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

[Stringbean&Wingnut]

I hope that naps were able to be had!! And don't worry, I've never been able to get anywhere close to any of those magnifying mirrors in my life without being horrified .

 

[Moira222]

Happy December Tina! I finally am caught up... DHS sounds like it really was a fun day. a 40 minute wait is not bad TSM .... we waited 80 minutes! I love picking out all of the game pieces, and we play those games still with Katie so she could relate too.

Did you see Phineas & Ferb? they were not yet at DHS in May when we went.

I like your quiet excursion through beach club. We had reservations there for, ohh 8 hours....I made them last night and this morning Joe asked me to change them to Yacht Club

Are you taking Max to NY to see the tree and the decorations this year? I am hoping to work something in with Katie.

 

[MEK]

I am laughing at your comment about your bathroom belonging in the COP. I literally owned the exact oven that is in the last scene! You know - the one that blows up! I forgot to take a picture of it before my kitchen was remodeled last year, so I guess I should go back to COP in December to see it again.

I love the solarium at the BC. It's a hidden treasure.

Hope Max takes a nice, long nap!

 

[tinacaplan]

After the boys (and by boys I mean my husband and my son) were up from their afternoon naps and I got back from my brief moment of sunny solitude, we decided to head back to EPCOT. I mean, after all, we were a short walk away from the International Gateway.

We headed for one of our EPCOT faves: the Living Seas with Nemo!
It is truly amazing how much Max can ride this thing. I mean, its cute and all...but not sure its worth the endeless return visits. Then again, Max isn’t 40” tall yet, so Soarin’ and Test Track are out.

After Nemo, we went to wait for the next presentation from Crush. Max was wearing an adorable straw had (wish I had a picture of that...ugh) hat. As for the differences between February and July, Max had no problem sitting right in the front row, while we sat behind him on the benches. We were quite hopeful that Max would get picked for a question.

A few minutes in, Crush says he wants to talk to the kid in the front row wearing a hat...we were so excited...and then the CM went for someone else entirely. Sigh. Oh well. I still think this show is super cool. I love “Finding Nemo” and I love Crush.

After our voyage under the sea, Max wanted to go Spaceship Earth. I didn’t quite realize it at the time...but its time for a Disney fun fact...this ride is sixteen minutes long! Who knew?

By the time we off, it was 8:30, which I figured wasn’t quite enough time to make it to ECPOT CS. In hindsight, I realize we probably coulld have...but I had something else on my mind that night and it did not include watching “Illuminations.”

I thought this would be the perfect evening to check out Beaches and Cream and may visit SAB before it closed. And that is exactly what we did!

We had a half hour wait and went next door to the arcade. We had a good time playing Skeeball and air hockey. Max is at an age were actually playing video games is not necessary. He’s perrfectly content to just pick up the guns or get on the motocycles without anything really happening. Frankly, that arrangement works well for everone right now.

Finally, our buzzer lit up and we were off. When we checked in at B&C we said that we didn’t mind sitting at the counter, which is what we did. It was great. I’ve said before that I think a fair number of Disney restaraunts and snacks are a bit overhyped. I also think there are things that are not hyped enough, so it all balances out. B&C lived up the hype.

We ordered cheeseburgers. Mark got fries and I had the onion rings, as Max requested them. I was then given my Cherry Coke. This was the first time I’ve had a real Cherry Coke...you know...the kind made right there with Cherry syrup. Delicious. Life changing. I’m serious. I still think about and crave it.

One bite into the cheeseburger and I knew that B&C was one of those special places that deserves the hype. I can’t believe I”m going on about a burger and fries, but it was all delicious.

For dessert Mark and I split the No Way Jose peanut butter sundae., Also delicious. And for a perfectly reasonable price, too.

When we were walking out I discovered something wonderful...SAB was upen until eleven. It was probably nine thirty-ish and we went back to our room in a hurry and changed into our suits. We were back at SAB quickly.

Max and I hung out in the zero entry, sand area for awhile. And I just had this moment. Max was splashing around happily; starting to talk to some other kids on the sandbar, while I laid on stomach in the warm water I looked up to the sky and saw two beautiful palm trees. I just though...wow...now this,. this IS VACATION. Totally relaxed. Incredible.

We checked out the lazy river and eventually made our way over to the mini-slide. I’m fairly certain we stayed until nearly eleven. Certainly the latest Max had ever stayed up. But it was a wonderful ending to a magical Disney day.

My next update will have pictures again...I promise. I really want to get this done so I can start a PTR. I actually really enjoy those. I love the build-up to a trip! Its a great feeling.

 

[tinacaplan]

Aw, thanks.

Regarding the solarium, I'm not familiar with the Beach Club, but I know they have a couple spots like that at AKL...quiet(er) library-type areas. They obviously recognize that people like a spot like that.

I WILL stay at AKL someday...Its my dream resort for my dream trip for Christmas Eve and Christmas Day.

I'm glad you had a wonderful day at Hollywood Studios.

A couple of years ago, my younger son and I were in the TSM standby line, and we were totally charmed by a 4 year old boy named Paul. We talked the whole time in line. He was from Tennessee, they were staying at the Boardwalk, could we come visit him at his resort? I told him we were leaving the next morning, so we couldn't come visit, but I would wave to him across the lake from the Beach Club.

I'm so sorry about the pictures! It sounds like you have made your peace with it, though. Speaking of pictures...

Thanks for your story about visiting the Solarium. In all my stays at the Beach Club (a whopping 2 visits), I have never stepped foot in there. I don't think I even knew it existed until I returned from our last trip. I have been there a couple of times during in photo form as "Flat Dee" during BC Dis meets, though.

I hope the guys had a great rest and that your enjoyable day continues.

Thanks! It really did. And seriously...I cannot emphasize enough how much we loved the Beach Club. It was truly amazing.

I hope that naps were able to be had!! And don't worry, I've never been able to get anywhere close to any of those magnifying mirrors in my life without being horrified .

Oh, there was napping, for sure. And good to know I'm not alone on that one.

Happy December Tina! I finally am caught up... DHS sounds like it really was a fun day. a 40 minute wait is not bad TSM .... we waited 80 minutes! I love picking out all of the game pieces, and we play those games still with Katie so she could relate too.

Did you see Phineas & Ferb? they were not yet at DHS in May when we went.

I like your quiet excursion through beach club. We had reservations there for, ohh 8 hours....I made them last night and this morning Joe asked me to change them to Yacht Club

Are you taking Max to NY to see the tree and the decorations this year? I am hoping to work something in with Katie.

We did see Phineas and Ferb. Mark really wanted to stay in the meet and greet line, but Max did not want to and had a serious meltdown. Oh well.

I think the Yacht Club is the perfect choice for you anniversary trip. It is beautiful, you're guaranteed a balcony, and the lobby is beautiful and quiet. It definitely feels more upscale than the Beach Club. And you barely notice much of a separation between the two resorts. Which is great. And you'll be surrounded by great TS meals.

I am laughing at your comment about your bathroom belonging in the COP. I literally owned the exact oven that is in the last scene! You know - the one that blows up! I forgot to take a picture of it before my kitchen was remodeled last year, so I guess I should go back to COP in December to see it again.

I love the solarium at the BC. It's a hidden treasure.

Hope Max takes a nice, long nap!

That's amazing about the oven! The solarium is great and, yes, Max took a great nap.

 

[MEK]

Beautiful lobby picture. It looks like it belongs in a brochure. I am beat so I'm saving your pictureless update tomorrow when I will be pictureless again at work.

 

[KatMark]

Well, we've never eaten at B&C, but you have me drooling and wishing I was there right now. If the girls and I don't get there in January, Mark and I will definitely have to do on our next trip.

Sounds like a great way to end the day at Stormalong Bay.

 

[amandaw]

What a nice evening in Epcot! And you have me really thinking about trying to work in Beaches & Cream during our Dec. 2012 trip. The cheeseburger sounds delicious! Since they made your cherry coke right there, I have to ask, do they also do vanilla cokes?

 

[MEK]

I can't believe Crush didn't pick Max in his adorable straw hat. Yes - I know you don't have a picture of the hat, but I'm sure its adorable.

Beaches and Cream - I have never tried it. I always say I am going to, but I never do. However, your description of the place leaves me really wanting a visit. I heard that sundae is fantastic.

Ah - I remember the days when my boys where just happy to sit on the motorcycles and play with the guns, but not play the games. Memories. sigh.

 

[Stringbean&Wingnut]

Isn't Beaches and Cream awesome??? I agree, everything there just tastes fantastic! I haven't tried the No Way Jose yet, I really want to try one of those sundaes on our upcoming trip!

 

[tinacaplan]

Hello! Just wanted to revive this thing just a teeny bit. And thank Kathy for her adorable card. Max loved Winnie the Pooh!

Oh, yes, and explain my absence. I am so sorry...I am woefully behind on pretty much everyone's threads. I pop in from time to time but sometimes I'm just too tried to post replies. I have been working a lot and I'm trying be more disciplined and thoughtful about how I use my time throughout the day, so...yeah...it becomes super easy to fall behind on the Dis.

I'm hoping to come back later this evening and at least do replies and maybe an update so I can wrap up day three. Some people went on their trips much later than me, and they're already done with their TRs. Wish it were me, because I'd love to start a PTR for February.

....oh, yes, and one other thing...

ONLY 75 DAYS UNTIL WE'RE BACK!!!!!!​

 

[Stringbean&Wingnut]

Yay for 75 days until your trip!!!!

 

[PirateKate]

I've always wanted to try Beaches & Cream, but I've been concerned about how well my boys would do waiting without an ADR. It's good to know there's an arcade close by. They love just sitting at all the games, too. We're going to avoid putting quarters in as long as we can.

I love how you described swimming at SAB. It sounds so perfect.

 

[tinacaplan]

Oh, my dear, neglected TR! This should have been done long ago and I would be happily working my way through a PTR for February. Sigh. My goal is to wrap this up over Christmas break, so be on the look out for lots of updates. I'm officially getting in to the danger zone where I'm not remembering the finer details.

Onward with replies...

Yay for 75 days until your trip!!!!

Thanks...now I'm at about 63!

I've always wanted to try Beaches & Cream, but I've been concerned about how well my boys would do waiting without an ADR. It's good to know there's an arcade close by. They love just sitting at all the games, too. We're going to avoid putting quarters in as long as we can.

I love how you described swimming at SAB. It sounds so perfect.

Seriously...Beaches and Cream really did live up to the hype. I'm not sure I'd seek it out, though, only because its so small and its tough to get a table. However, whenever I stay in that area, if I'm lucky enough to stay there again, I'll be heading there for at least one meal.

And SAB is another thing that really lives up to all the hype. It really was magical, day or night.

 

[dizneeat]

Merry Christmas!!! ​

 

[tinacaplan]

DAY FIVE -- Magic Kingdom Morning

Day five began with bright sunshine and a plan to travel over to the Magic Kingdom. We were out the door pretty quickly and made our way down to the bus stop, where Max played with this for awhile:

We must have waited for the bus for a bit, because I obviously had enough time to get a bit bored and decide to take out my camera.

And take random pictures of bussess.

Then Max must have gotten bored, because it is quite clear that he took the camera for a while:

We arrived and we were strolling down Main Street by about ten of ten. No idea why we had a late start, though.

We ran into an early performance of the Move It! Shake It! Celebrate It! parade, or as Mark calls it, “hooray for everything!”

We did not stay too long, though, as we had a flight to catch.

Max looks positively thrilled to be in line for Peter Pan. Actually, he just looks away from the camera before I actually take the shot, so I have lots of pictures like this one:

We had a great time riding Peter Pan...AGAIN! I cannot believe how much fun we had riding this ride that I had never really cared much for prior to this trip. So much fun.

We walked off the ride and back in the sunshine and I probably suggested we ride IASW one last time, but got outvoted. We set out for the opposite end of Fantasyland, but first Mark ran into a friend:

After our photo op, we walked over here:

Honestly, I think Max enjoys the queue here as much as the ride itself,. which I think is just fine.

Knock knock...anyone home at Piglet’s house?

Pulling the gopher out of its hole is harder than it looks!

After a not unreasonable wait, we were boarding out honey pot.

Yet another magical journey through heffalumps and woozles and a lot of rain.

We left Winnie the Pooh and headed for another of Max’s favorite MK attractions...

 

[amandaw]

Isn't it funny how 1 sweet little boy can change your mind about a ride? I know Reid did the same for me with Peter Pan. Now, it's one of my favorites! Can't wait to see which one of Max's favorites was next. Maybe Buzz?

 

[dizneeat]

Great new update, Tina!

Those Fantasyland rides get a totally new look once you see them with a kid. We were lucky enough to see some of the DREAM with Jeff's kids and it really changed the perspective.

I guess I need to get a move on with my updates as well. Christmas is over, so it's time to get back to updating!
Oh, and btw - under 9 weeks now! I guess you cannot wait either!

 

[Stringbean&Wingnut]

The new Winnie the Pooh queue does look just as fun as the ride itself! I'd imagine that it would be a very slow-moving queue when it gets busier because of everyone playing with the toys though!

 

[MEK]

I can't wait to read your update with pictures, but I did want to stop by and wish you a Merry Christmas.

You must be so excited that your Feb trip is just around the corner. After just visiting for the second time in December I have decided that as much as I love the Christmas festivities, the whole before Christmas thing is too disorienting when I get back to reality. My next winter trip is definitely going to be in Jan or Feb.

Be back later for pics!