~~ Sew the crowds in WDW were frightful, but the weather was so delightful ~~Nov 2015 COMPLETE! ~~

[ljcrochet]

looks like you are having a blast

 

[NJlauren]

Umm I agree! The wave is a hidden Jem! We went for dinner last year and love it too! Service was good, as was the food.

 

[LindseyJo22]

I just adore your bags - they're original, and the craftsmanship obviously shows. I would love to have such an awesome park bag!

Also, everything about this trip looks super fun! I have been really curious about the Wave breakfast for a while. I don't think we'll get to it in my next few trips, but it's definitely going on the list now!

 

[FantasiaMagic]

Wow! You do update fast!! I am finally all caught up lol!

At 5:30, we had an ADR for Boma… We went down a bit early, it was so nice to have a reservation at our own resort – it didn’t feel rushed and we knew we wouldn’t be late. The food was excellent.

I have been meaning to try this. Everyone always has great things to say about it...

After dinner, we decided to board a bus to MK to activate my AP voucher.

Great picture! What wonderful, happy smiles!

Gosh that view is even cooler at night!

The pull out sofa bed was a little harder than I like my mattresses to be, but to be honest, I was so tired – I never had a problem sleeping during the entire trip, and I was never sore.

I know what you mean, the sofas aren't the worst things in DVC rooms, but they aren't the best. But I also think after a long day at the parks, no one knows the difference!!

See – I slept great!

Glad you were ale to sleep well.

We were on a bus to MK @ 8:10am for a 9am opening.

I was wearing one of my Steam Boat Willie outfits… And I just have to say – I adore this theme! It was so fun and so unique, and it was so easy to pull together. I will be wearing this theme again in January.

LOVE LOVE LOVE that outift. I think that is my favorite from your trip! It's just so cute!!

I just noticed the shoes too - coordinated perfectly!

Great picture of the three of you!

I knew I would find something else somewhere that I’d like better. But I did take a picture, because I thought it was funny.

Then, it was off to Philharmagic… One of my favorites… Gotta love my favorite guy!

I love that show - it never gets old!

Once we were done there, we headed to Haunted Mansion… While we were in line, Santos – my favorite CM – texted me that he was headed through MK’s gates. I was so excited to be able to see him - I wasn’t expecting him to be there that day – so it was added Pixie Dust for me!

What a nice surprise to see an old friend!

I did Splash Mountain (my all time favorite ride) as a single rider...

One of my favorites too

Once my nap was over and I was rejuvenated, I changed outfits and got ready for MVMCP... I loved our outfits this night... I loved our outfits every day - most days Suzi and I managed to coordinate quite well.

You two look super ready for the christmas party! Adorable!

First things first - we met up with Bernadette (lovesdumbo)... I have meat Bernadette and her family in WDW on several occasions - on our 2013 trip and our 2014 trip... So, Bernadette is a good friend of mine. This trip was a solo trip for her - so it was fun to have her tag along with us!

So happy you were able to meet up with one of your friends!

We decided to try our luck in standby for 7DMT... the wait was posted at 30 min (I think?) - so we waited, and we were so glad we did. Riding 7DMT during the day is a little underwhelming, IMO - but riding it at night (and we were lucky enough to get front row) was truly amazing!!! Loved this ride so much at night!

Gosh thats a good wait time for 7DMT! Glad it worked out for all of you!!

Magical.

What a beautiful show... One I have never seen, because we never seem to have the energy to stay late enough/deal with the crowds when I am there with the girls.

I know what you mean. It can be difficult to stay awake for the nighttime shows at MK, but I feel like no trip for me is complete without seeing the fireworks at least once! So I push through

This picture is precious! I love how all the characters are together

My alarm was set for 5am - I hit "dismiss" instead of "snooze" & overslept until 6am!

Been there done that - in college. I know, not fun

Now I have to say - this is the BEST hidden gem in all of WDW! The food was amazing!!!! The restaurant was quiet, not a lot of people there, the buffet was incredible... After eating here - I had NO desire to do our Tusker House breakfast the next day (bet you never thought you'd hear me say that?) or ever again. Seriously.

Wow! Glad you enjoyed your meal there. I'll have to put the Wave on my list of places to try as well...

We also stopped to look at the gingerbread house - which I found out later is actually a chocolate house.

Adorable!

Great updates! Looking forward to reading more!

 

[Terkina]

Looks like you had a great day in DHS

 

[Blissikins]

Subbing in!

I love all of your purses, they are amazing!

 

[Texan]

Well, I go and post when you returned last week, and the week has flown and now I am way behind on your new TR! Always a day late and a dollar short as they say Anyway, I am having such a blast reading about your amazing week; I love, love, love all the pics. One day, hopefully, I will get to WDW with the Christmas decorations. AKL is gorgeous! Way to go Suzi! Loving this TR and will be following along now!!!

 

[Texan]

Well, I go and post when you returned last week, and the week has flown and now I am way behind on your new TR! Always a day late and a dollar short as they say Anyway, I am having such a blast reading about your amazing week; I love, love, love all the pics. One day, hopefully, I will get to WDW with the Christmas decorations. AKL is gorgeous! Way to go Suzi! Loving this TR and will be following along now!!!

 

[DisMom1981]

I am LOVING your trip report! I'm hoping to view fireworks and parade from in front of Caseys. I'm getting concerned about the weather - 50% chance of rain on party night.

I really like the MM pictures with the Christmas lights frame at DHS. Will have to try to get pics of the kids there.

It is so cool how you always meet up with so many dos friends! I love seeing the pictures and everyone with their awesome bags!!!

 

[Indychick]

I love this trip report and your pics are awesome!

 

[jnjusoioa]

Just wanted to make another quick post as my trip is coming up. Do you guys sell those purse's anywhere, they are just so darn cute.

 

[lovesdumbo]

You did so much better than I did Friday morning. I got to AK around 10. I can't believe given my love of BLT that I've never tried the Wave. I'll have to fix that next trip!

How cute is Bradey in the selfie @ Star Tours. He reminded me so much of my Joe at that age. Then I went to work one day and came home to this 5'11" man with size 13 feet instead of my little boy. The girls have certainly grown up too but it seemed like Joe did it overnight.

Love all your pictures!

 

[Hadley's Mom]

Loving this report so much! Like everyone else, I need to know where you got those purses! I need some!

 

[DMGeurts]

I love your purse's, they are all so awesome!!!! Does the 7 Dwarf Mine Train take your photo? Your photos from there are very cool.

Thank you! Yes - the 7DMT takes the photos, so the photos I posted are from my Memory Maker... I've been downloading the ones I need, as I need them for this TR... But once I am done with all of the edits - hopefully by the weekend - I will be able to download the entire thing.

looks like you are having a blast

We are having so much fun!!! This really was a great trip!

Umm I agree! The wave is a hidden Jem! We went for dinner last year and love it too! Service was good, as was the food.

Ahhh - yes, I still need to sign on and switch around some of our ADRs for January - so I can include this one... Once Allison eats there, I am quite certain that - like me - everything else will pale in comparison.

I just adore your bags - they're original, and the craftsmanship obviously shows. I would love to have such an awesome park bag!

Also, everything about this trip looks super fun! I have been really curious about the Wave breakfast for a while. I don't think we'll get to it in my next few trips, but it's definitely going on the list now!

Thank you so much!!! I really do enjoy making them! They add so much fun to our trips!

Thanks - the Wave is amazing!!! I honestly wasn't looking too forward to it, but since Suzi planned it all - I was excited to try it - she knows her stuff... Definitely now a must-do for us! So much so, I am debating on ditching Kona to go back to The Wave... Eeek - can't do that, I have yet to even try Kona. LOL

Wow! You do update fast!! I am finally all caught up lol!

I have been meaning to try this. Everyone always has great things to say about it...

Great picture! What wonderful, happy smiles!

Gosh that view is even cooler at night!

I know what you mean, the sofas aren't the worst things in DVC rooms, but they aren't the best. But I also think after a long day at the parks, no one knows the difference!!

Glad you were ale to sleep well.

LOVE LOVE LOVE that outift. I think that is my favorite from your trip! It's just so cute!!

I just noticed the shoes too - coordinated perfectly!

Great picture of the three of you!

Yes!!! I am desperately trying to finish this TR up quickly -so I have some time just to "breathe" before we leave again... My next TR will go much slower, because i have 9 months between trips.

You must try The Wave! Have I ever steered you wrong? LOL Suzi knows her Disney food - that's for sure... And Bradey takes after her.

Hahahaha... Exactly - I was so tired I could have slept on a rock (or a park bench).... LOL

Thank you - I just adored all of my outfits for this trip! They were so easy and fun to pull together... Sadly - I am going to have almost all repeats in January... As I am washing laundry from this trip - it's going right back into my suitcase, so believe it or not, I am almost totally packed again.

I almost didn't bring those shoes... But as the week wore on - I wore them almost every day, they will be a definite Disney staple for me on my next trip. Surprisingly - I really only wore 3 pairs of shoes for this trip (even though I brought with 7 pairs) - so I can thin them out and save some space/weight when we go in Jan.

Thanks!!! A lot of our photos turned out great! I am very happy with them.

Looks like you had a great day in DHS

It was a lot of fun!

Subbing in!

I love all of your purses, they are amazing!

Welcome!!! Thank you - I love making them and I love planning my outfits for these trips - it's half the fun, honestly!

Well, I go and post when you returned last week, and the week has flown and now I am way behind on your new TR! Always a day late and a dollar short as they say Anyway, I am having such a blast reading about your amazing week; I love, love, love all the pics. One day, hopefully, I will get to WDW with the Christmas decorations. AKL is gorgeous! Way to go Suzi! Loving this TR and will be following along now!!!

Hi Carol!!! It's great to see you here and following along!!!

I know - it's going so fast! Sorry that I am moving it right along, but Allison's trip is coming so quickly and with 2 holidays in between - it will be here before we know it - so I must move this TR fast if I have any hopes of finishing it.

Oh we had so much fun Carol - I hope so much that I am able to do another trip with Suzi and Bradey some day... It was a wonderful time, and I enjoyed being there with them immensely.

Yes - I am not sure that any resort could ever top AKL - not even the Poly... OK, maybe the Poly... LOL but the only thing better about the Poly - I would hope - would be the transportation... Otherwise, the theming - AKL has won hands down!

I am LOVING your trip report! I'm hoping to view fireworks and parade from in front of Caseys. I'm getting concerned about the weather - 50% chance of rain on party night.

I really like the MM pictures with the Christmas lights frame at DHS. Will have to try to get pics of the kids there.

It is so cool how you always meet up with so many dos friends! I love seeing the pictures and everyone with their awesome bags!!!

Hi Ann!!!! It's great to see you here... I've been loving the pictures of your kiddos on FB - soooo cute!!!

In front of CP was a great place to watch the Castle shows/fireworks... I recommend it highly. Not too crowded - yet a good view.

I sure hope you have good weather!!!!

Yes - that frame is cool - the frames are kind of a new thing to Photopass, I haven't decided entirely if I like them or don't like them? I think they are fun - but I also think they look weird once a person adds a border... It's like a border on top of a border... I dunno?

I love meeting up with my Dis friends - they are always so awesome and fun to meet. Some of them, this trip, I have met several times before - it's so fun to travel and to know so many people... It really heightens the experience for me.

I hope you have a great trip and great weather! I'd love to hear about it when you get back and I will be following along if you post on FB at all.

I love this trip report and your pics are awesome!

Thank you so much!!! I am so happy to have you here and reading along!

Just wanted to make another quick post as my trip is coming up. Do you guys sell those purse's anywhere, they are just so darn cute.

Hi there! Thanks so much! Unfortunately, I am not allowed to say anything on The Dis about my business, it's considered soliciting and I could get banned. I hope you understand and continue to follow along with my TR Also, I hope you have a wonderful trip - when do you leave?

You did so much better than I did Friday morning. I got to AK around 10. I can't believe given my love of BLT that I've never tried the Wave. I'll have to fix that next trip!

How cute is Bradey in the selfie @ Star Tours. He reminded me so much of my Joe at that age. Then I went to work one day and came home to this 5'11" man with size 13 feet instead of my little boy. The girls have certainly grown up too but it seemed like Joe did it overnight.

Love all your pictures!

Hahaha.... Yes - you will have to try The Wave - it's now a must do... Those grits - man those grits.... I could eat just those for the rest of my life!

Yes - Bradey was a super fun kid to do Disney with! He sure knows what is fun and what isn't... and his taste in food is amazing - I seriously stalked his plate when he went to buffets, then I would go up after him and get the same things.

Thank you!!! For the most part - I am super happy with how they turned out! I cannot wait to share the rest with you all! And when I am done with edits - I will be sure to email the ones you are in to you Bernadette, if you would like them?

Loving this report so much! Like everyone else, I need to know where you got those purses! I need some!

Thank you very much! I make all of my bags by hand on vintage machines to coordinate with our outfits/theme. It's a lot of fun and I enjoy that they make our trips so much more special. Unfortunately, I am not allowed to say anything on The Dis about my business, it's considered soliciting and I could get banned. I hope you understand and will continue to follow along with my TR.

****************************************************************************************************

I am hoping to squish out another update today... Life is crazy busy with my work schedule and planning a Thanksgiving meal... but I will do my best and update as I can.

Have a great day everyone!

D~

 

[DMGeurts]

Day 3 Part 2

We left DHS at approximately 1:20pm by bus to AKL.

I took a nap... It was nice. I told Suzi to wake me in an hour.

Meanwhile, Suzi and Bradey explored AKL...

After an hour nap - I was refreshed and ready to go. Suzi and Bradey were so cute! And they coordinated! Eeep!

We decided to do dinner at Mara, since it was so easy and close to our room... As usual - it didn't disappoint... I had the Mara Salad + the Curry Pasta... Both were very good!

We were excitedly awaiting Mo's arrival... She had been driving all day and night, and had arrived earlier during the day in WDW! Suzi and I were so excited to see her again and the Midgets (Tom too...).

No pictures of all of us together on this night - but I do have a couple of Mo and family exploring... LOL They are good explorers! Hehehehe...

Sadly - they were tired from all of their travels (understandably so) - so they weren't able to stay long, but we were able to show them the savanna, and grab a picture from behind (thanks to Suzi). At least we got to say hi and give hugs!

L to R: Tom, Matt, Zack (or is it Zack then Matt?), Mo, Meg (Peanut), Bradey & D~.

Once they left... Suzi and I thought it was time to hit Mara again for a cupcake... We camped out on a table near the kiddie pool and enjoyed our respective desserts... They were delicious!

We were supposed to do something on this night ( I don't remember what? Thinking it was Food and Wine at Epcot?)... but we all agreed we were too tired, we decided to skip it and just hang out at the resort.

Suzi's cousin, Sarah - who the girls and I met on our 2013 trip - came to visit us... It was great seeing her and she was as cute as ever!

Suzi, Sara and Bradey went for a swim... I put my suit on and dipped my feet in, but decided that - again- I didn't want to have to get ready all over again, so I just sat by the pool... After a while, I was bored - and wanted them to have some time together with out me, so I went back to the room to update my trip journal.

Once they were done (they told me the pool water was FREEZING), they came back to the room to change, then we all went out to the little savanna near the end of our rooms, and watched the animals with the night vision goggle thingies. That was pretty cool!

We decided that an early night was in order- we were all tired, Sara left and we were in bed by 8:30pm. I don't even remember falling to sleep.

Link to Day 4 Part 1

D~​

 

[Chicago Mo]

GOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOD Morning!

I love your report so far!!!

Especially the part meeting up with us... LOL!! Just kidding...

I have to say here you all are just so darn cute! D~ you look amazing!!! so proud of you.
Suzi you and Brady are just simply so ADORABLE!! I just love you guys to bits! the outfits are perfect for you all too. and I LOVE the christmas bags!!!

sounds like your taking it easy.. YET you are getting a TON done in the few days your there already!

Yes the pictures are lacking of all of us ONLY BECAUSE i said no pictures... totally blame me. After driving FOREVER we all looked ragged. I didn't want to scare anyone!

Their resort had me drooling.. It was AH-MAZ-ING It has made it to my bucket list! their view was beautiful, the room itself was spacious and perfect for them! AND a washer and dryer!!! I do wish they had a second bathroom.. this is very important to us..

I just adore you girls (Bradey too)


I do believe i RAN across that bridge like fat albert too???

 

[ljcrochet]

Yes - I am not sure that any resort could ever top AKL - not even the Poly... OK, maybe the Poly... LOL but the only thing better about the Poly - I would hope - would be the transportation... Otherwise, the theming - AKL has won hands down!

From staying at both AKV and BLT in the same trip, i thought that the transportation at AKV was better for everywhere except MK. I'm thinking the poly will be the same. I'm staying at poly on my next trip, but it is a resort only trip. Trying to see how i let DH talk me into going to disney but not doing the parks.

 

[tatar63]

I love a fast moving TR, great job so far! Thanks guys for the nice words about my Mickey and Minnie Toms! I love to show my Disney side when touring the parks. It was so great seeing you again D~ and really great to meet more dis friends: Suzi (& Bradey) and Bernadette! Thanks for letting me tag along for a few minutes at MVMCP and I was so excited to run into you all at the Parade later. I was happy to help out with the photos!

 

[DMGeurts]

Saturday, November 14, 2015 Day 4 - Animal Kingdom

I was up at 5:15am.

I did my usual... Coffee/FB/Dis

I showered and got ready, we were out the door and on the bus at 7:45am, for the 8am park opening.

I noted that bag check was awful - and it was! Most of the lines were open, but the line we got into happened to be 4 lines consolidating into one.

So, Suzi and I moved... Just after we moved - they opened another line - strictly for small bags and purses... Ding, ding, ding - that's us!!! Whoot, so we moved lines again and were through bag check quickly. Phew!

Yay - my favorite park!!!! Love Animal Kingdom!!!!

We stopped for a few Photopass pictures on the way in, and I am glad we did, because these lines were extremely long when we went through this area later in the day.

We walked straight back to Kiliminjaro Safari, and stood in the stand-by line... I can't remember the posted time, but I would guess that we waited about 10 min?

Hmmm... That's better...

And, of course - lots of safari photos!

After the Safari - Suzi, Bradey and I parted ways... I ran ahead to try to catch Expedition Everest as a single rider... But I couldn't resist stopping for a Photopass photographer on the way... LOL I remember looking around - hoping Suzi wouldn't catch me, because I was trying to squeeze in this EE ride before our TH ADR.

Little did I know - her and Bradey stopped for the same one a few minutes behind me. LOL

Once I got to EE - the single rider line was closed. Grrr... Seriously? I stuck around for a minute to ask a CM when they were going to open it - and she was quite rude and insistant that it may not open at all today. What??? She HAD to be kidding. She shooed me out and told me to go wait in Stand-by. Sigh... OK... So, me and the hopeful lady next to me left to go wait in the stand-by line. This was only annoying to me, because we had an ADR for Tusker House in 20 minutes, and the posted time was 20 minutes, so I knew I would have just barely enough time to ride and then have to RUN to TH...

Of course, as soon as we got to the end of the stand-by line - exactly 15 minutes later, the single rider line was open and moving. I figured this was what was going to happen. Oh well... The single-rider lady and I rode EE together.... And enjoyed our ride.

After - I RAN to TH... Did I make it to our ADR on time??? We all know how fast I run.

Link to Day 4 Part 2

D~​

 

[FantasiaMagic]

L to R: Tom, Matt, Zack (or is it Zack then Matt?), Mo, Meg (Peanut), Bradey & D~.

So glad you all got to hang out for a bit!

Once they left... Suzi and I thought it was time to hit Mara again for a cupcake... We camped out on a table near the kiddie pool and enjoyed our respective desserts... They were delicious!

I'm loving these food pictures - everything looks so good!

I noted that bag check was awful - and it was! Most of the lines were open, but the line we got into happened to be 4 lines consolidating into one.

Ugh I hate when that happens! The worst is when it doesn't seem like it's moving at all! that's good you got in after a few minutes.

We walked straight back to Kiliminjaro Safari, and stood in the stand-by line... I can't remember the posted time, but I would guess that we waited about 10 min?

Nice!

So cute you three
I love those necklaces that you and Suzi have on, but I have to ask, are they very heavy?

My favorites! Great picture

Of course, as soon as we got to the end of the stand-by line - exactly 15 minutes later, the single rider line was open and moving. I figured this was what was going to happen. Oh well... The single-rider lady and I rode EE together.... And enjoyed our ride.

Glad you got on EE eventually. Yeah, that CM didn't need to be rude, SB line usually is normally open...