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

[GoofyFan1515]

I haven't ever been over to the treehouse, but it looks like a really interesting place to explore! You got some really good pictures, and I would say a few of them are even the "tops!"

Maybe it’s all bolted down.



That must be it. Everything is bolted down. Just like those guys in the Muppets.

Yes, just LIKE that I bet!

I know someone is going to make a comment on THIS picture!



Well, it WAS Halloween season

Comments, huh? You mean like...........

I haven't ever seen a pair of shorts like that in the Disney store. You must have made them yourself!

Or................

That rain jacket really didn't help you a whole lot on Splash did it???

Sorry, that's the best I've got without running the risk of being banned from the DIS.....

Our in laws were staying at the tree houses. It was really the only onsite place that would work for all nine of them. I tried to text and call them to say we would be dropping off the groceries at bell services at SSR, but I couldn’t get through to anyone. Turns out they all still had the phones off from the plane.

So just as we pull up to bell services to unload, who do we see but the whole family.

Perfect timing!

How nice of you to make that Wal-Mart run and take care of the grocery shopping for the In-laws. It's a really thoughtful person that takes time away from their own trip and thinks of others!

Good that you got rewarded with perfect timing making the delivery!

And then we were off. I didn’t take a single picture while over at SSR and I love how pretty that resort is.

In fact, the next picture I took looks like this.



Heck, I’m not even completely sure where I took that picture, but it was somewhere between the BWV and Epcot as we were heading in for the park for the evening.

When we got back to BWV, parked, and hiked the 2.2 miles from self parking back to the room, we just unpacked, took showers, and got ready for our evening jaunt into Epcot.

Horrible picture, but it was a Thursday evening and it gives your the idea of the crowds.

I'm guessing you took that first picture very near where you took the second one. The tower with the flag in the background of the second one, along with the palm trees and the outline of the roof from the building look like it is at the same location, only zoomed in maybe?

Now here is where I add my F&W disclaimer: I went into this trip with some nasty stomach issues. I was having a lot of trouble with heartburn and Prilosec OTC was NOT cutting it. I mention this because it factored into my alcohol choices and it had an impact later in the trip. You might be thinking - well, if you were having stomach issues what the heck were you doing drinking alcohol?

It was Food & Wine people! Wine! Alcohol! Not about to let a little heartburn slow me down - yet!

Oh this doesn't sound good. I'm hoping it didn't cause you too much trouble, but somehow I'm afraid it did..........

Cool that you got to meet up with your ex-coworker! I love La Hacienda. You ordered one of my favorite meals there. Just don't ask me which one because I'm not sure now which of those two I had. There may or may not have been margaritas involved....... I think it was the Del Mar, but it could have been either. I just remember it was really good!

You got some absolutely fabulous pictures of IllumiNations! What a great vantage point.

 

[DaveinFallsChurch]

Our kids never let us forget about going up THE tree house in MK. Like you, I go up because I enjoy the scenery at the top. It's beautiful up there.

I walked into Epcot WS on my last night of stay in October and boy was it packed for the F+W. I love all the food options they have the kiosks and wished I had the stomach space to try every single item.

Will have to try La Hacienda sometime. The view of Illuminations looks great!

 

[afwdwfan]

This is where Denny and I got separated from each other because, you know, he was being kid phobic and didn’t want to play the game if the number of kids in the queue outnumbered the adults.

How on Earth do you even get him to go to Disney World with you???

I saw him before he saw me and I watched him struggle for a few minutes sending me distress text messages. I guess I won’t win Wife of the Year for that one.

Not nice. Funny. But not nice!

Maybe it’s all bolted down.

Bolted, welded, glued. Something like that. I mean I don't think Disney would take any chances of part of the attraction getting away in a storm.

I took no pictures from our shopping trip because, let’s face it, we’ve all seen a Walmart.

But I filled the cart for Denny’s family and he got some breakfast items and beverages for us. Fortunately, my SIL is very laid back and not super picky. She was just very grateful that we did her shopping and pleased with our selections.

Well done! I'm glad that it was satisfactory and you didn't get the wrong kind of asiago cheese or something.

An hour or more later we were heading back to Disney property for the second time in a day.

I could get used to days like that...

Denny couldn’t decide if he wanted a beer for his first drink

What's to decide??? :

I mention this because it factored into my alcohol choices and it had an impact later in the trip. You might be thinking - well, if you were having stomach issues what the heck were you doing drinking alcohol?

It was Food & Wine people! Wine! Alcohol! Not about to let a little heartburn slow me down - yet!

Can't blame you. I'd do the same in that circumstance and deal with the consequences later...

I picked LaHacienda. I thought that would be a fun dinner destination.

Looks like a great dinner with friends. And some very nice Illuminations pictures to go along with it!

 

[DisneyKid4Life]

Whew, thank goodness the Treehouse didn't have it's normal 60 minute wait.

Oh and I don't think I mentoned it yet, but I love the frames on your photos. They really add a little something extra. Beautiful.

It's actually been a few years since I've done a WalMart run, but whenever I stayed offsite, it became a regular thing. And believe me, it's still busy at 1am.

Those shots of Illuminations are fantastic!!! Obviously you had a great table.

 

[IheartDDuck]

Hahaha, kid-phobic. That's too funny. And distress text messages to boot?

Yeah, I'm gonna say all the stuff in the treehouse is bolted down? Could you imagine if it wasn't? Windy day, you're standing eating a dole whip having a conversation. And bam! I bowl hits you in the head.

Everything I'm thinking about that particular picture is in my head.

Right?! It's F&W. You can't not have drinks. Seriously. It's just out of the question. I'd be the same way. Forget this, I'll just deal with the side effects!

 

[Mndisneygirl]

You were very nice to go to Walmart for your in-laws. I would have said I'll go somewhere else - anywhere else - for you! You're right, we don't want to see pictures of that! Unless they're of the funny/weird people of Walmart!

The treehouse has been discussed at my house recently. Paige is reading Swiss Family Robinson. I don't remember reading the book myself, but then I got to thinking - were they actually Swiss? Might need to go back and read it with her! But I digress! Cool pictures (I enjoy your borders too!)

Cute Main Street pictures of you and Denny!

Have yet to eat at La Hacienda - but your food looked so good!! Wonder if my family could handle it? Grilled meat should go over okay with even the pickiest eater! What a great view of Illuminations too! Your pictures are awesome (as usual!).

 

[annmarieda]

As always, I am in awe of your photos! I don't really do the treehouse often. In fact I think it has been several years. Your pics really make me want to venture up.

You mention the long walk from self park to your room at BWV. Just how far is it? I am really considering my options for fall and want to have a good handle on things.

Love what you had at La Hacienda! We ate there last month also shared one of those.. also while watching illuminations. I was happy that they took the DVC discount since they didn't take the TIW... strange that they didn't take the TIW...

That is VERY nice of you to do the grocery shopping.

 

[marDgreen88]

Dinner looks like it was delicious. And goodness, what AMAZING pictures of IllumiNations!

 

[MeMom]

It’s amazing what you can see from the top of the treehouse

Bella's long lost mingo, perhaps???


I remember being fascinated by the Treehouse when I first went to Disney World in 1971.


That food looks good!

 

[Mndisneygirl]

Just confirmed while reading Swiss Family Robinson, they were indeed, Swiss. I know you're all relieved to know that.


You probably all already did!


I thought of Bella's Mingo too!!!

 

[Poolrat]

Bella's long lost mingo, perhaps???

Poor Mingo.



MEK- YAY for a good meal at La Hacienda. Once again awesome pictures of IllumiNations. What a great way to catch up with a former co-worker.

 

[emmysmommy]

Awesome photos from the treehouse. Touring the treehouse doubles as a work out with all those stairs as well.

Your sunset photo between your Walmart run and Epcot evening is spectacular! Just lovely.

I can say that I'm counted among the tourists that have been to the Walmart in Kissimmee late at night. That was very nice of you to pick up groceries for the family.

Sorry about the heartburn issue but your logic makes complete sense.... it's F&W so you are compelled to partake. Speaking of food, the meal at La Hacienda looks wonderful. I have to resist the urge to change one more ADR! Gah, it's hard.

 

[Captain_Oblivious]

When I completed the Adventureland mission I suggested we climb the treehouse. I think the last time I took pictures I had an older camera. I wanted to update my current pics and it didn’t look that crowded.

Love your treehouse pics! They turned out really well.

After we descended, we did a time check and decided we better head out for a Walmart run.

Now THIS is what we tune in for!

Notice Flight #1 has Namaste from the Dogfish Head Brewery in DE. When Denny and I actually at the brewery in December they had finally released the bottled version and we brought some home. Good stuff.

Always nice to see Delaware getting a shout-out.

I picked LaHacienda. I thought that would be a fun dinner destination.

Looks like a great dinner. And what a terrific spot for Illuminations! Love the effect the window frame has on the pictures.

 

[tazdev3225]

Loved the pic from the treehouse. I have climbed it once in all my trips with a very much in a hurry 4 year old grandson so I didn't get the best pictures. I'll have to see if my ankle I up to it in May. I doubt it though.

The food look amazing at La Hacienda but my DH has developed an allergy to a spice and we aren't sure what it is. He is eating bland on vacations.

 

[saintstickets]

Great update MEK!! Love the treehouse pics. Makes me want to stay at the SSR Treehouse Villas at some point. Right now I have it penciled in for a family trip in May, 2017 (do you think I plan a little far in advance? Pshaw to those that say that can't imagine making reservations at 11 months out....they're just planning wussies! ) Your pics are always the best but that sunset pic over EPCOT is fantastic! I didn't know you and Denny saw Illuminations on Thursday and then again on Saturday too? Y'all must have been "illuminated out" by then!

 

[podsnel]

Hey girlfriend!

I am lovin the frames- all the pics are great to begin with, but that Jen Seib and her frames are kinda catchy over here!

I FINALLY ate at Tony's on our last family trip with Sean- the pasta with shrimp was yummy, not the greatest ever, but certainly good enough to go back sometime. I guess I am in the "I don't hate it" category.

I love that you took pics of the Fire House patches! So many are from NJ! In the first pic is one from East Hanover, NJ- that's where I went to High School. A loooooooooong time ago in a galaxy far, far away....

I am SO GLAD you played the game!! Next month I am going on an AEP (Agent Education Program) and I really, REALLY hope this is something we do while I am there. (I'm SO excited!! We are staying at the Yacht Club! YAYYYYY!!!! And AoA the nite before! YAYYYYY! And OKW the night after! YAYYYYY!!!!).

Haven't been up a tree yet, so I will comment on that later-

 

[podsnel]

Well, look at that- it's already "later!"

I know I said it before, but your photos are CRAZY amazing- love the ones when you entered the treehouse, love the Illuminations pics, especially the globe ones!

You are really crackin me up in this TR, Wife of the Year!

We loved our recent dinner at La Hacienda, too! I am kicking myself now for changing that ADR to something else so many times in the past.

Dogfish is awesome- hope to have a beer there with you someday- at LEAST.

And finally...yes, I'll say it-

And here I thought Walt Disney World 2013 was in Florida! Nice PIC!

 

[jenseib]

Hey girlfriend!

I am lovin the frames- all the pics are great to begin with, but that Jen Seib and her frames are kinda catchy over here!

That Jen is crazy!!!! I tell you though, using the borders to frame the pictures can make a crappy picture look good and a good picture look even better! I stole that idea from a girl who is a photographer and she said it draws your eye to the picture better. I had did it for a few years when I used another editing program and then when I started photoshop I stopped. Then I read about it again and learned how to do it in photoshop and now I have it set to just one click when I am done editing the photo!

 

[podsnel]

That Jen is crazy!!!! I tell you though, using the borders to frame the pictures can make a crappy picture look good and a good picture look even better! I stole that idea from a girl who is a photographer and she said it draws your eye to the picture better. I had did it for a few years when I used another editing program and then when I started photoshop I stopped. Then I read about it again and learned how to do it in photoshop and now I have it set to just one click when I am done editing the photo!

You are sooooooo good. I feel accomplished when I get them uploaded to PB AS IS.

But you are right, and that other girl was right- they look really great framed- it reminds me of scrapbooking- ohhhhh....that was so much FUN and it always looked SO GREAT!

 

[MEK]

I've only been in the treehouse once, and I don't think I took a single picture! Lol

Really? It's a great picture spot and I know you would get some amazing shots from up there. It's got great detail and the views are so awesome!

Awwww man! I wanted to see the Walmart pictures! just kidding! Sounds like your timing worked out just great!

I was going to provide a link to the "people of Walmart" site, but forgot. Sorry!

Hmmmm hoping the stomach issues don't cause too many problems for you! That's definitely not a fun thing to deal with on vacation!

You will see. Trust me!

How wonderful that you got to meet up with an old coworker for dinner, that sounds like such a great way to catch up! And the meal looks really good too.

I really enjoyed seeing him and his wife. He was a great guy to work with. He really went the extra mile consistently. I haven't seen him since we've been home so I'm glad we had that chance to get together. More importantly, I'm glad they had a date night!

Great shots of IllumiNations, you guys must have had a really great table!

Sent from my iPad using DISBoards

I have had that table (and the one next to it) every time I go. I don't know how I luck out because I didn't request anything special. So it was nice that they got to see Illuminations from that perspective.

That was nice of you to pick up the groceries for everyone that afternoon. It never fails, though, whenever you're picking something up for someone there's always that ONE item you have no clue about. And it always happens when you're in a new store, too.

You can say that again! But Denny found the asagio cheese and then he decided he had to buy some for us, too! It's fairly strong cheese and I don't think we ever finished it.

Mmm, Food and Wine, can't wait to hear more about that. I'm sorry that you had heartburn issues, though. Talk about rotten timing with that. Alex has to take daily medication for his reflux, though, so I completely understand what you mean about alcohol not treating you well.
But like you said...how can you pass up on F&W?!

You can't pass on F&W, so my hope was my heartburn just stayed under control and didn't become too much of an issue. I now realize that my heartburn probably originated from the stress of my new job. With a prescription med I am doing much better. :good vibes

How great that you got to eat dinner with a fellow coworker. What's a better place to catch up and share a meal than in Disney World? Plus, it's enjoying to hear about how much fun they are having, because you know exactly what they mean.

They were having a great time. This was their second family trip to Disney and I think I helped them plan the first one - I probably referred them to my TA. It was really nice to catch up with them on their date night. We had a great time!

And man, you were running into familiar faces left and right on this trip! Heck, in one day!

I know. Stay tuned. There are more meets and familiar faces coming up!

What a busy day! I know it sounds all nice and good to make the grocery run when planning, but when you get there....well who wants to leave the bubble. But at least you did it fairly fast and got back for a wonderful evening.

No one EVER wants to leave the bubble. But, since we always do a run for our own drinks and stuff it wasn't that big of a deal. Just a little stressful shopping for someone else because there are just so many options and you really want to please.

I have to laugh that Denny got lost and was frantically trying to find you! That would be Skip. He would walk away and then walk too far and get lost and then his directions for me to find him would not be even close to where he actually was.

Men! I was sort of playing with Denny because he wouldn't keep playing sorcerer's with me because of all the kids in line. I guess I was thinking "hmmph I'll fix you for ditching me"

One time Claire and I met him at AK and I called to ask where he was....he could see the big tree from where he was...oh and there is a bridge near by. Um...do you know how many bridges are at AK?

OMG You must have been dying! That is TOO funny! Hopefully that didn't happen too many times!