This is the last trip the 4 of us ever take to WDW. Nov 2-12 *FinalUpdate 3/19* Pg.59

[that's nice]

Wow, thanks. Next time make it a virtual Dole Whip.

Ok... I'll keep that in mind.

Not bad, but I think my Buzz picture was still worse.

Stop taking Buzzed pictures then.

Oh, sure, you're allowed to call him cute.

Well, he is my kid. Feel free to take him for a weekend. I'm curious if you'd still call him cute.

AWESOME picture.

Thanks!

Boys like big booms.

....and big.........

Fulfilling DISDad ManLaws.

I always stand on the bus. We'll see how that goes in 2 weeks though trying to hold the baby and the craz... errrr I mean cute boy.

to Juliana for being Brave and riding SM TWICE!!! maybe it was her Merida costume that made her "Brave"r !!!

Maybe it did!

LOVE the Wishes photos, especially the one with the Walt & Mickey in it, so cool...going to make a note to take one like that!

If you don't get it let me know. I'll email it to you and you can tell all your friends you took it.

good call not leaving the park at the end of Wishes....such a funny photo of Mel and the kids asleep on the bus!

She may or may not have been sleeping.

Now that how to do a park. Either being passed out or slap happy when you leave. I would get slap happy and when I stayed at pop, it would be the best music so I would hum along.

I agree... but we are commandos. Well, we were commandos. I doubt we will be touring like that in a few weeks.

We love POP too.... I think I might miss it a bit.

You got some great shots of the fireworks. Love the partners statue in front of the castle.

Thanks Pat!

 

[that's nice]

I think you can do it

Not gonna happen.

Yeaaaa, it typically doesn't stop the BBB thing though. Mackie wasn't so much into them the trip before last, but she certainly wanted to do BBB.

I'm sure when her little sister gets to do it she will want to as well.

We actually did, quite a few to be in fact.

One of these days I'll catch up over there.

She certainly does! I take it back, she has no moves from her dad at all. Not once did I see her spank herself with a whip.

Glad someone else that reads this thread missed that reference. I wouldn't want that picture to pop back up and scare the few readers I have left away!

Not sure what is more exciting... riding twice in 15 minutes or the fact that Juliana enjoyed it!!!

Me either.

I don't think we've ever had a good fireworks picture. But we really never try. Always just standing there awestruck.

You can just steal some from some place called the internet.

I know everyone was tired, but that was probably a good idea. If you'd tried to leave right after Wishes, you'd probably still be waiting for a bus at that point in the night anyway.

Probably would of took us 10-15 minutes just to get to the bus. It was the smart move.... even with kids who were shot.

Cute pics!

Why thank you!

I love this pic. Christopher is to cute

That is a favorite of mine too.

Well done Juliana for going on Space Mountain (i'm still not ever going on it)

Love that castle at Christmas time. Has to be the most amazing sight in the world

It is so awesome to be there in front of it.

 

[that's nice]

Love the pictures with Buzz. That certainly is a different boy since dining at Chef Mickey's.

He was a natural by this day. He took a 180 degree turn.

Way to go, Princess Ana!

So glad that she loved it and did it again with her daddy.

She had to do it with me.... her mom had a bun in the oven.

Great pictures of the fireworks, especially one-handed.

... and for my next trick.....

Always a good idea to try to hit an attraction or two and let the main group get out first.

even with 2 tired and cranky kids.

Poor Mel...she had both kids and all three of them knocked off.

Well, I think at least one of them was knocked out....

 

[that's nice]

I had a decent sleep and woke up early. It was already Wednesday. I hadn't run since the Gingerbread Run the previous Saturday. I threw on the kicks and went outside. There was no fog this morning. It was perfect out.



I started on my run and it was really great. The path around the lake is just about a mile. Somehow my GPS showed me running one lap through the lake instead of around it. I'm pretty sure I didn't run though the lake.



It felt good to run and I had another run coming up in a few days I had to be ready for. Anyway, I got back to the room and everyone was up and ready to go grab breakfast. We headed over to El Centro- we were eating at the Pepper Market.



Breakfast had changed to a buffet since the last time we were here (and has since changed back to ala cart ordering).

A little silly dancing before breakfast.





The buffet cost $15 for an adult and I believe it was $8 for kids, which I felt was a good deal. The food quality was great. There was bacon, a made-to-order omelet station, fruit, bacon, Mickey waffles, bacon, pastries, bacon, and many other breakfast items. I did take a pic of my plate because I actually made it look semi-neat.



While we were eating, a guy that was sitting next to us thought it was a good idea to slide Christopher's high chair in so he could get by. Instead of asking us to move it he just pushed it in. His fingers got pinched in-between the chair and the table. He said something to the effect of 'Did I do that?' So then he tried to make small talk with Christopher while he is screaming his head off. I just don't understand why he just didn't ask us to move his chair. Christopher was fine after a few minutes but Melody & I were a little annoyed.

After breakfast we took a little walk. See, told you Christopher was fine.













My mom left us for the afternoon to hang out with a one of her friends who had just moved to Orlando. And we were heading off property ourselves to spend the day with Melody's cousin and family who were in the process of moving. We also got to see their new baby who was only 1 week old. The kids all get along very well with each other but do you know how hard it is to get 6 kids together for a picture? Christopher was not happy.



We spent the day at their house trying to help out. After dinner we headed back to CSR.





Up Next... when a non park day=a park night

 

[jenseib]

Oh thats awful. I hate when people do things like that without thinking or asking. Poor Christopher!
That group shot is pretty funny. I have issues doing that with just my 3 kids. I was just thinking the other day I would like to get an updated shot of the 3 together, but I know it wil lbe hard to get everyone in one spot to do it first and then to get them to smile and look at me. It shounds like a headache waiting to happen.

 

[Captain_Oblivious]

I started on my run and it was really great. The path around the lake is just about a mile. Somehow my GPS showed me running one lap through the lake instead of around it. I'm pretty sure I didn't run though the lake.

I think you probably would have noticed.

It felt good to run

Sorry, I've never seen that sentence before.

A little silly dancing before breakfast.

What a monster!!

While we were eating, a guy that was sitting next to us thought it was a good idea to slide Christopher's high chair in so he could get by. Instead of asking us to move it he just pushed it in. His fingers got pinched in-between the chair and the table. He said something to the effect of 'Did I do that?' So then he tried to make small talk with Christopher while he is screaming his head off. I just don't understand why he just didn't ask us to move his chair. Christopher was fine after a few minutes but Melody & I were a little annoyed.

Then you upended his tray, sending it scattering all over the floor, and asked, "Oops. Did I do that?"

The kids all get along very well with each other but do you know how hard it is to get 6 kids together for a picture?

 

[petals]

Poor little man gettign his fingers pinched. People can be idiots sometimes

 

[KatMark]

I had a decent sleep and woke up early. It was already Wednesday. I hadn't run since the Gingerbread Run the previous Saturday. I threw on the kicks and went outside. There was no fog this morning. It was perfect out.



I started on my run and it was really great. The path around the lake is just about a mile. Somehow my GPS showed me running one lap through the lake instead of around it. I'm pretty sure I didn't run though the lake.



Good job, Tim. And better you than me. I don't run for anything or anyone these days.

It felt good to run and I had another run coming up in a few days I had to be ready for. Anyway, I got back to the room and everyone was up and ready to go grab breakfast. We headed over to El Centro- we were eating at the Pepper Market.



Breakfast had changed to a buffet since the last time we were here (and has since changed back to ala cart ordering).

A little silly dancing before breakfast.



Oh my, I so needed some cheering up, and this did the trick. I've said it before and I'll say it again...he is just too darn cute. Watch out girls when this one grows up!



The buffet cost $15 for an adult and I believe it was $8 for kids, which I felt was a good deal. The food quality was great. There was bacon, a made-to-order omelet station, fruit, bacon, Mickey waffles, bacon, pastries, bacon, and many other breakfast items. I did take a pic of my plate because I actually made it look semi-neat.

That is a great price; and are you sure they had bacon?



that's nice!

While we were eating, a guy that was sitting next to us thought it was a good idea to slide Christopher's high chair in so he could get by. Instead of asking us to move it he just pushed it in. His fingers got pinched in-between the chair and the table. He said something to the effect of 'Did I do that?' So then he tried to make small talk with Christopher while he is screaming his head off. I just don't understand why he just didn't ask us to move his chair. Christopher was fine after a few minutes but Melody & I were a little annoyed.

I would have been ticked off and I would have given him a piece of my mind. Go around you lazy you know what!

After breakfast we took a little walk. See, told you Christopher was fine.



Yes he was!











You should have gotten a picture of Ana in the hammock to compare to when we named her the CSR Poster Girl!

My mom left us for the afternoon to hang out with a one of her friends who had just moved to Orlando. And we were heading off property ourselves to spend the day with Melody's cousin and family who were in the process of moving. We also got to see their new baby who was only 1 week old. The kids all get along very well with each other but do you know how hard it is to get 6 kids together for a picture? Christopher was not happy.



Definitely not happy.

We spent the day at their house trying to help out. After dinner we headed back to CSR.





Up Next... when a non park day=a park night

Hmmmm...I never thought to convince hubby to do that. I'll have to work on it.

 

[mommy2mrb]

about your running over water, that would be a neat trick

poor Christopher, people just don't think! one thing don't touch other people's kids happy his fingers weren't hurt!

love the fun photos of the kids! great you were able to see Mel's family and help them out a bit!

 

[afwdwfan]

I started on my run and it was really great. The path around the lake is just about a mile. Somehow my GPS showed me running one lap through the lake instead of around it. I'm pretty sure I didn't run though the lake.

I hope you can swim faster than that alligator we saw sunning itself on the banks a few weeks after you were there...

While we were eating, a guy that was sitting next to us thought it was a good idea to slide Christopher's high chair in so he could get by. Instead of asking us to move it he just pushed it in. His fingers got pinched in-between the chair and the table. He said something to the effect of 'Did I do that?' So then he tried to make small talk with Christopher while he is screaming his head off. I just don't understand why he just didn't ask us to move his chair. Christopher was fine after a few minutes but Melody & I were a little annoyed.

Should have got up and shoved his chair in as you walked by.

The kids all get along very well with each other but do you know how hard it is to get 6 kids together for a picture? Christopher was not happy.

Well, like you said... 6 kids. You know at least 1 or 2 of them are going to be that way.

Sorry, I've never seen that sentence before.

It is kind of starting to feel like one of those "spot the lie" TR games or something.

Then you upended his tray, sending it scattering all over the floor, and asked, "Oops. Did I do that?"

I would approve of that!

 

[that's nice]

Oh thats awful. I hate when people do things like that without thinking or asking. Poor Christopher!

IT was weird because he had a family of his own. Wonder if he would of liked me pushing his kids around?

That group shot is pretty funny. I have issues doing that with just my 3 kids. I was just thinking the other day I would like to get an updated shot of the 3 together, but I know it wil lbe hard to get everyone in one spot to do it first and then to get them to smile and look at me. It shounds like a headache waiting to happen.

Oh yea. We try to get our 3 together for a picture and it never turns out well.

I think you probably would have noticed.

I was soaked when I showed up to the room.

Sorry, I've never seen that sentence before.

Take a screen shot of it. It will last longer that way.

What a monster!!

A cute monster?

Then you upended his tray, sending it scattering all over the floor, and asked, "Oops. Did I do that?"

Mel was more pissed than I was. Imagine if you read about a mom from CT getting arrested at the Pepper Market in Nov 2012?

Poor little man gettign his fingers pinched. People can be idiots sometimes

It would of taken a second to ask me to move him.

 

[that's nice]

Good job, Tim. And better you than me. I don't run for anything or anyone these days.

I'm sure you'd run to Starbucks if the situation called for it.

Oh my, I so needed some cheering up, and this did the trick. I've said it before and I'll say it again...he is just too darn cute. Watch out girls when this one grows up!

Awwwww shucks!

That is a great price; and are you sure they had bacon?

Yea, piles of it. Cooked to perfection too!

I would have been ticked off and I would have given him a piece of my mind. Go around you lazy you know what!

You should have gotten a picture of Ana in the hammock to compare to when we named her the CSR Poster Girl!

There is a picture of her in a hammock from earlier in the report but not that same hammock or same angle. I need to take that pic if we ever get back there.

Hmmmm...I never thought to convince hubby to do that. I'll have to work on it.

I'm sure it wouldn't take too much convincing.

about your running over water, that would be a neat trick

If I could people would be reading about me in a book 2000 years from now.

poor Christopher, people just don't think! one thing don't touch other people's kids happy his fingers weren't hurt!

I would never touch someone's kids.... well there was that time I saved a kid while he was getting run over by a ECV in MK.

love the fun photos of the kids! great you were able to see Mel's family and help them out a bit!

Even though they were busy it was fun hanging out for the day.

I hope you can swim faster than that alligator we saw sunning itself on the banks a few weeks after you were there...

We looked almost everyday for him and never saw him.

Should have got up and shoved his chair in as you walked by.

Boy, you guys wanted a better ending to that story didn't you?

Well, like you said... 6 kids. You know at least 1 or 2 of them are going to be that way.

I guess you're right... they all could of been like that.

It is kind of starting to feel like one of those "spot the lie" TR games or something.

I bet Melody wishes that was a lie.

 

[that's nice]

We had spent the day with Melody's cousin and family and arrived back at CSR. We got the kids showered and ready for bed. My mom volunteered to watch the kids so Melody & I could have some 'alone' time. We weren't gonna pass this up so we got dressed ourselves. We were going to MK. Why? Because Disney totally over estimated the response to the 'New' Fantasyland opening and changed the park hours to a 12am closing... all week!

We hopped the first bus we saw... heading to Epcot.



We got on the monorail just as Illuminations was started and we got to see some fireworks from the train. Although it probably took a few extra minutes to get to MK this way, we were just enjoying our time 'alone'.

What is the first stop when we arrived you ask? How about a gift shop.



They had more Christmas decorations up...





This was the only time the entire trip I wore jeans... it was a little chilly that night. (I'm sure Melody was freezing)

While Main Street was pretty busy with people leaving, the rest of the park was empty. Melody & I rode Pirates in a boat by ourselves. I don't think we saw anyone on the ride...





Off to the Haunted Mansion...





It was weird being without the kids in the park.

The Beasts castle...



Be Our Guest was closed for food but it was open to walk through to take a look at...











The restaurant looked very elegant. I hope we have a chance to try it out in the future.

We also had a chance to check out Dumbo. The play area was closed but we got to take a peek.







We rode Dumbo and there might of been 1 or 2 other people on it...





Continued next post......

 

[that's nice]

We rode 2 times on Dumbo without even getting off. I've never seen the parks like this. Back in 2008, we took our first trip to Disney. We did no planning, no ADRs, no research, and the trip was awesome. We scored a few walk up reservations and the crowds were very slow. But our 2008 trip didn't even compare to this. I almost felt bad for the CMs.

We walked over to Storybook Circus....



There was nobody in the tent. The characters and the CMs didn't know what to do with themselves. I feel like they were relieved to see us. LOL

Donald showing me love.... (you don't know this handshake? You better ax somebody)



Donald showing Melody love... (wait a min!)





Goofy...



I had a chance to dance with Minnie...









Daisy read my palm and told me she saw lots of money in my future....



Then she read Melody's palm and told her... ummmm.... something?





We had a really fun time meeting the characters- though it did feel a little odd without the kids.

Dump shop time!



I could of bought one of each item is this case....



But we only bought a few treats. (of course we bought something for the kids)





It was getting late- almost 11:30 and Melody was getting tired. We started walking out and had to take a picture of NOTHING...



I knew I needed this pic to show you guys there was no one around.

We had a great few hours away.....



We needed to get to bed. If only we knew the mayhem we would be dealing with on Thursday.



Up next.... the last line says it all.

 

[KatMark]

Tim, what a fun update. How nice of your mom to stay with the kids so you and Mel could have a little alone time.

I don't think I've ever seen the park look that empty at night. And you were able to get quite a bit done.

As the kids grow older and you find yourselves taking "adult" trips, you'll see that you can have just as much fun with the characters without the kids as you can with the kids.

Mel looks so happy and she already had a glow about her.

 

[Captain_Oblivious]

We had spent the day with Melody's cousin and family and arrived back at CSR. We got the kids showered and ready for bed. My mom volunteered to watch the kids so Melody & I could have some 'alone' time. We weren't gonna pass this up

You can never pass up an opportunity like that!

We got on the monorail just as Illuminations was started and we got to see some fireworks from the train. Although it probably took a few extra minutes to get to MK this way, we were just enjoying our time 'alone'.

Nothing wrong with that. I've taken the Epcot monorail for a spin at night before, just to the park lit up from above.

They had more Christmas decorations up...

Melody & I rode Pirates in a boat by ourselves. I don't think we saw anyone on the ride...

Most people would kill to have the park all to themselves like that!

The restaurant looked very elegant. I hope we have a chance to try it out in the future.

I'm sure we'll be able to get a reservation...in 2029 or so.

There was nobody in the tent. The characters and the CMs didn't know what to do with themselves. I feel like they were relieved to see us. LOL

Darn, five more minutes and you probably would have caught them switching the heads on the character costumes.

Daisy read my palm and told me she saw lots of money in my future....

Then she read Melody's palm and told her... ummmm.... something?

"You're going to take all of Tim's money and spend it in the gift shop."

 

[mommy2mrb]

yay for a date night! sweet your mom watched the kids! wow how cool to have an almost empty park! looks like you too had a blast with the characters!

 

[that's nice]

Tim, what a fun update. How nice of your mom to stay with the kids so you and Mel could have a little alone time.

She volunteered pretty quickly when she realized the kids would be passed out.

I don't think I've ever seen the park look that empty at night. And you were able to get quite a bit done.

We were in the park for 2 hours. It was totally worth it.

As the kids grow older and you find yourselves taking "adult" trips, you'll see that you can have just as much fun with the characters without the kids as you can with the kids.

Or with hats......

Mel looks so happy and she already had a glow about her.

Do you realize that next week will be the first time she WASN'T pregnant while at Disney since 2009?

You can never pass up an opportunity like that!

No you can't... and it was sooo worth it!

Nothing wrong with that. I've taken the Epcot monorail for a spin at night before, just to the park lit up from above.

And all this time I thought we were the only ones to take monorail rides for no reason.

Most people would kill to have the park all to themselves like that!

Or pay lots of money.

I'm sure we'll be able to get a reservation...in 2029 or so.

Or at least 180 +10 days out.

Darn, five more minutes and you probably would have caught them switching the heads on the character costumes.

Dang. You're right. We should of spied on them.

"You're going to take all of Tim's money and spend it in the gift shop."

That does ring a bell. Were you there?

yay for a date night! sweet your mom watched the kids! wow how cool to have an almost empty park! looks like you too had a blast with the characters!

Hopefully you guys will have a night like this in 30 or so days!!!!

 

[afwdwfan]

My mom volunteered to watch the kids so Melody & I could have some 'alone' time.

Thank goodness for grandparents!

We got on the monorail just as Illuminations was started and we got to see some fireworks from the train. Although it probably took a few extra minutes to get to MK this way, we were just enjoying our time 'alone'.

Riding the monorail through EPCOT is basically a must do attraction for me. Well worth a few minutes extra.

We rode 2 times on Dumbo without even getting off. I've never seen the parks like this. Back in 2008, we took our first trip to Disney. We did no planning, no ADRs, no research, and the trip was awesome. We scored a few walk up reservations and the crowds were very slow. But our 2008 trip didn't even compare to this. I almost felt bad for the CMs.

This is my favorite thing about going during the off season. If you can go to MK for an evening EMH or a late night like that, it is an entirely different experience. It is so much fun to just walk around and literally do whatever you want without having to wait in a line.

Then she read Melody's palm and told her... ummmm.... something?

Maybe that she was going to have a beautiful, healthy baby girl?

We had a really fun time meeting the characters- though it did feel a little odd without the kids.

It sure didn't look like it felt a little odd in your pictures.

I could of bought one of each item is this case....



But we only bought a few treats.

Oh, come on! Daisy just said you're going to be rolling in the dough. Spend some!

It was getting late- almost 11:30 and Melody was getting tired. We started walking out and had to take a picture of NOTHING...

A beautiful sight.

We needed to get to bed. If only we knew the mayhem we would be dealing with on Thursday.



Up next.... the last line says it all.

Uh oh...

 

[mommy2mrb]

Hopefully you guys will have a night like this in 30 or so days!!!!

I don't think we will have that quiet of a park, thanks for the though! can't wait to get there and see all the decorations, see DIS Friends and meet new DIS friends!