Who Invited My Mother In Law? A Moderately Deluxe TR All New X 3 & PTR Link 2/3 !!

[jedijill]

OMG, I'm totally picturing the Moves like Jaggar!

Jill in CO

 

[afwdwfan]

That is a shame that the food and the show didn't really live up to expectations for you. At least the table front and center had a good time. I think it would be fun to see the show sometime, but we've got a few years before we'd even think about taking DS and DD. That really is a disappointment that they don't even bring drinks or anything after dessert is served.

Oh, and thanks for at least including a few pics of the female dancers.

I'm glad you were finally able to work in some time to go swimming. Thankfully, you didn't have to swim in the bathtub.

 

[megan511]

Thanks for the review on the luau. I have read next to nothing on it so it's nice to see what happens during the show. I definitely will not be rushing to it until my kids are older and wanted to go. My parents went when they took us to Disney when I was 3 but I don't think they really remember it!

Chad does not eat chocolate either! That's so funny.

Maddie, as always, looks adorable. I love when kids get in those silly moods (when it's an appropriate time of course.)

 

[Fantasyland Mom]

We tried the Luau a couple of years ago and had almost the same exact reaction. I wanted dancing (and so did my bored kids), but by the time that started we were all just sort of done and ended up leaving after a few dances. Maybe when the kids are quite a few years older we'll try it again. Maybe not.

I am so excited for your next update since I made a last-minute ADR to include Jake!!

 

[Stringbean&Wingnut]

I'm sorry to hear that the Luau wasn't a better experience for you! The pacing of the show does sound a bit draggy, your theory about sunset sounds pretty accurate! At least you did enjoy it a bit though!

 

[Tinkermom76]

well I do believe it will be worth the Luau just to get some pics of those smokin dancers!!!!!!

Thanks for the tips, late show and pay for category 1!!!

 

[smidgy]

I looked again for the Cubs Vinylmation that I'd been searching for, but came up empty

]

um, much like the team right now the White Sox are slaughtering Toronto, 7-2. just sayin'

 

[smidgy]

Pizza Planet.

He figured that Maddie would love it and the atmosphere combined with some much needed food would be just what the doctor ordered for restoring harmony to our little group. And, Bryan actually likes bad pizza. This is the guy who’d been willingly sampling pizza from the kid’s section of every buffet we encountered.

ok, I know you don't actually live IN Chicago, but anyone ever expereincing chicago pizza would call any disney pizza "bad bad!"

I should talk we have in our fridge some leftover pizza from a Pizza Hut in geogia on the way home.. yuck!!!

 

[smidgy]

we have stayed at Dolphin twice, once with a free balcony upgrade. we got really good rates, and it was our only chance (we thought) to stay at a resort within wlaking distance to epcot/DHS. this was before we discovered renting points.

yeah, there isn't much themeing. no theming either at BLT. both are good for the location. the lobby at dolphin is beautiful!! but once you find a shortcut to anywhere, you never really walk throughthe lobby again.

the grotto pool is really nice. like the slide. and I LOVE the "heavenly" beds.

btw, nurses, teachers, and gov. workers get a discount.

 

[RGirl]

Well, you have confirmed my thoughts about the luau - it will remain near the bottom of my list.

Nonetheless, I am really sorry that you didn't have a better time. I was hoping that you would have such a great time that I would be all for you and I would be able to re-think my feelings about the place.

Love the pool-walk stories!

 

[disney-inspired]

Thank you for the detailed *ahem* report photos of the SOA show.


A great view in my opinion

 

[smidgy]

I don't want to jump ahead in Nebo's report, but we weren't thrilled with the luau either. I just always wanted to try it.

we did eat at starring roll sin april, and it was pretyy good.. for a sandwich.. it was a blackforest sandwich and was huge! but we took off most of the "latest fad": arugla. I don't need a bunch of little leaves(with stems) on my sandwich!. with a CS credit, you get a cupcake, and the butterfinger cupcakes are DELICIOUS!!! I think they are alos a snack credit, which would make a great breakfast.

 

[TinkyCheeks]

Loving this TR so far. Maddie is a doll. Too funny that she wanted to just do her own moves at the luau.

Thanks for the luau review. I've been debating back and forth. It seems like something to try someday but nothing I feel the need to hurry for. The pics were nice, though.

 

[shan23877]

OMG, I'm totally picturing the Moves like Jaggar!

Jill in CO

She was having so much fun with that! and, she kept it up for the remainder of the trip.

That is a shame that the food and the show didn't really live up to expectations for you. At least the table front and center had a good time. I think it would be fun to see the show sometime, but we've got a few years before we'd even think about taking DS and DD. That really is a disappointment that they don't even bring drinks or anything after dessert is served.

It was a little disappointing, but we really didn't have a ton of expectation. I guess we were comparing it to the Hoop the whole time which might not be fair. It was something we wanted to try, and we did. We may try it again once Maddie is older, or when it's just adults.

I couldn't believe that nothing else was offered after dessert. The beer, etc. was supposedly unlimited, but at leas half of the show was after dessert. We were only drinking soda, and we didn't get any more of that.

Oh, and thanks for at least including a few pics of the female dancers.

You're very welcome. I didn't want to leave anyone out!

I'm glad you were finally able to work in some time to go swimming. Thankfully, you didn't have to swim in the bathtub.

It was a nice way to end the evening. Thank goodness we didn't have to use the bathtub! It would have gotten crowded fast!

Thanks for the review on the luau. I have read next to nothing on it so it's nice to see what happens during the show. I definitely will not be rushing to it until my kids are older and wanted to go. My parents went when they took us to Disney when I was 3 but I don't think they really remember it!

It was worth trying out for sure. I would say it's for older kids, but Maddie really loves all things Hawaiian so I thought she'd have been more interested. I really was comparing it to the Hoop which probably isn't fair. The Hoop is so fun and boisterous, and this was pretty laid back and quiet in comparison.

Chad does not eat chocolate either! That's so funny.

I thought Bryan was the only one! His nightmare would be touring Hershey PA!

Maddie, as always, looks adorable. I love when kids get in those silly moods (when it's an appropriate time of course.)

Thanks so much. She was being so funny and silly that night. We had a great time.

We tried the Luau a couple of years ago and had almost the same exact reaction. I wanted dancing (and so did my bored kids), but by the time that started we were all just sort of done and ended up leaving after a few dances. Maybe when the kids are quite a few years older we'll try it again. Maybe not.

I hadn't heard too many glowing reviews of the show, but we really wanted to see for ourselves. Maddie really loves Hawaii and Hawaiian things so we thought she'd love it. Maybe if we'd been closer to the stage? I think we'll try it again someday, but it will be a while.

I am so excited for your next update since I made a last-minute ADR to include Jake!!

Yay for Jake!!! I'll probably get the update done on Sunday.

I'm sorry to hear that the Luau wasn't a better experience for you! The pacing of the show does sound a bit draggy, your theory about sunset sounds pretty accurate! At least you did enjoy it a bit though!

We are glad that we tried it. It wasn't as exciting as we'd hoped it would be, but we may have been unfairly comparing it to the Hoop. The dancing was lovely, but it was pretty hard to see. We'll probably give it another shot in the future, but not for a while.

 

[shan23877]

well I do believe it will be worth the Luau just to get some pics of those smokin dancers!!!!!!

Thanks for the tips, late show and pay for category 1!!!

They were the highlight for sure!

That's what we'd do if we ever booked it again. The seats might have been the most disappointing part.

um, much like the team right now the White Sox are slaughtering Toronto, 7-2. just sayin'

You got me there. They're going nowhere fast. I was born a Cubs fan and I'll die a Cubs fan though. I'm not sure that any amount of losing could convert me!

ok, I know you don't actually live IN Chicago, but anyone ever expereincing chicago pizza would call any disney pizza "bad bad!"

I should talk we have in our fridge some leftover pizza from a Pizza Hut in geogia on the way home.. yuck!!!

Bryan's favorite pizza in the world is Chicago style pizza. He's of the "even bad pizza (or you know) is good" school of thought.

Pizza Hut has always been 'hangover food' to me. Sometimes it's good!

we have stayed at Dolphin twice, once with a free balcony upgrade. we got really good rates, and it was our only chance (we thought) to stay at a resort within wlaking distance to epcot/DHS. this was before we discovered renting points.

yeah, there isn't much themeing. no theming either at BLT. both are good for the location. the lobby at dolphin is beautiful!! but once you find a shortcut to anywhere, you never really walk throughthe lobby again.

I thought that the lobby was really pretty if not really Disney. It was a beautiful hotel, but I'll probably keep it toward the bottom of my wishlist.

I'm reading a TR about BLT now, and her room looks really amazing, but it's the only one I've seen that shows a room with any charm.

Have you only rented points from your lawyer friend? I have looked into the prices on Todd's (?) sight, and it looks like it could be really manageable money wise. I'm really nervous about trusting a stranger to make my reservation, and to keep current on his or her payments.

Is it a real hassle to make ADRs etc. renting points? Is the ressie in your name or the DVC owner's name?

Sorry to ask so many questions! I'm curious though because Bryan would really love to stay at the Beach Club and that or a HUGE pin would be the only way we could justify it.

the grotto pool is really nice. like the slide. and I LOVE the "heavenly" beds.


Heavenly beds you say? I must say that I'm usually so tired by the end of the day, I don't even notice the Disney beds.

btw, nurses, teachers, and gov. workers get a discount.

I knew that teachers did, and I mentioned that to my SiL when they were booking their June trip. They booked the Poly though (don't even get me started on her booking my dream resort....)

Well, you have confirmed my thoughts about the luau - it will remain near the bottom of my list.

Nonetheless, I am really sorry that you didn't have a better time. I was hoping that you would have such a great time that I would be all for you and I would be able to re-think my feelings about the place.

Love the pool-walk stories!

Yeah, I'd probably advise you to keep it at the bottom of the list. The Hoop is tons of fun though, and I'll bet that Willow would really like it! It's just such a hike to get all the way out there though...

It was okay, and I don't at all regret doing it. Maybe our expectations were just out of whack. I really think that better seats would have made a HUGE difference. It's an experience that I'm glad that we had. I'd always have wondered about it if we didn't try it.

Oh my goodness she was having the time of her life. She kept it up for the rest of the trip too.

 

[shan23877]

Thank you for the detailed *ahem* report photos of the SOA show.


A great view in my opinion

You're quite welcome! I told Bryan it was my responsibility as a good Trip Reporter...

I'd have to agree that the view wasn't all bad.

I don't want to jump ahead in Nebo's report, but we weren't thrilled with the luau either. I just always wanted to try it.

we did eat at starring roll sin april, and it was pretyy good.. for a sandwich.. it was a blackforest sandwich and was huge! but we took off most of the "latest fad": arugla. I don't need a bunch of little leaves(with stems) on my sandwich!. with a CS credit, you get a cupcake, and the butterfinger cupcakes are DELICIOUS!!! I think they are alos a snack credit, which would make a great breakfast.

I'm sorry that you guys didn't love it either. It's something I've always wanted to do as well, so I'm glad that we did. I would have always wondered about it if we hadn't

I really do want to try Starring Rolls for CS. All the pics and reviews I've read of it were very positive. Those cupcakes sound divine. Much better than a boring old chocolate chip cookie.

Cupcakes for breakfast? Now you're talkin'. I always knew we'd get along.

Loving this TR so far. Maddie is a doll. Too funny that she wanted to just do her own moves at the luau.

Thanks for the luau review. I've been debating back and forth. It seems like something to try someday but nothing I feel the need to hurry for. The pics were nice, though.

Thank you so much for joining in! She always wants to do her own dance moves. Her favorite thing is to get to dance class early so that she can do her own dancing in front of all the mirrors.

I hope the review helped and that it disappoint you or anyone else. I was really looking forward to it, and had always wanted to do it so I was kind of disappointed. I'm glad that we did it though, it's an experience that we can say we've had.

I hope that you might give it a try someday, but IMHO where you sit is super important.

I'm glad that you enjoyed the pics, they were easy on the eyes huh?

 

[RGirl]

Yeah, I'd probably advise you to keep it at the bottom of the list. The Hoop is tons of fun though, and I'll bet that Willow would really like it! It's just such a hike to get all the way out there though...

It was okay, and I don't at all regret doing it. Maybe our expectations were just out of whack. I really think that better seats would have made a HUGE difference. It's an experience that I'm glad that we had. I'd always have wondered about it if we didn't try it.

Oh my goodness she was having the time of her life. She kept it up for the rest of the trip too.

You know, I have never considered Hoop or, really, any of these types of places - I think because we have not had the opportunity to do WDW enough times to feel like we can spare a park moment. Same reason we haven't done DTD! However, now that we have done WDW twice, DLR once, and a DCL cruise, I would think that maybe we could loosen up a little! When I get my PTR up and running, I may or may not need some advice depending on whether we are actually going to WDW or not.

OMG - isn't it so funny when they clamp onto something like that???? Anything that cracks up the parents must live FOREVER, right?

 

[shan23877]

You know, I have never considered Hoop or, really, any of these types of places - I think because we have not had the opportunity to do WDW enough times to feel like we can spare a park moment. Same reason we haven't done DTD! However, now that we have done WDW twice, DLR once, and a DCL cruise, I would think that maybe we could loosen up a little! When I get my PTR up and running, I may or may not need some advice depending on whether we are actually going to WDW or not.

OMG - isn't it so funny when they clamp onto something like that???? Anything that cracks up the parents must live FOREVER, right?

I can't wait for the PTR!!! The suspense is killing me!

I really didn't want to give up any park time for DDs first trip-especially since I could only talk Bryan into 5 days. On this trip though, we wanted to do some stuff that was geared a little more toward he and I.

She still gathers "moves' sometimes. You're exactly right, if it makes the grown ups laugh, it must never die.

 

[RGirl]

I can't wait for the PTR!!! The suspense is killing me!

I really didn't want to give up any park time for DDs first trip-especially since I could only talk Bryan into 5 days. On this trip though, we wanted to do some stuff that was geared a little more toward he and I.

She still gathers "moves' sometimes. You're exactly right, if it makes the grown ups laugh, it must never die.

Gah - I am DYING to start the PTR because I want all of you to help me make some decisions, and there is a lot of time to change things and really play with different options. But I feel like I can't really start that until I finish the TR. :scared But, somewhat sadly , I am already closing in on the last day of our cruise, so I will soon be begging you all to help me with the next trip!

I am really impressed that you were able to let go of park time a little and find other fun things to do. I have some serious OCD issues, I think, and I think they run our WDW trips to some extent. Maybe that is something you can help me with in the PTR and planning? I would love it if I could get myself to slow down and enjoy more - plan more down time with the knowledge that we WILL be back and don't have to do everything this trip. I have a serious problem with feeling like I have to do everything as though WDW is going to disappear within seconds of us departing!

So how did the first Kindergarten day go?????? I am having extreme anxiety over it - it is just such a huge transition in my mind that I can't stop freaking out. Need to hear that everything went okay.

 

[shan23877]

Gah - I am DYING to start the PTR because I want all of you to help me make some decisions, and there is a lot of time to change things and really play with different options. But I feel like I can't really start that until I finish the TR. :scared But, somewhat sadly , I am already closing in on the last day of our cruise, so I will soon be begging you all to help me with the next trip!

I am really impressed that you were able to let go of park time a little and find other fun things to do. I have some serious OCD issues, I think, and I think they run our WDW trips to some extent. Maybe that is something you can help me with in the PTR and planning? I would love it if I could get myself to slow down and enjoy more - plan more down time with the knowledge that we WILL be back and don't have to do everything this trip. I have a serious problem with feeling like I have to do everything as though WDW is going to disappear within seconds of us departing!

So how did the first Kindergarten day go?????? I am having extreme anxiety over it - it is just such a huge transition in my mind that I can't stop freaking out. Need to hear that everything went okay.

I really am the same way-I could be in the parks 24/7 if they'd let me. Since Bryan won't commit to going every year. I'm always worried about how long it will be until we get back.

After Maddie's first trip, Bryan said he really wanted to take some time to relax. It made me nervous, but I'm glad that we did it. Especially the more grown up meals that we did. It was really nice to still be on property soaking in the magic yet slowing down just a little.

Luckily for me we aren't the types to want to re-do too many rides, so we are usually pretty happy with what we get done. There are things that we all want to do in each park that we've never gotten to, but we try to make sure that we hit the biggies so that we're not disappointed.

I'm not going to lie-today was tough. Maddie's school's policy is that no parents could take the kids inside (there was a little get together last week to see classrooms, bathrooms, etc). One of the hardest things I've ever done is to let my baby get out of the car and walk into that big girl school all by herself. Luckily (I think) it was storming this morning, so I couldn't let myself get too emotional. Didn't want to wreck the car.

Last night Bry asked why this was so hard for me. I said it's because I have to face the fact that she'll never be my baby again. Today I was cuddling Mads and said "I guess you're a big kindergartener now, you're not my baby anymore" She said "Mommy, I'll always be your baby".

From Maddie's point of view, today could not have been more wonderful. (She did crawl into bed with me last night-having a little anxiety I think. I don't blame her, literally everything in her life has been new in the last 3 months) She hopped in the car this afternoon and said "It was GREAT!!"

I think I'm most worried about silly things like older kids picking on the little ones, Her getting lost in the big school, etc. I know that kindergarten is usually pretty separate from the other grades though. She's most worried about making new friends and what to wear.

You can do it MOM! It's not as bad as I thought it would be. The morning was hard, but as soon as she told me how wonderful it was I calmed down a lot.