This is your 24th Anniversary? But you're so young!~A 5/12 TR!*PTR link pg 49, 9/14!*

[Disney Freebird]

Enjoying your trip report. I read 1/2 of it last night and got up and read the other 1/2 this morning. Now I'm anxiously awaiting the rest of it.

It got me motivated to start writing my own trip report of our family trip from last August - not to post online, but to keep as a journal/scrapbook for myself, just to make sure I remember the details of the trip. (It's a good thing I have the pictures to guide me because I've already forgotten a lot of the details.) So, I'm journaling, inserting pictures where approprate, and after I print it out, I'll adhere the sheets to Disney scrapbook paper, add stickers and souveniers from the trip (tickets, etc.) to pretty it up, then insert the sheets into a scrapbook. I'm very excited about this "obvious" idea that I didn't think of before.

I'm from New England too, so.... Go Sox! Um, well, maybe next year.

 

[Nermel9]

wow!!! congrats on the 9lb weight loss!!! That's SO great! I started training for my May 5th 5K last Nobember and by the time the race came around I had only lost 6LB. Which I unfortunately have now gained back I should look into a gym membership - Do you go to a gym?

Sprite and choc ice cream is an odd float combo. LOL I will have to try it sometime though cuz you just never know

That toffee cake looked SO AMAZING!!!! I've never heard of it but would LOVe to try it some day!

Thanks! Saturday is my weigh in day, but I cheated and weighed myself this morning, and wasn't happy with the results, so I'm hoping another day or exercise makes my scale move in the right direction tomorrow morning! I don't go to the gym, but I might consider it in the winter...I don't know, I just hate working out in front of people.

Haha, yeah, I guess it is weird to people that have never tried it, but to me, it's just so good!

The toffee cake is really good! If you ever go to LTT, make sure you go for lunch so you can give it a try!

Enjoying your trip report. I read 1/2 of it last night and got up and read the other 1/2 this morning. Now I'm anxiously awaiting the rest of it.

It got me motivated to start writing my own trip report of our family trip from last August - not to post online, but to keep as a journal/scrapbook for myself, just to make sure I remember the details of the trip. (It's a good thing I have the pictures to guide me because I've already forgotten a lot of the details.) So, I'm journaling, inserting pictures where approprate, and after I print it out, I'll adhere the sheets to Disney scrapbook paper, add stickers and souveniers from the trip (tickets, etc.) to pretty it up, then insert the sheets into a scrapbook. I'm very excited about this "obvious" idea that I didn't think of before.

I'm from New England too, so.... Go Sox! Um, well, maybe next year.

Thank you! Journaling and making a scrapbook to remember your trip is a great idea! I wish I knew how to scrapbook, I tried to make one for my Disneymoon and it was a disaster...I need to take a class someday, because I have no idea what all of the tools do and how to create pages that are cute and stuff!

Ugh...the Sox are so depressing this year. I think they've pretty much mailed it in for the rest of this season. I had hope last night when they kept tying the game, but of course, they end up losing. Oh well. They need some HUGE changes this off-season. I want Josh Beckett gone. I can't believe I'm saying that, because I was such a Josh Beckett fan, but now...I'm done with him!

(Sorry for my Sox rant, but they aggravate me! Me and every other fan in RSN I guess! )

 

[Nermel9]

The One With the Rainbow!​

Tuesday May 8, Part 3

As soon as we got back to the Beach Club, we changed into our bathing suits and headed down to Stormalong Bay. This is the first time in a couple of trips that we've actually used the pool at our resort more than once! We just never seem to have time to fit it in, but since we were at the Beach Club with this amazing pool, we made the time on this trip! This is also one of the first times that we didn't nap or rest between parks in the afternoon! I know, it doesn't sound like a big deal, but to us, it was kind of a foreign concept!

Here is my one picture that I took the entire trip of SAB:

Sorry for the lack of pictures, I just never wanted to bring my camera or phone down to the pool! But Brandon can't go anywhere without his phone, so I tried taking a few pictures with that, but this was the only good one!

After an hour or so, we went back up to the room, showered and got ready to go to Epcot. While Brandon was in the shower, I called the number on the Bounceback flyer, just to price out a few options for a potential November trip...when Brandon got out, I asked the CM to hold on and told him and few, and he said "ok, book it!" Woo hoo!!! I can't believe he agreed! (Of course, I had to go mess with things when Free Dining came out, and change our resort, and Brandon got mad and said he wanted to stay where I originally booked us, so now I'm waiting really impatiently for a GP discount for November! You guys will hear all about this in the PTR though!)

We walked over to Epcot around 6 and went straight to the front of the park. Why we did this, I don't know, I think I wanted PP pics in front of Spaceship Earth. Which is weird, because I don't actually have any PP pics, just ones that we had taken with our camera...

As usual, Brandon looks like he is hating every second he is in Disney World!

We didn't have anything else to do in the front of Epcot, I took a few more pictures of the topiaries, I took pictures with Caitlin's Flat Stanley, and we moved on to the World Showcase. We were starving and we didn't have an ADR for that evening, so we were planning to just eat at one of the CS places. The first place we saw was La Cantina de San Angel, so we figured, why not?

Brandon went to order and I had to stalk tables, it was really busy, and as usual, all of the tables were full, but luckily, I managed to snag us one somehow. It took forever for Brandon to come back, it was so busy and chaotic! I got nachos and Brandon got empanadas:

Both were very good, but I can't see going back there unless it is less busy, I felt so cramped and rushed in there, because people were table stalking so much that you actually kind of felt bad for sitting there, eating! Just like we did at the fish and chips place, we saw a dad with his kids looking for a table, so we kind of signaled to him to grab ours since we were leaving. I love the CS places in Epcot, but they should really make more seating available for the more popular places!

We left Mexico and made our way over to Norway, and found that Maelstrom only had a 10 minute wait, so of course, we had to go on that!

I love this ride, I know it's kind of simple and, well, cheesy, but it's one of my favorites!

When we got back outside, we saw that it just rained a little, and that the sun was going down, and the sunset was absolutely beautiful! So I went a little crazy with pictures, because the World Showcase and the lagoon were just glowing because of this gorgeous sunset!

I turned around for a minute, because I wanted a picture of this:

and then looked up at the sky and saw it-A RAINBOW! AHHHHH!!!

A rainbow in DISNEY WORLD!!!! Can you think of anything more perfect and more magical? I started having a nervous breakdown over this rainbow over Norway and taking a million pictures, and everyone around me was doing the same, it was such a great moment! And while I did take a million pictures of the rainbow, none of them are very good, except this one:

Isn't it amazing??? It was only there for a few minutes, but I did not move from that spot until it was gone! The sky was so crazy that night, there were clouds over Norway, yet blue skies over the lagoon!

We started walking finally, but I kept stopping to take pictures of the sky! I just couldn't help it-if you looked one way you saw this:

but if you looked in the direction of Canada/Future World, you saw this:

It was still daytime in one country, but dusk in another! Another reason why Epcot is my favorite park, where else can you see such an absolutely BEAUTIFUL sunset like that?

We didn't have any plans for this evening, all we wanted to do was hang out and walk around the World Showcase and see Illuminations later. We got to Germany, where I had to stop to get some dessert, since I skipped it at La Cantina...why get churros when you can get caramel?

I never know what to get when I go in there, I get so overwhelmed, so I just got a chocolate caramel covered pretzel rod, which I didn't even take a picture of because I devoured it!

They sky was still unbelievably beautiful, and I think it started to rain a little as we walked away from Germany, but it didn't last long at all.

It was only sprinkling, but we didn't feel like getting wet, so we ducked into Morocco for a little while to escape the rain...which isn't really the best place to do that, since a lot of Morocco is open and you will get wet anyway! It didn't matter though, the rain stopped and we love Morocco so we looked around for a little while...

Continued in Next Post​

 

[Mrs T 2009]

I love Maelstrom!!!
Karmel Kuche is a delicious place!!! I can never decide what I want there!!!

I can not wait till you start your PTR! excited!!!

 

[Nermel9]

The One With Illuminations!​

Tuesday May 8, Part 4

Continued from previous update​

Morocco is one of the most beautiful pavilions in Epcot, I could spend hours in there! There is so much to look at, and it's so colorful and pretty!

When we left Morocco it was getting dark, and I wanted to get a good spot for Illuminations. We saw it the first night, but I didn't have the best viewing location, so I wanted to grab a great spot. I was hoping for the bridge between France and England, but I assumed it was full already. We started to walk over there and I think Brandon either stopped to get a beer or went to the bathroom or something, because I know I went to France alone and waited for him at the fountain for a few minutes.

When he came back, we went over to the bridge, and surprisingly, there were still spots available! I claimed a space for us, right in the middle, right at the railing! As soon as we got there, people starting filling in the rest of the available space, so we got there just in time! I was SO excited! I've always wanted to see Illuminations from the bridge and I was going to finally get to!

I was so happy, listening to my pre-Illuminations music, watching the torches, waiting anxiously for Illuminations to start, and this older couple came up and stood behind us. I heard the woman start complaining to her husband about how she couldn't see, and why even bother watching if you have to watch over people, and this was stupid, blah blah blah, and he basically just shushed her and told her to just watch and have a good time!

I was glad he got her to stop complaining, because it was starting! I took lots of pictures, but I'll only put up a few, because I'm sure you have all seen thousands of Illuminations pictures!

I'm sure I've explained my love for Illuminations in my previous TR's, so I won't get into it, but I LOVE it! Watching it from the bridge was fantastic, it is probably the best place to see it, you get to see everything! I highly recommend seeing it from there at least once, but you have to get there early! I'd say we spent at least 40 minutes on the bridge waiting for it to start!

Once it was over, it was time to leave Epcot! At first I wanted to take my time getting back to the Beach Club, because it's always hard for me to leave Epcot, especially on the last night, but then I had an idea...why not to to Downtown Disney?

Even though we were exhausted, if we were going to attempt 3 parks in a matter of hours tomorrow, we knew there was no time for Downtown Disney! So we walked to the Beach Club and went straight to the car and drove over to DTD! I don't have any pictures, continuing my tradition of never taking pictures there (which I have no idea of why that happens, I just never take pictures at DTD!) but I did a little shopping, and then we grabbed some sandwiches to go at Earl of Sandwich. So it was almost 11:00 at night, who cares, there's never a bad time to eat a sandwich from there!

We drove back to the Beach Club and I realized this was the last time I'd be walking in at night, when it is all lit up and beautiful. It's weird how certain things hit you at Disney, I don't think I realized our trip was pretty much over until we were going back to our room.

As much as I wanted to cry, I sucked it up and went back to our room and scarfed down my Earl of Sandwich and watched some Stacey. I was sad that tomorrow was our last day in Disney World, but I did cheer up a little when I thought about trying to attempt 3 parks in such a short amount of time! AND I had our November trip to look forward to! I wouldn't say I went to sleep happy, but I was definitely less depressed than I was a little earlier!

Up next...3 parks before we fly home...can it be done?

 

[Disney Freebird]

Those sunset pictures are gorgeous!! And a rainbow at Disney World, priceless!

 

[Mrs T 2009]

The sunsets are gorgeous!!!

I love illuminations!!!! May have to try to see it at the bridge this time, though not sure how long we could get Rylan to stay entertained waiting! Haha I do plan to take glow sticks, so that may help!

I've never eaten at EoS before- may need to make it a first this trip!

Endings to vacations always make me sad, but yay for upcoming trips!!!!!

 

[Shannon84]

I agree with the seating at CS around WS...there is hardly enough seating...I hate when people are table stalking I feel so rushed

OMG! What a BEAUTIFUL sunset picture...i cant believe the difference in the sky from what area to the next Also you have to love a rainbow at Disney!!

I am too impatient to wait for a spot for Illuminations so we have missed it the last few years...Id really like to see it this year but it might be from a not so great spot

 

[KatMark]

Great update, Jen.

The rainbow and sunset pictures are beautiful.

I'm glad you finally got to see Illuminations from the bridge (that's where we used to watch it with the kids when they were little).

Your nighttime picture of Beach Club is gorgeous.

 

[407-W-DISNEY]

Hi Jen,
What a beautiful sunset! It must have been even more amazing in person!
I will have to take your advice and watch illuminations from that bridge next time

I love the beach club at night...it is so beautiful

BOO to the Red Sox. The talk around here is how everyone has given up. I just dont think the owners will do anything until people stop going to games, but that probably wont happen.
I don't know what happened last september, but it was more than chicken and beer.
Yes, get rid of Beckett, if he says being a dad is his first priority, then by all means, QUIT!

 

[wdwgirl03]

Wow, the sunset pictures are gorgeous. Sounds like a great night even if it was a little sad because it was the last one. But atleast you have your trip to look forward to. I have a feeling I won't be going again until next April.

 

[smile4stamps]

It sounds like your Epcot Afternoon was a really nice one!!
Your sky pictures are gorgeous! I would be putting some of those up in my house!

I hope your last day was just as good as this day appeared to be!

 

[beachphotog]

Oh my god. Those sunset pictures are amazing! Seriously, I just got chills looking at them... I love how you can see it reflected on the side of karamell kuchen!

 

[Stringbean&Wingnut]

Your sunset pictures are BEAUTIFUL. It's so weird when the sky looks entirely different when you're looking one way then another. I love Epcot sky pictures, it is such a photogenic park .

Your dinner at La Cantina looks good, but battling the crowds doesn't sound too fun! At least you got a great spot for Illuminations!

The last night at Disney really is so depressing!

 

[MHTeacher]

Beautiful sunset pictures from your night at Epcot.

I love Beach Club all lit up at night--so pretty!

Can't wait to hear if you make it to three parks in one day!

 

[jenseib]

I find most the the 3d shows are fuzzy and out of focus to me too. I have decent eyesight too.

Those pictures at sunset around the lagoon...gorgeous!!! You really captured some beautiful moments.

I hope you can do the 3 parks!!!

 

[Dugette]

I love World Showcase at that time of night! Really beautiful sunset and rainbow pictures! Wandering around there with a short wait for Maelstrom and some delicious caramel sounds great!

Excited to hear how your 3 parks in 1 day goes!

 

[ditsypixie]

Such pretty pictures you captured...and the rainbow one was fantastic!!

Can't wait to read if you get 3 parks before you fly home!

 

[marDgreen88]

I think World Showcase needs more seating in general! Yall's food looked yummy though.

OH MY GOSH...

A 10 minute wait for Maelstrom?! That is unheard of! When is it ever less than 60???

Okay. I got you there, didn't I? Now for the real reason for the "OH MY GOSH..."

THAT SKY IS SO AMAZING!!! I would have done the exact same thing! And can I just say, rainbows are just really hard to take pictures of! They NEVER took as beautiful as they do in person.

IllumiNations!!!!! I could never get tired of that music. It's so beautiful.

Ugh I totally know what you mean, about stuff hitting you. Way to be positive though.

 

[MEK]

Beautiful pictures. I never really thought about the world showcase as a sunset spot, but I guess I need to rethink that. You must have hit it just right. How lovely and memorable.

So the empanadas were good? I'll have to try them because I didn't love the tacos there.

Glad you made it to the pool more than once. Brandon sounds like me. I always have my phone with me.