Scooter Mom Rides Again !!! A Thanksgiving TR-Nov.21-25(Updated12/26-closingthoughts)

[jecskc]

I had no idea that the Saratoga Springs villas were so pretty! I thought I remembered them looking a lot more frumpy or something. Were they recently remodeled, do you know?

Those Disney horse pillows are just genius. I'm gonna need one of each. (Maybe two of Maximus.)

They are very pretty. They have done a rehab on them recently. They were very nice.

DD loved the horse pillows. They were cute.

 

[jecskc]

Day 3 Part 1

On this day, DH was going over to Epcot to take the Segway Tour. He had done such a good job of taking care of me while I was laid up with my bad ankle that I wanted to do something special for him. So I booked him the tour. He was very excited.

While he was doing that, our plan was to meet my BFF and her DD at Animal Kingdom so we could spend some time with them. We were going to take the bus since DH had the car, but she called me and offered to come pick us up. And I was very grateful for that, because it made things a lot easier.

So I mistakenly let DH take the camera.
Here are the photos he got.

Yep, that is it. These are all the photos he got. He said he was too involved in the tour to take more photos. He was given instructions to take as many photos as possible because I had some trip reporting to do about this. But he didnt so I got nuthin. All I have for you is his description of the tour.

And here it is.

He arrived at Epcot around 7:20 AM which was super early for his 8:30 AM tour. They even thought he might be a part of the 7:30 AM group, but got it all straightened out. He says they all got checked in and then went over to Innoventions where they watched a video and were given helmets. Then they practiced stepping on and off of the Segway. After that, they graduated to moving forward and backward and spinning. Then they went through kind of an obstacle course around some cones and played red light / green light so they could learn how to stop quickly if they had to. Then they went up and down these little hills they had set up. He said it was great fun.

After that, they rode their Segways over to The Land and they had breakfast at Sunshine Seasons. They had a choice of a Bounty Platter or a Continental breakfast. DH chose the Bounty Platter. After that, they head over to World Showcase. They went in on the Mexico side and toured Norway and China and they talked about the history of these countries. Everyone had a headpiece so they could hear the guide. World Showcase was empty so they got to go up and down all of the ramps there in China and went through the gift shops even.

Then they rode over to Italy and rode all around in there. The guides pointed out lots of hidden Mickeys. Then on to Japan. DH said they had a huge warehouse in the Japan area where they had originally planned to build a coaster, but never had the plans come to fruition. Then they moved on to Morocco where they learned that most everything was required to have flaws because they believe that only God can create something perfect. He said they got to weave in and out of the shops again.

After that, World Showcase started to fill up with people and DH said it was pretty funny how even though it was obvious they were a group and trying to stick together, people would still try to walk between them and get in the way. The guides and had enlighten a few people and get them out of the way. After about 2.5- 3 hours they headed back to turn the Segways in and then the tour ended.
They are all given a special pin

DH said it was the most fun he had ever had at Disney World and he was so happy with it. He really wants to do the tour over at Fort Wilderness and see what that is all about.

FYI the tour was $99 and includes breakfast. We got a 15% DVC discount on the tour.

In the meantime, the kids and I were at Animal Kingdom with my BFF and her daughter. The kids were excited to be spending some time with them and so was I. We entered the park and headed over the Expedition Everest where my BFF, her DD and my DS hopped in the single rider line while I waited with my DD because she didnt want to ride. We checked out the gift shop and she traded vinylmations

This one

For this one

We got DD a new Autograph book because my BFF wanted to see all of the characters at Camp Minnie Mickey in their Christmas outfits.

We were letting my BFF take the lead on the park today and we just followed her around and did mostly what she wanted. I really liked it because I am the planner on our group and it was nice to have someone else in charge to just follow around for once. I am pretty sure she threw some things in there that we wanted to do, but her main goal was characters and we were cool with that.

Anyhoodle they ended up riding three times in a row in the single rider line with practically no wait.

I took some photos while waiting.

Then we went to get safari fast passes. My BFF took us the back way behind its Tough to Be a Bug.

We got our FPs and then went down the Pangani Forest Exploration Trail to take photos.

My BFF wanted to see the gorillas.

You cant see it very well, but this is a photo of a two month old Okapi nursing.

The guide said it was very rare to see.

We saw some fish

And then the gorillas

My phone decided it wouldnt take any more photos and I was frantically deleting photos so I could take more. My BFF got it to work and took some for me.

Once she got it working, I was able to take a few more.

My BFF, her DD and my DD rode the safari. I didnt want to ride because it was too bumpy for my injured ankle. DS decided to stay with me and we went in search of a snack. We each got a pretzel.

Then we headed back over to the exit of the safari to wait for the others to return. It was starting to get crazy crowded. While we were waiting, deep in the crowd, I spotted our fellow disser MyLifeisDis (Meg) in the distance.

She and her family were heading up the walkway to Rafikis Planet watch. I really wanted to scooter over and say hello, but I would have had to run over about ten people in order to get to her in time, so I just watched her go thinking I might get the chance to see here and her Mum again. But, even though we stayed at the same resort in the same section, we never saw them again. Bummer.

 

[LifeIsDis]

Oh my God, the 1BR looks amazing!

I am glad your DH had a great time on the Segway tour. It sounds like it would be a lot of fun.

That’s awesome they got to go on EE three times in a row, especially with the crowds that day.

I am still so sad we didn’t get to meet that day It would’ve made OUR day a lot better Some day, some day.

 

[jecskc]

Oh my God, the 1BR looks amazing!

I am glad your DH had a great time on the Segway tour. It sounds like it would be a lot of fun.

That’s awesome they got to go on EE three times in a row, especially with the crowds that day.

I am still so sad we didn’t get to meet that day It would’ve made OUR day a lot better Some day, some day.

We really liked the 1 BR better. It was nice to have the space.

He LOVED the Segway tour !! Says he would do it again in a minute.

We got there early and they rode in single rider so that helped a lot.

I am sad, too. One day, we will meet each other !!

 

[marDgreen88]

I'm glad your husband enjoyed the tour so much! It sounds really cool.

Your morning with your friend sounds fun too!

That pretzel looks really good.

 

[jecskc]

I'm glad your husband enjoyed the tour so much! It sounds really cool.

Your morning with your friend sounds fun too!

That pretzel looks really good.

He really loved the tour !! He still talks about how much fun it was. I was so happy he enjoyed it.

I just love spending time with her especially at Disney. She is truly responsible for my Disney obsession. And of course ... she gets it. She shows me new things and my kids love her DD. So it is always special to me when our trips coincide. I never feel like I get to spend enough time with her.

Disney pretzels are always good. Just like the popcorn, I guess. Even though it is just a regular snack, it tastes better because it is from Disney.

 

[Stringbean&Wingnut]

That's so weird, I REALLY thought I had commented on this update!!!

I'm glad to hear that DH enjoyed the Segway tour!!! It sounds like a lot of fun! My SIL and BIL tried it and they loved it too!!!

How fun that you got to spend time with your friend!

 

[jecskc]

That's so weird, I REALLY thought I had commented on this update!!!

I'm glad to hear that DH enjoyed the Segway tour!!! It sounds like a lot of fun! My SIL and BIL tried it and they loved it too!!!

How fun that you got to spend time with your friend!

I know what you mean. I go back and check o other TR's sometimes and them I'm like ..."wha?" Where's my comment ?? I dunno.

He loved it !! I am so glad I set that up for him.

Always fun to be at Disney with friends. Especially ones who "get it".

 

[tazdev3225]

Now that I am back amongst the living again, I got a nasty stomach bug, let me try and catch up.

Glad you enjoyed Soarin', I am probably the only person who dislikes that ride. I get seriously sick on it. I can't handle any kind of IMAX movie or things that move like that yet I love MS. Go figure.

Garden Grill looks like it was good but I doubt we'll ever eat there. Fish is on the menu and my DH does not eat fish nor does he want it on a plate with his other food. I loved your DS's reaction with the characters. My DGS is 14 and getting him in pics with characters was horrible last trip. I think secretly he likes it but at 14 it isn't cool.

Osbourne lights are one of the main reasons my trip next year is after Thanksgiving. My DH loves the parks at the holidays.

The Segway tour looks like it was fun. Glad your DH enjoyed it.

 

[MEK]

I have my new computer at work today and I can actually see pictures. I love the one BR at SSR. Now I am really homesick and want to stay there again soon!

I did the Epcot Segway tour and it was amazing. I loved it. I'm so glad your DH enjoyed it. I also would like to do the one at Fort Wilderness. There is also one in the city of Celebration which caught my eye and, not surprisingly, it is much cheaper.

Beautiful pics of AK!

 

[Pixie Princess]

Your morning with your friend sounds fun too!

I just love spending time with her especially at Disney. She is truly responsible for my Disney obsession. And of course ... she gets it. She shows me new things and my kids love her DD. So it is always special to me when our trips coincide. I never feel like I get to spend enough time with her.

Disney pretzels are always good. Just like the popcorn, I guess. Even though it is just a regular snack, it tastes better because it is from Disney.

Aww! I love spending time with you too, especially at Disney! My DD really likes spending time with your kids. She is usually stuck with me. I can't remember if I said it earlier, but the entire reason we went back to DHS on Wed. night was because she wanted to go to see your kids.

My DD has two snack requirements for any trip to WDW to be considered successful: A Mickey Bar and a pretzel, preferably in Mickey form.

 

[jecskc]

Now that I am back amongst the living again, I got a nasty stomach bug, let me try and catch up.

Yikes to the tummy bug. We are all dealing with the flu here.

Glad you enjoyed Soarin', I am probably the only person who dislikes that ride. I get seriously sick on it. I can't handle any kind of IMAX movie or things that move like that yet I love MS. Go figure.

I don't get sick on Soarin', but some of the IMAX movies do that to me and so does Star Tours

Garden Grill looks like it was good but I doubt we'll ever eat there. Fish is on the menu and my DH does not eat fish nor does he want it on a plate with his other food. I loved your DS's reaction with the characters. My DGS is 14 and getting him in pics with characters was horrible last trip. I think secretly he likes it but at 14 it isn't cool.

I am sure they would leave off the fish and put more of the Turkey and Tenderloin for you instead. It was a good meal that we really enjoyed. Yes, DS is getting too cool. He really wants to go to Universal and try out the faster coasters over there.

Osbourne lights are one of the main reasons my trip next year is after Thanksgiving. My DH loves the parks at the holidays.

The Osborne lights are amazing. We really loved seeing them. Disney parks have extra magic during Christmas, I think.

The Segway tour looks like it was fun. Glad your DH enjoyed it.

He really did love it. He wants to do it again, too.

I have my new computer at work today and I can actually see pictures. I love the one BR at SSR. Now I am really homesick and want to stay there again soon!

Yay for being able to see photos !! We really enjoyed our stay at SSR. We were very comfortable there.

I did the Epcot Segway tour and it was amazing. I loved it. I'm so glad your DH enjoyed it. I also would like to do the one at Fort Wilderness. There is also one in the city of Celebration which caught my eye and, not surprisingly, it is much cheaper.

Yes. DH really wants to do the one at FW now.

Beautiful pics of AK!

Thanks !! My BFF sent me some from that day I will post in a little bit.

..

 

[jecskc]

Aww! I love spending time with you too, especially at Disney! My DD really likes spending time with your kids. She is usually stuck with me. I can't remember if I said it earlier, but the entire reason we went back to DHS on Wed. night was because she wanted to go to see your kids.

My DD has two snack requirements for any trip to WDW to be considered successful: A Mickey Bar and a pretzel, preferably in Mickey form.

It was a total bummer that your phone wasn't working that night. I bet we were ten feet from each other that night. You need to go back in January so you can see us again.

Because everything tastes better if it is Mickey shaped. Word.

 

[jecskc]

My BFF sent me her photos of our Ak day together so I thought I would share them with you.

She got some really good shots of the gorillas

One came right up to the glass and laid down right in front of us.

Here's a better shot of the baby Okapi nursing.

Her DD and mine

Here are some of her photos of the decorations

Goofy's tree

Pluto's Tree

Chip and Dale's tree

Nemo Tree

Donald's Tree

 

[jecskc]

Some more photos from my BFF. Here are her safari photos. I think she got some good ones.

Hippos

Giraffes

Elephants

Cheetahs

Lions

Baby Rhino

And the Zebras

 

[jecskc]

Day 3 – Part 2

So after they were done with the safari, we head over to Camp Minnie Mickey to get some character photos.

Goofy Tree

First were the Chipmunks

Here is my BFF and her DD

My DD and her DD

Here is Dale showing off for me.

Some Christmas décor.

Next up was Minnie

Donald Duck Tree

Next was Donald Duck

Nemo Tree

Assuming this is Chip and Dale’s tree

At this point, DH showed up with the camera. He was all excited and telling us all about his tour.

Pluto Tree

The kids were starving and wanted to eat at Restaurantasaurus. I would have preffered something else, but that is what they wanted and I didn’t want to fight the crowd to get something different.

Before we went into lunch we got some Dinosaur fastpasses. This was kinda funny. My BFF’s ticket wasn’t working and the CM kept coming over to try and fix it. And it never did work. He kept thinking he had it wall fixed and then it wouldn’t work again the minute he walked away.
It might shock you to learn that the kids got chicken nuggets.

I know ….. really stepping outside the box here.

They got chocolate mousse for dessert.

The top part was too sickly sweet, but once you pushed that out of the way, the mousse underneath was really good.

DH and I shared a burger.

It was good. Your standard CS burger.

 

[Stringbean&Wingnut]

Your BFF got some great animal shots! I love your character and Camp Minnie Mickey pictures - so cute that each of the characters gets their own tree!

 

[jecskc]

Your BFF got some great animal shots! I love your character and Camp Minnie Mickey pictures - so cute that each of the characters gets their own tree!

She really did !!

Yes, the trees were super cute !! Lots of really cute ornaments on them.

 

[marDgreen88]

Great safari pics! Animals. Oh man, the characters wear the CUTEST outfits at Camp Minnie-Mickey at Christmas, don't they?! They are just too adorable. I love it!

 

[jecskc]

Great safari pics! Animals. Oh man, the characters wear the CUTEST outfits at Camp Minnie-Mickey at Christmas, don't they?! They are just too adorable. I love it!

BFF took all of the safari picks. I didn't ride because it was too bumpy with my bad ankle. She did get some great photos !!

They were all super cute in their Christmas finery!!!