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

[IluvXU]

That is ironic timing!! I also don't think I noticed your PTR, I gotta subscribe!!

That song is SO catchy. I think I would like to have it on CD or my iPod - it is such a good reminder of the trip for me, and is "so Disney World" to me. It just puts me in a good mood!

The whole skit was really cute! I hope you get to see it!

I told my dh that they have that skit... we both agreed we have to catch it in June. The girls would go crazy! Hope Henry has another good night!

 

[brookelizabeth]

I told my dh that they have that skit... we both agreed we have to catch it in June. The girls would go crazy! Hope Henry has another good night!

I bet they'll know every word!! Now they can learn the dance moves too.

Thank you! So far, so good. He was coughing a bit today, but overall it was a GREAT day.

 

[brookelizabeth]

A slight break in the TR to tell you all a little story...

Around 4:30 pm today I took Joe to the post office (he sold something on eBay for a friend). On the way home we have to pass McDonalds.

Being that it is February 26, I have been watching like a hawk this past week, every time we pass McDonalds to see if I see a glimmer of green or any sort of advertisement for the most glorious item ever...

THE SHAMROCK SHAKE.

I know some of you may be going, "The Sha, wha?" because this beauty is not offered at all McDonalds (which is so wrong, and very sad). As a matter of a fact I was DEPRIVED OF IT'S GOODNESS COMPLETELY while living in NYC! There is a McDonalds every 4 blocks, yet not one of them sells the Shamrock Shake. Trust me, the first year I lived there, I checked at every single McDonald's I passed. After failing, I finally used my Google skillz and found that many fellow New Yorkers were in my same boat. There was even a petition. The closest McDonalds was in New Jersey, and not on the train line.

So, for those of you not in the know...the Shamrock Shake (cue heaven-esque music) is a mint flavored green shake that is sold at McDonalds through the month of March in celebration of St. Patrick's Day.

And it is good.

Oh yes, it is good.
(if you like mint - which I do, veryyyy much!)

So, tonight, we are driving past McDonalds and my eyes pass over the banner ads on the building, their little letter sign on the shed, and then they fall on the Golden Arches sign

"Shamrock Shake $2.39"

I let out a giant gasp (which totally freaked Joe out, sorry honey) and make a very sharp right to make it into the McDonalds drive-through, I'm doing a boogie in my seat and Joe doesn't even have to ask why...

I pull up and as I roll down my window I ask Joe "Do you want one?"

"Ya!"

"2 small Shamrock Shakes please!"

I'm beaming with excitement and giddy. The cashier literally laughs at me. But I have a feeling I'm not alone in this love!

Henry's ice cream-dar went off immediatly and he was making "Gimme! Gimmie!" sounds and reaching from the back seat. Joe shared a bite with him and he instantly loved it!

THAT'S MY BOY!

We got home and I ate my Shamrock Shake while making dinner.

Uh-huh. Shamrock Shake for dessert AND dessert before dinner!

I look forward to you all year my beloved.

The first sip. I didn't even have my coat off yet.

My hat-head Shamrock Shake loving son and me!

 

[brookelizabeth]

We left off with a giant cookie, FPs for Jungle Cruise and we had pointed our stroller and feet for Toontown.

It took me about 3 minutes to take this picture because people kept posing by the sign not noticing I was trying to take one from across the road...so I HAD to include it. Joe patiently waited....

There are three Insane Stroller Parking Areas (ISPAs). This is one. The second is found at MK-Fantasyland. The third, and most extreme, is outside of Fantasmic (anyone recall accidental stroller swap from the last trip?!)

We hit up Mickey's house first.

I had forgotten you couldn't play in here. Apparently Mickey is too big of a celebrity to let the general public touch all his things.... (really, what is the point of having it all roped off? Was it always that way?) It was not so thrilling to Henry or Joe, but I still thought it was kinda neat to see. It also reminded me of a TR I read once on the DIS where someone's child climbed into the kitchen and set off alarms!!

He has pretty sunflowers on his dresser!

Hey, we are actually all looking!

I'd like to know what Mickey was doing that required a saw in the kitchen. Plus a folding chair at his kitchen table? How very bachelor.

I liked the settings on the stove!

This is the start of the corny jokes...

Dut! Dut!

After we breezed through Mickey's house, we went to Minnie's. Girl's houses are always better, aren't they?

Joe, even though he's completely color blind said "It's pink, isn't it?"

Another (failed) attempt....

I really enjoyed Minnie's! It was FULL of corny jokes, many of which I had to get pictures of....

Not a corny joke - but a really cute boy who LOVED sitting up there!

Hopefully she did not forget to call Mickey!

Continued in next post

 

[brookelizabeth]

Continued from previous post

The corny---or should I say "cheesy" jokes continue...

I bet in Minnesota Goofy would get elected Governor. Minnesotans seem to like to vote in celebrities. Hee hee!

I wanted to play with the popcorn. But Joe had breezed through (there were a lot of people in there!) and he had Henry. So, I felt kinda silly without having a child as an excuse, so I just watched this little girl play instead. In December "Henry" will get his chance with the popcorn!

Toonogg's Cheese Krispies and Cheese Bran. Sounds like a great way to start your morning!

And the corniest (and least cheesiest) of them all, a PALM tree. ha ha ha ha! <groan>

I actually found great humor in the palm tree. I know Joe rolled his eyes behind his sunglasses at me on that one though...

We skipped meeting Minnie and Mickey after due to the lines, and spotted the play park across the road. Henry had a FANTASTIC time in here! He ran around, crawled through the tunnels,

went down the slides about 14,000 times

and enjoying playing with all the other children. Those slides were FAST though, made this Mommy a tad nervous! But, Henry loved it.

We also ventured over to Donald's Boat, but the water was not on so it was a bit pointless being there was nothing to do.

Henry was looking exhausted by this time, so we scooped him up and decided to slowly make our way to the CR for our lunch ADR at The Wave. We still had plenty of time, but that would just allow us time to explore some!

As we were leaving Toontown a MASSIVE group of tourists walked by all wearing BRIGHT BRIGHT BRIGHT yellow - head to toe. I couldn't resist taking a picture....

I bet no one from that group got lost!

I love this picture. Henry was so happy, he was laughing as he was falling asleep and kept looking up and smiling at us.

We soon were near the Castle and I told Joe I wanted to get some detail shots of it since I loved the one's from MeMom's report so much.

We stopped and saw the Ju ju (Henry was snoozing by this point, so he didn't get to see him )

and then saw these guys playing - which did NOT wake Henry up!!

Continued in next post

 

[brookelizabeth]

Continued from previous post

A couple more pics from the way out...

After we left the park we opted to take the path to the CR since we never had and we still had plenty of time before our ADR at The Wave.

It was a nice walk, I looked at and read some of the pavers along the path - many of them were to remember a wedding date, or a loved one who had passed away. I wondered aloud how much people paid for their names to be on a piece of rock outside of MK...and how they found out how to purchse it?

Very quickly we were at the CR, I snapped some BLT pics and was amazed at how much has changed just between November and January. I could even see decorations in some of the rooms, they are really coming along on that project!

We explored a bit...

The necessary check-in desk shot

I have seen this sculpture appear in so many TRs, it was fun to finally see it myself!

I thought the pool area was a bit unimpressive...

The beach on the other hand...ahhhh! Very impressive!

I really like the architecture of the CR - it's so unique

After exploring, we checked in.

We were seated right away, as we walked into the dining room we found the place was a ghost town...

there were only about 5 other tables. It was 1:00, but I still expected a few more patrons-but, Henry was snoozin' still, so quiet is good!

The atmosphere was very nice - it's decorated beautifully.

For our one and only LL

Joe wanted these very badly. I'll have to use my Google skillz to find them!

Joe and I both ended up ordering the bacon cheeseburger. (Angus Chuck Bacon Cheeseburger - served on a multigrain roll with choice of papaya slaw or roasted potato wedges $12.99)

It was veryyyyy good. I LOVED the potatoes. Our waitress (who's name I cannot recall and am too lazy to go find my PassPorter to look it up ) was attentive and prompt. We enjoyed every minute of our time at The Wave!

Toward the end of the meal, Henry woke up

Just woken-up rosy cheeks.

but wasn't overlly interested in food. So we settled our bill and took the bit of cheeseburger that I couldn't stuff down, in a leftover box. We figured Henry would be hungry about 8 seconds after leaving CR.

Continued in next post

 

[brookelizabeth]

Continued from previous post

Before heading back to MK, we decided to explore a bit more. We ventured through the Contempo Cafe and refilled our mugs.

This whole area was new since we had been there (or we just didn't notice it in our exhausted-travelling-day-state last time?), being the nerds that we are, we had to check out the nifty ordering system and were tempted to buy something just to try it...


We also noticed a new seating area just outside of Chef Mickey's, across from the Contempo Cafe.

Then we noticed that some of the seating at Chef Mickey's was different, part of it was still boarded off, but from what we could tell, they had a whole brand new section of seating.

They are really doing a lot there! It was looking really nice and the overall flow made much more sense. Instead of that one lonely room off the main dining room at Chef Mickey's, the rooms now kinda flow around the buffet, so there isn't a side section at all.


For kicks, we decided to head to the top floor and check out the view.

The windows were really dirty! Which surprised me in one way, but totally makes sense being the whole wall is glass

One bit I left out earlier. The first thing we did when arriving at the CR is go into the gift shop to try and find the Minnie mug to match my "Mornings aren't pretty" Mickey one....they no longer had either of them!

Then back down to the 4th floor to go out onto the Viewing Deck to see the BLT construction without a fence in the way.

I was getting cold standing out there, so we headed back in for the monorail to make our way back to MK.

Yes, Henry that's monorail LIME GREEN!

And being that I'm still a bit of a Disney World newbie (though, starting to feel like a Vet!), we never realized this before....when leaving the CR and headed to MK, despite it being RIGHT THERE next to the resort, the monorail goes the opposite way - so you have to go all the way around. The monorail, I believe from the TTC, goes straight to MK-breezes through the CR. Why couldn't that monorail stop and pick up CR passengers?


Hmmm...I'm sure there is more to this, but I'm clueless!


Up next: Forgetfulness costs $28.00 at the MK (and more corny jokes!)

 

[IluvXU]

That hamburger looks so yummy- and I love all the pictures of Toontown and especially your exploring pictures of the Contemporary! Sorry that there was no matching mug!

 

[A's Princess]

I never noticed all the funny details in Minnie's house - thanks for the pics and corny jokes!

 

[2xcited2sleep]

Oooh, yummy! The Wave is officially on my list of cheeseburger places to try!!

 

[princess&her4princes]

A slight break in the TR to tell you all a little story...

Around 4:30 pm today I took Joe to the post office (he sold something on eBay for a friend). On the way home we have to pass McDonalds.

Being that it is February 26, I have been watching like a hawk this past week, every time we pass McDonalds to see if I see a glimmer of green or any sort of advertisement for the most glorious item ever...

THE SHAMROCK SHAKE.

I know some of you may be going, "The Sha, wha?" because this beauty is not offered at all McDonalds (which is so wrong, and very sad). As a matter of a fact I was DEPRIVED OF IT'S GOODNESS COMPLETELY while living in NYC! There is a McDonalds every 4 blocks, yet not one of them sells the Shamrock Shake. Trust me, the first year I lived there, I checked at every single McDonald's I passed. After failing, I finally used my Google skillz and found that many fellow New Yorkers were in my same boat. There was even a petition. The closest McDonalds was in New Jersey, and not on the train line.

So, for those of you not in the know...the Shamrock Shake (cue heaven-esque music) is a mint flavored green shake that is sold at McDonalds through the month of March in celebration of St. Patrick's Day.

And it is good.

Oh yes, it is good.
(if you like mint - which I do, veryyyy much!)

So, tonight, we are driving past McDonalds and my eyes pass over the banner ads on the building, their little letter sign on the shed, and then they fall on the Golden Arches sign

"Shamrock Shake $2.39"

I let out a giant gasp (which totally freaked Joe out, sorry honey) and make a very sharp right to make it into the McDonalds drive-through, I'm doing a boogie in my seat and Joe doesn't even have to ask why...

I pull up and as I roll down my window I ask Joe "Do you want one?"

"Ya!"

"2 small Shamrock Shakes please!"

I'm beaming with excitement and giddy. The cashier literally laughs at me. But I have a feeling I'm not alone in this love!

Henry's ice cream-dar went off immediatly and he was making "Gimme! Gimmie!" sounds and reaching from the back seat. Joe shared a bite with him and he instantly loved it!

THAT'S MY BOY!

We got home and I ate my Shamrock Shake while making dinner.

Uh-huh. Shamrock Shake for dessert AND dessert before dinner!

I look forward to you all year my beloved.

The first sip. I didn't even have my coat off yet.

My hat-head Shamrock Shake loving son and me!

Aww, yes, SHAMROCK SHAKES!! YUM!!! I didn't even realize it was that time of year already.woohoo!!!! Thanks for the heads up, Brook!!!

 

[princess&her4princes]

Whoa updates!! They were fantastic and I loved all the pictures!!! I"ve been through Mickey and Minnie's houses a couple of times and never noticed some of the details you did,probably cause I'm chasing 3 little ones aroun, but thank you, it was fun to see....as corny as they are!! Looks like you had a great meal at The Wave, worth going to?

I'm with you, never knew that the monorail would go all the way around either, we ate at Cher Mickey's before MVMCP and thought we could just go right to MK and NOPE! oops, good thing we had time to kill beforehand!! LOL!! It's a nice ride though...

 

[thewesterberg]

Shamrock shakes are back! YIPEE!!! So good to know - thanks for the heads up! (You know where I'll be stopping later today!) Between those and Egg Nog Shakes at Christmas time.... yum, yum, yum!

Another great update! Love all the pics from CR and your burger from The Wave looks delicious!

 

[Hollywoodhaha]

Goodness! I just discovered your new trip report. I read your other one
and love both!

 

[SoonerGirl]

Great updates - let me see if I can remember everything I wanted to comment on!

First, that Shamrock shake looks yummy, I've never heard of them, so I guess the McDonald's around here don't carry it.

Your detail pictures in Mickey & Minnie's houses were too cute - that palm tree is hilarious, I've never noticed it before.

Henry looks so tiny in that big chair in Minnie's house.

Ugggg, the Brazilian Tour Group in the bright yellow - I always thought they were just something that had to be dealt with in the summer months, but I've seen them mentioned in a few recent TRs, so I guess they come during the winter too.

Your castle pics were really cool, I'm going to have to remember to try and take some of those shots!

 

[BellaSoleil]

Great update! 'G' had a panic attack in Minnie's House on our HM (made for a very quick exit), so I was eating up all of your detailed photos. Henry will love the popcorn one day!

 

[brookelizabeth]

That hamburger looks so yummy- and I love all the pictures of Toontown and especially your exploring pictures of the Contemporary! Sorry that there was no matching mug!

The burgers were really yummy. It was a perfect, relaxing, quiet lunch. We enjoyed our quick dip out of MK mid-day.

I was bummed about the mug! We checked MANY shops throughout the week and never found either one. It must have been cycled out...I'll have to check eBay!

I never noticed all the funny details in Minnie's house - thanks for the pics and corny jokes!

Minnie's house was really cute - so many "mouse" things. I loved the artwork on her walls too!

Oooh, yummy! The Wave is officially on my list of cheeseburger places to try!!

It was one of the better burgers I've had at WDW. The bun kinda fell apart a bit, but I think that was due to the insane amounts of ketchup I use on my burgers, Joe's didn't fall apart at all.

Aww, yes, SHAMROCK SHAKES!! YUM!!! I didn't even realize it was that time of year already.woohoo!!!! Thanks for the heads up, Brook!!!

YAY! Another Shamrock Shake lover! I figured I wasn't alone! I LOVE MARCH!

Whoa updates!! They were fantastic and I loved all the pictures!!! I"ve been through Mickey and Minnie's houses a couple of times and never noticed some of the details you did,probably cause I'm chasing 3 little ones aroun, but thank you, it was fun to see....as corny as they are!! Looks like you had a great meal at The Wave, worth going to?

I'm with you, never knew that the monorail would go all the way around either, we ate at Cher Mickey's before MVMCP and thought we could just go right to MK and NOPE! oops, good thing we had time to kill beforehand!! LOL!! It's a nice ride though...

Thank you! Minnie's house has so much stuff in it, I bet there are tons of things to find new every time. I'm sure in December Henry will be running around in there and I'll miss all the details!

I do think the Wave is worth going to-we both enjoyed every minute. The service was great, food was yummy, and very reasonably priced. It was a great pit-stop mid-day. Plus, it's so close to MK, it's very quick if you are eager to get back to the park. I would like to try dinner there too.

Joe figures the monorail goes all the way around because the GF is the last stop before MK. GF is the most expensive resort, so they get the shortest ride to MK and CR guests can easily walk...but who knows!

Shamrock shakes are back! YIPEE!!! So good to know - thanks for the heads up! (You know where I'll be stopping later today!) Between those and Egg Nog Shakes at Christmas time.... yum, yum, yum!

Another great update! Love all the pics from CR and your burger from The Wave looks delicious!

Just another reason why you rule - you love Shamrock Shakes! The Egg Nog shakes are divine too!

Exploring the CR was a lot of fun - the views from the top floors are beautiful!

Goodness! I just discovered your new trip report. I read your other one
and love both!

Welcome (back)! Thank you for reading - glad to hear you are enjoying it! I hope to get another update in TODAY!

Great updates - let me see if I can remember everything I wanted to comment on!

First, that Shamrock shake looks yummy, I've never heard of them, so I guess the McDonald's around here don't carry it.

Your detail pictures in Mickey & Minnie's houses were too cute - that palm tree is hilarious, I've never noticed it before.

Henry looks so tiny in that big chair in Minnie's house.

Ugggg, the Brazilian Tour Group in the bright yellow - I always thought they were just something that had to be dealt with in the summer months, but I've seen them mentioned in a few recent TRs, so I guess they come during the winter too.

Your castle pics were really cool, I'm going to have to remember to try and take some of those shots!

Oh no! You are one of the deprived locations of the Shamrock Shake. Now that you say it though, my friend from OK who lives in NYC thought I was INSANE during my month long McDonald's Shake Hunt. She had never heard of them either.

The Brazilian Tour Groups where everywhereeeeeeeeeeee. It was nuts! And the girls in the bathrooms. Oh my word. I can't recall what park I was in, or what day it was, but I went to the restroom and there were, oh, about 50 girls in there and about 10 of them were sitting on the counters in front of the sinks blocking ALL of them but one. They didn't even blink an eye when a line formed for the sink. Other than that, they just hogged up the roads and made lines really long! But, I'm sure they brought a pretty penny to Disney World that week, there were at least 5 different groups!

MeMom took some BEAUTIFUL pics on her report of the Castle up close like that. I thought they would make great desktop wallpaper and I could be reminded of my happy place every single day.

 

[brookelizabeth]

Great update! 'G' had a panic attack in Minnie's House on our HM (made for a very quick exit), so I was eating up all of your detailed photos. Henry will love the popcorn one day!

Oh no! That's awful! Poor G! But, I can see why too - it's a tight little space and there always seems to be a ton of people in there.

I hope you can make it through again sometime - with Belle!

 

[DisneyBride'03]

Great update!!!! Great pics!! Henry is so adorable Brook, how is he feeling? I think I missed that post..sorry!
Oh, that burger looked so yummy! lol Is it lunch yet?! lol

 

[troobabiee7]

Too funny, I never heard of the Shamrock Shake! You're right, they don't have them ANYWHERE around here

I love all the pictures! We haven't been to Mickey and Minnie's houses since 1992 so it was fun to see all the little details!