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

[mickeystoontown]

Pirate Henry sure was strong....he pulled the sword from the stone! I'm positive it was because he eats his veggies.

Too bad you weren't able to hear the space shuttle lift off. We've been in the Magic Kingdom before and heard it and saw it when we were standing in front of The Crystal Palace. It really is a sight to behold.

It looks like you guys had a lot of fun on Tom Sawyer Island. At least you found the fort easily. It took us several trips to the island before we ever even found it.

 

[Lovemy3babes]

Your corn dog nuggets sure look yummy Brook! Disney should pay for advertising those I think.

I have never been to Tom Sawyer Island. Where do you get on the raft to go over there?

PS: Henry will be happy to know that it finally feels like winter in Minnesota. It's cold and we have snow!!

 

[RinkyTinkyTinky]

Wow! I am so impressed that Henry pulled the sword out! Go Henry!!!! That is super awesome!

I can totally relate about the barrel bridge! That thing will throw you in the creek in a heartbeat!

As usual, the pictures are great! I love the one of BTMRR through the fort window with the cannon. Very cool!

And Henry has to be the cutest pirate I've ever seen!

 

[petals]

That is so cool that henry pulled the sword out of the stone! Love his pirate day as well

 

[jenseib]

Yay!!! for Henry. Claire tried with all her might to get it out.
It's been years since we visited the Island...pre-Claire. We do need to get her over there. I'm loving all the updates!

 

[vamassey1]

I love that Henry pulled the sword out! I had to show Danielle, she tries every time we pass it.

Love Tom Sawyer Island! We usually end up spending a big chunk of time there. It's the perfect playground for a young pirate.

 

[CreightonsMomma]

Wow!! I've never seen anyone able to pull the sword out. Henry must be mighty strong! I'll have to start eating all my veggies and try again!! I'll pass that message along to Creighton, too!!

 

[glennbo123]

I've heard of kids pulling the sword out, but I never saw pictures of someone doing it....way to go Henry!!!

I like that the fastpass picture technique has evolved to include snacks!

 

[eandesmom]

after Henry pulled it out, a big dude tried to go and pull it out, but couldn't. Henry shouted "He didn't eat his vegetables!"

that is priceless! WTG Henry



I've only ever seen it happen in TR's and how wonderful that it was pirate Henry!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

 

[brookelizabeth]

Loved the preview of the Disneyland trip. I have to know, which one did you like better, WDW or DL? DH wants to go to California someday and he tires to lure me with DL. I don't know a thing about DL though. I'm looking forward to seeing all your pictures and hearing what you thought of it all. It looks awesome!

It's hard to say, both are very different animals and we had the "First Visit" rosy glasses on at Disneyland. However, I DO see that Disneyland has better upkeep overall than WDW. All the rides seemed brighter and cleaner inside. Peter Pan GLOWED! And a few of the rides were the same but with a little plus - such as Buzz Lightyear - you can hold the gun (rather than them being attached to the ride vehicle) and they light up and vibrate when you shoot. When you hit a Z(urg) the Z lights up! Their fireworks show has perimiter fireworks! WDW only get that on special occasions it seems (holidays, 40th anniversary, etc). The parade is new, unlike WDWs that has been just revamped a zillion times over the last 15 years. However, you don't get Epcot, or AK. Two very unique parks. California Adventure has a section like Hollywood Studios, so I didn't find myself missing it as much as AK & Epcot.

Okay, I'm giving everything I wanted to write about away!

We LOVED Disneyland and will be back, but our visit there won't stop me from going to WDW regularly either. BOTH are magical.

Wow! Henry pulled the sword out of the stone! So cool!!

I know! I was so surprised!!!! It was awesome!

Pirate Henry sure was strong....he pulled the sword from the stone! I'm positive it was because he eats his veggies.

Too bad you weren't able to hear the space shuttle lift off. We've been in the Magic Kingdom before and heard it and saw it when we were standing in front of The Crystal Palace. It really is a sight to behold.

It looks like you guys had a lot of fun on Tom Sawyer Island. At least you found the fort easily. It took us several trips to the island before we ever even found it.

Yes, this Momma forces him to eat his veggies! Daily we have discussions about how vegetables make you strong and smart. It's at least sinking in...now if he would just eat them without having to be bribed!!!

Remember the picture of the map at the beginning of the TSI part? I took that not for the TR, but so we could find the Fort!

Your corn dog nuggets sure look yummy Brook! Disney should pay for advertising those I think.

I have never been to Tom Sawyer Island. Where do you get on the raft to go over there?

PS: Henry will be happy to know that it finally feels like winter in Minnesota. It's cold and we have snow!!

I like the way you think! I love those little things. I could serioulsy go for some right now at 9:05 AM.

The raft is basically across from Splash Mountain. There is a little dock that you can queue up on. It's a small raft, so it is standing room only and can fit about 30 people maybe? It's a great little island, not something we do every trip, but fun to do every few. And we knew with Henry being so into role-playing that day he would love it.

That's too bad about the weather! But, Henry will be happy to hear it! We got some during our stay over New Year's, he was thrilled. His Papa took him out on the sled and they had a ball. NYC got some snow, but it has melted and it's in the 40's today!

Wow! I am so impressed that Henry pulled the sword out! Go Henry!!!! That is super awesome!

I can totally relate about the barrel bridge! That thing will throw you in the creek in a heartbeat!

As usual, the pictures are great! I love the one of BTMRR through the fort window with the cannon. Very cool!

And Henry has to be the cutest pirate I've ever seen!

It was a very magical moment! I was surprised and tried to find the CM working the trigger, but couldn't! I thought it was just controlled by a switch? Who knows!

I thought that shot of BTMRR was a fun one too - Henry was pretending to shoot it, so I thought I'd try to capture the moment!

That is so cool that henry pulled the sword out of the stone! Love his pirate day as well

It was! I was so surprised, I had never seen anyone do it before, other than in TRs!

 

[brookelizabeth]

Yay!!! for Henry. Claire tried with all her might to get it out.
It's been years since we visited the Island...pre-Claire. We do need to get her over there. I'm loving all the updates!

I bet Claire would have a blast over there! When Henry gets a bit older we might try to do the paintbrush hunt, I think he would enjoy it in a few years...now he'd be too distracted with the playground and guns.

I love that Henry pulled the sword out! I had to show Danielle, she tries every time we pass it.

Love Tom Sawyer Island! We usually end up spending a big chunk of time there. It's the perfect playground for a young pirate.

I hope Danielle gets to do it sometime too! I was totally surprised and actually at first rushing us along, but he insisted on trying to pull at it. I'm glad we stopped!

Wow!! I've never seen anyone able to pull the sword out. Henry must be mighty strong! I'll have to start eating all my veggies and try again!! I'll pass that message along to Creighton, too!!

that might be a good bribe to get the littles to eat their veggies...then if it still doesn't budge on the next trip, they need to eat MORE veggies.

I've heard of kids pulling the sword out, but I never saw pictures of someone doing it....way to go Henry!!!

I like that the fastpass picture technique has evolved to include snacks!

I figured you might like that shot! I think of you every.single.time. I do that kind of picture now! It worked great in Disneyland too!

that is priceless! WTG Henry



I've only ever seen it happen in TR's and how wonderful that it was pirate Henry!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Smart kid, eh?

I had seen it in TRs before too and was completely surprised it happened to us! Very unexpected!

 

[brookelizabeth]

We were headed out of Frontierland and into Tomorrowland with the goal of using our Space Mountain FastPass, but first we spotted Monsters Inc, so in we went!

We really enjoy this show - even if it is similar every single time. Every once in a while you get a new monster, or some new lines though. During this particular show we had a new set of monsters, Mac & Cheese. I cannot remember what they were all about, but my notes said they were funny! The guy who was picked as Sully didn't listen to a THING he was asked to do. He would just sit there and smile, look at his child and make his kid wave at the crowd. Mike finally said, "Sir, I'm sure you've seen that kid before in your life. Now act like you are in a tizzy!" It was HILARIOUS! The guy still didn't get it. Perhaps he was deaf, or didn't speak English...who knows!

After we powered Monstropolis, we did one of Henry's favorites

Joe and I love this too, so no protests from us! Henry requested this in Disneyland and was sad to hear they didn't have it.

And then it was time to Baby Swap on Space Mountain. I went first, while the boys went over to the Peoplemover.

I bet he is looking more more bad guys here...

I believe it was at this point where they had made it slightly darker and added the music. It felt REALLY dark to me and I ducked almost the whole time in fear I would hit something...and I still do that.

Joe and I swapped and Henry wanted to ride the Peoplemover again...no problem with me!!!

We met up with Joe after our rides and walked into Fantasyland and Henry fell asleep in the stroller. I took advantage of this moment and rode Snow White's Scary Adventures. I knew this ride would be leaving at some point (still unknown?) and I wanted to be sure to see it and I knew Henry would NOT be a fan with the darkness of it all.

That mural on the back wall of the load area is really beautiful, I wonder if they will try to preserve it?

I tried to take other pictures, but they wouldn't come out, so I just sat back and enjoyed the ride. Overall it was fine, but nothing I will mourn the loss of (even though it is an original). If it's still there next time I visit WDW, I'll probably ride again-just for one more time. Otherwise, it's in Disneyland!

Fantasyland was a bit busy.

We just moseyed around, in and out of shops, and stopped at Pinocchio's Village Haus for a drink.

Another beautiful mural!

We made our way to Main Street for a snack at the Bakery

Continued in next post

 

[brookelizabeth]

Continued from previous post

Hungry yet?

Our choice:

Now are you hungry?

Oh, and we got this too!

Gluttons!

I am pretty certain we ended up saving some of that brownie for Henry.

But who knows.



I do remember it being quite peaceful just sitting in the Main Street Bakery eating. It was busy in there, but without having to wrangle a toddler it makes life easier.

We started to wander some more after our snack and came across the glass blower, VERY cool!

And here is a blurry picture of what he was making

Personalized ornaments

We just slowlyyyyy strolled down Main Street, stopping in random shops and looking at the details and things for sale.

I just love Main Street - it's so beautiful.

A little hidden area near the Theater

Continued in next post

 

[brookelizabeth]

Continued from previous post

Let's go up!

Beautiful.

See the guys in the blue shirts down there? I realized the time and saw they were about to do the Flag Retreat! I told Joe I would love to watch it, and we had nothing pressing on our agenda, so down we went so we could watch it up close.

As soon as the band had started, Henry woke up!

Video: Flag Retreat (5 minutes, 44 seconds)

It was incredibly moving. I am really glad we waited for it. Even just looking at the pictures again brings tears to my eyes. A very well done show.

After the show we rolled on out of the Magic Kingdom to go back to BLT for some relaxing before our dinner that night at Kona Cafe!

 

[blessedby3]

Love the MK....and your update!! What I wouldnt give to be on that People Mover right now. Such a stressful day today, and that looked so relaxing And I think I have to go get something to eat now, as my stomach is growling from looking at all that delicious food
I have never seen that flag ceremony. Must have been so special for that vetran (Im assuming) in the wheelchair. I would like to see it someday

 

[Lovemy3babes]

That's kind of a bummer when the audience people chosen don't really play along. If they don, the show is so much funnier!

The photos of Joe and Henry and then you and Henry on the People Mover, are precious.

I also adore the Carousel of Progress. What a classic.

I also duck in Space Mountain. Always!!!

Moseying down Main Street is the best.

 

[wdwgirl03]

It's funny you say that about the mural at Snow White because my dad was saying the same thing. It's sort of sad that building is just going to be destroyed. Hopefully they can save the murals.

Those blown glass ornaments are so cool! I sort of want one. haha!

Thanks for the video of the flag retreat ceremony...we've never seen it before but it does look neat.

 

[MeMom]

It was incredibly moving. I am really glad we waited for it. Even just looking at the pictures again brings tears to my eyes. A very well done show.

It gives me chills and tears every time. So touching.

Nice pictures of all the bakery goodies. A brownie with many nuts screams my name any time of day.

 

[Missyrose]

A couple of spins on the PeopleMover and treats at Main Street Bakery, that sounds like my kind of afternoon and the Magic Kingdom!

I don't think I've ever been up in the train station, Franklin would love that vantage point for photos -- so thanks to you, it's going on our to-do list for March!

The flag retreat ceremony looks very cool. Can't wait to hear about dinner at Kona, it's one of our faves!

 

[Poolrat]

the furthest possible resort!

But I DID catch it in May and August! We just aren't there yet in TR land. And who knows if we ever will be at this rate!

I am glad you righted that wrong.

Oh man...how do you know?

Henry asks for a sword every single time. He would have 28 swords by now if I had let him. Something with boys and swords...and guns. And now hooks too! LOL

Yes, something about boys and swords. We have more than our fair share in our house.



Love the last set of updates. TSI- That barrel bridge is tricky. I think Chris actually doubled back to help me. I had it under control, I was just going slow, too slow for him. We have visited 'stables' on TSI

Pirate Henry had a great MK day. Yummy snacks, hot dogs and pulling the sword out. Pretty much perfect.


ETA: When the heck did I pass 5,000 posts??