. Mama Melrose is kind of like that! I don't remember what everyone had, but I thought my spaghetti was delicious. My husband loves chicken parm, so I'm guessing he ordered that, and I know the kids had spaghetti and pizza. The portions were huge and the service was great!

Poor Desi! Not only does he look like he's melting, he also looks depressed!

 

[luvflorida]

A short pause before I start on day seven of our trip.

School started last week for Carter and Vanessa. Here they are all excited for their first day! Carter is a third grader and Vanessa is in Kindergarten.

Off they go! They both had meet the teacher nights earlier in the week, and Vanessa had a half-day the day before. So they were ready to go!

Megan said that Harrison was upset when he learned that he was not going to school along with his older brother and sister, so she made sure he had his backpack for when he comes to gramma's house on school days!

Harry gets gramma all to himself while the other two are at school! Well, for a few more weeks anyway, until his new baby sister arrives!

 

[luvflorida]

Day Seven! Two Parks and departure day!

Larry and I were up early, had breakfast at the hotel, checked out and drove over to the Magic Kingdom. Meanwhile, Megan, Daniel and kids checked out of the Beach Club, left their luggage to be picked up and transported to the airport, then took the bus to the Magic Kingdom.

We met up on Main Street.

Our plans were to spend the morning in the Magic Kingdom, eat lunch, then take the monorail over to Epcot for the afternoon. I reminded everyone what time our flight was, because I wanted to make sure we all made it to the airport in plenty of time. Larry and I were driving to the airport, and Megan, Daniel and the kids were taking the Magical Express back. I was afraid Megan and Daniel might not keep track of the time. However, I shouldn't have worried about them. THEY weren't the ones who barely made it to the airport in time!

I'll end this post with a pic of a duck family! The little ones were so cute!

Next up- The Enchanted Tales With Belle. Vanessa got picked for a role she could really sink her "claws" into!

 

[toomuchtv]

I've just read through your report and loved it. Your grandkids are so cute! My mom is going with us next May (the day after Mother's Day) for my son's first trip, but he will only be 20 months at the time.

I've also told my husband that apparently I should start blogging. That conference looked awesome!

 

[DVCShannon]

This looks like a very fun filled trip! Beach Club looks very beautiful! And the whole family seems to have had a blast, especially when meeting Disney characters! Thank you for sharing this trip with you and your family Great photos!

 

[luvflorida]

I've just read through your report and loved it. Your grandkids are so cute! My mom is going with us next May (the day after Mother's Day) for my son's first trip, but he will only be 20 months at the time.

I've also told my husband that apparently I should start blogging. That conference looked awesome!

Thanks so much for following along! I know, blogging can be a really good gig! I hope you have a blast on your trip in May! Our older grandson, Carter, was 17 months old on his first trip to WDW and I think it was a wonderful age to take him. I bet your son will love it!

This looks like a very fun filled trip! Beach Club looks very beautiful! And the whole family seems to have had a blast, especially when meeting Disney characters! Thank you for sharing this trip with you and your family Great photos!

Thanks! Yes, it was a great trip, filled with lots of Disney magic! Thank you for reading my trip report!

 

[luvflorida]

WOW! Sorry for such a long delay in my trip report! My husband and I just got back from two weeks in Maine. We go back every summer to visit family and friends, and to eat seafood and other goodies that we can't get here in Arizona! We actually took two empty carry-on bags on our flight, just so we could fill them up with Maine food items to bring back to Phoenix.

Here are a few photos from our trip back to our home state. Every other year, the whole family goes back, so next year we'll have fun taking the grandkids to the beach, to Boston, and all the other places we want them to be familiar with!

My beautiful home state of Maine!

I also go back to shop!

 

[luvflorida]

Okay! I hope you enjoyed my Maine pics! Now, back to the last day of our Disney trip.

We spent the last morning of our trip in the Magic Kingdom. Megan and I wanted to take Vanessa and Harrison to The Enchanted Tales With Belle, especially since it's not an attraction at Disneyland. So, the guys went off to have fun on a few wilder attractions, and the rest of us headed into see Belle.

Checking out Belle's cottage.

Lumiere!

Vanessa really wanted to get a role in the production, and she would have been happy with any part, but...she was very excited to get picked for the role of the Beast!

Receiving her instructions.

Look out! Here comes the Beast!

Dancing with Belle.

Vanessa was enjoying every minute in the spotlight!

She was totally in awe of Belle!

 

[luvflorida]

The Enchanted Tales With Belle- continued

At the end, Vanessa got to take a bow with Belle.

Everyone in the show (and in the audience) got a bookmark and a pic with Belle.

I have to include this pic of Harry with Belle. His expression cracks me up! Harry didn't want to be in the production, but he enjoyed watching it. He went up to get a bookmark at the end, but wasn't too sure about sticking around for a pic!

 

[DHare]

I love your trip report! Your grandkids are very lucky to have a grandma like you! You have a beautiful family.

 

[toomuchtv]

I love that picture of Harry & Belle! TOO CUTE!!!

 

[luvflorida]

I love your trip report! Your grandkids are very lucky to have a grandma like you! You have a beautiful family.

Thank you so much! I'M the lucky one to have grandkids to love and help make growing older so much fun!

I love that picture of Harry & Belle! TOO CUTE!!!

Thanks! His expression just makes me laugh! Belle was talking to him and he just wanted to get his bookmark and slowly back away!

 

[luvflorida]

Day Seven- continued

While we were at the Enchanted Tales with Belle, Daniel and Carter were having fun on other attractions.

They rode Splash Mountain...

...and Space Mountain, among other things.

After the Enchanted Tales with Belle, Megan and Vanessa headed over to Adventureland to meet up with Daniel and Carter. They wanted to do the Pirate's Adventure- Treasure of the Seven Seas. Harrison is a bit young for that, so Larry and I kept him with us.

While the rest of the gang followed pirate maps that led them on missions in Adventureland...(which they really had fun doing!)...

Larry and I took Harry on It's a Small World...

...then I took him on the carrousel.

Waving to Grampa!

I think we did a few other rides in Fantasyland, but I don't have any pics, so not sure what they were!

Next up- lunch!

 

[luvflorida]

We all met up at Casey's Corner for lunch. Hot dogs and French fries and a view of the Castle!

Here are my attempts at an "artistic" pic of Harry with the castle in the background!

Let's try some with the hat on backwards!

Next up- Epcot for the afternoon!

 

[luvflorida]

Before I continue...I'd like to share this pic from yesterday! Today is Carter's 8th birthday! Happy Birthday to my sweet grandson! Pretty soon, he's going to be taller than me!

After enjoying a relaxing lunch on the patio at Casey's Corner, we headed out of the Magic Kingdom. We still had all afternoon until we had to leave for the airport and we wanted to spend it at Epcot.

We took the ferry over to catch the monorail. Harry wasn't too happy, because he wanted to stand by the railing by himself, and we nixed that idea!

Grand Floridian

Polynesian

Epcot from the monorail