SOOZE 10 year Anniversary Getaway.. All DONE!

[scottny]

great update and pics.

the beverly pic is too funny.

sorry about the menu but the rest sounds wonderful.

 

[TKDisneylover]

So your leaving us with a little suspense for the last part of your TR, well I guess I can be patient.

What a great installment, how cool to have the menu(even though it was missing some important stuff!), and the sign from the diver! I will have to remember that when we go back, my DH would be amazed! And we've always enjoyed the Coral Reef too, I love this restaurant and have never had a bad meal there.

Looking forward to more!

 

[Hedy]

Can't wait for more!
Those signs are so cute!

 

[Sooze]

That picture of your DH at club cool is priceless!!!! That is the picture that I didn't catch of my dh. TOO FUNNY!!!

We didn't get offered the champagne or desert at Coral Reef. But I"m not really complaining since our pic's were on the menu and we were seated right next to the tank. So sorry yours didn't go the way you planned. I remember Debi not getting back with me after I sent her the pictures and everythng. I waited about a week before I contacted her. I wasn't sure if I should because I thought she was probably very busy. But now I am glad that I did!!

So glad to read how surprised your dh was, though. So sweet!!!!

Your new avatar threw me off! What happened to Tink? Anyhoo..
That's strange that you weren't offered a drink.. maybe they knew they had messed up the menu and were trying to compensate... or maybe they just liked my hoodie!!? It still was a wonderful experience, for sure!

WOOO-HOOOO!!! Great update, great day! So glad that you enjoyed the Coral Reef and that the divers had the sign. Is that not the coolest thing to have at that restaurant! Glad the food was good, loved your desserts!

Can't wait to hit EPCOT in 40 some days!

40 days?!?! I'm jealous! And, yes, Coral Reef is a definite Disney gem... We will FOR SURE visit again!!

great update and pics.

the beverly pic is too funny.

sorry about the menu but the rest sounds wonderful.

Thanks! Matt was definitely NOT reserved about his opinion of the Beverly!!

So your leaving us with a little suspense for the last part of your TR, well I guess I can be patient.

What a great installment, how cool to have the menu(even though it was missing some important stuff!), and the sign from the diver! I will have to remember that when we go back, my DH would be amazed! And we've always enjoyed the Coral Reef too, I love this restaurant and have never had a bad meal there.

Looking forward to more!

I hope you look into surprising DH at the Coral Reef. It was so much fun to see Matt's reactions! And the food was just great!

Of course I had to end with suspense.. hopefully you won't be waiting too long!

Can't wait for more!
Those signs are so cute!

Hoping to have the last installment up by tomorrow night!!! Can't leave you all hanging as long as I did for this update! Plus, I'm dying to start a pre-trippie for our little surprise trip in July!

 

[jwwi]

I totally agree, must sit in the front row for Soarin', it truly is the best experience. I have never been on MS, I am so afraid that it will make me feel sick, even the green side. Crazy, I love RNRC and Everest, but can't get myself to try MS

Loved the pictures of CR, I can never get over how exciting it must be to see the diver in the tank, congratulating everyone who posts. How great that you were able to surprise your DH.

thanks for the update
Judy

 

[Beana9802]

The wake up call came at 6:45, sure wish they had a variety of wake up calls, not the same one every day. Wouldn't it be nice to have Cinderella politely asking you to wake up from your dream... that's a wish your heart makes. Or maybe Lightning McQueen can tell you he's gonna race you to the bus stop today! How about Buzz and Woody arguing over who gets to wake you today... just some thoughts!

I like it! Let's petition...

 

[jordanyosh]

Yeah update....

The Coral Reef meal looked great. I had the same thing your DH had. It was awesome.

I'm glad even though it wasn't perfect, that Matt was thoroughly surprised by your efforts...!!!!! Disney's the best.

What a great way to top off your 10th.

Oh..any World Showcase first thing is the best......glad you got some quality time...

And those resting pix before your ADR..so relaxing looking....

 

[Sooze]

I totally agree, must sit in the front row for Soarin', it truly is the best experience. I have never been on MS, I am so afraid that it will make me feel sick, even the green side. Crazy, I love RNRC and Everest, but can't get myself to try MS

Loved the pictures of CR, I can never get over how exciting it must be to see the diver in the tank, congratulating everyone who posts. How great that you were able to surprise your DH.

thanks for the update
Judy

You MUST try Mission Space.. you can do it!! If you follow directions, and look at the screen the whole time, it's not bad at all... just completely AMAZING!

The CR surprise was awesome!!

I like it! Let's petition...

Get me an email address... I'll start the ball rolling!

Yeah update....

The Coral Reef meal looked great. I had the same thing your DH had. It was awesome.

I'm glad even though it wasn't perfect, that Matt was thoroughly surprised by your efforts...!!!!! Disney's the best.

What a great way to top off your 10th.

Oh..any World Showcase first thing is the best......glad you got some quality time...

And those resting pix before your ADR..so relaxing looking....

I love looking at our resting pics... one of those moments you can just close your eyes and go back to instantly! Love that Florida sun in the middle of January!!

You and Matt should meet for dinner someday.. you can have STEAK, STEAK and more STEAK together!!

 

[Beana9802]

Get me an email address... I'll start the ball rolling!

Ok, I'm on it....wait...where would I get it from?! HEE HEE...

 

[jordanyosh]

That steak was soooooo good....

Those relaxing pix can be your "happy place"

 

[FauntleroyFAN07]

Actually, your comments are making me laugh! I completely understand.. sometimes, TRs just blend.. one into the other. That's what we get for reading SO MANY!!

that is really true

thanks for sharing the coral reef experience, i wanna try that some time, but we have not eaten there yet.

maybe on our next trip.

 

[PrincessV]

We wake up bright and early. It is ELECTION day in FLORIDA! I somehow feel connected to politics since election day in Indiana usually doesn't mean SQUAT!!

Yeah but you may have noticed... the results of our election didn't mean SQUAT either!

I always try to turn around as I'm exiting the ride to look at the MASSIVE mechanism that was just holding me in the air. It's quite a sight, I recommend checking it out.

My DS looooves checking that thing out. I think a true YOAMD dream for him would be to hang out, watching it work for a ride cycle. He wouldn't need a certificate of completion, TFI.

HUH?!?!!? Where are the pictures I sent? Where was the little verse I wrote for my husband of 10 years?! I was so disappointed in the menu...

I'd be pretty frustrated, too.

Thirty seconds after the divers left, our amazing waiter came to our table with a GORGEOUS dessert plate, compliments of the restaurant.

WOWZA!!!

How about Voices of Liberty... how about Voices of Liberty in the front row for 4 straight sets? How about a personal dedication by the Voices of Liberty?

You wanna hear about it.. don't you.......

Heck yeah!

 

[DisneyJo]

Wouldn't it be nice to have Cinderella politely asking you to wake up from your dream... that's a wish your heart makes. Or maybe Lightning McQueen can tell you he's gonna race you to the bus stop today! How about Buzz and Woody arguing over who gets to wake you today... just some thoughts!

Great ideas, you should tell WDW

ALWAYS ASK FOR TOP CENTER WHEN YOU RIDE SOARIN'.... ALWAYS, PEOPLE!!

OK, will do

Just wish we didn't have to go through all of that other stuff to get there... I'm impatient!

Me too, I would love to get rid of the first room bit!

"This is for us, isn't it?" It was priceless.. he was so cute and excited!

Sorry about the lack of menu photos but what a great surprise and reaction

 

[WDWBetsy]

What a wonderful update! Love all the pictures. Your update has really made me excited about our dinner at Coral Reef. That's a bummer the menu didn't have your pictures or your verse. I'm glad Matt still liked the surprise though! And it was sweet of them to do the complimentary dessert and offer the champagne. So glad you shared your romantic dinner with us!

After you warned me about confirming our personalized menu a while back, Debbi called me to follow-up and I asked her if she received my pictures and text. She said let me check and told me a lady she worked with had already designed it. She said it looked great and told me the pictures I sent were really touching, and even commented on her favorite one. So hopefully all will go as planned and it will be given to my mom for her birthday!! Should be a magical moment.

Hope you have a good week and thanks again for sharing all the details with us!

 

[Sooze]

Ok, I'm on it....wait...where would I get it from?! HEE HEE...

If you find a contact, let me know!!

That steak was soooooo good....

Those relaxing pix can be your "happy place"

Absolutley! We had a freeze warning in Indy this morning (It's almost MAY for crying out loud!!), so I went to my happy place while shivering in my car!!

that is really true

thanks for sharing the coral reef experience, i wanna try that some time, but we have not eaten there yet.

maybe on our next trip.

Finally saw Parker pics... he's AWESOME!! Thanks for taking time to read my TR in between Daddy duties!!

 

[Sooze]

Yeah but you may have noticed... the results of our election didn't mean SQUAT either!

I know!! What a strange turn of events this election year. For the first time in my life, I've been bombarded with election junk mail.. and MESSAGES ON MY PHONE!! What?!? We've never had this much attention on a primary. It's kinda fun, actually!

Great ideas, you should tell WDW

Sorry about the lack of menu photos but what a great surprise and reaction

I need to find an email address to write to someone who would take my 'wake-up call request' seriously. Know where I can get one? I'm sure this would make it to the TOP of the Disney agenda, no?

What a wonderful update! Love all the pictures. Your update has really made me excited about our dinner at Coral Reef. That's a bummer the menu didn't have your pictures or your verse. I'm glad Matt still liked the surprise though! And it was sweet of them to do the complimentary dessert and offer the champagne. So glad you shared your romantic dinner with us!

After you warned me about confirming our personalized menu a while back, Debbi called me to follow-up and I asked her if she received my pictures and text. She said let me check and told me a lady she worked with had already designed it. She said it looked great and told me the pictures I sent were really touching, and even commented on her favorite one. So hopefully all will go as planned and it will be given to my mom for her birthday!! Should be a magical moment.

Hope you have a good week and thanks again for sharing all the details with us!

I'm so glad to hear you have confirmed your menu. You are going to LOVE surprising your mom with that. Make sure you take lots of pictures and share with us, okay? I just called for our ADRS yesterday.. for our surprise birthday trip for Tyson. I'm going to call Debi this week to try to set up a diver for Tyson's 8th birthday. I'll be much more diligent about confirming stuff!!

By the way, I LOVE your new link in your siggie for your pre-trip report. I can't believe how much our daughters look alike!!

Have a great day!

 

[pooksma]

Wow what a great update. I can almost here your DH gagging on the beverly from my livingroom.

The CR meal looks really good. I'll leave that ADR alone.

What song?What song? Inquiring minds want to know!

 

[FauntleroyFAN07]

Finally saw Parker pics... he's AWESOME!! Thanks for taking time to read my TR in between Daddy duties!!

your welcome, it gives me some unwind time to read a little dis.

 

[Sooze]

Wow what a great update. I can almost here your DH gagging on the beverly from my livingroom.

The CR meal looks really good. I'll leave that ADR alone.

What song?What song? Inquiring minds want to know!

And gag he did!! Please leave your CR ADRs alone! It's a great place and the food was excellent!

Answer.. coming up shortly

your welcome, it gives me some unwind time to read a little dis.

And I'm sure unwinding is necessary with all of the changes in your life right now!! ENJOY!

 

[Sooze]

As we were paying for our wonderful Coral Reef experience, Matt realizes that the first Voice of Liberty set is starting in 15 minutes. Can we make it to the American Pavillion in time?

Well, darnit... we sure as heck are gonna try!! You've never seen two people speed walking through WS like we did. It was priceless. Completely silent, we would weave in and out, go around, bypass, split up, rejoin... always finding the fastest way around something. I felt like a stealth fighter! But.. WE MADE IT!!

The rotunda was waiting for the choral masterpiece it was about to acoustically enhance!

And here they came:

We knew we were going to spend our last hours here, enjoying sets of our favorite performance ensemble in all of Disney World. We ended up staying through 4 sets. Every time, we sat right in the front on the edge of the 'red' circle. By the second set, they were smiling at us and gesturing towards us while they were singing. By the third set, they knew us by name.. and I think by the fourth set, they had security waiting back stage~

In between sets we would mingle with the singers, get to know a little bit about them. Fun story:

Matt arranges music and once arranged "Golden Dream" for a brass ensemble. He had been in contact with Derek Johnson (sp?), who originally arranged it for VoL, to get copyright clearance and a copy of his score. Well, we spent some time talking with one of the female performers and it turns out.. she's Derek's wife!! She's the one in the purple dress behind the man's right shoulder above. That was a nice discussion.

Another time, we talked with this gal:

(Sorry, my camera is cheapity cheap!)

She's the one who addresses the audience in between songs.. she's a FABULOUS speaker, by the way. Any way.. we told her we were here for our 10th anniversary. We told her that VoL is our favoritest thing ever. We told her we would give ANYTHING to hear "Golden Dream" today... anything!! ((Begging, pleading, etc.) Well.. she said they would love to do it, but didn't have the proper personnel to voice it correctly. DANG!

But, on the next set, they surprised us by personally welcoming us by name, making fun of the fact that we had been there all afternoon, then dedicated, "Back Home Again in Indiana" for us. It was awesome! Then, during the song, the lead lady started looking at Matt real funny... then started gesturing to him that he should put his arm around me...so, being the funny guy Matt is, he hesitantly put his arm around me, then drew me close.. the crowd cheered for him! Fun times!

In between sets, we would also venture outside to let that sun penetrate our winter-weary skin. At one point, we noticed characters coming out. PERFECT! We ran to them first.. no lines!!

Here's Matt attacking Goofy:

Seriously, he ran to him so fast and hard.. I was nervous Matt would knock Goofy over!
But Goofy survived:

With the big cheese:

With the big cheesette:

Cute dog!

We also caught these guys again. They seemed more entertaining this year than last. More crowd involvement:

After our last set, we slowly said our goodbyes to Epcot and walked, ever so slowly back to BC to get the car.

Caught this coming out again:

A few parting shots:

Wish we could stay for another Illuminations:

Thought this was cool with SE and Illuminations ball:

Another good thing about traveling without kids, you have a reason to want to get home. Although we were sad to leave the World, we were missing the kids something awful, and were excited to see them.

When we returned the car to Enterprise, there was NOBODY there!! Remember that HORRIBLE line when we arrived?!?! The difference between Tuesday and Friday, I guess!

We made it to MCO with plenty of time to spare. Thank you, Disney for airline check in at the resort. What a MAJOR time saver. Our flight to ATL was uneventful, but when we got there we spent a lot of time watching the weather radar. There was some SERIOUS storm stuff going through Indy. Left some terrible straight-line wind damage in our own little town of Avon! Luckily, it did not affect our flight, and we landed home AFTER the crazy weather. Also Luckily, the kids were at our home with the sitter and hanging out in the safe basement while it was all going on. I guess they had a good time down there!

Hard to believe, but I'm DONE!!! Thanks to everyone for hanging with me for 3 and a half months... whew! I'll be starting a pre-trippie for our next trip soon, so stay tuned!! That one'll be a quickie.. but we're surprising Tyson for his 8th birthday,so it should be fun.

FINISHED!!!!!