Peekaboo, I see Pluto! A 1st Birthday TR; Wrapping up PTR and TR 10/02!

[Missyrose]

I'm sorry you're sick!

BTW, I laughed out loud at the fact that Franklin did a happy dance after IllumiNations!

You're so lucky to be able to stay at AKL! That's in my top 3! It's so beautiful, love the pictures!

Trust me, I laughed out loud too. There may have been some pointing also.

I cannot wait to stay at AKL. I was so lucky to stumble onto the whole "renting DVC points" thing (before actually buying into DVC myself). I ended up spending about half of what a standard AKL room would have cost (even with an AP discount) for the dates we're going.

If you ever have a trip with very firm dates that you can book 7-11 months out, you should try renting points.

I'm sorry that you haven't been feeling well. That's the worst.

I've said it before, but Franklin's pictures are so beautiful, it's like I'm actually there again. I'm glad you got the opportunity to see Illuminations, if only for me to be able to look at the pictures.

No zebra domes?! Sacrilege.

Thanks for the compliments on Franklin's photos, he really is an artist. Maybe when we get closer to the October trip, we can take some requests if there are any specific photos anyone wants Franklin to take. I'm sure he's going to love me volunteering him for this.

I know, I should lose my Dis license or something for forgetting to get the zebra domes. I guess I was just too awed by the resort to remember?

Also, I just noticed in your sig that you started another TR??!??! Seriously, Danielle, you're making me feel like a slacker. I'm heading over to check it out.

Hope you are feeling better- glad to see another update.

Amazing photos of AKL!!! Gorgeous. The inside is so dark that it is hard to capture the beauty but these are the best photos I have seen!

I was disappointed at first that you didn't go to Boma- we enjoyed our one breakfast there- but the bounty platters really looked great!

Tanner's Mickey Bar shirt is sooooooo cute!

Not really feeling better -- yet. But I'm at work (and sitting upright, so bonus!). But thanks for the good wishes.

That was my concern about AKL, that it was going to be too dark for Franklin's photos. But I should learn I never have to worry about him, he can adapt to any conditions.

I really, REALLY wanted to go to Boma for breakfast, but we were trying to keep things a little cheaper (plus we were going to Le Cellier for lunch that afternoon, which definitely isn't cheap), so Mara it was. But to make up for it, I've got TWO Boma breakfasts scheduled for our October stay.

I have to admit, the Mickey Bar shirt was my favorite of the ones we gave him, it was just so freakin' cute!

I know I said it FB, but I'll say it again, Ben! How was his big day?

​

 

[Reberella]

I love love love loveee the Cape May Cafe!! It's so good and has something for everyone!
Franklin's firework pictures look AWESOME! Really pretty. I've never actually seen Illuminations from Epcot, just from Beach Club
I LOOOOOVVEEE BEACH CLUB! You will definitely love it!
Haha do I talk about Beach Club too much?

 

[Missyrose]

I love love love loveee the Cape May Cafe!! It's so good and has something for everyone!
Franklin's firework pictures look AWESOME! Really pretty. I've never actually seen Illuminations from Epcot, just from Beach Club
I LOOOOOVVEEE BEACH CLUB! You will definitely love it!
Haha do I talk about Beach Club too much?

We really liked Cape May Cafe! Beach Club is definitely on our list of resorts we'd like to try. I'm guessing with 30 years of Disney vacations left on our DVC contract, we'll have a chance to try out Stormalong Bay. ​

 

[Pixel Dust]

Amazing photos of AKL!!! Gorgeous. The inside is so dark that it is hard to capture the beauty but these are the best photos I have seen!

Thanks! I did have to adjust the camera a couple times. Getting it right in the camera is my main goal. I don't like to "over process" the photos afterwards. Just keeping it real for you guys, unlike the other super saturated crap that is out there...

Missy has learned that I will just stop randomly to take photos. She just keeps on walking now.

 

[Missyrose]

Missy has learned that I will just stop randomly to take photos. She just keeps on walking now.

This happened today! Franklin was testing out a new lens while I was shopping after brunch and I looked around and realized he wasn't there anymore, so I continued shopping until I saw him again. This ended up being an expensive solution though. ​

 

[teekathepony]

Oh oh oh, I'm so in love with AKL! I'm going to stay there one day, no matter what it takes! I've been to Boma a few times but never explored too much of the resort itself. I think I'd like to do that this year, have a better look around everything. It's gorgeous. I can't wait to read your Oct. TR! Haha
Looks like a very yummy breakfast.
Hope you feel better!

 

[Maestra99]

Great updates Missy! Sorry to hear you were under the weather. Hope you're feeling better!

I just love Tanner's cute Disney shirts! I'm adding to my to-do list "Get cute t-shirts made for Miles for each day of our trip!"

You know about my love for AKL. Those photos are so fabulous and make me want to go back!! I think it's a good call for a resort day for your next trip. We did a "resort day" when we stayed at Pop, but ended up going to DTD for a half day. AKL has more to explore, though!

On the Illuminations photos worship, are those Cars characters I see in the front? I don't remember ever seeing them there.

 

[natebenma]

I really, REALLY wanted to go to Boma for breakfast, but we were trying to keep things a little cheaper (plus we were going to Le Cellier for lunch that afternoon, which definitely isn't cheap), so Mara it was. But to make up for it, I've got TWO Boma breakfasts scheduled for our October stay.

I have to admit, the Mickey Bar shirt was my favorite of the ones we gave him, it was just so freakin' cute!

I know I said it FB, but I'll say it again, Ben! How was his big day?

​

Two Boma breakfasts sound wonderful! And so convenient.

Thanks for the birthday greeting for Ben. That was very sweet. He loved reading everyone's good wishes.

How was his big day? EXHAUSTING!

I wrote a little bit about it on my TR.

 

[natebenma]

I love love love loveee the Cape May Cafe!! It's so good and has something for everyone!
Franklin's firework pictures look AWESOME! Really pretty. I've never actually seen Illuminations from Epcot, just from Beach Club
I LOOOOOVVEEE BEACH CLUB! You will definitely love it!
Haha do I talk about Beach Club too much?

Nope! Not at all!!!

Missy has learned that I will just stop randomly to take photos. She just keeps on walking now.

My family too. I think I have more pictures of their backsides than I do of their faces.

 

[Missyrose]

Oh oh oh, I'm so in love with AKL! I'm going to stay there one day, no matter what it takes! I've been to Boma a few times but never explored too much of the resort itself. I think I'd like to do that this year, have a better look around everything. It's gorgeous. I can't wait to read your Oct. TR! Haha
Looks like a very yummy breakfast.
Hope you feel better!

I'm so hoping to fall in love with AKL. It just seems like a resort you can lose yourself in, which is perfect for vacation. I just worry like so many posts I see, it's kinda far from EVERYTHING. But I'm going in with a positive attitude and hoping the Disney bus gods smile upon me.

Great updates Missy! Sorry to hear you were under the weather. Hope you're feeling better!

I just love Tanner's cute Disney shirts! I'm adding to my to-do list "Get cute t-shirts made for Miles for each day of our trip!"

You know about my love for AKL. Those photos are so fabulous and make me want to go back!! I think it's a good call for a resort day for your next trip. We did a "resort day" when we stayed at Pop, but ended up going to DTD for a half day. AKL has more to explore, though!

On the Illuminations photos worship, are those Cars characters I see in the front? I don't remember ever seeing them there.

Tanner's T-shirts ended up being the perfect birthday present for him the week before our vacation. But the problem was, I started collecting the T-shirts months and months before... and I kept finding new ones! So the child now has a lifetime supply of Disney shirts (well, at least for the lifetime he remains in the 18 months size).

I think on our resort day (which this expert Disney planner decided would be the day after our MNSSHP ) we're going to lounge at the pool/explore the resort all day and then spend our evening eating our way around the Food and Wine Festival.
That, my friends, might be the perfect Disney day!

Good eyes! Those were Cars characters you saw in the Illuminations photos. They were topiaries from the Flower and Garden Festival. And if I remember correctly, the Cars topiaries were the entrance display at last year's F&GF, but this year they were back near Japan.

Two Boma breakfasts sound wonderful! And so convenient.

Thanks for the birthday greeting for Ben. That was very sweet. He loved reading everyone's good wishes.

How was his big day? EXHAUSTING!

I wrote a little bit about it on my TR.

I'm so excited to have a restaurant with a breakfast everyone RAVES about conveniently located in my hotel, it's almost like I planned it.

I just read about Ben's big day (and yours!), it all sounded great.

Nope! Not at all!!!



My family too. I think I have more pictures of their backsides than I do of their faces.

Franklin actually said yesterday that with his new super wide-angle lens, he's going to have to be more careful about keeping me out of the frame. I hate when I see my butt in his photos! It's nothing to look at, trust me.

​

 

[IheartDDuck]

Thanks for the compliments on Franklin's photos, he really is an artist. Maybe when we get closer to the October trip, we can take some requests if there are any specific photos anyone wants Franklin to take. I'm sure he's going to love me volunteering him for this.

I know, I should lose my Dis license or something for forgetting to get the zebra domes. I guess I was just too awed by the resort to remember?

Also, I just noticed in your sig that you started another TR??!??! Seriously, Danielle, you're making me feel like a slacker. I'm heading over to check it out.
​

I may have to think about that! I think he'll be fine with you volunteering him.

Yeah, I start TR and PTR's like a ninja! I hope to see you over there. It's a bit different this time around.

 

[Maestra99]

That, my friends, might be the perfect Disney day!

Good eyes! Those were Cars characters you saw in the Illuminations photos. They were topiaries from the Flower and Garden Festival. And if I remember correctly, the Cars topiaries were the entrance display at last year's F&GF, but this year they were back near Japan.
​

That sounds like a FANTASTIC day! Nice and relaxing and lots of good food!

Ah, the Cars being from the F&G makes sense (duh)...I was confused about them being in WS and wondering how I'd missed something so big!

 

[Missyrose]

That sounds like a FANTASTIC day! Nice and relaxing and lots of good food!

Ah, the Cars being from the F&G makes sense (duh)...I was confused about them being in WS and wondering how I'd missed something so big!

Thanks! We're usually so go-go-go on our Disney trips (even when we'd try for "breaks" they have never been all that relaxing), but we're making a conscious effort to slow down our Disney pace. We know we'll be back, especially once October rolls around (as of now, we've got trips planned in October 2012, January 2013 and May 2013), so we want to enjoy the resorts more.

As you'll see coming up in this TR, we didn't get to spend NEARLY enough time at F&G, so I'm anxious to go back next spring to check out what we missed. ​

 

[brookelizabeth]

You will just have to get TWO portions of Zebra Domes in October. They are sooooo yummy! I really enjoy The Mara too. We have stayed at AKL once, and Kidani once, and we will be there in February again. My favorite things about the resort is the FOOD, and the glimpses of the beautiful savannah as you walk down the hallways. I'm overall a bigger fan of Jambo House versus Kidani, just because having a Quick Service is very handy with a little one.

Are you going to do Boma in October? We LOVE their breakfast.

 

[Missyrose]

You will just have to get TWO portions of Zebra Domes in October. They are sooooo yummy! I really enjoy The Mara too. We have stayed at AKL once, and Kidani once, and we will be there in February again. My favorite things about the resort is the FOOD, and the glimpses of the beautiful savannah as you walk down the hallways. I'm overall a bigger fan of Jambo House versus Kidani, just because having a Quick Service is very handy with a little one.

Are you going to do Boma in October? We LOVE their breakfast.

I'm loving the double-up on Zebra domes! I like the way you think.

We've got two Boma breakfasts planned for October. I've heard nothing but raves, so I'm very excited to try it out.

Wait, AKV in February? When in February?​

 

[Missyrose]

We last left off with a yummy breakfast in the wild, a.k.a Animal Kingdom Lodge. We’d all piled back into the SUV and headed off for...

We arrived at Epcot around 10 a.m., so about an hour after park opening.

One more reason to get to the park early, the lines at 10 were RIDICULOUS! Yeesh! But once we were through the turnstiles, we were greeted by the stunning Fantasia Flower and Garden Festival display.

Franklin took off for Soarin’ FPs (he used three of our tickets), while the rest of us headed toward Test Track.

Keith, Lala, Franklin and I hopped into the single rider line, which had a posted wait of 10 minutes.

It took maybe seven minutes for us to get into a car. Keith and Lala ended up in one car and Franklin and I ended up in the car behind them, it worked out perfectly! Who needs the regular line? Franklin, for the first time ever, decided to shoot while on the ride (which is good, since this would be the last time we ever rode this incarnation of TT).

Yep, that’s me pretending to be asleep in the backseat.

Nothing like feeling like crash test dummies to start the morning off right. In the dump shop, Lala was really excited to check out the monorail set they had set up and running. You see, when Franklin and I were at Keith and Lala’s for Christmas, I was admiring her Disney-themed Christmas tree. I said the only thing that would make it better would be to have the monorail running around it instead of the traditional train. She LOVED the idea and so her shopping list was born.

Franklin and I wanted to get a Disney gift card for Lala’s birthday for her to put toward the monorail, but the dump shop didn’t sell them. So we made a mental note to stop at MouseGear at some point that day.

We made our way out of the shop and found Kotkham and Tanner. Tanner had been very busy during our time away. He’d taken off both his shoes and his hat! Luckily we’d gotten back before he could strip completely.

We took a stroll over to Mission Space.

But standby time was 40 minutes, so we grabbed FPs with our two remaining tickets.
With nothing pressing to do, we headed for the other side of the park.

But you can’t cut through the middle of Epcot without shopping at MouseGear!

Lala got her monorail and I caved and bought the “gift with purchase” tote bag to use in our Owner’s Locker as a beach bag. It’s super cute. It’s a black tote bag with a sparkly gold Mickey silhouette and it says Mickey Mouse in gold sparkly letters. Apparently USA Today ran a picture of it, along with the castle throw I told you about a couple of chapters ago.

Tanner needed a diaper change, so we all stopped for a potty break. It had gotten really warm out by this point. And I knew Club Cool was around the corner, so I scooted over and grabbed two frozen Cokes for the group to share. When I got back to the others, several Mickey ice cream treats had been purchased. I think the final tally was two Mickey bars and a Mickey ice cream sandwich.

Tanner, you look so cute in your Mickey Bar T-shirt, want to try your first Mickey bar?

Nope, not really, Aunt Missy. But I want to play with it.

How about a Mickey ice cream sandwich?

Sure, I’ll play with that too!

With no toddler to share with, it left plenty for the rest of us.

I was very happy double-fisting my frozen Coke and Mickey bar.

With some sugary goodness in our bellies, it was time to plot our next move. We still had some time before our 1:15 ADR at Le Cellier, so what attraction do you think we headed to next? Lots more Epcot fun still ahead, so stay tuned!​

 

[teekathepony]

Aww the Test Track pictures! I love that ride! I hope they don't change it too drastically.
I could go for a Mickey ice cream right about now.

 

[marDgreen88]

Great Test Track pictures! It's nice that he got them before the ride changed!

OMG MONORAIL SET. I want that!!! Love the pics of yall with the Mickey ice creams! You can never be too old to enjoy Mickey shaped food hahah.

 

[IheartDDuck]

My mom has always wanted the monorail set to run around their house. She wants to put it on the ledging in the lower level. I think it's a great idea! Everyone needs a monorail set.

I would do anything for a Mickey bar right now.

 

[natebenma]

Loving the Test Track photos. Especially the one taken on the track. And the photopass picture with you sleeping is cute! I'll have to settle for the great pictures since TT will be closed during my trip.

So what was the return time on the Soarin' FPs?

I love your midmorning snacks and your purchases!!!