The Twelve Days of Swinter: From Castaway 'Key' to a Partridge in a Palm Tree!

[wigdoutdismom]

Oh I love the Karamell Kuche! We always buy several bags of the caramel corn, some to eat there and some to bring home. Next time I will have one of those strawberries!

The fan is starting to make me giggle!

 

[MeMom]

I thought this was going to be a normal Wednesday, but little did I know I would get to start it out in Germany and Italy. That made for a much better start now, so I thank you.

As for the saving pictures, you know I am right in that same boat. We have a ton of them on an external hard drive. After I get them there and on Photobucket, I erase the cards to use again. My paranoia tells me I should just keep the cards, too, and get new ones each time. In the whole scheme of things, it's really not that expensive. I sure wouldn't think so if Photobucket crumbled and my external hard drive got damaged, anyway, so I think I may just start saving the cards. I haven't erased the Christmas trip, and I'll probably just leave them there.

 

[mickeystoontown]

What beautiful pictures in the update! I love all of the various buildings in World Showcase and, like you, hope to visit the "real" countries some day. I love how you stopped to talk with the CMs and ask about their life here in the U.S. and in their home country. We do that often and find out the most interesting things.

I can see why it would take you so long to make up your mind in the caramel shop. Everything looks so good!

Oh and good job on picking out the cross necklaces. They are beautiful!

 

[Momof2Disneyboys]

So I remember you not liking VN but I don't remember the specifics. What exactly was it that you didn't like? Did you get pizza? That's what we had planned to order b/c I'v heard so much about it.

The kids and I got pizza and it was just very plain and nothing special. Honestly you can get better pizza over on the Boardwalk (and WAY cheaper)!! And I don't even remember what DH got, but it looked like a big blob of nastiness - http://www.disboards.com/showpost.php?p=42731889&postcount=97 . So the food was just average, way overpriced for what we got, and the service was pretty slow. Just not a great experience for us. But I think a lot of people on here like it!

 

[Woth2982]

Another great update! I am drooling over those caramel photos! I am currently eating carrots, that's the same right........didn't think so.

Anyway on to your photo conundrum! I have had the same problem. I stopped developing photos in 08 for god knows what reason, and THIS is the year I decided I was going to sort them out and develop them. Like you there are MANY, and it costs a LOT. What I have discovered is the wonders of Snap Fish and multiple email accounts. I have uploaded over time all my photo albums, once I print the album (about 500 photos per album, some have 300) I change the album name to printed (helps me know what I have printed). Now SF has AMAZING sales! They have penny sales, % off sales, free shipping on orders over $40 sales etc. Now the reason some albums are 500 and some are 300 are because sometimes their penny sales have a 500 or 300 limit. So when I get a good sale, I go and buy the photos. I have made about 3 accounts with 3 different emails because the sale is only good for one per customer. The plus there is you get 20 free photos for signing up! So that is 60 free photos off the bat! I know it sounds complicated, but it isn't. I have now caught up and have 1 album left with about 150 photos, so I need some time to fill that up, and hopefully by the time I do there will be another sale! Currently stocking up on photo albums, if I find cute cheap ones (Kohls, Walmart, TJMax, Christmas Tree shop) I pick them up.

 

[pooh'smate]

Well, you have just opened a big can of worms. I have been racking my brain lately trying to figure out what to do with all these pictures. I take lots and lots of pictures all throughout the year, and then I take thousands more at Disney. That adds up to a whole lot of pictures, and a whole lot of money. Well, about 3 years ago, I just got way behind on getting them developed, and guess what.... I haven't had any pictures developed since then! I have them all still stored on memory cards, photobucket, Kodak, etc. Now I am so far behind that I have no idea what to do. It would cost me a fortune to get them all developed at this point. I am pretty certain that I have more than 10,000 that need to be developed. I am not kidding. At this point I am really desperate to figure out some other means of saving them. And I need to get them off the cards so I can reuse the cards and not have to buy new ones. I really just don't know what to do. The cost of the photo albums alone to hold them all would be outrageous! But I am like you. I love my pictures because they hold all my vacation memories and I want to save them for my DD to look at when she is older. What to do? What to do?

My dad is a professional photographer and he keeps 2 copies of his pictures one copy on an external hard drive and one copy memory cards. He too uses snapfish to print because they have good deals (at least the copies of pictures he gives us I know if it is a picture he has sold he uses someone else). He doesn't want to only keep them online because if something ever happened he would be devastated.

 

[CandleontheWater]

I'm all caught up and really enjoyed reading about the beginning of your WDW trip!

I love the photos of your DD with the fan! I had a fan collection when I was younger, so I can understand your daughters fascination. Everything is more dramatic when you are holding a fan!

 

[RinkyTinkyTinky]

I tried that. It didn't work!

Sorry! There will be no more chocolate, in the next few updates at least. That's the best I can do for you!

OMG Rinky!!!! I don't think I have an answer to your "little" picture problem!!!
I think maybe consider doing a few albums of disney, its always so nice to get them out and look at them and remember the magic. I have a lot of pics stored on the memory cards too and you are right, it can be a huge expense!!
I think you need some pixie dust from Tink!!!

Yeah, some pure gold pixie dust should settle my issue. I think a 5 lb. bag of it should sell for enough to pay for my pictures!

I have a ton of pictures too. I only print my favorites now, but even that is a lot. I do buy photo albums. I get the cheap ones from Walmart of JoAnn fabrics for like $5.

I need to cut back to just developing my favorites. Maybe I could just develop the best and burn the rest to discs or something.

Oh I love the Karamell Kuche! We always buy several bags of the caramel corn, some to eat there and some to bring home. Next time I will have one of those strawberries!

The fan is starting to make me giggle!

That strawberry is awesome! And it is huge! Not huge enough for sharing... ok, let's be real here... I don't share chocolate period!

That fan has been from China to England and back again!

I thought this was going to be a normal Wednesday, but little did I know I would get to start it out in Germany and Italy. That made for a much better start now, so I thank you.

As for the saving pictures, you know I am right in that same boat. We have a ton of them on an external hard drive. After I get them there and on Photobucket, I erase the cards to use again. My paranoia tells me I should just keep the cards, too, and get new ones each time. In the whole scheme of things, it's really not that expensive. I sure wouldn't think so if Photobucket crumbled and my external hard drive got damaged, anyway, so I think I may just start saving the cards. I haven't erased the Christmas trip, and I'll probably just leave them there.

It's not everyday that you start your morning in Germany and end in Italy is it?

I know you must have the motherload of pictures! And I am paranoid too just like you about losing them. That's why I find it hard to erase the cards and start over.

What beautiful pictures in the update! I love all of the various buildings in World Showcase and, like you, hope to visit the "real" countries some day. I love how you stopped to talk with the CMs and ask about their life here in the U.S. and in their home country. We do that often and find out the most interesting things.

I can see why it would take you so long to make up your mind in the caramel shop. Everything looks so good!

Oh and good job on picking out the cross necklaces. They are beautiful!

Thanks!

It was really fun to talk to the CMs and their stories are so interesting. It fascinates me b/c I would NEVER have been brave enough to take a job in a forgein country at that age. And the accents... love them! Especially the Italian guy. I could have listened to him read an obituary and it would've sounded good!

The kids and I got pizza and it was just very plain and nothing special. Honestly you can get better pizza over on the Boardwalk (and WAY cheaper)!! And I don't even remember what DH got, but it looked like a big blob of nastiness - http://www.disboards.com/showpost.php?p=42731889&postcount=97 . So the food was just average, way overpriced for what we got, and the service was pretty slow. Just not a great experience for us. But I think a lot of people on here like it!

Ok, then maybe we will pass on VN. I'm going back to read your review again in just a moment. I've read that you can get the pizza as a CS option too. Not sure if that's still true. But some people said it didn't taste like the pizza in the restaurant.

ETA: Ok I just went back to the review and as soon as I started reading it, it all came back to me. However, I do not recall seeing your DH's food the first time around and I could not help but b/c it sure does look like a mile high pile of 'blob'! Good grief! At least if we do go, I know what I will not be ordering!

Another great update! I am drooling over those caramel photos! I am currently eating carrots, that's the same right........didn't think so.

Anyway on to your photo conundrum! I have had the same problem. I stopped developing photos in 08 for god knows what reason, and THIS is the year I decided I was going to sort them out and develop them. Like you there are MANY, and it costs a LOT. What I have discovered is the wonders of Snap Fish and multiple email accounts. I have uploaded over time all my photo albums, once I print the album (about 500 photos per album, some have 300) I change the album name to printed (helps me know what I have printed). Now SF has AMAZING sales! They have penny sales, % off sales, free shipping on orders over $40 sales etc. Now the reason some albums are 500 and some are 300 are because sometimes their penny sales have a 500 or 300 limit. So when I get a good sale, I go and buy the photos. I have made about 3 accounts with 3 different emails because the sale is only good for one per customer. The plus there is you get 20 free photos for signing up! So that is 60 free photos off the bat! I know it sounds complicated, but it isn't. I have now caught up and have 1 album left with about 150 photos, so I need some time to fill that up, and hopefully by the time I do there will be another sale! Currently stocking up on photo albums, if I find cute cheap ones (Kohls, Walmart, TJMax, Christmas Tree shop) I pick them up.

No carrots and caramel are not the same. The ONLY thing they have in common is that they start with 'C'.

I get email deals from Snapfish all the time but I haven't taken the time to upload any photos yet. I need to do that. If I narrowed down my photos to just my favorites, burned the others to a disc, and then developed them like you when they have sales.... just maybe I could get caught up. It is so overwhleming right now though.

My dad is a professional photographer and he keeps 2 copies of his pictures one copy on an external hard drive and one copy memory cards. He too uses snapfish to print because they have good deals (at least the copies of pictures he gives us I know if it is a picture he has sold he uses someone else). He doesn't want to only keep them online because if something ever happened he would be devastated.

I don't even have an external hard drive. Another thing I need to do! And I am definitely going to start using Snapfish. It is going to take me FOREVER to get caught up though!

I'm all caught up and really enjoyed reading about the beginning of your WDW trip!

I love the photos of your DD with the fan! I had a fan collection when I was younger, so I can understand your daughters fascination. Everything is more dramatic when you are holding a fan!

You are so right on that! And all my DD needs is a little more drama in her life! I think those things are very popular with most little girls. I even like to use it in church so I guess I don't have room to pick on her!

 

[Lovemy3babes]

I love that you spent your day just checking out World Showcase Rinky. We have never done so but it looks like such a pleasant way to spend the day. I need to put that on our list!

I also would have gone for the strawberry. Yummy bliss.

 

[RinkyTinkyTinky]

I love that you spent your day just checking out World Showcase Rinky. We have never done so but it looks like such a pleasant way to spend the day. I need to put that on our list!

I also would have gone for the strawberry. Yummy bliss.

I am really surprised at how many people comment that they either don't go into WS at all or only spend minimal time there. We always spend at least one full day there. I guess people with kids think it's too boring, or maybe WS is just for nerds. IDK, but I love it though! I am a major history/geography/world cultures geek though. I can't get enough of that stuff! Maybe when your kids are a little older and can appreciate it more, you can spend more time there. My DD only like WS because she gets to shop all day!

There is no better fruit than strawberries, IMO, and when you add chocolate and caramel to it... Yummy bliss is right!

 

[mommytominnie]

Oh my word!! I am loving your trip report. Your cruise vacation looked like a dream and I am loving your time so far at WDW. CBR looks so pretty. We have only gone one time and stayed at POFQ. We loved it there and I thougth I would not want to stay any place else. But after seeing your photos, CBR looks so pretty. I can't wait to read more of your trip. Your DD looks so precious!

 

[petals]

I had to go back and catch up a bit but loving all the updates.
I did not know that that well in Germany was supposed to be snow white's well. Kinda makes more sense as to why she does character greetings there now
Also the caramel shop looks yummy we never did make it int here on our last trip

 

[RinkyTinkyTinky]

Oh my word!! I am loving your trip report. Your cruise vacation looked like a dream and I am loving your time so far at WDW. CBR looks so pretty. We have only gone one time and stayed at POFQ. We loved it there and I thougth I would not want to stay any place else. But after seeing your photos, CBR looks so pretty. I can't wait to read more of your trip. Your DD looks so precious!

I'm glad you found us over here and decided to join in!

The cruise was a dream! Even with the bad last night, I would still go again. The islands are so worth it!

We CBR!!! It really gets mixed reviews from people, but for us, it was perfect. It's beautiful, quiet, has nice places to stroll around, the pool is fanatastic, the buses were never full... I could go on and on. You should give it a try the next time you go. I think we are going to try out POR and see how we like that.

I had to go back and catch up a bit but loving all the updates.
I did not know that that well in Germany was supposed to be snow white's well. Kinda makes more sense as to why she does character greetings there now
Also the caramel shop looks yummy we never did make it int here on our last trip

Well, ya know, I am assuming that is her wishing well. I know she does her greets there and so it just seemed like that's what it was, but I can't say for sure.

You should make that caramel shop a priority! Some very good stuff in there!

 

[RinkyTinkyTinky]

With Italy in our rear view mirror, it was time to head home to America!

DD saw this telescope and wanted to take a look… BIG mistake. We should’ve kept on walking!

Little did we know, we were like mosquitoes being drawn to the light of a bug zapper! We had not even noticed that this little photo op area was set up right next to a DVC booth. Well, while we were standing there playing around, and minding our own business, this young, clean-cut, slick-talking guy with the whitest teeth you’ve ever seen approaches us and strikes up a conversation. I could tell he was a CM, but it honestly still had not occurred to me that he was a DVC salesman. He kept asking us questions about how our trip was going, if we were enjoying the F&WF, what we thought of CBR… etc., etc. He seemed so genuinely interested in talking with us, which should have been a clue to me, but DUH, I was still in my own little Epcot world and didn’t realize what was unfolding.

But then he started in with his sales pitch and it finally hit me! We politely told him that we had really enjoyed talking with him, but we were not interested in buying into DVC right now. Well that little whippersnapper jumped on me like white on rice when I said that! He was very aggressive, and I HATE that. He started in on the questions, one after another, after another….

“How much did your trip cost?”

“How many times have you been before?”

“Don’t you realize you could have almost paid for DVC by now with the cost of your 3 trips?” (My interpretation: “Don’t you know you’re an idiot!!!”)

“Wouldn’t you like to stay at the nice, deluxe resorts instead of those values and mods?”

“You know you’re going to be coming every year anyway, so don’t you get that you are throwing money away?”

BLAH, BLAH, BLAH!

So again, I tried to be nice and explain to him that I would love to be a DVC member, but that is a big financial decision, and I wasn’t prepared to make it RIGHT THEN!

And his response… “Well, you guys approached my booth, I didn’t go looking for you!”



I was stunned! I can honestly say in all my trips that I have never encountered a pushy and rude CM like that guy. I felt like I was dealing with a slime ball car salesman! Maybe it was the super white teeth… IDK! But that last comment put the finishing touch on our conversation. I told him that we did not even know we were standing next to a DVC booth and that we had only stopped there to look through the telescope… thank you very much!

I am kicking myself now for not getting his name. I should have reported him because I am certain that Disney management would not approve of him being such a bulldog! But even as annoying and rude as he was, I'd still like to be a DVC member!

Anyhoo... movin’ on……..

They had some games set up for the kids in the pavilion.

And this nice girl agreed to pose for a picture in her cute colonial garb.

I love how even the color of the flowers matches the theme of the country! No detail left undone!

We browsed around the gift shop a bit.

Lots to read about our presidents… some great, some… not so much…

The gardens in the back…

I didn’t go in depth taking pictures in America because I got distracted when I spotted the F&W booth there. I already knew they had one item that was at the top of my ‘must-try’ list!

No hops and barley for me…

I want the Lobster Roll, please!

Oh my!!! That thing was so good, and I’m not even a huge lobster fan. I actually prefer crab or scallops, but I still had to try it because I love shellfish. It had a light sauce on the lobster meat and the roll had been toasted with a little garlic butter. It was hands down, without a doubt, THE best thing we ate all day at the festival!

I just kept going on and on about how good it was, so DH ended up begging me for half. I should’ve just kept my mouth shut about it, or better yet, he should have gotten his own!

I don’t know if I have mentioned this or not, but we were able to book the free dining discount for this trip, and we actually used snack credits for all the food we tried that day. What a great deal! Thank you Disney! And the Lobster Roll is an awesome value as a snack credit because it sells for about $8!

Continued in next post

 

[RinkyTinkyTinky]

I fully intended on going back to get more of that luscious lobster, but we passed by a random lady who was eating the ‘Shrimp Cake on a Sugar Cane Skewer with Noodles’ from the Singapore booth. It looked good and she said it was awesome, so we headed there next instead.

We found a table and enjoyed the view while we ate.

DH and I both thought the shrimp cake was delicious, but the noodles were pretty bland. Again, we shared this.

We were finally starting to get into the Food and Wine thing, so we headed onward to see what Japan had to offer.

And the fan is still going strong!

It is really neat how the views change so much as you move around the lagoon. The picture that I took earlier of La Hacienda had the ball right behind it, but now you see the Mayan Temple as the backdrop.

More cool architecture…

More kung fu… More Chinese fan…

And another huge gift shop chock full of cool stuff…

I’m having deja vu here!

We saw this cute little fellow just as we were about to walk into the gift shop.

He almost acted like he had something he wanted to tell us, because he just kept staring at us.

He was so tame and not the least bit afraid of us. DH picked a leaf off of a bush and reached towards him to see if he would try to take it from his hand.

He’s thinking about it…

And…yes, we have contact!

What a cutie! I think he was smitten with us because he actually tried to follow us into the gift shop! He went through the doors behind us and was right on our heels! DH had to chase him back out into the courtyard!

Maybe ‘he’ was actually a ‘she’ and just wanted to do a little shopping!

Continued in next post

 

[RinkyTinkyTinky]

We stopped at the Kidcot station first thing.

This is one of my favorite CM photos from World Showcase!

She was so nice. We commented on how pretty her silk kimono was and she encouraged us to try some on. DD was all over that idea!

DD loved doing this! She really wanted to buy that pink kimono, but it was about $50 so she decided to pass. It would’ve taken most of the souvenir money that she had left. That didn’t keep us from trying out more neat Japanese things though.

DD and I both declared that it would drive us nuts to wear socks with our flip flops like the Japanese do.

Looking out at the bridge we just crossed…

A pretty rock garden outside…

We walked along and DD spotted the Pick-A-Pearl tank. We did this on our trip two years ago, but she loved it and wanted to do it again.

Her oyster of choice…

They make a big deal over this in the store. The CMs clap and bang drums during the whole process.

Her prized pearl…

She got a 7 ¼ MM pearl with a peach tint to it.

This update reminds me that I need to order a setting for that pearl. I had completely forgotten about it!

When we came out of the store, the drummers were doing their show. We watched for a few minutes before moving on.

We had a great time in Japan! So many neat things to experience there!

Up next: From marvelous Morroco to fabulous France… the longest journey ever around the world continues!

 

[Lovemy3babes]

I cannot believe how rude that CM was. Does he not understand he is working in the Happiest Place on Earth for crying out loud? What a turn off.

I love your daughter's kung fu panda with fan pose! What a cutie.

Your F & W F treats sure look yummy! I am not a huge seafood fan but the pictures are making me hungry, Rinky!

 

[mickeystoontown]

Ugggh! I hate pushy salesmen. They are especially offputting when they bother me while I am on vacation! Good for you standing up to him. In all of our trips to Disney, we've only had one DVC salesperson ask us if we were interested and he was at a desk at OPR. Thankfully, he wasn't pushy and just chatted after we said it wasn't something we could do right then.

Back to the trip around the world. The lobster roll looks really good even though, like you, I'm not a big lobster eater but I do love seafood. Seeing the shrimpcake on the sugar cane skewer reminded me of the day when my Papaw grew sugarcane and we'd chew on it to get the sugary sweetness out of it.

Tell your daughter that I am loving all of the poses with the fan. My favorite picture this installment though is the one of her in the pretty kimono.

 

[Momof2Disneyboys]

Wow what a jerk that DVC guy was!! I wish you would have gotten his name and reported him. He should never speak to a guest like that. And I just love when they try to tell you that you could have bought into DVC with the money you paid for 3 trips. Yeah, maybe if they are including the entire trip -- not just the room. I've had them try to tell me that before too. There's no way I spent that much money on a moderate room for 3 trips!

Anyway -- again, what a great day in Epcot! Makes me wish I was there right now. My kids really enjoy Japan. I think we usually end up there the longest!

You are so right, it is so very neat how the view changes as you walk around WS. I am going to try to take more pics of that next time. Your pics have inspired me.

Great update.

 

[DVC Jen]

Wow - for all DVC members out there let me apologize for that jerk. DVC should NEVER be a hard sell. Yes we have more than gotten our money's worth but we also bought in at 72.00 a point!

I hate hate hate that you were treated like that.