I *think* I made DH a lifelong Disney Fan! A June 2017 TR (the end 7/19)

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I got the Mixed Green Salad with Roasted Chicken Breast. It had apples and pecans in it, as well.
Salad looks good. Fresh!


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Chad got the Pulled Pork Sandwich and I think we shared the Onion Rings. Looks like Will got applesauce and ate some more of their preferred meal: peanut butter. Chad got a draft Safari Amber and I got a Mandarin Orange Vodka Lemonade.
Ohh, Orange Vodka Lemonade sounds delightful!

I think the meal was good. I'm not a huge BBQ fan but I knew AJ would like the hot dog and Chad does like BBQ. Next time though I may try for something else I'd enjoy more.
The salad did look good just nothing to dream about.


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You know...the highly elusive Chad with his mouth open species!
Weird, I didn't see any of those when we were there... ;)

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Ah, the receipt says something about Smoked Turkey but it just isn't on
That looks good!

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He enjoyed it immensely.
Intresting... Next time we may need to try different things...

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I did really enjoy it but I really wanted to get some sort of protein as well but it just filled me up so much I couldn't
OMG! You ate that by yourself! No wonder you weren't full. I was basically full sharing it. But I do love me some carbs! They should make a meal that is 3 breads a couple of the dips and a small protien. That would be perfect!

The dessert wasn't nearly as good as it sounds, unfortunately, but that certainly didn't ruin the entire experience.
I didn't like the desserts. But I was stuffed and not what what I came there for. So, I was ok with it...
 
Caught up again! Loving your report so far. You may have a little trouble here and there remembering ride orders and such, but your memory is sharp where it really counts - the food and drink! ;) That bread service looks so good. I don’t know when we’ll ever make it to Sanaa, but if we do it’s a must. What did you think of the dips?

Also, how did you find Pandora? I know it had just recently opened so it was probably pretty crowded at all times, but wondering if it’s worth planning some time to actually explore it or just see it as we pass by on the way to the rides.

Congrats on your shiny new DVC membership!
 
Looking forward to seeing what you thought about Rivers of Light. Your meal at Sanaa looked so good. I'm really interested in going there in the future.
 


Salad looks good. Fresh!
It was really just okay.

Ohh, Orange Vodka Lemonade sounds delightful!
I'm sure it was delicious!

Weird, I didn't see any of those when we were there... ;)
Lucky you! ;)

OMG! You ate that by yourself! No wonder you weren't full. I was basically full sharing it. But I do love me some carbs! They should make a meal that is 3 breads a couple of the dips and a small protien. That would be perfect!
It was my "meal" but I definitely did not finish it! I agree with your suggestion!

Caught up again! Loving your report so far.
Thank you!

You may have a little trouble here and there remembering ride orders and such, but your memory is sharp where it really counts - the food and drink! ;)
For sure...though some of that is fading too at this point!

What did you think of the dips?
I know I had my favorites...but I didn't write them down! Oops!

Also, how did you find Pandora? I know it had just recently opened so it was probably pretty crowded at all times, but wondering if it’s worth planning some time to actually explore it or just see it as we pass by on the way to the rides.
So we didn't spend nearly enough time there and no looking around because of the pouring rain. We never made it back for nighttime, so really I can't even do it justice at this point.

Congrats on your shiny new DVC membership!
Thank you!!

Looking forward to seeing what you thought about Rivers of Light.
Coming up!! Finally....
 
Okay, so I have been away far too long and for that I apologize. I don't even know what to say anymore. I know that work is crazy and I'm not real happy with it currently so maybe that is what is the difference between this year and last? I mean, I know I did an update once a week last year but just cannot get it done this year. There is just so much more required this year and a lot more "staff development" meetings to take away our free time. I am exhausted at home and not even taking very good care of myself. But I am trying to get that changed.

Anyway, I'm excited because I was able to get something put on my work computer so it will connect at home (just now found this out) so I am hoping that makes it easier for me to update, as well, and keep up with all your reports and such.

Also, I have something new to report! Our school calendar came out for the next two years and we have a mini fall break in both those calendars. So, guess where we will, most likely, go for those fall breaks?? Yep, you guessed it! Disney! In 2018, the plan is to just go for two nights and do the MNSSHP. Basically we would drive down after Chad gets off on Wed 10/3. We would relax at hotel (thinking Pop) the next morning 10/4, then do the party that night. Checkout and drive home the next day. It isn't ideal bc it is so short, but we won't have tickets or APs or any extra DVC points to use, and it is only 6 hours 45 min away, which I can deal with.

In 2019, we will have APs, so we may go for longer. However, my DH has been talking about how he would like to actually be at Disney for Christmas one year, so it may just be 2019. Not sure on if we would do both an Oct trip and a Christmas trip but if maybe the Christmas one was short - because who wants to be there very long in all that mess and pay all those high prices - then we could do an Oct one and make it a little longer than the 2018 one.

Okay, so I think that is all my new news. I have bought a couple more shirts, though who knows when I will wear all of them because I would have to go for like a month to do that...haha. I'll post those at some point in the future because I do not have them on the computer. Alright so let me try to get this update done because the boys and I are going to see Santa this afternoon!

Day Five 6/7/2017 - Animal Kingdom (part 4)
We headed back to AK from AKL, which was a very short trip! I have in my touring plan that we were supposed to start with Triceratop Spin but I think we just went straight to the Boneyard. The boys were really enjoying themselves here and Chad went off to find a backpack that he had seen in Pandora earlier. I think we were here for a long time. I was trying to keep track of the boys, which wasn't the easiest thing by myself but I wasn't terribly worried about them as we were in a confined space. Chad eventually headed back after quite some time - he found out the backpack was a prop and a receipt I have says he bought another grog's Ale - so I tried wrangling up the boys to meet him. Eventually I did though I'm fairly certain no one was rushing. Here's a photo of the dinosaur I took when we were heading out of Dinoland:
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We headed toward our next destination, which was...finally...Rivers of Light! But first, we grabbed some snacks - popcorn and lemon cup, and some beverages for Chad and I though I'm not sure what because I see the charge on our bill but I don't have the receipt - and had to hit a bathroom, I think. It was very crowded and we got turned around a bit and couldn't figure out where to park the stroller. Maybe we eventually found a spot but it seems like it was far away from the ROL entrance. We did finally make our way into the theatre and it was fairly packed. We had FPs and they checked to see if there was any spots on the lower benches for us but apparently there was not. So we had to squeeze into the wooden benches and let me tell you...squeeze is the absolute right word. I was so miserable watching this show that I could not, in any way, enjoy it. They have crammed in the benches to maximize guests I guess, but it is just horrible. I'm not even sure I can give an accurate review of the show because the seating influenced me so much that I am never going back! I was trying to juggle drinks and snacks and children that wanted to sit on my lap, all without hitting the backs of the people in front of me with my knees. All I am going to say is utter fail on the design of this theatre. And the show really isn't all that great. I mean, its beautiful...visually stunning, for sure. But not nearly good enough for me to put up with that seating again. Oh and it was just hot and muggy as well because of all the rain. Not Disney's fault but it still just added to my misery. Here is one photo I took of the show:
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And here is one I took of the EE mountain while we were in the theatre:
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So there ya have it...my sort of review of ROL. I am glad I saw it once. It is worth a one time view...but never again for me or my crew. My boys were so unimpressed with this that I think it turned them off the park because they requested we skip the next planned night at AK (the Friday night we were supposed to go back for Pandora). Anyway, after the show was over, I made my way to EE while Chad took the boys back to Dinoland. Let me just say, I couldn't even enjoy my ride on EE because I was just feeling physically bad from the mugginess, and the close quarters at ROL. And, if I am being honest, from not drinking enough water, probably, since I was enjoying drinks of another sort! Here is my ride photo:
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I think it is obvious I wasn't feeling well and it even took me several more minutes after getting off the ride and walking to meet the boys to start to feel better. Once I got there I found out they had been riding on Triceratops Spin, fully enjoying themselves. I think the boys maybe even rode in a seat by themselves while Chad was either right behind or in front of them. Anyway, we took it for another spin once I arrived:
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After that, I think there was a dance party going on so we danced for a few minutes while we took bathroom turns. I wish I had known about the photo booth over here though because I would have definitely taken advantage of this. Eventually, we just decided to head out though we didn't rush. I know the boys would have loved to hit the Boneyard again but it was dark and getting late, so we dissuaded them. I remember we stopped at the pin cart by the Boneyard and the boys spent $57 more dollars on pins and such...cha-ching! Now here is where I screwed up. We were supposed to stop and watch the Tree of Life Awakenings and I just completely and utterly forgot. I definitely regret that though hopefully they will still be going on in June of 2019 and we can catch them at that time.

All in all, it wasn't that great of an evening at AK, which definitely influenced us, but they can't always be magical days, now can they?

Up next: Day Six 6/8/2017 - Epcot (part 1)
 
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Chad eventually headed back after quite some time - he found out the backpack was a prop and a receipt I have says he bought another grog's Ale
Haha! He got the important stuff though!

So we had to squeeze into the wooden benches and let me tell you...squeeze is the absolute right word. I was so miserable watching this show that I could not, in any way, enjoy it. They have crammed in the benches to maximize guests I guess, but it is just horrible. I'm not even sure I can give an accurate review of the show because the seating influenced me so much that I am never going back! I was trying to juggle drinks and snacks and children that wanted to sit on my lap, all without hitting the backs of the people in front of me with my knees. All I am going to say is utter fail on the design of this theatre. And the show really isn't all that great. I mean, its beautiful...visually stunning, for sure. But not nearly good enough for me to put up with that seating again. Oh and it was just hot and muggy as well because of all the rain. Not Disney's fault but it still just added to my misery.
Oh no! I'm so sorry you had such a bad experience!
And here is one I took of the EE mountain while we were in the theatre:
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At least you got a cool photo! Were you on the side by Nemo/Dinoland or Asia? I always thought the FP area was underneath Everest!

I think it turned them off the park because they requested we skip the next planned night at AK (the Friday night we were supposed to go back for Pandora)
Oh no! I loved Pandora at night! Maybe you'll have to convince them another time!

Here is my ride photo:
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I think it is obvious I wasn't feeling well
Yeah...you don't look like you're having fun.

We were supposed to stop and watch the Tree of Life Awakenings and I just completely and utterly forgot. I definitely regret that though hopefully they will still be going on in June of 2019 and we can catch them at that time.
I definitely loved the Awakenings-I think I actually liked it more than Rivers of Light, but I'm a sucker for projection shows!
 


For some reason I totally missed this TR! But I'm here and finally caught up now. I'm sorry to hear about some of the lows of this trip, like the AK night you just reported on, but it seems that in general you had a really wonderful and happy trip! And congrats on your DVC news!
 
squeeze is the absolute right word.

Yes it is! We were a comfortable distance from our neighbors for a bit until they kept asking everyone to squeeze closer together! You'd think the people would've realized we were practically in each other's laps and stopped moving but nope everyone just kept squeezing tighter.
 
o we had to squeeze into the wooden benches and let me tell you...squeeze is the absolute right word
Yup, this is how we were with the dinner package seating. We didn't get there very early but still, very squished. Didn't like that.

And the show really isn't all that great. I mean, its beautiful..
Agree here, too which you probably know already. Parts are really beautiful but it wasn't at all as impressive as I thought it would be. I'm ok not seeing it again, or at least not for a loooooong time.

My boys were so unimpressed with this that I think it turned them off the park because they requested we skip the next planned night at AK
I didn't even suggest we see it when we went with the boys in August and I won't for March, either; I know they won't enjoy it. I'm sorry it colored everyone's opinion of the park at night because we love it at night! And that sucks you missed the ToL Awakenings which are gorgeous. We've done quick walk-by's of them except for our first trip after they started when we stopped and watched for awhile, and I need to make actually standing still again to watch a priority for March. But like you said not every day in Disney can be perfect so I hope your next day was better!
 
Sad your evening in the AK was so disappointing. I love the atmosphere of AK at night and ROL was stunning. I think the seating issue probably did make a big impact on your opinion, but I can't blame you at all. It's a much more relaxed show than the others and so if you're distracted by other problems. . .
 
Okay, so I have been away far too long and for that I apologize. I don't even know what to say anymore. I know that work is crazy and I'm not real happy with it currently so maybe that is what is the difference between this year and last? I mean, I know I did an update once a week last year but just cannot get it done this year. There is just so much more required this year and a lot more "staff development" meetings to take away our free time. I am exhausted at home and not even taking very good care of myself. But I am trying to get that changed.
I'm so in the same boat as you. What in the heck are we doing this work stuff for? :P

Also, I have something new to report! Our school calendar came out for the next two years and we have a mini fall break in both those calendars. So, guess where we will, most likely, go for those fall breaks?? Yep, you guessed it! Disney! In 2018, the plan is to just go for two nights and do the MNSSHP. Basically we would drive down after Chad gets off on Wed 10/3.
Awesome. That sounds like the perfect time of year to go. 3 days or 1, at least its still Disney. Wish we were as close as you all.

e had FPs and they checked to see if there was any spots on the lower benches for us but apparently there was not. So we had to squeeze into the wooden benches and let me tell you...squeeze is the absolute right word. I was so miserable watching this show that I could not, in any way, enjoy it. They have crammed in the benches to maximize guests I guess, but it is just horrible.
Yikes!!! That sounds miserable. You'd think they wouldn't overstuff the FP area like that. I can see standby, not not FP.

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I think it is obvious I wasn't feeling well and it even took me several more minutes after getting off the ride and walking to meet the boys to start to feel better.
Oh no, you poor thing

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After that, I think there was a dance party going on so we danced for a few minutes while we took bathroom turns.
Looking much better now!!!! What kind of dance party were they doing? I recall they used to do one on afternoons in AK with random characters. Casey loved it, but it disappeared 2 or 3 years ago. Wondering if its back
 
Okay, so I have been away far too long and for that I apologize. I don't even know what to say anymore. I know that work is crazy and I'm not real happy with it currently so maybe that is what is the difference between this year and last? I mean, I know I did an update once a week last year but just cannot get it done this year. There is just so much more required this year and a lot more "staff development" meetings to take away our free time. I am exhausted at home and not even taking very good care of myself. But I am trying to get that changed.

Aww take care of yourself! I will think happy thoughts for you!

Okay, so I think that is all my new news. I have bought a couple more shirts, though who knows when I will wear all of them because I would have to go for like a month to do that...haha.

Haha, me too...I have a separate Disney wardrobe...because I wear business clothing 90% of the time. But my Disney wardrobe is catching up!

We did finally make our way into the theatre and it was fairly packed. We had FPs and they checked to see if there was any spots on the lower benches for us but apparently there was not. So we had to squeeze into the wooden benches and let me tell you...squeeze is the absolute right word. I was so miserable watching this show that I could not, in any way, enjoy it. They have crammed in the benches to maximize guests I guess, but it is just horrible.

Ugh that does not sound like fun. Watching shows in cramped situations in the heat...blech.

All I am going to say is utter fail on the design of this theatre. And the show really isn't all that great. I mean, its beautiful...visually stunning, for sure. But not nearly good enough for me to put up with that seating again.

Definitely RoL is not worth the headache of the seating. Hopefully your next time viewing will be better weather and less crowds (if there is a next time).

Now here is where I screwed up. We were supposed to stop and watch the Tree of Life Awakenings and I just completely and utterly forgot. I definitely regret that though hopefully they will still be going on in June of 2019 and we can catch them at that time.

I keep forgetting about this too! I have not seen it yet!
 
We had FPs and they checked to see if there was any spots on the lower benches for us but apparently there was not. So we had to squeeze into the wooden benches and let me tell you...squeeze is the absolute right word. I was so miserable watching this show
That sounds terrible! When we went, we didn't have that expierence but those seats aren't very comfy... And the show... I thought it was boring. Beautiful but boring.

And, if I am being honest, from not drinking enough water, probably, since I was enjoying drinks of another sort! Here is my ride photo:
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I love that everyone around you seems so excited and you look... well... like you might toss your cookies...

I remember we stopped at the pin cart by the Boneyard and the boys spent $57 more dollars on pins and such...cha-ching!
Yikes! But I know how easy it is to do. What are you doing with the pins now between trips? The girls are in like 5 different places.

Now here is where I screwed up. We were supposed to stop and watch the Tree of Life Awakenings and I just completely and utterly forgot.
bummer. We watched some on our way out but I don't think we stayed long enough to see ALL of it.

but they can't always be magical days, now can they?
I guess they can't. We want them to be magical the whole time but really they can't. And really it could have been worse...

Super exciting about your short trips! Any trip to Disney is worth it in my opinion... :)
 
Finally back here to reply to all your posts! I also edited all my photos for the next day so I, hopefully, will get another update soon. Oh and today was our 180 days out so I booked our dining for June 2018. WCC breakfast, Hoop Dee Doo, BOG dinner, and Sanaa dinner.

QUOTE="Lesley Wake, post: 58499498, member: 596872"]Haha! He got the important stuff though![/QUOTE]
Yes, I guess he did! :)

At least you got a cool photo! Were you on the side by Nemo/Dinoland or Asia? I always thought the FP area was underneath Everest!
I really can't even remember but I know we parked our stroller like almost in Africa it seemed like.

Oh no! I loved Pandora at night! Maybe you'll have to convince them another time!
For sure! We will definitely focus on Pandora for our next AK night.

Yeah...you don't look like you're having fun.
Yep...and it stinks because I absolutely LOVED EE at night in 2016.

I definitely loved the Awakenings-I think I actually liked it more than Rivers of Light, but I'm a sucker for projection shows!
I'm still kicking myself for forgetting.

For some reason I totally missed this TR! But I'm here and finally caught up now. I'm sorry to hear about some of the lows of this trip, like the AK night you just reported on, but it seems that in general you had a really wonderful and happy trip! And congrats on your DVC news!
Welcome! I have to say how sorry I am for not updating regularly. Some of the others can vouch that I did an update once a week last year and finished in a very timely manner...but this year is just a totally different story. And thanks on the congrats!

Yes it is! We were a comfortable distance from our neighbors for a bit until they kept asking everyone to squeeze closer together! You'd think the people would've realized we were practically in each other's laps and stopped moving but nope everyone just kept squeezing tighter.
Yeh, I'm not sure what their goal was...I guess to just get as many people in as possible but I didn't think it was that popular by the time we went.

Yup, this is how we were with the dinner package seating. We didn't get there very early but still, very squished. Didn't like that.
Who would, right? Just a very uncomfortable situation.

Agree here, too which you probably know already. Parts are really beautiful but it wasn't at all as impressive as I thought it would be. I'm ok not seeing it again, or at least not for a loooooong time.
I heard they are changing it anyway...so maybe we will get something better next time.

I'm sorry it colored everyone's opinion of the park at night because we love it at night!
I do too! And I think the boys did in 2016. But yes, the uncomfortableness of the seating, the content of the show, the mugginess, all contributed I'm sure.

And that sucks you missed the ToL Awakenings which are gorgeous. We've done quick walk-by's of them except for our first trip after they started when we stopped and watched for awhile, and I need to make actually standing still again to watch a priority for March.
Hopefully, after all this, I won't forget again! :)

Sorry to hear about PM AK being a bust.
Thank you! It certainly wasn't horrible but it could have been better.

Sad your evening in the AK was so disappointing. I love the atmosphere of AK at night
We did too...in 2016!

ROL was stunning. I think the seating issue probably did make a big impact on your opinion,
I'm sure it did.

I'm so in the same boat as you. What in the heck are we doing this work stuff for? :P
I keep reminding myself that it funds the trips! :)

Awesome. That sounds like the perfect time of year to go. 3 days or 1, at least its still Disney. Wish we were as close as you all.
Yeh, I think it will be fun and a nice break! AJ's birthday is the 9th, so we can celebrate while there.

Yikes!!! That sounds miserable. You'd think they wouldn't overstuff the FP area like that. I can see standby, not not FP.
Yeh, I guess it was still really popular then and they were trying to get in as many as they could.

Oh no, you poor thing
I know! It stunk because I love EE...especially at night!

Looking much better now!!!! What kind of dance party were they doing? I recall they used to do one on afternoons in AK with random characters. Casey loved it, but it disappeared 2 or 3 years ago. Wondering if its back
It was just a DJ, I think. I don't remember any characters but don't quote me. Maybe look up some AK entertainment and see what is listed.

Aww take care of yourself! I will think happy thoughts for you!
Thank you!

Haha, me too...I have a separate Disney wardrobe...because I wear business clothing 90% of the time. But my Disney wardrobe is catching up!
I really have to stop buying! LOL.

Ugh that does not sound like fun. Watching shows in cramped situations in the heat...blech.
Yeh...not fun at all.

Definitely RoL is not worth the headache of the seating. Hopefully your next time viewing will be better weather and less crowds (if there is a next time).
I heard they are replacing it in a couple years so I'm not sure if we will get an opportunity again since we won't be back to AK until June 2019. But we will see.

I keep forgetting about this too! I have not seen it yet!
At least I am not the only one!

That sounds terrible! When we went, we didn't have that expierence but those seats aren't very comfy... And the show... I thought it was boring. Beautiful but boring.
Agreed.

I love that everyone around you seems so excited and you look... well... like you might toss your cookies...
It was not good! And I usually love EE. :(

Yikes! But I know how easy it is to do. What are you doing with the pins now between trips? The girls are in like 5 different places.
And that was definitely not the only time they spent that much! Right now, we have them hanging on our walls in all our bedrooms.

bummer. We watched some on our way out but I don't think we stayed long enough to see ALL of it.
I know. Hopefully I'll remember next time!

Super exciting about your short trips! Any trip to Disney is worth it in my opinion... :)
No doubt! :)
 
I’m heading to Disney in June too, when are you there?
We are there the 4th through the 7th this upcoming trip. We usually do 8 nights but this was supposed to be our year off. We ended up buying into DVC so we decided to just take a quick, mostly resort, one park day, trip. You?
 
So, guess where we will, most likely, go for those fall breaks?? Yep, you guessed it! Disney!

More Disney time is always good!

The boys were really enjoying themselves here and Chad went off to find a backpack that he had seen in Pandora earlier. I think we were here for a long time.

When Danielle was little we spent a LOT of time in this play area.

I'm not even sure I can give an accurate review of the show because the seating influenced me so much that I am never going back!

I'm sorry your seating was so bad.

So there ya have it...my sort of review of ROL. I am glad I saw it once. It is worth a one time view...but never again for me or my crew.

We thought it was beautiful but not something we have to do each trip. We're going to skip it next month. That's the first time I was able to say next month!

I think it is obvious I wasn't feeling well and it even took me several more minutes after getting off the ride and walking to meet the boys to start to feel better.

You don't look to happy here. Everest can really mess with you if you're not feeling good. I hope you found some water.

I wish I had known about the photo booth over here though because I would have definitely taken advantage of this.

What is this photo booth you're talking about?

We were supposed to stop and watch the Tree of Life Awakenings and I just completely and utterly forgot.

We didn't catch this in May. I'm really hoping to see it next month(see I said it again).
 

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