The Devil Horns Ride Again! A Rockin’ Jan/Feb TR New PTR Link 10/13!

[IowaTater]

I did try to talk Jim into naming Sierra "Sammy" but he is more of a Dave fan.

Haha, you can't win them all, I guess. I've always been more of a Sammy fan (even as a solo artist).

“Please see the front desk about your room assignment when you arrive at your Resort”

Ut-oh...that would have made me panic a little bit. I immediately would have thought something was wrong with our reservation.

We didn't even have a towel Mickey when we arrived.

Awww That's disappointing. Someone was slacking.

 

[DMGeurts]

Trying to catch up on 2 updates - I missed the first one...

Bummer for the rain in Epcot - but it looks like you were able to meet lots of characters - and I think that's super fun! Probably my favorite thing. I love your shirt this day and the Pluto poses...

The cake at Sunshine Seasons looks really good. Can you tell I've been home for a while now??? Desserts are finally starting to look good to me again. LOL Although - I think I've sworn off ice cream for life. LOL

I love all of your night time pictures - I really should bring a camera, but I've done 2.5 trips with just my phone camera - and it works super slick - I can just upload the pictures directly to Photobucket with the app on my phone - so no computer middle man for me. But it would be nice if my phone would take good night time pictures.

I do hope to do Biergarten one day... I've had it as an ADR before - but I've always managed to cancel it at the last minute... One day, I'll be brave. Hmmm... I still have 1 sit down meal available for Oct if I decide not to do The Wave twice... There's a good idea... I'll have to think on it.

Love your room - I've never seen the rooms there. Although - it kind of makes me feel good that I am not missing out on much at Shades of Green - if there are no hidden Mickey's at one Disney resort. LOL I guess I could always make my own towel Mickey head for on my bed if I really feel the need? I am sure there is a you tube video somewhere.... LOL

I hope I didn't miss anything... Looking forward to the rest.

D~

 

[Chicago Mo]

I would have thought you and your family were there thanks to all the rain.

I did a rain dance for you...

I do hope they keep this guy around and don’t replace him with a Frozen troll or something else.

OH NO DON'T SAY THAT

Not sure what is behind my head making me look like I have stumpy little horns?

I think this is cute! you have bright Mickey ears!!!

“Please see the front desk about your room assignment when you arrive at your Resort”.

Ohhhhhhhhhhh I thought you were going to be upgraded!!!

We did talk about shipping a case to the resort but figured that would be a little too much as we were only there 4 ½ days.

Next time let me know.. I can help here.

It wasn’t raining at that moment but the bridge looked so pretty with the reflections off of the rain water.

It SOOOOOOOOOOOO does! So pretty and shiny!

 

[LinderInWonderland]

Jose Carioca is one of my favorite Disney characters (the whole Brazil section is my favorite part of Three Caballeros, mostly for the Os Quindins de Yaya song). I am super stoked to see the animatronics versus the animation. Great pictures!

I am also a bit of a water snob, but I hate buying bottled water since it's more expensive than gasoline. To solve that little dilemma, I got a Brita water bottle that I use at work and in the parks. I love it!

As for Biergarten, I am with you. It's fine, and I like the ambience, but the food doesn't really do it for me. My husband and his sister love it, so we are going. We were lucky to get great table mates the last time - a family of four with twin 9 year old boys. It was their birthday and it was my husband's birthday, so we all had a good time. One of the boys drew a napkin picture of a skeleton for my husband. It's on our fridge.

 

[oopsiDAISY]

Great updates. Can I just say that I loved the OLD version of the Mexico boat ride better? I am not even referring to the version BEFORE they added the animatronics at the end. I am referring to the REALLY old version...like before the Three Caballeros were added. I just remember that, as a kid, it felt like you were THERE, in Mexico. And it felt like the restaurant must be so ELEGANT... It just feels childish and cartoonish to me now. I think you lose the whole sense of visiting another country. Okay, I will hop down from the soapbox now...

We loved Beirgarten. The polka band was fantastic, so entertaining.

EEEEEK!!! I CANNOT wait to stay at CBR. Funny, when I was scrolling through your photos, I was thinking, "I don't see any elements of Disney, wonder if there were any hidden Mickeys." Then there was the answer in your first comment after the photos. That disappoints me. Disney should know better than to not include ANY hidden Mickeys! I had already planned to request Jamaica, since mickeystoontown, our resident CBR expert, recommends it...but add to that the chance to see fireworks from our resort?? I am TOTALLY requesting it. Here's hoping the Disney gods sprinkle some pixie dust on us for that!

 

[Pluto0809]

Awesome day!

I loved seeing the new animatronics on the boat ride in Mexico! Much better than a screen.

I have never seen the china movie, maybe next time.

I did biergarten in January 2015. I thought it was ok. I did like the music though.

Great PP Pictures!

Nice room, I have never stayed at CBR or even been there in general.

Yes, the animatronics are very cool at the end of the Mexico ride!

I've seen the China movie twice now. It's OK, probably my least favorite of the country movies. I prefer the France one for the comfy seats and the Canada one because it is humorous.

The music was excellent at Beirgarten and I was a little happier with the food this time.

Fun time at World Showcase! It's good that you were able to check in for your meal a little earlier AND that you enjoyed it much more this time!

I enjoyed the CBR pics; very cool that you could see some of Illuminations!

SOunds like a really successful first day

I was so happy that I found some more to eat this time around.

Other than the rain, we had a wonderful first day.

Haha, you can't win them all, I guess. I've always been more of a Sammy fan (even as a solo artist).

Ut-oh...that would have made me panic a little bit. I immediately would have thought something was wrong with our reservation.

Awww That's disappointing. Someone was slacking.

I prefer Sammy too but Jim is definitely team Dave.

I did think something was wrong but I figured it was Disney and they would fix the problem somehow.

I think the lack of the Mickey towel was the only complaint I had the whole time at CBR.

Trying to catch up on 2 updates - I missed the first one...

Bummer for the rain in Epcot - but it looks like you were able to meet lots of characters - and I think that's super fun! Probably my favorite thing. I love your shirt this day and the Pluto poses...

We did get some great character meets in, it was a fun unplanned afternoon thanks to the rain.

The cake at Sunshine Seasons looks really good. Can you tell I've been home for a while now??? Desserts are finally starting to look good to me again. LOL Although - I think I've sworn off ice cream for life. LOL

Ha! That cake is one of my favorite desserts at WDW. I've never gotten tired of desserts myself and now I'm wondering just how much it would take for me to get to that point.

I love all of your night time pictures - I really should bring a camera, but I've done 2.5 trips with just my phone camera - and it works super slick - I can just upload the pictures directly to Photobucket with the app on my phone - so no computer middle man for me. But it would be nice if my phone would take good night time pictures.

I end up using both my camera and my phone. I'm supposed to be able to connect my camera to my phone and send pictures back and forth but I'm pretty tech challenged and have never figured out how to do it.

I do hope to do Biergarten one day... I've had it as an ADR before - but I've always managed to cancel it at the last minute... One day, I'll be brave. Hmmm... I still have 1 sit down meal available for Oct if I decide not to do The Wave twice... There's a good idea... I'll have to think on it.

I wouldn't pick it if it was just me but Jim definitely love it. The whole communal seating is a lot of fun if you get seat mates who are willing to talk.

Love your room - I've never seen the rooms there. Although - it kind of makes me feel good that I am not missing out on much at Shades of Green - if there are no hidden Mickey's at one Disney resort. LOL I guess I could always make my own towel Mickey head for on my bed if I really feel the need? I am sure there is a you tube video somewhere.... LOL

I hope I didn't miss anything... Looking forward to the rest.

D~

Well I didn't find any hidden Mickeys but that doesn't mean there aren't any there. I may have just missed them.

I did a rain dance for you...

I figured it had to be you cursing us.

OH NO DON'T SAY THAT

With the way everything else is going I would be surprised if they replaced that troll with one of the Frozen ones. Not sure how they would get him out of the store, he's so big!

I think this is cute! you have bright Mickey ears!!!

I never thought of them as Mickey ears but it could work.

Ohhhhhhhhhhh I thought you were going to be upgraded!!!

That thought did cross my mind but since I already knew what building we were in I didn't think so.

Next time let me know.. I can help here.

I did think of you but Jim insisted he would be fine and wouldn't need bottled water. Then we got there and he immediately wanted to buy some.

It SOOOOOOOOOOOO does! So pretty and shiny!

I love that picture of the bridge!

Jose Carioca is one of my favorite Disney characters (the whole Brazil section is my favorite part of Three Caballeros, mostly for the Os Quindins de Yaya song). I am super stoked to see the animatronics versus the animation. Great pictures!

I am also a bit of a water snob, but I hate buying bottled water since it's more expensive than gasoline. To solve that little dilemma, I got a Brita water bottle that I use at work and in the parks. I love it!

As for Biergarten, I am with you. It's fine, and I like the ambience, but the food doesn't really do it for me. My husband and his sister love it, so we are going. We were lucky to get great table mates the last time - a family of four with twin 9 year old boys. It was their birthday and it was my husband's birthday, so we all had a good time. One of the boys drew a napkin picture of a skeleton for my husband. It's on our fridge.

I was very happy with the addition of the animatronics. So much better than just a cartoon screen.

Jim actually has one of those Brita water bottles but won't use if for some reason. I don't even bother to ask anymore.

I'm sure I'll be back to Beirgarten with Jim again.

Great updates. Can I just say that I loved the OLD version of the Mexico boat ride better? I am not even referring to the version BEFORE they added the animatronics at the end. I am referring to the REALLY old version...like before the Three Caballeros were added. I just remember that, as a kid, it felt like you were THERE, in Mexico. And it felt like the restaurant must be so ELEGANT... It just feels childish and cartoonish to me now. I think you lose the whole sense of visiting another country. Okay, I will hop down from the soapbox now...

We loved Beirgarten. The polka band was fantastic, so entertaining.

EEEEEK!!! I CANNOT wait to stay at CBR. Funny, when I was scrolling through your photos, I was thinking, "I don't see any elements of Disney, wonder if there were any hidden Mickeys." Then there was the answer in your first comment after the photos. That disappoints me. Disney should know better than to not include ANY hidden Mickeys! I had already planned to request Jamaica, since mickeystoontown, our resident CBR expert, recommends it...but add to that the chance to see fireworks from our resort?? I am TOTALLY requesting it. Here's hoping the Disney gods sprinkle some pixie dust on us for that!

I'm almost ashamed to admit that I don't remember the original version at all. I'm sure I rode it as a kid but I know Jim and I missed it on our Honeymoon. By the time I actually rode it in 2010, it was the new version.

I think I would love Beirgarten if the food appealed to me a bit more. We definitely loved the band!

I think you will love CBR! Maybe there were some Hidden Mickey's that I missed you will have to look. I know the rooms with a pull down bed definitely have a Mickey but of course we didn't have one of those. I definitely prefer Jamaica because the buses tend to pick up there first plus it's a short walk to the food court. Aruba is not bad a bad location either. The best place to watch Illuminations is from the bar/pool area in front of Old Port Royale. That's where I took those photos from.

 

[Pluto0809]

Mornings Are For Fist Bumps and Fishes Part 1

We were up at 6:30 am on Friday January 29th, 2016. We both brought breakfast items with us to eat in the room but Jim ended up eating his Empanadas from the night before. He said they were OK but he liked the beef ones from Food and Wine better.

We headed out the door around 8:15 am and waited about 10 minutes for a bus. This was probably the longest wait we had the entire trip. We were the first stop to be picked up and I expected to have to circle the whole resort. But after Jamaica, we stopped at Aruba and Barbados and then headed out to the park. This happened most mornings so my guess is that they were running two bus routes, one on each side of the resort.

The rain had ended the night before and although it was a bit chilly, the sun was out and it was a beautiful day.

We arrived at Epcot at 8:45 and neither of us was pulled for the extra screening. My normal morning routine for Epcot is to head straight to Test Track since I usually get a Fast Pass for Soarin’. But since Soarin’ was closed and we had a Fast Pass for Test Track, we headed in a different direction. Baymax had started meeting recently in the Innovations West building. We had peeked in at the meet the previous afternoon and the line had been a bit long so we wanted to get there at rope drop. We ended up being about the 5th family in line and waited less than 10 minutes. I took some pictures as we waited. The lights were very pretty lanterns and the picture doesn’t do them justice.









When it was our turn, Baymax immediately wanted to do fist bumps with Jim but Jim had no idea what was going on. I guess he didn’t remember that part from the movie. But of course I knew what to do so that made Baymax happy. Then we posed for some pictures.





We finished with Baymax at 9:05 am so it was definitely worth heading there at rope drop. I had scheduled a FP for Finding Nemo from 9:15 – 10:15 but I had meant it as a throw away since you really don’t need a FP for that one. I had no idea at the time we would be finished with Baymax so quickly. We headed in the direction of the Seas building next and ended up being too early for the FP so we used the regular entrance. It was a walk on at that time of the morning.









A few pictures from the ride.









We headed upstairs and walked fairly quickly through the aquarium. I could spend the whole day watching the fish but not Jim so I let him set the pace. We saw some dolphins first.



I had Jim help me look for the sea turtles since they are my favorite. That gave him something interesting to do.





We finally spotted one on the other side of the tank. I zoomed in but with the weird lighting, this was the best shot I could get.





Continued in Next Post

 

[Pluto0809]

Mornings Are For Fist Bumps and Fishes Part 2



Then we spotted two more turtles at the edge of the tank.





The one was trying desperately to get through the bars for some reason.



We watched them for a few minutes and then headed back downstairs. Jim needed to use the restroom so I walked over to the manatees while I was waiting for him. They weren’t out yet and there were divers in the tank cleaning it.



They finished while I was standing there so I got to watch the manatees come out into the enclosure for the day.









We then walked quickly around the room downstairs that has tanks. It was pretty much empty this early in the morning.









There was no one in the Bruce play area either so Jim decided to pose with Bruce.



A Turtle Talk show was starting soon and Jim really likes this show so we got in line. We walked around the lobby area checking out the displays. I was looking at these guys, not sure if they were lobsters but they were about that size.



Then I noticed the huge green eels in the tank with them.



We got fairly good seats for Turtle Talk.



There was a CM who was earning her ears and she introduced Crush. She was so bad and stumbled over her whole speech. I felt horrible for her and was hoping it was her first day and she would improve quickly.



I don’t remember anything specific about the show but we did laugh a lot. Then it was time to head out of the building and on to other adventures.



Up Next: Hanging With That Purple Dude

 

[rteetz]

I got to meet Baymax in January too! We probably waited about 20 minutes but was willing to do that.

I enjoy the seas with nemo and friends as well. I didn't get to turtle talk this time though. The seas is such a fun pavilion.

 

[LinderInWonderland]

I wasn't planning on any meet & greets other than at character meals, but Baymax is awesome. This might have to happen. Last time I met Mike and Sulley and it was the BEST!

I deeply love the interactive shows like Turtle Talk and Laugh Floor. They're so quick with their responses - it's hilarious!

 

[mickeystoontown]

I remember finding a couple of hidden Mickeys in our room but I can't remember where they were. Maybe on the peg shelf? I miss the CBR so bad right now and can hardly wait until we are back there again. @oopsiDAISY you can see the fireworks from several locations at the resort. My favorite villages are Martinique and Jamaica. Half of Martinique is preferred and the other is not. The Martinique beach and Old Port Royale are great spots to watch the higher fireworks.

Ariana, your visit with Baymax is cute! I confess that I haven't watched the movie so I wouldn't have known the fist bump thing either.

John is just like Jim on watching the sea life in Nemo & Friends. He can only stand there for so long before he's ready to move on.

 

[missangelalexis]

Great pictures with Baymax. I'm so glad they've brought him back.

Love the pictures you got of the fish in the tanks, so vibrant!

Sounds like a good (and relaxing) start to the day!

 

[missjackiemcg]

LOOOOOOOVE that you got to meet Baymax. I really really hope he stays put until we go in December, but things change so quickly I'm afraid he'll get the boot before then. Fingers crossed because I really want to squeeze him And Jimmy really wants to fist bump him, just so he can "Ba-la-la-la!"

You got some beautiful fishy pics this morning and how AWESOME that you were able to see the manatees come out for the day! I really love The Seas, and I'm with you. I could spend TONS of time in there just watching.

 

[Chicago Mo]

HOW FUN! BAYMAX!!! was he all fluffy and fun to hug?!?!

I haven't seen turtle talk in forever.. Need to get over there again!

Great pictures of the manatees! they are so sweet.

 

[oopsiDAISY]

Oh Ariana, if you love sea turtles that much...you MUST take the Eastern Caribbean cruise!!! You would LOVE snorkeling at Turtle Cove in St. Thomas. Swimming with the sea turtles!!!

@mickeystoontown, thanks for the CBR/Illluminations info. I need to add fireworks from the beach on our day off to my must do list for the trip. I am SO ready to go. Monday, I had it bad. I looked at all your photos on the CBR thread again, and found some videos to watch, and read several articles on CBR, too... just ready to go!!!!

 

[hokieinpa]

Great way to start off your day - fist bumps with Baymax! We're heading here at RD in May so I hope we have a short wait too!

Great pictures of the aquariums. And how fun to see the manatees come out in the morning!

I feel bad for the new CM at Turtle Talk...hopefully practice helped!

 

[IowaTater]

Oh, I so hope Baymax is still there in October. He looks like so much fun.

I've never done Turtle Talk but I love all your pictures of the aquatic animals. I could probably sit there for hours and watch them too.

 

[KathyM2]

Love your TR so far!!

We have four dogs, the oldest being Eddie. He is a Schnauzer and is 14 years old and in pretty bad shape. He is completely blind having lost both eyes to glaucoma and he has gotten quite senile in his old age.

He is so adorable!!! I have a Schnoodle and just love any dog with Schnauzer in it!! Quite an adventure you had dropping those doggies off!!

the pretzel bread

Too bad it was dry...I love sandwiches on this type of bread...but I guess on it's own it can be dry! The food looked pretty good though..as did the atmosphere!

 

[katt789]

Okay, so I couldn't remember where I left off so I continued from where the thread opened when I clicked it! Lol!
Glad the rain didn't stop you at epcot and you still got lots of character greets done! And that you found lots of food and fun at Biergarten! I don't think there was anyone else with us when we were there? We enjoyed it but it isn't one I need to go back to!
Yay for baymax!

 

[Pluto0809]

I got to meet Baymax in January too! We probably waited about 20 minutes but was willing to do that.

I enjoy the seas with nemo and friends as well. I didn't get to turtle talk this time though. The seas is such a fun pavilion.

I was so glad we got to meet Baymax! I tried to meet him when he was at HS with Hiro but the line was 90 minutes. 20 minutes wasn't too bad.

I wasn't planning on any meet & greets other than at character meals, but Baymax is awesome. This might have to happen. Last time I met Mike and Sulley and it was the BEST!

I deeply love the interactive shows like Turtle Talk and Laugh Floor. They're so quick with their responses - it's hilarious!

Baymax was awesome to meet! I've meet Mike and Sulley before and I'm glad I did since they are no longer at HS.

I always get a good laugh at Turtle Talk and Laugh Floor.

I remember finding a couple of hidden Mickeys in our room but I can't remember where they were. Maybe on the peg shelf? I miss the CBR so bad right now and can hardly wait until we are back there again. @oopsiDAISY you can see the fireworks from several locations at the resort. My favorite villages are Martinique and Jamaica. Half of Martinique is preferred and the other is not. The Martinique beach and Old Port Royale are great spots to watch the higher fireworks.

Ariana, your visit with Baymax is cute! I confess that I haven't watched the movie so I wouldn't have known the fist bump thing either.

John is just like Jim on watching the sea life in Nemo & Friends. He can only stand there for so long before he's ready to move on.

I must not have looked hard enough for the hidden Mickeys! CBR has become my favorite moderate but Jim still likes POR the best.

Baymax definitely is a cutie! I'm usually not into the superhero movies but for some reason, I was drawn to the movie so we saw it. So glad we did, it was excellent!

I wish Jim liked viewing animals as much as I do. Most times he refuses to even go to zoos and AK is his least favorite park.

Great pictures with Baymax. I'm so glad they've brought him back.

Love the pictures you got of the fish in the tanks, so vibrant!

Sounds like a good (and relaxing) start to the day!

I was so happy to get to see Baymax. I tried to meet him when he was in HS but the line was 90 minutes!

We did have quite a relaxing start to the day. I'm so used to running like mad when I'm by myself so it was nice to slow down a bit.

LOOOOOOOVE that you got to meet Baymax. I really really hope he stays put until we go in December, but things change so quickly I'm afraid he'll get the boot before then. Fingers crossed because I really want to squeeze him And Jimmy really wants to fist bump him, just so he can "Ba-la-la-la!"

You got some beautiful fishy pics this morning and how AWESOME that you were able to see the manatees come out for the day! I really love The Seas, and I'm with you. I could spend TONS of time in there just watching.

Fingers crossed that he is still there in December. I've also read rumors that Joy and Sadness will be meeting in that same area soon. I would love to meet those two.

I could spend all days in the Seas building watching the fish!

HOW FUN! BAYMAX!!! was he all fluffy and fun to hug?!?!

I haven't seen turtle talk in forever.. Need to get over there again!

Great pictures of the manatees! they are so sweet.

He was! Such a fun meet and greet.

Yes, you need to go to Turtle Talk again. I love that show almost as much as the Laugh Floor.