"We're going wild - Disney style" - A Oct 15-25th Pre-TR (10/12...for the ladies!)

[khertz]

WOW! That all looks SO incredible! I can't even imagine what it would look like in person, but it looks amazing in pictures.

I'm excited to hear how VEGAS was! I hope DH & I are able to go back one day. We really had a blast, but there was still so much to see & do that we just didn't have time for!

 

[Tinkerbellarella]

All caught up (again).

Wow.

Just. Wow.

It looks like you had an absolutely AMAZING trip. Seeing pictures like that never fails to leave me speechless. What an incredibly varied country we live in.

 

[skier_pete]

Beautiful!

Love, love, love all the amazing shots. So beautiful!

What a trip! Your pictures are breathtaking!! What an experience for your DD. I cna't believe your parents live there for part of the year. I'd be amazed everyday!

Thanks so much. Again, it's an absolutely stunning place, so really easy to get great pictures. At Zion I was literally sticking the camera out the car / bus window as we drove by things.

It seems like a pretty wonderful place to live...the big negative - about 2 hour drive to get to the nearest sizeable grocery store / shopping center / movie theater. With today's technology (Internet / Sattelite TV) it probably doesn't feel so remote - I was checking out all the PTR updates while I was out there - but it would be a big change in lifestyle from what most of us our used to. Just wonderful to visit, though.

WOW! That all looks SO incredible! I can't even imagine what it would look like in person, but it looks amazing in pictures.

I'm excited to hear how VEGAS was! I hope DH & I are able to go back one day. We really had a blast, but there was still so much to see & do that we just didn't have time for!

It really is great to see, we of late have been sticking with the same 4 vacation destinations...WDW, Myrtle Beach, Pheonix (my parents) and skiing (every few years), so it was totally awesome doing something so different.

Vegas is...well, we'll get to that...let's say Vegas is not my favorite.

All caught up (again).

Wow. Just. Wow.

It looks like you had an absolutely AMAZING trip. Seeing pictures like that never fails to leave me speechless. What an incredibly varied country we live in.

It is amazing to me that all this amazing stuff is in one corner of one state. We didn't even cover 1/4 of the state. And then there's California, which has just some similiarly amazing landscapes (Yosemite and Tahoe) while also having the coastlines (Big Sur) and cities (LA & SF). This is partly why DW and I keep saying "we should go to Europe" but don't...there's just too much to see here, and it doesn't cost a fortune to get there. It's also why though I love Disney World, I can't possibly spend all my vacation time going there.

I'll try to get the Vegas update in tomorrow. We have a 4-day weekend for Labor Day (Yay, Union shop!) and though I am watching DD tomorrow, I hopefully will have a little free time to type.

 

[skier_pete]

So, on this past Saturday we got up and packed up our cabin, went to my parents motor home for breakfast and to make a picnic lunch, drop off DD, and headed out about 10:45 AM. We drove to Vegas, making one stop in Mesquite to have a picnic lunch at the Nevada visitor center (which was closed), and arrive in Vegas about 2:30 PM.

We had decided to stay at the Rio, mostly because this is where the Penn and Teller show was. The Rio is slightly off the Strip, but we ended up not leaving the hotel at all this day. We spent a little time exploring the Rio and some quality time relaxing in our room before we headed out for dinner. WE didn't go out to the pool because their was this wicked wind whipping through the desert that made being outside rather uncomfortable. (It was hot, but not super-hot...about 100 degrees.)

Now, Vegas is not really our style...the vices that are celebrated here (gambling, drinking, partying, sex) are not really what we are interested in...however, we do have one vice that Vegas also has in spades...FOOD!

Since we were at the Rio, and they had like 12 restaurants here, we decided we would eat dinner here as well, and since I had just gotten a major bonus at work, we decided to splurge at eat at the Voodoo Steak House. (We also had a 25 % off coupon with our Penn and Teller tickets.) This restaurant is on the 50th floor of the Rio, overlooking the strip. There is also a fairly well-known nightclub up there called the Voodoo lounge. Here's the view from the balcony:

And here's us enjoying a bottle of Reisling:

Notice the Disney Tie!

Onto the food porn. The appetizer we got (to split) was the Witch Doctor sampler: Which had a lump crab cake, shrip aioli (battered shrimp), rock shrimp hush puppies and tasso ham beignets, for $18.

After that, our meal came. I had the 12 oz filer mignon, while my wife had the strip steak, both done medium, both running $42:

Sides we chose the Aspargus and the Truffle Mac and Cheese (@ $8 each):

Everything was delicious, the steaks were incredible...blew Le Cellier away. We did not end up having any desert, as we were too stuffed. The bill came to about $1256 after the 25 % discount...with tip...but it was just oh so good. Definitely Signature dining!

After that, it was off to the Penn and Teller show. A great show, though a tad short (it only ran about an hour and twenty minutes). Lots of cool magic/comedy, lots of bringing people up on stage. After the show, you got to meet the pair in the lobby. Penn is absolutely huge!

We left the show it was almost 11 PM. We walked over to where they do an hourly show called "Show in the sky". I didn't snap any pics, but there is a stage show as well as Mardi Gras "floats" on rails in the ceiling that run around the space above the Casino while scantily clad dancers throw beads. We wanted to see if the show would be appropriate for Adriana to see...but there was waaayyyy to much humping on the stage-show part. (The costumes, while lingerie-ish in style, did cover all the naughty bits, though.)

After that, we decided to call it a night...I also need to stop here, so I will have a little more on Vegas and some final thoughts on Sin City another time.

 

[khertz]

Glad you enjoyed the show! We didn't stay to meet them, but I know DH is regretting that, as I think he loves them more now than he did before! I love how they show you how the tricks are done, but then still do something at the end that makes you go What just happened?!? Did Penn do the nail gun bit? That was our favorite!

Great views of the strip from the restaurant!! We had been lucky enough to get a similar view from our resorts windows since we got a "presidential" unit. It was so gorgeous at night with all of the casinos lit up on the strip. And that dinner looks fantastic. We ate at the Rio before the show too, but did the buffet instead, which was one of the better buffets we tried that week.

We are not into the gambling/drinking/partying aspect of Vegas either, and that was why I was not as excited about going as DH was. But we ended up having a great time, even though I only gambled for about 10 minutes (only because I found my favorite machine, The Price is Right!), and the night we went to Freemont Street, I had one drink while DH played blackjack for an hour, and that was it! The rest was seeing shows, exploring the casinos, and checking out the shops on the strip! I think just drinking & partying & gambling would be such a waste and you would miss so much of what Vegas has to offer!

I'm eager to see what else y'all did while there. But after seeing this:

Vegas is...well, we'll get to that...let's say Vegas is not my favorite.

Maybe not so great?

 

[JLR]

Hey Pete,

I just wanted to stop by and say I am excited for you all! AKL!!!!!! Looks like you are having a great summer.

We've been having a nice summer too. We went to Medora, ND (Theodore Roosevelt National Park) as we have done for the last three years. Things have been pretty crazy at work, too.

Now I might have the chance to go back to Disney a little earlier than planned. (You predicted it didn't you?) There is a conference I really want to go to. The only problem is that it is in June! That is not a time I ever wanted to go to Disney! However, when my plane ticket and the room is paid for (well 1/2 of the days of rooms), how could I not bring my daughter. My husband says not yet for the twins. I'm hoping my freind PV would come up from Fort lauderdale and take Madeline around while I'm at meetings. Otherwise, I think I'll spring for one of those expensive babysitting services and have them take Madeline to the parks for me.

The convention is at the Gaylord Palms, but I think I'd rather stay on Disney property. I have been debating the relative merits of Pop Century and Coronado Springs. We'd come 2 - 3 days before my meetings and stay 2 - 3 days afterwards. I was also toyihng with the idea of the Swan or Dolphin if my University faculty ID counts as a "teacher." Hmmm decisions, decisions.

Well, I will look forward to keeping up to date on your trip. I don't check in on the DIS as much as I used to but I promise I will read and chime in when I have a chance.

Julie

 

[skier_pete]

Did Penn do the nail gun bit? That was our favorite!

Maybe not so great?

Actually, it was a pretty good weekend...there was really nothing wrong with it, I just find Vegas gets on my nerves after a few days.

And, yes, he did the nail gun bit. Most tricks were very neat..and I do love how they do a twist to make you go "wow".

 

[skier_pete]

Hey Pete,

I just wanted to stop by and say I am excited for you all! AKL!!!!!! Looks like you are having a great summer.

We've been having a nice summer too. We went to Medora, ND (Theodore Roosevelt National Park) as we have done for the last three years. Things have been pretty crazy at work, too.

Now I might have the chance to go back to Disney a little earlier than planned. (You predicted it didn't you?) There is a conference I really want to go to. The only problem is that it is in June! That is not a time I ever wanted to go to Disney! However, when my plane ticket and the room is paid for (well 1/2 of the days of rooms), how could I not bring my daughter. My husband says not yet for the twins. I'm hoping my freind PV would come up from Fort lauderdale and take Madeline around while I'm at meetings. Otherwise, I think I'll spring for one of those expensive babysitting services and have them take Madeline to the parks for me.

The convention is at the Gaylord Palms, but I think I'd rather stay on Disney property. I have been debating the relative merits of Pop Century and Coronado Springs. We'd come 2 - 3 days before my meetings and stay 2 - 3 days afterwards. I was also toyihng with the idea of the Swan or Dolphin if my University faculty ID counts as a "teacher." Hmmm decisions, decisions.

Well, I will look forward to keeping up to date on your trip. I don't check in on the DIS as much as I used to but I promise I will read and chime in when I have a chance.

Julie

Hey, good for you! June would not be my *first* choice, but early June isn't really too busy. (Though hot!) If I was going at that time, I would just try and take an easy pace. It would be way better if you could get your friend to come up for a few days...I would feel weird having a stranger taking my child around the parks...I would want someone I know there to share with me any special moments.

 

[skier_pete]

DD starts school tomorrow, but the trip to school last week to load her locker / meet her teacher gave us two pieces of info:

1) DD teacher, Miss. Lewis, is getting married October 9th. She is going for her honeymoon to...wait for it...Disney World! I'm not sure how long she's going for, but she can't be too upset at DD for missing a week of school to go there...can she? (DW told her we were pulling her out for 6 days.) It's also good because she miss seeing what a pain in the a** our DD turns into right before a Disney trip.

2) Turns out one of the days DD misses is actually a 1/2 day of school, which in our school system is actually a whopping 2 hours (9:30 - 11:30), so that's a little less school missed.

That's it for now...I'll try to finish Vegas up shortly.

 

[skier_pete]

Before I get into our last day in Vegas, I've been hinting that I don't like Vegas very much, and I guess I should say why...

I think it's mostly the Casinos...it's not that I am against gambling...while it's not particularly my thing, hey whatever you like, it's your money...it's just that I find casinos to be very depressing places.

When you walk around in a casino, it never looks like anyone is actually having any fun. The people sitting at the slot machine look like Zombies, and even the people at the table games rarely act like they get any pleasure out of it. And the employees seem to be the same way...very rarely do any of them seem to like their jobs. The "Show in the Sky" cast looked like they could barely bother to be there.

And of course the Casinos make sure you can't get away from the Casinos...want to go down to the pool...gotta cut through the casino. Grab something to eat...more casino.

What really got me annoyed this trip is we went over the Mirage to see the white tigers. Seven years ago when we went there you could see the white tigers for free. Well, we valet parked and trudged our way through the casino and the shopping mall and got back to where the white tigers were...sorry, you gotta pay $15 to see them!

And that's what gets to me...it USED to be they had the gambling, so everything else was relatively cheap. Now, NOTHING is cheap in Vegas, everything costs you.

Anyways, back to our final day. We spent the morning lounging around our room. (Nice King-size bed...love it, we don't get that at home!) and eventually I went down to the conceirge to get our boarding passes. The hotel wanted to charge $14 a day for the internet...and conceirge was originally going to charge me $5 for my boarding passes. However, the lady I talked with gave me the passes for free. I had a nice conversation with her while waiting for the 24-hour window on the tickets to open up.

After that, we eventually made our way to thing I was most looking forward to in Vegas. I love watching the show "Man Versus Food" on the Travel Channel...not for the glutton challanges, but the other restaurants that Adam Richman visits. For the Vegas episode, he went to a place calld Hash House A Go-Go. I so much wanted to try it.

The food and atmosphere were awesome! We ate there around noon on Sunday and there was about 50 people waiting for tables. (This place is not a secret.) There’s one on the strip at the Imperial Palace, but this one is far from the strip. They served a ton of choices…both breakfast and non-breakfast food. We noticed on the menu that a pancake was $7…for a single pancake…then we saw that they were the size of a hubcap.

This is the one of the meals that Richman himself was served, which I ordered. A “Farm Benedict”: Andy's sage fried chicken w/ fresh spinach, hardwood smoked bacon, market tomato, griddled mozzarella, chipotle cream and scrambled eggs served on a fresh split biscuit with griddled mashed potatoes. The picture doesn’t really do the size of it justice, this was probably a 14” long plate, and the food was piled a good 6” off the plate. The flavor combinations were amazing especially with the chipotle cream sauce. This was – no lie – one of the best things I’ve ever tasted.

DW had the Farm Scramble with Roasted chicken, fresh corn, roasted red pepper, & mozzarella served crispy potatoes and a biscuit. This was also delicious, though not quite as good as the benedict above. The biscuits were fantastic, and huge. Again, the picture doesn’t show the scale great, but the biscuit was a good 3.5” in diameter and probably a good 2” thick. We actually split the two meals, each having half of each meal. It was so much food that I was still not that hungry at dinner time.

They also serve a stuffed hamburger, which is two hamburger patties with various things stuffed in between. I wanted to go back for dinner, but because it was Sunday they closed at 2 PM. If you are ever in Vegas…you gotta check it out.

WE got back to the casino, and checked in to the second room for my parents. In fact, we actually changed rooms so that we could have adjoining rooms for convenience. As we were moving rooms, my mother called to say they were about an hour away. Since we had their room keys, we decided to go down to the lobby. We had gotten a $10 slot play for joining the Player's club, and so we cashed them in. I can't stand slot machines...my game (on the rare occasion I play) is craps, but a lot of casinos don't have Table's that are less than $10. Because of the way craps work, you end up putting numerous bets on the table at once, at with a $10 table, it's too much money for me to be betting to play my progressive system. But, low and behold, the Rio went and opened a $5 Table right as i came down there. I took my $100 (that's all I will "play" with at the craps Table) and got my chips. At the same time, this group came up to the table and started playing...they had never played before and didn't know how to bet or anything, so the casino employee was explaining it. The guy that walked up next to me said "Watch this, it'll be beginning's luck." I said, "I sure hope so".

Well, the girl started rolling, and she kept rolling for at least 20 minutes without crapping out. While I wasn't taking high risk bets, I was playing double-odds, so had $15 on each bet, and at times had as many as 4 bets on the table. (That's $60 on the table at once.) but she kept rolling, and I kept winning. By the time she was done, I was already up over $100. I stayed at the table for 45 minutes total, and walked away up $171. I was pretty happy with that. (Full disclosure though - later that night I went back with another $100 and lost it all in about 15 minutes...so ended up $71 ahead for the trip.) Meanwhile, DW took her $10 slot play and turned it into $20.

Well, just as we cashed out, grandma and grandpa arrived with DD. They headed for the casino first thing...and we went down to casino right away. (Like most seniors...they loooove casinos.) I took DD down to the pool. Unbelievably, it was only about 85 degrees and very breezy, so the pool was actually a little uncomfortably cold, but we stayed there about two hours. Then, we went upstairs, and that's when we headed to the Mirage, and things started to go downhill. After trekking through the Mirage and not seeing the Tigers, (DD had the line of the day: "That's OK daddy, the tigers are bad luck anyways." I have no idea what she meant.) we headed for the Bellagio to see the fountain show.

Here's a view of Paris while waiting for the show:

And Caesar's Palace:

The Fountains were actually kind of lame. I don't know if it was just the show we caught (it was an opera), but they didn't really seem to be all that impressive. The strip was crowded with people and cars, and as we got in our car I was starting to get annoyed. I drove further down the strip and cut off back towards the hotel. I could see our hotel, but every road seemed to end in a dead end. It took me about 15 minutes to get the 6 blocks back to the hotel.

We were now supposed to meet my cousin (actually step-cousin) and her two kids who live in Vegas for dinner at the TGIFriday's in the Gold Coast Casino. I hadn't seen her in years, and was looking forward to it. the problem was, her kids nap until 6:30 PM while our Daughter at best stays up until about 9 pm, and was on a time-change from Utah making that 8 pm to her. So we got to the restaurant a little bit early, about 6:45 PM, and she called to say she was running late. Well, we got our table, and rather than sitting down with us, my parents had to go out to the casino. This kinda ticked me off, this is the last time they'll see us for 6 months, but they'd rather hit the slots? We hadn't brought anything to entertain DD, and she was getting tired, so we were sitting there by ourselves with our DD getting cranky...so I told DW I'll run next door to the Rio to pick up her coloring and markers.

Well, "next door" in Vegas is a 15 minute trek because you of course have to go through the casinos, and our room was on the end of a very, very long hallway:

Well, after getting the room, I decided to go down the stairs...our end of the hall was towards the gold coast, so I thought I could just go down the stairs and out to the street. WRONG! I got down to the bottom, and the door was alarmed, so again had to trek all the way back down the hall (on the 3rd floor) and through the casino...and I was by this point really steaming.

Anyways, I said to myself..."calm down, you don't need to spend the time with your cousin you haven't seen in 10 years fuming about her town." So, I brought myself down, and by the time I got over there, they had just arrived. As it turned out, the markers and paper were a huge hit, and kept the kids occupied while we had a nice meal. Afterwards, DW brought DD back to the hotel to sleep, while I stayed a little while longer chatting. I actually rode back over to the Rio with my cousin, who's husband worked as a Valet at the Rio...so I got to meet him for the first time.

So, other than going out and losing that $100, that was it for Vegas. We had both had enough and were ready to go...it was a nice place for a getaway without DD, but with her there - the place got on our nerves too much.

 

[Tinkerbellarella]

After that, we eventually made our way to thing I was most looking forward to in Vegas. I love watching the show "Man Versus Food" on the Travel Channel...not for the glutton challanges, but the other restaurants that Adam Richman visits there.

Adm and MvF seems to be a theme in the PTRs/TRs I'm reading. We're big fans. BF wants to visit so many of the places he's been!

 

[skier_pete]

Adm and MvF seems to be a theme in the PTRs/TRs I'm reading. We're big fans. BF wants to visit so many of the places he's been!

Well, if you ever go to Vegas you should check this place out...awesome food, huge portions, and prices are not outrageous Our meal cost $33 for the two of us, $39 with tip...that was the two meals plus a fresh-squeezed OJ for me. I said to me wife that while our meal the night before was slightly better because it was melt-in-your-mouth steak, this dinner was actually better on a per dollar basis. I was just talking with someone about it before, and I can't remember EVER being at a restaurant, and wanting to come right back for my next meal there!

God, I'm drooling as I type...and I sooo need to cut back on the calories...I gotta lose some weight before we head to Disney or I'll come back so big I won't fit any of my clothes!

 

[rhondag508]

Actually, when we went in mid-October in 2006, they were playing Hallowishes every night...I don't know if they still do this in October or not...so that would change things a bit too.

That reminds me...I need to post a ? about that over on the theme parks board.

I'll keep reading to see what you find out about this...We can go back to our hotel on Oct 20 if Hallowishes is the fireworks on that night too since we will be there for MNSSHP on the 17th.

So, they just announced (to the surprise of no-one) that the Main Street Electrical Parade has been extended. I was so sure of this, my spreadsheet already listed MSEP as the MK nightly parade.

This makes the likelyhood of us going to MK on our last evening at AKV very very high, as there are very few opportunities on our trip to go and see it. We would either that have to go on our FIRST day, which is also a possiblity, but maybe not a great one either.

It's only playing
Sat 10/16 9 PM
Mon 10/18 8 PM
Wed 10/20 8 PM
Sat 10/23 9 PM

Monday we have DD in Camp Kidani until 8 PM. Wednesday we have Le Cellier at 6 PM and I'm not giving THAT up...so that leaves the two Saturday night parades. I think we can wing it whether we want to go out for the first Saturday night parade...we don't have a very full day that day with plans to spend some time in the afternoon at the hotel. We have a 5:45 PM at Boma, but could head to MK afterwards if we wanted to.

Hmmm..food for thought.

Thanks for the heads up on the electrical parade! I'm no help to you as I've only been to Disneyland twice and never WDW, but I'm enjoying your plans since we will be there at the same time. Sadly, only offsite rather than your Animal Kingdom dream, but we're doing a lot of character meals instead since our DDs are 8 and 4.

My point: Thank you for sharing your trip planning!



And congrats on the great trip to Vegas and the canyons! What fun to see!

 

[skier_pete]

I'll keep reading to see what you find out about this...We can go back to our hotel on Oct 20 if Hallowishes is the fireworks on that night too since we will be there for MNSSHP on the 17th.

Thanks for the heads up on the electrical parade! I'm no help to you as I've only been to Disneyland twice and never WDW, but I'm enjoying your plans since we will be there at the same time. Sadly, only offsite rather than your Animal Kingdom dream, but we're doing a lot of character meals instead since our DDs are 8 and 4.

My point: Thank you for sharing your trip planning!

Thanks for Joining in Rhondag508, and

I have since found out that it will in fact be good 'ol Wishes on the non-party nights, so you should definitely try and catch it...make sure to stake a spot in front of the castle to see Tinkerbell fly from the top of the castle (most nights). Hallowishes and Wishes are quite different.

Too bad for you then that its MSEP - you've probably already seen that in Disneyland! You're in for a wonderful time. Having only been to DL, you will probably be amazed by how big it all is...but staying off-site really isn't a bad way to go...and can be a great way to make a vacation more affordable. We've gotten hooked on staying on-site, but it is SO expensive. You DO save the money of not having a car or paying for parking, but it usually doesn't make up for the food and hotel costs. If your staying off-site but close by, it can really be a very close drive to the parks. Another nice thing about staying off-site is you can eat some of your meals at good but inexpensive restaurants instead of always paying Disney prices.

However, it's great your getting to a couple of character meals! These are a great way to meet the characters. Our favorite is Crystal Palace, best buffet food on property in my view. (Well, Tusker House lunch is a favorite too, but no characters there!)

If any of your days match up, look for us in the park...I wear a burnt orange camelback with a Lime Green Mickey Head (LGMH) on both the front and the back. Always looking to meet fellow DISers.

I wore it all through Utah, but didn't get anyone asking about my LGMH! I thought it would be funny to meet a fellow DISer in the canyons of Utah.

 

[Tinkerbellarella]

I'll come back so big I won't fit any of my clothes!

Is it bad if this is my goal a la the DxDP?

 

[rhondag508]

Thanks for the welcome!!

We've seen the electrical parade, but our DD's haven't, so we're happy to see it again. We're saving a ton as we had some sort of credit card points for our hotel, so I won't complain-the AKL would have been my splurge choice too if money were no object.

Comparing itineraries, the only day our paths might cross is Friday at the Animal Kingdom....We're getting there fairly early though and going to Boma for supper. I'll look for your LGMH and backpack just in case we get a chance to say, "Hi" for a sec.

 

[laashley]

Popped over and now I'm all caught up. Will be on the lookout for you and your family at the parks. How cute that your DD is dressing up as KP.

Your family will love AKL, we stayed savannah view in April for 3 nights. So nice to wake up in the morning and sit on the balcony and watch the animals.

Had to comment on your Vegas trip. For one, all the food looked so good. Vegas definitely isn't cheap though! Dh and I love Vegas, and not for the gambling. The cirque du soliel shows are fantastic, the Bellagio fountains are beautiful at night, and all the hotels themeing is great. We did see Penn and Teller in '03 and loved it, wasn't too thrilled about the rest of the Rio though. More of a couples trip, but we always seem to have good, clean fun there. I would recommend staying on the strip if you go back.

9 days at disney will be so much fun, but it definitely can get tiring. Sleeping in can be a good thing! My kids are younger, but they got so worn out with our 9 day trip that we ended up missing an ADR

 

[skier_pete]

Is it bad if this is my goal a la the DxDP?

Well, that's the idea...I gotta lose the weight so I can put it back on at WDW! (Someone brought in donuts this morning, I avoided them, but couldn't resist popping a couple muchkins / timbits (depending on your donut brand).

Thanks for the welcome!!

We've seen the electrical parade, but our DD's haven't, so we're happy to see it again. We're saving a ton as we had some sort of credit card points for our hotel, so I won't complain-the AKL would have been my splurge choice too if money were no object.

Oh, I wish money were no object! Only via careful saving for about 18 months and renting DVC points was I able to do this. I'm hoping its not a "once in a lifetime" thing, but I plan on telling my family...don't get used to it.

Comparing itineraries, the only day our paths might cross is Friday at the Animal Kingdom....We're getting there fairly early though and going to Boma for supper. I'll look for your LGMH and backpack just in case we get a chance to say, "Hi" for a sec.

What time is your supper at Boma...we'll have to come back through AKL since we are having dinner at Saana that night. (I assume you mean the 20th.) I think we'll be focusing on Dinoland and FotLK that day. My goal is to hit Africa/Asia our first AK day, and then leave the shows, boneyard, and parade for this day. Are you planning on staying for the parade? We could try and pick a location to meet up for the parade if you are going to be around that long...

Popped over and now I'm all caught up. Will be on the lookout for you and your family at the parks. How cute that your DD is dressing up as KP.

We (or I) will also keep an eye out for your family as well, especially on those days we overlap.

Disney is really missing out on cash from our family by not selling KP merchandise anymore...I've been buying everything on e-bay. My DD was really upset that KP and Ron don't meet in the parks anymore. We decided that "they must just be off on missions all the time."

Had to comment on your Vegas trip. For one, all the food looked so good. Vegas definitely isn't cheap though! Dh and I love Vegas, and not for the gambling. The cirque du soliel shows are fantastic, the Bellagio fountains are beautiful at night, and all the hotels themeing is great. We did see Penn and Teller in '03 and loved it, wasn't too thrilled about the rest of the Rio though. More of a couples trip, but we always seem to have good, clean fun there. I would recommend staying on the strip if you go back.

The food was definitely good enough that it might incentive us to go back again someday. I agree Vegas is much better for an adults only trip...our problem is we use those to go skiing...which I would MUCH rather do. (Skiing is one of the few things I prefer over eating!) The Rio wasn't anything special, but the price was right. We really were doing a budget trip and manage to spend only about $2200 over the 10 days. It helped that two of the airline tickets were Reward tix.

9 days at disney will be so much fun, but it definitely can get tiring. Sleeping in can be a good thing! My kids are younger, but they got so worn out with our 9 day trip that we ended up missing an ADR

Our DD gets pooped out very easily, and we have never made it through a trip without a meltdown. Now when we travel she gets so worked up before we leave that she doesn't sleep...I expect the first melt-down to occur on Day 3...she has gotten better as she's gotten older, though, partly because she no longer needs 12 hours of sleep every night.

SkierPete

 

[Tinkerbellarella]

I avoided them, but couldn't resist popping a couple muchkins / timbits (depending on your donut brand).

I prefer munchkins.

But let me be honest.

I'll never turn down any donut-y goodness.

 

[skier_pete]

One thing I forgot to mention in my Utah / Vegas mini-report. Talked things over with my mom, and she has decided to join us for our 2011 trip. We set a tentative date of Nov 11-20, 2011 for several reasons:

1) DD will likely have Friday, Nov 11th (vetrans day) and Friday Nov 18th (PT conference day) off from school. Not sure what the teacher will think of us pulling her that week...but we can take a 10-day trip with her only missing 4 days of school this way.

2) DW, on her current schedule, has that week off.

3) This is a week that has free dining in 2010, and also had it in 2009. We're hoping for FD in 2011, which would allow us to afford to stay in a mod. If not, we'll probably stay value so we can afford the DDP. (No "break the budget" next year.) It seems with all the *other* FD they are doing in 2011, that they will likely have late season FD in 2011 as well, since they've had it three years in a row now.

4) November weather is near-perfect...and it's the week before Thanksgiving week so crowds should be low.

5) We can catch the end of Food and Wine festival. (Yum!)

6) We can also catch the Obsorne lights, one of our favorite things from last Christmas.

7) We would have the option of doing a MVMCP if we wanted to. (Not sure yet if we do.)

We decided to do a 2011 trip because we won't be doing any WDW in 2012...and to go from 2010 to 2013 with no WDW seems unthinkable right now. I won't be doing any actual planning until after this upcoming trip is over, but at least I will be able to get my planning fix!