Timandlesley's The Sum of Our Thrills TR w/ tons of pics&video 9/27 PTR link pg.58

[timandlesley]

Lauren went first.

She chose one from the mystery bag and the other a sure thing, she was happy with her selections:

Then it was Luke’s turn:

He also did a sure trade and then he reached in the mystery bag:

And he got a TINKERBELL pin (that was quickly traded with a cast member in the store : )
After that fun experience we headed back up to the room, got a quick nap in (well I napped, the kids watched t.v.) and then showered and got ready for our dinner at Kona. We drove our car over to the Poly, it was great having our car.
I took some pics of the kids out front as Tim was parking the car:

We headed upstairs to Kona:

We were seated pretty quickly. Tim and Luke at dinner:

Me and my girl:

ALWAYS the clown

(GEE, wonder where he gets it!?!)

And ALWAYS the poser:

They soon brought out the bread and that insane butter that I can’t even do justice with a description, just know it is like manna from HEAVEN!

We paid out of pocket for some yummy pot stickers and they did not disappoint:

Lauren had the kids chicken and pasta:

I had a a ginger crusted ribeye, YUM

Tim had the Terriyaki New York Strip:

Luke had the Mahi Mahi (which he loved):

We all LOVED our entrees. It was then desert time. I was pretty full and the kids had their eye on the Kona Cone, so I ordered it and let them have it:

Tim had the chocolate lava cake:

Throughout the whole meal Lauren kept saying how the Lilo and Stitch by the bar had to be made out of chocolate, we kept doubting her but she wouldn’t let it go, so we asked our server before we left who confirmed they are INDEED made of chocolate. I took this picture to show you:

After dinner we jumped on the monorail and headed to the Magic Kingdom:

CONTINUED IN NEXT POST

 

[timandlesley]

We were being super silly on the ride over:

I think we were trying to get our nostrils HUGE in this one:

Apparantly that cracked Luke up:

It had just stopped raining when we arrived

We made our way towards Frontierland, all the spots on Main Street were taken:

I was bummed because there was a Dis Dolewhip meet here that night and there were several people I wanted to meet. I had texted with Teresa from the Podcast and asked her to text me if they were still in the park later because we were heading over after Kona. I hadn’t heard anything from her so we found a spot for the parade, Tim held our spot while the kids and I did more pin trading:

It turned out to be a beautiful night!

As we were heading back to our spot I got a text from Teresa saying she was still in the park, I asked her if she wanted to watch the parade with us and she said sure so herself, Beth and Shelly from the Disboards came over. It was GREAT meeting them, hanging out and talking and before we knew it the parade began:

The parade was FABULOUS. Here is a video I took of it (I haven't listened to this yet so I'm hoping I don't say anything embarassing on it) , I LOVE this video because of Lauren’s facial expressions throughout it, I hope you enjoy it too (click on it to get it to play):

What was so cute was Lauren said to me "that was Alice's first parade, she did a WONDERFUL job, I sure hope she wasn't nervous!!!"
The last float of the parade stopped and couldn’t move, we had about 5 minutes of nothing and then a green little tow truck of sorts showed up and towed the last float through the parade route:

Here were my parade watching buddies:

After the parade I wanted to move towards the front of the castle for the fireworks but we just kept talking and lost track of time so we ended up watching them from that spot. Not the best spot but the fireworks were great and we had an awesome evening. We hugged our new friends goodbye and headed to the monorail to get our car. ANOTHER GREAT DISNEY DAY!!!!

SEE THE NEXT INSTALLMENT HERE:http://www.disboards.com/showthread.php?p=37268144#post37268144

 

[Queenofallthings]

Another great update! I can't believe the crowds, it's crazy! Too bad about the pool, that happened to us a couple of summers ago.

Kona has become one of our favorite places to dine. It's my dd's favorite hands down.

Great job for Tim going to the gym.....I joined Weight Watchers and I know how disciplined I have to be with not only my diet but exercise too....WAY TO GO TIM!!!!!

 

[Trentmom]

WOW...sounds like crowds were insane at DHS. Was it Star Wars Weekend?

Glad you had a good dinner and a nice night at MK at least

I can't wait to see that parade.

The dessert at Kona looked so yummy

 

[SRUAlmn]

Hi Just making it to the party, but I'm loving your TR. Your family is adorable. You seem just like our family would be if we had kids. We are both such hams and I know if we had kids they would be too! Ok, let's see....

*Nick hotel was totally cool and I loved the video reaction!
*Blue Man Group sounds great and now I have to go check ticket prices. Our anniversary is next week and we go to WDW the week after so that might be a great gift to give my husband since he loves drumming stuff (the Jammitors are his FAV!)
*I'm loving all the AKL pics since that's where we're staying in 2 weeks!
*What did you think of MSEP? We are huge fans of the Spectro music and I just don't know about MSEP.... I LOVED Lauren's comment afterwards about Alice. How stinking cute!!
*Loved how sweet Luke was to make sure he got Lauren a pin too! So cute!!

 

[MouseTriper]

Wow, I just stumbled upon your TR this evening and am now all caught up. You have a beautiful family and I'm enjoying reading all about your trip. The Nick Hotel looks amazing, I think my kids would love that place too. I can't wait for the next installment!!!

 

[tiggrbaby]

Really loved the pic of the kids in front of the waterfall!

 

[DevonsDisneyMom]

Looking the update and thanks for all the AKL tips... I already put a note on our reservation requesting a room close to an elevator and the lobby, so hopefully that will put us in an ideal room location. The kid activities change weekly correct? I just ask for a schedule at check in right? Also, we have reservations at Boma and really looking forward to it.

 

[disneydreamingdebby]

Another fantastic post! It stinks about the pool closing two times now. I will have to warn my daughters!

What was the plastic that Tim was sitting on? I love this idea. It stakes out enough room for the family and keeps behinds dry too!

 

[Native NYer]

Great update!
I hope your luck with the pool turns around.
AKL is just so beautiful. I love how all of the Disney resorts are so unique.

 

[Charleston Princess]

Happy Fourth of July!

Wow! I can't get over how busy DHS was that day! Was it an EMH day or were they showing Fantasmic! or was it just crowded?

What a bummer that you didn't get in any pool time that day, either, but it looks like your night was much better! Isn't King Pin a hoot??? Chelsea and Connor loved trading with him! Hurray for the Magic Kingdom and the MSEP! Can't wait to see it in person again!!!

 

[punkin413]

sorry i'm late. it will probably take me awhile to catch up b/c i'm so swamped lately but i'm here....better late than never!

 

[Sooze]

First of all:

Happy 4th of July!!

Now, on to my thoughts!

I just love pictures like this... ones that aren't posed... ones that really capture a regular ol' moment from the trip. They really make you feel that moment and remember it! (and I like Tim's bag, too!)

The bus had just left when we got there so we had to wait about 15 minutes and then it stops at Blizzard Beach so we didn’t pull into Hollywood studio’s until 9:05.

What are your thoughts about AKL as far as buses go? I think that's one of the things keeping us at BWV. We just love the convenience of walking to Epcot and DHS. You kind of have to do buses everywhere from AKL (unless you drive). What do you think?

not a good morning at Hollywood Studios. Sooooooo we decided to ride something we could get on easily (it was another HOT morning and all that running back and forth in the heat had already gotten to us)

Morning like this are so challenging, aren't they!? You just want to have fun, but every time you try to do something, your plans end up changing due to the crowds? But you still need to keep your happy magical feelings intact? Glad you guys were able to do that. Many parents wouldn't be able to!

but we looked at that and Lauren found this marked down for only $1.50, PERFECT for Lauren!!!

Way to spot the Disney sale. Those are hard to find!

After that we were ready for lunch, we ate somewhere we never had before( I think it was called the Backlot Express), it was inside and air conditioned and it wasn’t the commissary so that made us happy.

You know.. you were JUST around the corner from the "Honey I Shrunk the Kids" Playground.... I'm surprised you didn't go in... Ugh.. can you imagine.. with THAT heat and THOSE crowds... ICK!!

 

[Sooze]

I just LOVE LOVE LOVE this ride.

Me too! Me too!!

Of course Tim had to rub it in that he got to ride it over and over and over again in December for his guys only Disapalooza trip (LUCKY!!!)

I still get jealous just THINKING about that opportunity. What a lucky duck!!

WE got a WHOLE FIVE MINUTES in the pool this time before the lifeguards blew their whistled, the kids were SO upset (so was I).

Aw, MAN!!! Those darn summer storms! Hope we get to hear about some great pool time soon! (Maybe some time involving a certain family from NJ?)

He has changed his lifestyle completely and is at the gym 5-6 times per week at home, so he hit the gym

Way to go, Tim!!

 

[Sooze]

We were being super silly on the ride over

Yes!! More silly pictures! I LOVE these!!!

Tim held our spot while the kids and I did more pin trading:

Was this in front of the Hall of Presidents? This is our favorite spot to watch Spectromagic!! There aren't usually many people on the other side of the street (Due to handicapped reserved spots and a large planter) so the characters usually direct their attention to our side!!

I asked her if she wanted to watch the parade with us and she said sure so herself, Beth and Shelly from the Disboards came over. It was GREAT meeting them, hanging out and talking

I have a feeling you are going to become a new DisUnplugged team member. You are getting along swimmingly with them, aren't you!? Glad you finally got to meet up with them!

The last float of the parade stopped and couldn’t move, we had about 5 minutes of nothing and then a green little tow truck of sorts showed up and towed the last float through the parade route

That's crazy? Have you ever seen that happen before? I wonder if they are using the actual "old" floats from the original parade, and they are just feeling their age?

 

[goofy's_gurl]

Great update. It looked like it was a bad morning at DHS. Hopefully that doesnt happen for you next day. Another pool downer. Well look on the bright side you got to stay in for five minutes longer then you did the first try! Kona looks gooooood as it always does.

 

[dallastxcpa]

Ohhhh. Love the updates. I know I have probably said this before but Luke and Lauren are sooooo adorable. I really miss those ages. Mine are all teens which is fun too but you don't see as many of those moments where they just act like kids.

 

[ampc3]

oh my I can't even believe that was the line JUST to get Fast Passes for TSM?? that is crazy!!!

 

[IluvXU]

Yikes to HS. That is just insane those crowds. Wonder why?

Kona is a great meal, we tried it this trip for the first time and will for sure be back next year!

Have a wonderful 4th!

 

[sharonW]

FUN FUN!! Main st parade is soooo awesome!
Can hardly wait for another update!!