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

Ahhh, Soarin! :cloud9:
Wouldn't it be great if somebody could invent a home version of Soarin? So you could sit in your living room, put in the DVD and pretend you were really there? It would have to have the wind and smells and everything...probably not possible...but I can dream, right? :laughing:


Have you seen the two guys (brothers, I think) that did that in their backyard? It's on youtube. They used a glider/swing, had a son do the pilot introduction thing, moved the swing as the movie played, had fans blowing, etc. Try to find it on youtube. It's pretty cool to see how far they went. They had a whole long hallway with lights down the side as the entrance and everything!
 
It took me a while to catch up - you have been really busy updating! And these have been great updates! I loved Henry's haircut and all the pictures of Wishes! Wishes is my favourite show at WDW and at the moment my plans are to see it three times during our January trip... :thumbsup2

Also: a Happy New Year (even if it is already a few days old) and congratulations on your rapidly decreasing debt! :goodvibes
 
Dude! ;) Your breakfast from Roaring Fork looks so yummy, we should have gone there. I didn't even think about going for breakfast. :headache:

I love Soarin, it's wonderful and it sounds like you had a good ride. I am dying to know what that family won! Talk about anxiety thinking you may have won something! :upsidedow

Just a perfect reason to go back to the WL! ;)

I SO wanted to follow them out the door while Joe was on Soarin'. I actually did wheel the stroller out and peered down the path to see if I could still see them, but I couldn't. I was hoping for something with balloons and all craziness.

Whoa... DUDE... how did we get to the last full day already? That totally stinks, man!

Well at least it looks like you made it a good one. Although your "up next" sounds a bit ominous.

Argh-- to be so close to a dream and yet so far. But on the other hand, Joe, H and DVC are pretty dreamy!! :goodvibes

I know! That last day just sneaks up on you, doesn't it?! :sad2:

I would totally have to agree with you that Joe, Henry and DVC are very dreamy!!

Congrats on paying off the CC debt. We did that almost a year ago. We kept our Amex and Continental Card. Amex it monthly pay off and Continental is for those other charges and airfare for mileage since we fly out of a Continental hub.

Thank you! Doesn't it feel great?! Does your Amex card have cash back or anything on it? We were thinking there might be a card out there with better rewards than the Disney Visa, like cash back, so we might go that route instead eventually after we reserach into it.

Another great update! Wow, you came so close on the dream.

It was SO close! I wish I had seen them rewarding the prize - or any prize, even to see people get Dream Ears, or lanyards or anything would have been great!

Your last day already???!!! :sad1:

Isn't Turtle Talk fun? I love that show - so cute!

I also love the picture of Henry looking into the fish tank, he's just adorable.

Yes, it's true, our last full day. Stinks!

Turtle Talk was GREAT. We will be doing that on a regular basis I think. I look forward to Henry being up there to ask a question sometime!

Thank you for the kind words about Henry. :goodvibes I love those pictures!

Dude! I would totally have ridden Soarin', my all-time favorite ride, with you while Joe watched Henry.
And I would have happily ridden along with Joe while you watched little Henry dude, too!
I mean, you gotta have somebody to share that awesome ride with - somebody who knows what that very happy grin on your face really means as you come out of the clouds and look down on the water. Whoa!

What?
Me watch Henry while you guys ride together?
Well. Okay, I guess so.
It would only be right.
Dude.

Breakfast looks good!

Henry's face is so sweet watching the eel.

:rotfl2: Thanks Dude for your help with Sorain'! I would totally love to ride with you sometime MeMom! And Joe would totally dig it too! Maybe someday when we have a big 'ol DIS meet and hit the bowling pin pool, we'll venture over to Epcot and all ride Soarin' too. :thumbsup2

Ahhh, Soarin! :cloud9:
Wouldn't it be great if somebody could invent a home version of Soarin? So you could sit in your living room, put in the DVD and pretend you were really there? It would have to have the wind and smells and everything...probably not possible...but I can dream, right? :laughing:

That would be AWESOME! We have a projector as a TV, so we've got the "big screen", we also have a couple box fans...now for some room sprays and a swing for a couch. Hmmmm....

Have you seen the two guys (brothers, I think) that did that in their backyard? It's on youtube. They used a glider/swing, had a son do the pilot introduction thing, moved the swing as the movie played, had fans blowing, etc. Try to find it on youtube. It's pretty cool to see how far they went. They had a whole long hallway with lights down the side as the entrance and everything!

THAT'S SO COOL!

Here is the link: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=yTzMQAVWxpI

If you are uber nerdy like Joe and I - here is the behind the scenes on how they did Soarin' AND Illuminations in their backyard. Really cool stuff: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Y3At6o90KOI

And I'm very proud to say, these rockin' people are from Minnesota!

It took me a while to catch up - you have been really busy updating! And these have been great updates! I loved Henry's haircut and all the pictures of Wishes! Wishes is my favourite show at WDW and at the moment my plans are to see it three times during our January trip... :thumbsup2

Also: a Happy New Year (even if it is already a few days old) and congratulations on your rapidly decreasing debt! :goodvibes

I'm really, really tryinig to get this TR done before we leave on the 20th - I think I'll make it if I update a couple times a week, so I gotta keep up my pace. :goodvibes

I think Wishes is my favorite show at WDW too-it was beautiful. THREE TIMES! Wow, that will be fantastic! I hope to catch it once, and possibly twice!

Thank you-Happy New Year to you as well!!
 
Awww, you were so close to winning a dream... that happened to us too. You see the dream team, hold your breath, thinking ooooo this is it!!! :confused3 .... it is pretty exciting to see another family win! We had about 4 close encounters but no dream BUT.... Disney is a dream so who can complain? :goodvibes
I loved the photo of Henry looking at the eel, so cute. He looks so much like a big boy now with his new haircut! :)
 

I can't wait to go on Soarin - it wasn't there when were were in WDW last time. Sounds like you had a great experience!

Is the Dream Team still around for 2009 or did that end with the current promotion about What are you Celebrating?
 
THAT'S SO COOL!

Here is the link: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=yTzMQAVWxpI

If you are uber nerdy like Joe and I - here is the behind the scenes on how they did Soarin' AND Illuminations in their backyard. Really cool stuff: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Y3At6o90KOI

And I'm very proud to say, these rockin' people are from Minnesota!


That is cool! Just hearing the music from Soarin' makes me smile. I'm really impressed at the lengths they went to!

I could hear the Minnesota accent when the dad spoke! My parents were both born & raised in Minnesota and I have A LOT of family up there.
 
I can't believe it's your last day -- thank goodness you are going again this month. :rotfl:

I love Soarin' so much that I always get a little pang when I read about it. Normally, I am terrified of heights, and while I grip the arms of my seat like nobody's business during the ride, I still adore it. I think it's the music. Now I need to go listen to it again.
 
It is so sad that it is your last day...but luckily you only have what 2 weeks until you go back again? We will be waiting on a TR for the one also and a PTR for any other future trips. LOL!

Looks like your day at Epcot started off well...I love Soarin also. It is always such a bummer when someone else gets a Dream right near you. We just missed the DS on Soarin also...I was so bummed. Did you do Figment in the next installment?
 
Awww, you were so close to winning a dream... that happened to us too. You see the dream team, hold your breath, thinking ooooo this is it!!! :confused3 .... it is pretty exciting to see another family win! We had about 4 close encounters but no dream BUT.... Disney is a dream so who can complain? :goodvibes
I loved the photo of Henry looking at the eel, so cute. He looks so much like a big boy now with his new haircut! :)

That is very true - just going to WDW IS a dream! Plus, DVC - it was a very dreamy week.

He does look like a big boy with his hair shorter - and you should see him now, I think he grows up every day! :guilty:

I can't wait to go on Soarin - it wasn't there when were were in WDW last time. Sounds like you had a great experience!

Is the Dream Team still around for 2009 or did that end with the current promotion about What are you Celebrating?

Soarin' is awesome-you will love it!!

I believe the Dream Team ended with the current promotion.

That is cool! Just hearing the music from Soarin' makes me smile. I'm really impressed at the lengths they went to!

I could hear the Minnesota accent when the dad spoke! My parents were both born & raised in Minnesota and I have A LOT of family up there.

Accent? We don't have an accent! :rotfl:

Where is your family located in Minnesota? I am in Central MN (west of the Twin Cities)

I can't believe it's your last day -- thank goodness you are going again this month. :rotfl:

I love Soarin' so much that I always get a little pang when I read about it. Normally, I am terrified of heights, and while I grip the arms of my seat like nobody's business during the ride, I still adore it. I think it's the music. Now I need to go listen to it again.

:goodvibes I am SO excited to be going again this month. I didn't think the excitement would be as high as it was last time, but I think it's even more! And I will write another TR - hopefully it will have less bathroom breaks included. ;)

I am normally terrified of heights too-in 2006 I was freaking out a bit about the height, so I couldn't relax and enjoy it. This time I prepared myself and REFUSED to think about how high I was (I did NOT look down!), and breathed deep and really got lost in the ride! The music is awesome, when I watched the video on YouTube I started to grin the second it came on.

It is so sad that it is your last day...but luckily you only have what 2 weeks until you go back again? We will be waiting on a TR for the one also and a PTR for any other future trips. LOL!

Looks like your day at Epcot started off well...I love Soarin also. It is always such a bummer when someone else gets a Dream right near you. We just missed the DS on Soarin also...I was so bummed. Did you do Figment in the next installment?

Yep, just 16 days! :yay: I'll do that TR, then start a PTR for the December trip that we finally picked out the dates today!

We missed Figment. :sad2: Again. :sad2: :sad2: It's on my "must do" list for this upcoming trip! I've never been on it and I think Henry would LOVE it! (and me too!)
 
Accent? We don't have an accent! :rotfl:

Where is your family located in Minnesota? I am in Central MN (west of the Twin Cities)

:laughing: My family always tells me I'm the one with the accent!

I have family all over the state, but mostly in the SW area. I spent 2 weeks up there every summer when I was growing up. We haven't been in a couple of years though and my DS12 was just telling me the other day he wanted to go to Minnesota again.
 
:laughing: My family always tells me I'm the one with the accent!

I have family all over the state, but mostly in the SW area. I spent 2 weeks up there every summer when I was growing up. We haven't been in a couple of years though and my DS12 was just telling me the other day he wanted to go to Minnesota again.

I would have to agree with your family. ;) I have several friends from OK and we used to always tease each other about how we sounded!

I don't know the SW area too well - my Mom lives on the SE side, right near Rochester.

Your DS would change his mind quick if he experienced the nasty weather we have been having lately. This morning when my DH woke up it was -7. :sad2: But, as you know, spring and fall are VERY nice. Though, very short!

Wow! 16 days! :woohoo: You must be amazed that you'll be there so soon! How exciting!

I am amazed!! Never have I ever gone on "back to back" vacations. It's a total dream! :cloud9:
 
Hi Brook!!
Well, I just stumbled across your report this morning and couldn't stop reading it!!!! In between taking care of my boys today, I've read every last bit!! What a great trip and I'm sad it's almost over!! But SO excited for your upcoming one in just two weeks now! :cool1: I'm so jealous and so excited for you to have bought DVC!! :banana: Looking forward to following the rest of your reports!!! Btw, your son is adorable and I love his new little haircut, isn't it so sad how much older they look when they get that first cut?!!

Happy New Year!!
Kristen:flower3:
 
I looooovvveeee Soarin! It's probably my favorite ride. Ever. It's all just so gorgeous! I'm jealous that you'll get to go on it again so soon ;)
 
Just checking in to say I've been following along, but have been SO busy, it's crazy! Haven't had a moment to post. You know how holidays are.:rotfl:

Can't wait to hear the rest!! :goodvibes
 
Happy New Year Brook, Joe and Henry!!!!

Sorry I've been MIA - the holidays were crazy busy and I've recently developed an addiction to Facebook - therefore neglecting my DISing way too much!:lmao:

I've caught up and just loved all of your gorgeous pix! That is a great camera you use! I, too loved that shot of the back of Chip & Dale in Spectro. I always take that shot but I loved the way you got the castle in the frame. So pretty!

I know someone already posted about it - but that scary bat is also in Fantasmic.

And, Casey's? Yes - IT ROCKS!!! That is Lauren's favorite CS in all of Disney and I think we eat there at least twice a trip. Next time, you need to get the cheese sauce for the fries!:thumbsup2

I can't believe your next trip is coming up so soon!:banana:
I can't believe my next trip is coming up so soon also - almost 5 weeks!:cool1:
 
Hi Brook!!
Well, I just stumbled across your report this morning and couldn't stop reading it!!!! In between taking care of my boys today, I've read every last bit!! What a great trip and I'm sad it's almost over!! But SO excited for your upcoming one in just two weeks now! :cool1: I'm so jealous and so excited for you to have bought DVC!! :banana: Looking forward to following the rest of your reports!!! Btw, your son is adorable and I love his new little haircut, isn't it so sad how much older they look when they get that first cut?!!

Happy New Year!!
Kristen:flower3:

Welcome Kristen! I'm so glad you have enjoyed the TR so far. I'm sad that it's coming to an end too, but thankfully I'll have another to write very soon - AND then a PTR for our December trip! :yay:

Thank you for the nice comments on Henry. :goodvibes It is VERY sad how much older they look after that first haircut!! It's fun to watch them grown, but twists on the heart a bit too...!

I looooovvveeee Soarin! It's probably my favorite ride. Ever. It's all just so gorgeous! I'm jealous that you'll get to go on it again so soon ;)

It is AWESOME! It's so unique and so creative!
I'm excited about riding it again so soon! We almost skipped Epcot this upcoming trip because we did Epcot twice, but we are going the AP route, so Epcot (and Soarin') are IN! :woohoo:

Just checking in to say I've been following along, but have been SO busy, it's crazy! Haven't had a moment to post. You know how holidays are.:rotfl:

Can't wait to hear the rest!! :goodvibes

I very much understand, I can't keep up on all my subscriptions either. I just read whatever when I have a few minutes, but I try to devote most of my DIS time to getting this TR done before our next trip. More coming sooooon!

Happy New Year Brook, Joe and Henry!!!!

Sorry I've been MIA - the holidays were crazy busy and I've recently developed an addiction to Facebook - therefore neglecting my DISing way too much!:lmao:

I've caught up and just loved all of your gorgeous pix! That is a great camera you use! I, too loved that shot of the back of Chip & Dale in Spectro. I always take that shot but I loved the way you got the castle in the frame. So pretty!

I know someone already posted about it - but that scary bat is also in Fantasmic.

And, Casey's? Yes - IT ROCKS!!! That is Lauren's favorite CS in all of Disney and I think we eat there at least twice a trip. Next time, you need to get the cheese sauce for the fries!:thumbsup2

I can't believe your next trip is coming up so soon!:banana:
I can't believe my next trip is coming up so soon also - almost 5 weeks!:cool1:

Facebook can be fun - I love all the little apps! I'm terrible at logging into it though.

I will tell Joe about that cheese sauce - I'm not a big fan of cheese myself, but he is and so is Henry. I bet they would gobble that right up! For our MK day in January we currently have a lunch at the Wave already set. So that means just dinner in the park. I'm REALLY torn between the CHH tuna sandwich and Casey's. BUT, I do want to go back and catch Spectro another night since it's not showing the day we have MK planned. So, hopefully I can squeeze both meals in.

Your next trip is coming so quick too! Do you have everything set for it?
 
Gosh, I hate to see this one come to an end. We have really enjoyed your trip report and getting to know you and family! Can't wait to read all about your next trip....which is coming up VERY soon!
 
We left off just after I had rode Soarin’ and the family right next to me won some sort of dream...

We did the Child Swap and Joe headed down to Soarin’ while I hung with the H-Man. I tried to spy out the Dream Team and see where they went, but they were no where to be seen.

After Joe returned from his superb ride we directed our stroller with the sleeping baby for Test Track. On our walk over Joe spotted Club Cool and we decided to head in.

IMG_4020Small.jpg


Despite us experiencing Club Cool before, Joe, the registered, but non-reading and non-posting DISer went straight for the Beverly. He had totally forgotten the awful taste! Oh no!!

But, me, being his incredibly loving wife, shouted out a “STOP! HONEY! You don’t want to do that!” and dramatically pushed his arm away from the machine before he could dispense the hideous liquid into his cup. :love:






OR NOT!

MU-AHAHAHAHAHAHA!

I totally grinned as he pushed the Beverly button. I posed the camera to catch the reaction as he brought the cup to his lips and laughed (with him, of course :rolleyes1) at his reaction…

IMG_4021Small.jpg

I think he shuddered a bit...

We both tried all the flavors, my favorite being Manzana Lift from Mexico.

IMG_4023Small.jpg


Thankfully we can even get this drink in our small town grocery store!

Our walk to Test Track continued, and Henry was still asleep – which I found a bit amazing because the music in Club Cool was VERY loud. (Is that normal?)

We came across the Jamminators. They were fun to watch for a few minutes, but their show was wrapping up.

IMG_4026Small.jpg


Eventually we made it to Test Track. Using the InstaFastPass, I insisted Joe go first this time, which he gratefully accepted. Henry and I wheeled around a bit and found just near the Test Track sign there was a large planter with a perfect spot for sitting on, people watching and soaking up some sun.

IMG_4029Small.jpg


Very soon Henry woke up and decided to people watch with me while he had a little snack.

I waited, and waited, and waitedddddddddddddddddddddddd. It was probably around 40 minutes or so and then FINALLY Joe returned. The line was pretty long, and he had a bit of trouble finding me since there were quite a few people milling around.

Next was my turn! The queue was still long, but moved along at a decent pace. As expected, we both had a great ride!

image168Small.jpg


image170Small.jpg


If the camera took our pictures while flying around the track you would get to see me with a giant pie-hole of a mouth. Count your blessings it doesn't! ;)

I found Joe and Henry in the gift shop. And heard how they checked out all the cars and had a good time while I was gone.

IMG_4040Small.jpg

Joe still calls this "Henry's Car"

We started to leave the TT area and we realized that was probably our last thrill ride of the trip. :guilty: Our InstaFastPasses were still good for another day, and we had only used 2 turns of the 3 on 1 of the 3 passes. To make it easy, there were 7 InstaFastPasses left for just that day alone, and another 9 for the next day! We HAD to pass on the love. We found a family with 4 adults and 3 smaller children. They were fumbling around for their KTTW cards and headed for the FastPass machines. These InstaFastPasses had saved us a LOT of time, and a lot of energy, so we thought they were the perfect candidate. I approached them and as we explained how they worked, one of the women started grinning ear to ear. She butted in and said she once took the DVC Tour and had gotten these cards as well. She understood how they worked and was VERY, VERY grateful for us passing them onto their group.

It really is so much fun to pass on the Disney magic, isn't it? :goodvibes

Our stomachs were telling us it was now time for lunch. I was all set for Sunshine Seasons, but Joe mentioned being hungry for a hamburger. As he exited TT, he had caught whiff of a hamburger and couldn’t shake that craving. He also reminded me that we couldn’t bring the stroller down into Sunshine Seasons. Before I knew it, we were pulling on the door of the Electric Umbrella and my mind was telling me “Hey, this isn’t in the plans at all! What about the "Behind the Seeds" tour?” but in we went!

It turned out to be a good move. There was a lot of seating, it was close to where we already were, we didn’t have to deal with leaving the stroller outside (though, that’s not a big deal), and it satisfied Joe’s craving.

With that said, the food was only “eh”, I still have Sunshine Seasons on my “CS Must” list, and during lunch we decided not to do the "Behind the Seeds" tour, but to instead keep covering Epcot - there were still many things we wanted to do.

Foodwise, Joe got a double cheeseburger

IMG_4042Small.jpg

Where's the cheese?! Stuck to the bun!

and I got a kids cheeseburger meal with fries and applesauce.

IMG_4041Small.jpg


Doesn’t sound like a lot of food looking back, but it was just enough to satisfy. I can’t remember how we divvied anything up though…chances are we had a bit of something else extra along for Henry that made him not quite as hungry…who knows... One nice bonus about Electric Umbrella - free refills on your soda!

After lunch we rode Spaceship Earth. I really enjoyed this ride in 2006 and was looking forward to experiencing the changes as well (even though I couldn’t really remember much detail from before). But, it’s history, it’s technology, you get to ride in a giant sphere = total nerd fun.

IMG_4043Small.jpg


IMG_4047Small.jpg


IMG_4055Small.jpg

I love this scene

When the end came up to show us our future, I let Joe pick everything since he didn’t know about this new feature, and we found it had grabbed a picture of my face and Henry’s only! Henry was sitting on my lap, so I found it odd that it picked him and I…but it made it all the more funny!

IMG_4058Small.jpg


After we got off the ride, Joe and Henry explored the ride exit area a bit while I got the stroller and made a very quick, very quiet, very NICE bathroom break (if you get my hint :rolleyes:).

We moved onto the World Showcase, wanting to explore the countries we had missed previously.

IMG_4081Small.jpg


As we neared the World Showcase we realized (smelled!) that Henry needed a diaper change.

Joe ventured right toward the Baby Care Center and I kept going, with my feet taking me to Norway for the one and only…


Schoolbread.

Uh-huh. Oh yes.

IMG_4082Small.jpg


I brought it, along with several napkins, back to the Baby Care Center where Joe, with a now clean and fresh smelling Henry, was playing with some toys. There was another family in the small play room and we chatted with them for a bit. They were very nice and had a little one just a few months older than Henry.

I will admit, I was slightly distracted during my interaction with this family.

Two reasons. One being they also had a little girl, probably about 3, that was throwing toys off the shelf (not violently, just in a 3 year old style) and I was freaking that one would hit Henry. (Hey, I’m a first time Mom, I’m overprotective! :rolleyes:)

The second reason....

The schoolbread! :blush: I didn’t want to mow it down in front of them and be rude, so I just held onto the beauty, it’s in little plastic container while we chatted with the family. I kept wanting to rip open the container and start shoveling it in, but didn’t want to make a mess of myself in front of these strangers OR eat a really, really good sweet in front of their kids.

Eventually they left, and don’t get me wrong, I wasn’t eager for them to leave, they were a really nice family and it was fun to have "Mom Talk" with another woman about my age with a child Henry’s age, but that schoolbread was calling my name! :laughing:

I opened up the package, carefully cut it into 2 equal parts and Joe and I kicked back in the playroom and enjoyed this treat! Of course, Henry had to have some too (I can’t believe he recognizes pastries at such a young age, but seriously, he KNOWS!). We never had this with the old white topping – but no complaints here with that new topping!

It was a nice time for Henry to play, and for Joe and I to snack, rest, relax, and enjoy the cool air of the Baby Care Center.

Up next: Henry’s personal photo shoot
 
Gosh, I hate to see this one come to an end. We have really enjoyed your trip report and getting to know you and family! Can't wait to read all about your next trip....which is coming up VERY soon!

Thanks Alan! :goodvibes In ways, I hate to end it too....but in other ways, I'm excited because that means I can devote all my time to the next TR! And after that one, I'll have a PTR for December. :thumbsup2

I can't believe how quickly the next trip is coming! :yay:
 












Receive up to $1,000 in Onboard Credit and a Gift Basket!
That’s right — when you book your Disney Cruise with Dreams Unlimited Travel, you’ll receive incredible shipboard credits to spend during your vacation!
CLICK HERE






DIS Facebook DIS youtube DIS Instagram DIS Pinterest DIS Tiktok DIS Twitter DIS Bluesky

Back
Top Bottom