WHAT A DIFFERENCE 6 MOS. MAKES (or how I learned to love MK) COMPLETE-WRAP-UP 12/29

[amandaw]

Sounds like y'all were off to a good start for the day! And I'm glad that y'alls trip didn't get any worse. Can't wait to hear about all the fun y'all had at DHS!

 

[dizneeat]

A much better start to your day than the day before ..... hope it stays that way! BTW - I LOVE that photo of Max biting into his HUGE danish!

 

[KatMark]

Tina, we discovered the Writers Shop a couple of trips ago and absolutely love it. There cappucinos are small, but good. And the goodies are huge and very fresh and tasty. I can't believe that TSM still goes through fast passes so darn fast.

 

[MAGICFOR2]

Hi Tina! I'm finally all caught up. I was so sorry to read about your un-magical 2nd day. I guess it's going to happen some time. Too bad our kiddos don't come with step by step instructions, but every day is a new adventure! I am impressed that you just went with what worked at the moment for Max There is a lot of stimulus at Disney for little ones, and they don't know how much planning we've gone thru!

 

[tinacaplan]

Sounds like y'all were off to a good start for the day! And I'm glad that y'alls trip didn't get any worse. Can't wait to hear about all the fun y'all had at DHS!

It turned out to be a great day!

A much better start to your day than the day before ..... hope it stays that way! BTW - I LOVE that photo of Max biting into his HUGE danish!

Thanks! Its not a bad picture.

Hi Tina! I'm finally all caught up. I was so sorry to read about your un-magical 2nd day. I guess it's going to happen some time. Too bad our kiddos don't come with step by step instructions, but every day is a new adventure! I am impressed that you just went with what worked at the moment for Max There is a lot of stimulus at Disney for little ones, and they don't know how much planning we've gone thru!

Bad days happen...even at Disney! And its true....I think even if I could have shown Max one of my spreadsheets, he probably would have been unimpressed.

 

[glennbo123]

I've seen good reviews on the Writer's Stop on several TRs and definitely need to check it out one of these days!

 

[natebenma]

Not a huge fan of the Epcot to DHS boats. There! I said it! Too hot. Too inflexible. We were running towards one of the boats as it was docked and we heard over a loudspeaker "Don't bother. You're not going to make it"

BTW- I was told that the boats are not owned or operated by Disney, but like the bus system, they are contracted out.

5 PM FP return time in the morning? That's crazy!!!

I agree with the PP- great picture of Max and the pastry that is almost as big as his head.

The Writer's Stop does look like a yummy place.

 

[Stringbean&Wingnut]

I love the Writer's Stop! It's so nice and pleasant there! It sounds like this day started on a much better note! (And not just because of the carrot cake cookie..yum!)

 

[annmarieda]

Awe, this morning is SOOO much better.

 

[PlutosRHM55]

So glad things were looking up after your last day. It's never fun to get sick in Disney, especially on a day like that. You guys just weren't having it that day. The day after did sound like it was off to a better start.

I couldn't believe they wouldn't hold the boat for a few more seconds. I understand they are on a tight schedule, but I think skimming that by a few seconds or barely a minute would be too much. How tight can you get? Seriously?! I'm sorry to hear you missed Rope Drop, but it seemed the crowds died down once you got into the park.

Ooooo... Writer's Stop! I definitely must check that place out. The Carrot Cake Cookie sounds delicious and from the food pictures I have scene, it's HUGE! Definitely breakfast worthy as you said. I will have to add it to my list of Disney things to-do now

Can't wait to read more!

 

[Missyrose]

Okay, your AK/MK day can only be categorized as your "Terrible, Horrible, No Good, Very Bad Day at Disney."

Meltdowns, stomach issues, a disappointing Wishes dessert party... ugh, you really needed a hug after all that.

But I'm so glad you woke up to a beautiful new day that began with a yummy breakfast at the Writer's Stop, one of my favorite hidden places in the parks. I used to hang out here while DBF was off riding the thrill ride I wanted no part of.

Hope your day gets even better from here on out!

 

[tinacaplan]

I've seen good reviews on the Writer's Stop on several TRs and definitely need to check it out one of these days!

Its themed well and very cute, plus its one of the few places in the parks to get a good latte. Oh...and those carrot cake cookies! Yum!

Not a huge fan of the Epcot to DHS boats. There! I said it! Too hot. Too inflexible. We were running towards one of the boats as it was docked and we heard over a loudspeaker "Don't bother. You're not going to make it"

BTW- I was told that the boats are not owned or operated by Disney, but like the bus system, they are contracted out.

5 PM FP return time in the morning? That's crazy!!!

I agree with the PP- great picture of Max and the pastry that is almost as big as his head.

The Writer's Stop does look like a yummy place.

Glad to know I'm not the only one who has had less than stellar boat experiences. I've never had a bad experience with the bus...just the boats.

And definitely check out Writer's Stop. Delicious!

I love the Writer's Stop! It's so nice and pleasant there! It sounds like this day started on a much better note! (And not just because of the carrot cake cookie..yum!)

Totally agree about Writer's Stop....love it there!

Awe, this morning is SOOO much better.

Yes, yes it did!

So glad things were looking up after your last day. It's never fun to get sick in Disney, especially on a day like that. You guys just weren't having it that day. The day after did sound like it was off to a better start.

I couldn't believe they wouldn't hold the boat for a few more seconds. I understand they are on a tight schedule, but I think skimming that by a few seconds or barely a minute would be too much. How tight can you get? Seriously?! I'm sorry to hear you missed Rope Drop, but it seemed the crowds died down once you got into the park.

Ooooo... Writer's Stop! I definitely must check that place out. The Carrot Cake Cookie sounds delicious and from the food pictures I have scene, it's HUGE! Definitely breakfast worthy as you said. I will have to add it to my list of Disney things to-do now

Can't wait to read more!

Well, at least the trip improved. And definitely check out Writer's Stop...you won't regret it.

Okay, your AK/MK day can only be categorized as your "Terrible, Horrible, No Good, Very Bad Day at Disney."

Meltdowns, stomach issues, a disappointing Wishes dessert party... ugh, you really needed a hug after all that.

But I'm so glad you woke up to a beautiful new day that began with a yummy breakfast at the Writer's Stop, one of my favorite hidden places in the parks. I used to hang out here while DBF was off riding the thrill ride I wanted no part of.

Hope your day gets even better from here on out!

So true about our AK day, but it did get better after that.

 

[pinkxray]

I am just getting caught up.

Wow, what an awful day you had. I can see why you don't want to stay at the Yacht Club.

Too bad you had to miss Wishes and didn't really enjoy the party. I am surprised you even made it there. I probably would have given up and not even bothered going.

for the Poly. The CR seems cool if you have theme park view room, but the resort itself seems blah to me. The grounds are boring and being from CT the Poly will be a perfect escape from the winter.

Glad your DHS was better. We stopped in Writers stop but never got to try the snacks since we always go to Scifi while in DHS. We will have to try it for breakfast one day now that we won't have to go to character breakfast each day anymore. I have wanted to try that carrot cake cookie since I first saw it.

 

[All7OfUs]

Well, nuts! I can't believe that boat skipper couldn't wait for a few more SECONDS!! Seriously, I"ve seen drivers take that much time and LONGER to get a boat parked!

Writer's Stop looks like a charming little place. I've seen it on several threads now, and someday would love to check it out

 

[brookelizabeth]

Now, Dear Disney, either beef up that whole story line or ditch it entirely, because it doesn’t really lend itself to repeat visits. Its not all that compelling really. Am I alone in this?

Nope!

So I kept calling and calling to check availability in the tower...no luck.

Then I had another thought... What about the Poly?

So have you called to check on the Tower yet?

And, seriously - change resorts as often as needed! You are spending a stack-o-cash, get what you want!

And those were all of my Wishes! Dessert Party pictures. Once Max had a few items, he melted down. Again. And he could not be stopped. And so we did the only responsible thing and we left. Without seeing any fireworks. Not one. This was surely our absolute low point for this trip...right? I suppose either Mark or I could have stayed on our own to enjoy the rest of the party, but neither one of us were in the mood at that point.

Oh. That is sad. All that hope and goodness waiting for you and it all just turned into a perfect disaster.

However, I am happy to read your plans for the next day are completely ruined in a very good way!

(and I completely understand your lament with the Boneyard. LOL Or ANY playground. Disney's are just cooler for some reason. We use them as thrill ride swap spot, or one parent goes to grab a snack spot!)

 

[MEK]

I looked at your pictures this morning before I left for work. Smart, eh? You got a lot of really nice shots! I love that picture of Max! And the Writer's Stop is a new fav of mine. Your treats look delish!

 

[PirateKate]

Wow, that's got to be one of the worst Disney days I've ever heard of. I hope this day turns out better than the last one.

I love the Writer's Stop. We tried a carrot cake cookie last time and I thought it was really good.

 

[tinacaplan]

So thrilled to see that my little TR is getting some action while I've been MIA. As many of you know, we had crazy weather up here in CT this weekend and I was (GASP) without wireless for a big chunk of it...so there went my weekly update! Not to mention, a very not so good Halloween. Oh well....

I am just getting caught up.

Wow, what an awful day you had. I can see why you don't want to stay at the Yacht Club.

Welcome back! Can't wait to hear about the cruise!

Actually, I would totally stay there some day. Its so pretty...I thought the story was funny more than anything...

Too bad you had to miss Wishes and didn't really enjoy the party. I am surprised you even made it there. I probably would have given up and not even bothered going.

Wishes was the heartbreaking part. Mark and I have vowed not to do another pre-paid activity at Disney for a very long time. I could handle being a a bit sick...Max's major meltdown, on the other hand...THAT was terrible.

for the Poly. The CR seems cool if you have theme park view room, but the resort itself seems blah to me. The grounds are boring and being from CT the Poly will be a perfect escape from the winter.

Thanks! I hate to admit it, and I'm planning an update on the topic later on, but...we are bit spoiled by the whole deluxe experience. Did not see that happening, but it has. And while I truly do love the architecture of the CR, there isn't much in the way of landscaping surrounding it and the thought of not having a TPV room (or even one in the tower itself) was gnawing at me, so we switched! I really want to be on the monorail and close to the Magic Kingdom on this trip and I'm looking forward to going to Kona and 'Ohana.

And you are so right about the Poly in February. I was thinking about it and realized we'd want to be someplace lush and tropic feeling in the middle of the CT winter. And, heck, if this past weekend is any indication, we're in TROUBLE!

Glad your DHS was better. We stopped in Writers stop but never got to try the snacks since we always go to Scifi while in DHS. We will have to try it for breakfast one day now that we won't have to go to character breakfast each day anymore. I have wanted to try that carrot cake cookie since I first saw it.

Thank goodness everything turned around. But that's the magic of a Disney trip, isn't it? Writer's Stop is really great.

Well, nuts! I can't believe that boat skipper couldn't wait for a few more SECONDS!! Seriously, I"ve seen drivers take that much time and LONGER to get a boat parked!

Writer's Stop looks like a charming little place. I've seen it on several threads now, and someday would love to check it out

Thanks, Liesa...I wondered if it was just me. Writer's Stop is exactly that, charming and little, but so good!

 

[tinacaplan]

Nope!



So have you called to check on the Tower yet?

And, seriously - change resorts as often as needed! You are spending a stack-o-cash, get what you want!

Good point about changing resorts...you are so right! I kept calling about the tower and couldn't get it and saw on-line that more and more rooms seemed to be going, so it didn't look my chances were going to improve. And I knew if we stayed in the garden wing that it would just bother me somehow and I didn't want that for our trip. Plus, the CR does lack the feel of a full fledged resort somehow. And the resort is a huge part of the trip for us, so... I settled on the Poly and I'm sticking with it!

Oh. That is sad. All that hope and goodness waiting for you and it all just turned into a perfect disaster.

Oh, it really was the perfect storm. And a bit of poor planning on my part, too. Should never have tried to the dessert party and an 8 a.m. breakfast ADR on the same day. I also shouldn't have sent to the boys to MK so early. I knew Max would be done by the time the dessert party rolled around. Oh, well...you live and learn!

However, I am happy to read your plans for the next day are completely ruined in a very good way!

(and I completely understand your lament with the Boneyard. LOL Or ANY playground. Disney's are just cooler for some reason. We use them as thrill ride swap spot, or one parent goes to grab a snack spot!)

DHS was a much better day. Disney's playgrounds are cool and I had totally intended to steal a page from the Brook playbook and go on EE while Mark and Max played at the Boneyard. But I was in no condition to get on a roller coaster at that point. I already knew something was not right, wasn't sure what yet, though.

I looked at your pictures this morning before I left for work. Smart, eh? You got a lot of really nice shots! I love that picture of Max! And the Writer's Stop is a new fav of mine. Your treats look delish!

How was Hilton Head?? I'll have to look at your TR. Been very busy and the weather this past weekend only made things crazier.

Thanks! Max takes a decent picture every once in awhile, when he looks at the camera long enough.

And Writer's Stop was one of the best discoveries of the trip for sure.

Wow, that's got to be one of the worst Disney days I've ever heard of. I hope this day turns out better than the last one.

I love the Writer's Stop. We tried a carrot cake cookie last time and I thought it was really good.

It really was. But I can laugh about it now, so I think that's what matters.

Love the carrot cake cookie!

 

[tinacaplan]

So, I thought I'd take a moment away from our regularly scheduled programming to let everyone know where I've been for the last week. We live in Connecticut and we got treated to a freak October snow storm. WHAT? Even for New England, that's just capital C crazy.

This is the view driving from my parent's house to ours late that Saturday afternoon:

We live in the central area of the state, just a north of New Haven and the shoreline, so we didn't get hit as bad as the more northern part of the state. Even just a few towns to the north got a lot more snow that we did. (Hi Tim!) That said, our general area got just enough that tree limbs went down all over the place and electrical lines went down with them. We live in a town with its own electric company and rarely lose power, so I was confident that morning that we were set.

In fact, our morning began with pumpkin pancakes. Here's my Mickey mousterpiece:

When Max saw it, he proclaimed me the best Mom ever. OK, so in all fairness he does that a LOT, but its still great when it happens.

After pancakes, Max went out play in the snow. Lucky for him, his new snow apparel had just arrived from Ll Bean (thanks Grammy and Pop-Pop).

At about two that afternoon I went out in search of groceries and we still had power. My phone rang while I was in the car, about to get out and wouldn't you know? We'd lost power. I called my mom and she still had power, thankfully. I then spent the next couple of hours packing us up to go over there for the night, not knowing when we'd have power again.

Luckily for us, our power was restored the next morning and we were back in our house that evening. Unfortunately, Halloween got messed up, with Mark taking Max out a couple towns over. At least Max got to go out at all.

I would like to say I have pictures of Max all dressed up in Captain Jack Sparrow costume, but I don't. Sigh. There's always next year, I suppose.

The week started out all sorts of disorganized and messy and didn't get all that much better, unfortunately. Thus, the lack of Dis time. I've been "around," but am often so tired, I don't post on other people's threads. Sorry about that.

I'm hoping I'll be able to update soon. On a somewhat unrelated note, the Disney store has started selling this:

A line of fragrances and body lotions? I was really hoping that one of the might smell like the Beach Club, but no dice. I can't even tell what any of them smell like, as none of them smell all that good, in my opinion. Seems like an odd direction for Disney merchandise, but what do I know?

Oh, one last thing I do know...for sure...Thanksgiving is going to be here very, very soon. And I'll be able to do the double digit dance for our February trip pretty soon! Things must be looking up!