Who Turned on the Heat?! Our sweaty 2 weeks in May! Final Thoughts.

[Kirby]

Madeline has the cutest button nose! I'm enjoying your pictures! Can't believe you are already on Day 10. I'm sure that your actual trip went just as fast.

 

[chicagoshannon]

Hi Shannon! Just about all caught up. Looks like a hot but wonderful time so far. Loving your report!

Thanks! I started reading your TR today!

I love Crystal Palace for breakfast. It is so good and so fun. Pooh is one of my favorites. I have never been on the teacups. I think it would make me sick. I hope you find something to drink.

stay tuned. I think AK day and now MK day were the hottest days.

I love the Crystal Palace; although it's been since the older two were 8/4. It looks the same and from all the pics I've seen, looks like it would still be my fav. Madeline reminds me of Ashton; I love seeing the excitement and wonder in their eyes.

hmm I wonder what year they made it into a buffet. I'm guessing mid 90's but maybe slightly earlier.

I just can't get over how adorable your daughter is. Makes me wish mine was still little (she turned 22 in April).

thanks. Well your daughter is 22 so maybe in a couple of years you'll have a grandaughter to spoil.

Wow, great updates! I'm glad you enjoyed your Mother's Day I have early ADRs for both Tusker House and CP planned (btw, NO Sept. hours out yet ) - it was great to read your reviews of them! The picture of you and Madeline with Simba is just

WOW! No Sept hours yeat. I bet they'll be up within a day or 2.

Madeline has the cutest button nose! I'm enjoying your pictures! Can't believe you are already on Day 10. I'm sure that your actual trip went just as fast.

Thanks. Actually, the TR is taking longer then the actual trip.

 

[longing2Batdisney]

hmm I wonder what year they made it into a buffet. I'm guessing mid 90's but maybe slightly earlier.

I know it was '96 when we went and my dad was all excited;(he never gets excited about Disney--cost tooo much) he was surprising the kids and he kept saying it was new and we could see the characters w/o lines if it was like everyone was saying AND IT WAS!!!

 

[crocko]

On this pic...I love that their cup (close) is focused, while the cups in the background are showin "in-motion". Is there a certain camera setting you used for this shot?

 

[chicagoshannon]

hmm I wonder what year they made it into a buffet. I'm guessing mid 90's but maybe slightly earlier.

I know it was '96 when we went and my dad was all excited;(he never gets excited about Disney--cost tooo much) he was surprising the kids and he kept saying it was new and we could see the characters w/o lines if it was like everyone was saying AND IT WAS!!!

oh thanks! We didn't go in 95 so maybe it was switched over then.

On this pic...I love that their cup (close) is focused, while the cups in the background are showin "in-motion". Is there a certain camera setting you used for this shot?

honestly it was just luck this time. I use a Nikon D40. I couldn't even tell you if it was in auto mode or if I had it in P.

 

[GreatBiscuit]

Star Trek was AWESOME! We both loved it!

I concur with your hypothesis captain.

Excellent updates! The photo behind the steering wheel was priceless!

Blizzard beach looked nifty as did AK. I've read in many a TR that it seems to be hotter than the other parks.

Glad you got to do Expedition Everest.

Crystal Palace looked nifty as well, I'm looking forward to that one.

Sorry there was no "empty park" photopass or Dumbo doubles.

 

[chicagoshannon]

I concur with your hypothesis captain.

Excellent updates! The photo behind the steering wheel was priceless!

Blizzard beach looked nifty as did AK. I've read in many a TR that it seems to be hotter than the other parks.

Glad you got to do Expedition Everest.

Crystal Palace looked nifty as well, I'm looking forward to that one.

Sorry there was no "empty park" photopass or Dumbo doubles.

Luckily we may be able to rectify the last 2 in a short few months. I can't believe your trip is almost here!

 

[wlwilliams9]

Looks like another schweaty day at Disney! I still can't believe the weather Disney had last month. It was either unseasonably HOT or Monsoon rain! I'm curious what the weather is like the end of Sept./early Oct. Are you going to start a PTR for yout fall vacation when you are done with this TR?

 

[chicagoshannon]

Looks like another schweaty day at Disney! I still can't believe the weather Disney had last month. It was either unseasonably HOT or Monsoon rain! I'm curious what the weather is like the end of Sept./early Oct. Are you going to start a PTR for yout fall vacation when you are done with this TR?

I'll do something for the next trip. I might just tag it on here at the end of this one.

Ya wanna spread some of that baby dust around I could use some

 

[lisalonglash]

Ya wanna spread some of that baby dust around I could use some

Here's all mine - I'm done with it!

 

[chicagoshannon]

Here's all mine - I'm done with it!

haha thanks!

 

[chicagoshannon]

We headed into Toontown. Eric was hoping to find something to drink and we also wanted to ride Barnstormer with Madeline.

We found Goofy's Barnstormer first so into the line we went.

They gave Madeline a special little ticket that said First Roller Coaster ride.

After the ride I told her to raise her hands if she liked it. Did she?

We then found some pop for Eric. We headed toward the judges tent. I looked around in the gift shop for a few minutes and then decided that since the line for the princesses was only 20 minutes to take Madeline in there. Eric sat by the exit and my dad stayed outside. I guess going back and forth between cold and hot was bothering him. So he people watched.
The wait wasn't too bad except Madeline wanted to be carried the whole time. We were finally let in (glad we weren't in the fairy line that was twice as long- Madeline doesnt' know about the fairies yet)

Madeline was having a little chat with Aurora... about Belle.

After the princesses it was time for more rides. We headed to Buzz!

My score was pitiful (no pictures camera was put away). Madeline enjoyed controlling the joystick that spins the car.

When we walked out she spotted Stitch. We were told that he was about to take a break but then the handler let us see him anyway.

Buzz lightyear was at the Carousel of Progress exit but his line was much longer so we went on the ride instead. I love that ride although I swear they changed it back in the 90's sometime. Anyway

Everyone wanted to leave but I wanted some pictures in front of the castle.
We first stopped in the Rose Garden.

cont'd

 

[chicagoshannon]

Off to Main Street we went. The Move it Shake it parade was about to start. We decided to let Madeline watch it for a few minutes. I starts by the fire station and then moves to the castle for a party and then back.

She really enjoyed it!

I wanted one last thing before we left... a silouette of Madeline. We went to the stand on Main Street but the guy was on break until 1pm. So we took Madeline to the bathroom while we waited. When we got back we all had a drink from the cooler. We brought a cooler in everyday with cold drinks and snacks. It came in very handy and I'll be bringing it again in October.

The guy finally came back- I hope he enjoyed his lunch!.

I tried to keep Madeline still by taking pictures of her. The guy did an awesome job, especailly since she was constantly moving. It only took about 5 minutes.

I'll get one made everytime we go back (well probably not next time since it's so close)

On the way out Madeline spotted Pluto so we had to stop.

We decided to take the boat back again this time. There was a space shuttle launch scheduled for today and my dad really wanted to watch it. By the time we got to the TTC it was about to launch so we stayed in the parking lot until it launched.

I was expecting an orange streak but it was pretty cloudy so that's what we got.

Madeline had fallen asleep on the boat again. She was now nice and cozy in her car seat. We headed back to the condo for nap/break.

Tonight was our date night at Whispering Canyon Cafe. I was very excited.

Would Eric like it?

Next up 10.3 Date Night!

 

[leamom2princesses]

Great update! Madeline really took to the characters. She is such a cutie pie. The silhouette is an excellent idea.

I'm so jealous- you got some really nice family pics. We only got one the whole trip because of the rain.

 

[my2disneyboys]

No fair!!!! You get ANOTHER date night??? I cant wait to hear about Whispering Canyon!!

 

[MaryAz]

Another fun update with great pics. Oh boy, date night!

 

[chicagoshannon]

Great update! Madeline really took to the characters. She is such a cutie pie. The silhouette is an excellent idea.

I'm so jealous- you got some really nice family pics. We only got one the whole trip because of the rain.

oh I'm sorry There's always next time.

No fair!!!! You get ANOTHER date night??? I cant wait to hear about Whispering Canyon!!

Coming right up!

Another fun update with great pics. Oh boy, date night!

and it was so fun!

 

[chicagoshannon]

Our ADR at Whispering Canyon was for 5:30. We left the condo somewhere between 4 and 4:30. I was anxious to get the evening started. We arrived at the Wilderness Lodge shortly after. Eric had never been here so I wanted to show him around. We walked into the lobby and then headed for a stroll around the pool. It's such a beautiful pool but it was so crowded! We wandered back inside and to the gift shop. They have a lot of food in the gift shop. I was surprised. I spotted a photopass person but wasnt' sure if she was "free" or for a photoshoot. We decided to check in and see if we could get seated early.

While Eric checked us in I took some pictures.

Our pager went off almost immediately. We were seated way in the back of the restaurant. It was actualy IN the lobby, kind of like a terrace. I really liked it but if we had Madeline with us I would have wanted to sit inside the actualy restaurant.

Our waitress took our drink order and was very in character. When she brought us our drinks she threw our straws at us. I had fogotten they did this. Eric jumped I think. Eric gulped his drink down in like a minute. The waitress came back with this

This was the instant Eric fell in love with the restaurant and hotel. He took it as his personal mission to drink that whole thing. It was the size of a 2 liter!
Eric ordered the meatloaf and I got the skillet. YUMMY!

We also got cornbread with our drinks and my dinner came with a salad. I liked everything on the skillet except the beans and the chicken. The beans were kind of hard and the chicken was just gross!

Halfway through the drink

During our meal we talked more about coming back for our anniversary. I had Eric convinced we should stay at the Wilderness Lodge.
Eric then finished the last of his drink

We wondered how many times we'd have to stop at a bathroom tonight.

Eric was itching for the waitress to notice that he drank it all. I couldn't believe how long it actually took her to notice. She made a big fuss and was telling everyone to stay out of the pool ect. ect. It was great. I think Eric had a smile on his face the rest of the night.

When we left we headed to that photopass lady I'd seen earlier. She made me look really really fat but here's the pic anyway.

We then hopped in the van and drove to the TTC. We got a nice close spot. Took the monorail over and got these

I thought these windows were cute

My goal for the night was to look through the shops, see Spectromagic and the fireworks. I also wanted to ride BTMRR in the dark and get an ice cream sandwich from the bakery.

Things don't always go as planned...

 

[longing2Batdisney]

Maedeline is sooo cute w/the Princesses; and I didn't think Ashton was even big enough for the Barnstormer did not even check it out (I bet he would loved it---seems Madeline did ). Your date night looked like a great night out...next time we go we'll have to do that. I ry not to leave Ashton to often; maybe next time when he talks clearer.

 

[chicagoshannon]

Maedeline is sooo cute w/the Princesses; and I didn't think Ashton was even big enough for the Barnstormer did not even check it out (I bet he would loved it---seems Madeline did ). Your date night looked like a great night out...next time we go we'll have to do that. I ry not to leave Ashton to often; maybe next time when he talks clearer.

yeah since my parents were with I had no problem leaving her. She talks really well though. Although I called to check on her around 9pm and my mom said they had a heck of a time figuring out that she wanted to watch 101 dalmations. She kept saying rogernita (Roger and Anita that's what she calls it)