Jumping, Dancing & Jamming Our Way Through Walt Disney World! I'm With the Band Now!

[ronnmel]

Love all the dancing pictures. Fun! You guys really picked a good spot to do people watching with those sparkly lights.

 

[elder]

Love your reviews and reports!! You mentioned that you love the seahorse...actually it is our mascot at my high school that I graduated from and where I currently teach!!! Needless to say we get made fun of, but we are definitely unique...We are called Urchins instead of seahorses though....its a long and complicated story...

 

[mickeystoontown]

Love all the dancing pictures. Fun! You guys really picked a good spot to do people watching with those sparkly lights.

We seem to do the goofiest things while on vacation together. I don't even realize just how crazy we look until I get home and see our pictures.

Love your reviews and reports!! You mentioned that you love the seahorse...actually it is our mascot at my high school that I graduated from and where I currently teach!!! Needless to say we get made fun of, but we are definitely unique...We are called Urchins instead of seahorses though....its a long and complicated story...

Thank you! I think that the seahorses, a/k/a the Urchins is a neat school mascot. They are so cool to watch floating around. Maybe ya'll could say something like "float like a seahorse, sting like a bee".

 

[rndmr2]

Great couple of updates! I love The Living Seas (I still call it that too LOL) I love your starfish pic, I don't think I saw those when we were there, we did, however, see the seahorses, they are really cool.

That's good you had a great meal at Coral Reef, we like it there, too. My MIL had the dessert you had, I think it was key lime mousse or something like that.

LOL at the dancing pics, I love that sparkly sidewalk.

I agree about the nursing mother, I'm all for breastfeeding in public but within reason. She should have at least covered herself better, LOL at nippy cup! But seriously, at that age she really could wait until being in a more private location.

 

[mickeystoontown]

Great couple of updates! I love The Living Seas (I still call it that too LOL) I love your starfish pic, I don't think I saw those when we were there, we did, however, see the seahorses, they are really cool.

That's good you had a great meal at Coral Reef, we like it there, too. My MIL had the dessert you had, I think it was key lime mousse or something like that.

LOL at the dancing pics, I love that sparkly sidewalk.

I agree about the nursing mother, I'm all for breastfeeding in public but within reason. She should have at least covered herself better, LOL at nippy cup! But seriously, at that age she really could wait until being in a more private location.

Thanks! I made a promise to myself today that I'd get more updating done. I've seemed to be in a non-updating rut lately and I vow to work my way out of it.

I don't remember what the dessert was that I had but it was scrumpdelishious!

I love the sparkly sidewalk too. It's so pretty when its dark out and it makes you smile when you're leaving the park.

I seriously would not have minded the breastfeeding mother if she had at least attempted to cover herself a bit. The way it was, everything was out in the open.

 

[MissLiz]

Great update!

You dance in the twinkly lights at the end of the night, I have searched for a pacifier on the ground around the twinkly lights at the end of the night. Seriously.

May 2010...my youngest was just one and had her favorite pacifier. She wouldn't take anything else. We couldn't even substitute another one exactly like it. It was nuts! (and should have clued us in on how stubborn she would be)

Anyway, we got by Spaceship Earth when I realized she didn't have it anymore. I was like a salmon swimming upstream, searching for this ugly German pacifier that could make or break our vacation. Ugh!!!!

I found it, though...thank goodness.

Anyway, your pictures just reminded me of that and gave me a little giggle. The food at Coral Reef looks great, especially the desserts. Yum!

 

[PittypatBR]

Enjoyed the updates. I too really like the Coral Reef food. A lot of people have put it down, but from your pictures and descriptions it looks as though they are still doing it right. It's making me hungry just looking at the pictures!

Loved the dancing pictures. At least your kids don't seem to be embarrassed when you are having fun. They just jump in and have fun too!

On another note, how about those tigers?!!!!

 

[natebenma]

Great update and pictures, Lisa! Worth waiting for!

I love the sea creatures in the Living Seas. It's still the Living Seas to us, too. I can picture the opening of the movie- the picture of the craggy rocks and the narration: "Imagine, just for a moment, drip, drip, DELUGE!"

One more bit of nostalgia- on one of my first trips with my husband, we wanted to go back and see the aquariums, but we didn't want to watch the movie again. I'm not sure if there was a way to just get to the aquariums at that time. So we waited by the exit of the "elevator" from Sea Base Alpha. When people exited, we walked in. The doors opened and we surprised a CM that was on the other side of the "elevators"

I agree- that is a cool sea star picture. I also liked the eel ones- I think Morays are cool!

All of your food at the Coral Reef looks seriously yummy! We have eaten there several times (twice in one day the year we were on the Deluxe Dining plan), but it has been a couple of years.

I love the way you guys make your own fun! The pictures of all of you dancing in the sparkling lights made me smile!

 

[aprilisis]

Those dessert photos are making me hungry!! They ALL look so good.
I love the "dancing on the sparklies" photos!

 

[Desiree]

Loving the updates and the pics. I'd be about that lady breastfeeding too. She should have at least used something to cover up with!

 

[Mom&RN]

So, I don't think I've posted on your trip report yet and have just been lurking. I wanted to tell you that when I joined the DIS several years ago one of your earlier trip reports was the first trip report I ever read and I instantly became ADDICTED as I read along, I looked forward to every update. I love trip reports and read along to several of them at any given time (I'm primarily a lurker). I work full time as a nurse and am going to school full time to become a Nurse Practitioner and have a hubby and a son so life is full!!! Reading trip reports is my way of relaxing cause I can do it for only 5 minutes at a time. Most days 5 minutes may be the only free time I get I just wanted to take a minute to thank you though, your trip reports make me happy

 

[Stringbean&Wingnut]

I love the pictures of you guys dancing on the Lite-Brite sidewalks! You all look like you're having a great time

 

[Caretames1]

Oh Lisa, you hilarious, crazy updater you! Love LOVE, your pictures in the Coral Reef. Any one of those could be used as blackmail!

Food looked good, Coral Reef was on our Sept list, but got put on hold for a future trip.

The dancing pics are the very best! I'm with you, no sense of rythum, or cordination. I would have looked like I was having a seizure!


Thanks for giving me a giggle!

 

[KatMark]

Lisa, I love you guys all dancing on the sparkling lights at Epcot...you can tell just how much fun you guys are.

How sweet of Lacey to get her grandma a glass animal for her collection.

 

[Angies1274]

Hi Lisa! I'm so behind. But, I wanted to stop by and say Hi and tell you that I'm still here and slowing catching up.

 

[mickeystoontown]

So, I don't think I've posted on your trip report yet and have just been lurking. I wanted to tell you that when I joined the DIS several years ago one of your earlier trip reports was the first trip report I ever read and I instantly became ADDICTED as I read along, I looked forward to every update. I love trip reports and read along to several of them at any given time (I'm primarily a lurker). I work full time as a nurse and am going to school full time to become a Nurse Practitioner and have a hubby and a son so life is full!!! Reading trip reports is my way of relaxing cause I can do it for only 5 minutes at a time. Most days 5 minutes may be the only free time I get I just wanted to take a minute to thank you though, your trip reports make me happy

I'm so glad that you decided to post! You are so sweet to say that you've enjoyed my trip reports. As I have said many many times, my family is a fun loving kind of family and have so much fun at Disney.

You are one busy woman! I consider it a compliment that you'd take time out of your busy schedule to read my little ole' trip report.

Please feel free to post at any time. I'd love to hear your thoughts.

I love the pictures of you guys dancing on the Lite-Brite sidewalks! You all look like you're having a great time

We were having a good time. I just wish I could have gotten Mama out there.

Oh Lisa, you hilarious, crazy updater you! Love LOVE, your pictures in the Coral Reef. Any one of those could be used as blackmail!

Food looked good, Coral Reef was on our Sept list, but got put on hold for a future trip.

The dancing pics are the very best! I'm with you, no sense of rythum, or cordination. I would have looked like I was having a seizure!


Thanks for giving me a giggle!

Thank you m'am! I have absolutely no rhythm at all and look like a hot mess trying to do any kind of dance. That certainly doesn't stop me though.....at least at someplace that has 10,000 peope around that don't know me from the man in the moon.

Lisa, I love you guys all dancing on the sparkling lights at Epcot...you can tell just how much fun you guys are.

How sweet of Lacey to get her grandma a glass animal for her collection.

We have so much fun when we all get together. Looking at the pictures of Lacey make me miss her a little bit. Thank goodness we are going to see her soon.

Hi Lisa! I'm so behind. But, I wanted to stop by and say Hi and tell you that I'm still here and slowing catching up.

Hey girl! I'm glad to see you popping in. I've been so behind on everything lately so I totally understand! How's your trip planning going?

 

[mickeystoontown]

Great update!

You dance in the twinkly lights at the end of the night, I have searched for a pacifier on the ground around the twinkly lights at the end of the night. Seriously.

May 2010...my youngest was just one and had her favorite pacifier. She wouldn't take anything else. We couldn't even substitute another one exactly like it. It was nuts! (and should have clued us in on how stubborn she would be)

Anyway, we got by Spaceship Earth when I realized she didn't have it anymore. I was like a salmon swimming upstream, searching for this ugly German pacifier that could make or break our vacation. Ugh!!!!

I found it, though...thank goodness.

Anyway, your pictures just reminded me of that and gave me a little giggle. The food at Coral Reef looks great, especially the desserts. Yum!

I can just imagine the stress of trying to find that favorite pacifier in the dark with hardly any lights! I can't believe that you actually found it.

The food at Coral Reef was really good. As I said, John said the lobster ravioli was a good enough that he didn't miss the blackened catfish.

Enjoyed the updates. I too really like the Coral Reef food. A lot of people have put it down, but from your pictures and descriptions it looks as though they are still doing it right. It's making me hungry just looking at the pictures!

Loved the dancing pictures. At least your kids don't seem to be embarrassed when you are having fun. They just jump in and have fun too!

On another note, how about those tigers?!!!!

I've read some bad Coral Reef reviews as well and am baffled since we've always had good meals and service there. What I wouldn't give to be sitting at a table at the Coral Reef right now!

My kids are just as nutso as their dad and I so they don't mnd when we act a little goofy at WDW. Thank goodness!

John's been watching football when he gets a chance and tries not to miss any LSU or Saints game. I can't sit and watch an entire football game but do like to watch bits and pieces here and there. Geaux Tigers!

Great update and pictures, Lisa! Worth waiting for!

I love the sea creatures in the Living Seas. It's still the Living Seas to us, too. I can picture the opening of the movie- the picture of the craggy rocks and the narration: "Imagine, just for a moment, drip, drip, DELUGE!"

One more bit of nostalgia- on one of my first trips with my husband, we wanted to go back and see the aquariums, but we didn't want to watch the movie again. I'm not sure if there was a way to just get to the aquariums at that time. So we waited by the exit of the "elevator" from Sea Base Alpha. When people exited, we walked in. The doors opened and we surprised a CM that was on the other side of the "elevators"

I agree- that is a cool sea star picture. I also liked the eel ones- I think Morays are cool!

All of your food at the Coral Reef looks seriously yummy! We have eaten there several times (twice in one day the year we were on the Deluxe Dining plan), but it has been a couple of years.

I love the way you guys make your own fun! The pictures of all of you dancing in the sparkling lights made me smile!

I loved your story of surprising the castmember on the other side of the "elevator". I have a story too. When Hunter was younger, probably 3 or so, he did not like cramming into that elevator. Not one little bit. So, I asked a castmember if there was alternate way. She took us through a castmember entrance and walked us through a hallway only castmembers were allowed to go down. It was neat seeing the different signs on the doors and getting a glimpse behind the scenes.

I smiled when I saw the pictures of us dancing too. I almost didn't post the one of me and my twisted face but I figured what the heck?

Those dessert photos are making me hungry!! They ALL look so good.
I love the "dancing on the sparklies" photos!

There were very good. Believe it or not, the chocolate cake was our least favorite out of the bunch. That's the one that everybody just raves about too.

Loving the updates and the pics. I'd be about that lady breastfeeding too. She should have at least used something to cover up with!

It made us uncomfortable with the lady sitting directly in front of us. Every time we'd look for the various sea creatures, we have to see her sitting right there...half naked. It would have been nice if she had at least tried to cover up with something.

 

[mommytothreeboys]

Hi there Lisa! Great update! The pictures of the desserts at Coral Reef are absolutely beautiful.

I love that you and the family are so goofy! We tend to be goofy as well and it's nice to see another family embrace their goofiness! LOVE the pictures of you all "gettin' your groove on" on the sparkly lights!

We really enjoyed Coral Reef the one time we ate there. I'm not a big fan of fish or aquariums, but the boys really liked being able to watch the fish while they ate. And I agree about the less than modest breast-feeder. I don't deny you the right to feed your child in the manner you choose, however be respectful of the fact that you are in a public place and make some effort to cover up for the sake of the other diners.

I have never heard of Tom's shoes, but what a great idea! How cool that Lacey was able to participate in a mission like that.

 

[mickeystoontown]

Bonjour! (gee I hope that's how you spell it or else I'll look like an idiot ) Hope that everybody is doing well this morning. I dreamed all night....again. Last night I dreamt that I was sister wife number 5 on Sister Wives and I was running around trying to help take care of all those kids they have. Goodness alive, I have no idea why I was dreaming that.

Hunter's football team won their game last night. Score? 22 to 0! Even though I thoroughly enjoyed the football season, I am glad that it's over. Our household schedule gets totally thrown off during football season. Hunter had practice Monday, Wednesday and Thursday every week with a Friday, and sometimes a Saturday, practice thrown in every once in a while. Games were on Tuesday nights. On practice days, we weren't home until around 6:00 p.m. On game nights, we usually got home around 9:30 p.m. or so. Sometimes, it was later because of the "away" games. Anyway, I loved it but am glad we're done

I know that I told TinksThree about our upcoming trip but I don't know if I've told the rest of ya'll. We are headed to see Lacey and Jesse for the Thanksgiving holiday. By the time we get there, it will have been 3 months since we have seen them and I'm more than ready to get a hug from my baby girl and my sweet son-in-law. We miss them so and, apparently, they miss us 'cause Jesse actually posted on Facebook a while back that he missed his in-laws and that he wasn't ashamed to admit it. That's my boy!

Our plans as of right now are to leave Wednesday, November 23rd, as soon as I get off work. We'll drive until we are too tired to drive any more. I'm hoping that my boss will end up telling me to: 1) take the day off (hey I can dream can't I?) or, 2) he'll let me leave early (which is more likely than us taking the day off) so we can get on the road earlier than 5:30/5:45 p.m. I know that the traffic is probably going to be horrible because of it being the day before a holiday. We'll make the rest of the drive to Knoxville on Thanksgiving Day. Jesse's family had already planned to have dinner together that evening and I told Lacey that we'd be fine on our own that evening. We may get to Knoxville early enough that we can spend some time with them before they go to Jesse's parents' house.

Friday and Saturday, we'll be moving over to a hotel in Pigeon Forge. Jesse doesn't know if he will have to work on Friday or not. If not, both he and Lacey will go with us to Pigeon Forge (which is about an hour away from their house). If he does have to work, Lacey will still come. Our plans for that day are to drive through the Smoky Mountain National Park, go to Clingman's Dome (the second highest point that side of the Mississippi River) and to Cade's Cover (I wanna see more bears.)

TinksThree and her family travel to Tennessee over the Thanksgiving holiday a lot and she said that I'll need to watch the weather conditions pretty closely because they do have road closures, especially out to Clingman's Dome. If you want to read about Clingman's Dome, just go to one of these two websites:

http://www.westernncattractions.com/clngdome.htm

http://www.clingmansdome.com/

Yeah, did you see how high that sucker is? Did you notice the walkway? Do you remember how terrified of heights I am? What the heck am I thinking? I've already told John that I'd make the 1 mile hike up to the dome but I am not promising that I'll be brave enough to actually walk out on the observation deck. I may chicken out and I want him to know it beforehand so he won't pick on me when we get there and I'm sitting on the ground, sucking my thumb and rocking back and forth.

Friday night, we are either going to Dixie Stampede or one of the other dinner shows in town. I've never been to Dixie Stampede and think it'd be a neat thing to do. I've also heard there are a couple of magic shows in Pigeon Forge and I'm sure we'll have to work at least one of them into our schedule.

Saturday will be our day to explore the town. Mama, my older sister and my niece were in Pigeon Forge two weeks or so ago and they really enjoyed shopping at an old mill, the Christmas store and a few other unique places. With it being the Saturday after Thanksgiving, I'm sure it will be super busy.

Saturday night, I want to take the trolley over to Gatlinburg and see the Winterfest Trolley Tour of Lights. http://www.mypigeonforge.com/events_winterfest.aspx

Sunday, we'll check out of the hotel and head home. We'll make the drive in one day which isn't that big of a deal since it's just 10 or so hours. Maybe the traffic won't be too bad.

I'm sure we'll do other stuff but those are the highlights on my list. We will all be completely worn out because I always try to cram too much into our schedule.

Okay, I'll hush now and sign off. I'm going to spend a little time catching up on my subscribe threads and then I'll be back to post another installment.

 

[KatMark]

Hooray....you get to go see Lacey.

I love Gatlinburg and shopping there...so much fun.