My DSD came for a visit & didn't stay for our trip to WDW??? Update 1/13Kadani Villag

[jmskinner]

Some great pics of the park for that morning, Melissa -- all during that first part before the Tree, I just have one pic, because of our "emergency."

I will say this, though: the lady at the nurse's station there at MK was wonderful. She gave us antiseptic and bandaids, no charge. Emily wore her bandaids like a little soldier -- she was really good about keeping them on during the day!

Just a little Disney magic!

 

[carissanboys]

You guys got some great pictures at the Grand Floridian and some really fun character shots. That is one meal I've been thinking about doing - the characters seem fun and I really want to check out GF. How was the food?

 

[jmskinner]

After exploring the tree house, which I could never live like that. Guess trying out for Survivor isn't a possibility.

Somehow I realized I had never taken a pic of this,


We decided to try out the Tiki Room. I don't think air conditioning had anything to do with it or anything.









And of course after the Tiki Room it was time to be a pirate. Davy Jones was appearing this time (last time we rode he wasn't), I tried to get a pic, but here is what I got:


I did get this guy though:


The worse part about this ride is getting Jacob out of the store, he always has to play with the guns and swords:


I believe we got FP's for BTMRR and then headed over to TSI:


Jacob and Emily heading for the Fort:


Of course we had to cross the barrel bridge:


I remember I was trying to get Jacob and Jonas' photo, but they were having to much fun to pay attention to me, but I did get Robert:


We ended up resting a bit overlooking the Haunted Mansion:








At this point we realize Jacob is not with us. That child wanders off at this point every time. I know what happens, we stop and he keeps going. I finally found him at the boat dock and he was starting to get that really worried look on his face when he realizes he can't find us. But all was well.

Next up, BTMRR!

 

[jmskinner]

You guys got some great pictures at the Grand Floridian and some really fun character shots. That is one meal I've been thinking about doing - the characters seem fun and I really want to check out GF. How was the food?

You posted while I was updating. The food was ok, typical breakfast food at WDW. The Mad Hatter spends a lot of time at each table, which I loved!

 

[SimmerBaggins]

I am trying to catch up to Melissa!!

Here is the pic of us after we arrive at MK.

Next are various pics of the Swiss Family Robinson attraction; if I have one opinion about this attraction, it’s that I prefer it not crowded. I am an explorer by heart, and like to linger and look for little things that are missed by others…at the same time, if I’ve not had “enough” of the parks, I might also be warring with the thought that there are far more fun things I could be doing, and so there is a compulsion to RUSH through this! Isn’t that CRAZY??

Do you think this thermometer really works?

Wouldn't you want your writing desk under something to get away from the weather? (do you think Disney puts up the paper during inclement weather?)

Note the dinner bell!

It looks as though Jacob is telling Emily about this little water attraction…!

 

[jmskinner]

Vickie, I can always count on you to notice little things like paper on the desk. Was it truly paper? Now I want to go check it out closer.

And you are so right. I want to take my time and look around, but then feel like we have so much other stuff to be doing.

Ok, I'm gong to continue on....

 

[jmskinner]

It was time to use our FP's for BTMRR.














Now I can't remember why, but we decided to ride the train:



And this is what Jacob does on the tram into the park also:












We departed the train here:




Went into Mickey's house:


I want one of these:


















Jonas and I were tired and decided to head back to the room and we would meet Vickie and her clan later for dinner. On the way out though, we stopped and purchased one of these:

 

[disneybarbie]

mmmm... is that an individiual size snack?!

I love both of your photos of GF & MK


Looking forward to reading more

Emma x x

 

[SimmerBaggins]

Going back a’ways, here we are at the raft dock for Tom Sawyer’s Island. Tom & Huck are a couple of my favorite characters from childhood – I was a bit of a tomboy growing up, and used to dream about being Tom or Huck – yes, I’m a girl! But didn’t boys have all the fun in those stories? So, it’s fun to go on this and kind of wish you were 10 years old again.

Em was always ready for anything!

Whose arm is THAT? Oh, it’s mine.

I think it’s interesting, all the knick-knacks they include in these little scenarios. I mean, what’s with all the buckets?

If you’ve ever read the story, you’d realize that Tom’s setup wouldn’t be so elaborate…

Seems like the girls were talking about this dude…isn’t that Melissa on the left, laughing about it?

Robert likes these “walking away” pictures. Too bad they’re mainly of Jonas.

My, what an amazing Fort Tom & Huck built!

I look like I’m strutting like a chicken. (Oh, and I bought that little backpack that folds up into a waist pouch…the little one on sale in all the stores!)

This amazed me. I mean…I thought it was kind of cool, because Robert never plays games, so this would never be him & I doing this – but that these parents are so patient and relaxed as to let the kids run around the fort while they play checkers. And all the pieces were there?? No one had stolen them? Were they already set up? I just watched them and listened to Emily screech about the fort.

Her and Jacob.

Well, it looks like someone else is responsible for this fort – I went snooping around and found these old soldiers, forging horseshoes. They were very diligent, neither talking nor turning to the right or left. I was disappointed.

The horses were a little more vocal, swishing their tails. My question is, why the yoke? I didn’t see a wagon.

This freaking chicken. This freaking chicken clucked INCESSENTLY. You woulda thought there were 30 chickens in the barn, or that Disney thought this was the most important noise that the fort should have. (there’s a wagon wheel. Still no wagon.)

This old fella snored – in this probable uncomfortable position, I don’t blame him. He looked happy, tho.

So, I come back, and there they are – drama at the checkerboard. Emily came running up, trying to get Jordan to find her and Jacob in a game of hide-&-seek. She was not interested.

I went up to snap a pic.

Are we ready? Is the game over?

We ventured down into the cave – although I took a couple of pics with no flash, the little light was not enough. I did the unthinkable and used the flash.

Here are DH and my pics across the water, before we went back.

 

[jmskinner]

mmmm... is that an individiual size snack?!

I love both of your photos of GF & MK


Looking forward to reading more

Emma x x

That treat lasted the rest of our trip and a week after. For $11 its a great deal, highly recommend it. Would love to buy the decorated one, but at $50, unless I win the lottery, don't see me getting it.

Vickie, you noticed a lot I have never noticed. Would you believe I have never really looked in all those windows. Seems like I get to TSI and find a seat or chase Jacob around.


And I think it that your pics include the back of Jonas. He has to walk so fast. We keep having conversations about not going commando, but you see how he is.

I think it is cool that the checker pieces are there, you would think someone would walk with them. Ok, I'll hold off posting until you catch up to me.

 

[Born 2B a Princess]

Great updates -- loving all of the pictures! We haven't been to TSI yet and now I really want to take my girls over there. I think they would enjoy exploring it. I like taking my time through the treehouse, too, but my husband and girls are always in hurry to get through.

 

[SimmerBaggins]

The funny thing about this part is that I didn’t remember that the Skinners went with us into Mickey’s house! This is what we had wanted to do with Emily the first day, but never got back around to it.

So here we girls are, almost in unison!

Mickey had quite a bit of mail waiting on him; I like getting stuff in the mail, too. Not bills. Note the baby keys on the hanger…!

Emily had her little disposable cameras that she took with her for these photo ops; just don’t know what those pictures look like, as her mom has developed them!

The kitchen kind of bothered me; I didn’t get a good picture of it. For some reason, as small and messy as it is, it reminded me of the kitchen from my childhood!

Someone tell me why Pluto’s house is sunken into the ground? Well, I keep asking these kinds of questions, and rarely get answers…I guess you are all as stumped as I am…and apparently, as Pluto is!! LOL

The Judge’s Tent was packed. I mean, packed. I had wanted to get Emily in there, but…not today.

Wowsers!! We thought the Mickey pumpkins at Epcot were something!

I am not fond of cactus, but I had to get a picture of this. The lady glaring at me hogged the entire place, somehow, and when I went around her for this shot, she shot me this look. Why? I guess she took ownership.

Note the “Aid” kit. Jordan pointed this out to me…not First!!

The Skinners took leave of us, here. I knew this was not their favorite part of the park, and although we hadn’t done much together (it seemed), we would see them for our dinner reservation. So, we went into the huge store. Jordan and Emily still had $$ on their gift cards, and we wanted “coolness” from the heat. When we walked in, we saw there were two lines for character greetings: one for fairies and one for princesses. Amazingly, the fairy line was Gargantuan, and the princess line was almost non-existent. Can you believe it? We went the princess route.

It was really pretty in the anteroom.

We shopped.

We almost went into the Minnie house, but it was so unbelievably crowded that we just decided, No. Even looking at this mailbox, you had to take a turn! Our plate was full, finally. We took another look around, and skeedaddled.

As we were skeedaddling, I saw the Mad Hatter. Had to get his pic.

As we neared the castle, we saw the show was going on, and grabbed some pics – hurray! I got a picture of Mickey & Minnie, for a friend of mine at work.

 

[SimmerBaggins]

You know, Melissa, now that I look back on a couple of pictures you took of Mickey's back yard, I notice that other things are sunken into the ground, as well. I have 3 theories:

1) They just kept landscaping, and the levels of earth just kept rising!
2) They do this so no one tries to walk off with the smaller, accessible items
3) There is some joke or mysterious "behind the scenes" reason

In any event, I'll be uploading pictures later on today...and work on a script!

 

[ScotsMinnie]

More great updates. You two are a great double act. Its fun seeing the trip from 2 different perspectives!

 

[jmskinner]

Great updates -- loving all of the pictures! We haven't been to TSI yet and now I really want to take my girls over there. I think they would enjoy exploring it. I like taking my time through the treehouse, too, but my husband and girls are always in hurry to get through.

You must explore TSI, I recommend early in the day if you are visiting during the Summer.

More great updates. You two are a great double act. Its fun seeing the trip from 2 different perspectives!

Thank you and I am enjoying this also. Funny how we were there experiencing the same things, but have different perspectives.

Vickie, I wonder if when we walk side-by-side, if we are in unison with all those years of marching band.

 

[jmskinner]

After a little rest at the hotel, it was time for my favorite restuarant, WCC!!!

We rode the bus over to MK and had planned on taking the boat over to WL, but while waiting for Vickie and her group, I wasn't sure if we would make it, so once they arrived I texted Vickie to say we were taking the bus. We met up in line and were off:










Jacob was excited about the arcade:


And notice the blur? Yup, that would be Jonas as usual.






This really is an amazing resort, but I say that in every resort at WDW.









When we got back from our trip in '08, I had went on and on about how much fun this restaurant was. Well, it didn't start out too well, we ended up in the back room, so we couldn't see all the action. It was a little quieter though, so we could hear ourselves. Actually, almost felt like a private dining room.





We ordered the "All-You-Care-To Eat BBQ Platter", which we call "The Plate of Meat!" Here is the salad and bread, it is served family style:


I believe Robert is trying to decide on a wine:


And the food:




And our desserts (I can't remember what everyone had):






We had the ketchup experience, but I guess I didn't get a pick of that. We did have one incident. Went to the restroom and when I came back I stepped on this piece of meat. We start calling it roadkill and Vickie decides to mark it as such:


We kept hoping someone would spot it and were . Eventually a CM came by and swept it up and didn't say a word. Oh well, we enjoyed ourselves. Guess we are easily entertained.

 

[jmskinner]

Ran out of room for images, so we continue...

We paid our ticket and were on our way. Funny how I have never taken the time to notice all the animals carved into the logs:












Robert said I really needed to use the flash and I guess he was right:






It was sprinkling when we left and I wasn't sure if the boats would be running, so we headed for the bus (I don't think I have been to WCC without it raining):


Jacob and Emily were having fun:


I'm very interested to hear Vickie's thoughts on WCC

 

[SimmerBaggins]

I wonder what I was thinking on the bus, with that look on my face!!

Okay...i have a lot of the same pics...don't want to bore people...I'll be right back with my post!

 

[SimmerBaggins]

Here we are, arrived at Wilderness Lodge, and I see a DVC sign! We bought into DVC a couple of years ago, and this is the first trip we’ve taken using our timeshare…so we still have stars in our eyes.

I like the little drum-lights.

It’s funny; I don’t like log cabins, and am not too fond of western décor. Both things just remind me of not having the comforts of life…but it’s just my background. However, I can appreciate how different Disney décor can be…especially here!

This pic isn’t as good as Melissa’s, but her family wasn’t in her pic. ...okay, so, you can just barely tell it's them...

I made sure to take the fuzzy picture of the menu…just so you could strain to see it.

I think it’s appropriate to have Lincoln Logs in the waiting area for the kids to play with; unfortunately for them, Emily & Jacob only got to mess with these for a moment before we were shown to our table.

Robert hides behind the wine list. Isn’t it cute? Not very Wilderness-like, tho.

We were sitting at a round table. Emily, for some reason, was excitable, and before we had sat very long, she had jumped out of her chair and put both hands on the table, jumping up on them. The table responded immediately by nearly toppling over on her – it freaked us all out, and we told her to sit down and behave. It was a precursor.

Here’s Melissa’s favorite camera. Interestingly, she had another one almost as fancy.

This second one was later sitting on the table like this, and mid-way through the meal, I noticed it had a red light, blinking…it had recorded us. Not sure what was on it, but I do know this – Emily and Jacob had begun making drawings and were asking us to judge them with a number ranking. In her excitement (again), she jumped on the table exactly as she did before, and all the food on the table promptly scooted about 6 inches toward her in what would have been a tremendous avalanche – stopped only by Robert by quickly righting the table. Meanwhile…right at the height of the food slippage, I yelled out “EMILY!”

I’m pretty sure the camera caught that embarrassing moment. I was REALLY LOUD.

Perhaps this was Melissa’s look, wondering when I was going to stop embarrassing her.

I liked my little cake! And Jordan liked hers.

Looks like Robert’s giving me the Hiesman.

But he just wanted to take his own pic of his pecan pie a la mode.

Robert looks like he’s checking out the waitress. Emily looks like she’s recovered from my yelling at her. She really was distraught from my exhibition of anger.

Headdress: (I think someone important once wore it) ... Edit: Oh, never mind. I just read Melissa's picture of the little sign on it -- "Inspired by" means, FAKE.

Next up, Magic Kingdom…because, did you really think we were done with it??

 

[jmskinner]

You got some great pics Vickie! My other camera is not that fancy, Jonas just likes a camera to look like a camera, I think you can see the old one in one of my pics.

I had totally forgotten about Emily and the table. I'm sure a total avalanche has occured before with those round tables. Actually any table when you have lots of kids. Ok, on to the MK!