Our Christmas Trip in PICTURES!!!! ~~Oh...and I'm obsessed with the Castle~~

[VandyFan10]

aww I want to swim with the dolphins! I can't believe in 3.5 hours you only spend 45 minutes actually in the water. What the heck did you do the rest of the time??

It was fun!!

Well, we learned a little about the aquarium and how it works.....did you know you could putt SpaceShip Earth over into that thing and STILL have room....seemed wild to me....also ALL of that water is filtered in about 2 1/2 hrs....so it had already done one full filtering job and started on another before we left from our tour.

We went up and learned about Dolphins....their fun loving, playful personalities, and the correct terminology of their body parts....don't quiz me please ....we did this at the top of the aquarium where you can tell the trainers are....very cool!!

We got to go in to watch some of the dolphin show and sit in the very front....they had 3 shapes on the glass....and there was a trainer at the top showing him a shape and he had to go find it....if he did he got a reward.....there was a funky shape, a frog, and an 'R'.....I think it was Kyper (whom I had my pic with) that did the show....and he really liked the frog ....it was hilarious!!

We went back up and got changed.....got to walk back through the aquarium, in our wet suits, maybe someone has some pics of that ....and up to go PLAY!!!

Went back to take showers and get dressed.....got a t-shirt and our pic....chit-chatted about the morning and went on our merry ways....it was great....I would recommend anyone to do it if they could

I'll prob think of more later.....I'll let you know

 

[klofan]

Hey VandyFan! Nice trip report. Isn't the castle amazing!?!!??! And I love your pics of Spectro, which for some odd reason I didn't see this trip. Oh well, I'll get to see it this September!

 

[Glendamax]

Hey VandyFan! Nice trip report. Isn't the castle amazing!?!!??! And I love your pics of Spectro, which for some odd reason I didn't see this trip. Oh well, I'll get to see it this September!

Hopefully we'll get to see it together!!!

Vandy, love the golf course pics! Makes me wish I could stretch out on it and tap a warm nap in the sun . . . well, maybe until a golf ball plunks me in the head!

 

[MeMom]

hi, tara! let me introduce you to my friend, erica (vandyfan10). she's from nashville and we bonded over being vandy fans. i met her when i was at home for thanksgiving and she's awesome....i can't wait to hang out with her again!

erica, let me introduce you to my friend, tara (eventer). tara is one of the girls in my all-girl trip from back in september that you were so jealous of! she's soooooooo sweet and she has a heart of gold!

it's so nice to say i've actually met you both in real life!!!!!!!

Didn't you guys first meet on our trip report? We were all on the same wavelength talking about Nashville and Vandy and the high schools around here, if I recall. Isn't there some kind of friendship fee involved for me?!?!? I think one Disney Dollar would be a nice reward. You could split the cost, and I'd be able to buy a third of a fruit bowl on our March trip with your contribution.

You know I'll take a picture of it, too, and post it on the report.

I think it's very nice that you guys were able to meet in person. Last summer at Pop, we met some Disers, too, and it was nice to meet people in person that have this same "Dis"ease that we do and know that they are still perfectly normal in real life!

It was good to hear about the aquarium part. That's something kind of different that we don't hear or see reported about often.

 

[punkin413]

Didn't you guys first meet on our trip report? We were all on the same wavelength talking about Nashville and Vandy and the high schools around here, if I recall. Isn't there some kind of friendship fee involved for me?!?!? I think one Disney Dollar would be a nice reward. You could split the cost, and I'd be able to buy a third of a fruit bowl on our March trip with your contribution.

You know I'll take a picture of it, too, and post it on the report.

I think it's very nice that you guys were able to meet in person. Last summer at Pop, we met some Disers, too, and it was nice to meet people in person that have this same "Dis"ease that we do and know that they are still perfectly normal in real life!

It was good to hear about the aquarium part. That's something kind of different that we don't hear or see reported about often.

i think you're right! thanks for the hookup services!!! wow....that sounds kinda bad, doesn't it? how about a group hug?????

you're going back in march??? i have a question for you. when i tell people that ray and i are going back in april, they're like "didn't you just go????" what do people say to you when you tell them you're going back for like the 5th time in a year? believe me......i wish i could!

 

[pierresgirl]

Hi! I'm subscribing, I haven't subbed to a tr in ages but am going to read and catch up. How could I not after seeing that incredible first castle pic!

 

[VandyFan10]

Didn't you guys first meet on our trip report? We were all on the same wavelength talking about Nashville and Vandy and the high schools around here, if I recall. Isn't there some kind of friendship fee involved for me?!?!? I think one Disney Dollar would be a nice reward. You could split the cost, and I'd be able to buy a third of a fruit bowl on our March trip with your contribution.

You know I'll take a picture of it, too, and post it on the report.

I think it's very nice that you guys were able to meet in person. Last summer at Pop, we met some Disers, too, and it was nice to meet people in person that have this same "Dis"ease that we do and know that they are still perfectly normal in real life!

It was good to hear about the aquarium part. That's something kind of different that we don't hear or see reported about often.

Yes MAM!! You need to PM me your address so I can send you your 'friendship' fee ...I was VERY excited to meet Dawn...we had a good time at the VU game (except they lost - of course ), but I have had a great time with all of our chatting....we might be going to WDW this fall....you just might have to go with us

i think you're right! thanks for the hookup services!!! wow....that sounds kinda bad, doesn't it? how about a group hug?????

you're going back in march??? i have a question for you. when i tell people that ray and i are going back in april, they're like "didn't you just go????" what do people say to you when you tell them you're going back for like the 5th time in a year? believe me......i wish i could!

Hookup services .....I guess it worked

But speaking of losing......my basketball team HASN'T!!!!
Not yet at least .....but now starts the hard part......but to let everyone know....we are now 15-0 BABY!!!!!​

 

[punkin413]

But speaking of losing......my basketball team HASN'T!!!!
Not yet at least .....but now starts the hard part......but to let everyone know....we are now 15-0 BABY!!!!!​

GO 'DORES!!!!

(wow......that yellow is really obnoxious, huh? there's really no "gold" that would do vandy justice!)

 

[VandyFan10]

Hey VandyFan! Nice trip report. Isn't the castle amazing!?!!??! And I love your pics of Spectro, which for some odd reason I didn't see this trip. Oh well, I'll get to see it this September!

Thanks Pete....I really enjoyed yours also....can't believe you are finished...I'm WAY behind

Vandy, love the golf course pics! Makes me wish I could stretch out on it and tap a warm nap in the sun . . . well, maybe until a golf ball plunks me in the head!

G-max - That would prob hurt

GO 'DORES!!!!

(wow......that yellow is really obnoxious, huh? there's really no "gold" that would do vandy justice!)

I think it's pretty ....but you do have to make it REALLY big to see it...I think that's why I didn't choose it for my color ...everyone would have loved me huh

I'm just so excited.... ....they need to keep it up!!

Sorry off-topic but just so everyone can see.....the view from my seats !!!! I them!!

 

[VandyFan10]

After our big morning Matt and I met back up at the resort....we went and hung out at the pool for awhile....and did laundry ....dont' ask but it just sounded good.....and it was easy and I got to lay out at the pool for awhile

We went back to get ready to go resort hopping and for our dinner at Narcoosee's

We drove to the Poly...b/c I'm to cheap to pay to valet and it's easier to get on the Monorail than to walk across the street to get to the GF ...

The tree at the GF is breathtaking....

We walked around the resort a little and went towards Narcoosee's to find a place to watch wishes....I took some pics from the boat dock and then we went and sat on the deck at Narcoosees....

I think I could look at this all day

I didn't get many good fireworks pics but here's a few....

Dinner was great....Matt got the shrimp for appy and I had a endive and pear salad which was good but wasn't what I expected....it was all endive with pears and blue cheese...I think I would have enjoyed it much more if it had some romaine or greens b/c the endive is a little bitter...but I had a glass of resling that was wonderful with it and the steak and lobster we both ordered was great....but to be honest I'm glad I didn't become a lobster lover...that crap is expensive ....for dessert I got the warm choc. almond gateau....it was VERY rich and it had vanilla bean whipped cream not ice cream (I didn't read well ).....Matt got a apple tart thing which wasn't much of anything really.....and I think this is when we had our discussion about the new changes to the DDP

Overal it was a great dinner...but neither of us thought it was worth the $200price ticket we got at the end...but then again we wouldn't have experienced it without the DDP either...and I would definitely go again if I had the plan...just don't think I'd pay out of pocket...but I did have a wonderful view at the dinner table

More to come......NEXT PAGE....2nd post...just look for the BIG Gingerbread house!!!!

 

[punkin413]

Overal it was a great dinner...but neither of us thought it was worth the $200price ticket we got at the end...but then again we wouldn't have experienced it without the DDP either...and I would definitely go again if I had the plan...just don't think I'd pay out of pocket...but I did have a wonderful view at the dinner table

More to come.....

this is gonna be our one splurge dinner in april. we LOVE narcoosee's! but we got different things than you guys did (other than your entrees). we got the calamari and crab cakes for appetizers....both were good but the crab cakes were EXCELLENT. then of course our entrees were the same as you guys. ray thought the steak was the best he'd ever had and i thought the potatoes were sooooooo good! then for dessert we got key lime creme brulee and almond crusted cheesecake......NO WORDS..... ray told me that was the one place he wanted to go back to so we're going again and paying OOP! of course we'll get 20% off from the DDE card so it's not all bad!

and that view is great! we had a window seat, too.....so pretty!

 

[VandyFan10]

I took some more pics inside the GF

The gingerbread house is HUGE!!!

And there's that tree again...

We got on the monorail and headed to the MK stop to get on the boats to go to my FAVORITE Resort!!!

Here's a few pics on the boat.....

Tonight was the night we were going to MVMCP....but it was sold out I was totally shocked.....and didn't really want to flip everything around to try and make it work on another night.....like I said on another TR...I'm not to worried about it....we'll be back for Christmas again....and I don't see them doing away with the party....it will just be a must do for us next time

The Wilderness Lodge ....I think this is my fave. resort and I honestly think it has the prettiest decorations

If you've never been to the WL I DEFINITELY suggest going just to look around...there is a balcony in the middle of the resort you can just go hang out on....I just think it's stunning

Even more pics....up next

 

[scottny]

the pics look great. sorry it was sold out but it is another excuse to go back.

 

[VandyFan10]

We left the WL and took the boat back to the MK to catch either the Monorail or boat back to the Poly....the light parade on the lagoon was going on

We didnt' get to see it all but I had to have some dolphin pics for my friends this morning

Well we decided to take the boat....and I'm SO glad we did....it was the Christmas wishes show.....I still didn't get many great pics but it was like we had our own 'free' Wishes Cruise

We sat in the back of the boat and it was wonderful!!! I would definitely suggest just going to ride the boats around the time of wishes

Back to the Poly b/f we go home to POFQ....

And a not so good pic of one of their trees.....

Next: Fun at Epcot and MGM!!

NEXT POST: Page 12 Post #174

 

[punkin413]

If you've never been to the WL I DEFINITELY suggest going just to look around...there is a balcony in the middle of the resort you can just go hang out on....I just think it's stunning

Even more pics....up next [/COLOR][/SIZE][/FONT]

i really wanna stay here when (and if) we go back to disney for christmas next year. i think ray would absolutely love that resort. i'm just not sure we can afford it. it would be SOOOOOOOOO much cheaper to rent a vacation home because we'd be going with anna and chris and could split the cost with them....only something like $130 a night to do that and that's before splitting it! but i will definitely stop by WL at christmastime. we'll go by there in april if we have a chance, too! maybe seeing it will make ray really wanna stay there next time and get a second job so we could afford it! i'm TOTALLY kidding!

ETA: by the way, i keep saying, "christmas next year" when it's really christmas this year....2008! it's late and i gotta go to bed!

 

[VandyFan10]

this is gonna be our one splurge dinner in april. we LOVE narcoosee's! but we got different things than you guys did (other than your entrees). we got the calamari and crab cakes for appetizers....both were good but the crab cakes were EXCELLENT. then of course our entrees were the same as you guys. ray thought the steak was the best he'd ever had and i thought the potatoes were sooooooo good! then for dessert we got key lime creme brulee and almond crusted cheesecake......NO WORDS..... ray told me that was the one place he wanted to go back to so we're going again and paying OOP! of course we'll get 20% off from the DDE card so it's not all bad!

and that view is great! we had a window seat, too.....so pretty!

I really did enjoy it....but I did think my steak at LeCellier was better .....but I think I made a better appy(definitely w/the mussels and pretzel bread) and dessert choice

I remember you guys loved that sauce on the steak....and it was yummy....but I think I was a little more focused on my lobster since I had never really had it before

I wish Matt had gotten the almond crusted cheesecake....but he stays away from all things with 'nuts' listed in them....he's so picky...but I think he would have loved it....and the way it looks he could flick the almonds off

It was good I just remember thinking OMG....that would have cost $200 buckos.....I'm so cheap

the pics look great. sorry it was sold out but it is another excuse to go back.

MOST DEFINITELY!!!! I will definitely BEG for another Christmas trip

 

[VandyFan10]

i really wanna stay here when (and if) we go back to disney for christmas next year. i think ray would absolutely love that resort. i'm just not sure we can afford it. it would be SOOOOOOOOO much cheaper to rent a vacation home because we'd be going with anna and chris and could split the cost with them....only something like $130 a night to do that and that's before splitting it! but i will definitely stop by WL at christmastime. we'll go by there in april if we have a chance, too! maybe seeing it will make ray really wanna stay there next time and get a second job so we could afford it! i'm TOTALLY kidding!

ETA: by the way, i keep saying, "christmas next year" when it's really christmas this year....2008! it's late and i gotta go to bed!

It is beautiful and worth every penny...but I understand the $$$ thing....that's why we didn't stay there this last time....it's much less than the other deluxe resorts I guess b/c it's off the monorail

I was wondering a/b the this year/next year thing....and your hubby will really let you go again in Sept???? That will be THREE trips for you missy!!! And also....if we do go I wouldn' be opposed to staying off-site (depending on the dining I guess)....but whatever works out $$$ wise to stay the LONGEST ....but with your AP we would have free parking right???

Bed?? It's EARLY for you

 

[scottny]

another great group of pics.

 

[Beana9802]

I am in, only on page one, and hooked!
But too sleepy, I need to hit the hay, way passed my bed time!!

Back to school tomorrow, or should I say later on today (it's 12:34 here)...

 

[jordanyosh]

love the pix.