You can spit on Space Mountain from here! An April '13 TR UPDATED 10/19 p. 28

[wiigirl]

Great update!

 

[DisneyKid4Life]

Yes, the D-Land Modern Family was awesome and I would say that even if I didn't watch it being filmed.

Wow your shirts really worked out with the P&F meet. Nice job!!

 

[jwwi]

I love your HS morning. You did some great things while you were there. Cute character pictures. I can't figure out how people get scores in the 300,000's. How do they do that?

I put the DL Modern Family episode on my ipad, I don't think I will delete it anytime soon. I just love that show too. How fun that you got to see the Mickey at the Tigers stadium, and you got to watch Prince play too!

 

[khertz]

Great character meets! We love P&F and we missed the opening of the Ralph meet by just a day or two last year, so I'm really hoping they are still there when we take our October trip. The three of us really love that movie!

 

[Mickey'sMainMami]

Loving your TR so far!

 

[MEK]

I love that Tigers Mickey! I know I have seen it on other TRs.

I would say, despite losing to your dad, you sure gave him a run for his money.

Great fun in HS! and cute pictures.

I have never been to a Welcome Home Wednesday. One day I would like to attend one. Hmmmm- that gives me an idea for my next trip!

 

[Nermel9]

Great update! Aww the Phineas and Ferb meet and greet is so cute, but I'm dying to meet Perry! I don't understand why you can't meet him when they have so much merch for him! And I know they have a costume because they have had him out before, when the Agent P mission opened!

Ok, Perry rant over!

Ralph and Vanellope are so cute! I'd love to meet them now that I've seen the movie, but I'm guessing they will be gone by the time I'm in Disney next!

Yay it's always nice to visit the Boardwalk! One of my dream resorts!

 

[emmysmommy]

Phineas and Ferb are great! Love the photos.

I love Modern Family too! I've watched it from when they had the first baby Lily. I see a little bit of my family in them!

Your TSM score wasn't that far off your dads!

 

[LisaAnn06]

Well, the most important question (as a Twins fan), who did you cheer for at the Tigers-Twins game?

 

[RachelNinja]

Yay for some DIS time so that I can actually relax and enjoy your latest TR! I've had it bookmarked for a while, but I knew I wanted to make sure I had time to comment too.

Your travel day recaps are always so interesting. Haha, I know it's weird, but I like reading them in your TRs. I know a lot of others skip that portion, but I feel it builds up the anticipation! And of course, there's that awesome Chik-Fil-A stop! I asked my parents if we could PLEASE stop at a Chik-Fil-A or a Bojangles (we've never tried it but I've heard good things about it) when we drive down in 2 weeks. I mean, we can always eat at Wendy's at McD's here so it's not special. Why not have different things?

Awww, how sweet that you put off seeing New Fantasyland until the next day with Emma! I would've been itching to see it!

Sorry, there was a big gap between that last comment and the more recent updates because I did my nails last night and was reading your TR as they were drying, so I couldn't type!

Haha, thanks for the shoutout! We now always think about you guys in that same part of Toy Story Mania too!

I see all your character meet and greets and think about how fun it'd be to meet them too especially ones like Ralph! But then when the opportunity comes up, I always choose not to do it because never know what to say or do!

 

[shalom]

Nice to know I'm not the only one who eats Disney cupcakes with a fork.

I'll be heading to Michigan for the weekend.

We were in Michigan Memorial Day weekend as well. But we were in Lansing, which is always dead Memorial Day weekend -- I think everyone who lives there gallops off for one of the coasts for their first three-day-weekend of the summer! We go there for a convention -- although we hardly ever do the convention; for us it's more a chance to get together with friends and to wander the rooms. It's like a big-ol' science-fiction/fantasy oriented garage sale.

And we do something else as well - this year we hit a couple of local parks.

I would say, despite losing to your dad, you sure gave him a run for his money.

My thought as well -- you were pretty close!

 

[wdwgirl03]

You had a cold weekend to come to Detroit. It was the coldest Memorial weekend I can remember Hope you had fun anyway!

It looks like you had some fun meet and greets and you got some cute pics

It wasn't too bad but it was a little cool later during the game. Atleast it was sunny.

Thanks. Meeting the characters was a lot of fun.

Go Tigers!!

It's just too much fun to meet characters! I know I feel silly in line too but I try to think of my grandma in line when she went. In front of us kids, with her autograph book at age 65! Then I feel better because my grandma knew the secret...just because you're an adult doesn't mean you don't get to have fun. Wreck it ralph looks huge! I love it! He seems like he would be so cool to meet. Him and Gaston, of course.

Yes it is! Plus I like watching the little kids in line for the characters. It's just too cute sometimes. I would love to meet Gaston! My parents and sisters met him the week after and they said he was great. So jealous.

Great update!

Thank you!

Yes, the D-Land Modern Family was awesome and I would say that even if I didn't watch it being filmed.

Wow your shirts really worked out with the P&F meet. Nice job!!

Ooh, you saw it being filmed?!

haha, thanks.

I love your HS morning. You did some great things while you were there. Cute character pictures. I can't figure out how people get scores in the 300,000's. How do they do that?

I put the DL Modern Family episode on my ipad, I don't think I will delete it anytime soon. I just love that show too. How fun that you got to see the Mickey at the Tigers stadium, and you got to watch Prince play too!

I have no idea. They are probably CMs who know all of the secrets. I should start looking for hints for that ride. Like I know about the robot arm on Buzz Lightyear that's worth 100,000 points. Wonder what the tricks are on TSM!

I have it on my ipod too but then we also bought the season 3 DVD. Disney TV episodes are awesome. It was cool seeing the Tigers Mickey! If I ever visit any more stadiums I'm going to look for them! So far I've seen the Brewers, Red Sox, and Tiger Mickeys!

Great character meets! We love P&F and we missed the opening of the Ralph meet by just a day or two last year, so I'm really hoping they are still there when we take our October trip. The three of us really love that movie!

Aww, bummer! I hope they're still there when you go on your trip.

Loving your TR so far!

Aww, thank you-I am glad you are enjoying it. Sometimes I feel like my TRs are boring. LOL.

I love that Tigers Mickey! I know I have seen it on other TRs.

I would say, despite losing to your dad, you sure gave him a run for his money.

Great fun in HS! and cute pictures.

I have never been to a Welcome Home Wednesday. One day I would like to attend one. Hmmmm- that gives me an idea for my next trip!

Yeah, those All Star Mickeys are really cool. I have a mini version of the Brewers one at home!

That is true, our scores do always end up being pretty close. But somehow he always manages to pull out the victory at the end.

You should go! WHW will be in the next update, so stay tuned...

Great update! Aww the Phineas and Ferb meet and greet is so cute, but I'm dying to meet Perry! I don't understand why you can't meet him when they have so much merch for him! And I know they have a costume because they have had him out before, when the Agent P mission opened!

Ok, Perry rant over!

Ralph and Vanellope are so cute! I'd love to meet them now that I've seen the movie, but I'm guessing they will be gone by the time I'm in Disney next!

Yay it's always nice to visit the Boardwalk! One of my dream resorts!

Hmm, that's a good point. And with the Agent P stuff at Epcot you would think they would have a meet and greet. Maybe some day!

Well, hopefully Ralph and Vanellope will still be there later this year!

Yes it is! I love love LOVE the Boardwalk!!!

Phineas and Ferb are great! Love the photos.

I love Modern Family too! I've watched it from when they had the first baby Lily. I see a little bit of my family in them!

Your TSM score wasn't that far off your dads!

Glad you like the pictures.

We had to catch up on the other seasons after seeing that Disneyland episode. We got a pretty good deal on the season 1 and 2 DVD sets. Now we are hooked!

haha yeah, we were pretty close.

Well, the most important question (as a Twins fan), who did you cheer for at the Tigers-Twins game?

haha, I feel like I should answer the Twins! In all honesty I didn't really care who won but because I had heard the Twins were doing pretty bad, I was kind of hoping they would win so they could get the winning out of their system by the time they came to play the Brewers. Clearly that worked out well...But the Twins did win that game!

 

[wdwgirl03]

Yay for some DIS time so that I can actually relax and enjoy your latest TR! I've had it bookmarked for a while, but I knew I wanted to make sure I had time to comment too.

Yay! Glad you are here!

Your travel day recaps are always so interesting. Haha, I know it's weird, but I like reading them in your TRs. I know a lot of others skip that portion, but I feel it builds up the anticipation! And of course, there's that awesome Chik-Fil-A stop! I asked my parents if we could PLEASE stop at a Chik-Fil-A or a Bojangles (we've never tried it but I've heard good things about it) when we drive down in 2 weeks. I mean, we can always eat at Wendy's at McD's here so it's not special. Why not have different things?

I agree, and it's one of the most exciting parts of the trip! It is kind of boring but once we make it to Orlando it's awesome! I think you should definitely try to go to Chick Fil A. I think that might be partly why we always go there too...there aren't really any CFA's around here! I think I've eaten at CFA in Florida, North Carolina, and maybe Arizona too. haha

Awww, how sweet that you put off seeing New Fantasyland until the next day with Emma! I would've been itching to see it!

Yeah, technically I did kind of see it but we didn't do any of the attractions.

Sorry, there was a big gap between that last comment and the more recent updates because I did my nails last night and was reading your TR as they were drying, so I couldn't type!

haha, no worries!

Haha, thanks for the shoutout! We now always think about you guys in that same part of Toy Story Mania too!

haha, you're welcome! That was such an unexpected meet but it was so fun!

I see all your character meet and greets and think about how fun it'd be to meet them too especially ones like Ralph! But then when the opportunity comes up, I always choose not to do it because never know what to say or do!

Oh, I never know what to say either...I'm more concerned about getting the picture. LOL.

Nice to know I'm not the only one who eats Disney cupcakes with a fork.

We were in Michigan Memorial Day weekend as well. But we were in Lansing, which is always dead Memorial Day weekend -- I think everyone who lives there gallops off for one of the coasts for their first three-day-weekend of the summer! We go there for a convention -- although we hardly ever do the convention; for us it's more a chance to get together with friends and to wander the rooms. It's like a big-ol' science-fiction/fantasy oriented garage sale.

And we do something else as well - this year we hit a couple of local parks.

haha yeah, those cupcakes are massive! There is no way I could eat it without a fork.

That's cool you were in Michigan too! Thanks for sharing the picture. That looks really pretty.

 

[wdwgirl03]

WEDNESDAY, APRIL 3, 2013 cont'd (part 3)

From Hollywood Studios we walked over to the Boardwalk. I couldn't help looking back to get a picture of one of my favorite views in Disney World.

Bye, Hollywood Studios!


Like I mentioned in the last update we were going to attend Welcome Home Wednesdays, a free event they have for Disney Vacation Club members. We've gone to it a couple of times but they had just redone the show. It was going to be interesting to see how they changed it.

As we were walking I reminisced about our trip from last year when Dad and I stayed at the Boardwalk Villas. I had always loved visiting the Boardwalk, and the Epcot resort area in general. So when we got to stay there it was like a dream come true (not to sound cheesy but I was SO EXCITED, especially when we got our Boardwalk view room). As we got closer to the Boardwalk, I was quickly reminded why I love that area so much-it's so scenic with the Swan and Dolphin, the Friendship boats, the palm trees...everything! It was so nice going back there and to be honest I kind of missed it.

But really, how can you not love this place?!


So anyway, Welcome Home Wednesdays are held at the Dance Hall. When we got there, there was already a line of people waiting to get in-a lot of DVC members really enjoy the event. Before you go in they check your member ID and give you a nametag, raffle ticket, and a voucher for a snack. Dad and I filled out our raffle tickets and then went to find a table. He let me go grab my snack (lemonade and Cracker Jack) while he stayed at the table.

While I was getting my snack one of the hosts saw Dad's nametag and said, "John, that's my partner's name!" Since I wasn't there I don't know how this conversation went (maybe Dad can say more about it) but they got to talking and somehow they got to my name. Well, it turns out the other host's name was Sarah! So just like that we were friends with the hosts. haha

There they are, getting the show started!




The old WHW show was hosted by Miss DeeVee Cee (who could be funny but she was also SO annoying) and they had a trivia contest where four people could participate. One of the main differences in the new show (along with the new hosts) is that they had more games to get more audience participation. The idea is that the games are sort of themed to different DVC locations and Disney destinations. There was one game for kids where they all got surfboards (Aulani, anyone?!) and had to "surf" while music played. Then when the music stopped they had to freeze and if they didn't freeze they were out of the game. It was kind of funny because Sarah wanted the kids to all make goofy faces into the camera (they had video up on a big screen)-I think there might've been one who actually did.

There were also a few games for adults. Some of the stuff was pretty crazy, like stacking three golf balls on top of each other (I think the closest anyone got was two...) and stacking a slinky on top of your head. That was the AKL game-the slinky was supposed to be like an elephant trunk and they had to swing it around trying to get it to land on their face. That's what these poor people are doing:



For one of the other games they picked pairs and they would ask a question about what you would order at a certain restaurant. One partner would write down their answer and the other partner would have to guess what they picked. If they were right the team got a point. Dad wanted to be in that game but I didn't want to volunteer. We did play along at our table though, and if we had been chosen, we would've done pretty well!

So that brings us to the final game. Sarah and John were talking about the new Adventures by Disney to Scotland and they needed two teams of two people. One couple volunteered but they still needed another team. Remember I mentioned how Dad became friends with the host-I'm sure you can guess where this is going...Yep, Dad and I were chosen to play! They basically picked us even though we didn't volunteer. That was awesome, especially considering I do not like getting up in front of an audience when I have no clue what I'm doing.

We had to introduce ourselves, say where we were from and how we were related. Then they showed a picture of a Scottish outfit, kilt and all, up on the screen. The challenge was that one team member had to dress the other team member in the outfit. Well, the men got to be the models which meant the girls had to dress them. Doesn't sound too bad. But then John gave us the other part of the challenge. Of course we would have to do it WHILE YOU WERE BLINDFOLDED!!! That meant an even bigger opportunity to make fools of ourselves. John did give me a few clues, like he would tell me which piece of clothing I pulled out of the basket. But it was hard having to button/snap/fasten things! In all honesty I think I did pretty well. We lost the challenge (sad!) but it was close. As a consolation prize we did get a Welcome Home Wednesday pin. So that was cool.

(took this from Google because I'm too lazy to take a picture of my actual pin)


They ended WHW with the drawings and as you left everyone got a free DVC hat. They always give you a free hat, so we have quite a few of them now (even though sometimes we don't take them).



After WHW we made a quick stop in the shop so I could look for my princess pins, which turned out to be another fail.

We enjoyed strolling around the Boardwalk over to Epcot (and of course we had to say hello to our room!).





I loved these signs at the ESPN Club, especially the second one. I may have done that a couple of times before...





When we got to Epcot we got our first glimpse of the Flower and Garden Festival! We didn't stop anywhere in World Showcase because we were hoping to be able to do some of the less popular attractions in Future World. We did cut through the Oz the Great and Powerful garden on the way there.



It was so pretty! But then again everything at the F&GF is pretty. I get so excited seeing all of the flowers. I love it!









We also posed for some pictures.


hahaha, I love this one of my dad!


I look so boring in mine.


After admiring the Oz garden it was off to see Mickey!

 

[emmysmommy]

Oh my gosh!!! That would have been a great photo op to see you and your dad at the WHW event. That sounds like it was so much fun!

You have such beautiful photos of the flowers at Epcot!!

 

[FancyNancy]

I'm finally all caught up! It was raining pretty hard on my F&G day so seeing your pics with no rain is pretty nice!

Also, on your conservation donation button. April got one for rounding her change up to the nearest dollar donation at the POR gift shop. She was so excited about it! She loves that button.

 

[wiigirl]

Love the pics!

 

[khertz]

WHW sounds like it was a lot of fun! Although, I am like you and I can't say I would have been too excited being chosen to get up in front of everyone and do something silly. But I'm sure once it was over, it made for a fun memory!

 

[tinkgurl]

I wanted to tell you I thought of you at BLT!

 

[marDgreen88]

YAY, I'm all caught up! Welcome Home Wednesday sounds pretty fun.