"It was the time of our lives!" WL Jan 10-15 2010 NEW: 5/17 PTR LINK UP!! PG 44

[BippityBoo]

After we left WS, we headed towards the Character Spot to try out our luck. Of course, we stopped for a quick photopass pic in front of the fountains first We were soaking in our final moments at this beautiful park!! Have a look---

We also found out at this time that Test Track was closed for repair!! We decided that we would try back another day and add a park hopper to get back into Epcot. Well, it never happened because TT was closed our ENTIRE trip

When we arrived, we noticed that the Character Spot was MUCH tamer now. The wait looked about 5-10 minutes, so we got in line.

For those of you who do not know, my DD and I made a banner for Mickey Mouse to sign for her class. So, we were bringing it in with the idea that he could sign it for us.

My DH convinced me that it was also a good idea to bring along our frame matting (from the previous post) and have the characters sign it while they were all there in one spot. Of course, the kids wanted to get their autograph books signed….so we were “those people” in line!

When it was our turn to see Mickey, I held up the banner. I told Mickey what the banner was for and he started to act all strange. I realized that the Mickey CM could not see through the costume where to write on the banner! I guess it is easier to lift up the autograph books, rather than a huge banner. I was really close to asking Mickey not to worry about it when he took the banner and started running towards the front door!!!! My daughter looked so confused, but we were all just sort of laughing. I looked back at the line of people waiting to see him. We were all confused to say the least!

I followed Mickey and found that he was putting the banner on top of the TRASH CAN to sign it!! I will never forget this moment! It was so nice of the CM to go out of his/her way to make sure my daughter got her signiture. I thought I had a picture of it on my camera, but I think I was just in too much shock!! The Photopass guy got a good one of Mickey and the trash can (still strange to even TYPE it!), so I will post it as soon as I get my CD

Needless to say, we were NOT asking any other characters to sign the banner. But, we did get them all to sign the frame matting. My DH asked the CM if we could get a pic of Goofy holding up the banner and he said yes. Here it is…the kids in my daughter’s class were so excited!!

Also, here is a pic of the frame matting. I have a picture of the kids with Mickey in it now!!

Cont on next post...

 

[BippityBoo]

When we left the Character Spot, the sun was setting and it was getting chilly again. My DH and I decided that it was unfortunately time to leave Epcot. We really wanted the kids to be able to ride the monorail, so we boarded and headed to the POLY!!!

When we arrived at the Poly, it brought back so many memories. We ate there during our first trip (at O’hana) and just loved the tropical smells and the atmosphere.

I snapped a quick picture of a model Disney Cruise ship at the DVC booth. I wish I had more time to stop and talk to the agent about DVC! Maybe next time

Because we were on the Counter Service dining plan, we were not eating at O’hana tonight. I thought it would be really fun to try out the Poly’s Counter Service as a change of pace. SO…off to Captain Cooks!

Unfortunately, I do not have any pics of this meal. Aiden was getting pretty fussy after our long day (with only a 30 minute nap) so we ate quickly. My DH had a pulled pork sandwich (he said it was excellent), I had a cheese flat bread and the kids had the same. We were very pleased with our meal there! The food quality was really good and it was fun ordering from the computer. We had no trouble with it at all.

After dinner, we made our way to the Poly gift shop. My DD got a “Baby Dumbo” from this shop last year, so she wanted to see what other babies they had. She ended up finding a “Baby Marie” stuffed animal!! She really enjoyed meeting Marie in Epcot and absolutely adores her Aiden picked a “Baby Pluto” as well. They are SO cute and a nice, small size for the kids.

After our shopping spree, we got back onto the monorail and took it to the MK. Then, we jumped on the WL boat and headed back “home”.

The WL was such a wonderful place to retreat to after a long day at the park. When we walked up from the boat dock, we noticed that people and their children were swimming!!! They must have been crazy, it was literally in the 20’s

When we got back to the room, we had just enough time to play with our wonderful towel animals our Mousekeeping left us and to catch the end of WISHES from our balcony! A beautiful end to a wonderful day

UP NEXT: Good morning, good morning-- it’s great to stay up late! Magic Kingdom 9am-9pm NON STOP FUN!!! Will Abby finally get to ride a REAL Disney coaster? Princess Tiana or bust…will the Cast Member finally allow us to meet the new princess?? Stay tuned

 

[PrincessCaitlin]

Hi!

I am really enjoying your TR!

I am sorry about TT not being open

The baby Marie and baby Pluto are adorable!

I can't wait for the next update!

 

[praisehisname]

The Photopass guy got a good one of Mickey and the trash can (still strange to even TYPE it!), so I will post it as soon as I get my CD

I'm looking forward to seeing that! Do you also have a picture of the frame mat?

Denise

 

[SoonerGirl]

Oh man, that stinks that TT was closed for your entire trip! Just gives you a reason to go back though right?

That baby Marie is so cute

 

[DWGal210]

What a fun end to your day!!

I just love the Poly....I would love to be able to stay there one day. Also, rumor has it that they'll be building Vacation Club rooms at the Poly, so that would be super nice. I don't know if I've asked you before - have you guys thought about DVC? It's on my 10 year plan . I for sure want to have it some day, it'll just take me a while.

I love those blanket stuffed animals!! When we went and saw Caroline this weekend, we stopped at a Cracker Barrel for lunch and got her a giraffe in a blanket - they are so cute!! I bet the kids have fun playing with those.

What a neat idea to get a banner signed for the teacher - I bet he/she loved that!!! It was nice of the characters to be so accomodating, too....very nice!

 

[BippityBoo]

Hi!

I am really enjoying your TR!

I am sorry about TT not being open

The baby Marie and baby Pluto are adorable!

I can't wait for the next update!

HI!!! Thank you so much for reading! They are cute, aren't they?? I hope to update some time this weekend!!

I'm looking forward to seeing that! Do you also have a picture of the frame mat?

Denise

Hi Denise!! Just added a pic of the frame in the post! I had to go and dig a little to find the pic, so I forgot to put it in lastnight!! Hope you like it!

Oh man, that stinks that TT was closed for your entire trip! Just gives you a reason to go back though right?

That baby Marie is so cute

That is right! Any reason to go back is good for me!!

What a fun end to your day!!

I just love the Poly....I would love to be able to stay there one day. Also, rumor has it that they'll be building Vacation Club rooms at the Poly, so that would be super nice. I don't know if I've asked you before - have you guys thought about DVC? It's on my 10 year plan . I for sure want to have it some day, it'll just take me a while.

I love those blanket stuffed animals!! When we went and saw Caroline this weekend, we stopped at a Cracker Barrel for lunch and got her a giraffe in a blanket - they are so cute!! I bet the kids have fun playing with those.

What a neat idea to get a banner signed for the teacher - I bet he/she loved that!!! It was nice of the characters to be so accomodating, too....very nice!

That would be GREAT to have a DVC at the Poly! We hope to stay there next May when we are on our way to our Dream Cruise. We are going to do some water parks and the MK for 3 days or so before the cruise.

The baby giraffe sounds so cute! I love giraffes.

Abby's teacher LOVES Disney, so she really enjoyed hanging it up in the class.

As far as the DVC, I hope to do a tour in December when we go back. We are thinking that we will sign up during the May Poly trip that I mentioned above. It will really just depend on how much it costs. I will let you know any info I get in December

 

[elle bell]

I love how you had all the characters sign the frame matting! I hope you don't mind if I steal your great idea!

 

[BellaSoleil]

The frame matting is such a great idea! I might copy that idea and let the princesses sign it for Belle's room.

I can't wait to read about MK!!!!

 

[floydfamily4]

I am really enjoying your report. I love that the kids were able to enjoy so much of Epcot. So many people think its not for younger kids but clearly your family had a great time. Also I had no idea that Pinnochio Haus had an upstairs When we were there in Nov. we ate there but sat in the main dining room with lots of other people Waiting for the next update

 

[mom2mek]

Yay! Great update, Katie! Your character interaction at Epcot sounds great - and your photo mat is wonderful! On our October 2008 trip, we had dinner at 1900 PF with Cinderella, Prince Charming and the step-sisters and had them sign a "Happy Birthday" frame I had for Katie, who was turning 4! It sits on her dresser in her room! So cute! I will have to do a Fab 5 one next time!

We managed to get a couple of meals at Capt Cooks this last time and really enjoyed them. The Adult Grilled Cheese is very good (and very filling)!

Love all those towel animals! So cute!

Ahhh...Disney Cruise ship picture.... (that's me dreaming...LOL) I hope someday to do one of those! DVC would be nice too, but if they were indeed starting DVC units at the Poly I would be all over that! I don't know where they would do them though...

Patiently waiting your next update....

Sara

 

[SOUTHERNtinkerBELLE]

What a bummer that Test Track was closed. I think I mentioned (either here or on my TR) that it was still running for us at the end of our trip - we were there on a Friday. However, when we did ride it then the sound in the car was not working. I wonder if that was part of the problem? It definitely made the ride less thrilling. But, at least you have something new to look forward to for next trip!

What a great story with Mickey! I bet that is a moment that you and your family will never forget. And the frame looks so cute! I can't wait to see it with a picture in it!

 

[Charlefours]

sorry TT was closed--such a great ride. Definitely a must do on your next trip if possible.

It is so sweet your DD bought a gift for your DS--such a great big sister!! She has picked up some great stuff so far!!

I LOVE the matting idea--I might have to borrow that! I think I might do something like that for DD's birthday in September on our trip.

 

[r4blessings]

Loved your update Katie!

My dd Katie bought the baby Marie last August when we stayed at the Poly in the gift shop too. She still plays with her....in fact her AG Julie doll is holding Marie in her rocking chair right now!

Aidan did really good for such a long day....its hard when they are little like that. I have always had a baby/toddler with me on all our trips and it definitly slows down the pace, but I think that can be a good thing.

Loved the banner idea too! I think I am going to steal your frame mat idea for our trip in August. I was trying to decide what to do this year. We've done the autograph books twice, the photo album book and two years we did baseball hats. We had the characters sign their baseball cap with a sharpie marker.....the kids loved it. Since we go in August they really need the hat anyway, so they always have it on, and just whip it off for autographs. Kate still wears her pink princess one, and the boys wear their POTC ones.
And acutally, two years ago, I bought a pink crown pillow at the gift shop for katie to bring into CRT breakfast. All the princesses signed it with a sharpie and it now sits on her bed.

So thanks for the new idea! Can't wait to hear more!

 

[kcandbella]

Another great update! Although that is really bad news about Test Track. At least you are going back later this year so hopefully you can ride it then. I can't wait to see the Photopass pics of Mickey and the Trash Can...what a great (and quick thinking!) CM! I wouldn't have thought about them not being able to see, either. I'm sure Abby's teacher loved the banner. I also can't wait to see pics of it finished and your photo mat. I need to pay close attention to your next update so I can find out the best strategy for Tiana!!!

 

[praisehisname]

Love the mat! I had heard of people doing that on the cruise, but not in the parks. Great idea!

 

[ladybugmom]

Oh wow! Your Character Connection experience sounds wonderful!!! That banner was a great idea!! And I was cracking up at your description of Mickey!!! And I just ADORE your idea of having them sign the photo mat. How many photo mats did you take and how did you decide who was going to sign it?! How did you carry it around the park without bending it? Such a fabulous keepsake!!

Nice DCL model!! They didn't have that setup last May. I will be sure to check it out this May! I would also LOVE it if they had DVC at the Poly!!!

Oooh--Captain Cook's! We ate there about 4-5 times on our last trip!! It was sooo yummy and Ally loved ordering on the computer screen! The BBQ flatbread was my favorite!! Sooo yummy!

Marie and Pluto babies--how precious! And YAY for the towel animals!! It makes coming back to your room sooo magical!!! Can't wait to read more!

 

[RinkyTinkyTinky]

Love the frame mat! That would be great in a digital frame too! We never got to do the Visa meet and greet. We checked on it twice but the line was terrible both times. Maybe next time. Great idea to go to the Poly for CS! It's nice to get something different.

 

[disney<333]

Sorry to hear TT was closed. At least now you have another must do for December.
I have never seen such a short line for CC, even after it rained buckets all day. That is too funny about Mickey running to the trash can. I can't wait to see the picture of it. The banner and the picture frame came out really nice.
Isn't the Poly gorgeous?!?!?! I really want to try Caption Cooks soon. I love the babies Aiden and Abby got. Sounds like a magical end to a magical day.

 

[DisneyJo]

What a pain TT was closed, that's my families favourite attraction so they would have all been gutted!

I adore your banner it's lovely, and how wonderful that Mickey went out of his way to sign it, so cute

I love the baby plushes your children bought and I love all your towel animals