The Empty Nesters Magical Mystery Tour *1/28* Link to New Girl's TR p141

[Poolrat]

Hope you had a wonderful trip!!! Welcome home.

 

[afwdwfan]

This may be my last update before we leave for Williamsburg. I’ll try to get another one in before next weekend, but no promises, OK?

No problem. Considering it only took me a week and a half to finally get to it.

I always feel like we are Jane & George Jetson when we get this scene. Can’t you just here the theme song now?

It was especially great to see D have a great time because there were times before the trip when I sensed he was skeptical about going to WDW. But he was smiling from ear to ear and it was obvious that the Disney magic was in full swing. Well, that and the adult beverages.

Funny how a few hours at the World Showcase can do that....

True confession - I have never been a huge steak fan (cover your ear Captain O). I much prefer fish and seafood and chicken and pasta over red meat. I know this is blasphemy to some. Sorry. It’s just the way I was wired.

That's alright. More for me.

I just got the sense (in general) during this trip that the food quality at the Disney restaurants has declined.

You're just now getting that sense?

 

[MEK]

Back from Williamsburg! Had a great time!

 

[KatMark]

Back from Williamsburg! Had a great time!

Glad you are back and glad you had a great time.

 

[PIRATEGIRL007]

I'm way late to the party and definitely not an empty nester (DD12 and DS9) but I'm loving your report so far. I'm only on day 2 but find myself with some trip report reading time on my hands this week and am so glad I stumbled upon yours.

Great pictures, what kind of camera do you have?

 

[Pinkocto]

Welcome back!

 

[MEK]

Mary Ellen - Hello! Tomorrow is move Connor back to Lehigh day. He is ready. Sounds like Nick is too.

Hey Rebecca. I hope move in day went well for Connor. Nick actually moved himself in with the help of a friend. I feel a little bad that we were away during move in day, but I think he forgives me. I hope.

We had booked a BB offer in April for YC October 17-22. Hoping those are still our dates but need to figure work load with new job I started in June.

Rebecca

We will be there the same time. Well, not at the YC but at VWL and VGF. We really must try to get together. Any chance you are going to MNSSHP on the 19th? We won't have a park ticket so that's the only time we are going into a park. A Disney park. We will be heading over to Universal for a couple days. Hope your job doesn't impinge on your Disney time.

Oh man....way too many easy comments to make....I tell myself to not say anything and that little devil voice (okay, it's not so little!) keeps telling me to "Say it...SAY IT!!!"

No....I'll get out of character and not say anything....sighhhhh.

I hate growing up!

I think you made the right decision to stay mature and keep quiet. I really don't want you to risk getting kicked off the boards (again ). That would NOT be good! So way to go! Just ignore that voice and carry on!

I'm finally all caught up after my Disboards hiatus to get the school year started. Great updates. So sad to hear about Le Cellier. We went their on our first trip ever and it was awesome and haven't been back since because the reviews are getting more and more like yours. It is so sad because it was once the cream of the crop. And why in the world can you not sub a side for something that you like. I am pretty picky on some things and have never encountered a place where they wouldn't change the side for you. Even the signature meals we have been to let us sub sides if we wanted to. Hopefully they get their act back together soon. Sorry...that got long winded!

I hope the school year is off to a good start for you!!!!!

My only guess is that they don't make the mashed potatoes anymore? I know you used to be able to sub. Maybe too many people wanted the sub. It's crazy - just bring back the mashed potatoes. They were SO darn good!

 

[MEK]

Hi Mary Ellen I have been working like crazy this week and once again I am far behind!! If I hadn't mentioned it your recommendation of Food for Thought in Williamsburg was great!! The whole trip was amazing !! I would return in a Heart Beat !!! We had the best time and group !! Can't wait to hear all about your trip there !!

Rosie - I'm so glad you all had a great time there! We had another fun visit and my only regret is that we couldn't stay longer. My trips there are usually only 2-4 nights and that's never enough. We did get an annual pass for the colonial district so we HAVE to go back.

I'm glad you like Food for Thought. We didn't eat there this trip because we tried some new places.

We also went to the mariner's museum in Newport News, which was wonderful.

I love your AKL pics. That view is definitely something special!

It was such an awesome view! What a special treat, especially since I had booked a standard view.

It is interesting how F&W happens during two "seasons". Fun to see the fall decorations and also to see the Christmas ones!

I would love to plan a trip that gets the best of both seasons. If I had stayed a few more days I would have gotten to see the castle lighting. That would have been SO cool!

I don't think you were complaining about your meal. You were just making an observation. I think there are times that WDW gets busy and I do kinda feel as though during those times the food quality can suffer.

I totally agree. It's funny, though, I never used to complain about WDW food. I always enjoyed everything, so its odd to feel like I am becoming somewhat of a critic. Sometimes I wonder if its just me that's gotten pickier.

Hope you had a wonderful trip!!! Welcome home.

Thanks Pat! We had a blast. It was really fun! Can't wait to go back! :good vibes

No problem. Considering it only took me a week and a half to finally get to it.

No worries. That's about my turn around time with updates these days. Hopefully I'll get caught up this weekend!

Good. Now I don't need to sing it for you.

Funny how a few hours at the World Showcase can do that....

It sure has a way of improving any mood, doesn't it?

That's alright. More for me.

And Mark!!!!

You're just now getting that sense?

Slow learner? It's only been the last couple of trips where I've felt that way. But in May the Cynthia and I had several really great meals so I'm happy again!

 

[MEK]

Glad you are back and glad you had a great time.

Thanks Kathy! Now to get caught up again and get another update going!

I'm way late to the party and definitely not an empty nester (DD12 and DS9) but I'm loving your report so far. I'm only on day 2 but find myself with some trip report reading time on my hands this week and am so glad I stumbled upon yours.

Pirategirl! Thanks for joining in! Glad to have you here and I'm glad you're enjoying my TR. And there's nothing better than having some free time to read TRs. I love when that happens!

Great pictures, what kind of camera do you have?

I have a cannon rebel T3i (I think). I've had it for about 4 years. It's a good basic camera for learning how to use a DSLR. I would like an upgrade now but don't want to spend the $.

Welcome back!

Thanks Pam!

 

[teekathepony]

Back from Williamsburg! Had a great time!

Welcome back Mary Ellen!! I'm glad you had a great time!

Sent from my iPhone using DISBoards

 

[MEK]

Welcome back Mary Ellen!! I'm glad you had a great time!

Sent from my iPhone using DISBoards

Thanks Wendy! It really as a ton of fun!

 

[MEK]

Well friends - I had good intentions to get another update in before Williamsburg, but that did happen. Sorry!

But we had a great trip! And we found out that one of my dear friend’s sisters works for Colonial Williamsburg, so Denny and I ended up getting 1/2 priced annual passes. Can you say return trip to Williamsburg?

In upcoming trip news:

I got our tickets to MNSSHP and was able to secure a FP for mine train during the party! Yeah! That was the ONLY FP I could secure. Oh well.

As you probably know, we won’t have a park ticket for October and that’s going to be tough.

Here’s our plans so far:

We arrive on October 17th in the evening and check into the VWL on the 18th. My plan for the 18th is to head over to Celebration for Oktoberfest 2014. I’m looking forward to that. It’s something different and gives us a chance to visit Celebration again.

Right now we have an evening ADR at Kona, but I may drop it all together and either eat in Celebration or do a walk in at Olivia’s.

On October 19th we have party tickets and we have our costumes! Yup, that’s right -I got Denny to agree to wear a pirate costume and I will be his wench. I love my costume and can’t wait to wear it. If I could just get Denny to agree to wearing a jack sparrow hat and dreads we would be all set. I know he won’t. The costume itself is a MAJOR step. Trust me on this!

During the day we may go to Kona for a late breakfast then swing on over to the Contemporary or the GF for some pool time. The WL main pool will be closed. I’m also considering just driving to another resort to go swimming. I wouldn’t mind hitting up one of the SSR pools or maybe the pool at CSR.

On October 20th we are going to head over to the Dark side. We also check into the VGF today! Woo Hoo! I can't wait to stay here and wish our stay was longer.

We have a dinner reservation at T-Rex that evening, but once again I am just not married to this idea. I’d like to try it but more for the ambiance then the food. We may just want to eat near Universal. I’m going to keep it for now, but there’s a good chance it may get canceled.

October 21st is our anniversary and we currently have dinner plans at the California Grill. We have no day time plans, so maybe we will go to a water park or DQ. Maybe we’ll do nothing but hang out by the pool. I have waterpark tickets, so we would just need one for Denny. I would also like to play min golf, because I’ve never done that at Disney. It’s going to be a laid back day and that is just fine for me.

October 22nd is our last full day before our cruise, so its back to Universal studios. No dinner plans for tonight. I would really like to make sure we hit up World of Beer during this trip. Caitlin has raved about it so much I don’t see how I can NOT go there.

I don’t have any definite DIS meets set up yet. I hope to remedy that. Whose going to be there? Rebecca? Are you up for a meet?

October 23rd is the start of the cruise. We will probably do a walk in breakfast somewhere before we leave for the port.

So on to my update- Fireworks Over My Shoulder

After dinner we headed here:









It says this is my vehicle so OK!

Even though I was already on this ride twice before I set out to take more pictures. Quite the night of do-overs.









Ride photo



Design score



Our competition



In the Dump Shop





The fountains are so gorgeous at night. I miss them!









We decided a quick trip to Nemo would be nice













Continued In Next Post

 

[MEK]

I’m kind of bummed I don’t have one clear picture of Nemo. Boo!





But I did get a clear pic of everyone’s favorite turtle dude!



After Nemo we spent a little time viewing the aquatic life



















At this point everyone was ready to head home. This was probably good since, if you recall, the car was parked in the outer limits somewhere. I was fearful that we may get stuck in the parking lot for a long, LONG time if we waited for the park to close.

Good Bye Epcot fountain



Good Bye Spaceship Earth





Illuminations had just started as we hit the front of the park



Goodbye Epcot! I will see you in May 2014!



Looking over my shoulder I could see the high fireworks from Illuminations.


Good bye Illuminations! Till we meet again!





Continued In Next Update

 

[MEK]

Finally - here are the rest of our PP pictures for the evening:



I decided to add a holiday border to switch things up a bit.



Finally a magic shot!



I can’t believe this was almost 11 months ago.



And finally - Happy Birthday to Denny!



Wait - I forgot to post this. My favorite section of sidewalk in Epcot!



Up Next - How this TR got its name.

 

[marDgreen88]

Hi Mary Ellen! I've been so bad about commenting lately but I wanted to say hi! I didn't realize you were in Williamsburg recently. Only an hour away from me!

Do you know what else I didn't realize...? Your wedding anniversary is my birthday! How awesome is that? Your upcoming trip sounds great... THE GRAND!!!

I love your pictures from Future World. There's something so special about it at night.

 

[Wood Nymph]

October 22nd is our last full day before our cruise, so its back to Universal studios. No dinner plans for tonight. I would really like to make sure we hit up World of Beer during this trip. Caitlin has raved about it so much I don’t see how I can NOT go there.

I don’t have any definite DIS meets set up yet. I hope to remedy that. Whose going to be there? Rebecca? Are you up for a meet?

October 23rd is the start of the cruise. We will probably do a walk in breakfast somewhere before we leave for the port.

Oct 22nd is our arrival day. We are staying at the WL. We don't have any dinner plans that night. We have a fastpass for 7 Dwarfs at 8:25pm and plan to watch Wishes that night. There are only two nights without a party during our trip, and this is one of them. The next morning, Oct 23rd, we are planning to eat breakfast at Trail's End at 8:45am. We could always change that if you wanted to get together that morning. It would be fun to meet up.

 

[rndmr2]

Welcome back! Glad you had a nice trip to Williamsburg.

Your October trip plans look great!

Nice way to end the night. Love the PP pics! especially that magic shot! I am on a mission to try and get at least one when we go in a few weeks.

 

[teekathepony]

I'm so glad you had a great trip!
Plans sound really good to me for October. Sure you don't want to push the trip up a bit? Like say... September 20th?

What a lovely Epcot evening. Nemo is really dark, so hard to get clear pictures.
Love all the PP pics, especially the magic shot -- so cute!

 

[DisneyKid4Life]

Wait... you got a FP during the party? I wasn't aware of this. But YAY for Mine Train. I was limited to 30 days staying off site, so I had no luck initially. But I kept going back in day after day to change one and FINALLY got Mine Train too. Plus right after that, Anna & Elsa. Big day!

That's awesome you're going to wear costumes for MNSSHP!! I think it will really add to the fun.

Hmmm... you know I wonder if Chevy ever hires people riding Tron Track based on their car designs.

That is one laid back ride photo.

 

[HockeyMomR]

Mary Ellen -

Connor all settled in and I am sure Nick was totally fine with having a friend move him. Connor was happy to have us move him in as his dorm this year is an apartment style and needed help setting up the kitchen and grocery store run. Or at least he needed our money Back to the empty nest.

I love your PP pictures, they really turned out great.

And lastly, no October trip for us. I just called Disney this morning attempting to tweak our dates by a day or two. Oh my goodness, Disney is sooooo booked for October / November. So, no luck and I can't leave work on the 17th..... Your non Disney park Disney trip sounds fun. At least you will have a chance to visit for Halloween party, stay at VGF and cruise!

Rebecca