Practically Perfect at the Poly? **UPDATE 7/28 -- And We're Back!!

[amandaw]

Yay! I'm so glad you're putting some updates about your April trip!

Sounds like you were having an awesome arrival day! Y'all really got a lot done that night!

 

[tinacaplan]

Sorry I've been pretty absent from the boards these last few days. Maybe its because I've been too busy getting ready for my trip! We'll be at the airport in less than twenty-fours hours and landing at MCO in about twenty-five. Today, I'm going to spend packing and cleaning and hopefully that will distract me enough from climbing the walls. After two short(er) trips I'm pretty excited to be going down for a full week.

As for upcoming trips...well, I have my quick Food and Wine trip with my mom and godmother and her daughters to look forward to in October.. And then...we shall see. Our APs don't expire until the 20th of February 2013 and I've heard that there are going to be a lot of new things to see by then. Also, the 20th happens to be the Wednesday of my February break, so a trip down would be worth it from that perspective. My dream for that trip would be to spend the last couple nights at AKL...FINALLY! But, I'm trying not to get my hopes up, because a trip might not happen at all and then it will awhile (like two years ) before we're back. Gotta take a second and save some money.

In case you were super curious (and no doubt...you are), the rest of my April trip was pretty great, albeit a bit on the boring side. Our second day was the most commando-ish day I've yet to have at Disney. After our late night at MK, we slept in and then went to EPCOT, where I finally saw the Flower and Garden festival. It was beautiful. I had a religious moment with a Grey Goose slushie right before lunch. Wow! Those things might just be the perfect beverage for a hot day in the WS; so light, refreshing, and not at all too sweet!

We had a magical lunch at Chef's, which I was not at all expecting. We scored a window seat right in the front of the restaurant, which was great for people watching and prime viewing for the chair performers right outside. The food was great; we both did the prixe fixe thing; I had the croque monsieur and she had the quiche. We both started with the french onion soup. Yum! And, as if all of that weren't enough, we met Remy!

We rode Soarin' that afternoon (possibly twice) and then took the boat to HS. We had an ADR at 50's Primetime, where we had an incredibly enthusiastic waiter. In fact, the entire wait staff that night was pretty into it. We both had the fried chicken and it was good enough that we'll be going back next week for dinner. I think Max will really like it.

The following day we spend laying out at the pool, getting burnt to a crisp. But, that night, we headed to La Hacienda for dinner. We had an 8:30 ADR, scored a window seat, and had incredible views of Illuminations.

The next day we spent at AK, where we rode EE twice, Dinosaur, the safari, KRR and saw FOLK. I also had my first (delicious) lunch at Flametree. That night, we went to Cali Grill, for another truly memorable meal, complete with Wishes! I had not seen Wishes! with the music in some time and well...it makes a pretty big difference. I'm looking forward to experiencing it with full sound this Friday night!

All in all, it was a great, relaxing, girl's trip with no drama, no melt downs, and plenty of naps.

As for this trip, I did make one final ADR change, though. I'd been stalking an earlier Cali Grill ADR all week and it finally occurred to me that perhaps I should branch out and look at some other nights. I did and scored a 7:45 ADR there..for Friday night. Not my first choice for a night, but definitely a better time slot. And we'll all be going. After thinking about La Cava in Mexico and remembering the wine cellar in Italy, I really want an adults-only night at EPCOT.

Thanks to everyone who followed this TR to the end. I appreciate all of you and hope you're having a great summer.

Hopefully, I'll stay super organized with my photos while we're there and I'll take notes, so writing a TR for this trip could be the best yet.

 

[amandaw]

Thank you so much for sharing your wonderful memories in this TR with us! I truly enjoyed it.

And it was so fun getting to hear about your girls' trip in April. Sounds like y'all had a fabulous time.

I can't believe you'll be back tomorrow!! I hope y'all have a very safe & magical vacation!

 

[eandesmom]

Yay for the Cali ressie! Your girls trip doesn't sound boring, it sounds perfect!!!

12 hours now

Have a great trip!!!

 

[KatMark]

Have a great time on your trip, Tina and family.

 

[that's nice]

Have a Magical trip Tina!!!! I'll keep the state in line while you are gone.

 

[OnSpaceshipEarth]

Ohhhh...I LOVE those pictures of the Electrical Parade!!!!

Have fun on your trip...I'm jealous!!!!

 

[Stringbean&Wingnut]

Have a magical trip!!!!!!!!!!!!!

 

[MEK]

Wow Tina. I missed you send off. How did that happen?

Have an awesome trip!

Finally saw the pictures from the last update and they look awesome! What took me so long?

 

[annmarieda]

I am so sorry that I missed the end and did not send you off!! I have completely fallen behind with all the threads I am sub'd to.

First, a very happy late birthday to Max!!!

Second, I love that you had the girls trip. What fun!!

Third, I hope you have a very very magical trip!!!!

 

[tinacaplan]

Thank you so much for sharing your wonderful memories in this TR with us! I truly enjoyed it.

And it was so fun getting to hear about your girls' trip in April. Sounds like y'all had a fabulous time.

I can't believe you'll be back tomorrow!! I hope y'all have a very safe & magical vacation!

Thanks!

Yay for the Cali ressie! Your girls trip doesn't sound boring, it sounds perfect!!!

12 hours now

Have a great trip!!!

Thank you! And I suppose you're right, boring is not the right word. It was wonderful and relaxing...but naps and sunburns do not a scintillating trip report make!

Have a great time on your trip, Tina and family.

Thanks!

Have a Magical trip Tina!!!! I'll keep the state in line while you are gone.

THANK GOD! Because you know I would hate something to happen to our little state.

Ohhhh...I LOVE those pictures of the Electrical Parade!!!!

Have fun on your trip...I'm jealous!!!!

Thanks!

Have a magical trip!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Thank you!

Wow Tina. I missed you send off. How did that happen?

Have an awesome trip!

Finally saw the pictures from the last update and they look awesome! What took me so long?

Thank you! I have so much to catch up with around here... I'm a bit intimidated by it all actually.

I am so sorry that I missed the end and did not send you off!! I have completely fallen behind with all the threads I am sub'd to.

First, a very happy late birthday to Max!!!

Second, I love that you had the girls trip. What fun!!

Third, I hope you have a very very magical trip!!!!

Fear not, Ann...I have no idea how I'm going to catch up with everything! I read and then something happens or I'm tired and don't feel like responding...I'm a bad Dis-er!

 

[tinacaplan]

Hello everyone! I cannot believe that we're back from our trip and I start school on Monday! Where does the time go?

Thanks to everyone who has read my little TR. I truly appreciate every single comment.

I will say that our July trip was great. Max did, in fact, make the 40" mark. This truly opened up a whole new world to us. Art of Animation was...um...cool? As a few of you predicted (Kathy), it did not make me a value convert. I think I'd rather split the difference and go with CSR, although Max would absolutely, positively disagree with that opinion.

And speaking of resorts, the Beach Club did not disappoint. SAB is still sublime. The International Gateway is incredible. And while I don't have a strong desire to ever stay there, the Boardwalk provides the BC with a great view!

Not sure if/when I'll do a TR. I failed to take as many pics as I would have liked, nor did I get to take many notes. Oops...too busy having a great time, I guess. But I have an idea up my sleeve for slighty different TR format, so we'll see!

 

[KatMark]

Welcome back. It sounds as if you had a great trip. I hope you at least give us the highlights.

 

[Stringbean&Wingnut]

Welcome back!!! I'm glad you had a great trip!! I hope you'll do a TR for it!

 

[amandaw]

Welcome Home! Sounds like y'all had a great trip! I'd be up for a TR of any format. Just sayin'..... Seriously though, happy to hear y'all had a fun trip!

 

[annmarieda]

Welcome home!!!

I wish you would elaborate on AoA as I am considering adding a night there.

 

[glennbo123]

Welcome back! I'm glad you had a great trip. That's cool that Max hit a height milestone and was able to try some new rides.

 

[MEK]

Welcome back! So glad you had a great time!

You start school on Monday? As in tomorrow? That seems way too soon. Good luck getting back to reality!

 

[tinacaplan]

Due to popular demand......I think I probably will try to do a TR for our July trip. It really was great and there are things I want to share with everyone. Such as pictures of t-shirts I like, but will never buy.

Welcome back. It sounds as if you had a great trip. I hope you at least give us the highlights.

Thanks!! We did!

Welcome back!!! I'm glad you had a great trip!! I hope you'll do a TR for it!

Thank you.

Welcome Home! Sounds like y'all had a great trip! I'd be up for a TR of any format. Just sayin'..... Seriously though, happy to hear y'all had a fun trip!

Thanks!

Welcome home!!!

I wish you would elaborate on AoA as I am considering adding a night there.

Hi! Ann as far as AoA, I have no doubt that Zoe would love it. It is pretty neat and if you stay in a standard room or need the room you get in the suites, its a great option. There is definitely something to be said for a resort that's brand new!

Welcome back! I'm glad you had a great trip. That's cool that Max hit a height milestone and was able to try some new rides.

Honestly, aside from the Jedi Training Academy, that was the real high-light of our trip. It is amazing how many more rides that opens up...like a whole new world. Sorry, I can't seem to stop my self from making that joke.

Welcome back! So glad you had a great time!

You start school on Monday? As in tomorrow? That seems way too soon. Good luck getting back to reality!

Yep....started back tomorrow. Its still more time than most people get and I knew what I was signing up for when I switched, so... I can't complain too much. Plus, the first two and half weeks are staff training, so days are an hour shorter, there are no kids, and Mark is still off, which makes it all easier somehow. I'd love it if he could stay home and be my house-husband!

 

[amandaw]

Due to popular demand......I think I probably will try to do a TR for our July trip. It really was great and there are things I want to share with everyone. Such as pictures of t-shirts I like, but will never buy.

Can't wait!!!