My, What an Interesting Carpet Bag~A Dec. 2013 TR!*Remember Me?!*PTR for May 2015 Link, pg 23!*

[MEK]

Bummer about no TSM. That has happened to me in the summer without the FP + system. I will say that the FP + has some limitations. But, hey, all those people on TSM made it possible for you to ride ToT twice and get some cool shots.

I agree that the carrot cake cookie is SUGAR overload. It almost put me in a sugar crash coma.

I would not be thrilled about drawling Mike W as a character. That's even worse than Agent P, IMHO. But the movie IS cute. I hope you give it a second chance and try to watch it again.

 

[khertz]

That sucks about TSM. We found on our last trip when FP- was still in effect, we didn't get nearly as many as we used to because they ran out SO quickly! Pretty ridiculous.

But yay for Tower! So awesome that you were able to get a pic with the doors open. Very cool picture!

I love the drawing class, but it is definitely harder to get excited about when you're drawing a character you aren't familiar with. The very first class we ever did, we drew Ray from Princess & the Frog and had no idea who he was or what he was supposed to look like! Not as much fun as drawing the more recognizable characters.

 

[Mrs T 2009]

That stinks about tsm

Yay for getting to ride ToT twice!! In a row!!!

Cheese danishes are more yummy in Disney

I know, I HATE leaving parks. And I hate more, not knowing when I'll return :'( :'(

 

[Mrs T 2009]

That stinks about tsm

Yay for getting to ride ToT twice!! In a row!!!

Cheese danishes are more yummy in Disney

I know, I HATE leaving parks. And I hate more, not knowing when I'll return :'( :'(

 

[scottny]

Sorry you missed getting there earlier.
I miss Disney too. 
Monsters Inc was funny. Nice drawing. Give it another try some time.
Look forward to the tour.

 

[teekathepony]

Yikes, no fun at TSM That really sucks, but very surprising that you got there at rope drop and still there was nothing available any earlier! That's really too bad.
Monsters Inc. is my favourite movie of all time, ever! I would have liked to draw Mike, but I understand that it's no fun to draw a character you're not into.
Great ToT shot! Glad you got to ride twice, that makes up for a lot of bad luck.

 

[danimaroo]

Sooooo count me in as a total GOOB for not even realizing you'd started a TR! I was wondering if you had and lo and behold, last night I came across it! I actually sat up in bed for a while last night and caught up on your entire TR because I was so excited for you to be going back, and was of course dying to hear all about it.

I'm sorry you had to deal with crappy crowds, though. That has to be frustrating. I just feel like it's becoming more and more common for there to not be a "slow" time at Disney. I mean, don't get me wrong, September was fabulous, but I just have a feeling this upcoming one is going to be busier than it was last year, and it'll just continue to be that way in the future. Oh well, I guess it was fun while it lasted?

BUT ONTO THE POSITIVES! Osbourne Spectacle of Lights!! I want to see that so badly some day. I just need to tear myself away from Disneyland and make it to WDW in November/December. But that's hard since it's way easier to justify a trip to DLR then it is WDW from Seattle, blergh. But one day, because those lights are just amazing.

Okay, glad I found your TR and look forward to hearing more, of course. I'll try my best to keep up, though I've been terrible about it lately, so I apologize ahead of time if I don't comment a TON. But I swear I'm reading and enjoying hearing all about your trip!

 

[marDgreen88]

Yay for Tower of Terror! I need you to come with me on that and be my moral support. How's the first week of May?

Omg, Monsters, Inc. is SO CUTE. And the blue guy is named Sulley.

 

[klacey1]

What a bummer about TSMM! HS is just one of those parks you have to get to SUPER early or you just won't get to ride its main headliner. Annoying.
I'm so glad you got two rides in on TOT, though! And that picture of the sign from inside the ride is awesome!!
I can't believe they took the seating area outside of Writer's Stop!!!!! That was my favorite place in DHS :-(
Aww, I know what you mean about leaving a park for the final time on a time. Leaving the MK is the WORST for me. I turn around like a million times!

 

[Jenasweetemotion]

Just joining in on you TR love it so far and look forward to reading more.

 

[Pluto0809]

What a bummer that you didn't get on TSM that morning. I'm still pretty mixed about the whole FP+ thing. I've been twice now using the system and the first trip was great. But then the second, with a larger group to manage and tiering in place was much harder.

But at least you got on TOT twice! That shot at the top is just perfect!

I've yet to buy something at the writer's shop although I have been in there before. I really do not like carrot cake and that's really the only thing people talk about from there. Not sure what I would get.

I like the Monster's movies and I still don't think I would like to draw Mike, that's kind of boring. Someday I will get to draw Pluto!

Can't wait to see where you are headed next.

 

[Miss Potts]

It really stinks you have to arrive before RD to have a chance at a normal wait time for TSMM or decent return times for the FP+. Oh well - you'll ride it next time! It's not going anywhere!

Going back an update or two... I agree, I always ride Star Tours but regret it b/c it is WAY TOO JERKY. It always makes me feel so sick.

I love TOT and all your photos of it!

AND all the Christmas photos - so jealous! Everything is so perfect at Christmas time!

Can't wait to read about your resort hopping!

 

[JulieODC]

So sad about TSM Truth me told, until we used FP+ on our last trip, we'd never done TSM before, because of the lines and missing out on FP. Wish the could double the ride's capacity!!

 

[Simba22]

That totally bites that you guys couldn't get on TSM! It's so weird how that ride is really hit or miss! When were there in October, we got there at 9am and not only got FPs for a pretty decent return time, but also got in line and rode it right then and there! Same thing happened last year when we went in July! So bizarre!

At least you got to ride ToT twice in a row though! That's a pretty good trade-off, I think!

I love love love Monsters Inc AND Monsters U! They really are FANTASTIC movies! Secret: We've never seen Tangled. So all the Rapunzel stuff goes right over our heads! You're definitely right about drawing a character you have no attachment to! We had to draw Tinkerbell in October and our drawings came out pretty bad! We just weren't interested! Still, your Mike drawing came out pretty good, I think!!

 

[Nermel9]

I'm glad you were able to get on your beloved TOT...not once, but twice.

I was very disappointed they took the tables out of the Writers Shop too; we enjoyed sitting there over our coffee and treat.

I like Mike and I think you did a pretty good job on him.

Can't wait for your resort tour.

Thanks, me too!

I know, I miss the tables there, it was such a cute place to chill out for a few minutes!

Thanks, ugh, but that drawing was the worst!

Aw, that's too bad that you didn't get to do TSM this trip! At least you got in a couple more rides on ToT to make you feel better about it, though.

I'm trying to remember if there was a reason that you didn't get FP+ for TSM this day? That was one thing we really liked about the FP+; it allowed us to make a more leisurely entrance into the parks while still riding the run-to-it-right-away attractions.

I know, I missed TSM! Glad I was able to do ToT a few times though!

We didn't have a package, only a room reservation, so I couldn't make FP+ reservations until I was there. And guess what...there were no more TSM reservations left! I'm sure it's good for that reason, not having to deal with rope drop but...I don't know, I still don't like it!

What was going on with TSMM in December?!? The standby line was outrageous right from park opening. I don't know if it was because of FP+, if everyone figured out they needed to go on that first, or if it was just the insane number of people visiting at that time, but it was ridiculous.
I'm so sorry that you didn't get to ride it at all. Skipping an usual attraction can be really disappointing, especially when it's not by choice.

The solution I think is that you need to just go back to Disney soon.... Lots of DISers are going in May, so I'd recommend then.

Having to draw a character you don't know wouldn't be quite as fun as doing one you actually know and like. Man, DHS just wasn't treating you well that morning.

I don't know, it was crazy! I mean, we did get there a little late, but still, it was disappointing! I don't think I'll ever go that week again, I'll just stick to November from now on, December is too crazy now. Which is sad, because yeah, going in November is great, but you don't get to see all of the Christmas stuff, you know? Oh well...Disney problems!

I wish I could go in May, but sadly, it's just not going to happen! I'm hoping to go in September and sadly, I just can't swing 2 trips this year! Especially since I'm HOPING to go next February for the Princess Half! I'll just have to live vicariously through all of you this May!

DHS was ok, I love it there, I'm just not a Monster's Inc fan! I'm sure the rest of the class loved it! And I've been lucky with all the other characters I've drawn so far so I can't complain too much!

I hate that TSMM rush in the morning, but with the popularity of the ride and the lack of other "family" rides at DHS it's doomed to be something you HAVE to do if you want to ride twice. Although, on my last trip I had some time to kill and the line said it was 65 minutes but really took me 30!

But if you can't rush on to TSMM, then what better to do than two rides on ToT? I was thinking of skipping DHS this trip even though I love it; but I can't give up my rides on ToT!

I've never had the carrot cake cookie; all I hear are rave reviews! I may have to try it this trip!

I'm one of those that love Monsters Inc. I could never get through Finding Nemo because I disliked it so much, so I understand where you're coming from; if they said "we're drawing Dory!" or something, I'd be disappointed too. But it would still be fun to draw! You did a fine job on Mike!

I would have honestly waited an hour, but my husband hates waiting longer than like 20 minutes for anything so I wasn't about to force him! It's just crazy that you can get there SO early and the line for that ride is SO long!!!

But yes, ToT made up for not being able to ride TSM! It's the best ride ever!!!

Yum I love the carrot cake cookie! It's just so rich and filling, I can't eat that so early in the morning! You should definitely try one though!

Haha that's funny, I loved Finding Nemo! I don't know, I just can't get into Monster's Inc, maybe I should force myself to watch the whole thing someday, then I'll like it!

 

[Nermel9]

YIKES those FP lines for TSM grow quick. Craziness. Now I guess the lines at the FP+ kiosks will grow quick.

Ahhh I know what you mean about that open door Tower photo. It's like one of those little things that just need to be done.

I'm totally with you. I'm a planner... to a point. But, while already having FP's when you enter a park is nice, the limitations I think outweigh the benefits. Just too much planning and ONE PARK PER DAY... Oh Good God!

Trust me I will never laugh at someone else's drawing considering I can't draw a straght line with a ruler. I've still sadly not done the drawing class yet. But my goal (I'm sure I've said it a few times) is to draw someone who meets in the parks so I can get a photo with him/her and my "masterpiece."

Yeah I'm just not a fan of all this FP+ craziness. I love to plan things in advance, but I also like the freedom to change things if I need to. I thought planning ADR's 6 months out was stressful, but FP+ is even worse! And they better get rid of that "One park per day" rule...I'm a hopper!

I can't draw either, trust me, but the drawing class is usually awesome, they make it so easy that anyone can get a pretty good drawing! I just didn't try with that one, because I wasn't interested in the character. But that is such an awesome idea!!! I drew Pluto one trip, I should have totally met him after and showed him the picture!

Bummer about no TSM. That has happened to me in the summer without the FP + system. I will say that the FP + has some limitations. But, hey, all those people on TSM made it possible for you to ride ToT twice and get some cool shots.

I agree that the carrot cake cookie is SUGAR overload. It almost put me in a sugar crash coma.

I would not be thrilled about drawling Mike W as a character. That's even worse than Agent P, IMHO. But the movie IS cute. I hope you give it a second chance and try to watch it again.

Haha, well that's a good way to look at it! I was sad to not ride TSM but ToT more than made up for it!

Yeah that carrot cake cookie is no joke!

See, I drew Agent P and back then, I didn't even like Phineas and Ferb but I didn't mind drawing him because at least he's cute! I just think Mike is creepy with that one giant eye...I should try the movie again though, I know!

That sucks about TSM. We found on our last trip when FP- was still in effect, we didn't get nearly as many as we used to because they ran out SO quickly! Pretty ridiculous.

But yay for Tower! So awesome that you were able to get a pic with the doors open. Very cool picture!

I love the drawing class, but it is definitely harder to get excited about when you're drawing a character you aren't familiar with. The very first class we ever did, we drew Ray from Princess & the Frog and had no idea who he was or what he was supposed to look like! Not as much fun as drawing the more recognizable characters.

Yeah TSM is crazy! So hard to ride it unless you want to wait a long time!

Riding ToT was great though, and I'm so glad I finally got that picture!

Wow, you drew Ray!? I didn't know they did that, that's awesome! I LOVE Princess and the Frog, but honestly, I'm not sure I'd want to draw a bug!

That stinks about tsm

Yay for getting to ride ToT twice!! In a row!!!

Cheese danishes are more yummy in Disney

I know, I HATE leaving parks. And I hate more, not knowing when I'll return :'( :'(

I love my ToT, so getting to do it twice was pretty awesome!

I don't know why but Disney danishes are just SO good!!

I hate leaving parks when I know I won't be back, it's so hard!!!

 

[Nermel9]

Sorry you missed getting there earlier.
I miss Disney too. 
Monsters Inc was funny. Nice drawing. Give it another try some time.
Look forward to the tour.

I miss Disney SOOO much! It's so awful!

I should really try Monster's Inc again, everyone loves it! And I do think the little girl in it is cute...we'll see!

Yikes, no fun at TSM That really sucks, but very surprising that you got there at rope drop and still there was nothing available any earlier! That's really too bad.
Monsters Inc. is my favourite movie of all time, ever! I would have liked to draw Mike, but I understand that it's no fun to draw a character you're not into.
Great ToT shot! Glad you got to ride twice, that makes up for a lot of bad luck.

I know I could not believe FP was already so late!!! Oh well, that's a thing of the past now huh?

Ok, you guys are all convincing me that I have to watch Monster's Inc. again!

Yes, riding ToT twice totally made up for not riding TSM!!! It's my favorite!

Sooooo count me in as a total GOOB for not even realizing you'd started a TR! I was wondering if you had and lo and behold, last night I came across it! I actually sat up in bed for a while last night and caught up on your entire TR because I was so excited for you to be going back, and was of course dying to hear all about it.

I'm sorry you had to deal with crappy crowds, though. That has to be frustrating. I just feel like it's becoming more and more common for there to not be a "slow" time at Disney. I mean, don't get me wrong, September was fabulous, but I just have a feeling this upcoming one is going to be busier than it was last year, and it'll just continue to be that way in the future. Oh well, I guess it was fun while it lasted?

BUT ONTO THE POSITIVES! Osbourne Spectacle of Lights!! I want to see that so badly some day. I just need to tear myself away from Disneyland and make it to WDW in November/December. But that's hard since it's way easier to justify a trip to DLR then it is WDW from Seattle, blergh. But one day, because those lights are just amazing.

Okay, glad I found your TR and look forward to hearing more, of course. I'll try my best to keep up, though I've been terrible about it lately, so I apologize ahead of time if I don't comment a TON. But I swear I'm reading and enjoying hearing all about your trip!

DANI!!! You're here!!! Don't worry, I've been awful with keeping up with TR's...I can read them on my phone but I just don't have the time right now to comment and I feel so awful. I miss when I used all of my free time to DIS! Now life is too complicated.

Yeah I know what you mean, there really is no slow time. And while I'm excited about F&W starting earlier (because I might go that week!) it also scares me because it seems like they're trying to get September to be busy now too...if they offer Free Dining that week, it will probably be crazy! Sigh. I don't know. I love Disney but the crowds are killing me! I wish I was one of those people who didn't care, but I don't get to go enough to let crowds not bother me. If I'm going once a year, I want empty parks!

Ahh see, I want to go to Disneyland for Christmas one year and see the Haunted Mansion/NBC thing, and the Small World lights, and all that...but I just haven't been able to stay away from Disney World! Maybe next year? Haha, I say that every year...if I had a few spare days this year, I'd do it this year but it would just cost way too much to fly to CA for a few days. Someday!

Yay for Tower of Terror! I need you to come with me on that and be my moral support. How's the first week of May?

Omg, Monsters, Inc. is SO CUTE. And the blue guy is named Sulley.

Aww, I wish I could go in May and ride ToT with you, you would LOVE it!!! But I can't gooooooo and I'm dying slowly because I know how many people are going in May and I won't be there and life is terrible!!!

(Ok, I'm being way overdramatic! I'd love to be there in May but sadly, I'm trying to go in September or October and it's one or the other, and I need Food and Wine in my life this year! )

I will give Monster's Inc. another try! Oh yeah, I forgot, Sulley! I knew his name, I swear!

 

[Nermel9]

What a bummer about TSMM! HS is just one of those parks you have to get to SUPER early or you just won't get to ride its main headliner. Annoying.
I'm so glad you got two rides in on TOT, though! And that picture of the sign from inside the ride is awesome!!
I can't believe they took the seating area outside of Writer's Stop!!!!! That was my favorite place in DHS :-(
Aww, I know what you mean about leaving a park for the final time on a time. Leaving the MK is the WORST for me. I turn around like a million times!

I know, I knew we got there too late, but I was hoping it wouldn't matter! Haha, how wrong was I?

ToT was awesome though, and thanks, I love that picture!!!

I know, it was one of my favorites too! I hate when they get rid of simple little things like that!

Haha, I do the same thing, especially when I leave Epcot, just turn around and stare at Spaceship Earth and tell myself not to cry! It's so awful leaving Disney!

Just joining in on you TR love it so far and look forward to reading more.

Yay, thank you for joining!

What a bummer that you didn't get on TSM that morning. I'm still pretty mixed about the whole FP+ thing. I've been twice now using the system and the first trip was great. But then the second, with a larger group to manage and tiering in place was much harder.

But at least you got on TOT twice! That shot at the top is just perfect!

I've yet to buy something at the writer's shop although I have been in there before. I really do not like carrot cake and that's really the only thing people talk about from there. Not sure what I would get.

I like the Monster's movies and I still don't think I would like to draw Mike, that's kind of boring. Someday I will get to draw Pluto!

Can't wait to see where you are headed next.

Yeah I don't like FP+. Maybe my next trip will be better but basing it off of this trip, nope. Don't like it, haha!

Thanks! I love ToT!!!

They have other things at Writer's Stop, cookies and danishes and all that...everything there is usually really good!

Aww...I drew Pluto once! Don't worry, someday you will get to draw him! We had a choice between Pluto and Rapunzel and I voted for Pluto and my DH voted for Rapunzel! Pluto won!

It really stinks you have to arrive before RD to have a chance at a normal wait time for TSMM or decent return times for the FP+. Oh well - you'll ride it next time! It's not going anywhere!

Going back an update or two... I agree, I always ride Star Tours but regret it b/c it is WAY TOO JERKY. It always makes me feel so sick.

I love TOT and all your photos of it!

AND all the Christmas photos - so jealous! Everything is so perfect at Christmas time!

Can't wait to read about your resort hopping!

I know, it's annoying having to get there SO early! But I knew that and I still got there "late" so I guess it was my fault! I just didn't think it would be SO busy that early! Guess everyone knows the secrets by now!

I love Star Wars, I wish they would make it smoother though! I never get sick from rides, but that one it rough!

Thanks, ToT is my favorite thing in the world!!

I love Disney at Christmas...I'm not going this year, and I have to keep reminding myself of this so by the time it's Christmas season again I'll have it drilled into my brain that I'm not going!

 

[Nermel9]

So sad about TSM Truth me told, until we used FP+ on our last trip, we'd never done TSM before, because of the lines and missing out on FP. Wish the could double the ride's capacity!!

I know, it's crazy how popular it is and how impossible it is to ride it! Although, this is the first time we've haven't been able to ride, we've always gotten there at rope drop and grabbed a FP for a couple hours later! Oh well! Everything is different now I guess!

That totally bites that you guys couldn't get on TSM! It's so weird how that ride is really hit or miss! When were there in October, we got there at 9am and not only got FPs for a pretty decent return time, but also got in line and rode it right then and there! Same thing happened last year when we went in July! So bizarre!

At least you got to ride ToT twice in a row though! That's a pretty good trade-off, I think!

I love love love Monsters Inc AND Monsters U! They really are FANTASTIC movies! Secret: We've never seen Tangled. So all the Rapunzel stuff goes right over our heads! You're definitely right about drawing a character you have no attachment to! We had to draw Tinkerbell in October and our drawings came out pretty bad! We just weren't interested! Still, your Mike drawing came out pretty good, I think!!

We usually would do the same thing, get there early, grab FP's and ride it first thing, but this year...nope! It was just SO busy and those stupid new FP+ things are messing everything up.

But yeah, ToT is always a good 2nd choice! I love it!

WHAT??? You haven't seen Tangled????? OMG. I just can't even say anything to that. Did you see Frozen yet?

Aww I would love to draw Tink!!! I was so annoyed drawing Mike, I tried to make the best of it but the whole time I was scowling and being aggravated!

 

[Nermel9]

The Perfect Cupcake

Monday, 12/2, Part 2

Hi everyone, remember me? I'm sorry it's been soooo long between updates, my life is just a mess lately! Not with me so much, but with my family, my mom was in the hospital for almost 2 weeks with a lot of different health problems, but mostly, kidney failure. So she's on dialysis now, and we're all just trying to get her adjusted. I also have a 91 year old grandmother that my mom has been taking care of, but since she's not well herself, it's kind of fallen to me and my sister, so we're trying to get her into a nursing home, which, if you haven't been through the process before, isn't exactly easy. Lots of paperwork and digging around to get info. And that's the condensed version of what's been going on!

Anyway! Since I have a spare second, I thought I'd do an update! Oh, and I'm sorry I'm SOOOO behind on everyone's TR's...I've been reading when I have a minute here and there, but I just don't have time to comment, but I promise, I'm reading and I'll get caught up with comments eventually! I haven't forgotten all of you!

When we left off, Brandon and I were leaving DHS to go resort hopping, one of my favorite things to do in Disney! Although, we had another reason to go to the certain resorts we picked other than just visiting...eating!

Our first stop was my beloved Beach Club...I absolutely love this place, I'm sure I've mentioned that before! I love walking through the Villas, it looks so quiet and peaceful...someday I'd love to rent points and stay there for a few nights!



We walked around for a few minutes, but we had a certain destination in mind...Beaches and Cream! It was just about lunch time, so I figured we had a pretty long wait ahead of us, so we headed over there.

I was surprised to not really see too many people outside, but still, I figured we probably had like, an hour wait or so, which was fine, because I wasn't really hungry yet. So we went up to the hostess and asked how long the wait was and she said "no wait, we can seat you right now!" Now? But I'm not hungry! I really didn't want to go there and waste anything, so we said that we would be back later. I had another mission to take care of anyway, so why not do that first?

We thought we'd walk over to the Yacht Club, and grab the boat for the Boardwalk. I read about this amazing looking peppermint cupcake on the Disney Food Blog a few days before, so I wanted to go over there to the Bakery to get one so we thought, ok, hop on the boat, sail over, grab a cupcake and come back to eat. Simple right?

The walk over was lovely, I got to see the beautiful pool



which NO ONE was in! Crazy people, it was like 70 degrees and everyone must have thought it was too cold!

The lighthouse was really pretty, this was my first time out on the dock even though I've stayed at the Beach Club before, we never used the boat for some reason!



I love how the sun is peeking through the clouds! It was a nice day that day, but the clouds would come and go sometimes, so in some pictures, it looks cloudy, but it was beautiful!

We sat down and waited for the next boat...and waited, and waited, and waited...I tried to take some nice pictures but I was getting kind of impatient...the boats go SO SLOW over there!





Eventually we got bored waited and figured, ok, let's just go back to Beaches and Cream, eat, and then walk over. I still wasn't that hungry but whatever, maybe by the time we walked back I would be? I wasn't exactly walking my fastest by that point, because my feet were killing me for some reason!

So we began the looong walk back to Beaches and Cream...





And since we were at the Yacht Club, why not just go in and look around for a few minutes? One of my favorite memories from any of my Disney trips was when we went into the Yacht Club one night in December 2 year before, and there were carolers...people were gathered around, and the lights were dimmed and I just felt like I was in this old New England home at a Christmas party. It was so perfect, so I'm kind of in love with the Yacht Club because of that!



The Yacht Club is decorated so perfectly, it's very Christmasy but it's not as in your face as the Grand, it's more subdued and it fits the theme and feel of the resort so well! I love it there during the holidays!







And the little village with the train is SO cute!



Like, if I could make myself miniature and live there, I would!





Continued in next post, used up my image limit!


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