July 2010 Big Bdays Family Reunion (Update 9/28 Final Thoughts)

[Marshay]

That pool would scare me too

Seriously,I go down it creepy and all, the slide

How cute that Elie fell asleep in the pool

That is a hilarious pic of Rachel dodging Kiss from Louie

You need to submit that to allears...

So you don't like clowns, eh?

I really like the Louie pic, too! I might send it in...the last one I did of Elie and Anastasia made it!

love the start of AK pics! I hope you got a pic of the ladybug lights, I had never heard of those so I'd really like to get a glimpse.

the parade was really neat. I think we also enjoyed it so much more b/c we actually started our day with the parade ... instead of going in the AM and then just hanging out all day until the parade. This way we weren't tired, hot and "done with" the crowds.

How wonderfully fun that street party looks to me. I wish they did something like that at Disneyland.

It was really neat. Lots of activities going on -- African artifacts, someone roasing something, all kinds of music, a stage, etc. I heard they were going to continue it as long as people liked it.

Great parade photos!
The girls are adorable.

Thanks! My DH took the parade pics. I just liked how each of the animals had a driver at the bottom or a person making them work. Reminded me of the Nemo the Musical.

 

[PittypatBR]

The GAD Fastpasses were awesome. Lots of people didn't understand how we could get a fastpass when they were all gone for the day! Looks like you had a terrific day. We have never seen the parade - I can never interest the rest of my family in seeing it, but I would love to. The pic of Elle asleep in the pool is priceless!

 

[Marshay]

The GAD Fastpasses were awesome. Lots of people didn't understand how we could get a fastpass when they were all gone for the day! Looks like you had a terrific day. We have never seen the parade - I can never interest the rest of my family in seeing it, but I would love to. The pic of Elle asleep in the pool is priceless!

yeah, I even had a CM come up and tell me that my GAD FP won't work ... and not in a friendly manner at all! I told her that I had a special GAD card and it would still work. So I just went up to the machine, entered my card and got my FP! She was speechless!

The parade is nice ... esp if you can make that the start of your day and then stay for EMH...make it a "non-commando" day (a reference to your TR title!), but that only works if you have GAD or its not crowded.

I, too, love the pic of Elie asleep...now she knows the definition of "relax ... you're on vacation!"

Oh, and welcome to my TR!

 

[kaoden39]

It still amazes me that my family didn't want to use the GAD fast passes, but I love pretty dust collector.

 

[cherbear]

too funny about that "know it all" attitude from the CM. WIsh you had a pic of her face!

can't wait for more, Marsha!

 

[Marshay]

Today is Tuesday, July 13th
=================

Both Rachel and I celebrate the same birthday. This was not by my choice. In fact, I told my doctor that they could pick any day in July except July 13th for the C-section.

Well, they came back with ... July 13th. I was not happy at the time, but now I think it's pretty cool.

Anyway, we slept in a little, had breakfast and then off to DHS. I knew we wouldn't have a lot of time here, so we really just wanted to do the Pre-School stuff. It was crowded and hot. So we headed straight to Playhouse Disney and enjoyed this show. Afterwards we see Handy Manny

And then June and Quincy. Elizabeth was not into the characters ...

It's still hot and getting more crowded and we are getting a bit tired (!), so we head into the Animation Building and decide to skip the tour and just do the characters. There was a 'relatively' short line (@ 15-20 minutes) for Lotso, so Rachel and I wait in line while Jerry plays with Elie. Then we met up for a great picture. I like the Disney one from Photopass since you get to add Toy Story borders...I'll post that one later.

Then we see the Incredibles so we have to get their photos and autographs, too.

This one is so cute seeing Mr. I holding Rachel's Cinderella doll. Rachel thought it was funny, too!

The characters stay out for about 15-20 minutes or so and then they take a 2 minute break ... and someone else comes out (or the same character again). It worked out really nicely and it was air conditioned!!

This time Frozone joins the mix -- Jerry can't decide if he is Mr. Incredible or Frozone!

Cont'd in next post

 

[Marshay]

Then Elie was getting really cranky as she hadn't napped yet and I saw that the Animation Academy was starting so Jerry and Rachel did the actual drawing together and I nursed Elie and let her nap in the back of the class.

The character was Goofy, and I can't believe we didn't get a picture of it. It's amazing how they really break down a character so that anyone can do it!

We ate at the little bakery/sandwich shop Starring Rolls. As we entered one of the CM just dropped a bunch of water bottles and Rachel helped her pick them up. The CM gave Rachel a free cookie for helping -- Rachel was so excited about that cookie!

Then we went back to the room to nap. Tonight was going to be a big night with a special dinner, fireworks and EMH.

Rachel napped but Elizabeth was wide awake. In fact she had so much energy and was just running around being goofy.

Then off to Epcot for our birthday dinner. We had never eaten at the Rose & Crown but I heard some good things. Well, let me tell you, we had a magical night!

While waiting for our time, the kids ran around in the Maze and the "Beatles" just started playing so we danced in the street and just had a lot of fun.

We were a party of 10 and I asked for seating outside so we could watch Illuminations. We had a 7:20pm dinner reservation and I told everyone to eat slowly so they don't kick us out. But the deck was not crowded at all. We were on the lower level with umbrellas on our table, overlooking the water, watching them set up on the boats for the fireworks, the sun was setting ... we could not have asked for a better view or night.

Dinner was wonderful! Jerry and I got the Fish Stew and it was filled with an assortment of seafood all lovingly prepared. My parents and Sister's family got the pot roast and they said it was wonderful too.

I got a chocolate thing for dessert which was fantastic and my parents got an apple thing. Sorry, no pics...I was just enjoying myself.

Of course, the two (yes TWO) Magical Light Up Tropical Alcoholic drinks I had probably made everything that much more delicious!

Jerry led everyone on the deck in a robust "Happy Birthday to You" song right before the fireworks started.

Here is our view -- for this alone, it was worth it!

You can see the outline of Elizabeth on my lap in this photo

Spectacular

I swear, the time just flew by. We could not have asked for a better meal, better view or better weather. I knew my parents were worried about eating here (because it's a PUB!) and my sister's family was worried about the dinner prices. But everyone said they had a wonderful time and that I picked the perfect place! It worked out beautifully. WHEW!!

Then we decided to go do some rides since tomorrow was our rest day and it was EMH. But it started to rain. So we went back to the BWV and ... oh, there are gifts to open!!


Tomorrow ... a "rest day"

 

[kaoden39]

So cute that Rachel helped the CM and even better that she was rewarded for it. The fact that Rachel appreciated the fact that she was rewarded is good. I love Animation and it is a great place to cool off. I take advantage of it at California Adventure and I really enjoy it.

 

[Trentmom]

You got a lot of great character shots at MGM

Rachel and Elie look so cute in their pink skirts

Sounds and looks like your dinner at Rose and Crown was amazing

 

[cherbear]

Those fireworks pictures are frickin FANTASTIC!!!!

Good idea telling everyone to eat slow. Sounds like me. And then I could just hear my family being like "she's so bossy"....then thanking me after they got to see the fireworks while finishing their desserts

 

[silverangel879]

Great Update!!! Yep, the area for Mickey and Characters in Hollywood Studios is so nice.

 

[mousescrapper]

Hi Marsha

DH takes her out of the water since we didn't want her to really sleep there -- she'd get too cold with the water...but it was a cute photo.

that is just too cute...I always got a kick out the places and positions liitle ones would fall asleep in


Rachel and her cousin Mark dancing in the street with a Disney Dancer all in costume. This was only the 2nd day of the street party so Disney was out with their "official TV cameras" recording it. I'm still waiting to see if any of our family made the final cut!

now that would be way cool


Note the baby elephant underneath its mom's legs!

love it....great shot!

The GAD FP was a god-send. Since we only arrived around 3:30pm, there was no way we could have ridden so many rides. The GAD FP allowed us to get a FP to ride immediately ... even if there were no more FPs available! We were definitely the envy of many people!

during our March trip last yr we visited MK on my Mom's b-day she loved the b-day FP's too we got a few for Space Mt after all the rest were gone and then when we saw a group of HS or college guys disappointed they missed the FP we gave them a few more of our b-day FP's to use...I love sharing the MAGIC when we can

Here is our view -- for this alone, it was worth it!

I agree...that is great


I swear, the time just flew by. We could not have asked for a better meal, better view or better weather. I knew my parents were worried about eating here (because it's a PUB!) and my sister's family was worried about the dinner prices. But everyone said they had a wonderful time and that I picked the perfect place! It worked out beautifully. WHEW!!

I am so glad your birthday day and dinner were so so wonderful...it sounded just so nice for you all...perfect ending!


and I love the picture of Jerry w/ Mr. I and Frozone....

J~

 

[Marshay]

Thanks guys for all your nice comments and patience! I got caught up with end of summer, 1st day of Kindergarten and neglected this trip report.

But now I'm ready

 

[Marshay]

I got some more pictures of our Birthday celebration from my dad.

Here are the birthday girls

My nephews, Matthew and Mark, plus Elizabeth (she liked Mark's new Mickey ears). As you can see, we had an awesome view of the lake.

My parents and Sister and BIL had the table next to us.

Again, this was just a fantastic night!

 

[Marshay]

So today is Wednesday, July 14th and originally we planned to go to the Water Parks. But Rachel doesn't swim yet and Elizabeth wouldn't have much to do. And we were tired from being on the road for 6 days. So my sister's family and my dad went to the water park and my family and my mom went shopping!

Here is my sister's family at the water park.

So we slept in (8:40am!), or as much as we can with small kids and had a big breakfast -- bacon, eggs, waffles, fruit, yogurt. Then we headed off to DTD with our 20% off coupons. They were only good until noon so we had about 1.5 hours to shop.

Rachel used her birthday money to buy a Tinkerbell doll and Minnie Mouse Princess ears.

I got her a Tinkerbell outfit for her Disney Doll for Christmas and a few other toys for both of them for Christmas.

We ate at Earl of Sandwich.

I don't think we did much of anything else. I can't remember now and I didn't write it down!

 

[Marshay]

Today we used a special GAD Fastpass in Epcot. It probably wasn't really necessary for this park, but it sure made it convenient!

Although I don't condone having Rachel up in this display, it does make a good picture. I had gone off with my sister to get FPs for Soarin and then when I caught up with our family, I saw the girls in the display. I was actually a bit horrified. Didn't want to get kicked out!

We rode Nemo and then got to watch the CM feed the eels. This was really cool. I had just gone up to the 2nd floor with Elizabeth, when I heard the CM talking that they were getting ready to feed the eels. So I quickly went back to find the rest of our group and we all went down to watch. They feed them through these tubes that the eels have to climb into. Pretty cool.

Of course you have to get this photo!!

Then off to Figment, Captain EO (I saw this as a kid and really liked it, for memory sake).

Also, we had to get our Traditional Epcot Fountain Photo:

And play around in the water. Here is my interpretation of a white t-shirt contest!

Then off to Soarin, lunch at the Seasons, a trip on the boat ride -- I noticed there is a new water lilies display I hadn't seen before!

It's after 2pm or so and we need to decide if we are staying or leaving. We have a dinner ressie that night at Teppan Edo, so we decide just to stay in the park.

We headed across Epcot and Rachel rode Test Track once and then decided that she is afraid of it -- she hates the curve when the car slants. Man, that is the best part!! So Rachel and Elie checked out the cars while the other half of our group rode.

Test Track - my sister's family

My parents and me -- notice I'm the only one ready for the picture!

My parents, Jerry and Rachel...don't they all just look B-O-R-E-D

I still wanted to do Mission Space (non-spinning since Rachel went with me) and Jerry did the spinning version. It was about 5pm or so, and we went to Mexico. But it started to rain along the way. We grabbed our ponchos but it never really poured that bad. But it did clear out the park a bit.

Dinner at Teppan Edo was great! However, like a lot of Disney restaurants, it was a bit too expensive for what you get. I love the dinners where they cook the food in front of you -- they are so much fun and it really is a good show. Elie slept through the whole dinner. My parents joined us for this dinner.

Rachel and I had shrimp, Jerry had filet and I think my parents got the fish. Everyone said it was wonderful.

After dinner it stopped raining, so we headed over to Test Track and then went on Spaceship Earth. We played around the Pixie lights and then walked back to Boardwalk Villas.

It was now 10pm. We were in the park for 13 hours straight!!! We had never done that before. It was a great day but we were really, really tired.

 

[Marshay]

Here are some pictures from our Disney Photopass.

Our first day in the parks

The Birthday Girls

Jerry and Rachel being silly

Here are the kids - Rachel, Mark, Elizabeth, Matthew

Being serious at Animal Kingdom

Ok, now let's be Goofy!!

Note, that someone is missing from the photo.

I had to crop her out of the photo with this big ole frowny face!!

 

[Trentmom]

Sorry Rachel did not enjoy Test Track. Hope to actually get on that this year. Always rains whenever we have tried in the past 2 years

Great photopass pics

WOW...13 hrs in the park...I bet you were tired

Looks like a great couple of days

forgot...that frownie face was hilarious..lol

 

[cherbear]

Marsha, your color coordination really makes for great pictures!!! The girls are sooo cute in their tutus that day!

I love your new fountain picture. It's so great that you keep that a tradition every trip.

Your parents sure DID look bored on that second pic of TT.

Glad Rachel was brave enough to try it!! It sounds like she liked it for the most part, just that ONE little part she didn't!

Just wait til your girls are DRIVING that car one day....ut oh!

oh and my favorite PP picture is the one of Jerry and Rachel being silly...that is priceless!! I love that the PP photographers play along

Ooh I forgot what else I had wanted to say

 

[mousescrapper]

Great updates Marsha

I understand the school distraction, it's been nutty here too...I'm sure there are other things I should be doing than being on the Dis...but it's a nice unwind!

the PP pictures are very nice...always one sad face in the crowd..my Rachel has yet to go on TT too...she syas she wants to try it, so I hope she likes it...my guess is the turn would scare her too

A day of shopping is always good and 13 hrs...that is a long day...we have done an open to close before too at DHS a few times...but hey your at Disney right