Surprise! We're NOT going to Disney! 9/18-9/25 <<Update 3/24 Page 21>>

[that's nice]

Tim, weren't you staying at BLT? If you go up to the top there, where Top of the World Lounge is, there is an observation deck and they DO pipe in the music for the fireworks. Something to keep in mind for another visit.

We ended up at TOTW one night. The problem was we made it back to the Contemporary about 5 minutes before the fireworks started. If we stopped back at the room, there was no way we would of made it to the TOTW before they started. Maybe we should of just watched them from the room- I mean that was the reason we splurge for the MK view, isn't it?

Oh I almost forgot about the Dumbo ride. Still noticing the similarities and differences between Disneyland and MK, since WDW will be a 1st for us. The fireworks look pretty even with the rain.

Dumbo is great. There is now 2 Dumbos which cut down on the wait time for the ride as well as an indoor play area where the kids can play and you can wait.

If you only get to see 1 night time show, I suggest standing in the Hub even or behind the Walt statue in front of the castle to see it.

Dang! Such a bummer that while the park was cleared out, the rain hadn't stopped. And that even watching Wishes wasn't all it could have been. But knowing you have an early morning makes me wonder if getting tucked in earlier wasn't all for the best.

Well it wasn't that early. We gave the kids baths and they probably didn't get to sleep till 10. They are usually in bed by 8:30 at home.

 

[that's nice]

Love your Dumbo picture.. Nothing beats your view of Wishes. Gabby. She looked THRILLED to be on the tea cups! that is how i look going on it.. and My Mom is not there to hold me..

I think Gabby was sad that her brother and sister got to ride with their Grammy. She was better off with us though. Those two are crazy on the teacups- they spin it as fast as they can for the entire ride.

Yes that is my lovely city of Chicago.. North side actually i believe that would be North beach! Did you take this picture? it's beautiful! looks pretty from a higher point! HA!

No, I borrowed the picture from the interwebs via google.

.... yeah, and it's an ok view, I guess

Now if there was a way to get rid of that parking lot...

That really is a fun queue they have for Winnie the Pooh - and nice that there is a ride at the end of the queue as well.

Hummm, would you go in there to play if there wasn't a ride?

Oh wow, that sounds like pretty bad rain and I would think being on the Barnstormer in the rain is not the best - but glad to hear it ended quickly though.

Exactly. There isn't much cover waiting for that ride. I'm glad they were still smiling when they caught up with me.

Dumbo at night with the colored lights, etc. is so great!

It is! I think Dumbo night riding is awesome.

haha, reminds me of those McKayla is not impressed meme

All she is missing is that tilted smirk.

At least you were able to see some of the firworks, but with no soundrack doesn't really feel like Wishes, I wouldn't think

I was trying to sync it up with a youtube clip but the rain was coming down too hard for me to be messing with my phone.

Well that turned out better than expected.

You were hoping they yelled at me huh?

You sang since there wasn't a soundtrack, didn't you???

I may or may not have sung a little bit...

 

[that's nice]

Bummer about Wishes, I need to music to really get into but, still pretty cool you could see it from your hotel. Sounds like a good day at Magic Kingdom.

It was a fun day... I was a little sad about not hearing the music, but hey, I was in WDW it still beat siting home.

Well, that was anti-climactic.

Oh, you were hoping for WWIII, weren't you?

So, par for the course then? The photo had me

Is that how you look when you get dragged on ToT?

It looks cool, though. And it would have been a bummer to get soaked, too.

Yea, but the best part was when the fireworks were done we were in the room in 3 minutes. I wasn't wet for too long.

 

[Dugette]

Sorry for all the pictures, but it was the first real chance I had to get out there and enjoy the view.

No apologies needed! Beautiful pictures of such an amazing view from your balcony!

I'll take five of each, please!

We sprinted over to the monorail dodging huge puddles and rivers of runoff.

Ugh, it is the worst on that pathway over to the monorail. Back in June, we had a lot of rain and it was just all ankle deep puddles/river with no way to avoid it.

Glad you got to see some fireworks, but too bad it was rainy and no soundtrack.

Hope the next morning goes well.

 

[that's nice]

No apologies needed! Beautiful pictures of such an amazing view from your balcony!

Thanks!

I'll take five of each, please!

She loves her stuffed animals... it's when they are big and move when there is a problem.

Ugh, it is the worst on that pathway over to the monorail. Back in June, we had a lot of rain and it was just all ankle deep puddles/river with no way to avoid it.

Yup... it's horrible. You'd think they would have a little better drainage over there.

Glad you got to see some fireworks, but too bad it was rainy and no soundtrack.

Yea, it was ok. I'd prefer to hear the music with it.

Hope the next morning goes well.

THX!

 

[that's nice]

Magic Kingdom 2.0


We had the alarm set for 7am. That would surely give us enough time to get over to the Magic Kingdom for a 8am ADR right? Most of the bags were already packed... all we had to do was get dressed and go.

Well, it doesn't always work out like that.

Normally, we wouldn't be too stressed but we had some friends waiting for us at breakfast. We turned onto Main St. about 8:05. It was surprisingly busy. Maybe all these people were late for their 8am ADR too?





We did stop to get a family picture...



While we were doing this Kathy saw us and quickly ran over with her magic band to have the photographer add some pictures to her memory maker.





We walked over to our breakfast ADR at the Crystal Palace. Gabby was strutting over in her Aurora costume.



When we arrived at CP, Mark already had checked us in and the CM was ready to seat us.



We made it to the table and the characters were close. We ordered our drinks and Eeyore was right around the corner.



Melody went for some extra hugs... Eeyore is her favorite.



Mark, broke out his Eeyore ears for his picture.



Somehow, Mark ended up wearing Juliana's princess Minnie ears.




Next up was Pooh... Gabby wasn't too happy.



There was a little break before the next set of characters we going to arrive at our table. Perfect timing to grab some breakfast. I don't remember everything we ate, but I do know that the food was very good. I don't take pictures of my food at buffets- it's really not a pretty sight. Eggs are mixed on top for puffed french toast, bacon is everywhere, breakfast potatoes doused in ketchup, etc. Who would want to see that?


We had a few more visitors though out our meal...



Hey look, Elsa is standing on Juliana's shoulder!



And finally Piglet!



Check out Gabby in the bottom right corner. She about had enough.

It was a great meal and we really enjoyed Kathy & Mark's company.

Walking out... a not so hidden Mickey.



We could of went our separate ways, but we planned to spend 1/2 the day with Kathy & Mark and were planning on hanging out for a while later that night too. We had pre-planned some FPs for the same time but stopped for a quick picture in front of the castle.



I have no idea what kind of look we were going for here...



Juliana and Christopher did find TinkerBell though....






Up next..... Rides, rides, and a special meet.

 

[Chicago Mo]

GREAT pictures!!! Can gabby get any cuter in her dress?!?! Then again i am digging Christopher sunglasses too..

Mark does wear princess ears well. No food PORN? too funny. i try for the pictures but trying to stop my family from eating is like taking food away from lions. not gunna happen.

So glad Elsa showed up and photobomed Juliana! LOVE Melody and Eeyore! he looks very huggable! Hope Gabby will one day enjoy the characters!!

I know all of you together will start some trouble!!!

 

[Dugette]

We had the alarm set for 7am. That would surely give us enough time to get over to the Magic Kingdom for a 8am ADR right?

Um....sure.

Mark, broke out his Eeyore ears for his picture.

I had no idea those even existed. Funny!

Hey look, Elsa is standing on Juliana's shoulder!

Man, Elsa really is EVERYWHERE.

I think Christopher is getting ready to enjoy some fresh Piglet bacon, based on that fork.

Cute pictures - we love Crystal Palace breakfast!

 

[Steppesister]

I have always loved everyone's pictures of CP, but have never really wanted to try it because we just aren't huge breakfast eaters. But I do love the atmosphere and decor.

Christopher looked like he was going to stab your friend for breakfast! So FUNNY! I can't believe how tall Julianna is getting! Won't be too long before she passes you up.

I admit, I was skeptical about an on-time performance after that late night- hat's off to a successful ressie made.

Mark in the Princess ears somehow doesn't surprise me.

 

[KatMark]

Gee, I get busy at work, go away for five days, come back to madness at work, and find you've done not one, but TWO updates. I am impressed.

I should pack PBJ's for Mark...he loves them.

You can't beat Dumbo and the Tea Cups (well as long as they aren't spun too fast). Gabby didn't look happy until she was on mommy's lap.

Too bad you didn't have any music with Wishes, but glad you got to see them and get some pictures.

We all know how well that turned out with you arriving on time.

I was glad to get you some photopass pictures on the Memory Maker.

It was a fun breakfast. I felt so bad for Gabby though. She really just doesn't like the characters.

I'm not sure how Mark ended up with Ana's princess ears. And to the person who said they didn't know there was Eeyore ears, Mark got those probably at least 15 or more years ago. They don't make them anymore.

I'm surprised you didn't mention Juliana's and my bet at breakfast.

I loved our group photopass picture.

So you really wanted to go your own way and not hang with us???

 

[that's nice]

GREAT pictures!!! Can gabby get any cuter in her dress?!?! Then again i am digging Christopher sunglasses too..

Gabby was strutting her stuff in that dress.

I'm not sure why Christopher was wearing Melody's glasses.. we probably forget his back in the room.

Mark does wear princess ears well.

Yea, they looked good on him.

No food PORN? too funny. i try for the pictures but trying to stop my family from eating is like taking food away from lions. not gunna happen.

I don't take pictures at buffets. Melody puts up with my food picture taking, but she doesn't agree with it.

So glad Elsa showed up and photobomed Juliana! LOVE Melody and Eeyore! he looks very huggable! Hope Gabby will one day enjoy the characters!!

I hope Gabby likes the characters this summer. I guess only time will tell...

I know all of you together will start some trouble!!!

Who? US? Never.

Um....sure.

You'd think we'd know better by now.

I had no idea those even existed. Funny!

I only know they exist because I see him wearing them all the time in Kathy's reports.

Man, Elsa really is EVERYWHERE.

Yes she is. I think she is in every room of our house too.

I think Christopher is getting ready to enjoy some fresh Piglet bacon, based on that fork.

We're lucky he didn't stab anyone with that fork.

Cute pictures - we love Crystal Palace breakfast!

We do too.... especially, when you can get into the park before opening!

 

[that's nice]

I have always loved everyone's pictures of CP, but have never really wanted to try it because we just aren't huge breakfast eaters. But I do love the atmosphere and decor.

Have you ever considered going for lunch? You still get the characters.

Christopher looked like he was going to stab your friend for breakfast! So FUNNY! I can't believe how tall Julianna is getting! Won't be too long before she passes you up.

Christopher is lucky he didn't hurt anybody.

Hummm, I doubt she is gonna pass me, but she will probably pass out Melody.

I admit, I was skeptical about an on-time performance after that late night- hat's off to a successful ressie made.

We made it in just in time.... well, sort of.

Mark in the Princess ears somehow doesn't surprise me.

Me either. It didn't phase me one bit. I'm just glad it was MArk wearing them and not me.

Gee, I get busy at work, go away for five days, come back to madness at work, and find you've done not one, but TWO updates. I am impressed.

I guess it doesn't take much to impress you.

I'm trying to get a move on... busy season is around the corner and this TR has been taking me forever.

I should pack PBJ's for Mark...he loves them.

Quick, easy, minimal cleanup. Although I don't eat them.

You can't beat Dumbo and the Tea Cups (well as long as they aren't spun too fast). Gabby didn't look happy until she was on mommy's lap.

You didn't ride the teacups with Juliana did you? You'd be in for a treat if you did.

Too bad you didn't have any music with Wishes, but glad you got to see them and get some pictures.

Yea, it was our only opportunity to see them too.

We all know how well that turned out with you arriving on time.

Hopefully, you weren't too upset with us.

I was glad to get you some photopass pictures on the Memory Maker.

We appreciate it!

It was a fun breakfast. I felt so bad for Gabby though. She really just doesn't like the characters.

No, she hates them. She wants nothing to do with them. At. All.

I'm not sure how Mark ended up with Ana's princess ears. And to the person who said they didn't know there was Eeyore ears, Mark got those probably at least 15 or more years ago. They don't make them anymore.

Juliana probably just gave them to him and he put them on.

I'm surprised you didn't mention Juliana's and my bet at breakfast.

Yea, well, my memory is fading. What can I say?

I loved our group photopass picture.

What a bunch of goofballs.

So you really wanted to go your own way and not hang with us???

What I was trying to say was instead after our breakfast going our separate ways, we were going to be hanging out for a while.

Of course we wanted to hang with you guys!!!!! We had a blast!

 

[Steppesister]

Have you ever considered going for lunch? You still get the characters.

Not really. Maybe I should put it on my list? But Kathy actually has me kinda intrigued about The Plaza as well. I guess I just need to go more often.

Christopher is lucky he didn't hurt anybody.

Forks don't hurt people, people hurt people.

Hummm, I doubt she is gonna pass me, but she will probably pass out Melody.

It's a painful day. All but one has passed me up. But I am the one who still cooks, so they have to be nice to me.

Me either. It didn't phase me one bit. I'm just glad it was MArk wearing them and not me.

I'm not entirely. THat would actaully be pretty funny! But then again, you've done other, funnier things....

 

[afwdwfan]

Most of the bags were already packed... all we had to do was get dressed and go.

Well, it doesn't always work out like that.

Of course it does.

It was surprisingly busy. Maybe all these people were late for their 8am ADR too?

Wow! Looks awful crowded for 8:05!

Somehow, Mark ended up wearing Juliana's princess Minnie ears.

ell
Well, it is Mark... and a hat. Seems fitting.

Hey look, Elsa is standing on Juliana's shoulder!

A create your own magic shot!

I think Christopher is getting ready to enjoy some fresh Piglet bacon, based on that fork.

I was going to comment on that picture, but I can't top this comment.

 

[that's nice]

Not really. Maybe I should put it on my list? But Kathy actually has me kinda intrigued about The Plaza as well. I guess I just need to go more often.

You can eat at the Plaza for a lot less.. that's for sure. But then you don't get the characters. We were trying to cut down on some character meals for our August trip. Then we added Cape MAy and Boma so I guess we really aren't saving money there.

Forks don't hurt people, people hurt people.

Not entirely true... have you ever stepped on a fork?

It's a painful day. All but one has passed me up. But I am the one who still cooks, so they have to be nice to me.

I'm not entirely. THat would actaully be pretty funny! But then again, you've done other, funnier things....

Who? Me?

Of course it does.

Maybe I should have you come with us on a trip and see how you do.

Wow! Looks awful crowded for 8:05!

I know. Crazy right?

I guess we should of gotten here on time.

Well, it is Mark... and a hat. Seems fitting.

Yes. Yes, it does.

A create your own magic shot!

I was going to comment on that picture, but I can't top this comment.

Yes, that one won the internet!

 

[Captain_Oblivious]

Somehow, Mark ended up wearing Juliana's princess Minnie ears.

Isn't that pretty much standard practice?

I don't take pictures of my food at buffets- it's really not a pretty sight. Eggs are mixed on top for puffed french toast, bacon is everywhere, breakfast potatoes doused in ketchup, etc. Who would want to see that?

Me. So I can make fun of you.

Hey look, Elsa is standing on Juliana's shoulder!

As others have said, it's a poor man's magic shot. Who needs Photopass?

I have no idea what kind of look we were going for here...

A typical family photo?

 

[jenseib]

Gabby is too darn cute. I have a feeling those are the kind of looks we are going to get when Gracie goes. She's very serious a lot of the time.

 

[Steppesister]

You can eat at the Plaza for a lot less.. that's for sure. But then you don't get the characters. We were trying to cut down on some character meals for our August trip. Then we added Cape MAy and Boma so I guess we really aren't saving money there.

Oh MAN, I LOVE THE NEW MULTIQUOTE FEATURE!!! SO EASY!!!! This definitely calls for some

Can I admit that I really don't LOVE the characters either? They're ok, but not necessary really for me. I would rather have a Boma or Cape May, but I DO understand that it's fun for the kids or if you're after a very specific characer or photo op. I just can't think of any particular specialty FOOD item that they serve to draw in diners at the character meals.

Not entirely true... have you ever stepped on a fork?

No, never a fork, but Legos? Let's not even go there! More potty language has come out of my innocent lips over the Lego-Fire-Walk-of-Death than any other thing.

Who? Me?

Oh no, never you.

 

[ashw100]

Gabby looks so adorable in that dress. Looks like you had a nice breakfast at Crystal Palace. Looking forward to seeing how the morning went with Mark and Kathy but I lurked on her TR so I do know what happened from her persepective.

 

[jedijill]

Boo to the rain but yay to a great breakfast with Mark and Kathy! Poor Gabby! You just keep torturing her with characters!

Jill in CO