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

[mamaboogie]

I have really enjoyed reading your TR so far in one delicious bundle!

Your photographs are really beautiful - so clear and artistic. I really felt like I was transported back to WDW - just what the doctor ordered!

Henry is adorable! Every photo he has a gorgeous grin!

Can't wait to hear more!

 

[petals]

Every time I read your trip report title at the mo with the Hi-ja I can't help thinking of the vid you had on facebook with Henry learning martial arts and his oh man!!!

 

[MeMom]

So glad you got to see Little Mermaid! As you know, we have seen it about three or four billion times, and we like it every time. It's a great theater. Ursula is so big and could definitely be frightening for little ones.

I am happy for Henry getting his little Disney folks that can ride happily around in his monorail.

A 5k, huh? I praise you. I am doing well to walk 5 feet this morning. My legs have done all they can do for this week.

 

[norybell]

Thanks to Henry, I think I've started wanting a toy monorail of my very own!

 

[brookelizabeth]

Awesome update

That cookie is humungous, but looks delicious.

We've also never had the cowboy side but I keep hoping.

Henry's monorail set looks like an awesome toy, and he looks so happy playing with it in the last pics.

Looking forward to more

I keep hoping along with you for the cowboy! Maybe next month...fingers crossed!

The monorail really is a very cool toy. He LOVES it when I pull it out! The other day he played "Disney World" between his monorail, the buses and now a parking tram toy he has. It's pretty cute.

What a fun update! I like the "go with the flow" attitude you had in touring the park that day. I can't believe that you have never see Voyage of the Little Mermaid. We all love it and I, too, am amazed whenever Ariel turns into a human.

Super cute jumping picture! And thanks for thinking of me when you took it. You know how us McBrides like those jumping pictures.

I know! I don't know how we always skipped VotLM! It just never worked out for one reason or another, and now we all really like it...of course it will be under refurb while we are there next month.

I do know how you McBrides like those jumping pics! And they are always so fun! I actually have it as my profile picture for my travel agency website.

Great update BE!

I enjoyed the DHS photos. Great job on the restaurant interiors. Those can be really tricky.

Glad to hear Henry got him some monorail peeps. Also love the Peeps tribute!

I've be meaning to ask you, have you head of the Betamouse Podcast? It's a Disney tech podcast and I love it! It's pretty nerdy and entertaining.

Anyway-restaurant interiors can be tricky - what you guys don't know is how many I took and deleted.

That cookie looks awesome! Your pics definitely make me want to linger around DHS at night more, the lights and the stars look so pretty!

Wow I am super-impressed with your 5K after the parks!

I love DHS at night! It's a beautiful park. Unfortunately, so much is CLOSED during those hours...but it's still kinda fun to just wander around and shop too.

I think I felt like I could do the 5k and work-out because we had been taking things sooooo slowly in the parks. Lots of slow walking, wandering, sitting, relaxing, etc. It's funny, I wasn't sore at all after that 5k, yet when I ran my first race this spring, I was sore for 2 days!

Aw, that last part just brought tears to my eyes.."Just before we turned off the light, Henry wanted to look out the window..he was looking for Peter Pan." How adorable!

Isn't that cute? He's a BIG Peter Pan fan since the ride, the Off to Neverland movie, and now we've seen the actual movie.

Henry is so cute playing with his monorail set!

I loved your jumping picture!!! How fun are you?!?!

A cookie as big as my child's head??? YUM!!!! Hahahahaha!

The outtakes for that jumping picture are a riot. It's fun though! I like how it turned out.

I often compare random objects to the size of our heads. Food, in general, shouldn't be that large! LOL But at Disney, it's amazing how many things I find that compare...

 

[brookelizabeth]

I don't think I've posted in a long time.. but i've been reading along Thought i'd leave a comment!

Henry is so cute. I just love all of your adventures

Those little monorail characters look ADORABLE. My children will definitely have monorail playsets

Reading these past updates made me really miss Hollywood Studios. I LOVE Voyage of the Little Mermaid. That show is just absolutely adorable!

And oh, there's going to be a cars section in Lights Motors Action starting in August? I'm gonna have to maybe check it out!

Yay thanks for updating! I can't wait for the next one

The little characters are VERY cute...but VERY teeny tiny! I am VERY grateful to Carol (gabrielsmom) who sent us the monorail set - it still thrills us all when we pull it out! It's such a fun toy.

Yes! Lightning McQueen has replaced Herbie in LMA. I saw a video of it and it was veryyyyyy slow moving. It was kinda meh. I hope they change it up. Lightning was talking about how fast he was, yet was moving about 5 mph. No jumps or racing at ALL from him...which that care might not be able to do? Anyway...I hope it improves!

What a great night! I that Henry was looking out the window for Peter Pan!!

Okay, on the cowboy scene: The Great Movie Ride is Miren's FAVORITE ride and we usually do it twice on every DHS day, so we've had the cowboy scene a few times, and this is what I've deduced. I don't know how accurate this really is, but it's been our experience 1. it's usually when the park is really busy (summer or Christmas) 2. you get the cowboy if you get the front "vehicle". Okay, I don't know what they're called exactly, but there's actually two vehicles that get loaded, each with a driver. If you walk out directly in front of you when the doors open and load into that vehicle, then that is the second vehicle. If you take a right when you walk out through the doors, then that is the first one. If you're in that one, then you ride through the gangster scene but don't stop, instead you proceed to the cowboy scene and stop there, while the vehicle behind stops at the gangster scene. Both scenes occur simultaneously, it's just a matter of being in the front vehicle or the back. I think maybe when the park is not too full they only use the back one, and that is why most people see the gangster.


These are from last summer

Yes! You are correct about the gangster versus cowboy. They don't always run it, but do when it's busy (doesn't matter what time of year, just as long as the park is busy). And it is the 1st vehicle that gets the cowboy. When we loaded I thought we were going to get the cowboy because it was the only vehicle there, but they must have only been running the one. MAYBE next month, since the crowd levels are all going to be 7 to 9! Fingers crossed!

 

[brookelizabeth]

The cowboy show is run year round. However, it isn't run as much during the slower season (fewer vehicles/stop earlier during the day).

Yes, that is what I have read too.

AW at looking for Peter Pan, that is just so sweet

I usually like the creepy clown, and don't find him to be all that creepy, but you are right..the tarp and the odd glowing while not in use definitely up his creep factor about 100%!

I was looking forward to my dd playing on the HISTK playground, after reading about it on one of your previous TR, but it was also closed before we made it there...kind of disappointing, but there is always next year!

exactly my thoughts about the clown! He doesn't phase me much, I just think he's a touch weird. But the tarped/refurb George....creeeeeepy!

Bummer about not getting to do the HiStK! It's such a fun place! I sorta do NOT look forward to it next month though because it's so hot in there...I have a feeling we'll end up suffering through it anyway though.

great updates Henry is just the cutest.

the wolf family video is so cool watched it this morning.. I am going to watch it again with my daughter later

Isn't it a great video? That man is awesome at video editing! Just like the last one, I had tears in my eyes watching.

What a great night just strolling around and doing whatever!

Hurray for monorail people! I bet Henry loved putting them into the monorail and driving them around.

That cookie is as big as Henry's head!

That is so sweet that he was looking for Peter Pan!

One day you will get the cowboy!

Henry loves to pile all the little guys into one monorail car and send it on it's way. None of them are in the seats, just all piled on top of each other!

And yes! One day I WILL get that cowboy!!!!

I loved this update!

Henry is so cute with the Cars! And I love all the pictures on the streets! I need to pay more attention to the detail in that area.

We too are VotLM fans! We love that show. I hear people say it's not all that great and it needs a refurb, but I don't think so. I love it! Although we did go in there one time and the "rain effect" was not working correctly. We left there soaked! When you were standing in the holding room (the pic right after the sign pic) did you notice that every so often the huge Triton on the wall would glow just like in the movie! We loved that! And we agree that the special effects are really cool. I had my jaw dropped open when she transformed too!

I love your hitchhiking pics! I'll have to remember that one!

I didn't even know until recently that the movie ride had two different choices. I think we had the gangster but now I want to see this cowboy!

Yep, that clown is creepy in that picture. he's never looked creepy to me before, but the glowing eyes with the black tarp covered mouth..... Not an attractive look for him!

Glad Henry got his monorail accessories! Looks like he really loves that thing! And the Peter Pan story....

That's so funny about the rain effect! We didn't get soaked, but I remember a couple pretty big drops coming down and hiding the camera!

I didn't notice that about the holding room because we buzzed right through it. What a COOL effect! It will be under refurb next time we go, but hopefully on our NEXT trip I will remember to watch for that!

Does anyone know how they do the transformation from mermaid to human? It's seriously awesome.

 

[brookelizabeth]

You had such a great night!
Sometimes not having a set plan is the best plan. That's one of the reasons I DVC. I don't have to rush around because I know I'll be back.
Henry looks so happy to have his monorail guy. I can totally understand his need to get back to the room. He needed to get those little guys in the monorail. My nephews are the same way. When they get something, especially something they've really wanted, they cannot wait to go back and just play.

I hope you get the cowboy next month.

I still need that "don't rush" mentality a bit. I am forced to not rush because it would drive Joe bonkers. However, during my solo trip I found a key-IF we make Rope Drop and hurry out of the room in the morning, I have a much easier time to take it easy in the parks. Joe has agreed to 2 RD mornings next month, so that should be good for me!

That's just it! Henry couldn't care less about the rides and fun in the park, he just wanted to PLAY! Kids are so funny, but I get it!

When we were there in March we got the cowboy scene, and like someone else said, we were in the front vehicle. I don't know if that makes a difference (my dad said they got it and he didn't think they were in the front, so who knows) but it seems every other time we go on, we're in the second vehicle and always end up with the gangster!

I am pretty sure it does make a difference - I've read that a few times on various websites. The 1st car (if running) gets cowboy, 2nd car gets gangster. I should try to go to DHS on the busiest day of my trip next month and see if I can get it.

I am finally finally caught up. Whew! I have no idea all the comments that I had in my head but I'm caught up and here now.

Love the picture of you jumping with the stars in the background! You should post some of the other pictures of you trying to get the perfect shot.

Henry is so sweet wanting to see if Peter Pan was flying.

I never really cared much for DHS until the last two times that I visited. It has a lot of hidden gems.

I have only gotten the gangster side on the great movie ride also, before I joined the DIS I had no idea that there was a cowboy side.

I knew someone would ask that!

Almost a Jordanyosh dedication there with the power fist AND tongue.

Okay enough of THAT!

Our first time at DHS I wasn't all that impressed, it was my least favorite. But, it's has VERY much grown on me and I now love it! It has a lot of options for little kids and we always seem to have a great day there.

I agree

I want to add the Little Mermaid to our plans next time, I think DS1 will love it!

And man, the bakery/goodie counter is making me hun-GRY!!!!!!!!! WIsh I had a big old Mickey head cookie right about now!!!

See above.

The VotLM was such a fun show, I'm a bit bummed it will be under refurb next month. Henry only got a teeny bit scared during the dark scenes, but I doubt your little man will-1 year olds are a bit more oblivious to "scary people" than 3 year olds.

What a great day! Am glad you all enjoyed VoTLM - though have to admit even I find Ursula a bit scary!

I love how the stars on the hat are sparkling! Lol I have heard how hard it is to get the cowboy on The Great Movie Ride.

Wow at doing a 5k after spending the day at DHS!

Ursula IS scary! She's totally creepy with those glowing eyes! And she's HUUUUUUUUGE in that show. I know the one in the new Little Mermaid ride in Fantasyland will be incredible-and probably make me shiver!

 

[brookelizabeth]

We haven't ever done VotLM either. I definitely want to next time!

How bizarre you haven't ever seen the cowboy. We actually had a "cowgirl" one time, which was cool!

It's such a cute show! You guys will all enjoy it, I'm sure! The storyline is a big hodge-podge, but it's still great.

Oooh, I would love a cowgirl even more!!!

that was awesome!!!!


add me to the one who don't like the pizza at Pizza Planet.. I don't understand why its different then the rest of the CS places.. I'm not a fan of the pizza at Pinocchio Village Haus either.

Henry is such a cutie patootie! Love all his big grin pictures, he truly looks like he is having a fabulous time!

I can't believe the rumors on the hat! But I do think it being placed outside the entrance gate is a great idea! It does take up a lot of space inside..

You should TOTALLY run the disney 1/2!! I ran it this past January and had the best time!! I am actually going to run the full this year! (well, Jan 2012) I am excited and terrified at the same time!!!

I wasn't a fan at PVH, but Pizza Planet always tastes better to me for some reason.

Thank you for the sweet words about Henry! He gets VERY excited when we talk about "Mickey's House". We've been doing a countdown, but I told him today we were going for his birthday (not really the reason, but it's only 2 weeks after the trip, so.....) and he got VERY excited since he knows his birthday is coming soon.

That is AMAZING about doing the half and the full! If we do end up going in February, I will most likely do the half. Henry has taken an interest in running as well, so I want to look into the Family 5K too. Not sure if he'll be old enough though...gotta research!

Joining in now sorry i am late to the TR...I am all caught up and i am enjoying your TR. Its making me wish I was going back sooner 124 days till we head back to WDW

Thank you for reading!!!! Those 124 days will fly by I'm sure!!! I will try to get over to your PTR as soon as I can! I just cannot keep up on everything lately unfortunately, but I'll try!

Great update! Alexa is afraid of Ursula too. She enjoys the show, but not that evil witch
That cookie was super delicious looking! When you had the picture of all the goodies, the ginormous cookie caught my eye Then the next picture....thats what you guys got! Yummo Glad that you got to ride RNR! That single rider line is great

That's just like Henry! He tells me "She's stinky!"

The cookie was very good! It wasn't overly sweet or anything, just more of a simple shortbread type with chocolate. Perfect in my book. Joe could have gone for more sweet.

The Wolf family video is so cool!

Isn't it great?! That man knows how to edit videos so well!

LOVE the picture of you jumping in the air!!!

The Wolf video is so much fun!! They seem to be a really fun family and I watched their other videos on YouTube this afternoon

Tracy

Thank you! It was a fun pic to take. We did one somewhere else too...I think in the park around here...I can't remember though! That one had even MORE ridiculous outtakes!

 

[brookelizabeth]

Loving the updates. I don't think I have ever seen that neverland movie. Is that the one where Peterpan visits Wendys DD? I think I remember when it came out, but we never saw it.

All caught up on adorable Henry pictures! I also love your great movie ride pix! I haven't ridden it in forever, but I think I need to go in there just for some pix. I am on a mission to have pix of everything.

So funny that Henry was so ready to leave HS and get back to his monorail. Awesome!

I also love your streets of America pix. I really tried hard to get some of my own this trip. I'm just not sure how they turned out.

Glad you got to see the pics!! We don't always hit the GMR either, but it just worked this trip. Each time I ride it, I like it a bit more. It could use a bit of an update, but I wouldn't want them to change much. The movie clips at the end are the BEST.

I'm SURE your Streets of America pictures turned out amazing! Your pics always do! It's hard to capture the vibe back there, there is so much detail and fun things, it would take a zillion pics!

I have really enjoyed reading your TR so far in one delicious bundle!

Your photographs are really beautiful - so clear and artistic. I really felt like I was transported back to WDW - just what the doctor ordered!

Henry is adorable! Every photo he has a gorgeous grin!

Can't wait to hear more!

Thank you for reading!!! And thank you for the compliment on the pictures! I love our camera. I missed having it in May, but surprisingly our little point & shoot did pretty well too. I have yet to write that TR.

And thank you for the sweet words on Henry! More coming soon!

Every time I read your trip report title at the mo with the Hi-ja I can't help thinking of the vid you had on facebook with Henry learning martial arts and his oh man!!!

Wasn't that the funniest thing?! I love those videos. He wants to go back to "kicking class" and we hope to put him in there in the fall.

So glad you got to see Little Mermaid! As you know, we have seen it about three or four billion times, and we like it every time. It's a great theater. Ursula is so big and could definitely be frightening for little ones.

I am happy for Henry getting his little Disney folks that can ride happily around in his monorail.

A 5k, huh? I praise you. I am doing well to walk 5 feet this morning. My legs have done all they can do for this week.

It really is an amazing theater! I had no idea it was so cool in there! I expected something more similar to a regular theater, but this really felt like you were in the sea. Loved it!

I have days like that. I ran yesterday morning and my ankles are sore since...walking at all is not fun. I hope you were able to rest yours and relax a bit!

Thanks to Henry, I think I've started wanting a toy monorail of my very own!

(you could always buy it with an excuse of putting it around your Christmas tree )

 

[ClaireW]

Glad you enjoyed the Little Mermaid - and I too am sad not to be seeing it in August with my princess loving girls
Still, I'm trying to go with your 'top 3' idea in each park and seeing as TSM and DisneyJunior are must-dos at least I have an opening for one more now! I'm thinking probably Beauty and the Beast? Although I'd love to take Dad to MuppetVision so maybe I'd better start planning for a 'top4'?

 

[MickeyisBeast]

Great update- the monorail is really cool, I'm sure if my cousins ever saw it they'd beg for one! I'd could probably spend a while playing with it Can't wait for the next update!

 

[petals]

Wasn't that the funniest thing?! I love those videos. He wants to go back to "kicking class" and we hope to put him in there in the fall.

I loved it. Was so cute! I love Henry's names for things as well.

 

[CreightonsMomma]

I am dying over here!!!

 

[brookelizabeth]

Glad you enjoyed the Little Mermaid - and I too am sad not to be seeing it in August with my princess loving girls
Still, I'm trying to go with your 'top 3' idea in each park and seeing as TSM and DisneyJunior are must-dos at least I have an opening for one more now! I'm thinking probably Beauty and the Beast? Although I'd love to take Dad to MuppetVision so maybe I'd better start planning for a 'top4'?

My first list was called "Top 3....or 4"! It's very hard to narrow it down! I didn't put TSM as a Must Do because I know the chances are very high we'll go on it, we will probably run with the bulls to the standby line then scurry over to Star Tours for a ride. And depending on which the boys want, grab a FP for either TSM or Star Tours for riding again later. So, I was a bit sneaky in my Top 3...I didn't include some of those that I KNEW we'd do. Plus, I did a Top 3 per day, so we have more than 1 day at DHS, I could get in more must do attractions!

Great update- the monorail is really cool, I'm sure if my cousins ever saw it they'd beg for one! I'd could probably spend a while playing with it Can't wait for the next update!

It's really very cute!!! It's been fun to play Disney World lately with all the transportation items we now have. I wonder if they have the boats...

I loved it. Was so cute! I love Henry's names for things as well.

It's amazing how he describes things to us - he's getting so clear (growing up!!!), when he mentioned "kicking class" Joe and I knew just what he was talking about! The other day he couldn't think of the name of Soarin', so he said "You sit, put on your seatbelt, and whoooooooosh!"

I am dying over here!!!

It's a good one, right?!?!

 

[brookelizabeth]

Henry has my phone right now...playing Angry Birds so I cannot check my trip notes, but I wanted to get an update in! So, we'll see if I can remember with just looking at pictures....

We left off after wrapping up a day with watching Off to Neverland and checking out the window to see if Peter Pan was about to whisk Henry away. I am pretty certain Peter might have visited Henry in his dreams that night.

It is now Wednesday, March 2, 2011

All the details of our morning are on my phone, but I do know we eventually were dressed and had a few postcards to mail!

Hmmm....we weren't going to Epcot or DHS because my next picture is

I haven't looked ahead in my pics. It's either MK, AK, or DtD. Since Henry is wearing his Pirate shorts, I'm guessing MK. Let's find out!

I have NO idea why I took a picture of the guy spraying weeds. However, I was wrong--AK it is!

A couple monkeys! (Must have been a chilly morning. And notice my hoodie with random Mickey stickers all over it? Surely the doing of a toddler)

Through the Oasis we went...I wonder where our first stop would be!

This tree never ceases to amaze me!

A bit of animal watching was our first stop! I love this area in front of the tree. It's always fun to see what animals are wandering around, plus - it's just a beautiful spot!

Mingos we out that morning.

Back out on the path...

Oh, what do we have here?

Coffee Shop.

Oh yes! It's all coming back to me now...

I believe Joe ran for some Safari FPs while I was in line, and within minutes we had

Joe's - apple turnover

Mine - cheese danish

We both had one of these - Iced Vanilla Coffee. Apparently it wasn't too chilly out! I remember this being too sweet and not enough coffee, but still drinkable.

And Henry chose a yogurt.

As you can see, we sat in the Dawa Bar area and just watched the morning go by as we enjoyed our treats. I remember this stop being MY idea, knowing Joe would be thrilled -- and he was! I also remember that toward the end of sitting there I was so very ready to move on. All I could keep think about was how much we weren't doing. I kept this to myself though, and kept on the "go with the flow" attitude for Joe.

It's all about compromise -- marriage, remember? That, and we still had 10 more days in front of us...plenty of time! (And yes, you have signed on for the trip report that never ends.)



I apologize for the short update - I am taking Henry to the zoo today and need to get movin'! I hope to update more later!

 

[Lady Lallie]

I honestly don't know how you were able to relax so much. First thing in the morning is prime park touring, I would have been jumping in my seat. You are a better gal than I for sure!

I love the Tree of Life, it really is beautiful.

 

[SoonerGirl]

I'm with Lady Lallie, no way could I sit and 'waste' prime park touring time in the morning! Sitting is for the afternoon when you're hot and tired from all the running around you did that morning Maybe I need to take a lesson though, cause your DH loves to go to WDW, mine does not........

You're a good wife Brook!

Have fun at the zoo today!

 

[DWGal210]

Have a fun day at the zoo!

You ARE a good wife!! I would have been bouncing my feet, looking at my watch, being really subtle.

 

[Poolrat]

I love the feeling of going back in my pictures and being a bit surprised of where I went and what I did.

Good call on having a a little relaxing time at the Dawa bar eating some goodies.

I usually run in and FP and ride the safari and EE but just enjoying a quiet moment is great.