We love Donald Duck, oh yes we do! - Link to the PTR - COMPLETE

[Camster0307]

Brook - First of all, I hope you are feeling better.

I'm sooo far behind in my subscriptions also. Life has been getting in the way of my DISing these days - and I'm not liking it!

I had so much to catch up on.............

Once again, you take the most amazing pictures and capture such great details. I've been to Disney so many times and yet still see things in your pix that I have NEVER noticed before. Thanks!

Henry meeting Dut-Dut (yes, I think he needs to be "officially" named that!) was the most precious thing ever! It's things like that that make me fall in love with the place all over again!

Your experience on line for ToT sounds like a hoot! I've met some of the nicest people in the queues. There's something to be said for NOT doing fastpass sometimes.

Good luck with the sale of your house. I hope things work out for you and your family and you wind up living where you're meant to be living.

 

[mickeysmyboy]

I hope your feeling better Brook!!! I'm just getting caught up again with all my subscriptions after getting back from our Mommy and Daddy only trip! I love the pictures of Henry with Donald! Toooooo cute! Good luck with the house!! I'm sure everything will work out the way it should in the long run!

 

[Jess6001]

Love the trip report! Thanks for all of the info!

 

[brookelizabeth]

Okay...I know I said YESTERDAY for an update (I almost always have time to update on Thursdays)...but...as you can see....

it didn't happen.



Life has been BUSY in our house this week and I haven't been able to sit down, focus and write.

I don't have any plans for tonight-so I'm really, really, really wanting to get in some serious DIS/TR time. I am so sorry it's been over a week since my last TR update, thank you for hanging in there with me!

 

[princess&her4princes]

Okay...I know I said YESTERDAY for an update (I almost always have time to update on Thursdays)...but...as you can see....

it didn't happen.



Life has been BUSY in our house this week and I haven't been able to sit down, focus and write.

I don't have any plans for tonight-so I'm really, really, really wanting to get in some serious DIS/TR time. I am so sorry it's been over a week since my last TR update, thank you for hanging in there with me!

Hi Brook,
We'll be here when you have the time...no worries!!!!! Hope things are well!!!!!

Take care,
Kristen

 

[SoonerGirl]

Okay...I know I said YESTERDAY for an update (I almost always have time to update on Thursdays)...but...as you can see....

it didn't happen.

And I was sitting here ALL DAY yesterday, just drumming my fingers waiting on that update!!

Just kidding, I certainly understand real life getting in the way of DIS time. Update when you can, we'll be waiting

 

[troobabiee7]

Whatever Brook... if you really think life's more important than Dis'ing...

Totally kidding! Take your time, we all know how things can get. I don't have a little one running around and a house to take care of, and even I've been too busy to log on much this past week. Whenever you have a chance to update, we'll be here

 

[jenseib]

I'm actually glad, because I've been so far behind. LOL! But I am all cought up with Dis now, so you can post away!

 

[brookelizabeth]

When I last left you with the TR we were - after a wonderful and blow-out/baby throw-up free day - on our way out of DHS and were headed to Beaches & Cream.

Since we literally had no time constraints or agenda we opted to take the boat over to the Beach & Yacht Club. As we approached the dock a little voice came started exclaiming excitedly from the stroller, "Dut!" "Dut!" All around the dock were ducks! Henry was thrilled!

He watched for about a minute when an awesome CM who was sweeping in the area came up with a whole dust pan full of popcorn he had just swept up.

"Wanna see them go crazy?" he asked.
"Sure!"

And he proceeded to dump the dust pan over into the water, the popcorn spilling out and the ducks SWARMED it all immediately. This was very exciting for our duck loving man!!

But, the duck fun did not stop there...

The boat arrived shortly and the captain came out holding some bread-which caused all the ducks to fly over to the boat and caused Henry to shriek with delight. The captain held out his arm, holding some bread and one particular duck flew right up and landed on his hand!

He ate right out of the captain's hand!

As we got close the captain saw I was snapping pictures like a madwoman and started telling me the story.

Meet "Cool". The captain named him several years ago and this duck came back every year (except one, and the captain worried what happened to him). Every year the duck remembered the captain and they had formed a friendship of sorts over the years!

"How awesome!" I said.
"No, it's Cool."

It was really COOL to see!

We got onto the boat and Henry sat still for about 8 seconds and then wanted to go check everything out. So Joe took him around on the boat and I kicked back and enjoyed the cruise.

I really like this pic for some reason!

Very soon we were at the Yacht & Beach Club, we wandered around for a bit-having zero clue where the restaurant was,

This pic BUGS me. It's a STUNNING area and this pic doesn't do it justice. I really should have bent down a bit more and used the lines of the dock to enhance the pic....okay, enough complaining, it's still pretty...how can it not be!!!

but we found it without much of a problem thanks to a handy map right along the main walkway that runs along the resort.

We checked in and had about a 20 minute wait or so, which was fine-we took turns buzzing around with Henry, checking out the arcade (blinky lights + buttons = toddlers paradise!) and staying close the podium/resting.

We were seated at a table in the middle of the restaurant, right in the middle of everything. Joe was very surprised at how small it was and thought they should take out half the arcade and double the size of the restaurant...but I think it's kinda neat that it's so small, it feels like a local joint or something.

View from our table

Very cool ice cream cone lights!

It's very cutesy in there

If you can see this it says "Trink Coca-Cola". Trink. Not sure why...maybe they got it at a discount shop?!

Joe and I both ordered a cheeseburger, his with onion rings, mine with french fries. Henry got a kids meal-turkey sandwich, GRAPES, and carrots.

Little fingers that can't wait to mow down those grapes!

The cheeseburgers were yummmmmmm! The fries were normal Disney fries (not CHH fries-my favorite), and Joe said the onion rings were perfect.

Neither of us left a morsel on our plates!

Henry ate quite a bit too-he loved them grapes!

After we finished our meals our server, Justin, cleared our plates and asked if we were interested in dessert.

OH YA!



After perusing the menu a bit, we decided on the BANANA SPLIT!

Continued in next post

 

[brookelizabeth]

Continued from previous post

Our server took off again and was gone for quite a while....we got a tad antsy so we entertained each other while we waited for our deliciousness to arrive.

It's not a trip unless someone pretends to be a Hidden Mickey!

If you're happy and you know it bang your sppon on the table over and over and over again!

Sneakin' the spoon after Mommy took it away

There was also a Kitchen Sink that was delivered - Henry started to get scared when the lights started going, but then saw the GIANT ice cream sundae pass our table and he was completely oblivious to the lights and noise.

Eventually ours arrived...

Could this sundae be any cuter?!

Oh, Henry liked his sundae, but CHECK THAT ONE OUT! Must-poke-finger-in!

Sans finger.

Everything was superb!! We mowed into that banana split and between bites moaned about how good it was.

After we finished up and paid we called the local hospital to bring 2 stretchers and Henry pushed us out.

Seriously-we rolled outta there...

Okay, we waddled.

We wandered around the resort a bit to try and work off our meal at least a teensy bit. I was half in a food coma, so I didn't take too many pictures...

Eventually we were catching a bus to DTD and then walked back to SSR.

Back at the resort we relaxed a bit, put Henry down for bed, watched some TV, did some laundry and did a bit of packing-tomorrow we were moving to a Studio for our last full day. Sigh.

I hate packing up. BUT, at least I knew this wasn't because we were going home quite yet!

Reflections on day EIGHT! (i love being able to say day eight!): Today the weather was PERFECT. 70's warm and bright! The best thing about today was everyone was feeling good, Henry had milk products without issues, and we got so much done at DHS. The funniest today was Donald showing Mickey that Henry had a Donald plush but no Mickey! The most magical moment today was getting dessert AND grapes at lunch and Donald Duck running to Henry.

Up next: A very lazy and glorious afternoon around SSR

 

[Backstage_Gal]

We were seated at a table in the middle of the restaurant, right in the middle of everything. Joe was very surprised at how small it was and thought they should take out half the arcade and double the size of the restaurant...but I think it's kinda neat that it's so small, it feels like a local joint or something.

Hi, BrookeElizabeth,

First off, I very much enjoy your reports (I have been lurking, sorry). I think I saw you over on GB's reports too.

I wanted to respond regarding the above quote. I agree with you that the atmosphere is cozy and enlarging it would kind of ruin the mood. On the other hand, many people have said the same thing as Joe about expanding into the Arcade. Here is the technical issue with that. They cannot expand the serving area without expanding the cooking area, and to do that would require very expensive expansion of the hood systems over the grill, and the grill itself, I mean extremely expensive. Not to mention other preparation/storage areas.So I don't think that will ever happen.

Anyway, again, love your reports, keep them coming.

 

[Lady Lallie]

That is so very "cool"! How neat that the captain has a duck friend, I find that so endearing.

Holy Moly! That banana split looks so very delicious. I really need to get over to Beaches N' Cream.

 

[2xcited2sleep]

Great updates, as always!

Sounds like quite a ride on the Tower of Terror! I love how in Disney everyone is (generally) so friendly and open. I've met some great people waiting in line!

The Jupiter FL possibility had me anxious for a few posts. I lived near there several years ago and it is beautiful. But definitely not anything close to city living so if that is what you want, definitely not the place for you. Fingers crossed your house sells quickly and you can get to the city!

How "cool" is the duck story?! Very cool!

Funny you should say you were upset w/ your Beach Club at night picture b/c I was thinking how great it was!

Ah... Beach Club... and Beaches n Cream. I could go for one of those cheeseburgers now. At 8am.

 

[Charleston Princess]

Henry is so funny with all the ducks!!! I love that the captain took the time to tell you about Cool -- one of the many great things about Disney!

with Henry as a Hidden Mickey!

Beach Club is so pretty, and Beaches n' Cream looks delicious! That ice cream looks soooo yummy!!!

 

[CJsMom]

Beaches and Cream looks awesome - and I could practically feel your food coma! YummmmmmY! I thought that night shot was really nice - you are such a good photographer. I can't believe that duck flew up onto the Captain's hand! Very "Cool"!

 

[Donald is #1]

That is so adorable!

 

[MRYPPNS]

I'm glad your DH got good looking onion rings.....ours were over cooked. And it must be something about the age because our son Liam had the same reaction to the lights and noise when the kitchen sinks came out....but we had to deal with it 3 times!

Beaches and Cream is so on our must do every trip list!

 

[brookelizabeth]

What a fun possibility! Bob and I talk off and on about moving to Florida, partly for the closeness of WDW but also because of the winters. We are "old" and don't like the cold and snow anymore I guess (we had 8 inches total this year. in one snowfall. on March 1 ). But it never seems to be the right time. This sounds like it could be the right time for you all, Brook. I hope you can ponder the possibilities and see if it is!

It really was a fun thing to entertain! I SO wish we only had 8 inches total for an entire winter. We get 8 inches one day, 8 inches the next, 8 inches the next...

My dream is to move to Florida. Although I just had a customer call my office the other day to question how to register her vehicle since she just moved FROM Florida to NH!!?? I said "oh I would love to live in Florida" & she just went on & on about no I would not want to live there, the electric bill in the summer is $300.00, it is expensive..the milk is like $6.00 per gallon, blah, blah blah & I know that going on vacation down there is not the same as living there but I still am very interested in living there. The older I get the more I HATE our NH winters & all the snow. I am NOT a cold weather girl at all.

Brook please let us all know what comes of this..very exciting!!!

I had a friend who lived in Florida and she hated it too! What got to her were the bugs, and she actually missed winter. BUT, now she lives in Arizona (she still misses winter), and she loves it.

I think someday, when we have grandchildren, we might entertain Florida...gotta spoil them grandbabies!

All week long, I have been saying 'last Thursday I was walking past the wonderful smell of Flame Tree Barbeque' or 'last Friday I was standing in the crowd waiting to watch Illuminations', etc. Tomorrow is the last day I can do that, since tomorrow night I will find myself saying 'a week ago I was on a plane coming home'. A week ago right now, I was at Pop Century getting ready to go spend the day at Magic Kingdom. It seems so close and so far away all at once. I think if I lived close, like right there in Clermont, I would go over to AK or Epcot for many evening walks after school.

We'll be back in July, so it's not too far away, and we will have a new baby to keep us busy until then. Since all members of their families are coming from other states, the doctor has scheduled her to be induced on April 7th, so she's almost ready for her big arrival!

I used to live in St. Pete, which is not too far from WDW. As much as I love Disney World, of course I have entertained the thought of moving back to Florida a few times off and on through the years. But, I have a good thing going on here - a house I've been in for 22 years, a secure (I think) job, my kids are all here or close to here, and we have four distinct seasons here. We're a day's drive from Disney World or a less than two hour flight. I always want Disney World to be exciting and special, so for me, keeping it at a little distance and not overdoing it is best. I've heard people who moved to the Orlando area to be closer to Disney World, and they said the fun wore off after a short time, and I've heard of others who moved there who absolutely love it and wouldn't live anywhere else in the world. Only you know what will really be best for your family. Just write down all the pros and the cons and be brutally honest about both, because that would be a huge decision. For me, family was my number one consideration, but your family may not be close to where you live anyway, so that may not be a factor. I wish you the best as you consider your move, and I'll be keeping watch to see what you decide.

MeMom, just THREE days until that little girl arrives!!! Are you saying "In three days I'll be holding Bella and watching her sleep?" So so fun! I gotta get over to your TR and get caught up on it all, I can't wait to see her beautiful face!!!

Moving wise-family is a HUGE factor for us. Joe's Mom and Dad only live 30 minutes away, my Mom is about 3 hours away. If we move to Minneapolis we will be about half way between them both, but FL-we don't know anyone. That was a big factor in the decision too.

Brook, what an exciting possibility! I can understand that there are many things to consider when moving so far away (family, jobs, climate etc.), so even if it could work out in the end with the swap you might decide against relocating to Florida. But in general I love to take the opportunities life offers (within reason, I am still very much a sensible person). So when I was offered to move to Berlin for a few years with my job I really felt it was an opportunity I should not pass on and besides experiencing an exciting city it let me meet my DBF

I'm that way too - I love to at least entertain opportunities that come my way. Years ago when I announced to my former employer I was moving to NYC, I was offered a top position in the company. It would have been a HUGE pay increase, and it would have been something I truly loved...but I couldn't take it. My heart was in NYC and I knew if I passed up the opportunity to move there I would have always been wondering, "What if?" I have NO regrets over that decision either!

What a neat possibility!!!! Very exciting!!!!

I would love to move farther south at some point!!!

Also, to answer your question, yes, Chelsea and Connor have both ridden ToT before -- Chelsea loves every minute of it! Connor, on the other hand, has only ever ridden it twice.

It was fun to think about and imagine Joe and I, Minnesotans, living where there is no snow! I've actually begun an email friendship with the woman who owns the house-it's been great!

Maybe Chelsea could hold your hand the whole way on ToT if you decide to give it a try... That might help some!

What a funky real estate twist for you! Will be interesting to see how it turns out.

It was VERY funky and highly unexpected! We are tempted to throw our house out there as a swap with Minneapolis!

MORE PERSONALS LATER...I gotta get going for the day, we are headed to Minneapolis to hang out and enjoy each other as a family....Joe is basically waiting on me!

 

[PopArtGal]

That foods looks soooooo yummy. The ducks and the captain is so cool!

 

[HockeyMomR]

Great update, ahhhhh Y&BC pics, Thank You. Glad to hear you enjoyed Beaches and Cream.

Also liked to story about Cool. For the many many times we have taken that boat route, this is the first time I have heard this story, thanks for sharing.