May 2011: The Year of Surprises! [TR]

[Lidian]

Great update!

I'm sorry your eye was still bothering you, and you had to wait around to check in. Waiting in Disney is my least favorite thing to do. I was seriously LOL-ing at your pictures. The meals must've been tasty if you cleaned your plates. We ate at WP on our honeymoon, and haven't been back since if that tells you anything. I wish we would've known that we could've eaten at WPE and used a CS credit instead of wasting a TS on WP. I can't believe they didn't offer your DD anything for dessert that was dairy free before you asked!

Hopefully your eye and your blisters didn't bother you for much longer, or caused your MK day to be less than magical!

I am truly sorry about the waiting you had to do! You waited enough for everyone on the DIS to last for the next 3 generations, at least! We hate waiting too, but I think if I had been in your shoes, we would have left, or at least, I would have had a meltdown in the lobby.

I'm sorry you didn't have such a good experience at WGP. Perhaps on a future trip, you'll be tempted to check out WGPEx.

The server came around, but he had forgotten about DD's milk intolerance, so I just simply asked. It wasn't that he wasn't offering her an option, he just forgot and the kid options on the menu were both ice creams. I learned from the previous night that 50s allowed her to get a cup of fruit, so I hoped they'd make an exception at WGP as well - especially since many kids have a dairy allergy - surely they would have something different she could select. He was an okay server, but I did hate he didn't get a chef involved and that he forgot.

I guess you'll have to wait and see about my MK day.









I was torn on doing two updates today, but it was really only because they were so picture heavy. I ran out of space with all the lego store pics. Should I have stopped there and left the WGP and store purchases for a later time? Was it confusing with doing the two posts back to back? Would love some feedback so I can determine how to do my next series of posts.

 

[pinkxray]

Great update I love the day at the pool. I really need to include a whole resort/pool day next trip.

WP must have been good if all we get to see is empty plates.

WOD has been packed the last few times I have been there. It is so hard to shop with people bumping into you and then those people who just stop suddenly in the middle of the aisle leaving no room on either side to get around. It drives me crazy! I usually get overwhelmed in there b/c I can't decide that to buy so either I buy nothing or everything.

Oh no, I hope your eye gets better soon.

 

[PixieMama]

Can you believe I've never been to DTD?!

I will need to remember to show my DDs your Lego pics... they will go NUTS!

 

[PixieMama]

I was torn on doing two updates today, but it was really only because they were so picture heavy. I ran out of space with all the lego store pics. Should I have stopped there and left the WGP and store purchases for a later time? Was it confusing with doing the two posts back to back? Would love some feedback so I can determine how to do my next series of posts.

I think the back-to-back updates are fine! Not confusing at all.

 

[Lidian]

Great update I love the day at the pool. I really need to include a whole resort/pool day next trip.

WP must have been good if all we get to see is empty plates.

WOD has been packed the last few times I have been there. It is so hard to shop with people bumping into you and then those people who just stop suddenly in the middle of the aisle leaving no room on either side to get around. It drives me crazy! I usually get overwhelmed in there b/c I can't decide that to buy so either I buy nothing or everything.

Oh no, I hope your eye gets better soon.

I highly recommend a good pool or relaxation day! (Especially for cranky DH's. lol)

No, the food at WGP was just horrible! I was shocked that I "settled" for a dish and it turned out to be the best thing I ate there. Now I have to go back next year and it eat every year until they take it off the menu.

And yes, I got tired of saying "Excuse me. Pardon us. My apologies, I just really need to get through here." Especially when the people were too rude to move and I'd have to clear my throat and say very loudly, "Excuse me, I'd like to pass, but you're in the way." I tried to avoid people the best I could, but when its packed, there's no avoiding.

Thanks about the eye. Guess you'll have to keep reading to find out what happens.

Can you believe I've never been to DTD?!

I will need to remember to show my DDs your Lego pics... they will go NUTS!

How can you not go to DTD?

Seriously, our first year (2009), we almost didn't go because my TA said that it required admission. I asked some WoW friends who were local and they said that the only thing that required admission was a few events (ie DQ, La Nouba) and Pleasure Island (they were unaware of its closure). So I was skeptic on venturing there based on my TA. Now, I can't imagine not going.

We almost didn't go this year (well, apart from our traditional dinner at WGP), but when Tink posted the Lego store pics, I had to rearrange my schedule.

If you can find time, definitely go enjoy the shops and entertainment!

I think the back-to-back updates are fine! Not confusing at all.

Thank you! I wasn't sure. I made separate links for them in the ToC, but for those following along, they wouldn't know, and I was afraid the first post might get lost.

 

[lbuzz52]

Ummm, so I read all about the rest of your DHS day and all I can remember is:



I want that sundae!

somehow i got quite behind.

I love DTD. I'm with you, i can't see NOT going there. i like to schedule it in the middle so i've had enough time to see my choices at the parks, but still enough time to have it sent to the resort. I know from experience that it stinks to not feel well there though.

i was sort of thrown by the muppet seating as well. i mean, they really pound it in your head that you need to go all the way down the row. i really felt like a rule breaker when i sat in the middle

i wish we had a nachos option at CBR. they looked good. i'd have probably complained about the chicken.

i had the same TOT sequence as you, not as impressive as past rides. i also thought it took much longer to get to the elevator last trip, althoguh that could just be becuase it was new? i remember moving through different rooms or a hallway or something though.

DHS is hard to finish in a day. i felt like there were a lot of times we had free time, but not enough to do anything before a show

i had almost non existant cell service at the hotel. i don't remember attempting much data in room, but i know i was hard pressed to make a call and then it dropped if i blinked. there was a good data spot outside. i'd walk from our room, walk to this spot towards the courtyard, wait for it to load, and then continue on to the courtyard. it would take all day in the courtyard.

 

[AKL LOVER]

That is the cutest antenna topper! I hope you can find a way to make it fit.

 

[lovethattink]

Great Lego pics! I noticed from when I posted mine to when you did yours, that they moved Buzz away from Woody. I wonder if they did that to cut down on bottlenecking in the store?

What dish did they take off the menu that you usually got? I saw the mention to the dessert, but must have missed the other. Did your ds lose weight on his vacation? His salmon looked really nice, but those potatoes looked totally stiff and lumpy.

We explored CSR a couple weeks before we stayed there to see where to request. The fountains are lovely. The quiet pool for the casitas was really nice too, and the bathroom for that was inside the health center. But when we stayed there, we never made it out to explore either. We spent so much time at the dig site! Loved it there!

I'm not sure if they discontinued the yellow or not? I heard some reports that resorts still had them. We bought 2 yellow, a pink and a blue. Guess in August we will get a black too.

I love the Indy hat! Did the metal on the front get hot in the sun?

 

[Lidian]

somehow i got quite behind.

It happens, even to the best of us.

I love DTD. I'm with you, i can't see NOT going there. i like to schedule it in the middle so i've had enough time to see my choices at the parks, but still enough time to have it sent to the resort. I know from experience that it stinks to not feel well there though.

I've never had something sent back to the resort. The kids were making purchases, and I know they would not have been okay with having it sent, so we just carried it with us. But we did wait until our way back to the bus so we didn't have to keep up with purchases all day long.

i was sort of thrown by the muppet seating as well. i mean, they really pound it in your head that you need to go all the way down the row. i really felt like a rule breaker when i sat in the middle

I did as well, but there was like 5 families in the entire theater. No one was there, so I was rebelious - especialy since the CM said to choose any seat, but suggested kids on the front row for the live performer!

i wish we had a nachos option at CBR. they looked good. i'd have probably complained about the chicken.

I had bigger fish to fry, and wasn't going to take the time to complain. More hassel than it would have been worth. The nachos were still edible, so it was just easier to pick the chicken out.

i had the same TOT sequence as you, not as impressive as past rides. i also thought it took much longer to get to the elevator last trip, althoguh that could just be becuase it was new? i remember moving through different rooms or a hallway or something though.

Did you check to see if you were in my elevator? I was quite pleased and when DD asked if we could ride again, I almost said "SURE!" But then I realized that I just got lucky ... and we didn't have any FPs. So I didn't approve a 2nd ride. I honestly expected it to feel like FOREVER since I was dreading it so. Isn't that how it usually works? You dread it, and the dread makes it feel longer? I was stunned it was over, and that I still had a voice.

DHS is hard to finish in a day. i felt like there were a lot of times we had free time, but not enough to do anything before a show

I feel you there - what time is next show? 4pm. What can we do in the meantime? Stand here. Granted, we've always done everything we planned in one day - but we stayed so distracted. Even lunch took longer, since we were visiting with Ben and his new wife. Not to mention everytime we turned around, we bumped into them and would stop and compare notes. Truthfully, if Ben had been at another park that day, I think we would have done much more. I'm thankful we did get to see Ben and his new wife so much - it was a blast and I wouldn't trade it for the world. But a fact is a fact.

i had almost non existant cell service at the hotel. i don't remember attempting much data in room, but i know i was hard pressed to make a call and then it dropped if i blinked. there was a good data spot outside. i'd walk from our room, walk to this spot towards the courtyard, wait for it to load, and then continue on to the courtyard. it would take all day in the courtyard.

That was us. We had decent call reception in the room, but NO data. Not even non-3G data. So everytime I wanted to check mail or update FB, I had to stand in the doorway, or walk outside. A few times, I was able to get data at the window. Even DH whined about it, so I know it wasn't just me missing out.

That is the cutest antenna topper! I hope you can find a way to make it fit.

I just came from your thread and explained why I can't get it to fit.

The stick is the same size as the antenna. I might try to google it and see if I can find a way to get it to fit. My neighbor has a Minnie one and I asked her how she got it to fit and she showed me she cut an X in the bottom. But I can't do that with the stick.

 

[Lidian]

Great Lego pics! I noticed from when I posted mine to when you did yours, that they moved Buzz away from Woody. I wonder if they did that to cut down on bottlenecking in the store?

What dish did they take off the menu that you usually got? I saw the mention to the dessert, but must have missed the other. Did your ds lose weight on his vacation? His salmon looked really nice, but those potatoes looked totally stiff and lumpy.

We explored CSR a couple weeks before we stayed there to see where to request. The fountains are lovely. The quiet pool for the casitas was really nice too, and the bathroom for that was inside the health center. But when we stayed there, we never made it out to explore either. We spent so much time at the dig site! Loved it there!

I'm not sure if they discontinued the yellow or not? I heard some reports that resorts still had them. We bought 2 yellow, a pink and a blue. Guess in August we will get a black too.

I love the Indy hat! Did the metal on the front get hot in the sun?

I was sad that Buzz and Woody were on opposite ends of the store, as I really wanted to get a pic of them together, but it was nice they still had them.

The past two years, I ordered:

I think it was still actually on the menu, but all it said was "Chef's Special Sushi" or something. The new menu was pretty vague, so I wasn't very sure. I was just disappointed WITH the menu itself. It just didn't SOUND appetizing anymore (in the past everything looked and sounded soooo good, it was hard to pick just one entree). Even DH was a bit torn over the menu changes and had a hard time picking something. I think they just narrowed down the options, and made some of them VERY vague. I remember there being a few selections in the upper left corner, but it just had the dish name and price. That was it. That was where the sushi was listed.

DS didn't lose weight, that I know of anyway. He actually ate pretty good compared to his eating habits at home. Not only do both kids eat from their own plates, they sample food from ours. The mashed potatoes were fine, lumpy yes, but I like lumpy. I think its just a poor picture of them.

I'm exploring CSR through photos that others post. (Okay, mostly Lifelong_Dreamer.)

DH said that he never felt heat from the decoration. He said it had a backing on it to protect the wearer, so I went and checked. It is on top of fabric before its applied to the hat, and inside the hat is another layer of fabric around the forehead area. If I'm clear as mud, I can take pictures. (He saw me taking pictures of other things, so he suggested I just take pictures and upload. )

 

[lovethattink]

I was sad that Buzz and Woody were on opposite ends of the store, as I really wanted to get a pic of them together, but it was nice they still had them.

The past two years, I ordered:

I think it was still actually on the menu, but all it said was "Chef's Special Sushi" or something. The new menu was pretty vague, so I wasn't very sure. I was just disappointed WITH the menu itself. It just didn't SOUND appetizing anymore (in the past everything looked and sounded soooo good, it was hard to pick just one entree). Even DH was a bit torn over the menu changes and had a hard time picking something. I think they just narrowed down the options, and made some of them VERY vague. I remember there being a few selections in the upper left corner, but it just had the dish name and price. That was it. That was where the sushi was listed.

DS didn't lose weight, that I know of anyway. He actually ate pretty good compared to his eating habits at home. Not only do both kids eat from their own plates, they sample food from ours. The mashed potatoes were fine, lumpy yes, but I like lumpy. I think its just a poor picture of them.

I'm exploring CSR through photos that others post. (Okay, mostly Lifelong_Dreamer.)

DH said that he never felt heat from the decoration. He said it had a backing on it to protect the wearer, so I went and checked. It is on top of fabric before its applied to the hat, and inside the hat is another layer of fabric around the forehead area. If I'm clear as mud, I can take pictures. (He saw me taking pictures of other things, so he suggested I just take pictures and upload. )

I like lumpy potatoes too! I really love the ones at the Coral Reef!

Her pics of CSR are great!

Good to know about the hat! My dh and dad are always looking for tan colored hats.

That is just too funny about your dh and the picture. That is exactly what my dh said when we passed the out of order bench in front of Germany. He said, "aren't you going to take a picture of this to post too?"

 

[jm106]

SO we were at DTD and had our day of rest the same day! We went after dinner at Ohanas, maybe got there close to 7:30 pm and the kids were tired so we made it to lego store then headed out shortly after and somehow I misses the snow white legos and the buzz and woody! It was packed that evening. I like to go each trip but this one was more rushed.
Oh and two reports back to back is OK with me. I did a 1/2 reprt then another right after(manily becuase if I take too long to post it, I have to log back in for some reason and I have lost my entire post doing that!)
I cant wait to read more about it and see what else we have in common!

 

[AKL LOVER]

I just came from your thread and explained why I can't get it to fit.

I know, I saw. What a bummer. I have been racking my brain trying to think of a way that it could be fixed or maybe something else that you could do with it instead. The only thing I can think of, is, could you poke a hole somewhere in it and then hang a small chain or string from it...then you could hang it on your review mirror inside your car. At least then you could still enjoy it.

If anything else comes to mind I'll have to let you know. It's so sad when you buy something you are excited about and then it doesn't work out when you get home.

 

[Lidian]

I like lumpy potatoes too! I really love the ones at the Coral Reef!

Her pics of CSR are great!

Good to know about the hat! My dh and dad are always looking for tan colored hats.

That is just too funny about your dh and the picture. That is exactly what my dh said when we passed the out of order bench in front of Germany. He said, "aren't you going to take a picture of this to post too?"

We've not been to Coral Reef. We originally booked an ADR for our Thursday at Reef, but we cancelled it for Biergarten. Reef is definitely on my to-do list though!

DH loved the hat. He was upset he forgot to pack one, but he fell in love with it. He's a huge Indy fan, so it was a no brainer for him. He even wears it to work.

I've heard the same line "Aren't you going to take a picture of this?" And he'd give me the evil eye when I'd tell him to hang on a second so I could snap a picture of his food, or dessert, or whatever. He started ignoring my pleas, so you'll see where he's started to dig in by the time I get to his plate.

SO we were at DTD and had our day of rest the same day! We went after dinner at Ohanas, maybe got there close to 7:30 pm and the kids were tired so we made it to lego store then headed out shortly after and somehow I misses the snow white legos and the buzz and woody! It was packed that evening. I like to go each trip but this one was more rushed.
Oh and two reports back to back is OK with me. I did a 1/2 reprt then another right after(manily becuase if I take too long to post it, I have to log back in for some reason and I have lost my entire post doing that!)
I cant wait to read more about it and see what else we have in common!

Yes, it was PACKED that night! We arrived before 4pm, so we saw the Lego store without too many bodies around. The crowds came in while we were having dinner. DH thought we were just going to keep walking past the store, but I wanted to go in and look around - and so did DS. He was in heaven! He loved looking at all the mini displays inside (no pics of them) and then playing with one of the monitors. If you hold an appropriate Lego box up to the monitor, it displays the Legos all setup and animated (cars will drive through streets, people will walk, etc). So the kids had a blast playing with that.

I had originally planned to break each down down to two posts (first half and second half). But with Lego pictures, it put me over the 25 pic limit, so I couldn't include food and shopping. So I thought I'd just break the 2nd half of the day into two posts. I have a ton of MK pictures as well ... so trying to decide the best way to do it. Thanks for letting me know it wasn't confusing. I didn't want the first post to go unnoticed. Especially since most of the time I click to go to the first newest post, and its not always the first new post for ME.

It'll be funny if we find ourselves in each others pictures. So close, yet so far away.

 

[Lidian]

I know, I saw. What a bummer. I have been racking my brain trying to think of a way that it could be fixed or maybe something else that you could do with it instead. The only thing I can think of, is, could you poke a hole somewhere in it and then hang a small chain or string from it...then you could hang it on your review mirror inside your car. At least then you could still enjoy it.

If anything else comes to mind I'll have to let you know. It's so sad when you buy something you are excited about and then it doesn't work out when you get home.

You know ... that's a pretty swanky ideal! (Yes, I had to.) I can probably thread something through/around the stick and hang it from my mirror. Thanks for the suggestion!

 

[dtr_angel]

I am truly sorry about the waiting you had to do! You waited enough for everyone on the DIS to last for the next 3 generations, at least! We hate waiting too, but I think if I had been in your shoes, we would have left, or at least, I would have had a meltdown in the lobby.

I'm sorry you didn't have such a good experience at WGP. Perhaps on a future trip, you'll be tempted to check out WGPEx.

The server came around, but he had forgotten about DD's milk intolerance, so I just simply asked. It wasn't that he wasn't offering her an option, he just forgot and the kid options on the menu were both ice creams. I learned from the previous night that 50s allowed her to get a cup of fruit, so I hoped they'd make an exception at WGP as well - especially since many kids have a dairy allergy - surely they would have something different she could select. He was an okay server, but I did hate he didn't get a chef involved and that he forgot.

I guess you'll have to wait and see about my MK day.









I was torn on doing two updates today, but it was really only because they were so picture heavy. I ran out of space with all the lego store pics. Should I have stopped there and left the WGP and store purchases for a later time? Was it confusing with doing the two posts back to back? Would love some feedback so I can determine how to do my next series of posts.

We have eaten at WPE twice and loved it. Since when we at at WP we both had pizza and our bill wasn't very much so I guess that's why we both decided it was a waste of a TS credit when we could've had the same thing for a CS credit. We didn't eat there this trip though, since we were trying to try some different CS places too.

I think meltdowns at Disney World are frowned upon when you are over the age of like, 5 haha. DH really kep his calm though, and I was impressed.

I really have no preference on how you do your updates, as this is my first time writing a TR. I split my last update up into 2 back to back posts because I really wanted to quit talking about our first day and get it over with, and I had too many pictures.

 

[Lidian]

We have eaten at WPE twice and loved it. Since when we at at WP we both had pizza and our bill wasn't very much so I guess that's why we both decided it was a waste of a TS credit when we could've had the same thing for a CS credit. We didn't eat there this trip though, since we were trying to try some different CS places too.

I think meltdowns at Disney World are frowned upon when you are over the age of like, 5 haha. DH really kep his calm though, and I was impressed.

I really have no preference on how you do your updates, as this is my first time writing a TR. I split my last update up into 2 back to back posts because I really wanted to quit talking about our first day and get it over with, and I had too many pictures.

I can see it being a waste of TS credits for pizza. I can't imagine them having SUPERB pizzas - good, but not really worth a TS credit for. I've not done the WGPEx, only the regular dining room (not the upstairs one either - but its on my list). When DH found they had not only the dining room, but an Express, he got excited and said we'd have to try it for a CS credit sometime. I'm not sure what's different about their 3 menus ... but I'd love to try them all!

And I think that its just as important for adults to have a magical experience as it is the kids. I mean, c'mon, we adults are just nice enough to take the kids along (as an excuse to not look creepy). So if you felt like you needed to stomp your feet and scream like a little girl, then you should have done it. I would hae stood there and cheered you on (but not in a "look at the crazy lady way" - more like a "You tell them jerk CMs how you feel way"). I'm glad that your DH did keep cool and take care of things for you. I just hope that if I'm ever in a situation where I'm emotionally overwhelmed, my DH will intervene as well.

I would have done the same thing in your shoes. I'd want to get it behind me as quick as possible as well. I think I'm going to break my next update into about 4 posts, but I'll spread them out a bit. I hoped to do an update today, but real life has jumped up in my face. So, tomorrow. There's always tomorrow.

 

[Corrine 1973]

Hey Lidian,

Just to put my two cents in (don't I always), I had no trouble following your posts. And I can get confussed quite easy.

This was our first year going to DTD and now I couldn't see a trip withour going there. We got there about 6:30 and it definatly was PACKED!!! I loved the WoD store but there was so many people there. So much so that I was following my DS who wanted to show me something and all of a sudden he was gone. It took me almost 10 min to find him.

Liam loved the Lego store and had so much fun playing with everything. He brought box after box to see the pictures appear and played games on the computers. All the lego creations were great!!!!

 

[sahm2two]

I loved DTD! We did it the day before we officially started our vacation when we were staying with family. I think it's a good "break day" activity or something to do on arrival day. I guess I should stop talking about it, because that's my next installment of my TR

 

[Lidian]

Hey Lidian,

Just to put my two cents in (don't I always), I had no trouble following your posts. And I can get confussed quite easy.

This was our first year going to DTD and now I couldn't see a trip withour going there. We got there about 6:30 and it definatly was PACKED!!! I loved the WoD store but there was so many people there. So much so that I was following my DS who wanted to show me something and all of a sudden he was gone. It took me almost 10 min to find him.

Liam loved the Lego store and had so much fun playing with everything. He brought box after box to see the pictures appear and played games on the computers. All the lego creations were great!!!!

Corrine, it wouldn't be the same if you wasn't adding your two cents. I appreciate your input as always!

I was actually okay with going long enough for our WGP dinner, but Tink drew me in with her pics of the Lego store. And it was a good thing we did go, because DS loved it!

I think shopping during the day would be best for WoD. When we first arrived, there was hardly anyone at DTD, but after dinner, it was a struggle to walk through the streets.

I'm sorry that you had a scare with Liam. I lost DD once, but found her very quickly. I couldn't imagine searching for several minutes!!!!

I didn't see any computers to play games on! Wow, so I still missed stuff!

I loved DTD! We did it the day before we officially started our vacation when we were staying with family. I think it's a good "break day" activity or something to do on arrival day. I guess I should stop talking about it, because that's my next installment of my TR

I agree completely! It's a great place to go as an alternative to the parks. They have sooo many stores, so there's lots of different things you can find there, but not in the parks!

I can't wait to hear about your adventures at DTD now!