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

[merbobear]

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!

I keep laughing as I read about your touring styles..you see, your style is just like mine. Get up, go go go go go until you drop. Stop a trillion times to take pictures along the way Mike's style is nothing like Joe's, however, it's like me set on turbo. As fast paced as I can be, he is a good 8 inches taller than me, and he has a much longer stride, so he is always a mile ahead of me while I race to keep up!

Our next vacation, our moms will both be joining us, so I think we will be at a much slower pace. I don't think we will cover as much ground, but it will be nice, in a way, to slow down and smell the roses.

 

[merbobear]

Just a quick comment this morning, I do hope to return later with more of an update! Last night I finished a video I had been working on, a photographic walking tour of All Star Movies. It's 7.5 minutes long but pretty good if you are interested in this resort!

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=pSzc-R5VFiY

I have always done a "room tour" video and posted them on YouTube-I get quite a few comments on them from various people. And now I'm going to start doing these resort tours as well. So after next month I'll have one of Pop Century, Yacht & Beach Club, Old Key West and hopefully of the Disney Dream (we get to tour it! ). I may also have a few other room tours - Wilderness Lodge, CBR, Fort Wilderness Cabins, All Star Music Suites and more!! I love doing these, it's a lot of fun--and now that I'm a TA I have a good reason!

I subscribed to your youtube channel a while back because of your room tours, and this video popped up for me to watch last night. I didn't realize it was yours when I watched it, until just now...but I love it! It looks very professional,I think your tours will take you a long way w/ your TA business, it's definitely above and beyond as far as how much information you can typically get from a TA! You must have been working on that forever ...but it paid off, it looks great.

 

[Native NYer]

Love the video Brook!

 

[GreatBiscuit]

Nifty Video BE!

 

[mousehouseguest]

Loving your Trip Report and your video!

 

[jenseib]

What a nice morning. I have those same feelings though. Lets get GOING!!! We are losing precious time!

I have 16 days today!

 

[CreightonsMomma]

Awesome Video Brook. Great job! I can't wait to see the yacht club one.

 

[brookelizabeth]

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.

It was not easy! Having 10 days still in front of us helped GREATLY though. Trust me...my tune changed at BLT!

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!

you think Don would be willing to go if he were allowed to stop and smell the pastries? I don't mind doing that-and actually CAN enjoy it, but it's not easy. It's a whole mind-set change! At DHS I would have been eating the pastry as I waited in line for FastPasses.

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.

It was pretty much like that...I tried to be very subtle about my anxiousness and just reeeeeeeelax. Having the many days still in front of us helped a ton. I cannot tell you how many times we discussed being spoiled rotten by that many days, and wondering how we'd ever go back to shorter trips.

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.

when I get to the May trip, the whole thing will be a surprise because I didn't take ANY notes. Maybe I can make up a fun storyline to go with all the pics?

When I looked back in my notes, Joe did run for FPs for the safari-and we still do single-rider on EE, so we have that advantage.

Have a great time at the zoo! Hopefully it won't be too terribly hot for you!

I'm glad you guys like to read reports that never end! It seriously might be until next year when I get this done at the rate I'm going.

It was a fun day at the zoo! Henry was in a bit of a 'mood' at points, but that's par for the course with this age. The weather has been MUCH nicer lately, I think it only got into the high 80s that day.

Thanks for the quick update.

I'm looking forward to trying AK again this trip. We've only been once and I was pregnant and sick had a baby on my hip and it was crowded and it was HOTTTT and and and....! Even in Oct. it was so darn hot, so we did not stay long and have never wanted to go back since. We haven't since that 2007 trip. We also did not have park hoppers that trip and it was our last day and we just had to go back t othe resort so I just have bitter memories of it I'm giving it one more chance with an open mind this year, our last day...again...without hoppers...again... Smart girl this one!

Oh gosh! Nothing would be fun with those circumstances. I hope this time will be MUCH more enjoyable at AK! The park really is beautiful and a lot of fun!

OK...I say this to myself every time but this trip I would like to spend more time exploring AK. I have never evn seen some of the views you captured! I am all for a lazy morning! . And how delicious to still have 10 days of vacation stretching out in front of you!

Have fun at the zoo!!!

AK is full of hidden treasures. I've never seen those little animals in the gardens until this trip. I have no idea how I missed them, but I was surprised to find them!

 

[brookelizabeth]

First, have great fun at the zoo today!

And what a perfect place to go after you started your update with a trip to the Animal Kingdom.

You are a better woman than me...all that sitting would drive me crazy.

Breakfast looks yummy.

You are right! I have a very animal themed day.

You'd be surprised what a looooong Disney trip does to a mindset. However, you just wait and see. Things change.

I agree with the others. It is really hard to sit in the mornings and take it slow. I know what you mean about the compromise though. I'm working on that too but it is so hard to fight that urge to go, go, go! I might need some Paxil to accomplish my goal. I'm not certain I have the power to do it on my own!

Paxil could help!

We took a slower approach on our trip in January too but I don't know if I could be that relaxed/slow! I think the more trips we take the more I know that we will be back and don't have to fit everything in on every trip. Cute photos! Enjoy the zoo!

Yes, it's true, the more trips we take, the easier it is to actually relax for me. Plus, I found in May that if I make it to Rope Drop, I have a MUCH more relaxed attitude for the day because we can hit the biggies right away and be done. This coming trip will have even more compromise I think!

On the Angry Birds. I often lose my phone to that especially when Jack's ipod needs to be charged

I'm using you as my inspiration for the go with the flow trip so you better not disappoint me along the way.

I do like the idea of breakfast in the park. Im a people watcher so I could hang for a little while

Speaking of Mickey Mail, I was wondering if you could send a card for me in Aug? My neighbors are going the week before us and I know her kids would love it. I'll email you later. Need to anyway cause I just changed one of my ADR's Must stop thinking about it

Henry is an ADDICT! The other morning he didn't even want to watch cartoons-he just wanted to play "the bird game"

Breakfast in the park is really pretty nice if you've got time to relax! I love to people watch too-during that time we didn't see anything too interesting, just a few of the CMs carrying their drums around. I was hoping they would start to play, but they didn't.

I got your email - as you know! They are on my list. LOL about changing ADRs, just tonight I brought up Raglan Road to Joe. Since we are at OKW for the last half, it just makes sense to do something there at DTD, right??? I keep adjusting and tweaking!

Ohhhh, so the reason i'm not married is because I don't compromise unless it is benefiting me? Just kidding....it's not the only reason i'm not married.

Cute little update. I love looking at all your pictures. I see things that I have never seen before.


Have a good day at the zoo!

too funny!

I was hoping to have continued our AK day, but perhaps tonight or tomorrow we'll adventure on!

Hi, I just picked up you TR from Jen's & your PTR for the Disney ED program. I just started reading this morning (love rainy days, where it's great to let the DD watch tv) so I'm not in to the trip yet, but I just want to say you have the cutest little boy!
I love how excited he got the morning you told him he was going to see Mickey today! I'm suprising our DD (age7) in Sept, and I hope she has that much excitment!

Well, I'm off to read more, I need to learn how to not go go go at Disney as well. I'm a planner type as well, so I'll have to see how this goes for you!
Carey

Thank you for reading!!! I am SURE your DD will have that much excitement! With Henry he still doesn't understand time, so it's very easy to surprise him, despite the countdown calendar.

I am a go, go, go person - it's so hard sometimes doing nothing! But, I'm learning.

MMM I want that apple turn over

Joe loves those!

 

[brookelizabeth]

Hey BE!

Great update!

Gotta love those moments of slowing down and soaking up the atmosphere.

YOU HAVE A TICKER! Are you writing a PTR on here, or just on your blog?

add me to the list of taking it slow.... don't know HOW you did it!! BUT, I guess if I knew I had 10 days ahead of me, I probably could too.. that must be a great feeling.. I think the longest we've gone is 8..

Have fun at the zoo!!

It was a wonderful feeling! So many times we would count the days in front of us and marvel at it. I would love to go for 2 weeks again! (no idea when that will happen, but a girl can dream, right?!)

Maybe if I went for a long time I would act differently, but I have always attacked the parks commando style!

It really does change the mindset! But, as you'll see...things change a bit in a while!

I think starting the morning slowly sounds very nice. Sitting in AK with a too sweet coffee and pasties and taking it easy...what could be better than that? We might do that on our next trip.

Oh, and I love the pictures of Cowboy Henry! The black and white one is adorable.

I think you might be the only "take it easy" planner we have on the DIS. I guess you don't have much a choice anyway with 2 littles!

I love it. My favourite is still Mickey's house!

Luvin the update as well.. I cannot wait to try the bakery in Animal Kingdom.. I want Zebra domes never had them before but that apple turnover looks yummy as well.. I'm thinking momma and i will have to pick two desserts to "share"

Also a never ending trip report... I'm ok with that

I wonder if it will ever change to Disney World. I'm sure at some point, but hopefully "Mickey's House" sticks for a long while.

Does somewhere in AK sell Zebra Domes?! I thought they were just at AKL? They are SO good!

Brook, AK is the best place to stop and have breakfast and just watch people go by. We usually go the the Anandapur Tea Co., get a cinnamon but and an iced latte. There's just a few tables and chairs there but it's right on the main path across from the monkeys and they are LOUD early in the morning! You know me, I'm like you with the "let's GO" attitude but there's nothing better than sitting there enjoying breakfast, listening to the monkeys screaming and watching the hustle and bustle of everyone walking by to get to Everest.

I am a big fan of Andapur Tea Co as well. I can't say I've ever had a cinnamon but though. Sorry, had to!

I did have the frozen chai in May - yummmmmy!

Brook, I am not sure that I will ever be able to get up to date with comments. I am still reading along... So I will just jump in with comments to the last update!

I am with LL - you are a very loving wife that you just sat there and watched the world go by first thing in the morning! But your breakfast looks very nice... Maybe an option for Katharina and me AFTER a ride on the safari.

I know the feeling! I've been DISing like crazy today in attempts to catch up. We'll see if I ever get there.

I think stopping for a little treat would be PERFECT after hitting a ride or two. Maybe I will propose that to Joe instead...compromise, right?!

As one who is still writing one that never ends, I can relate! Though I'm hoping to finish it before we hit the 1 year mark...which means I've only got 3 weeks!

Your hoodie cracks me up. Oh I've had many a mickey sticker on clothes over the years. One day, you will miss them. As long as you remembered to take them off before washing the item.

The things we do for love.

I'm glad I'm not alone! I don't think I've ever taken THIS long on a TR. It's just been a busy, busy year!

I've ruined more than 1 shirt due to random stickers. Sigh. But, yes, I know I will miss those Mickey stickers all over me - I am always a very willing participant when he wants to share them!

 

[brookelizabeth]

Yay for mingos! In the watah!!!

I got a white chocolate elephant cupcake at Kusafiri just a few weeks ago. So good, but so big! Brooklynn took over the elephant part.

I love seeing pictures of Animal Kingdom - a tree, a rock, a bird, a sweet treat...I like it all!

Every time I see mingos I'm going to think of Bella!

I've heard very good things about that Elephant cupcake. I tried to convince Joe of getting that, but he wanted the apple turnover. Maybe this trip!

I doubt I would have been able to sit still and relax while in the parks, but how wonderful it sounds to do so!

In my mind I love the idea. But in reality, it always drives me bonkers a bit. I think I might suggest a treat stop after a ride or two though...or even after a FP grab and ride. That I might be able to handle!

How adorable is that? Max was super into Peter Pan on this trip.
Great update! And I hope you a great time at the zoo.

Today I asked Henry what he wanted to ride first in Epcot, thinking he'd say Soarin', but he shouted out "PETER PAN!" wrong park, but obviously excited about flying again!

It looks like you were enjoying your breakfast and relaxing! Good for you!

Hope you had a fabulous day at the zoo!

It was a pretty good moment, despite my anxiousness when we were wrapping up.

That iced coffee looks really yummy -- too bad there wasn't enough coffee in there.

Oh, I have been there before, too, Brook. Charles wanting to just meander and take things slow while inward I was screaming, "It's prime touring time!!!" The things we do for our husbands.

It would have been perfect if it was more coffee tasting - but I wouldn't hesitate to get another.

I think Joe and Charles could tour quite well together!

16 days dance!

And now 14 DAYS!

awsome video Brooke! I wish I were so talented! I would love to put together something like this from our trip to Germany!

It was actually very easy. I did it in iMovie (a Mac program) and it was just drag and drop. I could never do it well on my PC, but on the Mac it's a breeze and very fun to do!

16 DAYS!!!

I cannot believe it's getting so close!

You did a fantastic job on the video. I didn't realize that the grounds of the resort were so pretty.

I didn't realize they were either! There are a TON of palm trees-and that is easily my favorite kind of tree. Plus little pathways and things. It's very nice!

 

[brookelizabeth]

Sorry I am so rubbish at generally keeping up with the trip report! I AM reading, but enjoying commenting on your NY life on FB far more!!!

One thing that has always puzzled me about American food - what's a cheese danish!!!!!!!!! Cheese is savoury to me and does NOT sound tasty in a pastry!!! Enlighten me please so I have 2 weeks to pluck up the courage to taste one!!!

Toby LOVES playing angry birds. He can't! He's only 2! But he loves pretending and he always says to my Dad "pad (iPad)" "angee birds"!
xxx

No worries! I am not doing so well on keeping up on the DIS either, despite my attempts.

it's sweet cheese...have you ever had a Bavarian Cream donut, or Boston Cream? It's not the same as that-but it's sweet like that, and smooth and creamy. It's cream cheese, like what they put on bagels, but sweeter. It's good stuff! I generally don't like cheese, but I love me a cheese danish!

that is SO cute about "Angee Birds!" Henry is actually better at it than I am.

I'll chime in for Brook. It's cream cheese, sweetened, so not savory cheese.

Ah, yes! Thank you Katie! And it's GOOD!

Very cool video Brook!!

Thank you!

That was one VERY cool video Brook!! Thanks for taking the time!! Oh and I know someone who is going to be VERY VERY interested in your video of the Dream WHOOO...that reminds me I need to email you LOL!!!

I thought Jen (jenseib) and I could put our pictures together that we take on the Dream and we'll have every inch of the boat covered!

Nice video!! I like the music, haha. (now I want to go to Epcot...)

Isn't that the best music?!

Very cool video!!!!

Thank you!!

Terrific video, Brook.

Thank you!!

Where did you get the music that's in the background of your video!?!?! I want those songs for my iPod... they're some of my favorite epcot loops!!

They are from the 4 Parks 1 World CD. It's a GREAT CD!

Very neat video!

Thank you!!

Great video. What editing programme do you use?

I used iMovie (for the Mac). Very easy, drag and drop! It was a lot of fun to make.

I keep laughing as I read about your touring styles..you see, your style is just like mine. Get up, go go go go go until you drop. Stop a trillion times to take pictures along the way Mike's style is nothing like Joe's, however, it's like me set on turbo. As fast paced as I can be, he is a good 8 inches taller than me, and he has a much longer stride, so he is always a mile ahead of me while I race to keep up!

Our next vacation, our moms will both be joining us, so I think we will be at a much slower pace. I don't think we will cover as much ground, but it will be nice, in a way, to slow down and smell the roses.

That's hilarious about your touring styles! I would LOVE it if I was racing to keep up with Joe. He's not fast at anyyyyyyyyything in life.

It is nice, in a way, to slow down. You catch a few details that you might not have, and "little magical moments" happen - because you take the time to let them. Know what I mean? But sometimes, I need to GO!

I subscribed to your youtube channel a while back because of your room tours, and this video popped up for me to watch last night. I didn't realize it was yours when I watched it, until just now...but I love it! It looks very professional,I think your tours will take you a long way w/ your TA business, it's definitely above and beyond as far as how much information you can typically get from a TA! You must have been working on that forever ...but it paid off, it looks great.

Thank you! That is such a nice compliment! It was very fun to do. I hope to eventually have tours of all of the resorts and many of the rooms!

Love the video Brook!

Thank you!!

Nifty Video BE!

Thank you!!

Loving your Trip Report and your video!

Thank you for reading along!!

What a nice morning. I have those same feelings though. Lets get GOING!!! We are losing precious time!

I have 16 days today!

It's so hard to just sit still and enjoy the moment sometimes. I know I need to learn to a bit more, but I think I need a bit of compromise from the DH's end too.

16 days!!!!!

Awesome Video Brook. Great job! I can't wait to see the yacht club one.

Thank you! I can't wait to take the pictures for the Yacht Club one! LOL

 

[petals]

I wonder if it will ever change to Disney World. I'm sure at some point, but hopefully "Mickey's House" sticks for a long while.

Does somewhere in AK sell Zebra Domes?! I thought they were just at AKL? They are SO good!

Mickey's House sounds better than Disney World!

Freezin Rafiki said on his trip report he got them in the Kusafiri coffee and bakery shop.

 

[brookelizabeth]

Picking up again...we are at the Dawa Bar enjoying a morning breakfast treat. I now have my phone, with my notes - so I can tell you we had gotten to AK just after 9:00 AM and Joe had gone to grab FPs for the Safari before we had our breakfast.

During our breakfast we decided to head back to Rafiki's Planet Watch, so after everything was consumed and hands were wiped, that's just what we did. The area was BUSY! So busy in fact we had to wait for the next train!

I'll admit, after the slow breakfast stop and having to wait for a second train, I was a bit annoyed. If we had taken breakfast "on the go" or just skipped it altogether, we'd already be at Rafiki's......

But...I chose

It was fine. We've got time.

So, let's take some pics instead!

I only took a few this time, but I think this train station is so neat-so many cool details.

It was a good 20 minutes before a train arrived, the CM was playing trivia with us, and time passed fairly quickly.

Details on top of the train

We boarded and were on our way! When we got off the train I told Joe we were going to skip all the stations on the pathway leading up to the main building. I wanted to be AHEAD of the crowd. I was done with this relaxed attitude until we got something done! Of course, I didn't tell him that part, but I played it cool, "Let's just go straight to the building, okay?" knowing full well he doesn't care one way or the other!

Soon we had bypassed the crowds and

Inside...

Acting like a rhino, his arm is the horn.

We went over to the surgery window and I was excited to see that we were right on time for the bird showing!

So we waited a bit, the CM gave us some info to pass the time

The bird on the left had swallowed dimes and the snake a golf ball!

The dimes from the bird

And the golf ball from the snake!

We kept waiting, and waiting for the bird to come out - the CM wasn't sure what was causing the delay, but eventually got word that the bird was not coming out. He had his 2 x-rays, but that was all they were going to do for the day. Bummer!

Henry spotted the coloring tables

So while he did that I

LOL!

Such a cute bathroom!

Refreshed, I returned to the coloring table to find my son's latest masterpiece...

After much praise was said, we moved outdoors to pet the goats. Henry had no interest in meeting Jiminy Cricket or Rafiki, but was very eager to pet the goats again!

Notice where Henry's attention is in this pic. The boy's Spiderman shoes!

Acrobatic goat.

I love goats. I think they are adorable little animals, so I had quite a bit of fun back here petting and brushing the goats too!

And what trip to Rafiki's would be complete without a browse through their great gift shop?

Someday when I have more shelf space for frivolous things one of these beaded creatures will come home with me. And a wooden giraffe too.

Such a cute shirt! Such an ugly price tag!

After our browsing we decided to head back to Hambre. As we went down the path we could hear the train approaching and it was perfect "pixie dust timing" that just as we walked up the train came to a stop!

Up Next: Are we still in America?

 

[brookelizabeth]

Mickey's House sounds better than Disney World!

Freezin Rafiki said on his trip report he got them in the Kusafiri coffee and bakery shop.

Reaaaaaaaaally?! They might have added them!

 

[Stringbean&Wingnut]

Hahaha I love your subtle nudge towards getting things done faster! DBF would have caught on to me right away .

I've never been to Rafiki's Planet Watch - I always thought it was an area more for little kids. It does look like they have cute things there, and those bathrooms are too funny!

 

[CandleontheWater]

I love Rafiki's planet watch, but I have to say that you guys skipped over my favorite part- the little monkeys (I think they are Tamarins?) right after you exit the train!

I could just stand there and watch them for hours, they are soooo stinkin' cute! When my DH went to Columbia, I asked him to bring me one home. He brought me home an emerald ring, and while that was an absolutely lovely gift, I kinda wanted the monkey

Next trip we'll get Everett over there, I think the goats would be a big hit, glad to see Henry had so much fun!

 

[KatMark]

Great update, Brook. We haven't been to Rafiki's Planet in forever; I didn't even know they had a vet area.

Henry looks like he really enjoyed petting/brushing the goats.

 

[Caretames1]

We had such a great time playing at the Conservation Station in January. Kadence (my 7 yr old) actually did a small report on what she'd seen and done there for school, (Teacher asked for something so DD wouldn't have to do make up work)

We did get sucked into buying a Baby Dumbo there, but I secretly think baby Dumbo is the cutest animal I've ever seen!

 

[MEK]

Brook - I loved your video! It was really good! I want to stay there now. Please make one like that for OKW before I stay there in December.

Fun update. Strange vet appointments - that's for sure! Henry looks like such a young man in those pictures. He is such a cutie!