Marriage: The Trip Report - Update 2/28 - Final Thoughts & Link to Disneyland TR!

[brookelizabeth]

Continued from previous post

We had some fun in the African Outpost

Henry shook the maracas and he and I danced to the beat! (beat and dance in the very loosest sense of the word!)

We made our way to Mexico, Henry had AGAIN requested the "Find Donald" ride and we met up with Bickiana and her family there!

We both live in New York City, but it takes going to Florida for us to meet. I'm in Queens, she's in Brooklyn - we might as well be in different states!

It was great meeting you and your family; hopefully our paths will cross again!!

Into Mexico we went, but first we had to stop and look at the little wood animals. We can't ever make it past this table without looking.

And Henry desperately wants to touch them ALL. But for the price, it's a "hands off" activity!

We found Donald, as we always do. The ladies wanted to keep him and give him lots of smooches, but the band required he play. After the ride we always have to look at the stuff, this Donald is pretty cute-he will probably come home with us eventually!

And of course we must try on tiny little hats!

After we found Donald Henry we walked past Duffy's meet & greet and Henry got very excited and wanted to meet him because he had colored him earlier in the day...but the line was closed. This was the ONLY meet and greet he requested the entire trip, but he didn't get to do it! Poor kid.

So, he asked to go see the firetruck in Innoventions....but it was closed for a private party!

Two misses in a row! Our next attempt was Spaceship Earth....SUCCESS!

Henry asked 4.2 bazillion questions during the ride, but that was fine. I explained the history to technology the best I could to a toddler.

In the aftershow we found the car racing game, "Super Driver" and waited our turn...Henry LOVED this!!!!

I think he would have been content playing that for several hours!

We walked over to The Seas with Nemo and friends for a ride with our favorite fish.

The boys look good, I look....disturbed!

I always try to take pictures in here, but they never turn out. We need a better lens...but here are the best of the bunch!

After we found Nemo we went over for a Turtle Talk with Crush show.

Henry said hello to his fishy friend

But, his friend was spending time with another human in the human tank and didn't see Henry this time. Thankfully we were let in pretty quickly for the show and Henry didn't get upset! He still talks about this guy from time to time and recognizes his picture.

Continued in next post

 

[brookelizabeth]

Continued from previous post

Turtle Talk it always so fun. In this particular show we learned that if the Momma Turtle buries all her eggs in hot sand they will be all girls (because girls are hot) and if it's cold sand, they will all be boys (because boys are coooooool )

For Shanan! (who I don't think is on the DIS too much anymore!)

Another lovely picture of yours truly!

And they have now put in grasses instead of the gravel here, right? So you can't stand in front of the characters? I read somewhere it was NEVER the intent to let guests stand there...I had no idea! It's low to the ground, there was gravel...apparently we had been breaking a rule all these years!

We sloooooooowly walked out of Epcot, just enjoying the beautiful night, the perfect weather and the beauty of the park.

On our way out of the park we were giddy that we could just monorail it home. It was SO easy to not take the bus!

On the way up Henry asked if we could take the Tronorail. I told him I wasn't sure, we had to take whatever came.

And guess what came?

The Tronorail! Of course!

On our ride back to BLT we saw Wishes out the windows

My notes end here for the day, as do my pictures. I'm sure we changed into our jammies, watched a bit of TV, I probably popped in on the DIS and we called it a night!

The next day I was determined to make it an early one to see the opening show at the Magic Kingdom. If you remember correctly our trip prior to this we had FINALLY made it to rope drop for the first time, only to have them NOT do the full show! This was high on my list and our days were almost over...did we make it?

 

[KatMark]

Brook, what wonderful updates. We've never done Teppan Edo; probably because we to Hibachi when we get by Nicki, but TE really looks good.

Sounds like a great evening at Epcot, except for missing Duffy.

 

[vamassey1]

Lovely update. I really love the pictures with the Nemo characters. We've never stood in the planter with them but we have stood in front. Bummer I missed doing this. We had a blast at Teppan Edo too. It was fun and good food.

Are you still going to WDW next month? We'll be there 2/17 thru 2/22.

 

[jenseib]

I guess we've been rule breakers too. Probalby now, people just throw their kids right up in the grass.

 

[Flossbolna]

Great update! How funny that Henry wanted to meet Duffy! I guess those colouring things are a very sneaky way to make kids want to hug Duffy. But I think Disney would rather prefer that you buy a Duffy!!

Wonderful to hear that you enjoyed Disneyland!

 

[Poolrat]

Welcome home!

What a nice day. I like TE and have always had a good meal there.

How great to monorail it home.

I hope you made it to MK for rope drop and got to see the whole show. You couldn't be any closer to MK so you have no excuses.

 

[CreightonsMomma]

Your pictures are cracking me up!!! You are so fun!!

I love hibachi. I was not too impressed with Teppen Edo, though. It was good but not the best. Joe's appetizer looks delicious. I'll definitely give Teppen Edo another try sometime.

Your pics on nemo turned out great. Mine never come out good. Just a big ol' blur.

 

[petals]

The last fireworks pic kinda looks like a mickey head

 

[tinacaplan]

Just catching up over here. BLT looks so cool and that monorail ride to and from just sounds like perfection. Can't wait to try it in approximately twenty-eight days! Great pictures, as always.

 

[Caretames1]

If they didn't want people up by the Nemo characters, there should have been signs, stating that. I've had Kadence up there every trip. I bet it still the same, just standing in the grass.

Joe's Gyu no Negi-maki looked yum, but I can't do raw tuna I would love to drag the fam into that place, but they are so picky. Maybe I can smuggle burgers in for them

I always thought it would be so neat to just monorail it from my room to the park. Would be easier than bussing it.

 

[PopArtGal]

I LOVE your Christmas card! I'm 8 stars away from being a gold member!

 

[PopArtGal]

I love the Orange bird! I hope they have merchandise out with him in July.

Roger Rabbit is one of my fave movies!

 

[jenjolt]

Absolutely adored this update!!!

Teppan Edo looks amazing!!! What a great dinner!!! And the fun had a EPCOT!

Love the picture of the fireworks on the Tronorail!!!

 

[MEK]

Your evening at epcot sounds perfect. Funny, I have been wanting to eat at Teppan Edo again since it's been awhile. I may just HAVE to make an ADR there in June. I enjoy the food and the show.

I must have missed your balcony pictures. That is a gorgeous lake view. I love it. I'm so glad you got to enjoy the little beach. I was quite intrigued by it when I stayed there. You did a good job of making want to go back.

 

[blessedby3]

Great update Brook! I love the pictures of Henry outside of Nemo! The colors are so bright and sharp...and Henry is looking like his adorable self Guess we have been breaking the rules of getting pictures in front of Nemo and friends for years...uh-oh!
I know what you mean about loving the idea of hopping on the monorail instead of the bus! That is why we love BLT so much. Its so convienent to the MK and EPCOT. I sure hope to stay there again someday

 

[brookelizabeth]

WOW! this photo is awesome! what a view!
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Its good that you keep some pixie dust in your back pocket to keep moments like this from getting

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is that breakfast pizza I see with eggs on it? I had to look twice!

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Love these two shots



good to know that breakfast is better than dinner!


love Henry with his hand on his head like "Oh my gosh I can't believe I am doing this" wonder how many times in his life he will say that!

great pictures! Love the first one with Henry "inside" mickey!

Sounds like an awesome day, despite being locked out of your room for a little while. you knew when the dining plan part worked that SOMETHING had to fail, right?

I have enjoyed your FB updates from CA - are you going to continue this TR or do a new one?

Yep! That was breakfast pizza with eggs on it. Yummo! I love breakfast pizza.

about Henry - I am CERTAIN he thinks that already! LOL

I will start a new TR for the CA trip once I wrap this one up. I'll be sure to post a link.

Brook, what wonderful updates. We've never done Teppan Edo; probably because we to Hibachi when we get by Nicki, but TE really looks good.

Sounds like a great evening at Epcot, except for missing Duffy.

That is just why we never did Teppan Edo either, we had hibachi near by that we always did-and WDW has so many options! TE is just your typical hibachi with a Disney flair, so it was very good, but nothing outstanding.

Lovely update. I really love the pictures with the Nemo characters. We've never stood in the planter with them but we have stood in front. Bummer I missed doing this. We had a blast at Teppan Edo too. It was fun and good food.

Are you still going to WDW next month? We'll be there 2/17 thru 2/22.

I don't know for sure that they put grasses in, I just remember reading that...so hopefully someone can confirm! I believe in August, when we were there last, it was still gravel.

And no...we won't be in WDW next month. Too much back to back. Our Feb trip had to be tossed out for Disneyland and going to Minnesota for the holiday. Henry has a whole week off too...it won't be easy thinking of where we could be instead of stuck in a tiny apartment with slushy weather outside that week!

I guess we've been rule breakers too. Probalby now, people just throw their kids right up in the grass.

I bet you are right! And before long the grass will be trampled and they will go back to gravel!

Great update! How funny that Henry wanted to meet Duffy! I guess those colouring things are a very sneaky way to make kids want to hug Duffy. But I think Disney would rather prefer that you buy a Duffy!!

Wonderful to hear that you enjoyed Disneyland!

Oh yes, the Duffy coloring is a sneaky marketing scheme (or maybe not so sneaky...). He's cute and soft, and so far Henry has no interest in the actual bear toy!

Welcome home!

What a nice day. I like TE and have always had a good meal there.

How great to monorail it home.

I hope you made it to MK for rope drop and got to see the whole show. You couldn't be any closer to MK so you have no excuses.

I know, NO excuses right?! We made it while staying at the Boardwalk, and that bus has multiple stops before MK....

Your pictures are cracking me up!!! You are so fun!!

I love hibachi. I was not too impressed with Teppen Edo, though. It was good but not the best. Joe's appetizer looks delicious. I'll definitely give Teppen Edo another try sometime.

Your pics on nemo turned out great. Mine never come out good. Just a big ol' blur.

I take Walt seriously when he said he wanted a place where adults could play with their kids.

I agree - Teppan Edo was good, but not the best. I'd eat there again, no problem, but I've had better.

I was amazed that the two pictures even turned out on Nemo! I do remember the projections seeming brighter and the tanks at the end were brighter too...

The last fireworks pic kinda looks like a mickey head

I agree!

Just catching up over here. BLT looks so cool and that monorail ride to and from just sounds like perfection. Can't wait to try it in approximately twenty-eight days! Great pictures, as always.

BLT was awesome. We really enjoyed it more than I thought we would! That location cannot be beat, plus walking into the tower every day was breathtaking.

 

[brookelizabeth]

If they didn't want people up by the Nemo characters, there should have been signs, stating that. I've had Kadence up there every trip. I bet it still the same, just standing in the grass.

Joe's Gyu no Negi-maki looked yum, but I can't do raw tuna I would love to drag the fam into that place, but they are so picky. Maybe I can smuggle burgers in for them

I always thought it would be so neat to just monorail it from my room to the park. Would be easier than bussing it.

I agree with you! I was a bit skeptical about all these people complaining about how families put their kids up there (I'm was a lurker on that thread! ) and I kept thinking, if Disney didn't want the kids in there, there would at LEAST be a sign. I honestly don't think they care. And I haven't seen the grass myself, so who knows if they went through with it!

about smuggling in burgers! Maybe the chef could make their chicken plain, without the sesame seeds and all? Would that help?

I LOVE your Christmas card! I'm 8 stars away from being a gold member!

Thank you! And about being 8 stars away! We redeemed our first free coffee just before we went to California and are now working our way toward our second one!

I love the Orange bird! I hope they have merchandise out with him in July.

Roger Rabbit is one of my fave movies!

I think his merch is doing well and will be sticking around for a while. He is very cute!

Absolutely adored this update!!!

Teppan Edo looks amazing!!! What a great dinner!!! And the fun had a EPCOT!

Love the picture of the fireworks on the Tronorail!!!

We will likely go back to Teppan Edo, even though we have had better hibachi before, it was still good and fun! Henry loves that kind of food too.

Your evening at epcot sounds perfect. Funny, I have been wanting to eat at Teppan Edo again since it's been awhile. I may just HAVE to make an ADR there in June. I enjoy the food and the show.

I must have missed your balcony pictures. That is a gorgeous lake view. I love it. I'm so glad you got to enjoy the little beach. I was quite intrigued by it when I stayed there. You did a good job of making want to go back.

We had been wanting to make an ADR there for a while too, I'm glad we finally did it! It was good, I'd eat there again! The show is always fun too.

Our view was very nice - I loved watching the monorail go by and just gazing out at the lake...we will stay there again sometime for sure!

Great update Brook! I love the pictures of Henry outside of Nemo! The colors are so bright and sharp...and Henry is looking like his adorable self Guess we have been breaking the rules of getting pictures in front of Nemo and friends for years...uh-oh!
I know what you mean about loving the idea of hopping on the monorail instead of the bus! That is why we love BLT so much. Its so convienent to the MK and EPCOT. I sure hope to stay there again someday

Those are some of my favorite pictures as well! And yes, that trip back to BLT is sooooooo easy! It's a huge bonus for stroller families to not have to fold up the stroller too.

 

[brookelizabeth]

Wednesday, March 9, 2011

The next morning we woke up with plenty of time to make it to Rope Drop at the Magic Kingdom - one of my top goals of the trip....but...I cannot recall what happened, or if we just lost track of time, but the fireworks that are at the very end of the show were shooting off just as we walked up to bag check.

Sigh.

I missed it.

AGAIN.

While we were "living" right next door!

Will we EVER make it?!

I was disappointed. And annoyed. Joe felt REALLY bad. We decided to just shake it off. It was what it was. Magic Kingdom awaited us, it was another beautiful day, let's go have some fun!

My first stop

While Joe went to the other side of the park to grab a FastPass for BTMRR. We were going to meet up in Fantasyland and hit up Peter Pan, etc. HOWEVER, I got a phone call and Henry saw BTMRR and....wanted to ride!

So, I hightailed it over

and we rode!

We requested the front seat knowing it is the slowest

He doesn't exactly look too excited, eh?

After the ride he said he liked it

But did NOT want to ride again!

We were proud of him though for trying something new and daring. Since then he has turned into a bit more of a timid kid and while he rode BTMRR last week in Disneyland he did NOTTTTTTTTT enjoy it one bit. So, I think we will be laying off the "big" roller coasters for a while. All well!

After our ride we made our way over to the Jungle Cruise

Gotta love an empty MK!

While we were waiting in the short line for the Jungle Cruise there was an announcement over the speaker "Attention children: There have been reports of wild adults roaming the area."

Our cruise this time was VERY different! Our guide had the dry humor going, but an ENTIRELY different spiel. He gave us information about the animals (ala Kilimanjaro Safaris!), and snuck jokes in here and there. It was so strange, but I liked that it was different.

http://www.disboards.com/newreply.php?do=newreply&noquote=1&p=43832169

And what ride do you see as soon as you exit the Jungle Cruise?

That's right, it was time for another ride on a Flying Blankie!

Beautiful views from the Magic Carpet

Continued in next post

 

[brookelizabeth]

After our spin we wanted to take Henry on Pirates. At this point he was still scared of the ride, so we bribed him with toys from the gift shop if he'd ride.

It worked!

He has since become a huge pirate fan!

Into the gift shop we went to get Henry some swag

Pirate's League

A few of his selections.

We ended up with the pirate Mickey ears, a gun, a sword and eye patch. The Cast Member you see in this picture, Bob, spoke pirate the ENTIRE time to Henry. Henry was fully convinced he was in fact, a pirate. It was awesome. He also asked us if we were flying home after our trip, and we told him we were. He warned us about putting weapons in carry-on luggage.

Henry was THRILLED with his pirate gear. He couldn't stop shooting the gun or singing the song. We heard "Yo ho, yo ho, a pirates life for me!" for months!

Video: Henry singing (6 seconds)

And finally we made our way back to Fantasyland to at least grab a FP for Peter Pan.

Bonus FPs for Philharmagic. Are those every necessary other than maybe during Christmas???

We decided to go to Philharmagic right then - and no, we didn't need or use those FPs!

Right before the show started Joe told Henry not to shoot his gun during the show.

IMMEDIATELY after it ended, Henry's first words were "Can I shoot it now?"

So far it had been a very fun morning, covering a bunch of things we hadn't yet done! My stomach was starting to growl at me though, and I had one thing on my mind for lunch...