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

[Flossbolna]

Wonderful update! Epcot is just so pretty and I am very glad that you brought back so many pictures.

Considering that every other theme park has a playground, I think that would indeed be a nice addition at Epcot. But I think there are some cute fountains to play in during the rest of the year?

Have a wonderful time at Disneyland! I am quite determined to get there this year as well - but I will wait until the fall...

Unfortunately my WDW plans so far for 2013 are for May rather than March... But I am sure at some point our plans will coincide. Are you still planning on visiting Europe in 2014?

 

[MeMom]

Love the NYC pictures. Very pretty!

Have a great trip to Disneyland!

 

[tinacaplan]

Loved your EPCOT update. The topiaries are beautiful and you always take such amazing pictures.

I'm glad that you guys had a wonderful Christmas and trip to Minnesota.

And I loved all your pictures of NYC at Christmas. I wish we had gotten down there this year, but there are just only so many weekends in December and we were really busy this year. I'd love to take Max to the train show.

 

[jenjolt]

Loved your updates Brook!! Your Flower and Garden pictures are gorgeous!!!

So glad Henry had a great time playing in the Fairy Garden!!!!!

 

[CandleontheWater]

You NYC Christmas pictures are making me so sad we didn't make it into the city this year!

I grew up in CT (and my father works for Metro-North), so we would always go in at least once around Christmas to enjoy all the decorations and fun activities!

We took Everett last year, his first Santa experience just HAD to be at Macy's, but the timing didn't work out this year. Hopefully next year we'll get another chance.

Glad to see you guys had lots of fun!

 

[claryche]

I love your Christmas card. So funny and so cute.

Wondering if you are going to be able to finish up this TR before you DL trip? I think you can I think you can.

 

[eandesmom]

Fun updates! I didn't spend any time looking at the pixie topiaries so I really enjoyed seeing those. I think that playground is so wonderful it really should be there all year. Love seeing the xmas in NY pics, it is so magical there that time of year. I would love to see that model train exhibit!!!!

4 days till Cali, how fun!

 

[disney<333]

A little late, but I'm here. I had a long wait until the December trip, so I stayed off the TR forum to make the wait a little easier. LOVE the flower and garden pics. So pretty! Hopefully, I'll be seeing it in 9 weeks. You must be so excited about Disney Land. Have a magical time, if I don't talk to you before then.

 

[brookelizabeth]

That actually makes me feel so much better about Bourbon street now.

If you get a good batch at POFQ they are close. Don't let them cool too much, then they get mushy.


Love the last updates. Watching the world go by is great. It has been far too many years since I have been at F&G time. 2013 might be the year.

I was thinking GCV but the points are high since I will probably be going over the weekend. I still have not decided so it still may happen.

I have fond memories of Christmas in NY. Thanks for all the pictures.

It does get cleaned!

I was going to call DVC today and ask about using my points for a regular hotel room, even though they just opened that option, it hasn't been available for my dates. But a room is a room is a room - if they have one open, it would be in their best interest to give it to me I would think! Disney is strange with that sometimes though... We currently have the GCV for just a Monday night, so we will only get the tease.

Your welcome for the pictures! It was you who told me about eating a pretzel at Rockefeller every year growing up, right? I think about that story every time I walk in that area and hope Henry has similar fond memories!

Wonderful update! Epcot is just so pretty and I am very glad that you brought back so many pictures.

Considering that every other theme park has a playground, I think that would indeed be a nice addition at Epcot. But I think there are some cute fountains to play in during the rest of the year?

Have a wonderful time at Disneyland! I am quite determined to get there this year as well - but I will wait until the fall...

Unfortunately my WDW plans so far for 2013 are for May rather than March... But I am sure at some point our plans will coincide. Are you still planning on visiting Europe in 2014?

Yes! Epcot does have some fantastic fountains. I actually had a couple pics of Henry playing in one that I didn't include in the last update since he wouldn't actually go IN, but just stuck his hand in...kinda boring pictures! On a hot day, those fountains are wonderful!

I didn't realize you were going to Disneyland this year I don't think?! Or I just forgot or got it mixed up! That is fantastic!! I'm really excited about it, and a bit nervous since I don't know what to fully expect.

And yes, Europe is still on my radar for 2014! Joe is all for it too. If we can afford it, we will be there!!

Love the NYC pictures. Very pretty!

Have a great trip to Disneyland!

Thank you MeMom! Thinking of you today, praying for your family.

Loved your EPCOT update. The topiaries are beautiful and you always take such amazing pictures.

I'm glad that you guys had a wonderful Christmas and trip to Minnesota.

And I loved all your pictures of NYC at Christmas. I wish we had gotten down there this year, but there are just only so many weekends in December and we were really busy this year. I'd love to take Max to the train show.

I really look forward to seeing the F&GF again some year...it's so pretty! I wouldn't even care if all the topiaries were exactly the same!

Have you ever done the Bronx Botanical Gardens train show? That one is $$, but I hear is awesome. We have meant to go both years now, but haven't.

Loved your updates Brook!! Your Flower and Garden pictures are gorgeous!!!

So glad Henry had a great time playing in the Fairy Garden!!!!!

It was such a cute area, so well themed and sand!!!

You NYC Christmas pictures are making me so sad we didn't make it into the city this year!

I grew up in CT (and my father works for Metro-North), so we would always go in at least once around Christmas to enjoy all the decorations and fun activities!

We took Everett last year, his first Santa experience just HAD to be at Macy's, but the timing didn't work out this year. Hopefully next year we'll get another chance.

Glad to see you guys had lots of fun!

I hope you can make it in next year! We meant to do Santa at Macy's as well, but didn't make it. I avoided it thinking the line would be forever long, but then they learned they do Santa ala Mickey at Town Square - multiple rooms! Perhaps next year!

So curious - what does your Dad do with Metro-North? The transit systems really fascinate me, they are incredible and extensive. It takes a LOT to run so efficiently and transport SO many people every day!

I love your Christmas card. So funny and so cute.

Wondering if you are going to be able to finish up this TR before you DL trip? I think you can I think you can.

I am really wanting to finish it...I'd have to finish 4 days in just 2 days remaining before we leave! I still have a May and August WDW trip too. I need about a good week to just work on the DIS I think!

Fun updates! I didn't spend any time looking at the pixie topiaries so I really enjoyed seeing those. I think that playground is so wonderful it really should be there all year. Love seeing the xmas in NY pics, it is so magical there that time of year. I would love to see that model train exhibit!!!!

4 days till Cali, how fun!

I really enjoyed Pixie Hollow, almost as much as the UK. It was very cute. And, I had plenty of time to wander solo since Henry was engrossed in the playground!

A little late, but I'm here. I had a long wait until the December trip, so I stayed off the TR forum to make the wait a little easier. LOVE the flower and garden pics. So pretty! Hopefully, I'll be seeing it in 9 weeks. You must be so excited about Disney Land. Have a magical time, if I don't talk to you before then.

I completely understand that! After we returned from this trip last year we had nothing on the books and it was SO hard to be on the forums. So, Glad you have made it here now! It's been a looooooong haul of a report!

 

[KatMark]

Great updates, Brook. Love all the flowers at Epcot; and how neat you saw the bridge go up and the Illuminations items go through (we've never seen that).

Love your pictures around NY too (one of these days I'll get there!). And your Christmas card is great. I know what you mean about all the Starbucks stores within a 10 block radius. In one area in Downtown Chicago, there is one on literally every block for five blocks. Welcome to Gold Club status...I've had mine since it came out.

 

[sugar1967]

And this was our Christmas card this year...

We became Starbucks Gold Card Members. It was an unforgettable year.

We like to be goofy with our card every few years and we just had to play up on the fact that there are Starbucks EVERYWHERE in NYC. All these pictures were taken in about a 10 block radius (other than 1, which was in our neighborhood). The normal picture is taken in Brooklyn.

I hope you all had a great holiday!!!
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LOVE your card Brooke!! My girls really want to hit New York at Christmas one year - 2 teenage girls in New York with mom would be amazing - you never know!!

 

[brookelizabeth]

We left off watching the World go by - literally. Next up was Germany! The topiary display here was ADORABLE.

All 7 dwarfs were present!

And of course we had to stop and look at the mini F&GF in the model train setup!

You can see what is next in the background!

Rapunzel!

I will admit, while this was cute, I was disappointed in it. Her hair just looked like random shades of yellow/orange and it was straight down and looked blah. You could faintly hear the song and the windows opened and closed. It was a bit of a letdown. In other reports I have seen where they had her hair braided or twisted around the tower, which looked much prettier. And one said her hair even lit up??? It was a cute addition, but they could do more with it!

Love the donkey.

Italy was gorgeous

These purple flowers were beautiful!

Moving toward America...

Which I have no topiary pictures from! (don't worry, we go back!)

Onto Japan!

And not a topiary, but equally as pretty...

YUM!

We sat up in the QS area and devoured the goodness of Kaki Gori while enjoying the scenery. It's just beautiful up there.

Bonsai tree display

When we left the drummers were out, so we took their show in for a few minutes - it's always so impressive.

Continued in next post

 

[brookelizabeth]

Continued from previous post

And now into Morocco.

We.had.done.it!

So had been through every country and saw (so I thought, I know we missed some in China!!) every topiary for the F&GF. What to do now?

SIT AND PLAY! Henry and I raced this car back and forth a zillion times.

It was a beautiful afternoon/early evening and I was having one of those perfect Disney days. We were tired, yes, but also energized at the same time. On a Disney high! Miraculously, despite our walking that day, NO meltdowns from Mommy or child!

I believe I was looking through my pictures during our Moroccan break and I realized we completely skimmed right over America. So back we went! There HAD to be a topiary in there somewhere! And sure enough...

Ahhh, I love that pic!

Henry and Joe went inside to get Duffy stamped and browse the shop, I went back out for more topiaries!

Planted right in the soil bag!

Planted in old tires

A flower-bed!

And a flower-bathtub!

I wandered back inside and Henry was hard at work.

Duffy needed some color on his backside!

Masterpiece now complete!

Orange bird had just returned to merchandise at the time.

Let's keep wandering...back to Italy!

And now our stomachs were starting to growl. Joe wanted brats from Germany, and due to my snacking, just a pretzel sounded good to me. we knew Henry wouldn't want a brat, so we suggested pizza!

The To-Go menu

Winding through the pillars - Joe and I always talk about doing that on the Segways during our honeymoon!

Now I'm confused. We are in Italy, but we don't have the pizza yet...and my next set of pictures is Germany.

Continued in next post

 

[brookelizabeth]

Continued from previous post

And then we are suddenly back in Italy.

Here is what I am guessing happened. Joe stayed with Henry in Italy and I went to Germany to get our grub, bringing it back to Italy where we ate. It's a solid guess, but no guarantee if that's fact!

Regardless, Henry found two girls "his girlfriends" as he quickly told us and they were running around on this stage having the BEST time. They were laughing and just having fun. It was a sweet moment and I had a perma grin on my face!

The stuffed animals belonged to the girls

Ah! And HERE is Henry's pizza! I knew we didn't let the kid starve!

Pretty bleh looking right? School cafeteria-esque? It WAS. Not good. Inside = delicious. Outside = But, Henry enjoyed it, so all well!

Okay...now we are back in Germany, so my theory above is false. Apparently I walked to Germany for my health. Who knows.

Yummmmmmmmy!

Best pretzels on property!

Oh ya, another stop was made!

For Pat! (Poolrat) I giggle every time I see one of these now!

So the sun has set.

It's 7 PM.

I'm tired. Legs are sore, but it has been an awesome day in my book! Despite being sore and tired, I also just wanted to keep on going...so we did! We had plans to meet up with Cindy (and I believe one other DISer, who I cannot remember who it was! ) and her family at DHS for the PM EMH dance party at Disney Junior! I had wanted to do this manyyyy times, but just hadn't - tonight was the night!

And Joe was UP FOR IT! I believe he was humoring his dear wife, but I was running with it! I told you this was the day that never ended!

So onto the boat we went and soon we were through the gates and hugging Bo.

On the way over to Disney Junior I got a call from Cindy and they weren't going to make it - they were tired and the kids were spent. We more than understand that! I hope our paths do cross one day though!!

So into the thumping dance party we go and Henry is dancing INSTANTLY.

And I was too! We just let it all go and danced, danced, danced! The music was fun catchy stuff from the mid-90s to 2000's. Songs everyone knows, like "Who Let the Dogs Out?" It was a BLAST.

And of course, there are the characters there dancing with you! We had some trouble at first of getting the attention of them so Henry could at least give a little hug - after all it was old school style without character handlers and line. (there were other CMs there, watching to ensure the characters stayed safe, but they weren't controlling the situation). Eventually we did get some hugs and dances in....and Leo, from the Little Einsteins taught Henry how to macarena! It was ADORABLE! And Goofy did the macarena with Henry and I! It was soooo fun!

Limbo!

Work-it, work-it, work-it!

Pluto dancing with Henry!

Leo showing Henry the moves!

Continued in next post

 

[brookelizabeth]

Continued from previous post

Doing some shimmy shakes!

Video: Henry and Pluto dancing (25 seconds) - he would try to pose with the characters first, it took him a minute to catch on that they wanted to dance with him!

If you have a little one who can stay up for EMH I HIGHLY recommend this party! Even just a quick drop-in is worth it! So, so, so fun!

After about 15 minutes Henry was D-O-N-E and wanted to go back to the hotel, he was in a great mood, but just ready to go....so we did!

Before we left the park we wandered over to the hat, we had never looked in the shop under it before (at least that we could remember) and Joe was curious.

Henry pointed to one of the yellow streamer things (??? lack of better word!) that come down and said, "It's the upslide!" If you watch Mickey Mouse Club House, you'll know they have a slide that takes them UP - hence, the upslide! It really does look like it in a way!

Trying to go up the upslide!

The rest of the upslide!

So pretty

We made our way out of the park and to our bus stop...and we JUST missed the bus, it was too full. While waiting for the next bus Henry got tired, cranky and thirsty. Sigh. It really did take a while to come and it started to get chilly with the wind. Not exactly a perfect ending to the great day we had, but I honestly don't even remember this - going by notes - so it didn't damper my spirits too much!

Eventually we were on a bus and Henry fell asleep instantly. Not surprising! Back at BLT he would not wake up for a drink, he was a total noodle! He hadn't seem him that limp in a loooooong time! So we just left him be, figuring if he was really thirsty he'd wake up eventually for a drink.

We had all the lights on and the TV. That boy never budged!

The EWP ran right by and I watched from our balcony, I just love that little parade!

Video: The Patriotic Ending (26 seconds)

Joe had run down to Community Hall to get a movie - Roger Rabbit was his choice, which I was excited about since it had been a LONG time since I had seen that movie! I ran to the shop to grab a few items requested by fellow DISers and friends. We eventually got settled in, the movie started and...

I fell asleep in less than 20 minutes. Out cold!

Good night Contemporary!

 

[IluvXU]

I think nighttime is really when the contemporary looks so pretty. I remember our two nights there thinking that, but your pictures really brought it back to the forefront!

The dance party looks so fun. Luke would love it, the other two might be over that though

If I am not back.. have a wonderful trip to Disneyland. I sure hope we get there someday soon!

 

[KristiMc]

What a fun day you had. The dance party looks cute.

When do you leave for DL? Will you be posting on FB? I can pretend I am there .

 

[brookelizabeth]

I was looking to the next day's pictures to see what is coming up and I saw this one and HAD to share, it's HILARIOUS:

I am the ultimate Disney multi-tasker! Napkin waving at Chef Mickey's and updating Facebook at the same time!

In all honestly, I'm sure I was taking a picture of Henry FOR Facebook and I updated it later, post-napkin waving. But it really made me laugh out loud when I saw it!

 

[brookelizabeth]

I think nighttime is really when the contemporary looks so pretty. I remember our two nights there thinking that, but your pictures really brought it back to the forefront!

The dance party looks so fun. Luke would love it, the other two might be over that though

If I am not back.. have a wonderful trip to Disneyland. I sure hope we get there someday soon!

I agree! I loved sitting out on that balcony and soaking it in.

Maybe you could break a deal with the other two, if they endure the dance party for a bit they can do some of the bigger rides after!

What a fun day you had. The dance party looks cute.

When do you leave for DL? Will you be posting on FB? I can pretend I am there .

We leave on Wednesday!!!! and YES! I will be updating Facebook!!!! (and hopefully a post here and there here on the DIS too!) I wish I had time for a PTR, I might do a small post or two here tomorrow/Tuesday just to share plans and a few details!

 

[eandesmom]

Wow! Talk about commando park afternoon and evening and yet...it seemed relaxed at the same time!

I'm impressed you even attempted a movie after all of that.

That take out pizza looks horrendous though, very good to know.

The Chef Mickey pic is classic! WTG Joe (I assume he took it).