"What's Your Problem?" Caught by loop and hook... (COMPLETED 4/20, post 426)

[heaven2dc]

Don't you just love those low crowd days esp at HS?!! I seriously am considering rethinking our planned trip for March to reschedule it to the first week in May.

That fountain at CS is beautiful. You definitely are convincing my son to stay there now!

 

[carissanboys]

Okay Don! I'm all caught up!

Your room was gorgeous! It may only be a moderate but it looks so elegant.

Thank goodness your backpack was still there.

Your daughter is definitely a trooper for going back on ToT - I won't even do it once.

Sounds like a great first day!

 

[Emma's Dad]

Don't you just love those low crowd days esp at HS?!! I seriously am considering rethinking our planned trip for March to reschedule it to the first week in May.

That fountain at CS is beautiful. You definitely are convincing my son to stay there now!

I have to be honest here... I am spoiled with the low crowds! Last year we went the exact same week and had nearly the identical weather and crowds. maybe we'll try again next year?? I believe your son will have a GREAT time if he tries it out

Okay Don! I'm all caught up!

Your room was gorgeous! It may only be a moderate but it looks so elegant.

Thank goodness your backpack was still there.

Your daughter is definitely a trooper for going back on ToT - I won't even do it once.

Sounds like a great first day!

"It may only be a moderate but it looks so elegant." - you are soooo right! With the exception of covered walkways, I would think this IS a deluxe resort

You don't know just how HARD my heart was pounding as I was running to go get it. I thank God it was there!

LOL... I'll have to tell her that tonight. "Hey, Honey... did you know you're braver than Carissa?"

It was indeed a magical day!

 

[Emma's Dad]

April 29, 2009

Day two of our vacation begins around 7:00 AM as sunlight begins to peek around the top of the window curtains. The queen-size beds alone are enough to bring me back to CSR! DW and I are used to our king size bed at home and let's just say DW likes to use much of that king size real estate. How my 5'7" wife can take up so much room is beyond me. We had no problems cohabitating in the same bed this time. Pop Century last year was a different story. I'm surprised we escaped last year black-eye free!

So we get showered up and head over to El Centro to get some breakfast at the Pepper Market. We decided beforehand to use our two quick service meals for lunch and dinner, so breakfast was out-of-pocket. Here we are for our first Pepper Market experience:





And here is our first server (she was a sweatheart and took good care of us):



We found the ordering process was different, but not too confusing. You get a "ticket" that you take with you to whichever station you want to get food from. Once you order your food from the station attendant, they stamp the ticket with what you ordered. When you are all done, you take your ticket(s) to the cashier and pay for the items that were previously stamped on the ticket. Drinks are handled by your "server". This "server" is the weird part of the whole quick-service dining part for the Pepper Market. You might as well say this is table service except you have to go get your own food. Although normally you don't tip for a quick service meal, we ended up giving $2-3 tip each meal for our "server". And the Pepper Market is a bit more expensive. Most of the entrees where at least $10 just for the food. That didn't include the drinks.

OK... breakfast over and done with... we head to bus stop 1 and wait for the EPCOT bus. It's about 9:00 AM at this time. A few more photos while we are waiting:





This is DD with her fan we brought from home. This is used later in the TR for a special moment




Twenty minutes later... EPCOT!



Here are some pictures of the topiaries they had out front:









And here is me and DD in front of another topiary:



If you have never been to EPCOT during the Flower and Garden Festival, I would highly recommend it some time. We have been there the past two years at the same time and I just can't imagine seeing EPCOT without all the beautiful topiaries and extra things they do. It really makes it magical!

Having no "specific" plans (remember... RELAXING vacation) we make our way over to The Land. DW and DD hang out where the below picture is taken while I take their KTTWs and get FPs for Soarin'.



With FPs in hand and a return time of 12:00-1:00, we make our way towards Mission Space. First, we make a pit stop at Character Spot. Last year we chose not to do Character Spot because the line was out the door! When we were walking passed it this time, there were about 30 people in line... TOTALLY do-able! And we are GLAD we did! DD had a blast meeting all the characters. I actually tried something different this year... any time DD was going to meet a character, I would take a video of her walking up and getting the autograph. Once the character was done with the autograph, I would switch over and take the still photos. This is awesome! The ONLY character I forgot to do this with is Mickey! Can you believe it?? Anyway, here are the pics from the meets:

Mickey! (Sorry, no video!)


Pluto!




Minnie Mouse!




Donald Duck!




Goofy!




And I had to get in the action with Goofy!


Next up:

Day 2, Part 2: EPCOT - "Old guys rule!"

 

[porknbeans]

I'm having a hard time figuring out who has the bigger smile Emma or dad!

 

[Emma's Dad]

I'm having a hard time figuring out who has the bigger smile Emma or dad!

This was Goofy! I HAD to have a big smile!

 

[Emma's Dad]

April 29, 2009

From Character Spot we head over to Mission Space. I can't help but notice just how beautiful the weather was. Just enough clouds to keep you in the shade for a few moments, and then when the sun was shining through it seemed to be a brighter, cleaner light. I'm not sure how to describe it... just a very white light. OK... maybe it's just because I was in the World and things always seem to be better there Who knows! But on our way we find another photo op... my flower girl!



And we arrive at Mission Space (Caught one of those Segway dudes running around - far right on pic):



This is actually everyone's first time riding this ride. Can't remember exactly why we didn't do it last year... maybe it was down for some reason. Anyway... we head for the entrance and then I ask the question... "Orange or green?". Everyone was feeling brave, so we grabbed our Orange team card and get in line... or should I say NO line. We walk up and get our seat assignments. DD is Engineer, DW is Navigator, and I am the pilot As we were waiting for our turn to enter the ride, DD is getting nervous. She's second-guessing the Orange situation. I reassure her there are no drops (still got ToT knots in her tummy), and that we just HAVE to ride this! Just kidding... I told her she could go Green team if she really wanted to. Again, being the trooper she is, she decides to stay Orange and gets on board. Gotta say... that's one COOL ride! I wanted to do it again! But DW and DD both agreed that while the ride was fun... it wasn't THAT fun!

Since we were right there, Test Track was next.



Another first time ride for everyone! I know this one was down last year... it was the one ride I was looking forward to! I like cars... fast cars... and I've been curious to see how this ride played out. For the first time since we arrived, we had a wait. Since we still held our FP for Soarin' we had to go through the standby line. The sign said 30 minutes and I think it was pretty close to that. The queue area is pretty cool... though a little loud and annoying at times when the line is not moving. But I enjoyed seeing the crashed stuff. The ride itself was pretty cool. DD was saying afterward that I drive crazier and faster than that ride! She said she liked the ride... but we didn't have much time to ride again as our FP time was coming up for Soarin'. As we were heading out of Test Track, we stopped for a photo op at the cars. This was a really cool car:



Just as we turned to get out, DW nudged me and said, "check out that guy's shirt! I want a picture of it!". We kindly ask the gentleman if we could take a picture of his shirt and he agreed. So here's the reason I titled this installment:



From Test Track we start making our way back over to The Land. I took a shot of Cool Wash on the way:



Just like most kids DD's age, she LOVES Soarin'. It was her favorite ride last year. Off we go through the FP line entrance and start making our way through the queue. Wow... I'm still amazed how far you have to walk just to get to the front of the line! Maybe I'm just getting old! HAHA! We ended up on one of the lower seats this time. It was actually the first time I've been on the ride and have seen feet. Must have been lucky all the other times! Soarin' is just one cool ride.

Quick photo of inside The Land pavilion:



With Soarin' out of the way, we hop over to The Seas with Nemo and Friends (DW's favorite at EPCOT). One of my favorite parts of EPCOT is seeing and hearing the seagulls! I just LOVE those guys! I could sit there for hours and wait for the "Mine! Mine! Mine!" conversations. HAHA! Living by the beach, we hear the real seagulls almost every day... and I sometimes imagine those guys saying "Mine!" Ahhhh... it's the little things in life, right? Here we are in front of the seagulls:







DW really enjoys the Nemo ride. For me, I like the aquarium at the end... DD pretty much could do without stopping here. We were able to get right on the ride and catch some waves with the turtle dudes! Kowabunga!

From there we stop in one of the shops and DD found this Mickey ear: (She's just too cute!)



We're all having such a great time in EPCOT! I had debated while planning this trip whether or not to make Magic Kingdom the park for this day, but I gotta say that I'm glad we chose EPCOT over MK. There's something special about being able to experience EPCOT without being in a rush during the Flower and Garden Festival. In the next installment we'll slow things down a little bit and enjoy some of the little things along the way

Day 2, Part 3: EPCOT - "Fairies, Butterflies, and Pixie Dust"

 

[dvczerfs]

wow! i cant believe you got her on mission after tot! i do the non spin on mission! what a trooper!

 

[Emma's Dad]

wow! i cant believe you got her on mission after tot! i do the non spin on mission! what a trooper!

Looking back, I'm surprised, too! And I forgot to mention in the TR... when we were on the ride and it came time for her to push her button, she couldn't reach the button! She was trying sooooo hard to reach it, and she was saying "Daddy! I can't reach it! Were going to DIE!!" I had to reach over for her to press her button. Good thing I was there to save the day

 

[trennr]

Looking back, I'm surprised, too! And I forgot to mention in the TR... when we were on the ride and it came time for her to push her button, she couldn't reach the button! She was trying sooooo hard to reach it, and she was saying "Daddy! I can't reach it! Were going to DIE!!" I had to reach over for her to press her button. Good thing I was there to save the day

Our Hero!

Tell you what Mission Space makes me sick...not the G forces...but that freaky magnifying effect on those monitors in front of you.

 

[Wherem I Now]

The Seagulls are awesome! We went by them early in the morning one day when they were all quiet and I shouted MINE! at them. They immediately started up MINE! MINE! MINE!. My girls thought that I had started them up! (I didn't even know that they did anything at that time!)

Tell you what Mission Space makes me sick...not the G forces...but that freaky magnifying effect on those monitors in front of you.

Me too, but I still like the ride and so do my older two. DW has never been on.

 

[scottny]

great update and pics.

The bourbon chicken at Pepper Market is really good.

I would love to go once during the flower and garden festival. so pretty.

Orange side = not for me. I get vertigo (like most of today) and that would not be good for me.

 

[crzy4my2]

I am loving your TR. Your DD is adorable. I wanted to stay at the CSR last time we went but my SIL had already been and wanted to try a different resort. We are hoping to go again next year just the 4 of us (me, DH, DD and DS) and that is one of the places I am looking at

 

[WalkingintheFog]

Great report!

I've been guilty of losing a few things in my lifetime, so now I always (almost always!) take a couple steps and look behind me before moving away from my seat... at a bus stop, on a plane, at the doctor's, etc.

I can't wait for my Sep 09 trip.. really looking forward to slowing down and checking out all the special things... Looking at your pics, I realize I didn't often take the time to look up- love the ceiling pic of the Land Pavillon.


I don't know if I should mention this, but does your hammock-loving wife know Poly has hammocks on the beach too? And you can see the castle from some.....

 

[Emma's Dad]

Our Hero!

Tell you what Mission Space makes me sick...not the G forces...but that freaky magnifying effect on those monitors in front of you.

I love being the hero I guess I didn't really notice the effect of the monitor... sorry you don't do well with them. It's such a great ride!

The Seagulls are awesome! We went by them early in the morning one day when they were all quiet and I shouted MINE! at them. They immediately started up MINE! MINE! MINE!. My girls thought that I had started them up! (I didn't even know that they did anything at that time!)

Wherem I Now! You made over from the club! Good too see you here!
That's too funny! I can just imagine your surprise when they started going crazy!

great update and pics.

The bourbon chicken at Pepper Market is really good.

I would love to go once during the flower and garden festival. so pretty.

Orange side = not for me. I get vertigo (like most of today) and that would not be good for me.

scottny! Welcome to my TR!
Thanks I didn't try the bourbon chicken, but I'll keep that in mind for next time. I can't think of anything on their menu that I wouldn't get again... as long as I'm on the dining plan that is.

I am loving your TR. Your DD is adorable. I wanted to stay at the CBR last time we went but my SIL had already been and wanted to try a different resort. We are hoping to go again next year just the 4 of us (me, DH, DD and DS) and that is one of the places I am looking at

crzy4my2! I like your username!
I'm really glad you are liking the TR. I need to get busy on it again! And I'll be sure to tell DD what you said Interestingly enough, DW wants to try CBR next time. We may have to thumb wrestle over the location Hope you get to stay at CSR next!

Great report!

I've been guilty of losing a few things in my lifetime, so now I always (almost always!) take a couple steps and look behind me before moving away from my seat... at a bus stop, on a plane, at the doctor's, etc.

I can't wait for my Sep 09 trip.. really looking forward to slowing down and checking out all the special things... Looking at your pics, I realize I didn't often take the time to look up- love the ceiling pic of the Land Pavillon.


I don't know if I should mention this, but does your hammock-loving wife know Poly has hammocks on the beach too? And you can see the castle from some.....

WalkingintheFog! Thanks for tuning in!

After my incidents from this trip, I definitely take a few glances around to make sure I leave with what I came with.

Compared to the trip we took the year before, this one was WAYYYY slower and much more enjoyable for everyone. BUT... we didn't see near as much as last year even though we visited each park twice this time! I sure hope you get to slow down and "enjoy the roses".

Hmmmmm... may have to keep the poly remark a secret for now. Perhaps we'll get lucky with another 4/3 deal next year?

 

[Maxwell42]

Just found this - it's nice to see a rare trip report from a male perspective. (No disrespect to anyone, but those seem to be rare around here.)

Anyway, I'll stay tuned. I haven't read what you have yet, but I'm particularly interested, since we'll be spending a week at the CSR starting in 12 days!

 

[Emma's Dad]

Just found this - it's nice to see a rare trip report from a male perspective. (No disrespect to anyone, but those seem to be rare around here.)

Anyway, I'll stay tuned. I haven't read what you have yet, but I'm particularly interested, since we'll be spending a week at the CSR starting in 12 days!

Maxwell42!

Hope you enjoy the TR... I have no idea how long this is going to take to get to the end, but at my rate, I don't think you'll see the final chapter before you leave in 11 days! But I think you'll find CSR to be a beautiful, relaxing resort.

 

[jordanyosh]

Another Dis Dude signing on...so few guys do TRs.......so I'll join in.....

 

[Emma's Dad]

I should take this time to explain a few things before getting into this installment. You see, our DD is not much of a movie watcher. In fact, It is difficult to get her to watch ANY movie at all. Thinking back to when she was younger (around 3 or so) we had watched "The Adventures of Elmo in Grouchland". This movie had a PROFOUND impact on DD's view of movies. She did not understand why Elmo's blanket was lost and she was completely frightened of Huxley, the "bad" guy, since he stole his blankie. She still didn't like the movie even after Huxley was foiled and Elmo's blanket was returned. And so it began... DD's fear of watching any movies with "scary" parts in them. She would rather watch Blue's Clues for the millionth time than watch a movie!

Fast forward to October, 2008... the release of Tinkerbell the movie! DW LOVES Tinkerbell and just HAD to have this movie when it came out (not that I wasn't looking forward to it in any way (WHISTLE)). We were trying to get DD to watch the movie with us and at first was reluctant. But then as she caught a few scenes she really started to like it. So what do you tink happened after that? Yep... this became her favorite movie and she watched it almost every day for weeks. And if you read the first post of this TR, you will know who her favorite character is. Our DD... the water lover

Now that you are equipped with a little background info, let's get on with the show.

We turn the corner and find Pixie Hollow Fairy Garden! DD had a blast looking at all the things in the garden.





















We spent close to 10 minutes in the garden before we moved over into Minnie's Magnificent Butterfly Garden. This was in the same location as last year and I'm not quite sure if they have this all year round or if this is a spring only exhibit. Interestingly enough, I just Google'd it and it seems to be only open during the Flower & Garden Festival. Boy will DD be surprised if we go back to EPCOT at any other time of the year! HAHA! Here are some pictures from the exhibit:







Sorry.. just HAD to sneak this shot of the monorail in here. This was shot from the butterfly entrance. Picture-perfect day!







"Chrysalis apartment"


This guy had just been hatched from his chrysalis:






Another newly-hatched butterfly:


A little over 30 minutes was spent walking around this little tent and marveling how these creatures transform from their chrysalis into beautiful, fluttering insects. I do believe this is one of DD's favorite parts of the vacation, though she says otherwise! She always asks to come here when we go to EPCOT. The fairy garden was just an added bonus this time.

And speaking of fairies, there was another station set up outside of Innoventions East where kids could sit down and do some crafts with CMs. Very cool... and the kids get some souvenirs in the process (a little pixie dust):







From the fairy station we walked around a little more before we headed toward the exit to catch a bus. "Bus to where?", you ask? Stay tuned for the final installment for day 2!

Day 2, Part 4: "Is that the Goodyear blimp?"

 

[WillowBelle]

Stopping by to sub to your TR. I've never read one from a daddy's perspective. My DH isn't in to all things Disney like my DDs and I are . Your DD is adorable! So far it looks like you've had a great trip. Your room is amazing. I've never seen pictures inside of it before. We always stay value because DH won't/can't justify spending the extra dollars for a room that we only sleep/shower in. Can't wait to read more!