Why Not Just Queue Up Another Disney Trip? Link to New TR 6/24 p136!

[Moira222]

YYAY for a cruise AND a quick WDW trip besides. Denny must have been in a very good mood

GF is such a pretty romantically decorated resort - the tree matches that perfectly. The hydrangeas and bird houses in the tree are just lovely, but would not look so "right" anywhere else.

Joe was watching the game in his man cave away from a rowdy bored little girl, and came up to tell me how awesome the half time show was. maybe i can youtube it tomorrow.

 

[MEK]

So, one advantage to being ridiculously behind on DIS-ing (I know, what's new) is that I got to read all of your Christmas trip posts, all in one go!

(Of course, go figure that the night I decide to catch up, the DIS pages are loading as slowly as Soarin' on a Friday night during Spring Break.)

Welcome Back! Long time No see! Glad you are all caught up. The DIS has been painfully slow for what seems like a couple weeks. It's been terribly frustrating.

Love your pictures, as always. I am dying to get to WDW at holiday time to see the Christmas decorations someday...until then, at least I can live vicariously through other people's pictures.

So glad you are enjoying the pictures. Stick around for the Osbourne lights. I was just editing those pictures this weekend and I was SO happy with how they turned out. Of course, they aren't until Day 4 so it may be awhile.

It really is worth it to go once during the Holidays. Its such a special, festive time and it really puts you into the Holiday spirit!

Sounds like you're having a great trip so far! The perfect combo of activity and relaxation (and adult beverages). Can't wait for more!

Adult beverages are a necessity during a trip to the pool, are they not? As much a requirement as a bathing suit. We did have a great trip!

YYAY for a cruise AND a quick WDW trip besides. Denny must have been in a very good mood

Exactly! Catching him in a good mood is key! He was very agreeable. almost too agreeable! Let's see if he backpeddles on the quick trip. He won't change his mind on the cruise. I'm certain of that.

GF is such a pretty romantically decorated resort - the tree matches that perfectly. The hydrangeas and bird houses in the tree are just lovely, but would not look so "right" anywhere else.

.

The tree does match it perfectly. for a few years (when I was really ambitious) I used to put up two trees and one was all Grand floridian like except I never had enough hydrangeas. I obviously don't do that anymore and just make a mismatched tree of all types of ornaments. Oh well.

Joe was watching the game in his man cave away from a rowdy bored little girl, and came up to tell me how awesome the half time show was. maybe i can youtube it tomorrow.

He emerged from the man cave? To tell you about the half time show? He must have really liked it then.

It was good. It was very professionally done. I don't know how she could have sung all that stuff. I'm sure the backing track helped.

 

[LilAnn]

oooh, I love risotto and the crab dungenous risotto sounds divine. yum.

I would love to just go resort hopping over the holidays to see all the gingerbread houses and decorations. One day....

and who doesn't love reclining in a hammock?

 

[DisMomAmy]

The DIS is cooperating today so I'm all caught up again. What a lovely afternoon at the pool followed by a nice night exploring resorts & having a yummy meal at Cali!

 

[Captain_Oblivious]

So I thought the best alternative was dinner at the Cali Grille and Wishes from the observation deck.

Sounds like a good plan to me. I think I would love the atmosphere and view there, but I can't identify anything on the menu.

Once we finally reached the guard he had to find our name on the "list". Fortunately this happened quickly and we were IN!

And you didn't have to use the Beaches & Cream line!

It was around this time that Nick handed me this

A team of security didn't immediately descend on the lobby?

You got a roof shingle?

Well - unfortunately there is no description for this on Allearsnet, but it was a vegetable lasagne which was quite good but VERY rich. Our waiter told me that no one ever finishes it, but I sure gave it a try.

Oh, ok. Never mind.

Beautiful!

 

[saintstickets]

Quote:
Originally Posted by saintstickets
Not sure we will be there that late in October. We are trying to avoid the Halloween crowds. Too bad the NFL doesn't put out its schedule earlier so I could know which weekend the Saints are playing at home that fall. Making ressies at the 11 month window for a trip during football season creates a dilemma!

Is halloween really crowded? If it is then I want to go earlier. I picked that time frame originally because I thought it would make it possible for us to go to most parent's weekends. But I could be persuaded to go earlier. It probably will be tough to wait until the end of October to travel. Maybe we should consider the beginning of October. Decisions, decisions!

It's not MUCH different throughout October according to TouringPlans crowd calendars. Most Fridays are 6 (out of 10 with 10 being the most crowded) and most Saturdays are 9s. I'm sure that MNSSHP has a lot to do with the weekends being more crowded too. Tuesday, Wednesday & Thursday vary between 3-5. September is an excellent month for crowds with most days being 1s and 2s. Except for Labor Day weekend, all of September rarely gets above a 4.

 

[MEK]

Hi guys. I hope you don't mind if I do replies tomorrow. I just caught up on a couple trip updates but now I am beat. I am doing another music show at the end of the month. This one is country. I am singing The House that Built Me (Miranda Lambert), Stay (Sugarland), and I Fall to Pieces (Patsy Cline). I want to play the guitar for the first two and I'm just not good enough for all that finger picking on the Lambert song. I can finger pick, but I can't get the timing right. I've been working on it for hours with a little bit of improvement. Oh well!

 

[tinacaplan]

Well, I'm glad that you have more trips in the queue, so to speak. And even better, one is a cruise.

I have to say that even though I have zero desire to ever stay there, the GF lobby is amazing. Truly. Mark and I are eating at Citrico's in...oh..wait, I was about to say in February...but...well it IS February. Any way, about two weeks from tomorrow, as a matter of fact. Point is, I'll be sure to provide with a full report. It is more low key than many of the other signatures, but the food is good. I think when we ate in 2010, it may have been our last signature of a trip of signatures (we did the DxDP without a kid), so we were kind of done, food-wise.

You got beautiful pictures there and I have no doubt that your Wishes pictures are going to amazing.

 

[MEK]

oooh, I love risotto and the crab dungenous risotto sounds divine. yum.

I am bummed I didn't taste it but I was so intent on stuffing my mouth with my lasagne.

I would love to just go resort hopping over the holidays to see all the gingerbread houses and decorations. One day....

It so beautiful I could have easily spent an entire day resort hopping but on such a short trip its just not practical. I love how each resort has its own little twist on the Christmas theme.

and who doesn't love reclining in a hammock?

No body I know, but I don't think anyone likes it more than a teenage boy.

The DIS is cooperating today so I'm all caught up again. What a lovely afternoon at the pool followed by a nice night exploring resorts & having a yummy meal at Cali!

The DIS has been so ridiculous lately. Overall it seems to be running better but then you hit a slow spell again. It was a great afternoon and evening. Another excellent day!

Sounds like a good plan to me. I think I would love the atmosphere and view there, but I can't identify anything on the menu.

Some of the descriptions are a little over the top, aren't they? I have to highly recommend CG for a date night. It would be perfect.

And you didn't have to use the Beaches & Cream line!

How about that? But next time I tell them I am there to see the choir. How's that for a good line?

A team of security didn't immediately descend on the lobby?

As quickly as I made him drop it, they didn't have a chance.

You got a roof shingle?



Oh, ok. Never mind.

Surprisingly similar, isn't it? I have no idea what that was put I tried it and it wasn't half bad. A tasty garnish!

Beautiful!

Thanks!

It's not MUCH different throughout October according to TouringPlans crowd calendars. Most Fridays are 6 (out of 10 with 10 being the most crowded) and most Saturdays are 9s. I'm sure that MNSSHP has a lot to do with the weekends being more crowded too. Tuesday, Wednesday & Thursday vary between 3-5. September is an excellent month for crowds with most days being 1s and 2s. Except for Labor Day weekend, all of September rarely gets above a 4.

I know September is a great month and its really tempting, but when I go in September I always feel like I should have waited another month until the weather gets brisker here. It's a nice way to cap of the end of summer. That's how I felt about HHI. It was just getting cool here when we left and it was summer there. It really felt like a treat.

Well, I'm glad that you have more trips in the queue, so to speak. And even better, one is a cruise.

I am pretty excited about the cruise even though its over 18 months away. It will give me plenty of time to become a cruise expert. Like that will ever happen?

I have to say that even though I have zero desire to ever stay there, the GF lobby is amazing. Truly. Mark and I are eating at Citrico's in...oh..wait, I was about to say in February...but...well it IS February. Any way, about two weeks from tomorrow, as a matter of fact. Point is, I'll be sure to provide with a full report. It is more low key than many of the other signatures, but the food is good. I think when we ate in 2010, it may have been our last signature of a trip of signatures (we did the DxDP without a kid), so we were kind of done, food-wise.

I didn't think I wanted to stay there either and then I spent that afternoon there pool hopping and I was totally converted. Now its on my list with the Poly and YC. I just can't justify either with DVC.

I can't wait to hear about Citricos. I hope you love it. Take lots of pics please!

You got beautiful pictures there and I have no doubt that your Wishes pictures are going to amazing.

Thanks!

I hope to post them soon!

 

[tinacaplan]

Yeah, I read about some of the cruise stuff and I have NO idea. Are there on-line courses I could take?

Well....with the new GF DVC opening sometime in the next few years, you just might get your chance. With DVC you have so many other amazing options.

 

[MEK]

Yeah, I read about some of the cruise stuff and I have NO idea. Are there on-line courses I could take?

What a great idea! Someone should develop an on-line "how to book and have fun on a Disney cruise" course. Pay a user fee like TGM. Great idea! Too bad I don't know anything about cruises.

Well....with the new GF DVC opening sometime in the next few years, you just might get your chance. With DVC you have so many other amazing options.

I am totally staying at the GF. I'm sure pointwise its going to be high, but I would be happy just to stay there for a couple nights and then move to someplace "less expensive". I seriously can't wait!

 

[MEK]

Before I show you my Wishes photos I think I would like to do a Day 2 Recap. Day 2 was definitely not as commando as Day 1, but it was just as fun.

So here we go:

Tot - Check
RnR - Check
Star Tours (x2) (x3 for the boys) - check
TSM - check
The Backlot Tour - check
Quick visit to Animation Station - check
OKW Pool & Hot tub - check
Grand Floridian Christmas decorations - check
Carolers at the Contemporary - check
Dinner at the Cali Grill - check

AND LAST BUT NOT LEAST..........I Bring you Wishes from High in the sky.

Our night time extravaganza started with

Good bye ELP

Cool shot of the new castle show before the fire works

Close up

And then....POW!

Isn't it strange how the fireworks always look off center

A pause in the action

And then....Oh....Ah

Love the festive colors for Christmas

Continued.......

 

[MEK]

Continued.......

It looks like the park is on FIRE!

I had a terrible time getting a picture of the fireworks AND the castle. Here is my week attempt

I love the red bursts

ZOOOOOOOMMMMMMMMMMMM

Again - Odd to see where those fireworks really come from and confusing

Continued........

 

[MEK]

Are You Sick Of Fireworks Yet?

I hope not. Here's more

At some point I took off my distance lens because I realized I wasn't seeing the "whole" picture.

Different

Holy crap - Now that's a lot of smoke! cough cough

And that's a wrap friends. The fireworks were great. It wasn't too crowded up there. It wasn't too cold. It was just right. What a wonderful way to end the evening.

I think Denny and Nick agree too!

One final picture of the castle

Next up - Our LOOOOOOOOOOONG AK Day. Get ready for lots more adventure and more pictures when I return!

 

[MEK]

Edited: Double Post!

FYI: I won't be able to do any replies until tomorrow. My mom is having a cardioversion today and I will be spending the night at her house to take care of my dad.

 

[Stringbean&Wingnut]

Gorgeous Wishes shots!!! I wish I could take fireworks pictures like that!!!

I hope everything goes well for your mom today!!!

 

[dawnbu40]

Beautiful pictures! They made me so excited to be staying at the CR in October!

Prayers that everything goes well for your mom.

 

[Captain_Oblivious]

Not much to say other than great pictures! Thanks for the spectacular show!

Hope everything is ok with your mom.

 

[chloe770]

I hope everything goes well with your mom.

Seriously, your pictures are beautiful. I think I might need to recruit you to teach me how to use my camera. I've had a Nikon D60 for a couple of years now and have no clue how to use it. I actually would love to upgrade but refuse to do so until I learn how to use what I have.

 

[eandesmom]

Gorgeous fireworks photos!!!!!!!!!!!! What a view and what a great day!

Good luck with your mom, and dad today, I'll be thinking of you!