There's a First Time for Everything! A Christmas In November TR

[queensara]

Just subscribing - great report

 

[RinkyTinkyTinky]

Very cool! Very, very cool!
I know you will always treasure the memory of creating those together.

Yes, it was a great mother daughter moment! I mean, come on, combining Disney, shopping, and jewelry........... how could you go wrong? I can't take credit for the necklaces though. I found out about them from a pick-a-pearl thread here on the DIS.

That looks like so much fun! I love the pick a pearl, it might be a fun idea for us to do with DD in December. If I trust her with a nice necklace by then...we'll see.

Well the necklaces are very inexpensive. That's why I bought them to begin with. I knew my five year old wasn't ready for an expensive necklace and all the settings in Japan are outrageous. I still only let her wear it to church though b/c I don't want her to loose the pearl. I can't replace that part.

What a great evening. I love the stting for the pearl-so cute! Illuminations looks so amazing-it is on our to do list for May.

Illuminations is a must do on every trip for me. I love it!! And watching them without people standing in front of us was so nice! I think you will love it. It is an awesome show.

 

[RinkyTinkyTinky]

The pick-a- pearl was a great idea to create a magical moment.

The pictures of Illuminations were wonderful, you really had a great spot.

I loved doing the pick-a-pearl. I think it would make a great gift to bring back for someone special too. Next time I am going to do one for my Mom b/c she loved it.

Illuminations rocked!

What a wonderful ending to your Epcot day!!! I have never heard a whole lot about Biergarten, so I enjoyed seeing all of your pictures and reading your description. Good for you for winning over the grumpy lady!

I am in love with your Cinderella Coach necklaces with the pearls. My little head is spinning with ideas for Chelsea's birthday now.

Biergarten was great. I admit that I probably would never have eaten there if I wasn't trying to book something appealing to my DH. But I am so glad I did. What a nice little surprise that place turned out to be. It is a meat and potatoe lovers dream. Sitting with strangers is awkward at first but I am more outgoing at Disney than normal so it didn't bother me.

The pick-a-pearl would be a great thing to do for Chelsea's birthday. It really is great fun and makes a very, very special souvenir. I think she would love doing it. And what teenager doesn't like one of a kind jewelry. Her little copycat friend from Halloween with be out of luck!

Awesome WS update! Loved every minute of it!

Biergarten looks interesting. Did they have stuff for kids on the buffet? Too funny about the lady with the other group!

That is so sweet that you did PAP with your daughter My DD did it last June and we got a ring made for her. She used her souvie money-it was just a simple silver setting and didn't cost much. We let my DS pick one and had a necklace made for my mil. It's a really fun thing to do!

I don't recall their being a kids section, but there was plenty for DD to eat. They had lots of carbs that kids like such as mashed potatoes, pasta, and bread. They also had chicken and carrots and more than enough desserts to please any kid. If they are SUPER picky, it may not be the place to go, but my DD was fine. It was a lot like a meal I would cook for us for dinner with meat, vegetables and potatoes. They have German "sausages" on the buffet also that tasted like hot dogs to us and they have sliced meats like bologna.

The PAP is a great thing to do. So nice of you to make one for your MIL. My mom wanted one after we got back so I will make her one next time. It really is a special gift.

thanks so much for the link... I just looked at the size of my DD's pearl.
I remember you reading my last TR. I used most of my free space on photobucket and intended on finding a new freebie site and doing another TR, life just got busy. We actually just went Dec. 8-14. Love the world at Christmastime. We let the kids do the pirate's league this time. They loved it. Always something new or "firsts" as you're doing in your TR.
Thanks again for the link

Your welcome! I know what you mean about life getting busy. But I really did enjoy your report. So great that you got DVC free for 3 years, wasn't it? That's just awesome!

I bet the pirate's league was great. I wanted DD to do it but she is way too girly for that. She would have no part of it.

Wow, that was great! I might reconsider eating at Biergarten. As a Minnesotan, I have to say that most of us are pretty nice (we're known for that), so I can see how that family would warm up and be friendly.

I love the plan you had for pick a pearl. I would love to do that with my girls. Is it inside the gift shop in Japan? I've never looked much there. This is why I need about 3 days in Epcot!! I miss too much.

Great day - you have really lucked out with the crowds!!!

I think that lady was just older (I'd say late 60's) and had just never had to eat with strangers before so it threw her for a loop. She was fine after 10 minutes or so.

It is right up at the front of the gift shop in Japan. You can't miss it. I think your girls would love it. It is so fun to watch the anticipation in them waiting to see what is inside that oyster.

We did have the BEST luck with crowds. I have no idea how it happened but it was great.

I am still here and still reading along! As usual, your pictures are great. The pick a pearl necklaces turned out great, and I know your daughter just loves having a "grown up" necklace like her Mommy.

I think we'll skip Biergarten on this trip. There are so many places I'd like to eat in EPCOT, and since I am not a huge fan of German food I think it will have to wait. I do want to eventually try it though! We live right near Busch Gardens in Williamsburg, VA, so we eat at the Germany section of their park often in the summer. Of course, when we eat there we usually get pizza, or occasionally a turkey sandwich!

Thanks! She did think it was very special to have "real" jewelry. It was very inexpensive though so if she breaks it, it's no big deal. I just don't want her to loose the pearl.

Biergarten was not on my "must do first" list either. Last year we ate at Le Cellier, and Akershus Princess breakfast while at Epcot. Those were my top choices, but I wanted to try new stuff this time. I have to say that Biergaten was a very nice surprise though. The food was really wonderful. Do put it on your "to do" list for a future trip though b/c it is worth trying.

We love Busch Gradens Williamsburg!!! We might be going there this summer actually. Somehow, everytime we go, we end up eating in Italy. Maybe we will try Germany this time.

What an amazing update!! I just love how you did the Pick-a-Pearl with your DD!! And the carriage necklace is TDF!! I think I'm going to have to order 3--one for me and one for my 2 girls!! Thanks for the link!! Where did you get the silver chain? And what size chain did you get? Can't wait to read more!!

Your girls would love the PAP, especially your older DD. And it make such a great souvenir. The pendants actually come with a chain but there isn't much to it, if you know what I mean. The close up of DD wearing hers show the necklace that come with it. I'm letting her just wear that for now since she is only five. When she is older, she can have a nicer chain. The extra pictures that I posted shows the necklace that I am using on mine. It was just a chain that I already had. Any thin, basic silver chain will work. Even a thin Omega will fit through. You can find a plain silver chain just about anywhere. Even Target, Walmart, etc. sells them at a very reasonable price.

I better get mine before they're all gone!

I bet the ebay folks wonder why there is a run on those pendants all of a sudden.

I just spent a couple hours enjoying your trip report. Can't wait for more!

Yay! So glad you are enjoying it. Thanks for coming out and posting. I hope you will hang a round for the rest!

I'm really enjoying your report!! Love the pick the pearl.. I didn't even know they did that! Awesome!

Thank you! So glad you are enjoying it! PAP is awesome. Such a neat way to get a very unique souvenir!

Just subscribing - great report

Thank you and Glad to have you with us!

 

[VAisforDisneyLvrs]

Biergaten was a very nice surprise though. The food was really wonderful. Do put it on your "to do" list for a future trip though b/c it is worth trying.

I guess that just means we'll have to go again, right?? This time I have a list for EPCOT-Le Cellier, Chefs de France, Coral Reef, Tutto Italia, plus my girls want to repeat Garden Grill. I am sure that all of those will not make the final list, but we are going for 10 days so you never know! I am thinking about getting a sitter for one night and going out with just my DH. Maybe we'll hit Le Cellier that night! (Although I was also thinking about Artist Point. So many decisions to make-and our 180 day mark is coming soon!)

We love Busch Gradens Williamsburg!!! We might be going there this summer actually. Somehow, everytime we go, we end up eating in Italy. Maybe we will try Germany this time.

Oh, I think Italy is way better than the Festhaus, but that's just my opinion. We like the Smokehouse, too. They have huge baked potatoes in Ireland that are yummy, too! Here I go making myself hungry again! Let me know if you decide to come our way this summer. We have season's passes, so maybe we can do a mini-meet. (I promise I won't take too much time out of your day!)

 

[RinkyTinkyTinky]

I guess that just means we'll have to go again, right?? This time I have a list for EPCOT-Le Cellier, Chefs de France, Coral Reef, Tutto Italia, plus my girls want to repeat Garden Grill. I am sure that all of those will not make the final list, but we are going for 10 days so you never know! I am thinking about getting a sitter for one night and going out with just my DH. Maybe we'll hit Le Cellier that night! (Although I was also thinking about Artist Point. So many decisions to make-and our 180 day mark is coming soon!)

I do the same thing with ADRs. I go over them and over them until my eyes cross. There is just too much to choose from. I really want to try Tutto next time as well. I love Italian food anyway. Le Cellier was really good last year. That would make a good date night. We've never eaten at Coral Reef either. That gets very mixed reviews so I've been putting it off. You'll have to let us know how it is if you go.


Oh, I think Italy is way better than the Festhaus, but that's just my opinion. We like the Smokehouse, too. They have huge baked potatoes in Ireland that are yummy, too! Here I go making myself hungry again! Let me know if you decide to come our way this summer. We have season's passes, so maybe we can do a mini-meet. (I promise I won't take too much time out of your day!)

I will for sure let you know if we decide to go. We are debating between Myrtle Beach and Williamsburg. Probably the cheaper one will win out this year. I haven't been to BG since DD was born though so I am ready to go back. When she was 3 we went to King's Dominion and had a good time. I went to both of those parks often as a child and I still enjoy them a lot. They just don't have many family rides like Disney does.

 

[stace208]

We live right near Busch Gardens in Williamsburg, VA, so we eat at the Germany section of their park often in the summer. Of course, when we eat there we usually get pizza, or occasionally a turkey sandwich!

LOL! We have seasons passes and eat in the Festhaus just about every time we are there!! Pizza and fries for us too--isn't that German food???

Maybe we could meet up some time this spring/summer.

Sorry, hijack over...back to your wonderful TR

 

[Lovemy3babes]

Wow, what a perfect ending to a perfect day! Biergarten looks good. Did your dd enjoy the food? Was anything too "exotic" for her? I love what you did with the picking of the pearls. The pendants you bought off of Ebay are beautiful and perfect!! I'm going to go look at them. And then an "almost private" Illuminations! Could your night have ended any better? Awesome update!!

 

[Tiggerrn2]

Loved the update!! And really loved your PAP idea! That was adorable.
I've not tried the Biergarten yet, either. Have to put that on my list of to-do's. I tried OHanas this year and that is a definate To Be Repeated! We also did LeCellier, Cape May Cafe, and Bomas. They were all good choices although only OHanas has me dying to go back. I liked the others and have eaten more than once at Cape May and Bomas. I found LeCellier a bit pricey (if I didn't have free dining) but the food was really good.

 

[RinkyTinkyTinky]

LOL! We have seasons passes and eat in the Festhaus just about every time we are there!! Pizza and fries for us too--isn't that German food???

Maybe we could meet up some time this spring/summer.

Sorry, hijack over...back to your wonderful TR

Hijack away! I don't mind. We love BG too and may be going there this summer. Still trying to figure out what we are going to do at this point.

Wow, what a perfect ending to a perfect day! Biergarten looks good. Did your dd enjoy the food? Was anything too "exotic" for her? I love what you did with the picking of the pearls. The pendants you bought off of Ebay are beautiful and perfect!! I'm going to go look at them. And then an "almost private" Illuminations! Could your night have ended any better? Awesome update!!

Yes it was another perfect day! It could not have been any better. Too bad everyday in life can't be like that!

Biergarten was wonderful. DD had plenty to eat. They didn't really have a kids section but there were lots of things like chicken, carrots, potatoes, bread, salad, soup, etc. that she liked. Then they had "sausages" that were basically hot dogs and bologna. There was plenty for her not to mention the dessert buffet. She is not extremely picky though. The only food that I would say was not "American" tasting were the pickled items. It was really just a hearty meat and potatoes type meal. Very good!

 

[RinkyTinkyTinky]

Loved the update!! And really loved your PAP idea! That was adorable.
I've not tried the Biergarten yet, either. Have to put that on my list of to-do's. I tried OHanas this year and that is a definate To Be Repeated! We also did LeCellier, Cape May Cafe, and Bomas. They were all good choices although only OHanas has me dying to go back. I liked the others and have eaten more than once at Cape May and Bomas. I found LeCellier a bit pricey (if I didn't have free dining) but the food was really good.

Thank you. It wasn't my idea though. I found the necklace on a PAP thread here on the DIS.

Ohana's is our number one favorite without a doubt!!! We have decided to eat there twice a trip from now on! You are right, it's awesome! I totally agree with you on all the other places. They are all good but only Ohana's rocked my world!

 

[Momof2Disneyboys]

Hello there. I'm a little late to the party!

I just found your TR. We were at Disney the same time as you!! Our dates were November 7-15. It was an awesome week, wasn't it?! We loved it so much that we booked the same week for this year!! I just finished up my TR not too long ago.

I'm so sorry about your health issues last summer. It sounds like you have a wonderful and supportive DH. And your DD is so cute! I love your family picture on the hammock at the GF!

I'm so glad you conquered your fear of flying!

We were at Epcot on Nov 7th too. We didn't arrive at WDW until the afternoon though and it was evening before we got to Epcot.

The pirates & pals cruise looks like so much fun. How cool that Hook picked your DD out of all the kids!

We were also at AK on our second day - Nov 8th. I keep thinking I am going to see my family in your pictures! I'm sorry you and your DD didn't like Dinosaur. I'm the only one in our family that likes that ride!

Sounds like you had an awesome low crowds day at MK on Tues the 10th. We were at DHS that day and it was awesome too. We went to MK on Wed the 11th -- and you guessed it, awesome low crowds!!

Looks like your Epcot day was a blast. I've always wanted to see the Chinese Acrobats, but have never timed it right. Maybe next time!


Excited to read about the rest of your adventure!

 

[Charleston Princess]

The pick-a-pearl would be a great thing to do for Chelsea's birthday. It really is great fun and makes a very, very special souvenir. I think she would love doing it. And what teenager doesn't like one of a kind jewelry. Her little copycat friend from Halloween with be out of luck!

Chelsea did the pearl in 2008, and then, she had it set in 2008. I do think we need pearls for Cinderella coach necklaces though -- that would be a great keepsake from her birthday trip, and you are so right about the copycat friend.

 

[DisneyJo]

Those pearl carriages are so cute and what a fun surprise for your DD

Wow I can't believe Epcot was so empty, how amazing

 

[RinkyTinkyTinky]

Hello there. I'm a little late to the party!

I just found your TR. We were at Disney the same time as you!! Our dates were November 7-15. It was an awesome week, wasn't it?! We loved it so much that we booked the same week for this year!! I just finished up my TR not too long ago.

Well hello and You're not too late! There's plenty of party left. So glad you came over. Sorry I missed your TR! I have several subscriptions and this TR of my own so I've been pretty busy on the DIS lately. I have added your report to my favorites and I will be reading on it when I can. Can't wait to see what your week was like! How fun to be there at the same time!

I'm so sorry about your health issues last summer. It sounds like you have a wonderful and supportive DH. And your DD is so cute! I love your family picture on the hammock at the GF!

Thank you. Honestly, I had been so sick for months and I was just relieved to get it over with and get healthy again. I've just accepted that God's plan is always the best one even if it doesn't seem to make sense to us at the time. And my DH is wonderful. He was so good to me through all of it and really stepped up and took care of everything that I wasn't able to do. I am a very blessed girl!

I'm so glad you conquered your fear of flying!

Me too! I didn't feel that way at the time, but I am glad now that I did it.

We were at Epcot on Nov 7th too. We didn't arrive at WDW until the afternoon though and it was evening before we got to Epcot.

The pirates & pals cruise looks like so much fun. How cool that Hook picked your DD out of all the kids!

It is awesome! A must do for anyone with kids or not!

We were also at AK on our second day - Nov 8th. I keep thinking I am going to see my family in your pictures! I'm sorry you and your DD didn't like Dinosaur. I'm the only one in our family that likes that ride!

Keep looking at those pictures! I'd love to know if you see yourself in any of them!

Wow! Another person who like Dinosaur! I am such a chicken! I am one of the few Dissers here that was terrified by it!

Sounds like you had an awesome low crowds day at MK on Tues the 10th. We were at DHS that day and it was awesome too. We went to MK on Wed the 11th -- and you guessed it, awesome low crowds!!

Wasn't it great! It was like a dream. I just kept thinking that the crowds would roll in any minute.

Looks like your Epcot day was a blast. I've always wanted to see the Chinese Acrobats, but have never timed it right. Maybe next time!

You should put it on your priority list. It is such a great show. You will be amazed at what those kids can do. WS has some great talent!


Excited to read about the rest of your adventure! Please do stick around. More to come soon!

Replies in blue.

Chelsea did the pearl in 2008, and then, she had it set in 2008. I do think we need pearls for Cinderella coach necklaces though -- that would be a great keepsake from her birthday trip, and you are so right about the copycat friend.

Absolutely! Go for it. I think she will love the carriage pendant. What Disney loving girl wouldn't? She is going to have an awesome birthday. What a special treat. I would love to spend my next birthday in the world!

 

[RinkyTinkyTinky]

Those pearl carriages are so cute and what a fun surprise for your DD

Wow I can't believe Epcot was so empty, how amazing

It is hard to believe isn't it? I have never seen it like that. We loved it.

The PAP was so much fun. I really, really enjoyed it. I liked it so much that I would do it again!

 

[Stasieki]

What an end to a fantastic day. Love the pick a pearl idea with the carriage. That was so special of you to do. Let's see.... this was our AK day and we watched Illuminations from our balcony at Bonnet Creek (if this was Wednesday - I think it was).

 

[Ellester]

More great installments! I'll have to ponder about the pick-a-pearl. Bringing your own setting was genius! It's amazing how empty it was! My girls liked the KP mission, but we didn't have a little "helper" along! They did fight about who got to hold the Kimmunicator though. I love your dh's hat! Makes him easy to spot in the pictures!

Biergarten was wonderful. DD had plenty to eat. They didn't really have a kids section but there were lots of things like chicken, carrots, potatoes, bread, salad, soup, etc. that she liked. Then they had "sausages" that were basically hot dogs and bologna. There was plenty for her not to mention the dessert buffet. She is not extremely picky though. The only food that I would say was not "American" tasting were the pickled items. It was really just a hearty meat and potatoes type meal. Very good!

My mom and dh both love the Biergarten. I like it too, but they ALWAYS want to go there on a trip. We usually go for lunch and they've had a kids section on the buffet with chicken fingers and mac-n-cheese. The kids usually like the roasted chicken and potatoes, the spaetzle, and some of the sausages. They also have some pretzel bread they really like. My kids are pretty picky but they've always liked the Biergarten's food. They like the music too, especially my little guy.

Looking forward to reading more!

 

[ladybugmom]

Your girls would love the PAP, especially your older DD. And it make such a great souvenir. The pendants actually come with a chain but there isn't much to it, if you know what I mean. The close up of DD wearing hers show the necklace that come with it. I'm letting her just wear that for now since she is only five. When she is older, she can have a nicer chain. The extra pictures that I posted shows the necklace that I am using on mine. It was just a chain that I already had. Any thin, basic silver chain will work. Even a thin Omega will fit through. You can find a plain silver chain just about anywhere. Even Target, Walmart, etc. sells them at a very reasonable price.

Thank you!! I just ordered 3!!! I'm planning on giving it to Ally as a Kindergarten graduation gift (we leave for WDW the day after she gets out of school)! Should I give her the empty carriage the day of her graduation? Or should I wait until we get there? We won't go to Epcot until the Wed. we are there.

 

[RinkyTinkyTinky]

What an end to a fantastic day. Love the pick a pearl idea with the carriage. That was so special of you to do. Let's see.... this was our AK day and we watched Illuminations from our balcony at Bonnet Creek (if this was Wednesday - I think it was).

It was Wednesday. Maybe we will will run into each other before this is over! We were in the Tink store for sure on Friday b/c I just looked at the pictures. Not sure if you were in there that day or not. It will be interesting to see if we cross paths!

More great installments! I'll have to ponder about the pick-a-pearl. Bringing your own setting was genius! It's amazing how empty it was! My girls liked the KP mission, but we didn't have a little "helper" along! They did fight about who got to hold the Kimmunicator though. I love your dh's hat! Makes him easy to spot in the pictures!

No way was I paying the prices they had for settings so I HAD to bring my own! But I liked the one on ebay better than anything they had anyway.

I can see how they would fight over the phone. They should come up with a way to run two phones at the same time.

My DH is a NUT! I think he wore that hat for the rest of the trip just to annoy me!


My mom and dh both love the Biergarten. I like it too, but they ALWAYS want to go there on a trip. We usually go for lunch and they've had a kids section on the buffet with chicken fingers and mac-n-cheese. The kids usually like the roasted chicken and potatoes, the spaetzle, and some of the sausages. They also have some pretzel bread they really like. My kids are pretty picky but they've always liked the Biergarten's food. They like the music too, especially my little guy.

I guess they did have a kid's section then. I don't remember it though. But I think almost all the food there is kid friendly. (and adult friendly )

Looking forward to reading more!

Replies in red.

 

[RinkyTinkyTinky]

Thank you!! I just ordered 3!!! I'm planning on giving it to Ally as a Kindergarten graduation gift (we leave for WDW the day after she gets out of school)! Should I give her the empty carriage the day of her graduation? Or should I wait until we get there? We won't go to Epcot until the Wed. we are there.

You are welcome. I hope you like them. I know your girls will. I'm not sure which way I would go. She would probably like the necklace right out of the box so you could give it to her for graduation and then take it with you to WDW and add the pearl. I guess I would do it that way so I would get two special moments out of it!