our non-rushing (sorta) disney anniversary w/ PICS & VIDEO! new TR link - p. 136

[AussieAngel]

Oooh, love the Wilderness Lodge photos!! We're staying there in January and I can't wait!!

I'd love to try a Segway tour, but I'm so clumsy, I'm sure I'd lose control and go flying over the handlebars.

Can't wait to hear about the Pirate and Princess party!!

 

[Camster0307]

Oh - those pictures of WL bought back memories! So lovely! (the buses can be a pain though! And - why aren't all those benches covered? Some days we would just roast waiting for a bus!)

I'm with ya on WCC - just not our cup of tea either!

The figurines are gorgeous!

 

[LISAMWDW]

Great update! Your status pics are hilarous! I love your figurines! Especially the Peter Pan one! I may have to copy you if you dont' mind! What shop did you get them? They are so cool and I really like the antiquee look to them!

Sorry you weren't crazy about the WCC. We really like it but it is not a must do for us either. One of our favorites dishes there is the all you can eat platter! Yum!

We are staying at the Lodge in 9 days and we're just having Breakfast at the WCC this time! 2 years ago we were having dinner there and my DD-then 9 lost her tooth and a tooth fairy came out to her! It was so cute!

Can't wait to hear about the P & P party!

 

[troobabiee7]

I just got caught up on the past two updates. Those pictures with Peter Pan came out so cute! I don't think I've ever even seen Peter Pan in the parks but I'd love to. Every year before we leave for Disney I always read the original story by J.M. Barrie. It's AMAZING and you definitely have to read it if you haven't yet! Speaking of which, those figurines are gorgeous! Those are always the best kinds of souvenirs, the pretty things you can put around the house and see all the time. Great purchases!

 

[disneymom1980]

I can't wait to hear about the Pirate and Princess Party. Initially, we were going to go in January, and I had hoped to catch this.

I love the Peter Pan figurines.....they would be fun to make a little display with along with pictures of us all dressed up at MNSSHP.

I'm working on our countdown calendar (after copying your idea ), but the little ones don't let me get much done each day. Hopefully I'll get some more done tonight!

 

[Beana9802]

Attack of the flatties!

 

[lmillercrew]

I love the figuriness too. My favorite would have to be Mr Smee. I love that his belly is hanging out of his shirt. Kinda reminds me of me .(not that bad, but still funny.)
I also have been enjoying the fact that you took your friends on vacation with you. I'm going to have to do that next year when we go to Hawaii. So many people say "take me with you" and now I can! Great pictures of you and Ray with the statues at MK. That's a great tradition! Gives me ideas for our next trip. (if you don't mind)

 

[Spartangirl]

Isn't the Wilderness Lodge beautiful??? Chris and I stayed there a few years ago and are hoping to make it back sometime!

I LOVE the figurines you bought......especially the Tink one! Those are really cool!

I can't wait to hear about the P&P Party!!!

 

[punkin413]

I love the self-portrait pictures of you and Ray with the character statues.

Don't you just love the WL.

thanks! it's just something odd we started and now we have to do it! and yes, i love the WL....i wanna stay there now!

great update and pics.

what along time it took to get back to the resort. u would think deluxe would have better transportation.

love the figurines.

i have heard transportation to DTD is awful in a lot of places. i guess they just don't run buses as often!

Emily has that same Tink... I love the Peter Pan and Hook one... I had not seen them before!


Great pictures again... I swear I have never seen those statues before at MK.

Glad you enjoyed your stop at the WL----love that place. That bathroom is super big... I had forgotten that!


We really liked the BBQ stuff there... super yummy!

BBQ.....got it. i will try it when i stay there.....someday! the statues are around the walt/mickey statue on the hub.

I am so excited to hear your take on the PPP. We were at the 2nd party and I am wondering if they have made any changed since we went?

How long would you say that boat ride was from the MK to WL?

I am in a conundrum... We are staying at the POP over X-mas, and moving to the... POLY? or WL after the holiday weekend?


I see you waited a bit for a bus too. What is with that?

what a conundrum to be in!!!! we boarded the boat at 11:31 and we got off at 11:45. i know that from the times on my pictures.

no idea about the DTD buses. just very annoying!

great update!!! love the figurines!!!! soo cute!

thanks!!!

About to be under 3 weeks!!!!

on friday we'll be in the teens!!!!

I can't believe this was your first time to the WL!!

yep......we didn't have a need to go there last year and then when i went in september we were only there for 2.5 days so we didn't have time.

And that is a manly PINK straw she gave him

we actually kept that straw. what we'll ever use it for, i have clue.

This is funny.....exactly what Matt and I ordered....he got the burger and I the fish. I wasn't to thrilled with the fish either

he said it was okay but he would've rather had my burger!

Meeeeee Tooooooooo

Let's get planning!!!!!

maybe in 2010???

I get to go to the P&P Party!!!!!

and you had a BLAST!

I love those figurines! I got a Jim Shore Belle!

ohhhhhh....belle? i will have to look for that one next time!

Yay an update. Um....isn't that sink supposed to be for wheelchair guests?? Just wondering. Great update. Loved the self pics with the characters, the little characters...

it may be for disabled guests....not sure. my first thought was, "wow....a kid can wash their hands and not have to stand on their tippy toes!"

Look at them devil babies! Spooky eyes!

And if I ever get to go to WCC, I want a fuss. Why be normal? That's my motto.

if you want a fuss, i hear dinner is the time to go. it's just more quiet at lunch, which we preferred. we like a little attention but i'm not one to get up in front of people and do a kissing contest. no, thanks! but that's just me.

Great update!

I can't wait to read about the P&P Party and I'm still hoping to spot myself in one of your pictures...

i was doing that with your P&P pictures too!

This is a pretty picture. Very peaceful. I can easily picture myself on the boat enjoying this ride.

Trent's favorite resort is Wilderness Lodge. It will be the one he wants to stay at first when he's finished with school and has a good job. At Christmas, it is even more beautiful!

The water jet on the bum picture of Luke is cute. Almost every kid seems to love to do that!

Jill and I have looked at those kinds of figurines a jillion times, but we haven't bought any yet. We couldn't decide which one to buy, and I know once I buy the first one, I'll be a goner and want to buy a bunch more!

i'm sure i will just be in awe when we see the WL at christmas. i can't wait! kids with the water jets on the bum is just baffling, isn't it? i'll leave it at that! i blame ray for MAKING me buy those figurines.

OH MY GOSH!!! I love the figurines!!!!!!!!!

thanks! i'm getting one each time i go back now - ray encouraged me to start a collection.

I have tink!!! i got her for christmas i really like the captin hook and peter pan onces too.

cool! i can't wait to get more!!!

more comments later....gotta take advantage of this cool weather and go for a walk/run!

 

[punkin413]

okay......who else here watches jon & kate plus 8? i just absolutely love that show! i think the reason i love it so much (besides the fact that the kids are ADORABLE) is because i know no matter how bad things may get, at least i don't have 8 kids!!!!!

Oooh, love the Wilderness Lodge photos!! We're staying there in January and I can't wait!!

I'd love to try a Segway tour, but I'm so clumsy, I'm sure I'd lose control and go flying over the handlebars.

Can't wait to hear about the Pirate and Princess party!!

how exciting that you're staying at WL! i think that will definitely be our goal on the next trip. not the one in december but the as-yet-unplanned one in the future! i'm a klutz too so i don't think i could handle one of those segways. i'd totally wreck!

Oh - those pictures of WL bought back memories! So lovely! (the buses can be a pain though! And - why aren't all those benches covered? Some days we would just roast waiting for a bus!)

I'm with ya on WCC - just not our cup of tea either!

The figurines are gorgeous!

luckily it wasn't too hot that day (remember this was early may) so we didn't roast, but the sun does get hot QUICK in florida no matter how cool the air is!

Great update! Your status pics are hilarous! I love your figurines! Especially the Peter Pan one! I may have to copy you if you dont' mind! What shop did you get them? They are so cool and I really like the antiquee look to them!

Sorry you weren't crazy about the WCC. We really like it but it is not a must do for us either. One of our favorites dishes there is the all you can eat platter! Yum!

We are staying at the Lodge in 9 days and we're just having Breakfast at the WCC this time! 2 years ago we were having dinner there and my DD-then 9 lost her tooth and a tooth fairy came out to her! It was so cute!

Can't wait to hear about the P & P party!

i got the figurines in a store on main street at MK. i don't remember exactly which store it was but it may have been the watch store or the art store? anyway, if you're facing the castle it's on the right somewhere in between the candy store and the plaza. i know that's a big range but at least you can have fun looking! sorry i can't give you the exact location.

we would get the platter except i don't like meat on a bone.....or beans....or coleslaw. i know....i'm weird! and i grew up in the south - go figure!

cute about your DD losing her tooth at disney!

I just got caught up on the past two updates. Those pictures with Peter Pan came out so cute! I don't think I've ever even seen Peter Pan in the parks but I'd love to. Every year before we leave for Disney I always read the original story by J.M. Barrie. It's AMAZING and you definitely have to read it if you haven't yet! Speaking of which, those figurines are gorgeous! Those are always the best kinds of souvenirs, the pretty things you can put around the house and see all the time. Great purchases!

i've read it and i LOVED it but it took me longer to read than any other book just because there so many british terms i didn't know and had to look up!

I can't wait to hear about the Pirate and Princess Party. Initially, we were going to go in January, and I had hoped to catch this.

I love the Peter Pan figurines.....they would be fun to make a little display with along with pictures of us all dressed up at MNSSHP.

I'm working on our countdown calendar (after copying your idea ), but the little ones don't let me get much done each day. Hopefully I'll get some more done tonight!

post a pic of your calendar if you want when you're done! the P&P party was really fun....stay tuned!

Attack of the flatties!

I love the figuriness too. My favorite would have to be Mr Smee. I love that his belly is hanging out of his shirt. Kinda reminds me of me .(not that bad, but still funny.)
I also have been enjoying the fact that you took your friends on vacation with you. I'm going to have to do that next year when we go to Hawaii. So many people say "take me with you" and now I can! Great pictures of you and Ray with the statues at MK. That's a great tradition! Gives me ideas for our next trip. (if you don't mind)

they were originally supposed to come on the ENTIRE trip with us, but that didn't work out. anna was supposed to be opening her own gym around the time of the vacation and she had invested a lot of money in that, so they decided to back out. but then the deal fell through so they could've gone and by that time it was too late for them to save the money. so i just suggested that they come to the P&P party with us and then spend the rest of the weekend at a beach somewhere nearby and they jumped at that! they are coming with us for the entire trip in december. it was nice though to just have me and ray time for the majority of the trip!

and of course you can start your own tradition with the statues...i don't mind at all!

Isn't the Wilderness Lodge beautiful??? Chris and I stayed there a few years ago and are hoping to make it back sometime!

I LOVE the figurines you bought......especially the Tink one! Those are really cool!

I can't wait to hear about the P&P Party!!!

oh, i want to stay there so bad! maybe in a couple of years. we have both agreed to make starting a family our #1 priority in 2009, so we'll see after that!

 

[KristinAnne]

I LOVE Jon and Kate Plus 8!!! I think I drive DH nuts because I always manage to find it on! Those kiddies are adorable, mostly because I get to watch them and don't actually have to live with them!

 

[Piper05]

I love Jon and Kate + 8! Kate has been getting some bad press lately. Critics are saying she's abusive to Jon. I just think they have a "real" relationship and not putting on a show for the cameras. I don't want their stress with 8 kids and a hectic life.

P.S. I love your Jim Shore pieces. I have a Christmas collection.

 

[disneymom1980]

I love Jon and Kate plus 8 too. The only episode that DD will watch though is the Disney one......I think we've seen it 5 times. I have to agree with Piper though...I think they do have a "real relationship". I know there are definitely after staying at home with kids that I'm not exactly thrilling when DH gets home, and I only have two . I think, however, that it kind of scares DH because we had to do fertility treatments to get DD #2, and may very well have to do them for future children!

I will post a pic of the calendar when I'm done. I got all the numbers done tonight, but DD #1 really wants to help with the stickers, so that will probably make it take a little longer .

 

[Charleston Princess]

for lunch ray got the pan-seared rainbrow trout and i got the buffalo bacon cheeseburger. i very rarely eat burgers and i was just in the mood for one that day! when ray got his food he sort of frowned because this doesn't look like something he'd eat, but he ended up enjoying it. he said he'd had better trout, but that it was decent. our server told him she'd finish what he didn't eat!

my burger was good but very filling! i ended up taking half of it back to the room with us.

This may be a stupid question, but was the buffalo burger made out of buffalo? If so, what does buffalo taste like? It looks delicious!

so.....do you like them? i do! right now they're sitting on top of a cabinet in my dining room but one day i hope to put them in my son/daughter's room!

I bet they look great in your dining room!!! The Tinker Bell one is my favorite!

Your photos of WL are great!!! That would be such a neat place to stay!

 

[punkin413]

today in the mail i got an envelope addressed to me from disney and when i opened it, it was a renewal offer for my AP, which expires on 9/22. i'm not renewing it. i have no plans of returning to disney in 2009 at this point and so spending $450 on an AP for one 4-day trip in december isn't worth it. so seeing this renewal offer just really bummed me out because i know my AP is about to go bye-bye! it was good while it lasted!

tonight is the women's all-around gymnastics competition.....my favorite!

I LOVE Jon and Kate Plus 8!!! I think I drive DH nuts because I always manage to find it on! Those kiddies are adorable, mostly because I get to watch them and don't actually have to live with them!

luckily my DH loves it too! we just crack up at the stuff the kids do.

I love Jon and Kate + 8! Kate has been getting some bad press lately. Critics are saying she's abusive to Jon. I just think they have a "real" relationship and not putting on a show for the cameras. I don't want their stress with 8 kids and a hectic life.

P.S. I love your Jim Shore pieces. I have a Christmas collection.

oh, give me a break! she's not abusive.......she's real! now that's not to say that i talk to ray the way she talks to jon, but jon yells at her, too. i think with 8 kids that's gonna happen!

I love Jon and Kate plus 8 too. The only episode that DD will watch though is the Disney one......I think we've seen it 5 times. I have to agree with Piper though...I think they do have a "real relationship". I know there are definitely after staying at home with kids that I'm not exactly thrilling when DH gets home, and I only have two . I think, however, that it kind of scares DH because we had to do fertility treatments to get DD #2, and may very well have to do them for future children!

I will post a pic of the calendar when I'm done. I got all the numbers done tonight, but DD #1 really wants to help with the stickers, so that will probably make it take a little longer .

i love the disney episode except for one kate freaks out over the ice cream. that was just silly! DH and i have both already agreed that we will only have one when we do get pregnant. nothing against having lots of kids....that's just what we both want. with our luck though we'll end up with twins! my grandfather and uncles are twins and his dad was a twin.

i want to see the calendar for sure!

This may be a stupid question, but was the buffalo burger made out of buffalo? If so, what does buffalo taste like? It looks delicious!

no, it was regular hamburger meat. i have no clue why they call it a buffalo burger. but if you're curious about buffalo meet you should go to ted's montana grill - they have buffalo burgers and i hear they're pretty tasty! i know we have one in buford - i bet you guys have one nearby too.

I bet they look great in your dining room!!! The Tinker Bell one is my favorite!

i love that one, too! and i love what it says - let your dreams blossom.

Your photos of WL are great!!! That would be such a neat place to stay!

i plan to one day!

 

[disneyfav4ever]

That can be so depressing, I know last year when I got my renewal offer I thought about it breifly, but decided against it. I also debated whether or not to upgrade to an AP this trip, since I may go with a friend in a few months, but that trip gets more and more expensive, so I don't know, (off property, and a fifteen hour drive doesn't seem that appealing to me either.) So now I think maybe no trips in 2009 for me, but maybe two in 2010, one in the spring for the Flower and Garden festival, and one in the fall for the Food and Wine festival.

 

[Charleston Princess]

i have no plans of returning to disney in 2009 at this point

WHAT??? Are you even allowed to say that??? What will we do without your TRs in 2009???

no, it was regular hamburger meat. i have no clue why they call it a buffalo burger. but if you're curious about buffalo meet you should go to ted's montana grill - they have buffalo burgers and i hear they're pretty tasty! i know we have one in buford - i bet you guys have one nearby too.

I just looked up their website -- there is one close by and their menu looks good! Of course, I saw several things I would like to try there and none of them were the bison.

i love that one, too! and i love what it says - let your dreams blossom.

Very fitting since you were going during the Flower and Garden Festival!

i plan to one day!

How about in 2009?

 

[MeMom]

today in the mail i got an envelope addressed to me from disney and when i opened it, it was a renewal offer for my AP, which expires on 9/22. i'm not renewing it. i have no plans of returning to disney in 2009 at this point and so spending $450 on an AP for one 4-day trip in december isn't worth it. so seeing this renewal offer just really bummed me out because i know my AP is about to go bye-bye! it was good while it lasted!

Mine just expired. I mourned its loss.
It was a good one - six trips!
I am debating getting a new one for the November trip, because I know we have the ten day summer trip, and if I possibly can, I'd like to go in October next year again. I'd have to take a couple of days off of school again, like I did last year, and that's always iffy depending on what's going on at school. So, I could get it and get two trips out of it for sure, and possibly three. I could also pay for a regular ticket for the short trip in November and get an AP when we go next summer that will last all the way through the next summer's trip. By then, Jill will be able to travel again, and maybe we could take another mother/daughter/kids trip between the two summer trips, like maybe spring break. With that option, I'd get two ten day trips and a 5-6 day spring trip. (Did you understand all of that jibberish?) I've got to do some thinking. I sure did like getting those AP rates on rooms.

I can't imagine how dismal 2009 is going to be for all of your faithful readers. No trip for punkin? No crazy Ray pictures? I hope your baby plans go just how you want them to, and when you do get to go back with your little one, it will be all that much more magical and exciting!

 

[kschafer]

Hi Dawn,

I just wanted to check in now that I am caught up. I can't wait to hear about the P&P party!

Thanks for the pics of wilderness lodge. Someday I dream to be able to afford to stay there. We ended up cancelling our dinner ADR's for WCC so I missed out on the yummy looking skillet dinner, next time I guess.

I'm so glad to hear that Ray is coming around with Epcot. DH and I loved world showcase! It was fun to do with the kids but on our adults only night we were able to focus on something other than passports and smashed pennies. Next time, you HAVE to catch illuminations, so cool!! Just make sure you get a spot where you can see the water. The night we went as grown-ups, we decided to enjoy the pavillions longer and caught illuminations just as it was starting. A couple days later, we staked out a great spot and I realized how much I had missed due to my short little legs and dozens of people ahead of me.

 

[VandyFan10]

today in the mail i got an envelope addressed to me from disney and when i opened it, it was a renewal offer for my AP, which expires on 9/22. i'm not renewing it. i have no plans of returning to disney in 2009 at this point and so spending $450 on an AP for one 4-day trip in december isn't worth it. so seeing this renewal offer just really bummed me out because i know my AP is about to go bye-bye! it was good while it lasted!

But WE are going in less than 3 WEEKS!!!!

tonight is the women's all-around gymnastics competition.....my favorite!

Meeeeee Tooooooo! I really would have thought that it would have started by now but I already told them at work I would be grumpy tomorrow b/c I would be staying up late