Up, down and all around...a trip we will NEVER forget - COMPLETE 1/19

[brookelizabeth]

Awwww, those haircut pics are soooo precious!!! What a magical memory!

Thank you! It really was a wonderful memory.

How stinkin' cute is Henry with his big boy haircut?! What a precious memory, and he did so good too!

I can't believe SM broke down on you and you got to see it with all the lights on. I once watched a youtube video of it with the lights on and after that my hands and arms stay down and inside the vehicle! Those tracks look so close together I'm afraid I'm going to hit the track above me!

He did do good! I was pretty amazed at how he just sat there. Those stickers HAD to have the sedative.

The tracks are very close together! It's crazy to see how tightly wound everything is and how much they have packed into one building. I don't think I'll ever be putting my hands up on it either!

Just thought I should let you know ..

I have the same shirt as you [:

Wal*Mart? $5? I got a Mickey one there too for $5!

Oh, the pictures from Henry's first haircut are ADORABLE. What a great memory for you all!! That is a seriously great bargain too for $14!

And I don't think you look dorky in your pose. You have to have an official Disney pose afterall!

Thank you! I am really happy at how the pictures turned out - Joe snapped so many and captured just the right moments.

It really is such a great deal, I hope Disney never realizes it!!

I think I might adopt this pose and do it on ever trip as CP suggested...maybe when Henry gets older he'll join me in it.

 

[luvfigment]

Hi Brook! Merry Christmas and I am glad you had a great holiday. The pictures of Henry's first haircut are great! He looks so cute and I like the ones where he is getting all the stickers.

I also was reading your comments on AKL vs WL and I agree. I really like both and the location of WL and the lake but there is just something about AKL that draws you in and the bus service is great. Maybe in a few years I can own DVC there also. Looking forward to the next update.

 

[brookelizabeth]

Hi Brook! Merry Christmas and I am glad you had a great holiday. The pictures of Henry's first haircut are great! He looks so cute and I like the ones where he is getting all the stickers.

I also was reading your comments on AKL vs WL and I agree. I really like both and the location of WL and the lake but there is just something about AKL that draws you in and the bus service is great. Maybe in a few years I can own DVC there also. Looking forward to the next update.

Thank you! He had soooooo many stickers from the Barbershop, we were able to share some magic with them later in the day (that is coming up!).

It's really a tough call between WL and AKL isn't it?! They are both so beautiful and unique. I hope you are able to own DVC someday soon!!

Next update coming right up.

 

[brookelizabeth]

After the haircut we were smiling ear to ear and feeling great! No stomach issues had arisen yet that day, all the Pepto was really doing its job. It was about 12:30 in the afternoon and we were hungry! It felt good to want to eat again.

Earlier, I believe I forgot to mention this, just after Henry fell asleep and we were on our way out of Fantasyland, we grabbed regular FPs for Peter Pan. We decided to head back that way to use the FPs, and find something to eat along the way.

We ran right into Columbia Harbour House and I remembered that this had good reviews of tasty sandwiches and it had made my "possible CS list"…so in we went!

I got the Lighthouse Sandwich (hummus with tomato and broccoli slaw) with French fries.

Joe got the Anchors Aweigh Sandwich (white tuna with lettuce and tomato on toasted multi-grain bread) with sea salt chips.

This place did NOT disappoint. All three of us loved everything. Both sandwiches were awesome! I don’t even like tuna generally, and I loved the Anchors Aweigh, matter of a fact, I am hoping we will eat here again in January so I can order it!

Joe’s chips complimented the tuna sandwich really well, but the french fries ….I don’t know if it was because we were enjoying food again, or if there really is something different about the fries they serve here, but holy cow, they were THE BEST. So good, I think we all deserve to see their beauty again:

Joe also got an apple crisp, which he and Henry enjoyed.

(I am pretty certain I got yogurt for my dessert, which I gave to Henry.)

After our bellies were full, and if I remember correctly we ate almost every bite here-which was a first for a lunch on this trip! - we moved forward to Peter Pan. What a cute ride! Very creative, I love how you “float”.

We decided to walk back toward Tomorrowland to ride all the things we could with Henry, then we’d move into Adventureland. On our way to Tomorrowland I saw a Photopass Photographer taking pictures with the sword in the stone, so I just had to give it a try! Despite my insanely huge muscles, the sword didn't budge.

A couple more pictures along the way...

One of my most favorite pictures of the trip

I had only seen the well in other TRs, I was happy that we stumbled across it!

When we arrived in Tomorrowland, our first ride was the TTA, a first for this family!

Henry LOVED this ride. He was laughing and clapping, he loved seeing everything from up high, he made his motor noise as we passed the Tomorrowland Indy Speedway. Joe and I loved experiencing the ride through the joy of our little man.

Next up was one I had been waiting for….Monsters Inc Laugh Floor!

This was SO MUCH FUN!! We laughed so hard our cheeks hurt! The spotlight landed on a guy right behind us and he had to dance, it was hilarious! Such a clever attraction!

After Monsters Inc, we went over to Buzz Lightyear.

Nerd picture: Buzz's face is actually a projection, but the rest of his body is the regular molded plastic. Not entirely sure why Disney did it this way?

Joe and I both enjoyed this in 2006, and he totally kicked my butt because he managed to get one that gave him an absurd amount of points. I was determined to beat him this time! And I did! We didn’t get a picture of our scores though, so I have no proof. Joe blamed it on that he can’t see the laser very well due to his eye condition. Uh, huh, sure….whatever!

We stopped to get a couple pictures in front of the characters.

I put Henry in with Zurg and he LOVED IT. He did NOT want to come out. He was laughing and giggling so hard.

He’s barefoot too.

Nice.

My baby, shoeless and behind bars!

(He was barefoot because he haaaaaaated his sandals. I knew this from earlier in the week, but hoped he would get used to them. Nope, he just ripped them off about 30 seconds after I put them on )

After I managed to get Henry out from behind bars we went over to the Carousel of Progress. I was wondering how Henry would do, considering the length of the ride, but we thought we’d give it a try anyway because we both really enjoy this attraction.

We were having such a good time in Tomorrowland I had forgotten to check the time. As we walked into the Carousel of Progress I asked Joe what time it was.

“3:40”

“What?!”

“3:40”

“NOOOOO! OUR TEA!”

Our reservation for the Garden View Tea at the GF was for that exact moment and we were in Tomorrowland, being ushered into the Carousel of Progress. The tea I had been looking forward to for monthssssssssss. There was no way we would make it, being the last reservation is at 4:00 pm, it would probably be after 4:00 by the time we would even get there.

I was REALLY bummed. Really, really bummed. No fancy tea sandwiches. No puff pastry swans. No tea pot cozies for me.

But then Joe reminded me of something.




“We’ll be back before October to use up those Developer Points with DVC, we can go then.”

That’s right! We will be back!!

While I was still bummed, I perked up with that thought and we enjoyed the Carousel of Progress. Henry did get antsy, as expected, but we made it through. I love this ride, I hope the rumors I have heard on the DIS are all false and they don’t ever get rid of it. I love that it’s from the World’s Fair and it’s just another classic Disney ride!

Up next: This one is for Bob

 

[kschafer]

I have to say, I missed both TTA and CoP on my June trip and am soooo sad! I agree, they are both classics and I can't wait to go back to do them both. Glad you enjoyed them.

 

[SoonerGirl]

Oh, I'm sorry you missed your tea! But, like you said - you'll be back! And the good thing is, is that you missed it because you were having SO MUCH FUN! And isn't that what Disney is supposed to be all about?!

I love Carousel of Progress too, and also hope they never take it out. I drove DS8 crazy last summer singing "It's a Great Big Beautiful Tomorrow" over and over again!

 

[Lady Lallie]

I'm so jealous there was a photopass photographer at The Sword in the Stone! I have never seen on there before.

Henry sounds like he was adorable riding TTC. I'm sorry you missed your tea but I assume it will be on the agenda for January??

 

[John's Mom]

Brook,

Just getting caught up. Great TR and pics! Love Henry's barbershop pictures!

 

[mickeysmyboy]

OMG!! Those pictures of Henry getting his haircut are toooooo darn cute!! Ryan, my 18 month old, is going to get his first haircut in MK a week from today!!

 

[ILuvCrush]

Sorry you missed your Tea But you are right!! You WILL be back! Glad you enjoyed CoP..
I think bare little baby toes are the best... so yay Henry for hating your sandals!!

Paula

 

[luvfigment]

Another great update!! DH and I ate in CHH in Oct and were pleasently surprised also and their fries are reallt yummy.

I am sorry you missed your Tea. You will have to do it in an upcoming trip. I did it in Sept with my girlfriend and LOVED it! So I ended up booking it for Oct with DH. Although he was not looking forward to it and was wondering why I had to do it again within 1 month he admitted that he liked it. It will def. be on my list of things to do in the future.

 

[Donald is #1]

Great update! Sorry to hear that you missed your tea. I went to tea in December and really enjoyed it!

 

[thewesterberg]

Okay, I have drool all over my keyboard now that I saw a picture of that yummy tuna sandwich!!! I can't wait to go back and eat another one. And the apple dessert.... Had one of those too and oh, so good!!!

Bummer about missing the tea - but, HEY! You've got close to the next 50 years to go back.... I think you'll be able to squeeze it in again!!

There's something about being in "jail" with Zurg. We went on that ride a ton and EVERY SINGLE TIME Junior HAD to squeeze in there!! After a bunch of pictures, I finally quit taking them of him in there!

 

[brookelizabeth]

I have to say, I missed both TTA and CoP on my June trip and am soooo sad! I agree, they are both classics and I can't wait to go back to do them both. Glad you enjoyed them.

They are both perfect reasons to go back! They are both really great rides, the TTA is so simple, but so much fun! Joe and I will randomly quote lines from the voice track they have on it. In 2006 we were about to walk up the ramp to the TTA when they CM turned us away - MNSSHP had started and I hadn't a CLUE anything about it back then. I was so confused on why we had to leave the park.

Oh, I'm sorry you missed your tea! But, like you said - you'll be back! And the good thing is, is that you missed it because you were having SO MUCH FUN! And isn't that what Disney is supposed to be all about?!

I love Carousel of Progress too, and also hope they never take it out. I drove DS8 crazy last summer singing "It's a Great Big Beautiful Tomorrow" over and over again!

That is a VERY good point. We were having a wonderful time, and that is what Disney (and vacation period!) is about.

I love the CoP song! I sing along with it on the ride...it's so much fun!

I'm so jealous there was a photopass photographer at The Sword in the Stone! I have never seen on there before.

Henry sounds like he was adorable riding TTC. I'm sorry you missed your tea but I assume it will be on the agenda for January??

I was really surprised there was one there too! I think it's pretty rare. You and Marc got SUCH a cute pic there!

Oh yes, the tea is on the agenda for January! The only available date was our arrival, and it's several hours past our touch down, so I think we are safe on making it on time.

Brook,

Just getting caught up. Great TR and pics! Love Henry's barbershop pictures!

Thank you!

OMG!! Those pictures of Henry getting his haircut are toooooo darn cute!! Ryan, my 18 month old, is going to get his first haircut in MK a week from today!!

You will have such a good time!! They are total pros, it's so much fun! The line was very, very long in the morning, despite advice I read here and elsewhere, about going in the AM. Please feel free to report back with your experience on here if you would like to!

Sorry you missed your Tea But you are right!! You WILL be back! Glad you enjoyed CoP..
I think bare little baby toes are the best... so yay Henry for hating your sandals!!

Paula

I love it! I love little baby toes too-they are so precious. Henry is getting SO big right before my eyes. Tonight I took his little foot and squeezed it, trying to memorize, the soft skin and every line so I'll never forget his teeny little feets. It's exciting to watch him grow up, but so sad at the same time!

I'm going to attempt the sandals again, but we have to test drive them at home because Henry is full-time walking now, so he has to have shoes on this trip. Hopefully they will work out - finding sandals in Minnesota in the middle of winter is not such an easy task!

Another great update!! DH and I ate in CHH in Oct and were pleasently surprised also and their fries are reallt yummy.

I am sorry you missed your Tea. You will have to do it in an upcoming trip. I did it in Sept with my girlfriend and LOVED it! So I ended up booking it for Oct with DH. Although he was not looking forward to it and was wondering why I had to do it again within 1 month he admitted that he liked it. It will def. be on my list of things to do in the future.

The tea is already booked for our January trip! I'm even more excited about it now!! I've heard such great reviews about it. I'm glad to hear your DH enjoyed it-Joe thinks it's a bit girly to do, but wants to do it because I want to. I bet he'll love it!

Great update! Sorry to hear that you missed your tea. I went to tea in December and really enjoyed it!

I can't wait to experience it next month! Yea!

Okay, I have drool all over my keyboard now that I saw a picture of that yummy tuna sandwich!!! I can't wait to go back and eat another one. And the apple dessert.... Had one of those too and oh, so good!!!

Bummer about missing the tea - but, HEY! You've got close to the next 50 years to go back.... I think you'll be able to squeeze it in again!!

There's something about being in "jail" with Zurg. We went on that ride a ton and EVERY SINGLE TIME Junior HAD to squeeze in there!! After a bunch of pictures, I finally quit taking them of him in there!

That tuna is awesome, isn't it?! I was amazed I liked it. Just thinking about it and my mouth starts watering too. I wanted to steal it from Joe's plate!

Yes, I suppose I'll be able to fit that tea in just a FEW times more in 50 years.

That's so funny about Junior. I can totally see Henry doing that in the future. And kids always want their picture taken, don't they? Doesn't matter that you have 98 other pictures of the exact same thing! I think the picture with Zurg might be our regular Henry picture as he gets older-we'll take the same picture each year so we can see him grow. Eventually he'll have to stand in front the bars though!

 

[ILuvCrush]

I love it! I love little baby toes too-they are so precious. Henry is getting SO big right before my eyes. Tonight I took his little foot and squeezed it, trying to memorize, the soft skin and every line so I'll never forget his teeny little feets. It's exciting to watch him grow up, but so sad at the same time!

I'm going to attempt the sandals again, but we have to test drive them at home because Henry is full-time walking now, so he has to have shoes on this trip. Hopefully they will work out - finding sandals in Minnesota in the middle of winter is not such an easy task!

Memorize them well!! my baby boy has feet as big as my DH and just started to shave his moustace

Did you consider those adorable little baby sized crocs for him?? you can get them online... or do you think he'll just pull them off

Paula

 

[brookelizabeth]

Memorize them well!! my baby boy has feet as big as my DH and just started to shave his moustace

Did you consider those adorable little baby sized crocs for him?? you can get them online... or do you think he'll just pull them off

Paula

Oh gosh! I can't even imagine Henry shaving...but I know it will be here before I know it. Sigh.

We actually have Cars Crocs for him, but they were a bit too big on this last trip, so they kept falling off...I wonder if they will fit now...I will be checking that out-thank you for the reminder/suggestion!

 

[brookelizabeth]

We left off with us riding the Carousel of Progress. After our ride through history, we decided to head over to Adventureland. I wanted to do three things:

1) Ride Pirates
2) Ride Jungle Cruise
3) Get a Dole Whip

On our walk over to Adventureland

we saw the area that does silhouettes just over in Liberty Square, so we made a quick detour to get this done. I had read about this on the DIS and thought it would be such a neat souvenir.

The CM that does these was not only uber talented, but she was fantastic with Henry! He LOVED her! She tried to get him to wave at her, but he’s not much of a waver (until very recently), but he does give high-fives, and he gave her several during our little visit.

I was beyond amazed that this was done freehand with just a pair of scissors!! I asked the CM where she picked up this talent and she said she was hired by Disney as an artist and they actually taught her how to do the silhouettes. I told her she should move to New York City and make a ton of money on the streets doing this. Really, really amazing work, I fully expected his profile to be projected and them sketch it via the shadow.

After our bonding time with the CM, we headed back toward Adventureland. Our stomachs were starting to growl a bit, but we weren’t quite hungry for dinner. We wanted something sweet and refreshing…like, oh say....a Dole Whip!

This was a MUST DO for me. For those of you that listen to the DIS Podcast, you may already know that a beloved member of the Podcast team, Bob (or "Bawb"), passed away earlier this year. Bob was a HUGE fan of the Dole Whip. One time he brought one for everyone on the Podcast team to enjoy during their recording session, but they started to melt during the car ride, so he ate them ALL. That means he ate like 6 Dole Whips. There is a thread here on the DIS where people are having a Dole Whip in honor of Bob and posting pictures of themselves enjoying the Dole Whip. I’m not on the Podcast boards very often, and post even less often, but I do try to listen to the Podcast whenever I can, and when I heard Bob died I was in tears. It was a very special moment as I enjoyed my first Dole Whip and thought of Bob.

For you Bawb. Thank you for sharing your love of the Dole Whip with us all!

And the Dole Whip quickly melted into a bit of a sticky mess, but was well worth it! I give the Dole Whip two giant thumbs up! VERY YUMMY! It was very refreshing and hit the spot. Henry loved it too! (as he does ANY ice cream it seems…)

We moseyed on through Adventureland and found that Pirates only had a 5 minute wait, whoo-hoo! It's such a neat ride, we all enjoyed it!

After Pirates I wanted to ride the Jungle Cruise. We had never ridden this before and it was top of the list to do. Unfortunately, the line was 35 minutes long, and that’s a no-go with a baby. I was disappointed, but then I remembered…we’d be back!

So instead we walked around Adventureland a bit. We ended up not going on anymore rides, but eventually headed back toward the front of the park. It was right around 6:00 pm. Spectromagic was scheduled to start at 7:00 pm, and then Wishes at 8:00 pm. These I would not miss! Pulling up some curb sounded really good at the moment. Our feet were tired and we wanted to rest.

We walked to the front of the park and found plenty of open curb space. We sat down about 1 to 1.5 blocks closer to the Castle after Casey’s. It was a decent spot. We sat there for a while and just people watched and enjoyed watching the sky get darker and the park start to light up.

People started to crowd in around us, waiting for Spectro. I asked the family next to us if they knew if the Castle was going to be lit that night. They looked at me like I had two heads. “You know, in the white lights, for Christmas.”

Uh, ya. No idea what I was talking about. I guess not everyone is a DISer, eh?

So I approached a Photopass CM and just as I was asking, I saw one of the spires suddenly light up and then quickly go dark again! The CM just pointed and smiled and I scurried back to Joe with a big giddy grin on my face. I also informed the family next to us it WAS going to be lit. They still didn't get it.

We waited.

And waited.

And waited!

It seemed like an ETERNITY. But really, it was only about 20 minutes. Right around 6:40 pm the show started and the Castle slowly lit up. It’s was breathtaking. So beautiful! It truly looks like it glistens. I had tears in my eyes...my pictures don't do it justice!

Next up: 385 pictures in 1 hour

 

[kschafer]

I have never seen this in person and it still brings tears to my eyes Can't wait for all 385 pictures

 

[Charleston Princess]

Two great updates, Brook!

So disappointing that you missed your Grand Flo tea, but with that DVC membership of yours, you will be back.

Henry is too cute behind bars!

We had the silhouettes done in June -- it's really amazing how talented they are, isn't it?

I have a serious craving for a Dole Whip now.

The castle is just so gorgeous with all those lights! I can't imagine how great it would be to see it in person!

 

[mickeysmyboy]

You will have such a good time!! They are total pros, it's so much fun! The line was very, very long in the morning, despite advice I read here and elsewhere, about going in the AM. Please feel free to report back with your experience on here if you would like to!

We were planning on being at the park for rope drop and then, as DH says "Running like the crazy people do" to the barber shop! DS6 decided last night that he wants to get his haircut there too instead of getting a haircut before we go!

I love the update! Your castle pictures are stunning!!!