Awwww. That comment from LJ about his dad makes me a little teary.

That Disney magic gets you every time. So happy they seem to be converts.
I'm glad my brother really fell for the magic of Soarin and Disney. I think I knew all along that he would, but I was really starting to have my doubts there for awhile.

I think its great that Disney has something for everyone and Soarin is the perfect thrill for people who don't like big-time thrill rides. I'm glad LJ got to see his dad smile.
Hurrah for the pool opening but boo to the rain. An adult beverage does ease the "pain" though.
It surely did. By this point in the vacation I was becoming quite the lush!
Fingers crossed you get to enjoy
Illuminations!! [/QUOTE]
Spoiler alert - we did and I am so glad everyone got to experience that magic.
I love all he Figment pics. We love that cheesy little ride
I like it to. Seriously, its cute and I knew the kids would like it. I can't say I am as big of a fan as Stringbean is, but I do enjoy it!
LJ's comment about his dad is so sad. I hope your brother is feeling happier not only for his sake but for his family's
It was a sad comment and that's why it's hard for me to say anything about it. I am glad that Soarin made him smile and I hope he finds more Soarin moments in life!
Ahhh, a morning with Figment! Love it!
Gotta love a spin on Figment when you're with little kids. I knew they would like it better than Captain EO.
Dinner looks pretty tasty at Artist's Palette and hurray for the pool finally being open -- hopefully it stayed that way so you can get a bit more time there!
AP had some nice flatbread and sandwich selections. And their pastries and cakes and such were really nice and fresh. I also like that you can fill your mug and walk home with something else to drink later.
First time smiling in a long time? Those are powerful words.
I know. I wonder how my bro would feel if he heard those words.
Nick sounds like a pretty solid college prospect!
Thanks! I am proud of him for already going in yesterday and lining up his recommendations and talking to the guidance counselor. It's great that he is getting right on it the first day of school.
Okay, I totally cheered when I saw the title of your update, but then when I saw the dedication...you just made my day!!!
YES, fine, I know I am not in the popular opinion with my love of Figment, but he's just so fun and happy! How can you dislike fun and happy??
When I wrote this update it was totally with you in mind. I mean, come one, is there another DISer out there who likes Figment MORE than you? I think NOT!
(Did I ever tell you about the trip where I met Figment??
It was a very happy day!)
That's a cute picture. I didn't even know there was a Figment character. See, again I learn something new every day.
Hahaha I have the shirt, but not the hat!! Do I get any points for that?
You definitely get points for that. I love that T shirt. I am not a big T-shirt person, but that one is very cute.
Yay for the TH pool being open...but you are not having any luck in actually getting to spend time there!!
It's OK - I got to sit in the hot tub and that was nice. I love the hot tub after a soaking rain. It feels right. And we did get to visit the pool again in the morning.
Glad you had a good meal at AP! The CS Raglan Road is Cookes of Dublin (or, as DF likes to call it, "Cookies" of Dublin...even though I continually remind him that there are no cookies there!

)
Thank you for refreshing my memory. I actually thought of the name just as I was walking into work this morning. Sometimes my memory stinks at night. Probably shouldn't admit to that!
Cookies of Dublin -
Yay for the family starting to really enjoy Disney!!! It is too bad that they don't make Soarin' shirts, I'm sure they would sell a lot of them!
I am 99.9% sure that my brother purchased a Soarin T. In fact, I know my SIL asked me if
Walmart would have one specifically for Soarin. I told her - no- they just have general ones. I actually think their Disney merchandise is pretty good.
I do remember my bro going back and buying a shirt after we did Soarin in the evening. I hope I'm not imagining that or I am REALLY going to be worried about myself.
I'm sorry Stringbean, but I just don't like that ride!

I think if it weren't for the ridiculously overpowering skunk smell I might try it again, but wow, I hated that part so much I've never been able to give it another go. I like Figment himself, and the ride is just ok, but that smell...

I'm glad your pool was open, even if you didn't get to enjoy it for long!
OK - Now I REALLY am getting forgetful, but I don't remember the smell. And if there was one, well, it wasn't terrible. I think you should retry it and report back to us. I mean - come one - research purposes and all that.
I did enjoy my quick dip in the pool and the hot tub. With no lightining, the pool remained open.
Wow indeed.

That broke my heart.
Yeah. Sad. It makes me realize that as adults we sometimes forget to think about how our moods affect our children and how sensitive they are to it. I remember when we booked our second Disney trip. I was in the kitchen jumping up and down and my older son Brian said to me, "mom...I never see you this happy".
I hope the rain rain goes away for IllumiNations!
Spoiler alert - it does and it was a great show that everyone really enjoyed.
[/QUOTE]
Don't you think one of those Os on the Sight Chart should be a Hidden Mickey?
Totally. I remember thinking that the eye chart looked a little boring. That would make a great hidden Mickey. You're hired!
I really, really enjoyed all your pictures from the Figment ride! The ride is ok- like so many people, I prefer the former version with Dreamfinder, but the attraction does have a special memory for our family. On the last day or our 2008 Fayecation we got Dream FP as we were entering the ride.
You got a Dream FP. Lucky! I thought they were the coolest thing ever. I wish they would do that again.
Glad you like the pics.
I can honestly say I never saw the Dreamfinder attraction, but my first trip to WDW wasn't until 2002 so maybe that's why.
So sorry that you didn't get more quality pool time, but it sounds like you made the most of it.
I always do!
I'm gonna stick up for your Brother and SIL here- my thought is that when you have 4 young boys, ANYPLACE you go without them is an appropriate place for date night.
You have a good point. I really do think they need to get out a little more by themselves. They are just going through the "school age" phase where its run, run, run and go, go, go and never a free minute. I remember it well and I only had two boys.
It sounds to me like SIL may be very uncomfortable with "new" experiences, especially without you around to help guide her. Hence, riding Pirates a gazillion time and returning to a restaurant they had already been to.
Another good point. I just know they loved the food at WPE and since they don't eat out a lot it probably was a real treat. So, as much as I wanted them to go to a TS restaurant, as long as they were happy with their choice its all good!