**Rockin the expandable tutu!! -- F&W in 1.5 hours & a DISmeet! [updated 9.29.14]

[emmebear]

I love valentine dufffy!! <3 By the way the spread for the voyage actually looks good! Too bad it was so cold.

He was super cute!

It was a great spread for kids & I loved the ice cream but wished the weather cooperated. I also wished there were some sandwiches there somewhere.

 

[leshunlenese]

My DS and I love sweets! I've cream abd cotton candy!! We are going to do the pirate and pals in September for his birthday! Did they have a photopass photographer with hook and smee?

 

[emmebear]

My DS and I love sweets! I've cream abd cotton candy!! We are going to do the pirate and pals in September for his birthday! Did they have a photopass photographer with hook and smee?

And there's a chest of chocolate gold de blooms as well!

There is a Photopass photographer available to take pictures.

Hook & Smee were awesome. You guys will really have a fantastic time. I'm thinking of doing it again for the 4th of July.

 

[emmebear]

updated 3/23/14

PIRATES & PALS FIREWORKS VOYAGE pt. 2!


smee & emme quickly became best buddies. it was so cute to watch the two of them interact together.

i LOVE LOVE LOVE this picture so much. they were both participating in the disney trivia game hosted by patches squared.


emme & i were on smee's boat & we began our descent to the dock of the contemporary.

best buddies - emme & smee!


and the long & cold walk continues. i would have enjoyed it more if it weren't so dang cold & windy.

smee's flag!



and mr. smee waves good bye as we begin our cold voyage.

did i mention that it was very cold & chilly??

the good thing is that i brought a blanket for emme & i to bundle up in. she had about 3 layers of clothes in addition to some snow boots & a hat. an even better thing? they provided everyone blankets as well. so i put one blanket on top of the metal seat & then draped one on top of our blanket. we were snug as a bug in a rug! (is that the right saying...english is my second language!)


emme & i lucked out as we had an entire row to ourselves. and we were on the side with the clear view of wishes...so i was super amped.

the nice lady in front of us took our picture with my camera.


after a windy ride, we were settled into the seven seas lagoon. the electrial water pageant was passing & we had an amazing view of magic kingdom. unfortunately, i think emme was too warm as she started to doze off.

and finally, the music begins for wishes. i was so excited!!!

absolutely amazing view, isn't it??

the couple behind me was singing along. it was really sweet. meanwhile, emme was dozing in & out. i was trying to wake her up & snap pictures at the same time. i also i wish i had a tripod so that i could mess around with long exposures but i did the best that i could while on board the boat.

i could not believe our view. i've seen wishes at probably every angle possible inside magic kingdom but this view allowed me to see ALL of wishes. it was really spectacular and breath taking. i had goosebumps the entire time.

and wishes continues on....i didn't want it to end.

and this part of wishes always leaves me a wee bit teary eyed...

this is my favorite part of wishes:

and returning to my original thought of ever wondering HOW LARGE wishes actually is:

....wait for it....

wishes is GINORMOUS!

don't you agree...GINORMOUS!

i really didn't want the show to end but sadly, the end was near. it was such a glorious view & such a special night....it was pure disney magic to see wishes at this view. it was worth every penny & i don't say that too often when it comes to disney & pricing.

despite all the kids being super sugared up, you could hear a pin drop on our boat during wishes. everyone on board was just awe struck with the view. it was an awesome & fantastic view....wishes took my breath away on this voyage.

i was bummed out when wishes was over. there was one more surprise that i knew of but i didn't tell emme as i wanted to see the look on her face when we docked.

and then we began our cold boat ride back to the contemporary...


up next, part 3...the finale of pirates & pals!

 

[lizzyb]

Fantastic pictures! Looks like you had a great time!

 

[WildGinger]

The voyage looks like so much fun! I might have to check it out on our next trip! Loving your reviews. Emme is so cute...love her walk with Smee.

 

[emmebear]

Fantastic pictures! Looks like you had a great time!

Thank you! It was a super fantastic time. We really enjoyed it.

The voyage looks like so much fun! I might have to check it out on our next trip! Loving your reviews. Emme is so cute...love her walk with Smee.

Please do check it out. I highly recommend it as it was totally worth the price and I don't say that too often with Disney events.

Thanks for the nice comments as well. Emme had such a wonderful time with Smee...he was so sweet to her. Truly made for a memorable birthday.




And who agrees that wishes is ginormous! What a spectacular view!!

 

[tdashgirl]

That view looks amazing! So happy that it ended up being worth every penny for you. I know what you mean -- I'm a sucker for Disney, but I don't say that too often about Disney events either

 

[tsme]

I've been lurking on a bunch of your reviews. I love your pictures & your little girl is so cute. Ya'll are so lucky to be able to go to Disney so often. We go once a year, but if flights weren't so high, it'd would be more

 

[emmebear]

That view looks amazing! So happy that it ended up being worth every penny for you. I know what you mean -- I'm a sucker for Disney, but I don't say that too often about Disney events either

i too am a total sucker for disney but each time i go, i still go into sticker shock mode. the prices keep increasing but sometimes the quality is lacking.

initially, i thought $95 for the both of us was super steep but it was something i had never experienced & i wanted to do something special for emme's birthday.

i wasn't super happy with the super sweet spread but the interaction with smee & the overall view made it worth while...even though it was freezing!

I've been lurking on a bunch of your reviews. I love your pictures & your little girl is so cute. Ya'll are so lucky to be able to go to Disney so often. We go once a year, but if flights weren't so high, it'd would be more

thank you for coming out of lurkdom!

and thank you for the kind comments...they are much appreciated.

i do feel totally blessed to be able to make frequent trips but i would give up the frequent trips for a few LOOOONG trips.

when is your next trip??

 

[Linda67]

Wow, fantastic photos of Wishes Patty
I need to borrow a child so that I can do this!

 

[emmebear]

Wow, fantastic photos of Wishes Patty I need to borrow a child so that I can do this!

Thank you linda!

You can borrow Emme any time you need.

However, you definitely don't need a child to go on the voyage. There were lots of adults minus kid on both boats.

I officially have the Disney blues after my last trip with Emme & Rachel. I can't wait to get back!

 

[Linda67]

Thank you linda! You can borrow Emme any time you need. However, you definitely don't need a child to go on the voyage. There were lots of adults minus kid on both boats. I officially have the Disney blues after my last trip with Emme & Rachel. I can't wait to get back!

You are so lucky to be so close to WDE
Ooh perhaps we could sneak on board with Captain Smee after all

 

[ClioMuse]

I've spent the last few nights reading through this. Thanks for the great reports. I can't wait to read more! Your little one is adorable!

 

[Nanaji]

I am really enjoying your review of the Food & Wine. I am heading to WDW in October and looking forward to trying some new items at the F&W by making note of some of your choices. It looks like you and emme have a great time. Although sadly I am going solo this year I think getting around the World will be a bit easier alone.
Thanks,

 

[pumba]

My daughter in law told my granddaughter (7) that the line would probably be to long to see Elsa and Anna...but we would try to be there early if we could...SO after the MK move..I called her up and she got fast passes for our arrival day...I know one little girl that is super happy and so is her older (9) brother...we are on a mission...

Thanks so much for your (as usual) amazing reviews and Disney remarks..I always look forward to reading and seeing them..

 

[emmebear]

You are so lucky to be so close to WDE
Ooh perhaps we could sneak on board with Captain Smee after all

we are very lucky! i'm thinking of getting my mom an AP so i can start bringing her with me. she's been working really hard at taking care of my dad (it's a really tough task) & the break would be nice for her.

we can sneak you in a bag...you are so tiny!!

can't wait to see you guys in october!

ps: for your cruise...are you guys doing a few days at disney? maybe we could share a meal or two! we have no trips planned in june.

I've spent the last few nights reading through this. Thanks for the great reports. I can't wait to read more! Your little one is adorable!

thank you for reading and the nice comments!! i will be updating soon. i'm glad my reports kept you cojmpany!!

I am really enjoying your review of the Food & Wine. I am heading to WDW in October and looking forward to trying some new items at the F&W by making note of some of your choices. It looks like you and emme have a great time. Although sadly I am going solo this year I think getting around the World will be a bit easier alone.
Thanks,

thank you for the nice comments! food & wine is awesome and i'd love to do it without emme one day. it would be so much easier to do it solo or with friends (minus emme) as i can focus on eating and drinking instead of worrying about spilling all my beer into the jogging stroller.

enjoy f&w!!

My daughter in law told my granddaughter (7) that the line would probably be to long to see Elsa and Anna...but we would try to be there early if we could...SO after the MK move..I called her up and she got fast passes for our arrival day...I know one little girl that is super happy and so is her older (9) brother...we are on a mission...

Thanks so much for your (as usual) amazing reviews and Disney remarks..I always look forward to reading and seeing them..

My daughter in law told my granddaughter (7) that the line would probably be to long to see Elsa and Anna...but we would try to be there early if we could...SO after the MK move..I called her up and she got fast passes for our arrival day...I know one little girl that is super happy and so is her older (9) brother...we are on a mission...

Thanks so much for your (as usual) amazing reviews and Disney remarks..I always look forward to reading and seeing them..

hooray for frozen fast passes!! i can't book mine until 30 days out as an AP and i'm hoping there will be some left for your trip in may. i am so curious what they will be like inside of princess fairytale hall. it's going to be so awesome.

the wait at epcot wasn't too bad because we had such easy access to food & adult beverages. that was the only plus!

you are always so kind with your sweet comments!

btw, when is your trip planned? i owe you some spicy korean chicken!! would love to say hello if our trips coordinate. i have quick trips planned may 2-4 and memorial weekend in may.

 

[emmebear]

updated 3/29/14


THE FINALE OF PIRATES & PALS!!



after the incredible show, we began the cold boat ride back to the dock. emme was wide awake now & was enjoying the boat ride.


look who was awaiting us....

PETER PAN!


emme absolutely loves loves loves her some peter pan. she watches the movie about twice a week & has yet to meet him. i know he's out randomly at MK but we are never around when he's out. so this was a total treat.

she was so excited to see him. to quote her, "oh my goodness mama...it's peter pan!


after we docked, we quickly made our way back inside the contemporary. the photo meet & greet was totally optional. many of the families decided to skip but emme & i were one of the firsts in line.

also, there were snacks, hot beverages & cold drinks available for everyone. i thought that was a nice touch.


it was finally our time to meet peter pan. he was definitely into his character & totally played the part. he was pretty awesome.

emme sharing her baby duffy.


speaking of duffy....

valentine's duffy is so cute!!


but back to emme's meeting with peter pan:

and a collage to end our night:

the pirates & pals fireworks voyage was an awesome experience. i would do this again in a heart beat & am considering booking this when we take my mom in may. you do have to book in advance & pre-pay. also, there is no friendly email reminder of the event. you have to remind yourself the old fashioned way & write it down or put it into your phone. i did get a courtesy call prior to the event which i thought was nice.


the journey is not a cheap one...it was $99 for the both of us (1 adult & 1 child) but i though it as completely worth it. the view of wishes was spectacular. it was such a unique way to watch the entire show. i've seen it from the deck at cali grill but viewing it from a boat was something really special.


not many things at disney are "worth" the cost...but in my opinion, this was experience was worth the cost. we had a really great time despite the near freezing temperatures.


up next, breakfast at BOMA.

 

[emmebear]

updated 3/29/14


BOMA BREAKFAST!



after our long night, we headed to boma for breakfast. this was our first time eating at boma for breakfast. i am a big fan of boma for dinner (even though the price has increased) & was optimistic about our breakfast.

after valeting the car at AKL (valet is FREE with TIW), we headed to the first floor of AKL.

we were 20 minutes early for our ADR and checked in.

here is the weird thing about me, time & disney adr's. the times that i arrive early, i am always seated after my adr time. however, the times that i am late, i am almost always seated immediately.

we were 25 minutes past my adr time & now i was starting to become annoyed. this was probably because of hunger pains but either way, i just wanted my table. i mean, what is the point of making an adr if i can't get seated close to my adr time?

i took my pager back up to the front & asked when would i be seated. i'm not sure if it was the look of displeasure on my face but i was immediately seated.


ironically, this nice plaque was positioned right next to the check in table.

i felt like this on the inside:

we were taken to our table & it took a few minutes before our drink order was taken.

my hungry breakfast partner.


i ordered:

the POG juice. yummy.

i also hydrated with a large ice water with lemon & 2 cups of coffee.


boma is a really large place & the servers to me, seem like have a huge volume of tables. i couldn't fault my server for disappearing & returning in 20 minute increments. she was completely slammed with other tables. emme & i were kind of an after thought but we had all our essentials so she kind of gets a pass....kind of.

emme & i headed to the meat carving section. this is the one thing i have issues with at boma...i hate the layout of the boma buffet. the meat carving station always has a line as there is only one entry way in to get the meat. the line can be potentially long and therefore the entire buffet gets backed up. it is CONGESTION station.

although, some people use the technique of just jumping in front of you to get one piece of meat and then they get the sauce to put on top of the meat. when the meat carving line gets backed up, the entire right side of the buffet gets clogged. the right side has most of the animal proteins as well as the kid section. people can become down right unruly when the line gets backed up. it is definitely the ugly & dark side of disney buffet dining.

but i digress...

the line was long and emme & i were about 10th in line. emme had her plate & dropped it, causing it to shatter. FUN. the plate was cleaned up quickly but emme didn't recover so well. it was instant tears & an emotional break down for about 5 minutes. add that to the epic disaster of the meat carving line...i just wanted to pile meat onto my plate & get the heck out of line.

the meat was "corned beef" & ham. i really enjoyed the corned beef (almost made that awful wait worth it). the grilled asparagus was also really tasty. i also loved the pap (it is the white grit like food item)...it's much smoother that grits but just as yummy.

the eggs were suppose to have goat cheese in them but i could barely taste the goat cheese. the "babotie" casserole was also yummy. the red paste was "sambal" that i used on the meat. it had a slight heat & i loved it with the ham.

minus the scrambled eggs, plate 1 was a success.

another view of plate 1:

so what did the birthday girl eat?

boma had a lot of things that emme would eat. she enjoyed her pancakes, yogurt & the croissants. i was happy that strawberries were also available.


twenty minutes later, the CM came by and refilled our drinks. this was a perfect time for a potty break.

side note: emme is the happiest girl in the world when she sees the short sinks for kids. she was really happy to see the sink....can't you tell?


onwards to plate 2:

the meat carving line was short (thank you jesus!) so i made my way back for a piece of the corned beef.

i decided to give the goat cheese scrambled eggs as it was a new batch but i still could barely taste the goat cheese. i was a sad panda.

however, the star of this plate was the spinach & quinoa salad. i absolutely adored this salad. it was so refreshing and light & quinoa is so good for you as it is packed with protein. i also loved the papaya, avocado & grapefruit salad. yummy.

emme was still nibbling on her plate & was becoming a bit stir crazy. i decided to go back for plate 3. now before i am deemed a total gluttinous pig for attempting plate 3...please note that boma's plate are smaller than the average disney buffet plate.


plate 3 of my favorite items from the buffet:

and a close up of the quinoa & spinach salad:

raw spinach is so good for you...it's very high in alkaline & addition to the quinoa...this was a really really healthy but totally scrumptious choice. i could have eaten this as an entree. i loved it so very much.

avocado is also high in alkaline & in addition to the papaya & grapefruit...this salad was a total treat. these two items were my favorites on the buffet. two thumbs up from me.


boma started pretty rocky for us but the meal ended well. we didn't have the best CM but she was really busy with everyone else (not a good excuse, right?). i don't know if i would return to boma for breakfast any time soon but i really did enjoy the spinach & quinoa salad as well as the papaya, grapefruit & avocado salad. i wish mara would sell it there so i could eat it without going to boma.

we returned to valet, handed over our TIW receipt and voila! free valet!

emme & i were now on our way to magic kingdom to continue her birthday celebration where she was serenaded "happy birthday" by someone very special.

 

[tdashgirl]

That is too funny about that sign at Boma. Yeah, don't give me excuses, just sit me down and feed me

I have to say, the whole line thing is what makes buffets not my meal of choice. You pay so much money (because it's all you can eat) and then you have to wait in line and deal with rude people, line-cutters and misc. bad behavior.