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

[timandlesley]

So when I last left you we were headed to the car on a SCORCHING hot day to go back to the resort to cool off. We got back around 2:45 and the kids knew that King Pin would be in the gift shop to trade pins so we sat on the floor and inhaled two bottled of ice cold water we bought in the gift shop as we waited for his majesty to arrive : )
He didn’t disappoint:

The kids had a great time trading with him again:

Lauren, thrilled with her mystery bag selection:

Then we headed up to the room and Lauren and I slept HARD:

I had set an alarm and got up and showered and everyone got ready in time to meet Diane and family in the lobby to head for dinner. Luke and Eric were year of the snake buddies:

We had reservations at Teppan Edu in Epcot and we decided we would drive over to the Boardwalk/Beachclub and enter through the International Gateway. We piled into Diane and Bryan’s van, the boys were up to something in the backseat (those car rides got LOUD at times):

We got a good spot and headed into the lobby:

Lauren being her usual poser self:

It was a beautiful night, the temperature had dropped and we enjoyed our leisurely stroll over to the Gateway.

This was a first for our family, we had never stayed at these resorts and nevered entered Epcot this way. We were thrilled to see Donald waiting there for us:

We entered no problem and began our way around World Showcase to Japan for dinner. I’ve said it before and I’ll say it again, there is NOTHING better in Disney World than walking around the world Showcase at night experiencing the cultures, the music, just LOVE LOVE LOVE IT!
Enjoyed some music as we passed Morocco:

Almost to Japan:

Kids ready for one of our favorite meals:

Here we are waiting to be seated:

Our pager went off quickly and before we knew it we were being given the drill about the grills being 500 degrees “VERY VERY HOT”:

A hot hand towel makes Luke smile :

Lauren enjoyed the kids chopsticks:

CONTINUED IN NEXT POST

 

[timandlesley]

Diane and I immediately ordered the best drink on property the Tokyo Sunset YUM!!!

Tim and I with our drinks:

Then I put the camera way and enjoyed the food and entertainment. The cook was very entertaining and talented, the food was amazing as always. I enjoyed the steak and shrimp it was YUMMY!!! Of course I covered everything in Ginger sauce (my favorite) and Tim covered his in “yum yum” sauce, HIS FAVORITE. Such a great meal!
We left with our bellies full and wanted to shop around downstairs in the gift shops. Lauren needed to use the restroom so we headed over there and I snapped one of my favorite shots of her from the trip:

Looking at that photo almost makes me cry because I realize what a young lady she is becoming. If you’ve read my trip reports for awhile, I’ve been doing them since Lauren was 16 months old, we’ve been going every year (now multiple times per year since we joined DVC) and when I look back at our Disney memories it is remarkable how my children have grown from babies to children to a young man and a young lady right before my eyes so quickly……… but I digress……………………
We met up with everyone back in the gift shop:

We went to the back room and Lauren spotted the Kimono’s. Well, I remembered from our girls only trip in April that diane and I went on that the women will help you dress up in them, so Tim asked if they would help Lauren:
To my surprise she picked a blue one to try on:

The woman was so nice and so helpful:

I can’t believe I didn’t’ get a picture of it but they had me when they put her hair up in a bun and put one of the ornamental hair pieces in her hair, she looked BEAUTIFUL. The hair pieces alone sold for 30-50 dollars, the kimono as $45.00 and the blue piece she has tied around her waist would have been another 20. I CAVED and got her the blue Kimono, I just couldn’t resist. She kept calling it her “Kimodo” too which made it so cute.
We left the store with a VERY happy girl:

She was bowing at everyone we passed including CM’s so people were giggling it was very cute:

We found a perfect viewing bench in between Japan and Morocco for Illuminations and I headed over with Diane to get Grey Goose Slushies, YUM!!!!

Do you see the dark clouds behind us? Well, we were afraid it was going to storm on us so we finished our drinks and dashed for the car.
We caught a photopass photographer on the way out who snapped some great shots (stay tuned, my LAST trip report update will have all of our photopass photo’s in it). Then we made our way back to the hotel. We didn’t want to say good night to our friends yet, so Tim entertained the kids in the lobby with a round of trivia questions:

I was bummed we didn’t get to see Illuminations, I was really looking forward to it, but did enjoy our evening out in the World Showcase.
We said goodnight to our friends and enjoyed some relaxing time (meaning snacks/cocktails and t.v. time) in the room before heading to bed.

 

[timandlesley]

Hello!!!!!! I live in Cape May...I could have joined you on your trip!!!!!

I'm soooooooo jealous! Just lOVE it there!!!! You have a beautiful home town!

I'm so happy for you that you had such a wonderful visit with Diane and family; you really got to see and do a lot! Next time you go back, go around Christmas time. The tree in Rockefeller Center and the view from the Empire State Building are breathtaking!

We did have a great visit. Christmas time would be lovely!

So happy I found your latest trip report! I read one several years ago....you stayed at POFQ, I think. Loved it. As a matter of fact, it was because of you that I bought crocs cleos for the parks....and haven't worn a different shoe there since! Hadn't read one again until now. Can't believe how big your kids have gotten. I have to say how impressed I am that you seem to respond to everyone's comments individually. What a way to respect your readers! But hey....you're from Ohio. We have good manners. LOL

Welcome back, glad you found us again. I have written many since that POFQ TR (links in my signature if you are interested). Cleo's rock, I'm still wearing them, love them. You are right, us Ohio girls have great manners
Lesley

 

[dddisrunner]

Man I said it a hundred times on the trip but your new camera ROCKS! Those pics are beautiful especially the close up ones of Lauren!! I will never forget Kimodo!!! I think it is funny that we both posted a pic and said "year of the snake buddies"!! I remember Lauren dancing to the Moroccan music too right smack in the middle of World Showcase..you've gotta love her free spirit!!

 

[Poohgirl521]

I love your TRs. I have read quite a few of your reports and you never let me down. Thanks for all the pics and sights from the happiest place on earth. It's nice to be able to see Disney through the eyes of others, especially since it will be at least another year before I make it back-- this time with my little muchkin. Can't wait to experience Disney with my little guy. Can't wait to hear about the rest of your trip!!

 

[Blessed_wth_Triplets]

Great update as always!! Lauren is absolutely precious in her kimono!! I would have bought it too

Did you do a trip report when you went with Lauren at 16 months? If so I would LOVE to read it...taking our 15 month old on her first trip in a few weeks!!

 

[praisehisname]

Looks like Lauren is still waking up.

I’ve said it before and I’ll say it again, there is NOTHING better in Disney World than walking around the world Showcase at night experiencing the cultures, the music, just LOVE LOVE LOVE IT!

Totally agree!

Love Lauren's "kimodo"!!!

 

[cherbear]

I had read on Diane's latest update that Lauren got a kimono. I came here hoping you had posted the price and of course you had, yay!

(Of course, Lesley is VERY thorough....isn't she folks? )

She looked just beautiful, like a little lady. I would have loved to have seen her bowing around the world showcase. Too cute!!!

I love that Tim was playing trivia with the kids at AKL. Always keeping it fun!! So who won?

 

[cherbear]

Looks like Lauren is still waking up.

I was thinking that too!! But from the look of that picture, it was a VERY SOUND sleep and she needed that yawn! hehe

 

[kate_wdw]

I am late to the party, but I just wanted to say how much I'm enjoying your TR. Your family is adorable and it's apparent how much fun you're having. It's great being along for the ride!

 

[Wonders10]

Hi Lesley (and family!),

I am pretty sure I've posted once or twice on your previous reports, but I am a faithful reader of all of your trip reports and I am coming out of lurkdom to just say once again that I love your reports! And I blame you for my family and I booking a week in Disney next June as our "big" vacation. Being FL Res, we have not been for more than a long weekend in years so I am just a little more excited that I finally convinced my family that a week there could be fun!

Your kiddos are both so adorable and sound like such sweet kids. Lauren looked gorgeous in that kimono and I totally would have caved too and bought it for her. Although I have a feeling I would have caved and bought the hair piece and blue sash too!

Can't wait to hear more!

 

[IluvXU]

Ah... BC and Boardwalk area pics, I sure love that area!

Lauren's kimono is just beautiful... it would be hard to pass up I am sure!

What a nice evening in EPCOT, sorry that the weather looked scary and caused you to miss Illuminations!

 

[Sooze]

You are incredible.... A full NJ/NY mini report AND an update?!?! Not to mention yet ANOTHER appearance on the Podcast?!


Your kids certainly had a summer to remember. Times Square, Yankee Stadium, Cape May, crabbing, boardwalks, American Dolls... and didn't you take a trip to Michigan, too?! And Disney on top of it all?! So blessed!!

Loved the updates, loved the pictures, and love seeing all of the fun you guys are having together. (Don't love that you missed Illuminations , but I'll forgive you since it was the weather and out of your hands!)

Also glad you experienced our FAVORITE Epcot resort area and the International Gateway entrance/exit. Next time you go and do that, if you are able to stay for Illuminations, you can experience our favorite time at Disney.... walking around WS AFTER Illuminations... while all of the crowds are flooding to the front, and you and your family are casually walking around the back to International Gateway... Perfection!

Good luck getting ready for school to start. Teacher day Monday and students Tuesday for me!

 

[mandas08]

What great updates!!! Your trip to NY looked amazing. Did u drive up there? If so how bad was it? lol. I'm also in Ohio and what love to go up there for a few days. But would like ot get away without paying for flight if possible. Maybe after my first trip to Disney I will have to plan a first trip to NY Lauren looks adorable in her Kimono how awesome of you to buy it for her

 

[Charleston Princess]

What a wonderful time you had visiting Diane and family! Enjoyed seeing all the pictures! I have never been to Cape May, but after seeing all those gorgeous houses, I really want to go there now!

I totally would have caved on the kimono, too! Lauren looks precious in it!

I know what you mean about your little girl growing up. My baby starts her last year of middle school on Monday, and it does not seem like she should already be an 8th grader!

 

[Trentmom]

wow...sounds like you had a great time

Those house in Cape Cod are gorgeous.

Love pic of Lauren sitting in front of bench that says Atlantic City on it....too cute


Off to read your Disney update now

 

[brookelizabeth]

You guys did a LOT on that NJ/NY vacation! Looks like you had a blast!! You were all over NYC that day. I'm glad you enjoyed our City!

Cape May is beautiful! We haven't gone there yet, or even Atlantic City - both are on "the list" for day trips. Thanks for the awesome pictures!

And what a fun evening in the WS! Lauren does look completely adorable in her "kimodo" , I would have caved too. Teppan Edo always sounds soooooo delish, we have yet to try it!

 

[Trentmom]

looks like you all had a great night. Bummer you missed illuminations, but still sounds like you all had fun

Lauren looks so pretty in her Kimono. Like the colors she picked out. Very pretty

 

[DevonsDisneyMom]

Hey there loving the update!!! Gosh i just love the shore!!! I used to spend my summers in Cape May growing up and I absolutely loved it!!! People can say what they want about the Jersey Shore, but I love it!!! Like you as soon as I hit the lottery the first thing I do is buy a house there!

 

[Queenofallthings]

What a great time you had in New York/New Jersey Love that pic of Mary with Lauren...she's my fav sister on the show

Great update....can't wait to have a Grey Goose Slushie...too bad you missed Illuminations, but I would have dashed for the van too!!!