To ATL and back:Disney Kids survive Snowpocalypse '11~4 month update

[Merida]

Haha!! I was thinking about that when I was writing this update...I even asked Andrew "dude, why didn't we just keep raising our hands until we got Pascal??" We apparently have such "high morals" that we didn't even think of that!! LOL I'm not sure any of us would have had the guts to actually do it though even if we had thought of it. However, I applaud your brilliant idea...I shall save it for next time! LOL

And YES Dorma Nesmond...like Norma Desmond but more talented (pretty sure that was her tag line ) Now I'm gonna have to go google it and find out about this interesting history! Thanks for the tip!

I feel like if I ever did this there would be some post on the Theme Parks and Attractions part of Dis complaining about my "cheating" though! But really, does anyone want to learn how to draw Jiminy Cricket that much? I would be doing everyone else a favor! (Once we even parked at the Grand Floridian for a whole day because a security guard guy told us to do so. We live on the edge!)

This was the article I liked. Though probably the most surprising part in the article was that Minneapolis has a strong theater program - Wikipedia tells me it's second to NYC in live theater per capita, which I would never have guessed ever. Fun US trivia facts courtesy of Disney Parks history!

 

[akayek31]

ok question. I saw that you flew to Orlando. Now I have been 3 times and we have drove the 8 hour trip every time. My son and family think our car will not make it. They want me to fly. Now I am one of those terrified people who are scared to death of flying. I love thrill rides. Love the ToT and ect but talk about getting me on a plane and I go numb. Its not my fault btw...I have just watched LaBamba, the Buddy Holly Story, Sweet Dreams, way too much. Is it as bad as I am making it out to be? It would only take us 1 and a half hours to get there as opposed to at least 8 hours (plus bathroom breaks and eating stops). Besides the scary plane issue I love having my car there in case I want to go to Wal Mart to buy stuff. So basically that is my question. Thanks for letting me hijack this for a minute

 

[AprilRenee]

I feel like if I ever did this there would be some post on the Theme Parks and Attractions part of Dis complaining about my "cheating" though! But really, does anyone want to learn how to draw Jiminy Cricket that much? I would be doing everyone else a favor! (Once we even parked at the Grand Floridian for a whole day because a security guard guy told us to do so. We live on the edge!)

This was the article I liked. Though probably the most surprising part in the article was that Minneapolis has a strong theater program - Wikipedia tells me it's second to NYC in live theater per capita, which I would never have guessed ever. Fun US trivia facts courtesy of Disney Parks history!

Thanks for the link!
That's crazy that Minneapolis has such a big theater community. I have a theater major and I never even knew that. I know Kansas City has a lot of theater, so does Portland. Never knew about Minneapolis!

ok question. I saw that you flew to Orlando. Now I have been 3 times and we have drove the 8 hour trip every time. My son and family think our car will not make it. They want me to fly. Now I am one of those terrified people who are scared to death of flying. I love thrill rides. Love the ToT and ect but talk about getting me on a plane and I go numb. Its not my fault btw...I have just watched LaBamba, the Buddy Holly Story, Sweet Dreams, way too much. Is it as bad as I am making it out to be? It would only take us 1 and a half hours to get there as opposed to at least 8 hours (plus bathroom breaks and eating stops). Besides the scary plane issue I love having my car there in case I want to go to Wal Mart to buy stuff. So basically that is my question. Thanks for letting me hijack this for a minute

Haha! I don't think I'm gonna be much help. I love flying! It's so exciting to me. I get bored at the end of the flight but not scared. So...for me, I'd MUCH rather fly!! If I could always fly I would. It's so much quicker than driving.

 

[AprilRenee]

Real Life Update

Hi everyone!! Sorry for the long delay...I had a big secret and it was just too hard to keep it if I was online all the time!

I'm pregnant!

I'm 12 weeks now and just had my 12 week appointment, heard the heartbeat and the dr. said it was safe to tell people now!!

Oh yeah!! And it's my 25th birthday!! That heartbeat was the best birthday present ever!!

I'll have an update soon!! I just wanted to tell those of you who are still hanging around.

 

[jane2073]

Excellent news!!! Congratulations!!

 

[IheartDDuck]

That's awesome, congratulations!!!

 

[jc040404]

Congrats!!! Definitely the best birthday present! & Happy Birthday!!

 

[Dugette]

Congrats and happy birthday!

 

[Merida]

Congratulations! Everyone seems to be having babies right now (makes me feel all adult-y to know people my age with babies ). Happy birthday!

 

[natebenma]

Wonderful news!!! Congratuations to you and Andrew! This will be such a fantastic time in your lives. Hope you have been feeling well.

Dee

PS- I think I'm late, but

 

[dresden_smith]

Congrats on the pregnancy!! That's such wonderful news!! I cant wait to read the rest of your TR. I'm really enjoying your adventures.

 

[mike the canuck]

congrats!

 

[akayek31]

Congratulations! I got the news on my birthday that I was pregnant with my son (back in 1992). I was 12 weeks by the time I went to the doctor lol. Oh and thanks for the new obsession about 4 days before we left WDW I got into the pin trading. I was trying for all the baby princesses and by the time we left Sunday I had all but baby Ariel But we will be back in February and I WILL find it then!

 

[LilAnn]

Congratulations! That's so exciting! you guys will be great parents and I can't wait to read about your first trip with your little one in the future!

And I'm still here to read on about your trip.

 

[AprilRenee]

Back!! Finally!! Baby and I are gonna finish this TR if it’s the last thing we do! I’ve got to AT LEAST finish it before our trip in Jan. I mean really….isn’t a year long enough to be writing a trip report??


So after running into Dorma Nesmond we decided to take the boat from HS to Epcot for lunch. These boats always seem like a good idea to me and they NEVER are!! It took forever! Maybe we were just really hungry? I don’t know. Every time I try and take a boat it turns into a disaster. I should just stay away from them.

Ah well, eventually we got to Epcot.

On the boat ride over I checked the Line’s app and saw that Soarin’ FPs were gone for the day, so we decided not to even venture over to Future World and just spend the afternoon exploring World Showcase.

Oliver wanted food from France so we hit there first. On our way back to the bakery we saw Remi thru the window at Chefs De France (I think?).

After grabbing Oliver food in France we started making our way over to China for Elliott, Avery, and Andrew to get food. I was still undecided on what I wanted. Round about Morocco I decided that I really wanted the same thing Oliver got (it looked so good!!) so Oliver and I decided to head back to France and then meet up with the boys once we had gotten me food. So back to the bakery we went.

On our way back to France, we passed a SUPER short line to see Belle. Oliver was all for stopping (cause he knows the Belle is my ALL time favorite princess, Disney character, movie….she’s my favorite everything!) I wasn’t planning on meeting up with her really this trip because I had met her last trip and got her to sign my childhood Belle pillowcase and it was a kind of weird meeting that time. It was my first trip and while waiting in line I totally got starstruck and nervous about meeting my idol. It was crazy. I knew, in my mind, that she was just a “friend” of Belle, but in that moment, standing there waiting to meet her…she was really Belle and I was SO nervous that she wouldn’t like me or something weird. Looking back, I just sound like a doufus. But then I met her and she acted kinda weird that a grown up just told her that she was my favorite character and honestly, it was a slightly disappointing meeting. So I was all set to just skip her this trip. I met her once and I liked my cartoon version of her much better! I did get an awesome pillowcase out of it though!

Anyway, the line was short and I had no preconceived notions this time, and Oliver was being so sweet and offering to jump in line, so we did. I wish this was the Belle that I had met that first time! She was really awesome and friendly! She talked to us about our pins and asked what our favorite story was. I told her that HER story was my favorite ☺ She liked that. Then we took a pic. Oliver and I planned our pose while waiting in the line so we told her what we wanted to do.

So that was a lot of fun Then we moved on to get me some food. I am SO glad I decided to go back to the bakery!! I got a baguette turkey and cheese sandwich, a bottle of water, and a napoleon! OMG!!! It was the best meal I ate on the entire trip!! Ahhh….makes me happy just remembering!! That napoleon was SO delicious!! I can’t WAIT to get back to Epcot and get another one!!

We scooted our way over to China (which is a REALLY long walk from France…FYI. Especially when you’re holding a napoleon on a paper plate that is trying to fly out of your hand.) We made it to about Morrocco before I convinced Oliver to stop with me at a kiosk and ask a CM if we could have a to-go box. That guy was SO nice! We stood there and chatted with one CM while the other one ran into the nearby restaurant and got me a to-go box so that I didn’t lose my napoleon. He also brought me back a pile of napkins. He was awesome! We thanked him profusely and continued on our trek around the world!

We finally met up with the other boys and finished our lunches at the CS in China. Once done we decided to slowly make our way back to the other side of the WS and explore all the countries on our way. It was a really fun and relaxed afternoon.

Andrew took several years of German in high school and Elliott and Avery were both taking German at the time so the 3 of them really wanted to spend some time in Germany. We taught Elliott and Avery how to ask to see pins in German (Andrew learned on our last trip) and we wandered around Germany pin trading and exploring.

Elliott with his favorite pin, a Mickey head of the German flag.

Avery in Germany

Andrew in Germany

All of us in Germany

Also in Germany, we found this ADOREABLE little stuffed pig. Elliott’s girlfriend Jacqueline wants a teacup pig and Elliott was still on a search for a souvenir for her. Jacqueline was also watching one of our dogs (and having a terrible time of it…Elly was being REALLY bad!) so Andrew and I pitched in to help Elliott buy the little stuffed pig. I’m sad I don’t have a pic of it...it was really cute!

Once in Moracco we stopped to meet the boys’ FAVORITE princess. Pretty much their favorite cause she’s not wearing much.

Then we got some customary fez photos!

This is where I learned that the reason Elliott would never look at my camera was that he decided that if he looked at the camera it would steal his soul. He is SO weird!

Oliver in France (he’s learning French in school)

In England a few of the boys stopped to listen to the Beatle’s band.

On our trek, we also explored that back part of Canada…never knew THAT was there. Haha!

After we made it around the world in 80 minutes (j/k) we decided to go take a break at the hotel before EMH at MK that night.

Next up: Is our evening MK experience a better one this time??

 

[natebenma]

Glad to see the TR posts again. What a fantastic afternoon in the World Showcase! Enjoying international cuisine and meeting princesses!

 

[AprilRenee]

Excellent news!!! Congratulations!!

Thank you!

That's awesome, congratulations!!!

Thanks!!

Congrats!!! Definitely the best birthday present! & Happy Birthday!!

Right?? Totally agree!! And thanks!

Congrats and happy birthday!

Thank you!...hey! You're on your trip right now aren't you guys?? Yay!! Can't wait to read the next report!

Congratulations! Everyone seems to be having babies right now (makes me feel all adult-y to know people my age with babies ). Happy birthday!

Haha!! It makes you feel even more adult-y when you're the one growing the baby!

Wonderful news!!! Congratuations to you and Andrew! This will be such a fantastic time in your lives. Hope you have been feeling well.

Dee

PS- I think I'm late, but

Thank you! Actually, I had a super easy 1st trimester. I felt queasy a lot but it was only like feeling carsick. I didn't throw up once. I did have a lot of fatigue...I could only make it til about 10 am before crashing on my couch. Thankfully the photography studio I work at was super slow so I had a lot of time at home.

Congrats on the pregnancy!! That's such wonderful news!! I cant wait to read the rest of your TR. I'm really enjoying your adventures.

Thank you! Glad you're enjoying!

congrats!

Thanks!!

Congratulations! I got the news on my birthday that I was pregnant with my son (back in 1992). I was 12 weeks by the time I went to the doctor lol. Oh and thanks for the new obsession about 4 days before we left WDW I got into the pin trading. I was trying for all the baby princesses and by the time we left Sunday I had all but baby Ariel But we will be back in February and I WILL find it then!

Hahahaha!! You're very welcome! Glad you enjoyed it. And I LOVE those baby princesses. They're one of my favorite sets!

Congratulations! That's so exciting! you guys will be great parents and I can't wait to read about your first trip with your little one in the future!

And I'm still here to read on about your trip.

I can't wait to HAVE a first trip with the baby!
Glad you're still here! I'm gonna try and get this thing done ASAP! We're getting close!

 

[AprilRenee]

Glad to see the TR posts again. What a fantastic afternoon in the World Showcase! Enjoying international cuisine and meeting princesses!

Thanks! I'm glad to be doing them again...it was kinda hanging over my head. I'm sad your TR is almost done. I've been enjoying it and taking notes for our 2 Universal days on our next trip!

 

[mike the canuck]

Glad to see more updates. This has been one of my favourite TR to follow Looks like a fun group to go to Disney with.

 

[AprilRenee]

Glad to see more updates. This has been one of my favourite TR to follow Looks like a fun group to go to Disney with.

Haha! Thanks! Yeah, we're pretty fun...you should see us at "family dinner" on Sunday nights. We're a little out of control...it's super fun!