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

[amazingact21]

Glad you had a wonderful time in Williamsburg!



All right, read both Epcot updates. Since I have not been on either Test Track or SE in a very long time, I, for one, was happy to see so many ride photos of those attractions. Reminded me how fun they both are.


Sorry your steak wasn't to the standard it was on a previous visit. I've heard that about Le Cellier, though. That it's just not as amazing as it used to be.
(And don't worry about not liking red meat that much. My younger brother actually HATES steak, so I'm used to it. Ironically, enough, though, he works at a steakhouse.)



Great pictures from the aquarium. They turned out really well. And you even got to capture the turtle.



I don't blame you for leaving Epcot before the crowds started making their way out. It can crazy in those parking lots. A hundred thousand people aimlessly wandering around, trying to find their car while getting in the way of a million vehicles trying to leave. And then when you're driving, it's like the Hunger Games, trying to get someone to let you pull out of your row. Yeesh.


And I agree, the fountains at night are simply gorgeous. That whole area over by the water and SE is a favorite of mine. Makes me super sad to leave Disney every time. But, at least you knew you'd be back for a girl's trip the following May. Having a return date always eases the departure depression a bit.

 

[DaveinFallsChurch]

Playing catch up on everyone's TRs after returning from our vacation trip. Happy to hear that you had a great time at Colonial Williamsburg!

I think that's the first time I've seen photos of Illuminations from outside the Epcot gates! Cool pics! Now back to working my way through your TR to see what else I've been missing!

 

[jedijill]

Your upcoming trip sounds like a lot of fun!

Yay for half price Williamsburg APs! It's always good to know people.

Jill in CO

 

[scottny]

Great update and pics.

That is great about the 1/2 off for ap's to Williamsburg.

Glad you are felling all better now.

 

[Moira222]

May I present the King of the Jungle! Isn’t he gorgeous?



I wonder how old he is? It makes me think about the Danish zoo where they euthanized the older male and female lions, plus two cubs, to make room for a new male lion. So sad.

OK so I admit that I am 5 months and 40 pages behind. sorry!!!

but have to say this is hands down the best lion photo ever.

Disney should pay you for some of your photos for their marketing. they are that good. really!!

I cracked up about Khali & Denny's man card. I made the mistake of wearing a denim skort on our last trip to AK. Yeah, NOT a good wardrobe choice when riding Khali. could not wait to get back to our room to change!!!

We found out we would be tasting bourbon from the Breckenridge Distillery



I was looking forward to this because I had told Denny that I wanted to travel to Kentucky and do a Whiskey or Bourbon Distillery tour.

Bummer that you didn't enjoy the actual drink as much as the seminar...but good to find out about it at a mixology seminar rather than planning a whole vacation around whiskey & bourbon!

LOVE the chocolate images. they were simply amazing to look at!!

LOVE the view of the pool. I really want to try that pool. Are DVC members allowed to pool hop at the Boardwalk? That's the only way I would get to use the pool. Joe flat out refuses to visit the creepy clown head!

And while in France why not stop for a F&W only adult beverage.



This drink was seriously yummy! Two thumbs up!

You had some great DISMeets while you were there! and bride stalking. But I really want to know what that drink was. Its not grey goose or grand marnier.....was it only for food & wine?

ok, back to life now, need to walk the dog & head out for my nieces' birthday & then a labor day picnic/birthday for my nephew. party on!

 

[cstorm65]

Looks like a fun night, but sad saying goodbye to Epcot. Glad you all had a great trip to Williamsburg as well.

 

[jenseib]

your upcoming plans sound great.
I vote for eating at Universal. so many great places on City Walk.

 

[dawnbu40]

I've been away from the Dis the last few weeks, for obvious reasons, but all caught up! Your October plans sound great and I cant wait to see pics of the two of you in your costumes!

Very cute PP pics And beautiful pictures around Epcot

 

[Poolrat]

Sigh - I miss EPCOT. The fountain, the fireworks. SIGH


As always some great pictures and it sounds like a wonderful evening.

 

[GoofyFan1515]

Your October plans sound wonderful, with a great mix of activities and relaxation. I love the different Christmas ornaments you can find at Disney. Luckily I have yet to purchase nearly as many as I'm tempted by.

Hard to beat EPCOT at night, with all the lights and fountains and IllumiNations! Great to see Denny is still enjoying Test Track!

Love the balloon PP picture

 

[khaleesi]

All caught up!

I'm so sorry you were feeling that sick It kinda seems like the poor weather may have been a blessing in disguise. At least the day you missed was rainy. And now I keep thinking of this picture I keep seeing on Pinterest that says "I'm ready for some blessings that aren't in disguise." LOL. So glad you're feeling better!!!

And hooray for having a great time in Williamsburg!!

LOVE the magic shot with the balloons!!!!

 

[MEK]

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!

Hey Marissa! Hope you have been having a great summer! I knew you lived close to Williamsburg and you don't normally go there. What???? I'm just kidding. I love Virginia. I love W-burg. I want to move there. The roads are so awesome. I bet its lovely where you live, too.

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!!!

Really? Cool! Well we can toast each other when our big days come. I am very excited about our upcoming trip. It's going to be a lot of fun even though we won't have park tickets. I honestly hope I don't regret that.

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

Thanks and, yes, there is something so cool about being there in the dark. Spaceship earth looks so cool. It's a great place with a special vibe.

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.

I am very excited we have a plan to meet up on the 23rd. It's going to be a lot of fun! Your first night sounds perfect! I can't think of a better way to kick off a trip. Dwarfs followed by Wishes sounds awesome. I am SO happy we were able to get a FP for that ride during the party!

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

Thanks! :good vibes We had a wonderful time! I really love it there and can't wait to go back!

Your October trip plans look great!

Thanks. I am very excited about October. It's going to be a different type of trip, but its going to be a lot of fun!

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.

Thanks! And I am sure you will get your fair share of magic shots. You must be so excited that your trip is only a couple weeks away. Totally AWESOME!!!!!!

 

[glennbo123]

Yay for Denny agreeing to wear a costume. But it still hasn't actually happened yet, so we'll see, right?

The one good thing about fireworks over your shoulder is the lack of activity in the parking lot in front of you.

 

[MEK]

I'm so glad you had a great trip!

Thanks! It was a lot of fun. I love W-burg. Such a great place!

Plans sound really good to me for October. Sure you don't want to push the trip up a bit? Like say... September 20th?

I wish! Seriously. We keep missing each other. One of these trips we have got to end of there at the same time. It's gonna happen, I just know it!

What a lovely Epcot evening. Nemo is really dark, so hard to get clear pictures.

And it doesn't help that its moving. I kept switching between manual and auto focus and I just was so uncoordinated in the dark. I really need to memorize where that mechanism is.

Love all the PP pics, especially the magic shot -- so cute!

Thanks. And, yup, I am holding on to those balloons for dear life.

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!

I am so glad that I was able to get that FP. Totally psyched since that is the only time that we are going in to a Disney park. And considering I just missed the Mine Train opening by like a week, I am even more ecstatic!!!

I'm glad you were able to make you FP+'s. I really wasn't sure how that worked with staying off site. Do you have to tie the ticket to a magic band?

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

In 2012 I worse a costume with Cynthia and Pat and it was really fun! I really got into the festivities (except my wig was itchy). Note to self - no costumes with a wig!

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

I bet if you are an engineer or really into design you would be bummed if you made a car with a low score. Some people seem to really hit on a great design with ease. I have no clue how these designs would turn into a real vehicle. THAT would be interesting.

That is one laid back ride photo.

Ya think? Perhaps we were still comatose from our big dinner!

 

[MEK]

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.

Tell me about the money thing. Between buying food for Nicholas (who also has an apartment style dorm) and Brian (who lives in a house) I have NO food left over for me. I can't tell you the number of grocery store runs I have made in the last couple weeks.

As you predicted, Nick said it was easy moving in. He went later in the afternoon and had virtually no wait to get a cart. I took him some provisions last night and I will say that its a typical boy apartment. Definitely needs some decorating, but he loves it there so far.

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

Thanks!

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.....

I am so sorry to hear that you had to cancel and you weren't able to tweak your dates. Any chance something might open up? I guess you never know after the cancellation period. People just love F&W. Have you ever stayed off-site and is that just not worth it?

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

I'm seriously a little nervous about not having a park ticket. I really want to see of we can do it. I mean - I know Denny can do it, but I'm not so sure about myself.

Glad you had a wonderful time in Williamsburg!

Thanks! We really did! I just love it there!

All right, read both Epcot updates. Since I have not been on either Test Track or SE in a very long time, I, for one, was happy to see so many ride photos of those attractions. Reminded me how fun they both are.

They are both such great attractions! I hope you are able to ride them soon. I guess having Landon in the parks with you really does slow things down, but that doesn't mean it isn't equally cool to hang out with him. And before you know it he will be leaving you in the dust to get to those rides!

Sorry your steak wasn't to the standard it was on a previous visit. I've heard that about Le Cellier, though. That it's just not as amazing as it used to be.
(And don't worry about not liking red meat that much. My younger brother actually HATES steak, so I'm used to it. Ironically, enough, though, he works at a steakhouse.)

Well put - it just isn't that amazing anymore. If you expect average or above average, that's one thing. But when you expect amazing its just a disappointment.

Too funny about your brother. I wonder if working for a steak house makes him like steak even less?

Great pictures from the aquarium. They turned out really well. And you even got to capture the turtle.

Thanks! It hard to get pics in there because everything is just so blue. I do love the turtle!

I don't blame you for leaving Epcot before the crowds started making their way out. It can crazy in those parking lots. A hundred thousand people aimlessly wandering around, trying to find their car while getting in the way of a million vehicles trying to leave. And then when you're driving, it's like the Hunger Games, trying to get someone to let you pull out of your row. Yeesh.

Yeah - I definitely feel up to dealing with that! I honestly didn't even know the parking lot went that far back. I guess the only good thing about our spot is that it HAD to be near the exit.

And I agree, the fountains at night are simply gorgeous. That whole area over by the water and SE is a favorite of mine. Makes me super sad to leave Disney every time. But, at least you knew you'd be back for a girl's trip the following May. Having a return date always eases the departure depression a bit.

I know - its really hard to leave and having another trip planned really does help - hugely. I feel really fortunate that I am able to visit as frequently as I can. It really eases the pain.

 

[Poolrat]

I honestly didn't even know the parking lot went that far back. I guess the only good thing about our spot is that it HAD to be near the exit.

You will find out how big that parking lot really is at the PHM.

 

[Wood Nymph]

I am very excited we have a plan to meet up on the 23rd. It's going to be a lot of fun!

We're really looking forward to it, too!
we are debating about whether or not we want to go to MNNSHP. Have you been to it before?

 

[ddstratton]

I’m loving your plans for the October trip! Sounds like some laid-back fun! Celebrate a ilttle bit extra on the 22nd – that’s my birthday!

I love that ornament!! Not sure just what it is about it, but I love it.

Nice pics of the fountains and the aquatic life.

 

[mickeystoontown]

I had to post this before I forgot....if you have a water park ticket and are going to buy Denny one, I'd suggest Blizzard Beach. We spent the morning and early afternoon at the water park and then walked to Winter Summerland to play mini-golf. We left our things in the park locker and walked to the course. After playing mini-golf, I walked back into Blizzard Beach, retrieved our bag and then we walked to the bus stop. It was super easy to do.

Okay, going back to read the rest of the update.

 

[mickeystoontown]

Okay, I'm back and I forgot to post more about your upcoming trip plans. I'm betting that you won't get Denny into the Jack Sparrow hat and dreads. Like you said, you've already talked him into a costume so you'd be best to stop there.

Your pictures on Test Track and in Nemo and Friends are all great! I can never ever get good pictures on either one of them.