SOOZE Return of the Band Geeks! What's Next Update! p.25 10/10

[Sooze]

Thank you for the additional Illuminations info!

You're welcome. I'll be excited to hear about it: if you find it and if it works for you!

I just saw your reply above about the surrey. I forgot to comment on that!!! I'm not from OK, but I know that song and I sing it EVERY time we see one of those bikes. My DH looks at me like I'm nuts. We have loose plans to take one out this time while at the BWV, I think he thinks its easier than it is....I've warned him. I think it will make some excellent TR fodder.

That's so funny! I always sing that when I see those bikes, too! I hope you guys rent one.. it is such a good laugh! And, yes... excellent TR fodder!

OF COURSE!!! As soon as I see a surrey, I immediately sing the whole song in my head! I'm a big musical fan, and I LOVE that Oklahoma has it's own! Did you know our state song is "Oklahoma" from the musical? I was also going to tell you that I was in "Oliver" when I was in 6th grade (as an orphan and one of Fagan's boys) with my little brother. We had a blast! I'm hoping we live in a town with a good community theater again one day--especially when our (non existent yet) kids are old enough to be in them. Have fun with all of your plays/musicals!

I KNEW you'd know! I had no idea it was the actual state song.. of course it IS perfect for that state.. obviously!

How cool that you have done theater! I was just cast as Lily St. Regis in Annie and I'm SUPER excited about being able to play a complete ditz!

 

[Sooze]

We enjoyed yet another relaxing, sleeping-in kind of morning at the Boardwalk. After a quick breakfast in our villa, we were on our way to a brand new Disney experience for our family.... MINIATURE GOLF! For obvious Band-Geek reasons, we chose Fantasia Gardens. Not only was it completely musically themed, but it was a hop, skip, and a jump from the Boardwalk!

The day was simply PERFECT... sunny, not too hot. There was hardly anyone at the golf course, so we walked right on in and started playing. The theming was wonderful, and we had fun reading the rhymes posted at each hole. Here is Matt teeing off:

Next up, Tyson:

(Sorry, the blurry spot is still there)
Here is tyson retrieving his ball from one of the cute cups.

Daddy giving Shaelyn some hints:

Check out this cool hole:

You can see Matt trying to give Tyson some tips... That boy is just miserable at mini golf.. not because he's a bad player, but because he has no patience. By the 3rd stroke, he is already over it. If Matt or I hit a hole-in-one, Ty would just be miserable. It made me so mad that he couldn't be happy for other players, just mad for himself. He's just so competitive... ugh!

Here's one of the rhymes that you can find at each tee:

Another Ty Tee:

We ended up having a great time. Tyson eventually got his own hole-in-one, so life was good

Our next big event for the day was lunch at Teppan Edo... yet another family first. We had reservations with our friends, so we were excited knowing we'd have a whole table to ourselves.

Before venturing over to Japan, we all made a stop at... what else? Voices of Liberty... for a bit of goosebumps before lunch. We sat with our friends on the very edge of the red circle on the floor (for maximum acoustic awesomeness). After finishing up another amazing experience with our favorite vocal ensemble, we began to get up, gather our things, and head over to Epcot. Now, if you recall, back on the first day, I was getting up and getting ready to leave when I was surprised by some old friends of mine. Well... de ja vu!! Another surprise was waiting. We began to walk towards the exit, when we saw a man walking towards us, both fingers pointing at us all, with a ginormous smile spread across his face. It was Beast! If you have been following my TRs, you may remember him. If not... let me explain how we know Beast!

Matt has been doing drum corps for a very long time. Beast is a very close friend of Matt's who arranges the music for Carolina Crown. He and his wife were the blessed souls who convinced Matt and me to go to a DVC presentation... of course we ended up buying into it, and now we often bump into Beast and his family in WDW! On Facebook, Beast had been telling us how much he wished he could join us in WDW (since he is also friends with Dean!).... he even asked about our dining plans "just to live vicariously through" us... little sneak! Well, guess what? He flew to FL from MA just to spend a few days in Disney with more band geeks!!

Of course, he was just in time to join us for lunch at Teppan Edo... so off we went!

We had a few minutes to spare and we perused the Japan gift shop. OH MY! I had NEVER been in here before. It is AWESOME!!! I had always been curious about the pick-a-pearl. I watched another family do it, and immediately turned to Shae and said, "Do YOU want to pick a pearl?!" It was like I asked a 16 year-old if they wanted a brand new car! She was SOOOo excited!

Here she is picking the perfect oyster:

The sweet CM talking to Shae about her oyster:

Opening the oyster:

Banging the drum for Shae's pretty pearl:

We chose a cute little charm that was the letter "S" with the pearl dangling beneath it. That way, we could BOTH wear it!

After perusing the shop for quite a while, it was time to eat! Here we are getting settled around the table:

Shae with her cheater-ized chopsticks:

We took lots of pictures of this most-amazing meal. I like this one I caught of Adrianna taking a picture of our chef:

And here he is:

We were all excited about seeing the classic volcano, but our chef put an extra special Disney twist to ours. Check it out:

Here are Tyson and Abby staring in wonder at the chef's creation:

Shaelyn was even intrigued into silence:

Here's the whole gang (you can see our extra guest sitting between Dean and Matt):

We had a WONDERFUL meal with great friends. Lots of laughs and some delicious fare. We will definitely return!

We wrapped up our day in Japan with a visit to the candy lady:

Here she is chanting her funny song: ("I show you how to make... I show you how to make")

This is Tyson's reaction when he wasn't selected to choose the animal that the candy lady would make:

We left after she had made a few animals, and we had learned a new song. It goes like this: "I show you how to make... I show you how to make..."

We took time to photograph the 3 band geeks extraordinaire:

Then we decided to wait for the most PERFECT princess.... Come on back for some precious pictures!

 

[renegade7]

We enjoyed yet another relaxing, sleeping-in kind of morning at the Boardwalk. After a quick breakfast in our villa, we were on our way to a brand new Disney experience for our family.... MINIATURE GOLF! For obvious Band-Geek reasons, we chose Fantasia Gardens. Not only was it completely musically themed, but it was a hop, skip, and a jump from the Boardwalk!

Glad you enjoyed

Our next big event for the day was lunch at Teppan Edo... yet another family first. We had reservations with our friends, so we were excited knowing we'd have a whole table to ourselves.

Before venturing over to Japan, we all made a stop at... what else? Voices of Liberty... for a bit of goosebumps before lunch. We sat with our friends on the very edge of the red circle on the floor (for maximum acoustic awesomeness). After finishing up another amazing experience with our favorite vocal ensemble, we began to get up, gather our things, and head over to Epcot. Now, if you recall, back on the first day, I was getting up and getting ready to leave when I was surprised by some old friends of mine. Well... de ja vu!! Another surprise was waiting. We began to walk towards the exit, when we saw a man walking towards us, both fingers pointing at us all, with a ginormous smile spread across his face. It was Beast! If you have been following my TRs, you may remember him. If not... let me explain how we know Beast!

They have remodeled the restaurant since I have been, but always like that place (especially for lunch since it is cheaper). Love that you keep running into people at VoL. Maybe it will be me one of these times. BTW love the name "Beast" oh the nick names we get in life, especially from Drum Corps. BTW good luck to DH in the coming weeks (season is almost over).

 

[micandminforever]

I is always fun to share WDW with friends, and family. It is great your DH friend decided to join you at Disney, a great surprise.

I look forward to the PERFECT princess pictures.

 

[JenSop]

Hi Sooze! I'm doing some catching up on your TR now that we're back from the World!

Holy cow! I LOVE the Mickey made of veggies at your lunch! So fun! We haven't eaten there since the remodel, but perhaps on a future trip.

I'm glad to see that you've finally had some Le Cellier!

 

[brookelizabeth]

Love the Mickey onion volcano!!! How clever!

And how neat that Beast just showed up to eat with you guys! That had to be a wonderful surprise.

Mini-golf has made our "if we have time" list every single trip, but has never been done. I forgot how close that course is to the BWV - it just might happen this trip.

 

[stacikristine]

I KNEW you'd know! I had no idea it was the actual state song.. of course it IS perfect for that state.. obviously!

How cool that you have done theater! I was just cast as Lily St. Regis in Annie and I'm SUPER excited about being able to play a complete ditz!

Congratulations on being cast as Lily St. Regis! She is hilarious! Are either of your kiddos going to be in the play with you? Annie is SUCH a fun play!

What a great morning and afternoon! We went to Fantasia Gardens mini golf when I was 15, and I still remember how great it was. We were SOO shocked when the water sprayed up at the end. I think all boys are probably competitive at that age...I'm glad Tyson finally got a hole in one!

Aw, that's so exciting that you let Shaelyn do pick-a-pearl! I got one last Sept. They make you feel SO special when you pick it out! And Teppan Edo has become one of our favorites. I've never seen such an elaborate Mickey, though! Your chef did an amazing job! Oh--and that's awesome that your friend was able to join you at WDW!

Can't wait for the perfect princess pictures!

 

[PrincessV]

After a quick breakfast in our villa, we were on our way to a brand new Disney experience for our family.... MINIATURE GOLF!

Can I just tell you how many years I've been wanting to play mini-golf at WDW?! YEARS! We still haven't made it. So I'm going to live vicariously through your experience...

Well, guess what? He flew to FL from MA just to spend a few days in Disney with more band geeks!!

How cool, and what a fantastic surprise!

We had a few minutes to spare and we perused the Japan gift shop. OH MY! I had NEVER been in here before.

First Le Cell, now this?! I believe you're trying to kill me Susie!

We chose a cute little charm that was the letter "S" with the pearl dangling beneath it. That way, we could BOTH wear it!

Good thinking!

Love this!

We left after she had made a few animals, and we had learned a new song. It goes like this: "I show you how to make... I show you how to make..."

I can totally hear her now!

 

[FauntleroyFAN07]

that mickey volcano man was really cool, nice creativity on his part.

 

[Sooze]

Love that you keep running into people at VoL. Maybe it will be me one of these times.

Wouldn't THAT be cool?!

BTW love the name "Beast" oh the nick names we get in life, especially from Drum Corps. BTW good luck to DH in the coming weeks (season is almost over).

Ha! Actually, I gave him the name Beast, since I didn't get his permission to put his real name on the boards! His wife is Beauty and their son is Chip (Though they didn't get to join him on this surprise trip!)

I is always fun to share WDW with friends, and family. It is great your DH friend decided to join you at Disney, a great surprise.

I look forward to the PERFECT princess pictures.

It is SO fun to have friends and family there to share with!! Our next trip will have Matt's Mom, Dad, Brother, SIL, and niece with us.... they are not big Disney travelers, so we are very excited to show them all that we love about Disney!!

Hi Sooze! I'm doing some catching up on your TR now that we're back from the World!

Holy cow! I LOVE the Mickey made of veggies at your lunch! So fun! We haven't eaten there since the remodel, but perhaps on a future trip.

I'm glad to see that you've finally had some Le Cellier!

Glad you're here and catching up! I have been falling behind on my TRs (reading AND writing) lately, too! Can't wait to hear all about your trip... I sure did enjoy your Facebook updates! Wasn't the Mickey cool!?! And Le Cellier...

 

[Sooze]

Love the Mickey onion volcano!!! How clever!

Wasn't it cool!? He pulled the two onion slices off to the side and oiled them all up to make them mushier.. we just kept wondering why he did that... then suddenly they became Mickey's feet! So intriguing to watch him work!

And how neat that Beast just showed up to eat with you guys! That had to be a wonderful surprise.

Something we just weren't expecting.. it sure made for a wonderful afternoon/evening!

Mini-golf has made our "if we have time" list every single trip, but has never been done. I forgot how close that course is to the BWV - it just might happen this trip.

Fantasia Gardens was very nice. And it was a nice change from the crowded, line-waiting atmosphere of the parks, ya know?

Congratulations on being cast as Lily St. Regis! She is hilarious! Are either of your kiddos going to be in the play with you? Annie is SUCH a fun play!

Thank you so much! I am VERY excited about it, and rehearsals are going well. The man cast as Rooster is PHENOMENAL!!! So professional and fun. It's going to be a blast!

What a great morning and afternoon! We went to Fantasia Gardens mini golf when I was 15, and I still remember how great it was. We were SOO shocked when the water sprayed up at the end. I think all boys are probably competitive at that age...I'm glad Tyson finally got a hole in one!

I love those small surprises... it's what makes Disney so special to us... even on their mini golf courses!

Aw, that's so exciting that you let Shaelyn do pick-a-pearl! I got one last Sept. They make you feel SO special when you pick it out! And Teppan Edo has become one of our favorites. I've never seen such an elaborate Mickey, though! Your chef did an amazing job! Oh--and that's awesome that your friend was able to join you at WDW!

I really fell in love with the Japan pavilion on this trip... the shops, the pearls, the dining, the surprise!! It was great!!

Can't wait for the perfect princess pictures!

Hoping to update tonight!! School starts for me on Tuesday and I'm scared I'll fall way behind.. again...

 

[micandminforever]

Sending happy thought with school starting on Tuesday.

 

[Sooze]

Can I just tell you how many years I've been wanting to play mini-golf at WDW?! YEARS! We still haven't made it. So I'm going to live vicariously through your experience...

I would bash you for this, but since I have never been on Splash Mountain... I just can't....

First Le Cell, now this?! I believe you're trying to kill me Susie!

((hangs head in shame)) Sorry, V... Hope you'll still read my trip reports..

I can totally hear her now!

It gets stuck in your head, doesn't it?!

that mickey volcano man was really cool, nice creativity on his part.

Wasn't it though?! Now every time we eat there in the future, I'll be bummed if it's just a 'regular' volcano. He spoiled us!!

 

[Sooze]

Sending happy thought with school starting on Tuesday.

Thanks! I'm nervous about it. Even after 15 years of teaching.. I still get butterflies!

 

[Sooze]

We left Japan in just the absolute BEST mood. We had eaten at one of the finest restaurants on Disney property (IMHO), we had been surprised by one of our favorite Disney and Band Geek friends, and we knew that our FAVORITE Snow White in the whole world was going to be in Epcot that day!!

(Want to read about her? Click HERE)

We were the first ones to arrive in Germany to find our beautiful princess. I love how they gave her a new area. Last year, she just stood in front of a door. Now they have her wishing fountain, and a nice area for the meet and greet. Before long, Snow White was here! Shaelyn ran to her and was greeted like an old friend! How cool is it that Snow White greeted her by name!?! Pretty dang cool, let me tell you!

Once again, Snow spent a LOT of time with Shae, and wrote a sweet message in her autograph book.

Shae was so intrigued with every inch of Snow White!!

Shae even remember how to hold her hands like a princess, since Snow White taught her last year!

Again, I apologize for the grease mark on the lens. SO FRUSTRATING!!

After our wonderful-as-always encounter with Snow White, we caught a Friendship and made our way over to DHS. There were EMH there this evening until 1am. We knew we'd NEVER make it to the end, but decided to cruise on over there any way.

The crowds were RI. DIC. U. LOUS!!!! Even with EMH, the wait times were BEYOND unreasonable. We ended up riding the ONLY thing with a wait time under 30 minutes. Can you guess what it was?!?








Even Abby can't believe we are on it:

And Beast?! He's beside himself with horror:

Yeah... the Great Movie Ride.

So NOT my favorite.. I've just been on it too many times, and this ride has gotten old for me. The one thing that salvaged the experience?! Being with our friends and laughing at everything... hysterically! I guess I can't complain.

I can't believe what we ended up doing next! We meandered around for a while wondering what to do, since rides were out of the question. We ended up near the animation exhibit. So.... why not?

Yes! We ALL took the animation class.. even Tyson! (Shae sat on my lap)

Ready to go:

We all drew a picture of Goofy. Sorry I didn't take pictures of our final creations... not sure why?

When we exited, we noticed something CRAZY going on in Playhouse Disney. It was a dance party!! Matt ran Shaelyn over there, and she was dancing right next to Mickey and Minnie. They were giving out balloon creations (swords and animals, etc.) and playing fun music. It was SOOOO cool. Of course, Tyson and Abby were 'too old' to enjoy it (party poopers), but Shae had the time of her life. I didn't get pictures because #1, I was getting frustrated with the grease spot, and #2, I was video taping bunches, so I had the wrong camera in hand.

After the party, we all decided the park was just not worth it... just WAY too crowded! So we bid farewell, and decided to meet up again for more fun the next day! The next day... which was our last FULL day in Disney...

 

[micandminforever]

It is great that Shaelyn had special time with Snow White. Your friend makes a great Snow White.

 

[brookelizabeth]

Your friend is a beautiful Snow White!!! And I love that she greeted your DD by name. How magical for her!

Sorry to hear the park was so crowded, but the dance party does sound like a blast - plus just having a goofy fun time with friends!

 

[PrincessV]

Shae even remember how to hold her hands like a princess, since Snow White taught her last year!

Oh my gosh, how precious!

Yeah... the Great Movie Ride.

So NOT my favorite.. I've just been on it too many times, and this ride has gotten old for me.

I hear ya. I can't believe they haven't updated - just a teensy bit even?! - it yet.

 

[stacikristine]

Aw, what a PERFECT princess interaction!! That is so neat that your family knows her through your friends and that she greeted Shaelyn by name! Did she have any clue that she was the same person you all hung out with earlier in the week?

Oh goodness. I do NOT like the GMR either!! When Michael and I got off of it in September, he looked at me and said "That's an hour of our lives we will NEVER get back." We had a Thanksgiving eve service at church this past year (we usually cancel the Wed before Thanksgiving) and Michael had to be there since he leads the music. There were 9 people there (including us...and my grandpa who was filling in for the preacher) and when we left, one of us said, "Next to the Great Movie Ride, biggest waste of time in my life." So, yeah...that's how we feel about the GMR!

We LOVED the animation academy, though! Did your family end up liking it? Had you done it before?

I just heard about EMH Playhouse Disney Dance Parties on another TR, and it sounds like SOO much fun! I'm glad Shae had fun.

Aw, it'll be sad to see your TR end. I'll have to go back and read about your other trips!

 

[Sooze]

It is great that Shaelyn had special time with Snow White. Your friend makes a great Snow White.

Thank you!! We were so lucky that she was there that day! She actually moved to CA to finish school and spends her breaks back in Disney to keep her connections there. Our spring breaks just happened to line up!

Your friend is a beautiful Snow White!!! And I love that she greeted your DD by name. How magical for her!

I totally agree!! It was such a special interaction... so glad we got to see her.

Sorry to hear the park was so crowded, but the dance party does sound like a blast - plus just having a goofy fun time with friends!

Luckily, we had prepared ourselves ahead of time and knew that it could be that way at times.. we definitely made the best of it, and didn't let it dampen our spirits at all!

Oh my gosh, how precious!

Thanks! Sure wish I had a better camera to capture that moment

I hear ya. I can't believe they haven't updated - just a teensy bit even?! - it yet.

Well, it took them long enough to tackle Star Tours. Maybe GMR is next?!

Aw, what a PERFECT princess interaction!! That is so neat that your family knows her through your friends and that she greeted Shaelyn by name! Did she have any clue that she was the same person you all hung out with earlier in the week?

Wasn't it great!! Shae had NO clue that it was the same girl that watched Illuminations with us earlier! Tyson knew, though.. and thought he was pretty cool being in on the secret!

Oh goodness. I do NOT like the GMR either!! When Michael and I got off of it in September, he looked at me and said "That's an hour of our lives we will NEVER get back." We had a Thanksgiving eve service at church this past year (we usually cancel the Wed before Thanksgiving) and Michael had to be there since he leads the music. There were 9 people there (including us...and my grandpa who was filling in for the preacher) and when we left, one of us said, "Next to the Great Movie Ride, biggest waste of time in my life." So, yeah...that's how we feel about the GMR!

Now THAT is a great story!!

We LOVED the animation academy, though! Did your family end up liking it? Had you done it before?

Matt and I have done it many times before... here... check out some of our artwork:
My Bolt:

Matt's Bolt:

My Goofy:

Matt's Goofy:

Both of us showing off a different Goofy:

There now, wasn't that fun? So, yes.. we've done it before, but never with Tyson. I was worried how Ty would handle the fast pace and the lack of eraser.. but he did really well!

I just heard about EMH Playhouse Disney Dance Parties on another TR, and it sounds like SOO much fun! I'm glad Shae had fun.

It was SO cool!! I had no idea about it... so it was a fun surprise!

Aw, it'll be sad to see your TR end. I'll have to go back and read about your other trips!

Oh, please do! They are conveniently linked in my signature with their corresponding dates. Thanks for reading along!