The Pursuit of Disney Magic (June 7-14, 2008) ~ UPDATED 9/30 pg. 191

[swwake]

I am LOVING your TR. Your kiddos are just adorable.

 

[SwansLoveDisney]

Awesome pics again!

The sundae bar sounds delicious. I could use one of those right about now!

 

[scottny]

great update and pics.

never had dinner there. maybe one time I will try it.

 

[Charleston Princess]

I like Chelsea necklaces and earrings. Connor's face while Minnie is signing the autograph book is funny.

I like her necklace and earrings, too. I have a shirt that those would look really good with -- I wonder if I can convince her to let me borrow them?

I thought Connor's face was funny, too -- I would say he was doing his Ben Franklin impersonation, but we didn't do the American Adventure until Friday.

Yeah for Chef Mickeys! Thanks for the pictures...I was checking out the highchair in the background. We're going our second night....it will be DS's first encounter with characters.

The kids really enjoyed Chef Mickey's -- we did, too, actually.

The high chairs look like standard restaurant ones, so Liam should be fine!

Whaddya mean you have no food porn? I see evidence, at least, of well-enjoyed meals: mostly empty plates!

And of course, Chelsea's drink (at least I'm assuming it's hers) is in the foreground of the picture of her wiping the chocolate off her face.

All right, so maybe it's not what people normally drool over, but I think it's an endorsement for Chef Mickey's nonetheless.

Yes, all the empty plates are an endorsement.

The kids love going on vacation because they get away with ordering soda at all the meals -- they are normally on a milk diet here at the house.

Ok. You just have the cutest kids.
And I love Chelsea's jewelry. Very pretty color on her!

If you haven't read this already, I think you'd enjoy it:

I own it and I remember there being some info on Mary Blair in there. The book itself is huge, hardcover and heavy, but I LOVE IT.

Thank you! That teal blue is Chelsea's favorite color! I could tell that she was definitely getting older on this trip because she bought more "grown-up" souvenirs this time than in the past. Sniff. Sniff.

I think my mom has that book! I will definitely be borrowing it from her tomorrow when we head over for dinner! Thanks!

What great photos, I abandoned the family the night they went to Chef Mickeys, I went to Kona to meet up with some DISers (photo below) so haven't a clue what it was like

Lucky!!! Did you try the famous Lapu Lapu?

Great update! I love Chef Mickey's but I always feel like a nap afterwards! It is so loud!!!

It was loud -- but fun!

Oooo...Space Mountain...how you mock me!

Have I ever told you the story of TK and Space Mountain? I don't want to hijack, but it's kind of funny.

Hijack away -- I would love to hear the story!

I'm feeling very nostalgic and like I want to be at Disney RIGHT NOW!

Me too! I caught myself pricing a quick weekend for Connor's b-day in September when the room discounts came out this morning. I came to my senses though since I am determined to have AKL next summer. Still, a year seems an awfully long way away.

I love the new bling!

She has good taste!

I'm one of those dorky people who actually likes those quiet rooms. We usually end up in one of them because of our larger party size. My favorite is where you can look at and see the MK off in the distance.

I liked it too except for not being able to judge if I had enough time to run for more mashed potatoes.

I think that's just an adorable picture of her. Be sure to whip that one out for her future husband, k?

Thank you! I love how her eyes are sparkling in that one! The picture for the future husband comes on the last day of the trip!

Aww, did your inner park commando feel lots better?

Yes, it did. It also ended up being our most productive day of the batch.

I have park-touring lightweights, I've decided.

I am LOVING your TR. Your kiddos are just adorable.

Thank you, Susan! I am glad you are enjoying it -- yours will be here very, very soon!

Awesome pics again!

The sundae bar sounds delicious. I could use one of those right about now!

I could use one of those right now, too. I wish I had one in my house, and the wait staff to clean up after us!

 

[Charleston Princess]

great update and pics.

never had dinner there. maybe one time I will try it.

Thank you!

I would like to try breakfast there sometime to compare, but the food was tasty. The desserts were the best, though!

 

[thewesterberg]

The Mary Blair mural is so pretty... reminds me of a quilt!

The pictures of the kids are great - the earrings (very, very pretty on Chelsea!), hiding behind the napkin, and the one of them on the monorail - looks like a perfect ending to a productive day!

 

[Charleston Princess]

The Mary Blair mural is so pretty... reminds me of a quilt!

The pictures of the kids are great - the earrings (very, very pretty on Chelsea!), hiding behind the napkin, and the one of them on the monorail - looks like a perfect ending to a productive day!

That Mary Blair mural always makes me think of early trips to WDW when I was a kid!

Thanks for the compliments on the pics -- it was a good ending to a productive day. We went back to the room, and all of us giggled our way through Monsters, Inc.

 

[ampc3]

looks like you all had a wonderful day and a great meal!

We haven't tried Chef Mickey's yet... That will for sure be on my list for next time

 

[MeMom]

Chelsea's necklace and earrings are cute! I look forward to getting things like that for Brooklynn when she's older.

Looks like Chef Mickey's was a good night out. We've done brunch, but not dinner. We're scheduled to have dinner there on Thanksgiving night, so we're looking very forward to that!

 

[thewesterberg]

That Mary Blair mural always makes me think of early trips to WDW when I was a kid!

Thanks for the compliments on the pics -- it was a good ending to a productive day. We went back to the room, and all of us giggled our way through Monsters, Inc.

How awesome to be reminded of happy memories and creating new ones!

 

[Charleston Princess]

looks like you all had a wonderful day and a great meal!

We haven't tried Chef Mickey's yet... That will for sure be on my list for next time

We did!

I am always finding things I want to try next time when I read TR's! I want to try O'Hana's at dinner (we did breakfast last year) after reading yours!

Chelsea's necklace and earrings are cute! I look forward to getting things like that for Brooklynn when she's older.

Looks like Chef Mickey's was a good night out. We've done brunch, but not dinner. We're scheduled to have dinner there on Thanksgiving night, so we're looking very forward to that!

Are you all packed and ready to go in 36 hours???

I can totally see Brooklynn sporting something like that in several years!

Thanksgiving at Chef Mickey's? How cool is that??? Out of curiosity, do you guys have annual passes?

How awesome to be reminded of happy memories and creating new ones!

One of the many reasons I love, love, love WDW!

 

[Lady Lallie]

Great Update CP!

Your kids are so cute and I agree with TK, you need to save that picture of Chelsea for future use....wedding slide show anyone?

I think I need to stop to see that mural, just beautiful!!

I am very very sad that the next update is wedding day. I will miss it!! I will have to get caught up when I get back, don't have too much fun without me.

 

[wigdoutdismom]

Great Update CP!

Your kids are so cute and I agree with TK, you need to save that picture of Chelsea for future use....wedding slide show anyone?

I think I need to stop to see that mural, just beautiful!!

I am very very sad that the next update is wedding day. I will miss it!! I will have to get caught up when I get back, don't have too much fun without me.

I agree, Dh and I are eating at California Grill in a couple of weeks, I can't wait to get an "in person" look at that mural.

 

[lori1043]

Ok. You just have the cutest kids.
And I love Chelsea's jewelry. Very pretty color on her!

If you haven't read this already, I think you'd enjoy it:

I own it and I remember there being some info on Mary Blair in there. The book itself is huge, hardcover and heavy, but I LOVE IT.

I have this book and LOVE it. A friend gave it to me for my birthday when I was in cardiac sonography school.

Lovin' the pics-love Mickey and Minnie-wanna go back soo badly These boards can be bad for the checkbook, but good for the soul -keep the magic comin'!

Lori

 

[LISAMWDW]

I can't wait to hear about your AK breakfast! We have our first ADR this upcoming trip. I'm alittle worried as I hear it gets bad reviews!

 

[MeMom]

We did!


Are you all packed and ready to go in 36 hours???

I can totally see Brooklynn sporting something like that in several years!

Thanksgiving at Chef Mickey's? How cool is that??? Out of curiosity, do you guys have annual passes?

Yep.
Yep!
Yep!!
Yep!!!

Yes on all of those. We are packed. Jill and John should be here in a few hours. We'll have supper early and then try to get some sleep before getting to the airport about 4:30.

Brooklynn is already a little girly girl. She likes to carry her Mommy's purse on one arm and push her doll stroller with the other. I think I will have tons o' fun in the future shopping with her.

We wanted Liberty Tree Tavern for Thanksgiving, but they were already booked. We ended up with LTT the day before Thanksgiving and Chef Mickey's the day of. Awesome all the way around!

We do have annual passes. We knew we were going to use them for at least two trips, but we ended up using them for more than that. We're going to renew, because we know we will get at least two trips out of them again. Jill and John will get three for sure, and if I can talk my friend in to going at spring break again, I might get three, also.

 

[Charleston Princess]

Great Update CP!

Your kids are so cute and I agree with TK, you need to save that picture of Chelsea for future use....wedding slide show anyone?

I think I need to stop to see that mural, just beautiful!!

I am very very sad that the next update is wedding day. I will miss it!! I will have to get caught up when I get back, don't have too much fun without me.

You are an old, married woman, now, LL!

You can help me put together the wedding slide show!!! I have a feeling there will be a lot of Disney pics on it!

I agree, Dh and I are eating at California Grill in a couple of weeks, I can't wait to get an "in person" look at that mural.

Oh, you will have to let me know how California Grill is -- that place looks like a really neat place to eat at (and watch fireworks)!

I have this book and LOVE it. A friend gave it to me for my birthday when I was in cardiac sonography school.

Lovin' the pics-love Mickey and Minnie-wanna go back soo badly These boards can be bad for the checkbook, but good for the soul -keep the magic comin'!

Lori

You are so right about the boards being bad for the checkbook and good for the soul!!! Very true!

I can't wait to hear about your AK breakfast! We have our first ADR this upcoming trip. I'm alittle worried as I hear it gets back reviews!

We loved every minute of it!

Yep.
Yep!
Yep!!
Yep!!!

Yes on all of those. We are packed. Jill and John should be here in a few hours. We'll have supper early and then try to get some sleep before getting to the airport about 4:30.

Brooklynn is already a little girly girl. She likes to carry her Mommy's purse on one arm and push her doll stroller with the other. I think I will have tons o' fun in the future shopping with her.

We wanted Liberty Tree Tavern for Thanksgiving, but they were already booked. We ended up with LTT the day before Thanksgiving and Chef Mickey's the day of. Awesome all the way around!

We do have annual passes. We knew we were going to use them for at least two trips, but we ended up using them for more than that. We're going to renew, because we know we will get at least two trips out of them again. Jill and John will get three for sure, and if I can talk my friend in to going at spring break again, I might get three, also.

APs are my dream!!! I hope you are having a fabulous time right now!!!

 

[Charleston Princess]

Tuesday morning we had an 8:00 ADR for Donald's Safari Breakfast at Tusker House. I was excited about getting into the park early and eating at Tusker House (I loved when it was a counter service), but horribly nervous about not making it on time.

We were at the bus stop by 7:00. Everyone was well rested and ready to go!

Every minute seemed an eternity, but at 7:22 a bus arrived. We got to the Animal Kingdom with plenty of time to spare, but they did not let us in until 7:50. Walking through an empty park was one of the neatest things on the trip.

I am now completely sold on the before park opening ADRs and plan on doing several next time.

Animal Kingdom is probably my favorite park and the Africa section my favorite section. I am a sucker for exotic locales, and I imagine that the Imagineers captured the feeling of Africa with Harambe. It's an added bonus that I don't have to get a shot for malaria to go there!

It was so peaceful at 8:00 in the morning in this little corner of the World.

At Tusker House we checked in and had just enough time to snap this picture of Chelsea and Connor before we were seated:

Did I mention how much I love the theming of Africa? The same is true of Tusker House. The food and Jungle Juice were wonderful, too! Charles had about four glasses of the juice, and I discovered a new food -- pap --covered with cheese. It was a lot like grits. Mmmmm! Not many restaurants make the "next time" list (because there are just so many to try) but Tusker House will be a repeat next year!

Again judging getting food and character arrivals was a bit frazzling, but who can resist the gang all dressed up for safari?

I had to sneak in for a picture with Daisy! I had never met her before!

Fortified with breakfast, it was time to conquer the park!

UP NEXT: Our intrepid adventurers head out on safari and dodge a stroller or two!

 

[TarzansKat]

Excellent update! Wow, I love how empty the Animal Kingdom looks. And although I love that park, I hate that it's always sooooooo hot there. Your early morning rising to go to that breakfast has some virtue, methinks. Perhaps I'll schedule that in for our 2009 trip. We're so not early risers on vacation, but in this instance I think it just might be worth it. Early character dining, then on to fun!

 

[Lady Lallie]

Great update CP! I am so excited for our early ADR to Crystal Palace now. I think getting into the parks early is such a great idea.

I also love your cute tshirt!!