Jan '12 It's Cold, Let's Go to Disney!!(NEW 3/27 EP, DHS, AK & Pouts)

[Marshay]

Since we had about 25 minutes to wait, Jerry and Elie stayed in line while Rachel and I got FPs for Peter Pan and rode WtP. By then it was time for the show.

Now in May 2011, we saw:

And this year we would only see Rapunzel, so I warned the girls that IF we can get in quickly, it would only be her. They changed the Meet and Greet up so there is no dance at all (not with Rapunzel or with the CM), but they still had the crayons and coloring page.

It is Elizabeth's turn to meet Rapunzel ... she just ran right to her

Love this photo -- think Elie loves Rapunzel, too?!?

Rachel and Rapunzel

This is a different Rapunzel than we saw back in May. She was much nicer!

Family PHoto

After meeting Rapunzel, both girls wanted a pic with Pascal

Then we went to ride the Tea Cups

Elie having a blast!

Jerry and Rachel

One last ride on Snow White and then a picture of the new BATB castle. Look how small it really is compared to the guy working on it!

I decided to go for a different view of the castle w/o the crane

The workers in the box -- note the gargoyles on the castle. This is not something I pay attention to when looking at the whole castle.

Then we rode IASW and went to CRT about 25 minutes early ... but we were the first people to pre-check in and became the "Princesses of the Day", which meant we were the first ones in the castle, the first ones the princesses would greet at the table and the girls got stickers and their names announced.

Meeting Cinderella

 

[Marshay]

Inside CRT, it is just beautiful and you can't forget you are in a castle.

I was very, very, very, very, very disappointed to learn that my favorite light flaky crust major domo pie was discontinued. And unfortunately, nothing else looking appetizing to me on the menu. But I had heard that they upgraded the children's menu to include Chicken Pot Pie so I asked if I could have an Adult portion instead. It was very good. (The noodles were added from Elizabeth's plate).

And the princesses kept on coming

Elizabeth's favorite princess

My favorite princess -- I just think she is sooo beautiful here ...her eyes!

So I had to get a photo with her

And the girls

Belle -- I hate to say it but I think this Belle is getting a bit too old for the part...

Dessert -- at least they still had my favorite chocolate mousse sensation!

The girls' dessert -- decorate your own ice cream

Rachel's

Elie's

Family photo -- again, Elie hides from this family photo

Back in May 2011

 

[Marshay]

After we left CRT, we stepped outside to find

This was our first time meeting The Fairy Godmother

Looking up in the sky -- it is a beautiful, warm, sunny day with big poofy clouds in the sky

We rode the merry go round, tried to get the sword out of the stone and then I remembered we wanted to do Sorcerors of the Magic Kingdom. So off we went back to Main Street to see if it was open. It was.

Here is what one of the portals looks like on Main Street. They hide it among the artwork to be sold! The idea of the game is that you have magic cards that will cast a spell when you hold it up to the window. If you do it enough times, you'll defeat the villains.

Jerry had to defeat Cruella de Ville on Main Street

Rachel and I were in Liberty Square and Frontierland. She had Ratcliffe from Pocahontas and I had the Shadowman from Princess and the Frog

It was fun to play and offers a nice diversion. Then we headed over to Tom Sawyer Island to play on the barrel bridge and hide in the caves

Then to Splash Mountaing for Elizabeth's first time

More photopass pics. I love the way Elizabeth is looking at Tinkerbell, like she really is there!

Then dinner at Pinochio village Haus. We were lucky again to get one of the prime boat-watching tables

Jerry and I rider switched on Space Mountain. Rachel is still too scared to ride this again.

We then used our FP for Peter Pan and were ready for a snack -- Strawberry Shortcakes from Mrs. Potts!!

Then we watched Wishes

Lastly, we let the crowds die out and ducked into the Emporium for some shopping. I got 2 shirts and some things for the girls. Jerry took the girls and sat at Casey's Corner to watch cartoons.

This was another long but fun-filled day!

 

[dara00]

wow, I agree about Belle! And Snow White looks a little weird to me too. Great photos though!

 

[DisneyStitch626]

I have to say that I think that Ariel is the closest I have seen to the cartoon character! So pretty. And I agree about Belle. Looks like such a cool place to eat though.

That Magic Card game looks so neat!

What ride is that a view of at Pinocchio village Haus?

 

[Trentmom]

Ele has the most infectious smile. I love all her pics and of course rest too

I never noticed those gargoyles on castle either

Sounds like a really great day

Yay for being Princesses of the day at the Castle

 

[kaoden39]

I love this picture!! Such an innocent reaction with no guile. Just so sweet.


And the one where Rapunzel is talking to Elie is great too.



The girls really have wonderful smiles.


Ariel does have amazing eyes. Cinderella looks good too. But I have to agree Belle looks like she is getting a bit too old to Belle anymore.

 

[Marshay]

wow, I agree about Belle! And Snow White looks a little weird to me too. Great photos though!

Belle just looked like she should play the Mother of Belle role! Yeah, Snow White looks kind of bad in that photo, too.

I have to say that I think that Ariel is the closest I have seen to the cartoon character! So pretty. And I agree about Belle. Looks like such a cool place to eat though.

That Magic Card game looks so neat!

What ride is that a view of at Pinocchio village Haus?

Yeah, I think they nailed Ariel -- so much like the cartoon!

The view is looking at It's A Small World from the CS place. The food is basic, but I like their meatball sub since it's something different and of course the girls love to wave to all the people on the boats.

Ele has the most infectious smile. I love all her pics and of course rest too

I never noticed those gargoyles on castle either

Sounds like a really great day

Yay for being Princesses of the day at the Castle

Yeah, Elie is my little "giggle box". When she smiles and laughs, it just brightens up the room!

I love this picture!! Such an innocent reaction with no guile. Just so sweet.

And the one where Rapunzel is talking to Elie is great too.

The girls really have wonderful smiles.

Ariel does have amazing eyes. Cinderella looks good too. But I have to agree Belle looks like she is getting a bit too old to Belle anymore.

Yeah, I love those two pics of Elizabeth -- she just uses her whole body to express her joy -- whether it's meeting Duffy or Rapunzel!

Poor Belle -- she's clinging on to the job b/c after all, who doesn't want to be a princess?!

 

[cherbear]

This is just so stinkin cute Marsha! LOL

And good idea cropping the balloons for use as a background!

My memory may not be so great lately, but I didn’t even need the rehashed story about Rapunzel. I remember it well! LOL

OOhhh!!! And this one…absolutely adorable!!!!

And the photos of Elie with Rapunzel….priceless!! And Rachel just looks so grown up! I can remember when Rachel’s photos looked like Elie’s!!

How fun to be Princesses of the Day! I bet Jerry loved that

It is soooo funny about Belle because as I was scrolling, I didn’t see your words above the pic. I saw it and thought “hmm she looks a little too old to be Belle!” because my first thought was that she looks like one of my MOM’s friends. My 2nd thought was that maybe she just looked older in this pic the way she was smiling

THEN I finally saw your comment above it and realized you were thinking the same!

Did Elie like Splash? It looks like she was a little scared in the ride photo but it’s hard to tell

Wow, photos on Space Mountain now?? Can you get these on your photopass like with TT? (My guess is no, because I’m sure you would have that pic if that was the case)

 

[Marshay]

This is just so stinkin cute Marsha! LOL

aww, Thanks! I was really excited to be at MK and to get my first "solo" picture with the castle -- as if you can't tell!

And good idea cropping the balloons for use as a background!

thanks! I also cropped the bricks from Rapunzel so I can use that for a background, too on her page.

My memory may not be so great lately, but I didn’t even need the rehashed story about Rapunzel. I remember it well! LOL

yeah, I may have been a "bit" obsessed with that story in my last TR! Even to this day, I still can't figure out what happened...it's like they went through some kind of time warp -- backwards. I would have thought it was quite simple to get there before me!!

OOhhh!!! And this one…absolutely adorable!!!!

I agree!

And the photos of Elie with Rapunzel….priceless!! And Rachel just looks so grown up! I can remember when Rachel’s photos looked like Elie’s!!

Seeing Elie and Rachel's toddlers pictures are very similar .. but Rachel is a bit more reserved and Elie just lets her smile shine more!

How fun to be Princesses of the Day! I bet Jerry loved that

Actually, we had the choice to be POTD or to get a seat at the window. They wouldn't let us do both. I really wanted to be at the window but then thought, when are we going to get the chance to be POTD. They girls will appreciate that more.

It is soooo funny about Belle because as I was scrolling, I didn’t see your words above the pic. I saw it and thought “hmm she looks a little too old to be Belle!” because my first thought was that she looks like one of my MOM’s friends. My 2nd thought was that maybe she just looked older in this pic the way she was smiling

THEN I finally saw your comment above it and realized you were thinking the same!

Yeah, Belle was nice but so "matronly".

Did Elie like Splash? It looks like she was a little scared in the ride photo but it’s hard to tell

She liked it but was definitely concerned about the hills. Afterwards she used her common phrase, "I was a little bit scared", as she put her thumb and pointer finger together.

Wow, photos on Space Mountain now?? Can you get these on your photopass like with TT? (My guess is no, because I’m sure you would have that pic if that was the case)

Yeah, they now have photos to purchase! I wonder with the Test Track refurb if they are going to change the photos to Purchase only. As expensive as the photocd is, you would expect that all the ride photos would be included!

 

[Marshay]

Today is January 25 and I last left you at MK with some cute photos of my princesses. Today we went back to MK. Our friends Mike and Debby were going to meet us again and we were originally going to Epcot today but thought there would be more to do at MK with them.

So first we went to get hair cuts. Both girls had their hair cut in May 2011 and not since, so off to the Main Street Barber shop. There was a short wait with only 2 people in front of us, already in chairs.

Then Elizabeth's turn. She got about 1-2" off, I think.

She likes it!

My only complaint here was that the barber didn't give her any stickers or toys to play with...which they always do. So when I saw she wasn't, I just went ahead and took one for her to play with. The barber said that they only give them out to kids who need them and she was sitting fine so she wasn't going to.

OK, I understand the philosophy, but I know Elie was going to love them and heck, I'm paying for them no matter what!

Rachel got her hair cut (about 2-3") and pixie dust as well!

Then we were surprised by the actual barber shop quartet. They sang beautifully!

We met up with our friends and then since it was still pretty early about 10am-ish so we decided to ride AstroOrbiters

One bit of warning -- do not open your mouth and talk or playfully yell on this ride when the person in front of you just got pixie dust in her hair. It will land in your mouth!

I learned that one from personal experience -- you can thank me later!

Jerry and Elie

Then we rode the Speedway, Peter Pan and off to one of my favorites:

Remember this critter? He is in the Pet Cemetary at Haunted Mansion

By now it was lunch time and we were going to eat at Columbia Harbor House but just as we were about to enter a huge tour group went inside. So we changed our minds and I'm glad we did b/c on our way to Pecos Bill's we saw

The Frontier Hoedown show. If you recall, Rachel's favorite non-princess character is Brer Rabbit

Lunch was very good here and I highly recommend it, esp the sauted onions and mushrooms and melted cheese for your burger.

From there we went to

OK, just had to add this photo ... because

Pirate Goofy was out so we waited in a short line while Mike and Debby stayed with Elie while she slept

Rachel picked out Mike's costumes

 

[Marshay]

After Elie woke up we rode Aladdin's magic Carpets which is Elizabeth's favorite ride.

Cute sisters!

We went on the Jungle Cruise (both got to drive the boat for a bit), Tiki Birds and then took a break for some Dole Whips.

Then we stopped in Laugh Factory since we hadn't been there in a while. Elizabeth was picked to be "Boo", although when we saw herself up on the big screen she got all nervous and ducked her head.

We rode Buzz 2x and Peoplemover 2x. The girls wanted to go with Mike and Debby

and decided to call it a day. So off to Main Street

But they had the Castle Forecourt show so we stayed to watch it. I like this girls' facial expression.

And as we were leaving the Dance Party Parade came by so we stayed just to watch the floats

And a few photopass pictures on the way out

I got to hold Tinkerbell -- finally!

A close up of the new Disney shirt I bought last night

Rachel wanted to do the balloon shot

And the photographer wanted some close up photos of the girls to put on the castle that night

Family photo with new 2012 border

Finally some cute "I love you sister" shots and you can also see the skirts and tops that they got earlier in the week

Elizabeth got to hold Tink this time

Another cute one

One more family shot - Elie was so excited in this shot

The girls

Rachel with her balloon. She had wanted a balloon for the last few trips so this trip we gave in and got her one. It lasted quite a long time (about 2 months)

From there we went home and ate ravioli for dinner in our room.

Before bed we let the girls watch the Duffy story on the tv (plays from 6pm - 10pm) and they loved it.

That night I went to DTD to purchase some more gifts -- 2 scarves, Duffy book, Park Xmas ornaments and a caramel apple. I got back home and Jerry and I sat out on the deck drinking and eating. It was eery out there with all the cricket and frogs chirping but hardly any light.

We joked that it was Rapters coming up out of the canal! We also could see the Characters in Flight balloon when it was up in the sky.

A pleasant evening to a terrifc day!

 

[lledman]

Yeah, they now have photos to purchase! I wonder with the Test Track refurb if they are going to change the photos to Purchase only. As expensive as the photocd is, you would expect that all the ride photos would be included!

I'm surprised that they haven't added that feature to any of the other rides. If you do purchase your ride photo there is a number on the receipt where you can add it to your cd just like pictures from restaurants - but I agree with paying for the cd up front who wants to pay for extras.

 

[Marshay]

I'm surprised that they haven't added that feature to any of the other rides. If you do purchase your ride photo there is a number on the receipt where you can add it to your cd just like pictures from restaurants - but I agree with paying for the cd up front who wants to pay for extras.

I know. I really never see anyone buying the photos ... I mean if I was in a large group and it was ALL of our group in the photo, I'd do it....but in general who wants to pay for photos with strangers in them!?

Esp when you already paid $100+ for the photocd.

 

[cherbear]

Yeah, they now have photos to purchase! I wonder with the Test Track refurb if they are going to change the photos to Purchase only. As expensive as the photocd is, you would expect that all the ride photos would be included!

I thought I'd heard that they were going to change some of the others over to the way Test Track is, as opposed to the other way around. It would be ashame if they got rid of that feature at Test Track! Everyone is so used to it by now. Plus it's such a fast ride and it's hard to get a decent pic! At least with having them all on the photopass card, you can view them all at once easily

 

[cherbear]

Absolutely LOVE Rachel's face in this pic!

Also tell her that her balloon pic came out awesome with her jumping in the air!

 

[Marshay]

I thought I'd heard that they were going to change some of the others over to the way Test Track is, as opposed to the other way around. It would be ashame if they got rid of that feature at Test Track! Everyone is so used to it by now. Plus it's such a fast ride and it's hard to get a decent pic! At least with having them all on the photopass card, you can view them all at once easily

I would love this to happen but I wonder if Disney sees the incentive to do this. I mean, I guess if there are still some people buying the photos...

Now with the increase in PP it would be a great time to say, "Ok, we are increasing the price but now it includes all park ride photos!"

Absolutely LOVE Rachel's face in this pic!

Also tell her that her balloon pic came out awesome with her jumping in the air!

She likes that one, too!

As you can see, Rachel is my budding thespian!

 

[DisneyStitch626]

Your photopass photos are really convincing me to order that cd. I think next payday I will be making that purchase! Such great photos.

Elie is so cute in that photo on the People Mover. Love her big smile.

Love your shirt too!

 

[kaoden39]

What great updates!


I love how expressive Rachel gets in the pictures. Especially her mean pirate face. Great job!!

 

[cherbear]

I just remembered a question I wanted to ask. You said the photopass photographer wanted closeups of the girls to put on the castle or something? What did that mean?