My Lack-Luster Frozen-Hiney Cabbage-Full January Report-of-Sorts

I've put off the report for quite some time for lotsa reasons/excuses. I know I'll never top the epic I wrote last January so I won't even try. I've started and restarted writing this a bunch of times but for various reasons it won't come out how I want so I give up. Here's the pics with commentary. You'll get the jist.

Here's the pre-trip details for those who missed it or are interested. Just click here.

Jerry, gotta send a special shout-out to you. Thanks for talking with me the other day and doing your big-brother thing. I love you. This is for you.

 

[HollyBelle]

Hi Kelly! :wave: I was wondering when you were going to get this monster of a trip posted. I'm so glad you decided to post even though this wasn't the most fantabulous trip ever... I do love that as you got into it you got over the writer's block and started sharing more details.

Mom is the 1st row on the bottom person. She blends so it's hard to see her. She did this bundling up thing a lot. I nicknamed her "Bandito Mimi". I think she's worse about the cold weather than me. LOL!

I LOVE this picture. There's so much fun stuff going on in it and I just think it's super cool that it's just your family in the car. And, of course, I love the Tower of Terror one you posted a little later in the trip report. I think they're frameworthy.

Here's the Christmas tree still up. I know people think I'm nuts to have been so irked about the Christmas crap still everywhere & the Christmas music still playing. I'm not a Scrooge. It's just when you're that miserably cold and it's over a week past New Years the holiday stuff mocks your misery. I wanted to smack someone. It was so aggravating. Where I come from, if your tree is up past the weekend after New Years you were just a big ol' procrastinator.

I'm totally with you regarding Christmas stuff outstaying it's welcome. That would've irked me, too. When it's over, it's over. We're the type that have the tree and decorations down before New Year's Eve.

And I *heart* Daisy. She's my favorite!

Nough said! She's adorable.

January 13

We didn't get up too early today. We had an early lunch ADR for Whispering Canyon. We took a cab over so for a nice change we actually made it there pretty early. We ended up having a late breakfast which was fine with us. For half our meal we were the only family in the Canyon, too. Talk about weird!

Normally when I've taken my little Ellie Boo into restaurants I find a nice place to sit her out of the way or on top of my bag near my chair so she doesn't get messed up. This morning I sat her on top of my bag by the window a couple feet from me. Well, one of the WC crew spotted her as we walked in and came to visit. I found lots of kindred dolly-spirits all thru the trip which made it wonderful for me. So this CM came over and asked could she hold my baby. Of course. She asked a bunch of questions and was so impressed. Then she asked could she take her to show the gals in back. Of course. As she was walking away with Ellie she hollered, "Hey y'all! Lookit my new baby! I found her sittin' on the floor over here so she's mine now!" We were all crackin' up. When she came back several minutes later this is how she returned her:

This is totally the same CM who served us last July. She was great. She's the one that kept going on and on about how "it wasn't the year of wishes and dreams anymore... if you have wishes and dreams you're out of luck... but if you're celebrating... oh if you're celebrating then you came to the right place!"

I think it's interesting you mention that you were the only family in the restaurant for half the meal... that's extremely common for us because we always eat breakfast around 7:30. We had the opposite experience last weekend when we showed up at Olivia's for breakfast at 10 am. It seemed so weird to be sitting amid a restaurant full of people. It's funny how you get used to certain things.

Oh yeah... and I'm loving Ellie Boo's wardrobe!

As we entered Pixar Place we spotted the Green Army Men batallion. We've never seen them in person before! Chandler was so excited he started jumping up & down. Brian, could only think of standing at attention.

Best character interaction EVER. I absolutely LOVE this series of pictures. :sohappy: True character magic at work! That last picture of Brian doing push ups as they watch over him is just priceless. It kinda reminds me of one of my other favorites I've seen which is the one of your neices scrubbing the floors for the Stepsisters.


The Sunrise Safari looks like so much fun and I think it's great that the guys got a little career counseling along the way! Your picture of the safari trucks took me back to when we were in the Jammin Jungle parade because we were sitting on a float amid that very lot of trucks. It's so weird seeing them out of their element. Oh yeah... and we like to call animals... aminals.

I browsed down through your TIW thread... what an unfortunate experience. I really hate that your family was made to feel that way. But at least you stuck out the last two nights and things ended on a positive (however, sad) note! I'm glad you were able to find the magic in those last few days; it wouldn't be good to leave mad. I see it kinda like the words of wisdom that you shouldn't go to bed angry with one another...

Great report!

 

[sweetpee_1993]

Your hair color is awesome! I may just copy one of your pics for future reference...

Oh I totally agree about holiday crap. Once it is past New Year's we are soooo over it!! Get it outta there, I want normal WDW back!

And I feel ya with the temps. We went to DLR just after Christmas and it was friggin' freezing!! Yes, it does make it hard to enjoy. It just doesn't feel very Disney-ish for some reason...perhaps because you don't expect to freeze, you expect to wear shorts and the warm breeze is part of the experience.



Bummer about the crane in your pics, but this one turned out really nice!



I totally noticed this too a few trips back, mostly because my youngest LOVES the "mine" seagulls. Here's my before and afters. (man the greenery has taken a beating from the cold weather!)

11/08:

10/09:

I can't take a bit of credit for my hair. Seriously. I found the world's best hair chick and I love her. I show up, sit in her chair, and she let her do what she's good at. I totally trust her. She's absolutely gorgeous so how do you not trust a person who makes themselves look so spectacular???

The crane cropping! That pic actually had me in it, too, but I had this totally screwed up expression so I cropped me & the crane out. Works for me!

I'm glad I'm not like 5 years late noticing that handrail gone at The Seas. I noticed it in someone else's pics before we left on the trip & found it interesting how they created the barrier with landscape. It looks nice. I'm just used to finding long discussions about the most minute changes on the News board & don't recall seeing a thing about that. LOL!

HAHA, you are so hilarious!!!:lol: I love all these silly comments! Your but looks just fine!

I loved the boys with the green army men. That looked so much fun!

Sorry about the unfortunate (unmentionable) event. I'm so glad you were able to recapture the magic on the last two days.

So sorry for posting two comments, I just read your whole report this morning. And thanks a whole lot for making me waste most of my Saturday morning!

Enjoyed it either way!! Until next time!:wave:

OMG! Since we left for the Disney trip I've gained 10 lbs. At some point I've got to get this back off. I hate the way my clothes feel. Ugh! Maybe the butt shot was the jeans or a bad angle but it weirds me out. I'm trying to be better about being less vain and throw pictures out there even if I do look kinda bad or weird in 'em.

Eh, the unspeakable event. When I think about it I get irked all over again so I try not to think about it. We must've made it past it, tho, because Tracey is wanting to go again without the kids soon if we can. Yaaaayyy!!

My reports do tend to be long, huh?

I agree that this stuff is sooooo good!

I've been waiting for you to post your report, and I have to say that I loved it! Your first day in the parks was our departure day, and it was miserable! I'm glad though that you were finally able to enjoy the parks without looking like you were about to go on some ski slopes, not to the Magic Kingdom. Your experience with the Sunrise Safari makes me really want to stay at the Concierge level at AKL. It seemed like a great experience. I loved Ellie, too! I thought she was a great touch.

I hate that we missed each other! Dang! Just once I'd like to meet someone from the boards in the park just so it's not a fully-electronic-experience. LOL!

The Sunrise Safari was awesome. I don't know that I'd pay to stay club level again. It was nice but the cost is an awfully lot. I was totally not impressed with the IPO people. They screwed up several things that I had to go back and fix. I guess being the planner I am it makes the Club Level not that much of a value for me. Oh well! But the Safari was awesome and I'm really glad we did it.

i love your TR's! They always keep me interested! And i also think it's cute for you to bring your ellie along. I just might do the same thing with my goofy that i bought back in 93!

You should totally bring a "friend" on your trips with you to share the experience. When you're in line or waiting for something it's built-in entertainment. I loved having Ellie with me and I plan to bring her again.

I do alot of business with KFDM TV in Beaumont!!! How funny is that! Small world!!! Wow! That's awesome that the registration process is so in-depth, I think that is great! Can't say the same for the High Schools around here! :lol:

It's 60 here today!!! :sohappy: :sohappy: I love it!

We are heading to Disney again in December... I usually try to book my trips that are during the school year during a week where I know my son has a day or two off from school, so he doesn't miss an entire week! I'm dreading the day he gets into the older grades and I can't pull him out of school b/c of the work load :-(

Girl I have a sinus infection right now that I've had for the last two weeks and there are days I feel like I've been punched in the face! So I totally feel for the poor animal!!

Oh, and P.S. I love your DB mickey bag!!!

We rarely ever watch local tv. We just don't watch a lot of television. Well, we will soon with the new season of Deadliest Catch upcoming still. We're die-hard with that show & have been since day 1. The most we've seen KFDM was during the Olympics recently. I think KFDM is the NBC affiliate.

We got the boys' report cards last Friday. Yeah, not taking them out for fun anymore. They understand and don't argue. They're good with Spring Break trips. We'll make it work somehow.

Oh yeah! I looooove the Disney Dooneys. I got both designs for Christmas from Tracey and love love love 'em. I get all sorts of questions about them from other chicks who like them. I hope they do more!

Thanks for the pics of the bunk beds..I know it is kinda weird..but the railing is great due to I will have a 4 y.o. next we stay there..and the pics of W.C. are wonderful too!

The bunks worked out so good for us. I wish we could get them in the Poly rooms or the Contemporary. The rooms at AKL are soooooo small compared to the Contemporary & the Poly. I guess I'm spoiled, huh?

Love your trip report and all the pictures. Two quick questions:

1) Did you need to request the bunk-beds at the AKL?

2) Where did your son get the camera strap. I think it's really cool.

You can specifically reserve the bunk bed rooms at AKL & Wilderness Lodge. They up-charge for them. When booking the concierge level you have to request them & they aren't guaranteed.

The camera strap I go him off eBay. I wanted him to have something nice & don't care so much for the ones they currently sell in the parks. The one Chandler has was sold in the parks back in the 80s from what I read. Cool, huh? You can find them if you search for them. There's lots of different ones they've had over the years.

I loved your trip report! Thanks for all the great photos!

(And I love your CPK! )

I'm glad you enjoyed it! It felt good to post it and see that I did, in fact, find the magic again in the end. Oh! And Ellie says she loves you, too! She's such a stinker!

That's it... THAT'S IT?? IT'S DONE???

What am I supposed to do now... I have 51 days until my trip... I don't think I can wait that long...

Do another one... make it up... I DON'T CARE!!!

Yeppers. It had to end somewhere. You should go get you a little notebook & pen and get ready to take notes so you can post your story for us to read when you get home. I'd love to read it!

I wish I could make another one up. I wish I could go back so I could have another adventure to share!

Awesome!:sohappy:
I always enjoy your trip reports!:wave:

I'm sure you hear it all the time, but your older son is your husband's twin! I can see a strong resemblance in both of them to your father in law too.

Thank you soooo much! Actually, I usually hear that my oldest looks like me and my youngest looks like his daddy. I think they're a perfect blend of both of us. Funny you should say that...just 2 days ago I hauled out some old pics for the boys to look at of their dad when he was their age and my youngest looks juuuust like his dad used to. Expressions and all!

Why is it always so difficult on the last day? I always try to think of something to do that will help that. This year, we originally thought we'd be leaving on a Sunday, but now we've decided to leave on Monday. We're telling ourselves that we're leaving on Sunday so when we start to feel sad and wishing we could stay another day, we'll remind ourselves that we're really leaving on Monday! Silly I know, but we gotta do something to ease the pain!
Your Wishes moment made me teary too. Thanks so much for taking the time to write this all up, I really loved it.

Last days are the worst but you can't have an adventure without 'em so it's a necessary evil. We always have our tearful moments but it's never goodbye forever. We'll be back.

Ah, the Wishes moment. Yeah. That meant a lot to me. It really did.

Thanks for coming on the journey with us & feeling my Wishes moment with me.

 

[heartodisney]

My wife and I also laughed very much at your mention of not taking pics before coffee...I found this mug for ya!

 

[sweetpee_1993]

My wife and I also laughed very much at your mention of not taking pics before coffee...I found this mug for ya!

Caffeine is a serious thing for me. Truly. I am soooo not a morning person so anything before caffeine is questionable. LOL! I started drinking coffee when I was liiiittle. Mom used to milk it down & put it in a bottle for me when I was a toddler. My mom's family drink the stuff around the clock. When you walk into any of their homes the first thing they do after welcoming ya is put on a fresh pot & break out the sweets. ((Heehee! That's where I get my sweet tooth, too!)) I'm a bit different than the rest of the family as I generally only drink 1 or 2 cups of coffee in the morning. If I happen by Starbucks during the day I may have another cup but not usually. After my early coffee it's water for the rest of the day. I do try to be a bit healthier than the rest of the family.

But! Big But! I know. Can't help it. I plan to work on that starting this week..... I'm doing the impossible. I've recently stopped drinking coffee in the mornings. Yes, I've moved on to hot tea. I loooove me some hot tea lately. I make coffee for the house guests but tea for me. Maybe I'll get over this caffeine thing at some point. I'm sure my family would love to see a smiling me in the mornings for a change.

 

[sweetpee_1993]

Hi Holly!!!! You had lots of responses so I'll reply in green for SweetPee.






Hi Kelly! :wave: I was wondering when you were going to get this monster of a trip posted. I'm so glad you decided to post even though this wasn't the most fantabulous trip ever... I do love that as you got into it you got over the writer's block and started sharing more details.

Hi back! I finally did it and feel like a huge weight is off my shoulders. And it's nice to know we found the magic before we left. I guess I just wasn't so sure we did. In retrospect, I feel confident that we did. Thanks for being patient with me. I appreciate it.


I LOVE this picture. There's so much fun stuff going on in it and I just think it's super cool that it's just your family in the car. And, of course, I love the Tower of Terror one you posted a little later in the trip report. I think they're frameworthy.


Eh, the pic isn't my favorite because you can't really see everyone because they're wearing dark colors. I know it's a bright flash but they just didn't light us up enough. LOL! The Tower pic is wonderful. As 'tarded as I look, I love it. I tried to hold Ellie's little hands up, too.


I'm totally with you regarding Christmas stuff outstaying it's welcome. That would've irked me, too. When it's over, it's over. We're the type that have the tree and decorations down before New Year's Eve.


I usually wait until the week after New Years to take our decorations down. With the miserable cold and then hearing the Christmas music it just felt like our misery was being mocked. Ugh! I felt like it was totally bad form for all that stuff to be left out. My mother-in-law looooves Christmas and has always wanted to see the decorations at Disney. She had planned to go back again after this trip to see them. But, after seeing it all already she said, "Well, I saw it so we don't have to come back again." See??? Bad form, Disney. Bad form.


This is totally the same CM who served us last July. She was great. She's the one that kept going on and on about how "it wasn't the year of wishes and dreams anymore... if you have wishes and dreams you're out of luck... but if you're celebrating... oh if you're celebrating then you came to the right place!"

I think it's interesting you mention that you were the only family in the restaurant for half the meal... that's extremely common for us because we always eat breakfast around 7:30. We had the opposite experience last weekend when we showed up at Olivia's for breakfast at 10 am. It seemed so weird to be sitting amid a restaurant full of people. It's funny how you get used to certain things.


So true! Whenever we've dined at the Canyon in the past it was always bustling with people and we waited to be seated. This was strange but relaxing all the same. I remembered you saying the cast wasn't really into character as much in the early hours so at first I was concerned we wouldn't get "the treatment". We did, tho. It was wonderful and lived up to the hype my in-laws have heard from us for so long. The emptiness was a blessing because it was peaceful.


Oh yeah... and I'm loving Ellie Boo's wardrobe!


I'm glad you like Ellie's wardrobe. I worked hard on that stuff! I've looked thru all the pics and wish I'd made her Ellie badge more visible. She wore an Ellie badge (grape pop top w/safety pin) on her sweater.


Best character interaction EVER. I absolutely LOVE this series of pictures. :sohappy: True character magic at work! That last picture of Brian doing push ups as they watch over him is just priceless. It kinda reminds me of one of my other favorites I've seen which is the one of your neices scrubbing the floors for the Stepsisters.


Awwww, thanks! Brian particularly loved this interaction. He takes military stuff so seriously because a soldier is 1 of the 2 things he says he wants to be when he grows up (the other thing is a veterinarian...we always tell him if he wants to join the military he should get a couple years of college under his belt & pursue Officer Candidate School). And Drizella with my nieces is classic. I love that pic!


The Sunrise Safari looks like so much fun and I think it's great that the guys got a little career counseling along the way! Your picture of the safari trucks took me back to when we were in the Jammin Jungle parade because we were sitting on a float amid that very lot of trucks. It's so weird seeing them out of their element. Oh yeah... and we like to call animals... aminals.


I still haven't seen the Jammin Jungle parade. Grrrr! Someday! The Safari was incredible & I was so impressed with our guide. He was definitely the cream of the crop. The lot of trucks was so surreal. I'm glad y'all make up names for stuff, too. We do that for lots of stuff.


I browsed down through your TIW thread... what an unfortunate experience. I really hate that your family was made to feel that way. But at least you stuck out the last two nights and things ended on a positive (however, sad) note! I'm glad you were able to find the magic in those last few days; it wouldn't be good to leave mad. I see it kinda like the words of wisdom that you shouldn't go to bed angry with one another...


Eh, it was what it was. I was more sore about canceling the Lunch w/an Imagineer for something that turned out to be such a flop than anything. It was all a big mess of miss-communication, I think. I was quite pleased that we had some good experiences those last couple days and the magic was found again. There's nothing like Wishes to warm the soul, huh? I hadn't thought of the "don't go to bed mad" thing but that's a good perspective to have. Tracey and I were told that very thing when we 1st got married. I'd be a liar if I said we never have. I can honestly say that when we have we woke up forgetting what we were mad about to begin with, tho. Maybe the uncertain time we have right now that we can't plan our next adventure will give us a little more opportunity to remember what we love most about being at WDW together. I refuse to think this unsettled time is for nothing. It all means something. I'm trying hard to keep my mind clear, my eyes open, and my chin up. As long as we are together all things are possible. If it's this year or 5 years from now before we make it back, I know in my heart that somehow we will. When we do we'll stand there in the hub, eyes gazing up at the sky above the Cinderella's castle along with the thousands of people around us, and we'll be right there in that perfect moment when all our Wishes are right there before us just like they always are. I never doubt that.


Great report!


I'm glad you enjoyed the report. I read thru your holiday cruise & loved it. I've never been on a cruise but Tracey's brother is trying to organize a big family cruise next year. I'm trying like mad to hint at the Disney Dream but their idea of bliss includes a casino and blackjack. Ugh! Not me! I'm a lot happier standing next to a big smiley character making a silly face for the camera with my boys right there with me. LOL!

I'm eagerly awaiting the report from the Princess Marathon!!!! How'd y'all do??? Was the 1/2 a lot better for you than the full??? Did Brett find his inner-Perfect Princess???? I can't wait for the journey!!!!!

 

[Kerby626]

Well I guess Sean should say something....For all those pages the only thing I can say is that I'm kinda disappointed in B's pushups. That's all.

 

[sweetpee_1993]

Well I guess Sean should say something....For all those pages the only thing I can say is that I'm kinda disappointed in B's pushups. That's all.

Well, he did his best. His form is much better than it used to be and he did a lot more than I could have. I don't think I can even do one men's push-up anymore. :lookaroun I think he'd be perfectly happy if he had his own personal drill sergeant (besides his older brother). :hammer:

 

[obrienIII]

Thanks for the report Little Sis! You feel better now I know getting to relive the trip. Makes the cold, the dining mishap, and the xmas decorations seem a lot smaller now! I wish I could of joined you guys, had so much fun and made many fond memories with you last January...We need to plan a big group trip, and let Tracey try the Poly once. I love you guys, and miss you. Thanks again for taking the time to write the report, and sorry about all the nagging to get you started. You are my hero!:wave:

 

[obrienIII]

I loved the ride photos!!! Too funny! We never posted the ones from the May trip with the girls so I'd thought I'd share.:lol:

EE

Too funny...the girls are terrified, and we are having a blast!:ROFLOL:

Sarah's face just kills me!

I guess I could have posted these on the other report, oh well. Love you.

 

[TakeMeThere81]

Love all those ride pictures!! I love the varied expressions!!

 

[sweetpee_1993]

Love all those ride pictures!! I love the varied expressions!!

Thanks! My favorite of the on-ride pics my brother posted is the Tower of Terror one. both of my nieces look terrified while Jerry & I look like we're having the best time ever! The contrast of expressions makes the picture! :lol:

 

[HollyBelle]

I'm glad you like Ellie's wardrobe. I worked hard on that stuff! I've looked thru all the pics and wish I'd made her Ellie badge more visible. She wore an Ellie badge (grape pop top w/safety pin) on her sweater.

I didn't even notice the Ellie badge... now I'm gonna have to go back and look for it! What a great addition to the ensemble.

I still haven't seen the Jammin Jungle parade. Grrrr! Someday! The Safari was incredible & I was so impressed with our guide. He was definitely the cream of the crop. The lot of trucks was so surreal. I'm glad y'all make up names for stuff, too. We do that for lots of stuff.

You MUST see the Jammin Jungle parade... aside from maybe Spectro, it's my favorite. I know I'm a little biased seeing that we got to be in it twice, but I loved it even before that. We're not really big on the parades, and this is really the only one we've ever staked out a spot to watch. I like the music... very catchy!

I'm glad you enjoyed the report. I read thru your holiday cruise & loved it. I've never been on a cruise but Tracey's brother is trying to organize a big family cruise next year. I'm trying like mad to hint at the Disney Dream but their idea of bliss includes a casino and blackjack. Ugh! Not me! I'm a lot happier standing next to a big smiley character making a silly face for the camera with my boys right there with me. LOL!

My parents LOVE cruising... so it's fun for Brett and I to go with them. It's such a relaxing vacation. I've always been big on beaches and sun and you just can't beat the blue water in the Caribbean. I'm an island girl at heart, just like my mom. As for the casinos, I could take 'em or leave 'em. Brett enjoys them, but he'd gladly give one up for some character interactions! We're booked on the Emerald Princess for the first week of May (eastern itinerary-so excited) and we'll be sailing on the Disney Dream next March. We booked on November 9, the first possible day for booking, and it's the furthest out I've ever planned a vacay. I don't know how people do it. The anticipation is crazy.

I'm eagerly awaiting the report from the Princess Marathon!!!! How'd y'all do??? Was the 1/2 a lot better for you than the full??? Did Brett find his inner-Perfect Princess???? I can't wait for the journey!!!!!

Other than the half marathon portion, it's not going to be a real exciting report, seeing that it was such a short trip and I was fighting a ridiculous cold. I'm well into the text and have most of the pictures ready...I have all intentions of starting the thread tomorrow or Friday. And yes, the half was a much better distance for us than the full. It was full of both character excitement and disappointment! Just as I expected it to be.

 

[sweetpee_1993]

I didn't even notice the Ellie badge... now I'm gonna have to go back and look for it! What a great addition to the ensemble.

I don't think it was visible in the pics. It kinda bugs me now. I paid thru the teeth before Christmas to get the Ellie badges that looked like the one in the movie for each of my guys. They were only done as a bonus with the Blue Ray/DVD set from Costco. We don't even have Costco! I had a friend in Austin pick me up 3 sets (this after I had already bought the BR/DVD for home) just so I could get the pins. I took the pins out and gave the disc sets as Christmas gifts. Crazy, huh? Tracey, Chandler, & Brian each got an Ellie badge in their stocking on Christmas. They all understood (of course) & I got the biggest hugs-n-kisses!

You MUST see the Jammin Jungle parade... aside from maybe Spectro, it's my favorite. I know I'm a little biased seeing that we got to be in it twice, but I loved it even before that. We're not really big on the parades, and this is really the only one we've ever staked out a spot to watch. I like the music... very catchy!

I know! I sooo want to! The only parade we've seen yet (without it being in passing) is Spectro. I just can't stand the herds fighting for curb space in the middle of the day. I can't take it. I so want to see all the parades! I'm starting a list of things I want to see/do that I've not done before because we always get there and I get all caught up and forget everything. LOL!

My parents LOVE cruising... so it's fun for Brett and I to go with them. It's such a relaxing vacation. I've always been big on beaches and sun and you just can't beat the blue water in the Caribbean. I'm an island girl at heart, just like my mom. As for the casinos, I could take 'em or leave 'em. Brett enjoys them, but he'd gladly give one up for some character interactions! We're booked on the Emerald Princess for the first week of May (eastern itinerary-so excited) and we'll be sailing on the Disney Dream next March. We booked on November 9, the first possible day for booking, and it's the furthest out I've ever planned a vacay. I don't know how people do it. The anticipation is crazy.

I've always been nervous about cruising because I'm not a beachy girl (sticky water + sand = lotsa ick & half a dozen showers a day) and I'm not a lay around on vacation person. I want to do stuff when we're away from home, not lay around doing nothing. I can do that at home! LOL! In all honesty, I think the type of cruise for me would be like a Mediterranean or Baltic cruise...where the cruising is more the transportation & hotel with the destination being not the beach. However, the Disney Dream can totally get me to take a Caribbean cruise. That ship looks awesome! Castaway Cay, I fear, would be totally lost on me. I haven't swam at the beach in about 15 years. I have a ton of family in Pensacola, Florida. Some of the most beautiful beaches on the planet are available to me whenever with almost zero cost involved but I just don't do it. If I go out there I prefer to go in the winter & walk along the water's edge shell-hunting. I'm not swimming in that no matter how pretty the water is because it'll make me all sticky & the sand will be everywhere. Weird, huh? I know you're an island girl at heart. I saw your signature over at the cruise forum. It got me singing....From under my lone palm I can look out on the daaaaayyy...Where no bird flies by my window...no ship is tied to my tree...Love is a wave building to a crescendo...Ride if you wiiilll...Ride it with meeeeeee.... I know JB. I've been to 2 concerts in my life. Both were his. I was too hammered to remember or appreciate the 1st one but the 2nd was incredible...2nd row on the floor, center, free of charge, and not a drop of alcohol to make me forget.

Other than the half marathon portion, it's not going to be a real exciting report, seeing that it was such a short trip and I was fighting a ridiculous cold. I'm well into the text and have most of the pictures ready...I have all intentions of starting the thread tomorrow or Friday. And yes, the half was a much better distance for us than the full. It was full of both character excitement and disappointment! Just as I expected it to be.

Glad to hear the 1/2 was better for ya. You did not run with a cold! No way! I totally can't do that. If I get a cold it's always buckets of gunk running out of my nose. I'd either have to shove corks up my nostrils or be coated in snot. LOL! The biggest question, tho, is do you think y'all will do another of the running events? I'm still hoping to do one before I die. LOL!

Looking forward to your report, too!!! I may be running over to Austin to visit my friend this weekend so she'll just have to deal with me being glued to my iPhone reading every detail you post. LOL!

 

[corey154]

I love your trip reports, everytime i read them i think how much fun you must be to go to the parks with! you have a beautiful family, thank you for sharing your trips with us!

 

[sweetpee_1993]

I love your trip reports, everytime i read them i think how much fun you must be to go to the parks with! you have a beautiful family, thank you for sharing your trips with us!

Awwwww.....you are so very sweet! Thanks for the kind comments. No doubt we're an interesting bunch to romp the parks with but I attribute that to our being insane more than anything. :lol: You're quite the trooper yourself for reading the whole report. I wish I could give everyone who actually reads the entire thing a medal or award of merit or something just for hanging in there. I know I'm a rambler a lot....

 

[HopLow]

Great report!!:sohappy: I've been reading as you posted (possibly at work to while away the hours...:lookaroun) and I can totally empathize about the weather and the decorations because we usually go in January as well. It's so nice to be in the parks when they're quiet, but you go to Florida to enjoy the sunshine, not freeze to death!! And I think it's pretty ridiculous that it took so long for the undecorating to happen. They get the stuff up quickly, it should come down fast as well. At least stop playing the music!

And it is totally out of line what happened to your family for dinner. You know, I feel like as the years go by, the customer service at WDW keeps sliding downhill. When I went when I was younger, I definitely remember the service being superb. My parents have noticed the decline as well. When we went 2 years ago, it just wasn't the high caliber that we had been used to. And to be treated rudely?? Inexcuseable. It's such a shame that it put a damper on your trip.

Anyway, enough of the negatives! Here's to planning the next trip! Btw, you have a beautiful family!

 

[harveyt0206]

Wow Sweetpee! Now THAT is a trip report. :ROFLOL: So much good stuff, I don't even know where to start.

I guess I will start with my favorite part of most every trip: the FOOD! That peach whatever thingy from Liberty Tree looks like da bomb. I sooo need to get one of those on my next trip (whenever that might be).

And I am really glad that you got to try Le Chef's. We love that place and make a point of going every trip.

Next, your family is adorable. Even if they were all bundled up like snow yetis due to the horrible temps. My mom and I were there the first week of March and it was STILL way below normal the whole week. I haven't done my trip report for a reason similar to yours. Our trip had some very unfortunate issues and I haven't exactly been willing to deal with it yet. But reading your report has inspired me. Maybe I'll work on mine over the weekend.

I think it's great that you took your CB doll with you and that she is a true member of the family. I also thought your response to the negative nelly who questioned taking a doll to Disney was very classy. Well done and well said.

Thanks again for all the pics. I enjoyed reading the whole report.

 

[UrbanDonovan]

I hate to ask, but what's up with the doll?

 

[sweetpee_1993]

I hate to ask, but what's up with the doll?

You'd need to read the pre-trip linked in the 1st post. The doll is a soft-sculptured original Cabbage Patch Kid, the kind the toy ones you buy in a box at the store are based upon. I have collected these hand-made pieces of art for 10 years. Each is different and literally one-of-a-kind. Bringing a special baby, making Disney clothes for her, etc. was my way of combining my 2 big interests/addictions. It was actually a lot of fun but I understand that not everyone will "get it". But thanks for asking! :wave:

 

[sweetpee_1993]

Great report!!:sohappy: I've been reading as you posted (possibly at work to while away the hours...:lookaroun) and I can totally empathize about the weather and the decorations because we usually go in January as well. It's so nice to be in the parks when they're quiet, but you go to Florida to enjoy the sunshine, not freeze to death!! And I think it's pretty ridiculous that it took so long for the undecorating to happen. They get the stuff up quickly, it should come down fast as well. At least stop playing the music!

And it is totally out of line what happened to your family for dinner. You know, I feel like as the years go by, the customer service at WDW keeps sliding downhill. When I went when I was younger, I definitely remember the service being superb. My parents have noticed the decline as well. When we went 2 years ago, it just wasn't the high caliber that we had been used to. And to be treated rudely?? Inexcuseable. It's such a shame that it put a damper on your trip.

Anyway, enough of the negatives! Here's to planning the next trip! Btw, you have a beautiful family!

Thanks for sticking with me on the report. Oh yeah, that Christmas music totally stuck out like a sore thumb. Ick! I agree, we've noticed a steady decline overall in Disney's service right along with the rest of the world. What can ya do? Still, overall, I have yet to find a vacation spot that compares. Maybe I'm just not looking in the right places. :shrug: I think we're pretty much done with January trips for a while. With our oldest starting high school I just don't see us taking him out of school for a week to go on vacation. I hope nobody has to freeze their butts of in January the way we did this year. It was miserable.

And thanks for the super-sweet compliment on the family. I appreciate that.

Wow Sweetpee! Now THAT is a trip report. :ROFLOL: So much good stuff, I don't even know where to start.

I guess I will start with my favorite part of most every trip: the FOOD! That peach whatever thingy from Liberty Tree looks like da bomb. I sooo need to get one of those on my next trip (whenever that might be).

And I am really glad that you got to try Le Chef's. We love that place and make a point of going every trip.

Next, your family is adorable. Even if they were all bundled up like snow yetis due to the horrible temps. My mom and I were there the first week of March and it was STILL way below normal the whole week. I haven't done my trip report for a reason similar to yours. Our trip had some very unfortunate issues and I haven't exactly been willing to deal with it yet. But reading your report has inspired me. Maybe I'll work on mine over the weekend.

I think it's great that you took your CB doll with you and that she is a true member of the family. I also thought your response to the negative nelly who questioned taking a doll to Disney was very classy. Well done and well said.

Thanks again for all the pics. I enjoyed reading the whole report.

I'm glad you enjoyed the report. It makes it more worth the time & effort when folks enjoy it.

I don't know if LTT will continue to have that peach stuff. That was served for breakfast during the time the Crystal Palace was closed for the refurb. Once breakfast moves back to CP I don't think they'll be doing it at LTT anymore. I wish, tho! The waiter we had was one that came from CP. He said that dish was something one of their chefs cooked up recently. It was such a hit he was hoping when they returned to their "home" restaurant the peach french toast dish continued. I hope so, too! :slurp:

Le Chefs...gosh, I was totally shocked by how incredible that was. I'd almost say I'd skip LeCellier again to have that lobster bisque. MMmmmm....:slurp:

Snow yetis! Good description! It was ridiculous. Flat out stupid cold. I never want to do that again. I'm sorry your trip had some less than stellar experiences like ours. Just do like I did: start out just working the pics. When the stuff is good it'll show. When the stuff is bad, just leave it behind. I was really glad that we reconnected with the magic before we left. I hope you were able to, also. I guess it's like anything else in life: if everything was absolute perfection you'd not appreciate it quite like you would if you had some bad to compare it to. Lessons learned also. It comes with the territory. Go on enough trips and I expect to have a semi-dud at least once. Right? Focus on the good. That's what ya gotta do.

And thanks for the love for my little Ellie Boo. She's so cool. I wish I could tell y'all how I fretted over her once I had the idea in my mind to bring one. I had to find just the right doll, one to be an ambassador of sorts. She turned out so awesome and I had the best time bringing her along with me. Eh, not everyone will understand because not everyone has specific collectibles they get all nutty over. I'm good with that. But to be not-so-nice about something that isn't necessarily for you isn't a reason to be un-nice to someone. Of course my initial thought was "go stick it" but then the Mom in me kicked in & I approached it how I would with my kids. Be complete and level-headed in what you say and there's nothing that can be said back. Right? :animwink: