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

[PopArtGal]

I love the setting. Of course my fave is gold and 189.00 lol

 

[onelilspark]

I'm originally from the Philly 'burbs. You should make sure to take Henry to the Franklin Institute and the Please Touch museum!

 

[RinkyTinkyTinky]

I am finally all caught up! I actually wasn't as far behind as I thought I was.

I am sooooo glad you found Henry's Mickey! Disaster averted!

All of your picture from the Boardwalk/Beach Club/Yacht Club area are just gorgeous! I want to stay over there somewhere so bad. I am seriously considering renting points to stay there next time. It is just like an attraction in and of itself. We went there for the first time on this last trip and I fell in love. It was gorgeous during the day and at night with all the lights.

I feel for you on the drawing class. Been there, done that, it ain't fun! I wanted to try it again this time now that DD is older but we never made it. Maybe you could just let Henry have his own seat and own paper and just go to town on it drawing whatever he wants. But take that advice with a grain of salt b/c after the meltdown my DD had the last time we were there, I really am in no position to be telling anyone how to do it!

So glad that everything went so well for your grandmother!

ETA: I meant to tell you that you can get a setting for the P-A-P MUCH cheaper outside of WDW and then just take it with you. That's what we did. I found a dealer on ebay that sold 'cage' pendants that the pearl just floats in. You don't even need it to be mounted. They were only a few bucks and I get so many compliments on it. If you have your heart set on a ring, I bet you could find those too and just pay for the mounting. So go ahead and take the P-A-P plunge! it doesn't have to be expensive.

 

[dilligaf212]

caramel shop looks so good.. I will take one of each please

 

[Lovemy3babes]

I always have wanted to pick a pearl as well but just never have. I wonder why we have problems buying ourselves such things? I guess I don't really buy myself jewelry anywhere else either.

 

[wdwgirl03]

Brook, I commented on your album for the Macy's Parade. SO awesome! I think that is one of those things you have to see in person to fully appreciate it-sort of like when we were in California and went to the Rose Parade. I had to tell my dad and sisters how you got to see it and my one sister said that would be so cool.

I am sorry it's sounding like the cruise/Disneyland trip is off but Philly will be fun too! I was actually there too a couple years ago. It was neat doing all of the historical stuff.

Looks like you had a nice night at Epcot. My stomach is literally growling looking at those food pictures (esp. the ones from the caramel shop-that cupcake looks AMAZING!). I think it's time for dinner.

 

[blessedby3]

Glad to hear that Grandma is doing so well....and prayers for your Dad for the same!
I LOVE the pictures of Henry in Mexico. He is so adorable
I also love the Mexican CS..one of my favs! We usually get a couple of orders of nachos too Delicious!

 

[jenjolt]

I was so happy to hear how things went with your Grandma's surgery! I'm so glad she is doing so well!!! I will be saying a prayer for your dad! I'm sure everything will go fine!!

Loved your update!! EPCOT at night is fabulous!!!! Loved the settings for the pick a pearl!! HMMMM...Disney food...so good!!!

 

[MEK]

So glad your grandmother is doing well!

Awesome update. Those cars are adorable. No wonder you caved.

Great score for Henry. He should catch up to my high score in no time!

I love the picture of Henry and the fish. Too cute!

And thank you for the MEK flag picture! You know I love it!!!!!!!

So no pearl?????

 

[Poolrat]

Brook , Glad GM is Okay and praying dad comes through it ok too.


Sorry you are cancelling your Mexican Riveria cruise but if it is not right it is not right.

Loved seeing the parade floats. All me years living up there and I never ventured intot he city to see it. Much safer for me to watch it on TV.

I bet it was cool to see the parade floats. What a neat experience for Henry!

I'll be cancelling my WDW March trip, too. I'm just holding off until the last minute. In January, I will hopefully be calling to move the money over to an October trip. I hope we can do a Dollywood and/or an Atlanta weekend, at least, so the spring won't be a total bust.

Sorry to hear that. I hear Oct 15 - 18 would be a great time.

 

[BMC423]

I've been MIA on here for a very long time. With school, work and everything else there's been little time for me to relax and do what I want... but with this semester almost over and me having a few days off from work here and there, I have finally caught up!!.

I think the G&T track for Henry is a great idea, there are a lot of great G&T schools out there. I took a class last semester with a girl who teaches at Brooklyn School of Inquiry, they have a really good program there. I know you said you were looking in Queens but just in case you are still shopping around.

 

[MeMom]

Sorry to hear that. I hear Oct 15 - 18 would be a great time.

I am not happy about the spring break thing, either, but I have got to get some repairs done at home. Believe me when I say I wait until things pretty much have to be done, and it is time for a new bathroom floor - and hopefully a new tub, if the income tax money is there.

October is now a problem, as Brooklynn is in school. Her fall break and mine are at different times, so we're going to have to trade out skipping school for any October trips. She skipped this year, so it will be my turn next year. If I go with them (they are going to all be going and kind of with another family, but I have been invited) I will probably take off M-T-W of the first week of October and add it to the weekend. That will be when Brooklynn is on fall break. When I go back, I will have one day with students, then a Friday workday, then my fall break is the next week.

 

[DisMomAmy]

All caught up again! I'm so glad to hear that you grandma's surgery went well! And I think today is the day of your dad's surgery? I'll have you in my thoughts today.

I enjoyed the mega update! I'm excited for your move to BLT!!

 

[PirateKate]

We love La Cantina, too. We find the distance between Mexico and Germany to be a perfect after dinner stroller. That caramel shop's the best!

I'm glad everything went well for your grandmother!

 

[brookelizabeth]

Hey there! I just wanted to tell you that I am working really hard to get caught up on your report. I got a little behind before we left for Disney and then being gone and trying to get life back to normal after vacation... well, I got WAY behind. There just aren't enough hours in the day for real life and the DIS. Anyway, I'll be reading along tonight and hopefully I'll get caught up. I just didn't want you to think that I had forgotten you!

I still haven't caught up since we took this very trip I'm writing about here! Seriously! It's been almost a year that I've been drastically behind on the DIS. So no worries, I completely understand!!!!

Loving your TR, btw!

Brook, first and most important, I am so glad to hear that grandma's surgery went well (I'm sorry I missed it on FB...busy week/weekend). I hope the cancer stays away. I will be praying for your dad for good results from his surgery.

Love the updates, and Henry's new cars are just too cute.

Great pictures of Epcot.

And good job Henry on your score on TSM.

Thank you Kathy for your prayers!

I am so hungry for something sweet tonight...and your update about killed me! I love Henry in the bubble.

We call him "Bubble Boy" when he's in there. Sometimes he thinks it's funny and other times he hates that thing!

Sending you prayers. I've seen some of your FB posts about this.


Not a suprise at all! Sorry you had to cancel your cruise, but it sounds like you have good reasons to do so.

I checked out your pics of the parade...they're great. I love how much you're taking advantage of living in NYC. So cool. I'm hoping that we make it down sometime this month to see the tree in Rockefeller Center and check out a few other things...the Disney store for sure.

I would just like to say that I have come to despise every gift shop on Disney property.... OK, perhaps that's a bit strong, but after yanking Max out of most of them in July. And you would think there would be more inexpensive trinkets around...not so much.

You have convinced me...we will have our EPCOT CS dinner at La Hacienda. Looks so yummy. And I love Karamel Kuche. That popcorn...so yummy!

Beautiful pictures of Henry and Illuminations, too!

Let me know if you head into the City this month! I'd love to meet up for a quick minute and say HELLO! I know our boys would get along fantastically! And I do need to get to the Disney Store this month for my clients traveling in early January. Always a good excuse.

I know how you feel about the gift shops at WDW. It's so hard when the kids are little and want EVERYTHING too. In August I found a few items for $5 or less and actually took pictures of them! LOL If I lived closer and could keep up on it, I would do a "cheap Disney souvenirs" blog!

OMG! I need to get to the Karmel shop right now! I am seriously drooling.

Nice nighttime photos! Henry has such a fun spark in his eyes! He cracks me up!

The new caramel shop is amazinggggggg! So, so yummy. We haven't missed it on a trip since it opened!

Good news about your grandmother.



What a nice afternoon...a little DHS, a little Epcot; I don't remember reading about any meltdowns -- definitely not twitch-inducing!

Nope, no meltdowns. I think that is rare for Epcot!

I'm glad to hear that your grandma's surgery went well!! I'll be sending good thoughts to your dad as well!

I can't wait to try the caramel shop on our trip! Everything there looks so good! (even the "not-so-great" cookie! )

Thank you! Dad is in surgery as I type. Things are going well with it.

The caramel shop is awesome. I think it was in August that we tried the milk chocolate caramel with sea salt square - SO good!

I love the setting. Of course my fave is gold and 189.00 lol

I hope your future man has a thick wallet!

I'm originally from the Philly 'burbs. You should make sure to take Henry to the Franklin Institute and the Please Touch museum!

I have heard about the Please Touch museum in my research! It is high on the list! I will check out the Franklin Institute too-thank you for the tips!!!

 

[brookelizabeth]

I am finally all caught up! I actually wasn't as far behind as I thought I was.

I am sooooo glad you found Henry's Mickey! Disaster averted!

All of your picture from the Boardwalk/Beach Club/Yacht Club area are just gorgeous! I want to stay over there somewhere so bad. I am seriously considering renting points to stay there next time. It is just like an attraction in and of itself. We went there for the first time on this last trip and I fell in love. It was gorgeous during the day and at night with all the lights.

I feel for you on the drawing class. Been there, done that, it ain't fun! I wanted to try it again this time now that DD is older but we never made it. Maybe you could just let Henry have his own seat and own paper and just go to town on it drawing whatever he wants. But take that advice with a grain of salt b/c after the meltdown my DD had the last time we were there, I really am in no position to be telling anyone how to do it!

So glad that everything went so well for your grandmother!

ETA: I meant to tell you that you can get a setting for the P-A-P MUCH cheaper outside of WDW and then just take it with you. That's what we did. I found a dealer on ebay that sold 'cage' pendants that the pearl just floats in. You don't even need it to be mounted. They were only a few bucks and I get so many compliments on it. If you have your heart set on a ring, I bet you could find those too and just pay for the mounting. So go ahead and take the P-A-P plunge! it doesn't have to be expensive.

You know that you mention the ring mountings outside of Disney, I recall researching this previously! I know about the cage pendants on eBay, but I have had my heart set on a ring -- but I KNOW those exist too. I need to look into that again! Thank you for the reminder!!!

The Boardwalk is my favorite resort...it's so wonderful. I never thought I would like it as much as I did! If you can, I'd recommend renting points for a stay there in a heartbeat!

caramel shop looks so good.. I will take one of each please

Me too!!

I always have wanted to pick a pearl as well but just never have. I wonder why we have problems buying ourselves such things? I guess I don't really buy myself jewelry anywhere else either.

I wear a ton of jewelery, I LOVE it! Most of it is cheap though, and that is where my dilemma comes in--I do have problems buying myself anything with real value!

Brook, I commented on your album for the Macy's Parade. SO awesome! I think that is one of those things you have to see in person to fully appreciate it-sort of like when we were in California and went to the Rose Parade. I had to tell my dad and sisters how you got to see it and my one sister said that would be so cool.

I am sorry it's sounding like the cruise/Disneyland trip is off but Philly will be fun too! I was actually there too a couple years ago. It was neat doing all of the historical stuff.

Looks like you had a nice night at Epcot. My stomach is literally growling looking at those food pictures (esp. the ones from the caramel shop-that cupcake looks AMAZING!). I think it's time for dinner.

It was very cool to see the parade! I'm glad you enjoyed the pics! This time of year, Thanksgiving and Christmas, here in NYC is amazing. It really is magical! If you ever come this way you'll have to check it all out, you guys would enjoy it!

Glad to hear that Grandma is doing so well....and prayers for your Dad for the same!
I LOVE the pictures of Henry in Mexico. He is so adorable
I also love the Mexican CS..one of my favs! We usually get a couple of orders of nachos too Delicious!

I NEED to try those nachos! I've heard so many good things about them.

I was so happy to hear how things went with your Grandma's surgery! I'm so glad she is doing so well!!! I will be saying a prayer for your dad! I'm sure everything will go fine!!

Loved your update!! EPCOT at night is fabulous!!!! Loved the settings for the pick a pearl!! HMMMM...Disney food...so good!!!

Thank you Jen! Things are going well with Dad today, I'll post a bit more on that later when I know more.

Epcot at night is fabulous! Illuminations has really grown on me over the years too and it's become a "must do!" It's such a moving show.

So glad your grandmother is doing well!

Awesome update. Those cars are adorable. No wonder you caved.

Great score for Henry. He should catch up to my high score in no time!

I love the picture of Henry and the fish. Too cute!

And thank you for the MEK flag picture! You know I love it!!!!!!!

So no pearl?????

No joke, Henry will be beating me in the next couple years at Buzz and TSMM I'm sure!

Your welcome on the flag pic...and I took a ZILLION just like you do!

Nope, no pearl. Again.

Brook , Glad GM is Okay and praying dad comes through it ok too.


Sorry you are cancelling your Mexican Riveria cruise but if it is not right it is not right.

Loved seeing the parade floats. All me years living up there and I never ventured intot he city to see it. Much safer for me to watch it on TV.

Sorry to hear that. I hear Oct 15 - 18 would be a great time.

I'm a bit bummed about having to cancel the MR, but it is for the best. I sometimes have a hard time reading WDW and cruise reports though knowing my next trip is 6 months away.

Unless some crazy awesome thing happens....the money tree grows, someone gives me a trip... Which I'm not ruling out.

 

[brookelizabeth]

I've been MIA on here for a very long time. With school, work and everything else there's been little time for me to relax and do what I want... but with this semester almost over and me having a few days off from work here and there, I have finally caught up!!.

I think the G&T track for Henry is a great idea, there are a lot of great G&T schools out there. I took a class last semester with a girl who teaches at Brooklyn School of Inquiry, they have a really good program there. I know you said you were looking in Queens but just in case you are still shopping around.

I have thought about school everywhere...since we don't know exactly where we will end up. We talk about staying in Astoria, moving to Manhattan, moving to Jersey, moving to Long Island, moving to Brooklyn...so many choices! First step is just to see if he'll qualify. Time will tell!

I am not happy about the spring break thing, either, but I have got to get some repairs done at home. Believe me when I say I wait until things pretty much have to be done, and it is time for a new bathroom floor - and hopefully a new tub, if the income tax money is there.

October is now a problem, as Brooklynn is in school. Her fall break and mine are at different times, so we're going to have to trade out skipping school for any October trips. She skipped this year, so it will be my turn next year. If I go with them (they are going to all be going and kind of with another family, but I have been invited) I will probably take off M-T-W of the first week of October and add it to the weekend. That will be when Brooklynn is on fall break. When I go back, I will have one day with students, then a Friday workday, then my fall break is the next week.

Oh that stinks that Brooklynn's fall break doesn't line up with yours! So you guys are looking at the first weekend in October?

All caught up again! I'm so glad to hear that you grandma's surgery went well! And I think today is the day of your dad's surgery? I'll have you in my thoughts today.

I enjoyed the mega update! I'm excited for your move to BLT!!

Yesterday was supposed to be his surgery, but they pushed it back to today. Thank you for thinking of him!!!

We love La Cantina, too. We find the distance between Mexico and Germany to be a perfect after dinner stroller. That caramel shop's the best!

I'm glad everything went well for your grandmother!

I have to agree, that is a perfect after dinner stroll! I can't say no to the churros at La Cantina though, so I just have to have double-desserts.

 

[brookelizabeth]

We left off wrapping up our last full day at the Boadwalk, the morning dawned and Henry woke us up at 7:30 AM.

Saturday, March 5, 2011

This horrible, awful, no good sight was at our door

But...this time it wasn't so bad. We were only HALF done with our trip! We were moving to a resort we had never stayed at, but always dreamed to...Bay Lake Tower at the Contemporary!

Before we left we took a few "measurement" pictures that I thought might be helpful for those looking to stay in a Studio at the Boardwalk. Please excuse my extreme dorkiness.

Room with couch folded out.

Space between bed and unfolded couch

By 9:15 we were packed and ready to go. I stood on the balcony to say good-bye to my beautiful Boardwalk. Bell Services retrieved the bags and just before we stepped out to catch a bus to the Magic Kingdom I had Joe take this picture of me, ala Katharina!

Gotta love the giant furniture at the Boardwalk!

Very soon we were off the bus at the Magic Kingdom and on our way to the Contemporary...excitement built at each step, we were giddy to stay there!

The Cast Member that checked us in (check-in is in the Contemporary Tower) was from Jackson Heights, Queens, which is pretty close to where we live now and was right next to where I used to live - so we chatted Queens and NYC for a bit.

Our room was not ready, but we expected that. Unfortunately it was a bit too cool to go swimming that morning, or to rent the sea raycers, soooooo we shopped!

Our stomachs were soon growling so we made our way over to the Contempo Cafe. We had eaten here before, but I forgot how the process worked. There is a touch screen you order your food on and then you can grab any to-go type items (drinks in bottles, desserts, etc.) and then you pay for your entire order as your food cooks. You get a buzzer for your order. The family in front of me had the Disney Dining Plan and there was some problems with it, so they took quite a while to cash out. Eventually I got my buzzer and went back to stand by the window where the food comes out. I waited and waited. I could see our tray of food on one of the shelves inside the kitchen, but I didn't say anything. I figured there was one last thing to be placed on the tray. I waited and waited. The orders behind me all got their food. Finally I asked a CM working in the "to go" food area and she looked me and and flatly said, "She will buzz you when it's ready." And then she gave me a slight eye roll.

The CM working just inside the kitchen turned around and grabbed the tray and handed it to me. I'm guessing most people don't stand there and wait for their food, but go out and find a table and then return when it buzzes. Perhaps I was cramping her space?! I have no idea, but she was NOT nice about it!

Despite all that, the food was good!!!

Joe's:

Mine: Lime chicken with pepper jack cheese

Henry's: turkey sandwich

We enjoyed our meal, but the rude CM had still put a bad taste in my mouth for the meal. I tried to be cheery, especially with Henry LOVING the monorail going through!

Continued in next post

 

[brookelizabeth]

Continued from previous post

After our meal we explored a bit, it was still too chilly to swim and our room was not ready. We had plans that night to go to a special Expedition Everest "birthday party" at the AK, so we didn't want to wear ourselves out at MK.

I had wanted to stay here since our first trip. I still remember our reactions on our Disneymoon when we rode the monorail through the CR - Joe and I both gasped in awe! Yet, I just was NOT feeling the magic at ALL. And this:

Didn't help! There were crumbs and leftover food all over in this area near the windows. The dirt plus the rude CM and the fact that we didn't have a plan and it was too cold to swim, I was antsy and irritated. Not a good way to start our week at the CR!

Eventually one of us had the idea to hit up the arcade! Yes! Henry just loves arcades and I know the CR one was a good size. As we went up those skinny-minny escalators Henry exclaimed "This is just my size!" and soon we were playing ski-ball, winning tickets and having a great time!

We were in there about 30 minutes when suddenly I realized all the games, except the ones that gave tickets, were free!

We had a HAY DAY! I tried a dancing game...all I have to say about that is white girl a'int got no rhythm! It was SAD! (and hilarious) Guitar game. Equally as pathetic. Pinball-oh ya! I'm good at that! Mrs. Pacman, not too shabby.

Eventually we were done. The constant ringing and bleeping of the machines had us all baked and Henry needed a nap. Before we left, I ask the CM working in the arcade what day/time is the free arcade thing, thinking it was a feature of the CR (like the free movies poolside, or an arts & craft), I was hoping we could return and have more fun later in the week.

The CM looked at me like I had two heads.

They were NOT supposed to be free!



He frantically left the counter to see what I was saying and was on the phone in a flash.

Oops!

Well, it greatly improved my mood, so I am just going to take it as some pixie dust.

Our room was still not ready and Henry was wiped. Momma too.

I peeled myself off that seat and went into the small gift shop in the back corner. I cannot remember exactly why (probably just to grab a drink or a snack) and low and behold what did I find??!

MICKEY COCONUT PATTIES!!!!!!

I had been searching in EVERY SINGLE SHOP so far in the trip for these babies and they were gone. No one had them! And no CM knew why! They were all confused! I was scared they would be gone forever. These were the last two boxes and I honestly don't think I could have grabbed them off the shelf faster. Gently held in my arms, cuddled to my breast, I brought the precious to the counter and happily paid. I skipped out of that store. 1 box was for me and 1 was for pooh'smate (Jessica). We both wanted 2 boxes, but I was happy to even find one!

Joe may or may not have heard my shrieks of delight when I found them, but he knew I was happy when I left that store. I was darn-right giddy! I picked up Henry and we adventured outside where we ran around on the CR deck and spun circles, my energy had returned! (I know, I know, I'm a bit obsessed. And I like dramatic flair. )

We decided to go check out the Community Hall at BLT, so through the bridge we went and into the tower. I did take a bunch of pictures of our journey to the Tower, but they are all terrible and blurry due to wrong settings on the camera. Don't despair, there will be PLENTY later!

Continued in next post

 

[brookelizabeth]

Continued from previous post

We watched a bit of TV

Made sun catchers

Playing with blocks (after I told Joe to put the video game down! )

And a bit more TV. There was a P&F marathon going on. I was entertained.

The Community Hall is very, very small and there truly isn't that much going on, unlike most other Community Halls, so we grew tired of it fairly quickly and found ourselves outside.

I still thought it was too chilly, but the boys both wanted IN that pool! So that's just what they did.

Little kid water slide. I think these are a great addition to the pools.

Splash zone

As I wandered and took pictures the boys were having a great time in the pool and Henry had tried the little slide! I was SO surprised! He's a very timid kid, so this was a big step for him.

You can see how deathly terrifying this slide was with this 25 second video of H going down

Swimming.

More wandering for me!

At 2:30, during the swimming and photography adventure I got the text that our room was ready! Room 8240 was ours. I told the boys and we slowly made our way up to check it out.

One happy boy!

Today's Activities. Note, "Free Arcade" was not listed.

When we stepped out of the elevator we had this beautiful view from our floor

Ah, here we are!

Up next: A change of plans