Preggo, pennies, and pastries!!! **FINAL UPDATES 4/25**

[NikkiLovesWDW!]

I can not BELIEVE that you listened to that couple for that long without knocking on the door! I would have let it go maybe 10 minutes before knocking and yelling, "SHUT UP!" Maybe even a "SHUT THE >>>> UP!" You are much more patient than I am, for sure! I mean, I don't know how it would be possible, but maybe they didn't know they were keeping everyone awake. It sounds like they probably do that quite often in their real lives so maybe they didn't even realize? I don't know....all I know is I would NOT have let it go on all night like that. If I don't get my sleep, I can't function!

 

[ronnmel]

Wow, what a bad thing to have to listen to in the middle of the night.

But my oh my, what a beautiful room!

 

[stephielela]

I can not BELIEVE that you listened to that couple for that long without knocking on the door! I would have let it go maybe 10 minutes before knocking and yelling, "SHUT UP!" Maybe even a "SHUT THE >>>> UP!" You are much more patient than I am, for sure! I mean, I don't know how it would be possible, but maybe they didn't know they were keeping everyone awake. It sounds like they probably do that quite often in their real lives so maybe they didn't even realize? I don't know....all I know is I would NOT have let it go on all night like that. If I don't get my sleep, I can't function!

Me too Nikki!! I would have gone nuts!!! I can't believe you able to keep quiet Hope! You are far more polite than I am, lol.

 

[photographymom517]

Hi! I just read through your PTR and your TR so far. I can't imagine having such awful resort neighbors! I don't think I would have waited until morning to complain! I hope your son isn't sick the entire trip!

Impressive reading!!!

I can't believe you just read my entire PTR and my TR so far! I hope to get a few updates posted next week so please continue following along!

Everyone seems to have the same opinion on the couple next door! Trust me, I definitely wanted to call the Front Desk asap -- but my husband sort of talked me out of it. He thought they might hear us talking about them. I thought it was so weird because in "normal life" we are soooo opposite! I'm normally the one who wants to "keep the peace" while he will say anything to anyone! But in this case, "I" was the one who wanted to open my mouth!!!

Oh Hope....why did you have to post that yummy review? Now I'm trying to decide if Ohana is really want I want for my birthday meal....

Wow, Katie -- I am absolutely NO help on that decision!!! That would be a tough one for sure!!!

I've never been to Ohana -- but it's definitely a "must do" for next trip

I'm actually going to text or email you some info on other restaurants so I don't give away my entire TR -- but I have a few others that I liked more than Via Napoli that I'd recommend for your trip!

Wow, I wasn't much help, lol. It's hard to pinpoint some stuff I guess!

I felt the EXACT same way about our December trip. I kept wondering what was wrong with me, I was so lucky, this trip was so amazing and my parents were spending so much money but I wasn't really having a fantastic time. I have really learned that it's not about all the $$ you spend or how many cool things you get to do, when you build something up like that, it never lives up to expectations. I had a much better time on our MR Wonder cruise and it cost way less, it's all about the attitude you have! So no, you aren't the only one!!

I wish I would've text you a few times when I was having really bad moments because I kept thinking A LOT about Henry and Jack and how they are both almost the same age as Luke! It would've made me feel so much better had I text you and Brook & we all shared our "mommy Disney experiences!"

I just kept getting more and more frustrated because I was thinking in my head "I have all these friends with kids the same age as Luke and he is being horrible and they have wonderful trips!" It would've been reassuring to hear that we all have our good moments and our bad moments! Oops! Lesson learned -- next time I will share my frustrations (hopefully in person!) with you and you can help me through it

Thanks for the list of things for the baby book! I know you said it didn't seem like much, but it really does help!

You are totally right about the money!!! It doesn't matter how much you spend, it's not about that, it's about the memories you make & the time you spend together!!! I know that everyone is different, but for me personally, I think I like spending less money & definitely planning less! I felt like we always had to be somewhere at a certain time & I'm sure that was contributing to everyone's stress levels. I can't go without any plan because I would be completely stressed out not knowing what I was doing ahead of time -- but I do need to tone down the planning just a tad

I think the more money we spend on trips, the higher the expectations for the trip, and that always leads to let-downs. It's not a bad idea to plan a ton for solo trips or couples -- but when you have children involved especially toddlers, I think its much better to do a budget trip with less planning

Oh my gosh, that couple! You didn't mention it, so I'm assuming at least Luke slept through it?

You make Via Napoli sound sooooo good! You're a lot braver than I am; I'm still not sure I'd try the veal. I will honestly try anything once just to say I did. My best friend has studied abroad and tried frog legs, snail, and camel, and it makes me insanely jealous (we were going to try to see if there's any French restaurant in Boston that serves snails ) But...veal? I'm not sure. I think the name has bad connotations for me.

I hope Luke ended up feeling better! That's too bad that he was sick but I am glad he ended up feeling hungry.

Meg, I'm glad you asked that question because I forgot to include it in my update!!! I actually realized it right after I posted it!

Yes, Luke did sleep through the entire thing!!! I was shocked because they were LOUD! But we had a short night's sleep, a long day of travel, and a long afternoon/evening at Magic Kingdom. He can usually sleep through a lot of things at home as well. I was still a little amazed though considering how much noise they were making

When I went to the Front Desk the next morning, the one CM even asked "Was your son ok during this?" and I told her that was the ONLY reason I didn't complain the night before. If the people screaming would've kept him up, I would've been down at the Front Desk in my pjs flipping out! Or maybe knocking on their door flipping out! Mess with me, I can deal with it -- but don't mess with my kids!!!

You are thinking about trying snails but not veal? Ahhh, you're nuts Meg!!! There's NO WAY I would go near snails...the sliminess would freak me out! Honestly, just get the meatballs and pretend they're regular meatballs and not veal. That's what I did at first. If I would've thought about it, there's no way I would've been able to eat as much as I did! Trust me!

My dad used to bring home weird foods -- like ostrich & turtle & who knows what! He always told me it was chicken. Somehow I always knew it wasn't because I smelled him cooking it, but I tried it anyway. I'm not very adventurous when it comes to food, but if you lie & tell me its something else, 9 times out of 10 I'd probably try it! (Minus the "slimy group" of food which includes things like snails and oysters)

I'm really glad that Luke ended up being hungry too!!! And he ate quite a bit at Via Napoli & really enjoyed it!

Aww poor Luke, that's not how you want to start the day. Hopefully he felt better afterwards

Yikes about the couple next door. You totally should have called the front desk, they are very discreet (had a similar situation last year). But glad you got your new room sorted and didn't have to deal with that couple again

I know! I felt so bad for Luke! I was really hoping it would pass since we had a lot of events scheduled for the day! They were things I had planned for him & my husband so I wanted them to be able to enjoy all of it!

Thanks for letting me know the Front Desk is very discreet about situations like that! I will take that into consideration in the future & definitely do something about it asap next time!

You have no idea the amount of relief I felt after having the situation taken care of the next morning!!! (actually I think you do understand since you had a situation too!) It's sad that other guests have to do things like that -- but it's awesome that the Disney CM's take care of it so quickly & efficiently!!!

I can not BELIEVE that you listened to that couple for that long without knocking on the door! I would have let it go maybe 10 minutes before knocking and yelling, "SHUT UP!" Maybe even a "SHUT THE >>>> UP!" You are much more patient than I am, for sure! I mean, I don't know how it would be possible, but maybe they didn't know they were keeping everyone awake. It sounds like they probably do that quite often in their real lives so maybe they didn't even realize? I don't know....all I know is I would NOT have let it go on all night like that. If I don't get my sleep, I can't function!

Haha, Nikki!!! I laughed soooo hard when I read you would've said "Shut the $%&# up" to them!!! You have no idea how badly I wanted to!!! I didn't really include this in my update, but I was saying a few choice words the next morning as I was packing!!!

The ENTIRE TIME I was packing I was soooo ticked off! I mean, I had to move rooms and take time out of OUR morning because of those stupid people!!! So as I was packing, I kept screaming & yelling & saying things like "I shouldn't have to move because of THEM" and "I shouldn't have to be doing this" and some other choice words!

Thanks for saying I'm patient, but don't let me fool you with this situation because I'm far from it!!! Had my husband not been there to stop me & keep me quiet, I definitely would've been pounding on their door that night!!! I still find it hilarious that HE was the one stopping me because he is VERY confrontational while I pick & choose my battles. I think he just figured we were on vacation & didn't want to make it into a bigger deal since it was only our first night. But trust me, even as we walked away from our room, I made a few comments LOUDLY right in front of their room. And when I got a look from my DH telling me to be quiet, I said "Why should I care if I wake them up? They kept me up the entire night on VACATION!" So yeah, I'm not all that patient or polite after all

Wow, what a bad thing to have to listen to in the middle of the night.

But my oh my, what a beautiful room!

Yes it was horrible! And as bad as it was to experience it myself, I kept thinking "What if I send clients to Disney and THEY have an experience like this?? I will feel HORRIBLE!" And a few weeks later, my parents had a few terrible experiences too

I definitely learned on this trip that your experience at every resort, at every gift shop, at every restaurant, etc. all depends on the people that you encounter along the way & how you react to them.

My main goal when we upgraded our resort to the BC was to enjoy the room & pool since we had paid more for it. I wish we would've spent more time at the resort! It truly is a gorgeous place to stay, but I did learn that I don't think its the right "fit" for me (other than "my gateway" to Epcot! )

Me too Nikki!! I would have gone nuts!!! I can't believe you able to keep quiet Hope! You are far more polite than I am, lol.

Boy do I have you guys fooled!!!!

 

[photographymom517]

Wishing all of my DIS friends a Very Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year!!!!!

Pictures are from local places we've visited the past couple of years at Christmastime to see lights/decorations

 

[Tinkermom76]

AFTER THE HOLIDAYS

Thats just mean

For some reason I don't enjoy Epcot as much as I used to. It is a one day park for us now.

 

[Tink9721]

Wow! I wonder why their kids and grandkids probably didn't want that adjoining room

Love the Christmas pictures! My mom and I drove around the rich part of town tonight looking at their Christmas lights.

Have a great Christmas Hope!!!

 

[ronnmel]

Joyeux Noel to you and your family!!

 

[photographymom517]

AFTER THE HOLIDAYS

Thats just mean

For some reason I don't enjoy Epcot as much as I used to. It is a one day park for us now.

Ok, you twisted my arm! I'll post an update tomorrow!

I think all the parks are special in different ways. We definitely love Epcot, but I know lots of people who could do without. I've actually sent my parents to Epcot with lists of new things to try & they always come back with the same opinion -- they think we're crazy for loving it so much!

Wow! I wonder why their kids and grandkids probably didn't want that adjoining room

Love the Christmas pictures! My mom and I drove around the rich part of town tonight looking at their Christmas lights.

Have a great Christmas Hope!!!

Yep, I so agree! When they first started talking about their family being on property, I wondered why they didn't request adjoining rooms -- but we figured that one out!

I have some more pics of Christmas decor & lights. They're all on my phone right now but I'll upload them to a photo program so I can put them on here! Maybe after my next update, I'll do a mini-Christmas update too!! There's a drive in our town with a ton of houses -- they always decorate the entire development. But we drove around a few times this year & only a handful of houses had decorated I really missed the one across the pond -- its neat because you can see the lights on the house AND the reflection in their pond. Its so pretty!

I hope you & your mom had a wonderful Christmas, too, Christine!!!

Joyeux Noel to you and your family!!

Thanks! I hope everyone had a great holiday with their family!!!

I noticed your pregnancy ticker! If you ever need to talk pregnancy, feel free to PM me!

Are you on facebook? If so, PM me & I'll send you a friend request!

 

[jenseib]

I remember the story about that couple when you posted it on facebook. I would've yelled at them too. Or pounded on the wall a few times at least.
I hadn't realized that Luke had gotten sick though. It's so hard. I've gone twice where Claire has gotten sick and it makes it hard. The first time we were on the way to the airport home, so it didn't spoil the trip, but made for a long flight home. The 2nd time I spent most of the day with her at the hotel while she slept the day away.

 

[PopArtGal]

I'm glad you really liked the spaghetti. I am conflicted. Next time we go I have no idea if I want to get the spaghetti or the pizza. They were both delish!

 

[photographymom517]

I remember the story about that couple when you posted it on facebook. I would've yelled at them too. Or pounded on the wall a few times at least.
I hadn't realized that Luke had gotten sick though. It's so hard. I've gone twice where Claire has gotten sick and it makes it hard. The first time we were on the way to the airport home, so it didn't spoil the trip, but made for a long flight home. The 2nd time I spent most of the day with her at the hotel while she slept the day away.

Yeah you definitely got all the little details of the experience when I wrote to you guys about it!!!

I can't remember now if I just told you, if I messaged a few people about it, or if I posted it on the MWT group I can't wait until this "baby brain" is gone & I have my regular brain back! I HATE forgetting everything! It's really not like me at all -- I'm always the one who remembers stupid little details that no one else even notices so this is soooo strange for me!

Poor Claire! I can't imagine getting sick on the flight home. It's good since she was able to fully enjoy the entire vacation prior to getting sick, but being sick on a plane stinks too! I understand what its like getting sick during the trip -- I think every FL vacation my family took when I was a child, I was either extremely sunburnt or sick

I'm glad you really liked the spaghetti. I am conflicted. Next time we go I have no idea if I want to get the spaghetti or the pizza. They were both delish!

You should definitely get the spaghetti again!!! Maybe convince one of your parents to get a large pizza & just give you a slice -- then you can have both!!!

 

[photographymom517]

I apologize it has taken me so long with these updates. For some reason when I uploaded my pictures, they somehow managed to get out of order. So I've been spending hours trying to rearrange them to make updating easier!

When we last left off, we were just arriving at The Land Pavilion.

** Just a side note for those of you who take a stroller or rent one -- you used to be able to park the strollers all along the pavilion. Now you have to park them in between The Land and The Seas with Nemo. There's a HUGE area (super easy to notice!) where you can leave the stroller for whenever you're in either pavilion! **

We had arrived at The Land Pavilion 15 minutes ahead of time as recommended. When I called Disney to book this tour, I had asked for specific information about where to meet & when. The CM on the phone was VERY nice and helpful!!! He told me that you enter the pavilion and go downstairs to the left of Soarin. You actually meet on the opposite side of the pavilion from The Living with the Land ride. It's super easy to spot & there are CM's waiting for you at a desk. You check in with them & they provide a name tag for you.

I'll share some pictures of the tour, but not all of them because I don't want to ruin it for anyone who wants to do the tour! If you would like to see ALL of my pictures of the tour, just PM me your email address and I'll send them to you. I think all together I took around 200 pictures just of the tour!!!

A little background info before I share pictures, I had booked this tour as a surprise for my husband. Those of you who followed my PTR know that we plant a garden every year. Each year we expand it, add more veggies & make it a lot bigger! This past summer was very special because it was the first year that Luke really got involved with the garden! He went with us to choose plants and worked every night in the garden with his dad! I missed being more involved and although I did help a little bit, I look forward to next summer when I can help out even more!!! It was just bad timing with my first trimester pregnancy symptoms.

Well, even though the tour was a surprise for my DH, I ended up telling him the night before! We were walking around Magic Kingdom so stressed out & I think we just needed something to look forward to! So, while we were watching the Main Street Electrical Parade, I told him our plans for the next day!

Ok -- now pictures of the tour!!!

After they take a count of guests on the tour to make sure everyone is there, they take you into a small room & everyone introduces themselves (basically just name & short description of why you wanted to do the tour & if you have any background in this area).

They begin by taking you into a back room to show you a video and give you an overview of the tour. They also show you the bugs they use to pollinate the plants. Anyone who wants one can take a vial of ladybugs. You are allowed to release them at any point during the tour! My DH and Luke each took a vial but I did not, just because I wanted to focus on taking pictures!

You then walk outside & into another part of the building to this section which you will recognize from the ride!

Luke with his vial of ladybugs

This picture also reminded me -- since you leave your stroller outside of The Land Pavilion, they will let you borrow one of Disney's strollers throughout the tour. We didn't think Luke would want one, but asked him & he did! The CM offered it to us, we didn't even think of it.

The CM then explains Hydroponics to you & you are able to see the salad production area! This is where they grow the cucumbers that you eat at any restaurant at Epcot!!!

While the CM explained the salad production & hydroponics, Luke decided it was time to release his ladybugs.

The CM gave us a handout about hydroponics and also a cucumber sample! Let me tell you, it was the BEST cucumber I've ever eaten!!! Wow!!!

The CM was also VERY good with Luke! I loved how he included him and talked directly to him throughout the tour!! There were also other guests who really took an interest to Luke & became his "helpers" if Luke needed anything. I thought that was very nice!!! People are always so friendly when we vacation down South.

I took this picture through the door because I felt so special being "back stage"

I thought it was nice of the CM to save Luke the biggest cucumber sample!!! (and he actually gave him two of them!)

Up close -- view of lettuce growing (not in soil!)

Hidden Mickey (or not-so-hidden Mickey!)

Gotta love off-season crowds!!! Empty boat!

 

[photographymom517]

Behind the Seeds Tour continued!

One of my favorite pictures!!

Whenever we went "outside" into this area, the CM gave us vials to pass around and smell. We were supposed to guess what was inside it. Some of them were super easy like cinnamon and others were harder!

Luke sat & listened soooo well! I was shocked, but it was such a good surprise!!! He's normally well behaved, but we've never done a tour like this so I wasn't sure if he'd be good (and quiet!) the entire time.

I thought it was so nice of the other guests to include him! A few of the ladies would make sure he had an opportunity to smell too!!!

Another guest saw me taking pictures & offered to take a group shot!

I took more pictures as we walked back to our starting point of the tour.

When we were finished with the tour, we decided to ride Living with the Land. There was a 10 minute wait time posted, but it was actually a walk on!

I took more pictures, even though we had just done the tour!

Luke is watching me write this update & he just saw the pictures & said "Hey that is the garden ride I went on!" So he must remember it!!!

Another Hidden Mickey

After riding Living with the Land, we decided since our stroller was parked in between The Land and The Sea Pavilions, we would explore The Seas next.

So we left The Land

and headed towards Nemo!

 

[PopArtGal]

Awe, it's great that Luke decided to behave during the tour. It seems to have been a fun tour.

 

[Tinkermom76]

I want to try that tour some day. It's very cool that they let you release lady bugs, although I don't know if my Emma would like that

 

[ronnmel]

I have zero interest in gardening, and really have killed every plant I've owned, but the Behind the Seed tour looks interesting. Doesn't hurt that it's the only affordable one.

 

[jenseib]

Yeah you definitely got all the little details of the experience when I wrote to you guys about it!!!

I can't remember now if I just told you, if I messaged a few people about it, or if I posted it on the MWT group I can't wait until this "baby brain" is gone & I have my regular brain back! I HATE forgetting everything! It's really not like me at all -- I'm always the one who remembers stupid little details that no one else even notices so this is soooo strange for me!

Poor Claire! I can't imagine getting sick on the flight home. It's good since she was able to fully enjoy the entire vacation prior to getting sick, but being sick on a plane stinks too! I understand what its like getting sick during the trip -- I think every FL vacation my family took when I was a child, I was either extremely sunburnt or sick



You should definitely get the spaghetti again!!! Maybe convince one of your parents to get a large pizza & just give you a slice -- then you can have both!!!

Yes, you did write it on the MWT page on facebook.

You got some great pictures from the seeds tour. Super sharp and clear. Skip and Claire took it a few years back, and Skip said so many people were impressed with how good she was too. But I got more details about the tour from you...he told me next to nothing about it. LOL

 

[stephielela]

I really am not that into gardening. I like the idea in theory, but I just have never been much of a planter. After hearing you talk about your garden over the summer and seeing how excited Luke got on the tour, I am thinking I might give it a try this spring...

 

[Megablocks]

You are thinking about trying snails but not veal? Ahhh, you're nuts Meg!!! There's NO WAY I would go near snails...the sliminess would freak me out! Honestly, just get the meatballs and pretend they're regular meatballs and not veal. That's what I did at first. If I would've thought about it, there's no way I would've been able to eat as much as I did! Trust me!

Yeah, it doesn't make sense to me, either. My dad is a really adventurous eater (he tried and LOVED haggis in Scotland) so I think I get it from him. I'll seriously try just about anything once just to say I did!

The Behind the Seeds tour looks great, so glad you guys got to do it! I love Living with the Land