What Means "Ay, Caramba?"--Famous for Family of the Day!,Sept TR-Cape May HooRay 4/14

[Jackiemarie21]

Love the BoG update! I think the adult meals look way better than the kids meals there! I justblove hearing all of you're families adventures!

 

[tiggerfan77]

Whew! Finally catching up! I loved your pics from BOG. We didn't make it in on our last trip so I've been trying to catch as many updates about it as I can for the next trip. The room that you guys were in looked beautiful! and man was that food fancy! I can't believe that counted for a QS meal, definitely sounds like it was worth it and I see it will be popular for a long time I did wonder about the kids meals since my boy is pretty picky.
Looks like you have had a great start to your MK day and can't wait to hear about the shenanigans!

 

[leftaslide]

Excellent update! We're not sure if we're going to try BOG or not, since our oldest is super picky+food allergies. And the kid menu doesn't look too kid friendly. We'll for sure stop by to at least see it if we don't eat there. Maybe feed her before we go, then french fries inside? Hmmm....

 

[khertz]

I wanted to try BoG for lunch on our trip, but the line always looked so intimidating! I guess you guys must have stumbled upon it at the perfect time when they started letting people in! I really loved all of the details in there. They did such a fantastic job with that restaurant! That stinks that the kids were not fans of the fish. It seems like they tried to make the kids menu more varied, but that's not all that great of a thing if they can't execute it well.

The pics with Minnie & Daisy are precious! I love the ones of the girls comparing shoes with Minnie & Sawyer checking out her ear.

 

[TruLovesKiss]

Great updates as usual!! Love that you were able to get in for lunch without much of a wait. Maybe, instead of stressing so much about getting an ADR for dinner, we'll try it for lunch next trip. When we ate there, we were in the main ballroom. I remember exploring the West Wing but for the life of me I can't remember the music box room!! How did I miss it? It looks SO pretty!

 

[TheMaxRebo]

So great that you go into BOG earlier in your trip - we did lunch there as well and loved it! We too appreciated that they had the water and umbrellas, though I think it would have been better to have the umbrella stand out further along the bridge as it felt like by the time we got one of the umbrella's we only had 2 mins left before we were in

I got the pork dish to and thought it was great! Really quality QS option.

The only thing I wasn't crazy about at BOG was I thought the CMs could have been a little more helpful and enthusiastic - they weren't awful or anything, but I felt if they pointed out where we had to go to get napkins and silverware that would have helped (at least when we went they were kinda hidden around back of the drink area) and they kinda grudgingly were getting to clear tables - maybe they just need more?

Oh, and I laughed at you comment regarding if the mickey head shaped cracker thing counted as a hidden Mickey - I often wonder what qualifies as being "hidden" as some things that people point out seem to have been done fairly obviously and not hidden at all. Maybe we could write our own book called "Walt Disney World Obvious Mickeys"

 

[Miss Potts]

Joining in and all caught up! You have such an adorable family!
I just started following you on IG... I'm amyb223

We loved BOG for lunch.. We sat in the same room and my favorite part was the masters cupcake
We had dinner there on a separate trip..( btw They use real glasses at dinner).. But we actually liked lunch better!

Looking forward to reading more....

 

[Pimama]

As always, your pictures are magical! I usually go back after reading your updates and take a second look at just the pictures, simply gorgeous. I'm disappointed to hear about those kids meals, I actually thought the menus at BOG looked pretty good and offered some real food for kids! Not so great if its prepared poorly though. I hate giving my kids dessert if they don't eat but how do you say no at DW, especially if the food was bad?!

I'm sure you're busy heading into the holidays so I'll wait patiently for the next update...

 

[Fantasyland Mom]

Love the BoG update! I think the adult meals look way better than the kids meals there! I justblove hearing all of you're families adventures!

I really can't complain at all about the adult meal! And it would be perfect on this cold night. Mmmm...

Whew! Finally catching up! I loved your pics from BOG. We didn't make it in on our last trip so I've been trying to catch as many updates about it as I can for the next trip. The room that you guys were in looked beautiful! and man was that food fancy! I can't believe that counted for a QS meal, definitely sounds like it was worth it and I see it will be popular for a long time I did wonder about the kids meals since my boy is pretty picky.
Looks like you have had a great start to your MK day and can't wait to hear about the shenanigans!

It was a great use of a QS credit, for sure! If we go back next year (and I'm sure we will), I will definitely concoct some meal they will eat. I was sticking to the no-substitution thing and didn't realize you're actually able to pick and choose--no law against it!

Excellent update! We're not sure if we're going to try BOG or not, since our oldest is super picky+food allergies. And the kid menu doesn't look too kid friendly. We'll for sure stop by to at least see it if we don't eat there. Maybe feed her before we go, then french fries inside? Hmmm....

If there's anything she can/will eat, I am sure they'd get it for her. When Brynn couldn't tolerate milk, we were given choices not even on the menus. I never tire of Disney fries, though, and I know they are so great at using a designated fryer! No matter what you decide to do, make sure you go in there somehow. It's gorgeous.

I wanted to try BoG for lunch on our trip, but the line always looked so intimidating! I guess you guys must have stumbled upon it at the perfect time when they started letting people in! I really loved all of the details in there. They did such a fantastic job with that restaurant! That stinks that the kids were not fans of the fish. It seems like they tried to make the kids menu more varied, but that's not all that great of a thing if they can't execute it well.

The pics with Minnie & Daisy are precious! I love the ones of the girls comparing shoes with Minnie & Sawyer checking out her ear.

The line definitely looks much worse than it is, particularly right around opening time. I noticed that when we left, the line was still moving really quickly. It's a big place that can hold tons of people!
I was pleased with the choices on the menu, and so were my kids, but it just wasn't executed well. I mean, we were in very close to opening, but the fish was like it had been under a heat lamp for a few hours. How is that even possible!?
Still, I'm sure we'll be back.

Great updates as usual!! Love that you were able to get in for lunch without much of a wait. Maybe, instead of stressing so much about getting an ADR for dinner, we'll try it for lunch next trip. When we ate there, we were in the main ballroom. I remember exploring the West Wing but for the life of me I can't remember the music box room!! How did I miss it? It looks SO pretty!

I stressed about an ADR, too, and did get one. After I got the experience at lunch, I cancelled our ADR. I probably made some other family of five very happy!
I don't think the music box room is open at dinner, actually! I think I remember reading that somewhere...could be wrong, but I'm pretty sure that's why you didn't see it!

So great that you go into BOG earlier in your trip - we did lunch there as well and loved it! We too appreciated that they had the water and umbrellas, though I think it would have been better to have the umbrella stand out further along the bridge as it felt like by the time we got one of the umbrella's we only had 2 mins left before we were in

I got the pork dish to and thought it was great! Really quality QS option.

The only thing I wasn't crazy about at BOG was I thought the CMs could have been a little more helpful and enthusiastic - they weren't awful or anything, but I felt if they pointed out where we had to go to get napkins and silverware that would have helped (at least when we went they were kinda hidden around back of the drink area) and they kinda grudgingly were getting to clear tables - maybe they just need more?

Oh, and I laughed at you comment regarding if the mickey head shaped cracker thing counted as a hidden Mickey - I often wonder what qualifies as being "hidden" as some things that people point out seem to have been done fairly obviously and not hidden at all. Maybe we could write our own book called "Walt Disney World Obvious Mickeys"

I didn't know there was a station for the umbrellas! They just had a CM walking the line asking if people wanted one. He was holding several (and they were huge!) so people had them even all the way at the back.
I didn't get a great vibe from the CMs, either. I was thinking that maybe they're better at night since they're having to be actual servers and not just someone to drop off the meal you pre-ordered? I could be totally wrong, though. I just assume that people getting tipped probably do better. STILL, no excuse; this is DISNEY!
I am so willing to write that book with you!! My children are spectacular at spotting the Obvious Mickeys! Brynn's favorite "hidden" Mickey is the one that graces EVERY. SINGLE. MANHOLE COVER. And there are a lot of those, FYI...I should know, as she pointed out ALL OF THEM. (To Dani's credit--danimaroo--, she was able to be excited every time Brynn showed her.)

Joining in and all caught up! You have such an adorable family!
I just started following you on IG... I'm amyb223

We loved BOG for lunch.. We sat in the same room and my favorite part was the masters cupcake
We had dinner there on a separate trip..( btw They use real glasses at dinner).. But we actually liked lunch better!

Looking forward to reading more....

Well, thank you for following here AND on IG!@
Good to know about the glasses! That probably gives it more of a classy feel. But like you, I really enjoyed lunch. I think I'd probably do the lunch route again in a heartbeat.

As always, your pictures are magical! I usually go back after reading your updates and take a second look at just the pictures, simply gorgeous. I'm disappointed to hear about those kids meals, I actually thought the menus at BOG looked pretty good and offered some real food for kids! Not so great if its prepared poorly though. I hate giving my kids dessert if they don't eat but how do you say no at DW, especially if the food was bad?!

I'm sure you're busy heading into the holidays so I'll wait patiently for the next update...

The menu looks great to me! And I think that it WOULD be good, if they prepared it well. The applesauce was a matter of taste, but that fish was definitely rubbery and dry. Of course, that didn't stop Brynn from eating it!
I didn't feel too badly about letting them have some of the cupcake, since we each literally had one bite (one cupcake split between all of us). Plus, yeah, it's WDW, and the food didn't fill them up (except Brynn). Sawyer only ate the strawberry from the top, and the girls only nibbled their one bite. They aren't used to that much sugar packed into one bite. At home, I'm not as nice about it, to be honest . My flexibility at WDW really shocks them every single time!! That makes it more special, right???

 

[Fantasyland Mom]

It's a cold morning outside, and I'm snuggled under a blanket with my coffee as Julia entertains Sawyer and Brynn still snoozes away (remember how I said in that earlier post that I wake people up from least to most grouchy?...MOST). I figure that this is the perfect opportunity to continue down memory lane to those warm days of September in the Happiest Place on Earth.

But before I do, let me extend my wishes for a HAPPY THANKSGIVING to all my American friends for tomorrow! Seeing as my extended family has never trusted my cooking skills enough to let me bring something to the feast, I can sit around here typing updates while they toil away in the kitchen. I like to see the good in everything.

Okay, when we left off, we'd just met with Minnie and Daisy under the Big Top, narrowly avoiding a potty crisis in the process. We made our way out through Big Top Souvenirs (convenient, that), and while we didn't purchase anything (yet), we did admire the circus theming. The carpet looked like it was made of tied-together canvas tarps, and the animal cages lined the walls, holding t-shirts and mugs and all sorts of goodies. We knew we'd be back in here for sure.

Before we continued on, we asked everyone if another potty break was needed (<------that's foreshadowing, people), and of course they said they were fine. It was extremely hot, so as we passed by our stroller, everyone got a sip of water, and then we moved on to Dumbo!

We LOVE the playground/waiting area inside of Dumbo! We walked straight in and they asked if we'd rather go right to the line or play for a while. Is that even a question!?! PLAY! We were told just to bring the pager up anytime we were ready to fly above WDW.

Now, when we're in here, parents have to split up. One parent is on Sawyer duty, while one tracks the girls as they make their way through all the netting and slides. Luckily, Brynn moves slowly through that, so she's easy to track. Julia, on the other hand, is a blur. I think you can actually spy Brynn through the netting here, but it's honestly hard to tell which kid is which through the lighting and nets.





Here I am talking to Sawyer about patience while he waits to "drive" the fire engine. He was great about waiting, for once!



Last year he was terrified of this tiny slide, and it took a lot of convincing to get him to go down. This year, he did it easily, and this moment began his triumph in overcoming any and all slides! Now he goes down ten foot curly slides with no problem. Baby steps, I guess.



And Julia has never met a slide she didn't like. Or a chance to pose.



So, after about twenty minutes of enjoying the air conditioning and playground, we walked up to the line. As soon as we were the next bunch to go, Brynn announced that she had to potty. NOW. And NO, she could not wait through the ride. Then Julia joined in that come to think of it, she had to go, too.

REALLY?!? Really.

We got out of line and made our way to the closest restrooms, where I made sure we all went, even those of us who did not think we had to go. This became a moment in time I could use as an example for the rest of the trip. When I asked if anyone had to go, I'd always throw out, "Do you want another Dumbo Moment? HMMM??"

The problem with getting out of line is that we had somewhere to be, and we would be cutting it close if we tried riding again. However, the weepy faces next to me were insisting that we just had to go on Dumbo. We just had to.

We walked straight back in and straight into the line. We had to wait and wait, but eventually we were up in the air yelling, "Fly high, buddy! Way to go, Dumbo!" Stacey speaks for us sometimes.

Because I was holding both Brynn and Sawyer in one Dumbo, and because Brandon was videoing with Julia from the other, there is no photographic evidence of this flight. However, I just saw the video footage last night as it was inserted into its spot, and it's lovely! (BTW, video is coming along swimmingly. I cannot wait for it to be finished so you can see it.)

We were right on time, if not a moment late, to our appointments at Harmony Barber Shop.

WE LOVE HARMONY BARBER SHOP.

All three of my kids have had their first haircuts here, and it's such a special place to us.

When I first booked appointments, I'd made haircut appointments for all three. However, Sawyer is not a girl, and as such he needed a haircut so badly in the weeks before our trip that I had to go ahead and get one here at home, and I cancelled his HBS appointment. Now that we were here, Julia decided she didn't really want a haircut, but just some confetti in her hair, so the stylist just pulled her to the side, slapped on a ton of hairspray, and sprinkled her with some magic confetti in about two seconds. Done.

When Brynn got her "first" haircut here, it wasn't so much a cut as a grazing of the scissors over the very ends of her curls for ceremonial purposes. They cut off, oh, I dunno, a millimeter. So when I knew that this haircut would be a "real" haircut, I asked them to save those curls, as I just knew they'd never be quite this curly again. Because I told them that she's never had a full cut that took off any amount of length at all, they said they were going to save her curls, call it a first haircut, and give her the Mickey ears. I didn't argue, even though it was a few dollars more expensive, because maybe they have to call it that if they're taking the trouble to save the curls? And Brynn loves getting Mickey ears, so she was happy.

I warned them of Brynn's sensitivities. She doesn't like her hair brushed, she doesn't like water to be sprayed on any part of her body except her hair, and she doesn't like anything touching her face. I'm not sure this CM actually took in this information, as she didn't seem to be very careful about respecting that, but Brynn was still amazing. Yes, she yelled out the occasional, "OW!," or "GET IT OUT OF MY FACE!" But you know what? She didn't move. She didn't flail, she didn't run from the chair...she just let it be known in very plain words exactly what was bothering her. That, my friends, is learning to advocate for yourself, and that's a big deal. We could not have been more proud of the way she handled herself.









I had to take Sawyer to the potty (yes, I kid you not...I can't make this stuff up), and by the time I got back, she was done with the haircut and enjoying her mouse ears and stickers!







She put on all the stickers, as you do.





Immediately, the kids proclaimed they had earned prizes. What the what?! But, yeah, they were posing in the doors of the Emporium, so how could I say no?

Once in the door, they made pin trades with the first cast members they saw.






And then it was time to get down to the important business of the day: shopping.





Brynn knew exactly what she wanted and never wavered from it. She was getting her own Duffy, and no one could stop her!



Sawyer immediately chose "Baby Boo." She is one of The Chosen Ones to sleep in his bed now, so it's a big deal.



And you can see Julia's choice, a stuffed Lady, in this photo.



But wait! Where did she get that delicious cake pop?!

OH YES. IT WAS TIME.

Now, I know that plenty of people threw a royal fit when Starbucks invaded Disney. To be honest, I hated the idea at first, especially messing with my beloved bakery. I'm sort of ashamed to say (but actually not really) that the convenience of having delicious coffee at my service any time I wanted it while at MK and Epcot ended up making me a very happy lady.

Walking in, we were greeted by a CM who asked if we were getting pastries or not and handed us a menu. I didn't think we were, but it was Starbucks, and my kids know that Starbucks=cake pops. I was so happy to find out about the snack options here. For the first time, my snack options would be put to spectacular use! Three cake pops is one credit. Any beverage, any size, is one credit. SO OF COURSE we had Venti Pumpkin Spice Frappuccinos every chance we got this trip! Why would you order a smaller size when they all use one credit?! Or maybe I'm just a coffee glutton, I dunno...
Starbucks had plenty of bakery items, people. Plenty. Some of their own, some of Disney's own, but plenty. No complaints here.





I was feeling pretty darn magical. It doesn't hurt that these guys were belting out a lovely version of "Zip-a-dee-doo-dah" right there on Main Street USA, asking everyone to sing along with them. So we did.



Zip-a-dee-doo-dah indeed.

Coming up: To Infinity...AND BEYOND! Tomorrowland, dinner, and some extra special magic with friends.

 

[katt789]

Yay! Awesome updates!!

Love that you've gotten all the kids hair cut at the barbershop! I finally actually noticed where it was last trip, bahah! Guess I've never really poked around that corner! How great that Brynn was saying how she felt instead of running off or anything, that's awesome!

Of course hair cuts equal presents, right?! Lol. I do seem to remember that Duffy and Lady coming up later on! Haha. I am very happy with the starbucks being there, I'm all for coffee, but Disney coffee was never good, I didn't know about the snack credits though, I'll keep that in mind!!

Excited to read more!

 

[geckodani]

OH YES. IT WAS TIME.

Now, I know that plenty of people threw a royal fit when Starbucks invaded Disney. To be honest, I hated the idea at first, especially messing with my beloved bakery. I'm sort of ashamed to say (but actually not really) that the convenience of having delicious coffee at my service any time I wanted it while at MK and Epcot ended up making me a very happy lady.

Walking in, we were greeted by a CM who asked if we were getting pastries or not and handed us a menu. I didn't think we were, but it was Starbucks, and my kids know that Starbucks=cake pops. I was so happy to find out about the snack options here. For the first time, my snack options would be put to spectacular use! Three cake pops is one credit. Any beverage, any size, is one credit. SO OF COURSE we had Venti Pumpkin Spice Frappuccinos every chance we got this trip! Why would you order a smaller size when they all use one credit?! Or maybe I'm just a coffee glutton, I dunno...
Starbucks had plenty of bakery items, people. Plenty. Some of their own, some of Disney's own, but plenty. No complaints here.

Wait.... wait... any size? Snack credit? ANY size?! SNACK CREDIT!?!?!

You just made my day. I can actually use my snack credits on something I want this trip. OMG. Made. My. DAY!

 

[SoccerDogWithEars]

LOVE the update. And we're so dead at work that I could read it twice and fully appreciate the photos.

I won't like, when we were in Epcot in October I was confused for about 30 minutes about the abundance of Starbucks cups in the park. I literally thought everyone had stopped at a Starbucks on their way to the park (not really sure WHERE) and brought it in. Then I finally remembered Starbucks was IN the park, so Mom and I promptly made our way over there and got us some coffee. We didn't have the dining plan then, but I will when I return next week, so I hear some Venti Eggnog Lattes calling my name. I LIVE for Eggnog Lattes. Most wonderful time of the year, indeed.

It'll also be a time for trying something new. Our last day I don't have any FP or ADRs scheduled. It's a first for me, and I'm actually really excited about it (kinda overly so haha)

 

[shan23877]

Brynn looks gorgeous with her new haircut.

The kids have come up with their version of Disney Logic. Haircuts=presents. I like it.

 

[DisneyKid4Life]

I can really appreciate the importance of the Dumbo play area. I've never actually seen it other than through pictures, but it was a fantastic idea. Fun for the kids, and air conditioning for the parents. WIN-WIN.

Oh wow, that is seriously AWESOME that all the kids had their first haircut there. I love it! You can't get much more special than that.

 

[ABCastillo]

So excited to read about the harmony barber shop! We are getting DD's first cut there in January! Your photos look amazing!

Sent from my iPhone using DISBoards

 

[TruLovesKiss]

Before we continued on, we asked everyone if another potty break was needed (<------that's foreshadowing, people), and of course they said they were fine.

As soon as we were the next bunch to go, Brynn announced that she had to potty. NOW. And NO, she could not wait through the ride. Then Julia joined in that come to think of it, she had to go, too.

REALLY?!? Really.

Haha, I can't even tell you how many times this happened on our trip!!

And then there's always the domino effect... one kid has to go while we're eating at a restaurant (usually as soon as the food arrives), and when you get back from taking them, another one decides that they now have to go and so on.... There's nothing like spending your Disney vacation in a bathroom!

 

[leftaslide]

We are part of the potty club also. Sarah always has to go at the most inconvenient times. Looking forward to that in December!

Excellent update and great pictures again!

 

[Disneyvirg]

Love, love, loving your trip report! So anxious to hear how the bog supper goes later in the trip. I'm debating whether we really need a supper ADR there if we're going to shoot for lunch there earlier in the week.

 

[Pimama]

I am also not trusted with cooking for Thanksgiving and gave up about 15 years ago since my dear MIL insisted on making everything anyway and my dish would sit awkwardly next to hers on the table. I've decided to just enjoy it for now knowing that I will be taking over soon enough. When I turned 40, I did make my first turkey at home, it just didn't seem right that I had never done it.

I love the haircut pictures! Both of my daughters had such lovely baby curls that once cut never came back. I miss those curls! Brynns picture where her hair is covering her face looks so much like my little Lucy I did a double take?! They don't really look much alike but they apparently share very cute noses and beautiful hair.

I'm excited to see Starbucks at Disney even thou I didn't really think they needed to bring the pastries. Good snack credit options though, love that. I was always bummed that only tall lattes counted as a snack at some of the Disney coffee stands. I've never had a pumpkin spice frappuccino, I usually only buy PS when its cold outside, sounds different, I may have to try that next year.

Thanks for a holiday update and Happy Thanksgiving to you and your family!