NoAlice?Rabbit,Hatter&Chessie Do a HolidayTrip.NEW11/27 1 More Day&I crush on Snowmen

[eandesmom]

Talk about scary... that Mickey sun wheel is more scary to me than any coaster including California Screamin....

I agree, it IS scary. Right up there with the Asto Oribitor (for me...not really sure why, I can ride anything else but that freaks me out).

I actually rode ToT for the first time here... and loved it...

I think the Cali version is tamer (we all thought so) so it's aperfect "first" way to do it!

Bummer on the headache! WOC opened about 2 weeks after our visit so I've never seen it. It was torture watching them test, we could see it from our window!

 

[Charleston Princess]

Hi, Patricia!!! I am all caught up on your PTR again! I love reading your writing -- it is just so much fun!

What a neat post about David -- he is such a great kid! Of course, I see a lot of my Connor in your descriptions of David -- the bit about wanting to lecture the cashier about veal! Priceless! By the way, the Oh My Gods! book is a great favorite of ours! Love it! Speaking of books, I finished The Graveyard Book last night -- I really did end up liking it. Very cleverly done. My only complaint is that I wish I hadn't known it was based on The Jungle Books. While I was reading it, I kept trying to decide how the two fit together -- a bit distracting when part of my mind is doing that, and the other part is actually reading the story. I will say that the bit with the ghouls closely mirrored "Kaa's Hunting" where the monkeys steal Mowgli and was a stroke of writing genius by Gaiman. Connor just finished reading The Last Dragonslayer by Jasper Fforde and loved it -- I haven't read it yet, but plan to do so, and hopefully, I will be able to tell you to have David read it.

Big hugs for all the issues and sicknesses everyone is dealing with, and fingers crossed for Sandy to not bring too much trouble to you.

 

[solana131]

Love the TSM photo ops...the action figure boxes...those are so cute!

Someday I might get out to DL. It'll have to be a girls trip or a mother/son thing when he gets older because there is no way hubby would make the travel out there from Maine!

 

[PracPerfPatricia]

I agree, it IS scary. Right up there with the Asto Oribitor (for me...not really sure why, I can ride anything else but that freaks me out).

Yes...especially with those carts that move back and forth on the spokes... not my idea of a good time...



I think the Cali version is tamer (we all thought so) so it's aperfect "first" way to do it!

Oh... and I felt so brave... no matter... I'm still doing Florida... I'll just "go for it"

Bummer on the headache! WOC opened about 2 weeks after our visit so I've never seen it. It was torture watching them test, we could see it from our window!

Yeah... I should have taken some extra strength tylenol and just sucked it up... I've heard the most awesome things about it since then...

Hi, Patricia!!! I am all caught up on your PTR again! I love reading your writing -- it is just so much fun!

Jackie, you're here...

What a neat post about David -- he is such a great kid! Of course, I see a lot of my Connor in your descriptions of David -- the bit about wanting to lecture the cashier about veal! Priceless! By the way, the Oh My Gods! book is a great favorite of ours! Love it!

It is a great book... We're all about Greek mythology around here... There is a series of those... and I love the way they are done... funny, breezy, pithy writing...

Speaking of books, I finished The Graveyard Book last night -- I really did end up liking it. Very cleverly done. My only complaint is that I wish I hadn't known it was based on The Jungle Books. While I was reading it, I kept trying to decide how the two fit together -- a bit distracting when part of my mind is doing that, and the other part is actually reading the story. I will say that the bit with the ghouls closely mirrored "Kaa's Hunting" where the monkeys steal Mowgli and was a stroke of writing genius by Gaiman.

I think Gaiman is very talented writer... I've heard rumors of them making a film version... I hope if they do... that it's well done...

Connor just finished reading The Last Dragonslayer by Jasper Fforde and loved it -- I haven't read it yet, but plan to do so, and hopefully, I will be able to tell you to have David read it. Well please let me know because we're always on the look out for new reads here... It's funny because there was a bookcase in the picture of Chelsea as Minnie and I was trying to see some of the titles...to get ideas...

Big hugs for all the issues and sicknesses everyone is dealing with, and fingers crossed for Sandy to not bring too much trouble to you.

Yes please...

Love the TSM photo ops...the action figure boxes...those are so cute!

Yes we thought they were really cute and a different photo op than in Florida too...

Someday I might get out to DL. It'll have to be a girls trip or a mother/son thing when he gets older because there is no way hubby would make the travel out there from Maine!

Well then you'll just have to do that...because you would love it...

 

[MEK]

Not sure if I am completely caught up or not, but so much to comment on.

Glad you OP surgery went well and you are well on the road to recovery.

Yeah for 33 more days until your WDW trip!

Yeah for staying at the BC! I really loved staying at the BWV the last two times I was there. Such a perfect area in general.

I vote for R&C lunch. Cynthia and I tried to eat and B&C around 12:30 one afternoon while we were waiting for our BWV room. The wait time was 45 minutes, so we went over to the Captains table at the YC instead.

You MUST have that pre dinner margarita. I had the cucumber rita on this trip and it was very similar to the jalapeno. Both are excellent choices. I never had a second one simply because there were too many other things to sample in F&W.

I purchased the PAP vouchers for Denny and I, which we will activate in June. I hope to get three trips on that pass, then I am definitely going to California. The CG villas look so awesome. Can't wait to stay there and see DL. I heard it is very laid back, but I have a feeling I am going to love it!

 

[Charleston Princess]

I could see Tim Burton doing a film version of The Graveyard Book, can't you?

Too funny about the bookcase -- I always try to read titles on bookcases, too -- that one is in my office/study area and the oldest of the ones in the house and crammed full -- double-rows and everything -- most of the books have been around longer than the kids.

Some titles that Connor has read and loved in the past few months (that aren't too heavy for David -- he's just ten, right?) are The Candy Shop War by Brandon Mull (Connor loves anything by Brandon Mull), Troubletwisters by Garth Nix, and the Jimmy Fincher saga by James Dashner, A Door in the Woods is the first one in that series.

 

[PracPerfPatricia]

Well it looks like Hurricane Sandy (or Frankenstorm as some of the news reporters are calling her) is promising to bring all of us on the Northern Eastern Coast a bit of trouble... Let's just hope not too much trouble...


A couple of more cheering thoughts...


Last week in an attempt to cheer me up... my family gave me owl mugs to drink tea in while I got over my OP surgery...

Emily's

David's

Eric's

This is not a mug... This is my October pedicure that I unfortunately haven't been able to show off much... so you get to see... It's a plummy color that I think actually turned out pretty dark- kind of goth and very Halloween appropriate...


So...In keeping with my Halloween/pumpkins mania... we went on Friday night to this:

There are probably close to 100 entries... these were just a few of my favorites...

This one was a Mad Hatter or a Hatter who was mad...

I don't know why but I thought a Pumpkin Zombie was pretty funny...

This is how I feel when there is no coffee in the house...

creepy

ah Disney is everywhere... it's hard to see but the surface of the pumpkin was carved with a rose and the Beauty and the Beast initials...


When we came home, we did our 4th in 8 movie series this time featuring a funny but perhaps not so likeable trio...

Lock, Shock and Barrel from

A Nightmare Before Christmas...


(I have to learn how to use those stock photos everyone seems to use in times like this...)


Anyhow this is another great film (love Tim Burton....if you haven't seen Frankenweenie-see it)... very seasonally appropriate... and even though Lock, Shock and Barrel may not be very nice... they are funny and add a lot to the film...I was pretty surprised when I looked them up and found out that they are supposed to be 5, 6 and 7... I'm glad I've never met any 5, 6 or 7 year olds like them... (well then again...)



Back to Disney Business...


It's 32 Days till go time...

I have my ADRs all set... (this trip was planned after the 180 day mark so I feel pretty good about these considering I didn't get first dibs...) & it's shorter trip... 5days/4 nights so I think this is a good food plan... we'll supplement with counter service...

I have 2 scheduled breakfast ADRs...

-Kouzzina
-Kona


I have 3 scheduled lunch ADRs...

-Sci Fi
-Yak and Yeti
-Via Napoli

&

I have 3 scheduled dinner ADRs

-La Hacienda de San Angel -part of CLP package
-Yachtsman
-bluezoo


5 out of the 9 are new for us... which is a big deal... over 50% will be totally new dining experiences... Kouzzina, Via Napoli, La Hacienda, Yachtsman, bluezoo...


In keeping with the length of this trip I tried to reserve restaurants that I not only wanted to try... but would be relatively easy to get to from the Beach Club...

Speaking of which...


look what came in the mail...

It's real, It's real... in only


32 Days...


Chessie, Rabbit and Hatter are going rogue...

While Alice keeps an eye on things at home...

Hmm... But who's going to keep an eye on Alice...


​

 

[PracPerfPatricia]

Not sure if I am completely caught up or not, but so much to comment on.

Glad you OP surgery went well and you are well on the road to recovery.

Thanks... honestly biggest issue for me was anesthesia... really knocked me out... I knew that the nurses wouldn't let me go unless I pulled it together so I basically mustered up all of my will to get dressed and walk straight (as possible) till I got to the car-Eric had pulled up and just melted into it... and slept pretty much the rest of the day...

Yeah for 33 more days until your WDW trip!

Yeah for staying at the BC! I really loved staying at the BWV the last two times I was there. Such a perfect area in general.

Yeah... It's getting real now...

I vote for R&C lunch. Cynthia and I tried to eat and B&C around 12:30 one afternoon while we were waiting for our BWV room. The wait time was 45 minutes, so we went over to the Captains table at the YC instead.

Oh wow... That's right... 9- I have 9 ADRs...Rose and Crown at 12:30...our plane gets into Orlando at 9:30 so we really should be able to make that... Thanks for reminder... or should we do those sliders over at Tangierine...

You MUST have that pre dinner margarita. I had the cucumber rita on this trip and it was very similar to the jalapeno. Both are excellent choices. I never had a second one simply because there were too many other things to sample in F&W.

I am totally on it...

I purchased the PAP vouchers for Denny and I, which we will activate in June. I hope to get three trips on that pass, then I am definitely going to California. The CG villas look so awesome. Can't wait to stay there and see DL. I heard it is very laid back, but I have a feeling I am going to love it!

Oh awesome... tell when you firm up dates...I'm hardly an expert but can probably help a bit..

I could see Tim Burton doing a film version of The Graveyard Book, can't you?

Absolutely!... I think he and Gaimen would get along well...

Too funny about the bookcase -- I always try to read titles on bookcases, too -- that one is in my office/study area and the oldest of the ones in the house and crammed full -- double-rows and everything -- most of the books have been around longer than the kids.

Some of those are the best ones... remember John Bellairs "House With a Clock in It's Walls" does anyone read that anymore... I love that book...

Some titles that Connor has read and loved in the past few months (that aren't too heavy for David -- he's just ten, right?) are The Candy Shop War by Brandon Mull (Connor loves anything by Brandon Mull), Troubletwisters by Garth Nix, and the Jimmy Fincher saga by James Dashner, A Door in the Woods is the first one in that series.

Thanks ...love book recommendations... will check them all out...

 

[Flossbolna]

Patricia, those California pictures are wonderful! You make me a little sad that the trip I had planned for September to see the new DCA did not happen due to work... I still hope that I can manage to get to California next year though.

I loved DCA when I saw it in 2004, I saw week parts, but then I enjoyed nearly all of it. But just as you say, I can get why it appealed less to the Californians.

MY favourite ride was the Grizzly River Runs, but we were there when the Santa Ana winds were blowing, so getting soaked was not an issue. We were totally dry again after 30 minutes thanks to the hot dessert wind!

. Connor just finished reading The Last Dragonslayer by Jasper Fforde and loved it -- I haven't read it yet, but plan to do so, and hopefully, I will be able to tell you to have David read it.

I loved the Thursday Next books by Jasper Fforde and can highly recommend those as well. And recently read another book by Fforde called "Shades of Grey" (not to be confused with another book with a similar title!!!) that I found very fascinating, too.

Stay safe - don't let Sandy blow you away!!!

 

[Charleston Princess]

Love the owl mugs and the pumpkins! So neat!

Watching The Nightmare Before Christmas is pretty standard at this time of year for our family -- I agree -- I'm glad I've never known any kids like Lock, Stock, and Barrel!

All those new dining experiences will be so much fun!

John Bellairs? I LOVED him growing up -- The Curse of the Blue Figurine, especially -- Connor read all of his books a couple of years ago -- my mom had found a book with several of the novels, and those great drawings by Edward Gorey.

 

[jeremysdisneymom]

Oh, we are all getting so close!!!

First of all, hoping you guys stay safe during this storm. All of my dis friends are in my thoughts and prayers.

I am loving your report from DL. I am hoping to score 2-3 nights at GC for our trip next year. We will stay a few nights at one of the other Disney hotels as well.

You have some good dining choices. Glad you are doing the CP package. It is one of my favorite holiday events at WDW.

 

[eandesmom]

ITA with Mary Ellen on the B&C. Would have loved to try it but you need to have the time (and want to) wait. I'd vote for R&C as well. Although....the burger at CG was darn tasty!

Those Owl mugs are adorable, I hope they helped! I hear you on the anesthesia bit..apparently I have a very strong reaction to it (blood pressure drops into scary zones) and wow, it it hard to come out of that. Were they trying to rush you out? I sure felt like they were at my last OP procedure. Horrible.

Getting close now!

Fun pumpkins

I loved the Thursday Next books by Jasper Fforde and can highly recommend those as well. And recently read another book by Fforde called "Shades of Grey" (not to be confused with another book with a similar title!!!) that I found very fascinating, too.

Stay safe - don't let Sandy blow you away!!!

Ooh! Must check out Shades of Grey. I adore the Thursday Next books.

 

[DisMomAmy]

Hope you made out OK in the storm. We had a lot of wind & sideways rain but somehow didn't lose power! The kids were home Monday & Tuesday but got to go back today. Luckily we had our trick or treat on Sunday night.

I'm really enjoying your CA trip pictures. We really want to plan a trip out there in the next few years so I've been taking notes.

 

[PracPerfPatricia]

Oh My 4 Weeks till Disney; I HOPE the power returns by then...

Oh wow... I can't say that I have very much good to say about Hurricane Sandy...

We WERE extremely fortunate in terms of nobody getting hurt and very little property damage...

(EXCEPT)

for a huge-HUGE tree on our neighbor's property that somehow managed to take out our power...and the houses to our left but not theirs...

So we have been without power since 7 pm on Monday and the estimated time till we get it back is Saturday night...

Both my inlaws and mother are supposed to get theirs back today...

David's school is still closed-Em's opened yesterday...

so I'm hanging with him in Barnes and Noble...using their wifi and checking emails...

Hmmmm....

On one hand I really feel grateful... no one was hurt and that's really the most important thing...


on the other hand.... I have realized that while Little House On the Prairie seemed kind of quaint and fun on TV... and when I was little I had a wicked crush on Michael Landon... it really isn't that fun to live that lifestyle...

I've been lucky and never been without power for more that a day tops...


I've been able to take for granted:


-Waking up and getting out of bed and not freezing because you have heat... (and this is only November 1st---(February 1st is way colder)

-Walking into the bathroom in the morning..and turning on the light to brush your teeth and wash your face...

-Go down stairs and starting a pot of coffee...

-Being able to go into the kitchen and open the fridge to get milk and juice and yogurt and other breakfast things...

-Cooking dinner in my oven

-Turning on MSNBC or any other channel to watch my favorite shows...

-Having the phone and the computers and all of those things just so easily accessible...

I feel like I've been living such a privileged life and never realized it...

So I'm hoping to turn this into a growth, eye opening experience instead of crying like a baby...

And in 4 weeks from now... I'll be in Disney... (and the power has to be back by then...

Doesn't it?

​

 

[PracPerfPatricia]

Patricia, those California pictures are wonderful! You make me a little sad that the trip I had planned for September to see the new DCA did not happen due to work... I still hope that I can manage to get to California next year though.

I loved DCA when I saw it in 2004, I saw week parts, but then I enjoyed nearly all of it. But just as you say, I can get why it appealed less to the Californians.

Thanks ... You'll get to CA again...(and it will less crowed because the Carsland crowds will have calmed down...

btw... Eric and I were just talking about how we have to go to Germany ---not for a couple of years... cause we have another European trip next March-partially to celebrate Em's High School graduation...I'm going to talk about later in my TR... but we have to learn more about Germany and figure out where we'd want to go...

MY favourite ride was the Grizzly River Runs, but we were there when the Santa Ana winds were blowing, so getting soaked was not an issue. We were totally dry again after 30 minutes thanks to the hot dessert wind!

Yes...I think it is a much more exciting version of Kali River Rapids-sounds like you had your own personal blow dryer...



I loved the Thursday Next books by Jasper Fforde and can highly recommend those as well. And recently read another book by Fforde called "Shades of Grey" (not to be confused with another book with a similar title!!!) that I found very fascinating, too.

Yes I wouldn't want to confuse them... that other book you refer to is very popular in the US right now...and I'm sure quite different...


Stay safe - don't let Sandy blow you away!!!

It didn't... just our power lines...

Love the owl mugs and the pumpkins! So neat!

Watching The Nightmare Before Christmas is pretty standard at this time of year for our family -- I agree -- I'm glad I've never known any kids like Lock, Stock, and Barrel!

I think I may have met a couple who aspire to that... but fortunately not too many...

All those new dining experiences will be so much fun!

I can't wait...

John Bellairs? I LOVED him growing up -- The Curse of the Blue Figurine, especially -- Connor read all of his books a couple of years ago -- my mom had found a book with several of the novels, and those great drawings by Edward Gorey.

His stuff is so good... I wish his books would have a renaissance...

Oh, we are all getting so close!!!

First of all, hoping you guys stay safe during this storm. All of my dis friends are in my thoughts and prayers.

Thanks... T&P are always appreciated...

I am loving your report from DL. I am hoping to score 2-3 nights at GC for our trip next year. We will stay a few nights at one of the other Disney hotels as well.

You will LOVE the GC and I will be curious to see your thoughts on one of the others... I don't think you can make a bad choice...

You have some good dining choices. Glad you are doing the CP package. It is one of my favorite holiday events at WDW.

I'm really excited about the CP....

 

[PracPerfPatricia]

ITA with Mary Ellen on the B&C. Would have loved to try it but you need to have the time (and want to) wait. I'd vote for R&C as well. Although....the burger at CG was darn tasty!

Hmm...ok so it's probably Rose and Crown... Unless we graze through WS...

Those Owl mugs are adorable, I hope they helped! I hear you on the anesthesia bit..apparently I have a very strong reaction to it (blood pressure drops into scary zones) and wow, it it hard to come out of that. Were they trying to rush you out? I sure felt like they were at my last OP procedure. Horrible.

I don't want to say "rush" but I feel like the expectation was there that it was time to start moving and I didn't want to make a big deal of it and find myself an inpatient...



Getting close now!

four weeks...

Fun pumpkins



Ooh! Must check out Shades of Grey. I adore the Thursday Next books.

Which Shades of Grey?...

Hope you made out OK in the storm. We had a lot of wind & sideways rain but somehow didn't lose power! The kids were home Monday & Tuesday but got to go back today. Luckily we had our trick or treat on Sunday night.

Thanks Amy... we're all fine... I just would like my power back... I'm glad you're all ok... the storm changed track - a little closer to you then I think originally? ... or maybe reverse... haven't been able to see tv... so not sure...

I'm really enjoying your CA trip pictures. We really want to plan a trip out there in the next few years so I've been taking notes.

Thanks... You'll love it... if you have any ???s -please ask... I've been out to CA 4x and DL 2X so I'm not an expert but I have some ideas...

 

[solana131]

Oh I feel so bad for you! I've been in your shoes many times before we got the generator. Hope it comes back on before Saturday! And I hope your 4 weeks go by fast

 

[Charleston Princess]

I am so glad that everyone is safe, but that completely stinks that you won't have power until Saturday night. I hate being without power -- I was a freshman in high school went Hurricane Hugo hit Charleston -- we were without power for two weeks -- so not something I ever want to repeat! I completely agree that I would never want to live A Little House on the Prairie lifestyle!

 

[Angies1274]

Catching up....

Your owl mugs are so cute and those pumpkins are very spooky!

Yay for Mickey Mail! You picked some great dining choices! It's always fun to try some new places. Not too much longer now!

Glad to hear you made it through Sandy safely but so sorry to hear that you still don't have power. Ugh...that's never fun. It definitely reminds us of all the things we take for granted everyday. I hope it comes back on really soon for you!!

 

[PracPerfPatricia]

Oh I feel so bad for you! I've been in your shoes many times before we got the generator. Hope it comes back on before Saturday! And I hope your 4 weeks go by fast

Thanks... Do you get bad Noreasters in Maine...? Today is Friday and we're still down so I feel pretty ok with tomorrow.... I was looking forward to the trip before and now... it can't come soon enough...

I am so glad that everyone is safe, but that completely stinks that you won't have power until Saturday night. I hate being without power -- I was a freshman in high school went Hurricane Hugo hit Charleston -- we were without power for two weeks -- so not something I ever want to repeat! I completely agree that I would never want to live A Little House on the Prairie lifestyle!

Oh Wow that's right... I know you're in Georgia now... but the Charleston Princess would have some experience with Hurricanes & Tropical Storms ... wow Hugo... I'm sure that left quite an impression... BTW... Have you ever heard anything about the Inn at Middleton Place... it's right outside Charleston... We (I) am trying to plan a road/Disney trip for July 2012 and I've convinced Eric that Charleston would make a good stop on the way down... I'm thinking 3 nights in Charleston, 2 in Universal, 3 in Disney, and I need a night or two on the way back... was thinking Tybee but I'm sure it would be hard to get such a short rental in the middle of the summer....

(I need a stop down from PA and then a stop back from FLA-Charleston isn't exactly half way-it's more like 3/5 but it"ll work nicely...) Can't stay at a romantic inn with Ems, David and possibly a guest of Emily's in tow... We'll see... made me think of you...

Catching up....

Your owl mugs are so cute and those pumpkins are very spooky!

Yay for Mickey Mail! You picked some great dining choices! It's always fun to try some new places. Not too much longer now!

Glad to hear you made it through Sandy safely but so sorry to hear that you still don't have power. Ugh...that's never fun. It definitely reminds us of all the things we take for granted everyday. I hope it comes back on really soon for you!!

Hey- I was literally just on your TR... Yes all that Pumpkin stuff makes me happy-glad we did it too... since Halloween itself... was pretty darn low key in my neighborhood...

Mickey Mail is always good...and i"m really excited about the new dining choices...

OH I will never take the power for granted again...