Quick Birthday Trip....with RAIN!!!!

[bouncycat]

Okay!! Finally have time to start this!! Well, we went and stayed at FW May 18, 19th and 20. Very quick trip. The 17th, we had my mom over for dinner, to do the guys' cake, I got it from Publix, and it was VERY yummy!!

DH made the steak PERFECT for everyone, and then my mom left, and Dad and DSM came over to stay the night. Watched the fanale of survivor, then went to bed. I slept okay, considering. The 18th, monday, we got up, and finished packing the car, and left around 9 am. It was looking kinda gloomy outside, and I was getting a little upset at the sky So, we got to FW at about 10, checked in, which was a BREEZE, NO one was there at all!! The cabin was ready, so we went straight there. We were in 2140. I asked for one next to the bus stop for dad's knees, and we got it, thank GOD!!! Here is some parts of the cabin...Tyler on the top bunk

Lights over the bed in the bedroom...

and bathroom...

The cabin is REALLY roomy....I was pleasantly surprised. Bathroom is huge, and LOTS of counter space. As SOON as we got things unloaded from the car, it started sprinkling. Now, this was our swimming day, and the guy's boat ride day....so that wasn't gonna happen. Once we got things organized, we had to decide what to do. Dad forgot the juice to go with the malibu rum, so we figured we'd go down to the settlement depot to the general store and see if they had juice. So, we pack up our ponchos, and head to the bus.

We get to the settlement depot, and it started POURING!!! Now, those who recommend those dollar store ponchos...THEY DON'T WORK!!! It barely covered my hiney, and my legs were SOAKED. I was wearing capri pants. So, we got wet, and went into the store there, and got DISNEY ponchos. MUCH better!!! The juice they had was WAY expensive...so we didn't get it. We went back to the cabin, and changed clothes, then decided to go to Bass Pro Shops off international drive. Dad and Chris made sandwiches, me and DSM grumbled, cause we didn't wanna have to leave disney property, but we went. Got there at about noon, and wandered. DH bought a WII fishing game, and that's about it. We got back to the cabin after getting juice, so we could start our showers for dinner.

Next up, DINNER at KONA!!!!

 

[bouncycat]

So we all get our showers, nice clean, WARM and DRY!! I figured we needed to leave the cabin a little early to go and activate our tickets, since we had the military tickets, and to SEE if Chris could get the birthday fun card. So, off to the marina we go!! We get to the MK side, hop on the resort monorail, and get off at TTC. Now, it's like 5:30, and there isn't a ticket booth OPEN!!! There's 2 people standing out there, so we ask them....only MK guest relations is open, yes they can activate military tickets. So, poor Dad's knees are hurting at this time, so we hop on the monorail again, and head to the poly. I told Chris we'd do it on our way back. We get into the poly, and we have about 45 minutes to kill, so we look around. There's a Wyland gallery downstairs, so we go to look, and I snap some pictures!

This one is my favorite....

and my parents LOVE wine, so I couldn't let this one pass by...

I LOVE the way this artist uses colors, and I didn't DARE ask how much!! So, off to check into KONA!!

Now, this is my very first time using the dining plan, I knew the basics of it from here, but I was nervous. I've heard horror stories LOL But, we get checked in, and called 10 minutes before our scheduled reservations!! WOOHOO. Waitress comes right away, explains the plan, and gets drinks. I did chicken out on the Lapu Lapu, cause I hadn't had much to eat that day, and already had 2 alcoholic drinks in me from the cabin, so I was smiling nicely at this point, and wanted to eat, so I went soft! I snapped a few pictures waiting for dinner to arrive...

the birthday boys!! Funny thing about Chris's shirt, he got that for his birthday LAST year, and this was the first time he wore it! But it looked good on him!

DSM, didn't like the camera in her face LOL

dad was eyeballing the desserts!!

And the chocolate Lilo and Stitch

So, we finally get our food...I ordered the Shrimp and Scallops, VERY yummy!!

Dad got the Prime rib, he was too far away to get a picture, and the other 3 got the NY strip steak!!

It was ALL sooooooooo good!!! We ate just about every last bit. Chris let me try his, he doesn't eat seafood so he didn't try mine But it was AWESOME!!!!!!! Best birthday dinner Chris has said he's ever had, and the steak was ALMOST better then his....which is VERY hard to do!!! So, now the desserts!! Me and Chris had the white chocolate cheesecake....VERY VERY Good!!

Dad and DSM had the chocolate fondue...which was yummy, I tried some!!

And Tyler had the Kona Kone...

We had to roll outta there afterwards!! Paid the bill for the tip and my drink, took off our credits and headed out. Took this picture downstairs afterwards, and we got a photo pass person to do our pictures, which were the ONLY pictures we had on the card cause of the rain!

LOVE LOVE LOVE the poly!!
After we left there, it was back to TTC, to do the tickets, now anyone that has read my PTR knows I was a little worried about this step, I am using these tickets also in September, and I had my mom's and sister's to activate, without them there. But, no problemo, activated them all....woohoo!! The only other thing I was worried about was if Chris was gonna be able to get his fun card, but, since his was a comp ticket, no go on that. Which I wasn't upset about, knew going in there that there was a chance he wouldn't get it. So, back to the cabin for bed, we heard the fireworks, not sure if they were gonna go off or not, but they did. And went to bed listening to the rain on the roof!!!!!

Next up, Crystal Palace!!!

 

[racefanof88]

The rain did ruin everything. We didn't get to do half of what we had planned. We spent 3 different days doing laundry because everybody got so soaked we HAD to wash the clothes so they wouldn't be ruined.

I love your pictures, we ate at Kona last year and it was good. Those steaks look so yummy, and Tyler and Chris look like they are happy it isn't raining there............

GRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRR it is pouring down here now .

I love the report.

 

[bouncycat]

The rain did ruin everything. We didn't get to do half of what we had planned. We spent 3 different days doing laundry because everybody got so soaked we HAD to wash the clothes so they wouldn't be ruined.

I love your pictures, we ate at Kona last year and it was good. Those steaks look so yummy, and Tyler and Chris look like they are happy it isn't raining there............

GRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRR it is pouring down here now .

I love the report.

Thanks!! Those steaks WERE yummy, Chris let me steal a bite LOL Sorry the rain followed you home, we're JUST NOW starting to dry out a bit, we may take the boat out here in a little bit!!!

 

[bouncycat]

So, the 19th, we get up, IT'S STILL RAINING!!!! AAAAAAHHHHHHHHH!!! So, we get up, pack the ponchos, and head to the marina. IT was EARLY so we had to catch a boat to the contemporary and then get on the monorail. We waited about 10 minutes, during which time it rains harder, so we put on our ponchos and get on the boat. Get to the contemporary, and go to find the monorail. Finally found it, and then DSM starts complaining about all the stops we gotta do.....okay, UM sorry this isn't your favorite "MODE" but it's what we got. We get to the MK a little late for our ressie, but they didn't have a problem with it. We got a table in about 5 minutes. So, of course the Characters came around, Eeyore didn't stop for us AT ALL....but that's alright, I was looking for my main man Tigger!!!

Here he is in the parade!!! TIGGER, STOP HERE!!!!

So, while we're waiting for Tigger, Piglet startles DSM, so I say 'picture time!'

Pooh stops by briefly, so DH snaps one picture...

at this point, I'm getting paranoid, WHERE IS TIGGER??? That's who I came to see, right? DH gets his handlers attention, and make sure he comes by us. DH was laughing at me, thinking I was seeing a long lost boyfriend or something....so, we FINALLY get tigger!!!

so, we get the check, take off the credits, leave a tip, and we're off inside the MK. This was only gonna be a quick time inside MK cause I wanted to get to epcot for Dad, on the way outta CP, I took this picture..

Love the flower characters!! So, we leave CP, little after 9, and head out to take pictures. Next up, brief time in MK!!

 

[bouncycat]

So, we get done eating breakfast, and head out into MK, it wasn't raining TOO bad at this point, just a fine mist, so we choose to leave the ponchos off, for the moment LOL We head out, and get on the Jungle cruise, we had the BEST skipper on her that I think I've ever had, and I've been on it ALOT!!

took a few shots on here...

Left there, rode Pirates, always a good one. Was going to ride splash and BTM, but the rain was JUST enough for me not to want to. So I snapped the pictures I needed for the book, and headed on. Chris stopped at the candy store in frontierland and got his jelly bellys, lord that man LOVES those things!! So, on our way, I stopped, looked back, and snapped this crowd pic, it was about 10 am....

I don't think I've EVER seen the MK that empty!!! The only one who wasn't worried about the weather was this guy...

He was right at home LOL we rode the carosel, needed a pic for the book for that, DH gave his jelly beans to DSM, and this is his thanks...

OMG we were laughing SOOO hard at her, she was digging for the cinnamon ones on the bottom...so we get on the horses, and DH takes these...

Notice Tyler posing....also, notice the glasses, he got those a couple days before we went...he saw disney in a whole new way!!!

So, we get off the horses, snap a few more pictures for the books, and head into toon town. Take a few pics in minnie's house....

and DH and dad goofing off!!

We head over to mickey's house, and take a few there too...I LOVE the slippers by the bed!!

so, we finish up snapping pictures, and then let Tyler spend a little $$, and then head to the monorail. Over all not too bad, walked the whole place and rode a couple of rides in just under 2 hours, there was NOBODY there, that's cause they were all at epcot!!!

Next up, EPCOT, and MORE RAIN!!!

 

[castmemberb4]

Your title caught my eye b/c I'm one of those really weird people who prefers to go to the parks in the rain ! I'm liking it so far, especially that picture of an almost empty Frontierland. Can't wait for your EPCOT installment, world showcase is my favorite place on earth.
Lynn

 

[racefanof88]

Your pictures are so good. I would love to be a photographer. I think they have the coolest job. They get to take pictures of most peoples happy times.
It looks like y'all had a good time in-spite of the rain. I love CP, I am planning on a breakfast there in Sept.

I am looking forward to our September trip and hoping that it is not raining. Or the dreaded TS or H words

 

[DisBride2009]

It is pretty weird how Frontierland was so empty. Usually people go to the MK on rainy days since it has more indoor rides than anywhere else. Of course they may also go to EPCOT...but MK has more rides. When I am there and its raining I always choose to go to MK on that specific day. But now since I go every January its not likely to rain like the Summer and all. Its just mostly cold. Anyway HAPPY B-lated Birthday Guys!!!

 

[bouncycat]

Thanks everyone!!! I've been working, and DH advanced to chief, I'll post those here in a minute, so I've been pretty busy. Didn't get too many pics at epcot cause of the rain, but I did get a couple! Thanks for reading!!

 

[bouncycat]

YAAAAAY DH finally got to put on Chief!! I'm so proud!!! So, some pictures of that before we get on with epcot.

Before while waiting, he was nervous!!

He quit smoking, so he has nothing to occupy his time while waiting, so DSM said something to make him laugh!!

So, it's finally his turn, and the captain is reading off his Achievement Medal

Then, they read off the advancement....I got teary eyed!! But, they take off all the first class stuff...

swap hats, cause the pin on the hat changed too...

and then pin on anchors!!!

and then, they give the new rank a little smack, called "tacking it on" Dad got in on this too...DH said Dad hit him harder then the command chief did!! HAHAHA

Then, salute to the captain...

and then he addresses the crew...saying how wonderful this ship has been and stuff...

and that's it!! He's now a Chief!! YAAAAAYYYYY!!!!! Some of ya'll know I've been waiting on this ALL YEAR!!! CONGRATS TO THE NEW CHIEF!!!

 

[bouncycat]

So, we leave MK, and go to epcot, it's raining pretty good by now...so I leave my camera in the bag....we hop on the monorail, and DH and DSM were laughing so hard in there, I didn't know what was going on!! I suspected they were laughing at me with my ears on, but no, they were laughing at a couple who about ran DH over getting up the ramp to the monorail, cause they were on the SAME one!! Rushing NEVER gets you anywhere!!!

So, I did snap a couple of pics when we got inside.....of the flower arrangements....

Loved the carriage!!!

we get in, got in line for SSE, that line goes really quick. Dad had never been to epcot, and DSM hasn't been in like forever, so this was a treat for them. After SSE we go to the seas, and ride Nemo. It was a 30 min wait JUST for Nemo!!! This is where everyone was today!! LOL So, we go on there, then of course dad is a big fisherman, so we spend some time looking at the fish.

it's so hard taking pictures of fish in tanks....I'll get it figured out one of these days!!

So, after that, we run to the Land....get Fast passes for Soarin...for 6:30..which is fine, no biggie. then we get on the boat in the Land, take a few pics there...

after that it's off to canada, I get a picture of a duck...they seem totally at ease in the rain, I wish I did!! And I got a pic of DH and DS being silly!!

This is pretty much the end of my pictures of epcot, cause the rain kept coming down pretty steady...but, we went thru, visited all the countries, stopped in america to dry off, and so dad could sit thru the show...his knees were starting to bother him....so, DSM loved the singers before the show....and Dad, DH AND DS SLEPT thru the show!!! So, most everyone had naps so we went next door to get burgers for lunch. It was about 4 at this time....

We ate, then finished up the world showcase, riding Maelstrom and Mexico. DSM said she liked the restaurant in mexico, and wants to eat there some day. I reminded her that this was DH and DS's trip, so they chose the places LOL So now she wants to go back, oh darn, gotta plan ANOTHER trip for next year!! After that we had a little time before our FP, so dad was intrigued with the jumping water, so we went over that way. And then, the sky opened up and poured MANY buckets out at once....just POURED!! So, we're standing under the exit to honey I shrunk the audience, watching the jumping water, waiting for it to calm down a bit. After about 20 mins, we decided to make a run for it. So, we did. Got down into where Soarin was, and still had about 10 minutes left, so we all hit the bathroom, and dried off a bit.

We get in line for our FP, DS wants to sit up front, so we wait for an extra ride to go thru, and I'm glad we did. This was DSM and Dad's first time on this, and I knew they would like it. We got off there and DSM asked if we could ride it again!!! They both LOVED it!! Good, I'm glad SOMETHING went right for today!! HAHA So, we decided it was time to go, so we went out, a bus was JUST pulling up when we got there, so we hopped on it, and back to the cabin. We all put our PJ's on, I think DH turned on the heat in there and settled in watching tv.

We did have loads of fun despite the rain....just when it started to be more of a sprinkle, that's when it got miserable.

Next up, DTD.....will DS find ANYTHING in the lego store????

 

[leamom2princesses]

Hi Christie! Looks like you guys had a good time despite all of the rain. Love the pics of the boys goofing off.

Congrats to DH for making Chief!!!!

 

[Raecheal]

I just had to say i love your tr!! Your dinner at Kona looks amazing.. and i can't believe how dead MK looked when it was raining out.

I'm in

 

[racefanof88]

First congrats to Chris for his advancement .

I thought the flowers, at Epcot, were really pretty. We didn't even ride Nemo while we were there. It just always seemed after it started raining we would be cold and miserable and we just wanted to go get a shower and put on dry clothes.

I love your pic of Chris and Tyler goofing around. I couldn't get my guys to let me take their pix there.

 

[bouncycat]

Thanks everyone!! I'm real proud of him, he's worked REALLY hard for this. I was just glad I was there for it!!

Don't get me wrong the flowers were pretty, but we went on day 3 of the rain, so they looked a tad bit droopy cause of the water, that's all. I LOVE the flower arrangements to look like characters and stuff, those were cool.
epcot isn't one of my favorite parks, but dad had never been there, so we used this trip as an excuse to take him!! I think in September we're eating there, and may hang around to ride a couple of things, but that's it. Who knows, ma may have other plans for that, now that she knows!!

 

[racefanof88]

Thanks everyone!! I'm real proud of him, he's worked REALLY hard for this. I was just glad I was there for it!!

Don't get me wrong the flowers were pretty, but we went on day 3 of the rain, so they looked a tad bit droopy cause of the water, that's all. I LOVE the flower arrangements to look like characters and stuff, those were cool.
epcot isn't one of my favorite parks, but dad had never been there, so we used this trip as an excuse to take him!! I think in September we're eating there, and may hang around to ride a couple of things, but that's it. Who knows, ma may have other plans for that, now that she knows!!

I thought the flowers were prettier last year. I guess it was the rain, I didn't even think about that. I love Epcot. I have some really fond memories there from our first few trips. I like the idea of the food and wine festival going on during the time we are there. When we went in '99 the F and W festival was going on and I had a few samplings of the wine and some of them were sooooooo good. Where are y'all eating at Epcot?

 

[bouncycat]

DSIS wants to try Teppan Edo....So we're gonna eat there. I was all for Coral Reef, but that's okay. This is her way of "helping" and the night we hop over there, it'll be emh hours for the night....so that may be interesting!!!

I also did a disney foul yesterday.....they had a special for universal passes for the rest of the year, so I got me and Tyler each one....OH BOY!!! Haven't been there too much, but we'll try it out and see how it is!

 

[mpbest]

Really enjoying your TR! I wish were leaving tomorrow. Oh well only a few more months.

 

[racefanof88]

DSIS wants to try Teppan Edo....So we're gonna eat there. I was all for Coral Reef, but that's okay. This is her way of "helping" and the night we hop over there, it'll be emh hours for the night....so that may be interesting!!!

I also did a disney foul yesterday.....they had a special for universal passes for the rest of the year, so I got me and Tyler each one....OH BOY!!! Haven't been there too much, but we'll try it out and see how it is!

I would love to eat at Teppan Edo but alas Dale and Dallas wouldn't eat there. I looked at the menu for Coral Reef and they don't really have anything Dale would eat either. He and Dallas are so picky. I swear it seems like such a long time before we go back.

I am waiting for coke rewards to offer the ticket to US again and I am going to use my points to buy at least one ticket. I want to go back there since it has been so long ago that we went.