SOOZE 10 year Anniversary Getaway.. All DONE!

[Sooze]

Well, I sure hope everyone had a wonderful Christmas. We had the best one ever! It was just the four of us. We didn't have to get out of our pj's and robes all day! We didn't even make a fancy meal.. we just opened gifts, laid around, took naps, watched movies, and enjoyed EACH OTHER for the whole day!

I thought I'd post some pics and then update you on our trip status... which, if you check out the ticker, is DOWN TO DAYS!!

First, a lovely picture of the kids taken with Santa at the Children's Museum of Indianapolis. If anyone ever visits our city with children, you MUST check this place out! It's superb!!

I think Shae has become a pro with Santa. She just adores him. After watching one family shove their screaming 3-year-old son onto Santa's lap, we got to watch our little angel go running up to him with open arms. Just precious. I'm sure it has a lot to do with her experience with the Disney characters! Those 'larger than life' folks don't intimidate her one bit!
After visiting Santa, she went for a ride on the carousel. We didn't do this ride at WDW.. next time for sure! She LOVED it!!

Christmas Eve-Day was spent making cookies. As you can see, we did our little tribute to Mickey for Santa to eat!

And here are the little ones with their favorite gifts:
Tyson with Zoo Tycoon:

Shae with her little baby and bottle:

Hope you all had a wonderful holiday!! Up next is our trip update!

 

[Blueyed Girl]

Awww, great pictures. Looks like you guys had a wonderful Christmas! I can't believe your ticker is down to DAYS!! We are all getting close. I can't believe it's finally almost here. We have 43 days!

 

[Sooze]

I forgot to post this above, it's my first attempt at posting a video.. so here goes:

 

[PrincessV]

If you have a moment, please think about being at WDW by yourself for a day or two... you have the freedom to do anything you want. Where would you go? What would you see? What would you do? I have some ideas, but they are based on my own experiences.. I'd love to see what YOU all would do... I might get some great ideas!!

A couple of my favorite "me-time" activities:
* Taking the camera to a park and getting all those shots I never have time for with family or friends in tow.

* Going for a walk/run around any number of resorts, but my faves are BW, CBR and POR.

* DTD - shopping without interruption!

I just love the terrible twos! Seriously.. I was laughing when this was happening.. you just gotta laugh sometimes!

Oh my! She is such a cutie - even when all a-fluster!

Sooo.... what's up trip-wise?

 

[Sooze]

Awww, great pictures. Looks like you guys had a wonderful Christmas! I can't believe your ticker is down to DAYS!! We are all getting close. I can't believe it's finally almost here. We have 43 days!

Thanks.. it was truly one of the best Christmases I can recall!! And I'm not even sad that it's over.. because I have a new holiday to look forward to now!! My DISNEY holiday!! Ya hoo!!!!

 

[Sooze]

A couple of my favorite "me-time" activities:
* Taking the camera to a park and getting all those shots I never have time for with family or friends in tow.

* Going for a walk/run around any number of resorts, but my faves are BW, CBR and POR.

* DTD - shopping without interruption!


Oh my! She is such a cutie - even when all a-fluster!

Sooo.... what's up trip-wise?

Great ideas! I wish I had a better camera, to try to get some of the amazing shots I spy over on the photography board.. but I could at least get some different ones when I'm alone...

This will be my first time at POR, so a walk around the resort sounds like a perfect idea.. thanks!

Gotta go make lunch for the munchkins.. so I'll be back with my trip update.. had to make a few changes.. AGAIN!!!

 

[pooksma]

Just watched the video- too cute!

I really liked the pics of your children with Santa too.

Now post that update so I can get some more ideas! My ticker would still have MONTHS if I was allowed to post one

 

[Sooze]

Okay.. a few minor dining changes.. but I basically copied and pasted this from a few posts ago. Changes are in red. Nothing too exciting.. but depending on DH's conference, he could be done at 10:30am on Sunday... or not until 5pm! So we had to change our Cali Grill ADR... can't miss those ressies or they charge you $20 a person!

FRIDAY 1/25
Flight (direct) from Indy to Orlando. Arrive around 2 pm. Rent a car (still need to do this.. ugh!) and drive to POR.
DH will drop me off and head into Orlando for his Drum Corps convention.
Tonight is DTD night for me. I will be flying solo and am VERY excited about it! Planning on browsing the stores, visiting Goofy's place for the 1st time, and possibly seeing a movie. Any other ideas?

SATURDAY 1/26

I am on my own for the WHOLE day today. DH will be busy at his convention.. poor little fella..
There are AM EMH at the Studios. I will start out here and get my fill of RNRC and TOT. I'd like to check out the animation exhibit. Can anyone tell me more about this?!?! I've read about it in other TR's.. a place where you go to learn how to draw characters?!?! That is right up my alley.. and I'd love to know where it is and what it's like. I will also take the time to watch the street performers. No one ever lets me do this!

Next stop will be AK. I want to ride EE several times (Missed it on the last trip due to toddler duty!) and watch the NEMO and Lion King musicals. I'd also like to catch the bug show under the tree.. it's been several years since I've seen it, and I was consoling DS at the time.Going to eat lunch at Flame Tree.. I head (thanks jordanyosh) that I can get a peaceful seat by the water and enjoy some pulled pork.. mmmmmm.

After that.. up in the air? Back to POR for some pool/magazine/cold drink time? Over to other resorts to check them out?I've decided to go for a walk around Animal Kingdom Lodge. I've NEVER seen this place, and from all of the great pics on the DIS, I think I just need to go see it for myself! I will also investigate the DVC villas that are there...

See my next post.. I would love some suggestions about what YOU would do if you were alone and could do whatever you wanted?!

Sunday 1/27
I'm still husbandless on this day. MK might be today. I've always talked about exploring Frontierland and Adventureland, because we NEVER go here! I WILL try my first Dole Whip on this day! I WILL!!

Today will be up in the air depending on DH. He is trying to get onto a task force for Drum Corps International. If he makes it onto the task force, he'll be gone until 5pm! If he doesn't, he'll be 'home' by lunch. I went ahead and made dinner ressies at 50s PTC but will cancel them if he ends up staying in Orlando until 5. After MK, I would like to take the boat over to WL to take a walk around that resort. Another one I have NEVER seen but have been intrigued with all of the pics around DIS. This day will be go-with-the-flow day!


Monday 1/28
We will sleep in slightly. Breakfast ADRs at KONA at 9:30 am. Can't wait to try the Tonga Toast!! After KONA, we will head over to EPCOT. Notice I saved EPCOT until I can be with DH. This is our place!! I wouldn't feel right being there without him. We are going to take a REAL walk around WS. Stopping by the shops, taking in the scenery, listening to Voices of Liberty AT LEAST three times... ahhhh... I just can't wait!

That afternoon, we will venture over to the Studios. We have a dinner ADR at PTC. ((Our dinner at PTC was changed to Sunday.. tonight had to be Cali Grill. It stinks because it worked perfectly with Studios EMH.. but our 10th anniversary dinner is a big deal and we want it to be at CG... SOOOOO... we will probably to Epcot until afternoon. Go back to POR to freshen up for dinner. Eat at CG, watch Wishes from the top of the Contemporary, then head over to the Studios for EMH.))


Tuesday 1/29
Leaving day...
AM EMH at Epcot will be our start. Ready to ride Soarin', missed out on that one on the last trip. I will stay FAR, FAR away from that God forsaken NEMO ride!!! Test Track and Mission Space:Orange Side will be top priority. We have early lunch ADRs at Coral Reef. When I called to make ADRs, I asked about the personalized menu.. he said that wasn't available there huh? I thought I've heard of many people on the DIS talking about their menus from Coral Reef... anyone have any idea what he was talking about? Anyone have a phone number for Coral Reef, or a place where I can find one? I really want to make this "last meal" of our anniversary trip a special one... help if you can!

We won't have to catch ME this trip, since we are renting a car.. so we won't have to leave 5 hours before our flight so we will suck up as much Disney as we can before we have to leave...

We have a connection in Atlanta on the way home, and will be back in Indy around 10pm. We'll have to gather the kids from wherever they are, and set the alarm for a very depressing day back at school! At least it will already be Wednesday and the weekend won't be too far away!


Well, sorry, not TOO exciting.. but I did get the great idea of strolling through the resorts!! Next step is starting the weather watching and starting to pull clothes out that I want to take with me! I also need to get some memory cards for the camera.. I plan on taking lots of pictures! Still need to call Coral Reef and ask about the menus.. and call CG and order a special cake. I'll let you all know how that goes!

 

[TKDisneylover]

I've decided to go for a walk around Animal Kingdom Lodge. I've NEVER seen this place, and from all of the great pics on the DIS, I think I just need to go see it for myself! I will also investigate the DVC villas that are there...[/COLOR]

This is a great idea, you will love this resort, it is so beautiful! Be sure to check out the Zawadi Marketplace which is to the right of the main entrance. And just past that are the elevators, take them to ground floor and you will be able to see Boma & Jiko. Then exit the double doors and check out the pool, then just past the pool is The Mara which is the food court type eat area. It will help you become familiar with the territory if you come back sometime with your entire family!

Sounds like you planning is pretty much set. When packing for this trip, bring a little bit of everything, spring, summer & fall. Actually we packed pants, shorts, t-shirts, sweatshirts & light jackets. That worked perfectly for us, hope this helps!

 

[Sooze]

This is a great idea, you will love this resort, it is so beautiful! Be sure to check out the Zawadi Marketplace which is to the right of the main entrance. And just past that are the elevators, take them to ground floor and you will be able to see Boma & Jiko. Then exit the double doors and check out the pool, then just past the pool is The Mara which is the food court type eat area. It will help you become familiar with the territory if you come back sometime with your entire family!

Sounds like you planning is pretty much set. When packing for this trip, bring a little bit of everything, spring, summer & fall. Actually we packed pants, shorts, t-shirts, sweatshirts & light jackets. That worked perfectly for us, hope this helps!

Wow! Thanks so much for this!! I'm going to print it out and take my self on a little tour. And 'a little bit of everything' sounds just right! Thanks again!

 

[PrincessV]

I love that you'll be visiting AKL and WL - two of my very-favorite resorts to explore!

 

[Sooze]

I had a major idea strike me today! Wanna hear it?!

Okay.. so, since I will have plenty of time on my hands to just BE at Disney, that means I'll have lots of time to take pictures. I don't know how many of you check out the photography board or play any of the games on there, but sometimes we get on an 'alphabet roll' where we post pictures of things that start with different letters.

Hey.. I have a toddler, who can already recognize "CASTLE" "BALL" "MICKEY" "GOOFY", etc... wouldn't she just LOVE and alphabet book filled with pictures from WDW?!?!

I am going to search out memorable icons and characters from the parks/resorts that start with each letter of the alphabet, then load them onto the computer and make a little picture book for Shae!! Of course, Ty will love reading it to her, too!!

What do you think?! I could also offer to email the finished product to any DISers who ask for it so they could print it out, too! I'm SO excited about this little project!

Does anyone know how or where I can find the DISNEY font to download for free? I'd love to use that on my book.

Thanks for reading!! Here is the alphabet and some ideas I came up with.. feel free to add or recommend things for each letter!

A Animal Kingdom
B Belle or Boat
C Castle
D Donald
E Epcot (ball)
F Fireworks
G Goofy
H Hat (The studios)
I Ice cream (Mickey head?)
J
K Kisses (see my avatar.. something like that!)
L
M Mickey and Minnie.. of course! Monorail
N Nemo (Remember.. she dragged me on that ride a million times!)
O
P Pool or Princess or Pluto
Q Queen or quilt from Minnie's house
R Roller Coaster (Get her prepped for EE!!)
S Singers (Voices of Liberty!)
T Tigger or Tree (From AK) or Train
U Umbrella or UNDER (maybe standing under a monorail or SE)
V
W Water
X ?Help!
Y
Z Zebra (Maybe I'll find one at AKL)

I need to put Shae down for a nap.. I left some blank.. any suggestions!? Maybe I'll need to do several picture for each letter! There's just so much!!

 

[Sooze]

I love that you'll be visiting AKL and WL - two of my very-favorite resorts to explore!

Any places that you think I should absolutely visit at either resort?!

 

[jordanyosh]

Okay, I'm subbing.....like your plans so far.

The pace when you are by yourself is sooooo much different. You don't realize how much time it takes between rides when you have your family with you....

If you have any interest, hit One Man's Dream up at MGM, it has some interesting displays that you can look at. I never have time to do this unless I'm solo.

At AK, if you eat at Flame Tree, try and get a seat by the water, very peaceful.

I also just sit on any bench and just people watch.....

 

[Sooze]

Okay, I'm subbing.....like your plans so far.

The pace when you are by yourself is sooooo much different. You don't realize how much time it takes between rides when you have your family with you....

If you have any interest, hit One Man's Dream up at MGM, it has some interesting displays that you can look at. I never have time to do this unless I'm solo.

At AK, if you eat at Flame Tree, try and get a seat by the water, very peaceful.

I also just sit on any bench and just people watch.....

WELCOME! So glad you made the commitment to subscribe!!

Thanks so much for the ideas. I've never eaten at Flame Tree.. sounds like a good idea. Anything on the menu that you recommend?

DH and I did the One Man's Dream on our last Getaway.. but he doesn't like to read.. and we moved too fast through the exhibit.. so another go at that sounds perfect too.. I can take my sweet ol' time and won't have anyone sighing heavily next to me!

 

[jordanyosh]

WELCOME! So glad you made the commitment to subscribe!!

Thanks so much for the ideas. I've never eaten at Flame Tree.. sounds like a good idea. Anything on the menu that you recommend?

DH and I did the One Man's Dream on our last Getaway.. but he doesn't like to read.. and we moved too fast through the exhibit.. so another go at that sounds perfect too.. I can take my sweet ol' time and won't have anyone sighing heavily next to me!

I've subscribed to so many, it's hard to keep track these days. I'm addicted to them, but at least it's a healthy addiction, right....

Flame Tree has good pulled pork or BBQ beef sandwiches. They are a bit dry by themselves, but put some of their sauces on..and....mmmmmmmmmmmmm......

You hit the nail on the head w/ One Man's Dream. Usually I am rushed through. However, when I went to MGM solo one day, I was able to take my time.....very nice.....

I have the Disney font, but I can't remember where i got it. I googled Disney font and was able to download it that way as I recall....

Just as an FYI American Adventure is down for rehab while you are there. I don't know if they will have the Voices of Liberty performing. I know when I was there in June, AA was down for a week and VoL still performed. You may want to call right before you go to see......

 

[PrincessV]

Hey.. I have a toddler, who can already recognize "CASTLE" "BALL" "MICKEY" "GOOFY", etc... wouldn't she just LOVE and alphabet book filled with pictures from WDW?!?!

YES! I think this is a great idea!

Any places that you think I should absolutely visit at either resort?!

Yep... be sure to visit the 4th floor at WL and check out the "secret" fireplace above the main entrance. A wonderful spot to relax for a bit.

 

[Sooze]

I've subscribed to so many, it's hard to keep track these days. I'm addicted to them, but at least it's a healthy addiction, right....

Flame Tree has good pulled pork or BBQ beef sandwiches. They are a bit dry by themselves, but put some of their sauces on..and....mmmmmmmmmmmmm......

You hit the nail on the head w/ One Man's Dream. Usually I am rushed through. However, when I went to MGM solo one day, I was able to take my time.....very nice.....

I have the Disney font, but I can't remember where i got it. I googled Disney font and was able to download it that way as I recall....

Just as an FYI American Adventure is down for rehab while you are there. I don't know if they will have the Voices of Liberty performing. I know when I was there in June, AA was down for a week and VoL still performed. You may want to call right before you go to see......

Oh my gosh.. if Voices of Liberty isn't singing, I might have to hurt somebody!!! That is DH and my FAVORITE thing in WDW.. seriously!! We were planning on seeing them at least three times. Thanks for the heads up, though! I'll be sure to do some investigating to make sure our favorite performers will actually be performing!!

I will google the font and see what I can find! Thanks!

And pulled pork... I LOVE pulled pork. I'm officially adding Flame Tree to my itinerary.. thanks!

 

[belle8306]

Hi! A fellow Hooiser teacher here! I have enjoyed your previous TR's. You have such a cute family! I LOVE the alphabet book idea! Here are some things I thought of (in red):



A Animal Kingdom
B Belle or Boat
C Castle
D Donald
E Epcot (ball)
F Fireworks
G Goofy
H Hat (The studios)
I Ice cream (Mickey head?)
J Jo Jo, Jumping Fountains (Epcot)
K Kisses (see my avatar.. something like that!)
L Lights, Lion King
M Mickey and Minnie.. of course! Monorail
N Nemo (Remember.. she dragged me on that ride a million times!)
O Oliver (Oliver & Co.), an Ore, OVER (if you do one for UNDER), Open
P Pool or Princess or Pluto
Q Queen or quilt from Minnie's house
R Roller Coaster (Get her prepped for EE!!)
S Singers (Voices of Liberty!)
T Tigger or Tree (From AK) or Train
U Umbrella or UNDER (maybe standing under a monorail or SE)
V Van (maybe one with a Disney logo?) villian (I'm not sure if that would be too scary, depending on who it is)
W Water (At POR there is the huge Water Wheel)
X ?Help! (This is a stretch, what about something laid in the shape of an X?)
Y Yellow, Yawn (Long day at the park )
Z Zebra (Maybe I'll find one at AKL)

I hope that helps! Flame Tree BBQ is really good! I have always wanted to spend a day exploring the resorts. People watching at Downtown Disney is the best! It looks like you have a great plan!

 

[pooksma]

Another Flame Tree lover here. I was initiated last trip and the pulled pork sandwich is awesome.

If I may... what about Y-Yeti there are some very cute stuffed ones in the gift shop. Very non threatening types.