Magical Grand Gathering Trip with Pics. Completed

[kaysmommie]

Great photopass pics

Looks like you all had a really fun day at the pumpkin patch ~ did you find some nice ones?

The hidden mickey is great

Thanks,
Yes there were lots of good pumpkins this year. I have to get kaylee that hidden Mickey book for next year. She would have fun doing that on the trip.

 

[kaysmommie]

Chef Mickey's and the GG Pirate/ Wishes Cruise


It started raining just as we were leaving our room, hard enough that we needed poncho's to walk to the car. I was again worried about them canceling the cruise. But found out from DF that as long as there is no lightning that the FW cruise was a go. We still had lots of time for it to clear out since it was 5 PM. We parked at CR since we had ADR's and then the FW cruise right after.


Our friends also had ADR's for Chef Mickey's but I didn't get our tables linked because they had a party of 11 already. I figured we would instead ask to sit close by . Also our ADR was 10 minutes earlier than theirs. We checked in and got on the line for the photo. Every year Thomas refuses to get near this photo op and just has a meltdown over it so we usually don't even bother with it. This year I really wanted that Chef Mickey's picture. So I talked him into it. Of course we didn't have the best photographer and Thomas didn't smile. But I was happy just to get him in it at this point. He looks very tired and in need of a nap. I apologize for my shirt that hardly fit anymore after going in the dryer on high heat. Yes we bought the photo package.

We were seated within 5 minutes just a table away from our friends. Tom and I had special placemats. He told them it was our 11th Anniversary but it was actually our ninth wedding Anniversary and our 11th dating Anniversary. We count that though too since it seems no one stays together happily anymore! Maybe next year we can celebrate our 10th Anniversary at the Poly or on the Disney Cruiseline . Guess we better start saving now.

The first charcter to visit us was Goofy.

I think Kaylee and I took off for the buffet right this. I didn't take food pics but I think most of us have been to Chef Mickey's before. I made Thomas a plate of his favorites at Chef Mickey's too while I was up. Then Tom had his turn. We didn't want to miss any characters while we were up at the buffet. Donald Duck was next. Thomas loves him!!

Look at Kaylee in this picture I think she is trying to see inside the costume .

Tom is going to be mad I posted this but maybe next time smile instead of making faces .

Kaylee napkin twirling while the characters parade.

Minnie

I think the food at chef Mickey's has gone downhill a bit in quality and also some of the buffet items were not being filled up and were also cold. It was a bit dissapointing since this is my kids favorite restauarnt in Disney. The dessert was still good though!

Now this is a bit grose but my friend was talking to a manager at one point when I turned around to talk to the kids. Apparently they had a huge cockroach under their table and were very grossed out. The manager gave them free adult beverages and their kids pirate punch with the light ups. Iasked her where it was now and it had scurried away I wish she wouldn't have told me because even this is Florida it was still disgusting. Not 100 % sure we will go back next time . We usually start the trip with dinner here. the magic is slightly ruined now. Anyway back to the fun part the characters.


Thomas's favorite...... Mickey

Followed by Pluto

This is the only food picture I have. They gave us cupcakes for our 9th / 11th Anniversary. Which was really nice.

I will continue soon with the Fireworks Cruise.

 

[earthfaries]

Chef Mickeys is so fun We don't care for the food at all, and if it's gone downhill from there...we probably won't be going back ~ well, for breakfast maybe, I think the breakfast was fine.

The pictures are great,the one of Kaylee looking into Donald's costume is too funny

A cockroach ? I would have freaked out!!! I know they are all over in Fl., but usually we don't see them...what an awful thing to happen at dinner there!!!

I can't wait to hear about your cruise and the rest of your evening

 

[mom2mek]

Woo- hoo! Great update Nichole! I love your family picture - everyone looks great!

Love the picture of Kaylee trying to see inside the costume...but it's kind of sad, huh?

The one of you and Kaylee together is really cute - you both look so happy!

Ok, the cockroach?

Ick. Like major ick. I know they are everywhere, but still...you just feel like you are somehow going to be immune to them once on Disney property!

The only cockroaches I want to see are in AK at It's Tough To Be A Bug!

We saw one at Epcot this trip too. Not at a restaurant, mind you, but just as we were walking out of the park....IT WAS HUGE! MAJORLY HUGE!

Looking forward to hearing about the boaty-boat!

Sara

 

[kaysmommie]

Chef Mickeys is so fun We don't care for the food at all, and if it's gone downhill from there...we probably won't be going back ~ well, for breakfast maybe, I think the breakfast was fine.

The pictures are great,the one of Kaylee looking into Donald's costume is too funny

A cockroach ? I would have freaked out!!! I know they are all over in Fl., but usually we don't see them...what an awful thing to happen at dinner there!!!

I can't wait to hear about your cruise and the rest of your evening

I'm just glad I didn't see it anywhere near our table .
I would think breakfast would be better at most of the buffets.

Woo- hoo! Great update Nichole! I love your family picture - everyone looks great!

Love the picture of Kaylee trying to see inside the costume...but it's kind of sad, huh?

The one of you and Kaylee together is really cute - you both look so happy!

Ok, the cockroach?

Ick. Like major ick. I know they are everywhere, but still...you just feel like you are somehow going to be immune to them once on Disney property!

The only cockroaches I want to see are in AK at It's Tough To Be A Bug!

We saw one at Epcot this trip too. Not at a restaurant, mind you, but just as we were walking out of the park....IT WAS HUGE! MAJORLY HUGE!

Looking forward to hearing about the boaty-boat!

Sara

Thanks Sara,
I'm very sad when I look at that picture . She doesn't believe in Santa, The easter Bunny or Tinkerbelle anymore either. She hasn't for a while because too many of other people's kids ruining the magic for her. Kaylee was told she must not ever tell any other kids what she thinks and not Thomas either.

I agree TTBIB should be the only place for roaches . I did see one outside of small world and it was huge. DF kind of kept it quiet in the restaurant. I just happened to notice the manager of course DF says she never complains .

 

[Mkgaapril]

Omgoodness, what a cute trip report!!! I was looking for something to do (for the first time in a few weeks I had a free moment!!!) and I found this report. I love the pics.. and you have an adorable family.

Don't you just love TN.... I lived there for a while (a few years back), (job), it was in a little bitty town, near Lenoir City... I still frequent the Smokeys..

 

[mkluvsmickey]

Great update Nichole! Glad you were finally able to get a family picture in front of the big plate - I think it's cute!

I've only been to Chef Mickey's for breakfast and always enjoyed it - guess you can't go wrong with breakfast food!

Ewww on the cockroach! You are right that there are lots of them in Florida, but I don't think I've ever seen one at Disney. I hope it stays that way!

Looking forward to more!

 

[crgfsu1]

Cute pictures Nichole! We did Chef Mickey's for breakfast - I think you are right, the two dinner buffets I had at WDW failed to comparrison to breakfast.

That picture of Kaylie peeking into Donald's costume is sort of sad We never want them to grow up & stop believing do we?

Love the picture of you and Kaylie - it's very good! Tom & Thomas just got a "goofy" picture It may be a silly face, but they look like they are having fun.

The cockroach - yuck! I lived in south FL for most of my life and I recall seeing roaches all the time and yes, they were huge!! Especially comparred to the little ones I rarely see here in NC. Bugs = Gross!!! I imagine a roach wandering around WDW isnt rare, but no one really wants to know about them! Especially in our eating establishments

So far, Thomas looks like he's holding his own for not having a nap.

Ready to hear about the boat ride

Cathy

 

[29apr00]

So did your cruise booking window open up yet? I think you said November, right?

Not yet. I"m dying over here!! I can't wait to get my planning packet!!

 

[29apr00]

We were seated within 5 minutes just a table away from our friends. Tom and I had special placemats. He told them it was our 11th Anniversary but it was actually our ninth wedding Anniversary and our 11th dating Anniversary. We count that though too since it seems no one stays together happily anymore! Maybe next year we can celebrate our 10th Anniversary at the Poly or on the Disney Cruiseline . Guess we better start saving now!

1st -yes start saving now!! You can go before me and tell me all about it! You're right, no one stays together anymore, that's why we are celebrating making it to 10 years without killing each other!!

2 - LOVE the pictures at Chef Mickey's!! What a great shot, even if Thomas wasn't smiling!

3 - Poor Kaylee, looking inside the costume. It's about that time, i guess..

4 - OMG a cockroach!!?!?!?! I get it, bugs are a fact of life, but STILL! I don't want to see one around my food!! yeah, i don't think i could go back after that either!!

5 - I love your shirts!! Where did you get them???

 

[kaysmommie]

Omgoodness, what a cute trip report!!! I was looking for something to do (for the first time in a few weeks I had a free moment!!!) and I found this report. I love the pics.. and you have an adorable family.

Don't you just love TN.... I lived there for a while (a few years back), (job), it was in a little bitty town, near Lenoir City... I still frequent the Smokeys..

Thanks so much! to my trip report, glad to have you on board. I actually live in Lenoir City . I put Knoxville because it's not even 5 minutes away and everyone knows where that is. I didn't think anyone knew of lenoir City . I really want to take a ride to the Smokies this weekend, so pretty this time of year.

Great update Nichole! Glad you were finally able to get a family picture in front of the big plate - I think it's cute!

I've only been to Chef Mickey's for breakfast and always enjoyed it - guess you can't go wrong with breakfast food!

Ewww on the cockroach! You are right that there are lots of them in Florida, but I don't think I've ever seen one at Disney. I hope it stays that way!

Looking forward to more!

Thanks Michelle ,
I hope you don't see one either. The one in front of the line at Small World got crunched by someone's foot . I don't know if I can overlook that it was in Chef Mickey's during the daytime.

Cute pictures Nichole! We did Chef Mickey's for breakfast - I think you are right, the two dinner buffets I had at WDW failed to comparrison to breakfast.

That picture of Kaylie peeking into Donald's costume is sort of sad We never want them to grow up & stop believing do we?

Love the picture of you and Kaylie - it's very good! Tom & Thomas just got a "goofy" picture It may be a silly face, but they look like they are having fun.

The cockroach - yuck! I lived in south FL for most of my life and I recall seeing roaches all the time and yes, they were huge!! Especially comparred to the little ones I rarely see here in NC. Bugs = Gross!!! I imagine a roach wandering around WDW isnt rare, but no one really wants to know about them! Especially in our eating establishments

So far, Thomas looks like he's holding his own for not having a nap.

Ready to hear about the boat ride

Cathy

Hi Cathy,
I think a few more breakfast will be on the list for buffets next time. Crystal palace dinner wasn't that great either but better than Chef Mickey's. That picture of Kaylee makes me want to cry. it was funny at first until I looked at it a few more times. Why grow up any faster than you have to KWIM. She is 8 now but why can't she just pretend to believe a little longer . Thomas holds up for about 2 more hours.

Not yet. I"m dying over here!! I can't wait to get my planning packet!!

1st -yes start saving now!! You can go before me and tell me all about it! You're right, no one stays together anymore, that's why we are celebrating making it to 10 years without killing each other!!

2 - LOVE the pictures at Chef Mickey's!! What a great shot, even if Thomas wasn't smiling!

3 - Poor Kaylee, looking inside the costume. It's about that time, i guess..

4 - OMG a cockroach!!?!?!?! I get it, bugs are a fact of life, but STILL! I don't want to see one around my food!! yeah, i don't think i could go back after that either!!

5 - I love your shirts!! Where did you get them???

We got the T's from Disney Store and they also had them on line at Disney Shopping not too long ago. I would check the clearence T shirts. Yes if we are going to Disney at all or on a Cruise we need to be saving now. I know you can't wait to start planning. I agree with you 10 years without killing each other should be celebrated . Your vow renewal is going to be so nice! I don't know if we will go back to Chef Mickey's , Kaylee is really hoping my friend was just making it up, because she really loves Chef Mickey's and we go there every trip. I told her I don't think she would do that. I certainly don't bugs anywhere near food that is just nasty. I should have and update soon, it's been a crazy busy week.

 

[dddisrunner]

Great update Nichole! I LOVE the picture of Tom sticking his tongue out too funny! Your crazy about your t-shirt not fitting, it looks great! I am so happy for you that you got a family pic. at Chef Mickey's! about the cockroach.......GROSS! We have never done CM for dinner just breakfast, I was thinking about trying dinner, but now it sounds like maybe I shouldn't Loved your matching shirts too Makes the picture that much cuter!

 

[kaysmommie]

Grand Gathering Fireworks Cruise


Where did I leave off? kaylee and I stayed to settle the bill at Chef Mickey's whilst Tom and Thomas took a ride on the monorail. We had a little while before we needed to check on floor 2 at Contemporary. Thomas had been watching it go by at Dinner and was really excited about riding.

After I paid, Kaylee and I walked up to the monorail and the line was like I have never seen it before. But she wanted to take a ride on it so we waited. We had some very undisney like people behind us on line. they reeked of booze and were using foul language. I must be a magnet for these kinds of people. Then Kaylee and I look at each other like is that you ?? But I guess someone in line behind (they were adults) us had tummy trouble or and accident or something, ewww. This is turning into a grose night! Kaylee is laughing while I write this.


The line moves and another monorail is pulling up. I make sure I go to a different car than the stanky ones. Maybe I should leave these details out in the future. Remember I was trying to be nice this year. Well at least I didn't have any Disney mom meltdowns this trip .

After our monorail ride I call Tom on the cell and everyone is waiting by the DCV desk . When I got there Tommy was already signing us out to take the tour . Both of the DF's families traveling in our GG own DVC and they love it!! Who wouldn't though. So we planned to this the next day in the afternoon and the CM said if that time was a problem we could call and switch it, no problem.

Next we all got on the elevator to go to the 2nd floor to check in since it was close to 7:30 PM. Luckily the rain let up. There were tons of groups checking in for this. But it turned out 2 boats would be going out.

We pretty much had to wait fro the mto call us in which was like 45 more minutes. So lots of waiting around and some of the kids running all over the place like they were at the park instead of inside a hotel . Here is a picture of all of the precious children in their matching shirts.

Oop here is one with the 2 littlest kids also.

One of the CM gave us all FW collectible pins. I'm not sure if I left this out before or not but Kaylee left her Lanyard at home with all her favorite pins on it. We both thought the other packed it. Guess she needs to add that to her packing list. The next day I bought her another Lanyard from the giftshop. Anyway the CM was really nice and played trivia games with kids for prizes, more pins. The girls had the most fun with us of course.

Then we were let in a conference type room where they had tons of snacks set up and drinks. We could take some with us if we wanted which is good because we were so full from dinner. They had every snack imaginable, from cookies, brownies, cotton candy, popcorn, gold coin chocolates and beverages softdrinks and hot drinks too. No alcoholic beverages though which made a couple DH's sad, boo hoo . I have a couple of pics of the snack table. The room was well themed too.

We probably waited about another 45 mintes for Captain and Mr Smee to show up. Thomas was being a perfect angel through all of this and never made a peep. the girls were good too. The other 2 boys were in trouble every 5 seconds, but boys will be boys I guess. It was alot of waiting around for them to get organized. I let Thomas take some pics with our camera to keep him busy since he was asking about Captain Hook every minute now. He took this one of the CM and Tommy. Kaylee says his name was Dennis and he is really nice.

Finally Mr Smee arrived but not Captain Hook. It would have been more fun to get pics together of them. I didn't even get one of Kaylee posing with Mr Smee because everyone else jumped right in while I was trying to get her picture. Somehow I manged to get Thomas really quick later in the night and a shot of the group.

Captain hook came in next. Thomas really wanted to see him since he was being him for Halloween and MNSSHP.

The girl with Thomas is Alexis, She was just too cute!

See how there are just people sitting on the floor bored wating for this thing to start already.

Then the Pirates arrived to take the groups out to their boats. We were on the Hook boat. So he walked our group out and the kids stayed close behind. It must have looked funny seeing him going down the escalator in the CR.

When we got the boat we had assigned rows of seats for our group. Of course the girls all sat together. Thomas sat with Tom and I. Captain Hook waved good bye to everyone from the dock. Here are some pictures from the cruise. The Pirate of our boat was alot of fun.

The eyes closed pic...

The Pirate made us do sing alongs and trivia questions for prizes. Mostly the kids did the trivia questions because they were really easy ones. The prizes were pirate items like patches and bandana's and stuff like that. The kids had a blast.


Continued in next post...

 

[kaysmommie]

Continued....

We watched the Electrical Water Pageant from the boat. it was and awesome view of it right there next to it on the water. We took video of it but no pics at all. I guess we were too busy watching. Right after EWP Thomas fell asleep from exhaustion right on the boat leaning on his daddy.

Pretty soon Wishes started and we video taped Wishes too. I might have to upload some video of them but it might be really shaky because I was tired too. It was really nice to watch from the boat with friends and not in the crowded park. We could even see Tink fly from where we were which really surprised me.

After Wishes we headed back to CR and the Pirate played a few games of Disney trivia with the kids. When we were getting close to the dock we could see Peter Pan . I was sad Thomas fell asleep because he would have been so excited to see him. It started drizzling a little when we got off the boat. We all lined to get pictures and autographs with Peter Pan. He was and excellent Peter Pan and stayed in character and was just hysterical. In this pic you can see a sleeping Thomas

We were very tired especailly all the kids. So we all said our good nights and headed for the parking lot. We such a fun night and I would definately do a Fireworks Cruise again. It was a great way to watch wishes. Maybe I would try the Illuminations Cruise next time. Other than the waiting around alot for the night start. The GG Cruise was well worth it and our whole group was happy with it. Kaylee had alot of fun. The kids laughed the whole night.

Next Installment: Magic Kingdom!!! Did we win a dream??

 

[AZMickeyfans]

Oh my Gosh! Cockroach!!! I would have fainted. But then I would have been on the floor with it. YUCK.

The picture of Kaylee looking In the costume is hysterical. I love all of your matching shirts too. So cute. You guys look like you were having so much fun. I really dont remember the food much from Chef Mickeys either so it must have not been that good.

The Fireworks cruise sounds awesome. I bet the view was amazing. I didnt know they did the whole pirate thing beforehand. how fun. Would you guys do that again?

Can't wait to see if you got a dream.

 

[kaysmommie]

Oh my Gosh! Cockroach!!! I would have fainted. But then I would have been on the floor with it. YUCK.

The picture of Kaylee looking In the costume is hysterical. I love all of your matching shirts too. So cute. You guys look like you were having so much fun. I really dont remember the food much from Chef Mickeys either so it must have not been that good.

The Fireworks cruise sounds awesome. I bet the view was amazing. I didnt know they did the whole pirate thing beforehand. how fun. Would you guys do that again?

Can't wait to see if you got a dream.

That picture freaks me out. I wish I hadn't noticed it and thought she was just admiring his signature. But the face is priceless . She told me it was a guy when I asked her about it today . Yes I would do the GG Wishes cruise again. or any fireworks cruise for that matter. All of our kids loved it!

 

[AZMickeyfans]

That picture freaks me out. I wish I hadn't noticed it and thought she was just admiring his signature. But the face is priceless . She told me it was a guy when I asked her about it today . Yes I would do the GG Wishes cruise again. or any fireworks cruise for that matter. All of our kids loved it!

Thats so funny she even admitted what she was doing so its not just speculation! I cant stop laughing about that. They get so sneaky dont they.

Good to hear about the fireworks cruise for the future. That looks really cool. One night we took the boat to the FW just before the fireworks were going off and it was neat to see all of the fireworks cruise boats lined up ready to watch. At first I thought the view would be terrible but further back I bet you coudl actually see more.

 

[mom2mek]

Oh, that Fireworks cruise sounds so great! What a nice way to see Wishes! I've been wanting to do one of the fireworks cruises (either GG someday or just doing our own rental). It sounds so beautiful! I bet the kids definitely had fun doing that all together! Love the pic of all the kids in their matching shirts! Priceless! And sweet little Thomas sleeping on Daddy's shoulder! So cute!

Sara

 

[hlrababy]

Awsome update!! I love the pumpkin patch pictures!!

The cruise looks so fun! I might have to take Hollie to do that!

 

[kaysmommie]

Thats so funny she even admitted what she was doing so its not just speculation! I cant stop laughing about that. They get so sneaky dont they.

Good to hear about the fireworks cruise for the future. That looks really cool. One night we took the boat to the FW just before the fireworks were going off and it was neat to see all of the fireworks cruise boats lined up ready to watch. At first I thought the view would be terrible but further back I bet you coudl actually see more.

That is funny I was Laughing out loud reading your trippie before. Tom thinks I'm nuts, LOL.

I can't believe she just admitted to trying to see who was in there. She said well mom they don't talk and that has known Mickey Mouse wasn't real since she was 5 . I really wish she would just play along. She knows to never ever say it in front of other kids or while on line to get autographs or anything like that. I would be really mad. What does morgan say about the characters? She probably doesn't discuss it with you, right? I guess that is why I was surprised by the picture.

Oh, that Fireworks cruise sounds so great! What a nice way to see Wishes! I've been wanting to do one of the fireworks cruises (either GG someday or just doing our own rental). It sounds so beautiful! I bet the kids definitely had fun doing that all together! Love the pic of all the kids in their matching shirts! Priceless! And sweet little Thomas sleeping on Daddy's shoulder! So cute!

Sara

Thanks Sara,
It was fun. I think I would like to try an Illuminations Cruise next time. Thomas was so tired. I think this when he started getting run down from the heat and not getting enough rest. This was my most easy going trip yet though. I guess maybe it's easier to nap when you are on the Monorail, like at Poly.

Awsome update!! I love the pumpkin patch pictures!!

The cruise looks so fun! I might have to take Hollie to do that!

Thanks. The cruise was really fun and the view of Wishes was actually good.