The 999'th Haunt stole my bra Completed 7-20, Final thoughts added 8-20

[thumper*]

Super Day-Super Moon Fri Dec 1’st


For most of our trip I did not plan early mornings and we were free to wake whenever. This morning we woke around 8am to beautiful sunshine and great temps again in the mid 80’s for a high.

While Mark was in the bathroom this morning I hung up the cheap stockings I bought from Goodwill last January for 70 cents. A little Christmas décor for the holiday. We hope our next visit to Disney will be in December again and we want to bring battery powered Christmas lights to hang on our balcony. Later in the trip you'll see our make shift Christmas lights.



Today I had originally planned to go to the Character Warehouse at the outlet mall followed by DHS and a 3:45pm ressy at 50’s Primetime Diner (my mouth was watering for their Fired Chicken, after reading many of your TR’s). After our finances for the trip had changed I didn’t think we really had to have anything from the Character warehouse. Tomorrow we were going to be leaving the Disney bubble to meet family over on the coast and I wasn’t sure how much time we would be able to spend at Epcot plus Saturday crowd calendar wasn’t looking good. So I made an executive decision a few days out to start our Friday at Epcot followed by DHS.

FP’s for the day were

5:40-6:40 TSM

5:55-6:55 Star Tours

6:50-7:50 TOT

6:55-7:55 RR

Plus we wanted to see the Jingle Bell Jingle Bam at 8pm.

After deliberating where we wanted to park we eventually decided to park at DHS and take a Friendship boat to Epcot for the first part of day and then boat back to DHS for our evening plans. This way we only had to park the car once. This worked very well for us and we were able to experience the Friendship boats for the first time.

After a quick stop for breakfast sandwiches at McDonalds near our condo we arrived at DHS parking lot about 10:30am. At the parking booth we were given some Daisey stickers. Eek I was excited, in my travels to Disney I had never met Daisey and she is tied with Minnie as being one of my fave characters. One of my goals this trip was to meet Miss Sassy (no) pants herself. It’s the little things.

It seemed like we drove forever from the booth to our parking spot. Once parked we had to wait for a second tram which was right behind the first. This split up the large family in front of us with 6 adults and many children. I’m assuming they were from out of the country. Each family had an unopened box with a stroller in it. This puzzled me as I couldn’t understand why they would be hauling these into the park like that. To my amazement once on the tram the family of 4 sitting in front of us opened up their box and proceeded to put the stroller together. I’ll be danged if they didn’t have it put together well before we stopped and disembarked. Here is the stroller put together. Notice his cool shirt, I'm not a Star Wars fan but this was a cool shirt.




Once at the front of the park we walked over to the boat launch and I of course had to take pictures of all of the construction for the new Gondola transport there (not boring you with those pics). The boat came quickly maybe 3-5 minutes and we enjoyed our nice leisurely 25 min ride to Epcot. Glad I got to experience this but very happy for Mark to see the resorts along the way. I’m hoping to stay Beach Club on our next visit while Mark was more enamored with the Yacht club. I’m looking at you Dee @natebenma . Boardwalk has just never appealed to me but I had to chuckle when Mark said to me “I don’t think I would ever want to stay here”, he had no idea of my thoughts on it. Great minds think alike.

We eventually made it to Epcot and the IG. I was surprised we had to go through metal detectors since we were bagless and we didn’t have to at AK. I know it can be time consuming but they should make you go through metal detectors at all of the parks. Not sure why you don’t at AK.


1’st stop was for PP and from this point on in the trip I get to share the better ones with you


and some of the not so good ones. AKWARD!!!!




We decide to head to Canada to try the Seared Salmon with Crown Royal® Whisky Glaze, Parsnip Silk, Apple Chutney and Hazelnut Croquant and then to back track back to France and tour the WS counterclockwise. In UK we had to stop for Mark and door pictures. I use to have the phone number to one of these booths and we use to enjoy standing nearby and calling the number and talking to the person who answered. But alas they have disconnected the phones.



Once down to Canada we discovered that the Festival of the Holiday food booths didn't open until noon and it was only 11:30am. So we decide to start walking towards Mexico and our beloved La Cava de Tequila and then we could hit up the booths after. We discovered a PP at the Epcot Christmas tree and got some great shots.


Really I'm not groping him. LOL



Mark is such a goof ball when he saw the lil girl in front of us pose for a Magic Shot and I told him it was Tinkerbell he had to have one. He's so cute. Phil was the PP and he spent a lot of time posing us, he's wedding photographer. If you ever see Phil taking photo's at Epcot line up for him you won't regret it.




On our way we ran into one of Marks favorite characters so had to get a few PP.



Stay tuned to see where the rest of the day takes us and if we ever make it to La Cava de Tequila.

 

[natebenma]

I’m hoping to stay Beach Club on our next visit while Mark was more enamored with the Yacht club. I’m looking at you Dee @natebenma . Boardwalk has just never appealed to me but I had to chuckle when Mark said to me “I don’t think I would ever want to stay here”, he had no idea of my thoughts on it. Great minds think alike.

I'll go back and read in a minute, but just wanted to let you know that if you have any questions about Yacht & Beach I would be happy to help! I've had 5 stays at the Beach Club and 1 at Yacht (my most recent, 30th anniversary trip). I do slightly prefer the Beach Club due to the lighter décor- I love the color blue- but I would happily stay at either. The biggest advantage to the Yacht Club, however, is that almost all rooms have a large balcony. Only about 50% of Beach Club rooms have these, the others have smaller "Juliet" balconies that are not big enough for chairs.

The location of the resort, with walking (or boating) distance to two parks is just incredible.

 

[natebenma]

Animal Kingdom

OMG- so sorry to hear about your photo nightmare! That sucks about your first day Memory Maker pictures. And also about the loss (thankfully temporarily) of your phone photos.

So, you're a coaster junkie... Have you ever been over to "The Dark Side"? The thrill rides at Universal are amazing. Although I guess that isn't the best destination for you if your DH can't ride. A lot of the attractions there cause motion sickness.

Yak & Yeti- YUM!

Sounds like you had lots of fun exploring AK at a slow pace. I agree about the back of the Tree of Life- it's refreshingly uncrowded. Although it recently reopened, I haven't made it back to the secret path between Africa and the ToL that closed after the fall of a big, concrete branch from ToL.

Your DH looks so relaxed at the Nomad lounge and your wine & cheese break sounds heavenly.

I'm one of the RoL one-and-doners, but part of that is probably due to our seating location and the fact that we waited over an hour for the show rather than seeing it from the FP seats, with a lesser wait.

Your pictures of Pandora at night are awesome and I love the selfies you included in the additional post.

 

[natebenma]

EPCOT:

(DHS): That is hilarious about the family with the brand new strollers on the tram. You never know what you are going to see at Disney. Kudos to them for getting it all assembled before arriving at their destination!

I use to have the phone number to one of these booths and we use to enjoy standing nearby and calling the number and talking to the person who answered. But alas they have disconnected the phones.

That was such a bummer when the phone numbers stopped working. It used to be a little bit of fun magic to share with others. I had the number for the Canada booth too, although I never actually called that one to confirm that it worked.

 

[Raeven]

After our finances for the trip had changed I didn’t think we really had to have anything from the Character warehouse.

If it makes you feel any better we were really disappointed in the selection when we went over there in May. I came out thinking it had been a waste of an afternoon and a waste of money to Uber over especially since it was a bit of a pain to get there.

Really I'm not groping him. LOL

 

[MeghanEmily]

These are so cute!! I can't believe you got such a good deal on them, even if they're just small.

After our finances for the trip had changed I didn’t think we really had to have anything from the Character warehouse.

I don't think you missed much. Once in a while there are good things there for good deals, but I didn't see anything worth buying on my last visit, and I've heard a lot of people say the same.

and some of the not so good ones. AKWARD!!!!

Oh Photopass! haha

This is so nice!!

 

[disneyAndi14]

I really enjoyed RoL too! Andi thought it was boring. Looks like some good days so far, we love taking the friendship boat once a trip, very relaxing. I love the pictures by the tree in Epcot, really nice!

 

[thumper*]

Hope everyone enjoyed their Christmas or whatever Holidays they celebrate.

wanted to let you know that if you have any questions about Yacht & Beach I would be happy to help!

Yes when I saw in one of your post that your the mod for that Forum I was like yes an expert who's mind I can pick.

The biggest advantage to the Yacht Club, however, is that almost all rooms have a large balcony.

This has me sold over Beach Club as we use the balcony a lot.

So, you're a coaster junkie... Have you ever been over to "The Dark Side"? The thrill rides at Universal are amazing. Although I guess that isn't the best destination for you if your DH can't ride. A lot of the attractions there cause motion sickness.

Never been to the dark side, it's just so difficult to leave the Disney bubble once in it.

Although it recently reopened, I haven't made it back to the secret path between Africa and the ToL that closed after the fall of a big, concrete branch from ToL.

I had no idea!!!!

I'm one of the RoL one-and-doners, but part of that is probably due to our seating location and the fact that we waited over an hour for the show rather than seeing it from the FP seats, with a lesser wait.

Those seats are hard as heck. We only waited about 20 minutes for the show to start and it hurt are backs, I was thrilled once I could stand up. Fortunately for us they didn't try to make everyone squeeze in so tight that your practically in each others laps like I've read in others TR's.

If it makes you feel any better we were really disappointed in the selection when we went over there in May. I came out thinking it had been a waste of an afternoon and a waste of money to Uber over especially since it was a bit of a pain to get there.

That does make me feel better. Thanks.

These are so cute!! I can't believe you got such a good deal on them, even if they're just small.

Thanks their average size but just look small in the picture.

Looks like some good days so far

They were all good days even if they might not have been perfect.

 

[Menagerie]

Following along from Greenwood, just south of you. We've done the drive down a few times and have also flown. Going with my daughter in May and am flying. She is in Madison Wi so we will be meeting up at the hotel. Considering on getting myself an AP so I can make my husband take me back during the Christmas season next year. Haven't been at Christmas since 1986.

 

[thumper*]

Following along from Greenwood, just south of you. We've done the drive down a few times and have also flown. Going with my daughter in May and am flying. She is in Madison Wi so we will be meeting up at the hotel. Considering on getting myself an AP so I can make my husband take me back during the Christmas season next year. Haven't been at Christmas since 1986.

I love eating at your Jockamo's Pizza yummy, the one in Irvington not so much. When I left for work tonight you guys were getting some snow, hope it wasn't much. What hotel are you and DD staying at in May? Yay for an upcoming trip.

 

[thumper*]

Well tried to get an update done tonight but after working an hour I lost the post. Sorry hopefully tomorrow night.

 

[xlsm]

That must have been the answer because we never had any more issues with it the rest of our trip. Sometimes it’s the simplest fixes…YAY.

Good!! I am glad it was something simple!!

I would like to say that I have several friends with motorcycles and don't mean to be derogatory towards cyclist in general. But when your going over 80mph and weaving between cars and driving on the white line I'm calling it as I see it a suicidal crotch rocket. Oh and by the way I can't even count how many dead motorcyclists I have had to xray in my 30+ yr's of XRAY/CT. Let alone how many have survived to be handicapped afterwards. So please be save and wear a helmet

I feel you on this so much! when I was 12 I had the unfortunate experience of seeing a motorcycle accident right in front of me, and saw what happened to the guy's head when it hit the pavement. I know a lot of people with bikes and where I live helmets aren't mandatory (insane!!). We also have a thing called bikes, blues, and bbqs here every fall and the number of accidents each year during that week just scares the heck out of me.

Love this! Everest is one of the queues where I've never had a special message from my MB. I get them at Haunted Mansion all the time, but I won't be satisfied until I get a goodbye on IASW and something at Everest, LOL

The shrimp were my fave.

yum! Those look like the shrimp app I love at Bonefish Grill

After our 2013 trip to Europe we now try to get pictures of Mark peaking out from various/neat doors. Here he is peaking around the Yak & Yeti door.

Fun! I hope you get him coming out of the church in Norway and in Morocco. Great doors there

We happened across the Gibbons playing and enjoying themselves. We had several PP photo's here but again Disney is holding those hostage and I'm refusing to pay so for the rest of the day your stuck with our photo's and none of the PP's.

spoiler alert from my TR, but my mom and I got pictures here...they were awful b/c we rode Kali right before and I was SOAKED.

Posed for PP w/ EE behind us and several around Asia with a magic shot of the Kaa the snake from Jungle book.

Ooh, I need to find this magic shot this week!

Then we happened across the King Louie and Baloo M&G. They were just coming back from a break and we were third in line. I was so happy when I discovered that I had our own photo's from this M&G.

This m&g is also on the to do list this week if we can. I miss it every time. The last time I met them was my first visit in 2001!

I like the way that Caroline @disneyAndi14 does a break down for food totals on her TR so I think I'm going to do the same to prove to myself that it is cheaper not being on the dining plan. I'm only doing this for food as I'd be embarrassed for you all to see all the $ spent on alcohol. Todays food totals Y&Y $67 Nomads lounge $16.00 for a daily total of about $83. Sure beats the $151/day for the dining plan.

I always start every trip saving receipts with the plan to do this and then give up a couple days in, lol. We ALWAYS beat the dining plan. It's not for us either!

Eek I was excited, in my travels to Disney I had never met Daisey and she is tied with Minnie as being one of my fave characters. One of my goals this trip was to meet Miss Sassy (no) pants herself. It’s the little things.

I hope you remedy that this trip and get to meet her. She's one of the most fun!

I’m hoping to stay Beach Club on our next visit while Mark was more enamored with the Yacht club. I’m looking at you Dee @natebenma . Boardwalk has just never appealed to me but I had to chuckle when Mark said to me “I don’t think I would ever want to stay here”, he had no idea of my thoughts on it. Great minds think alike.

I'm with Mark. I really want to stay at Yacht Club. The kids do too after our dinner at Yachtsman last December. We sat by a window overlooking Stormalong Bay so that didn't hurt anything! We stayed at Boardwalk that trip and I thought I was one and done there, but I found myself nostalgic for it when we made a quick stop in October.

this is CUTE!!

haha, ok, this one is a tad awkward. But a fun memory to have!!

Love!! This must have been the same photographer who did my Remy shot like this!!

 

[Menagerie]

I love eating at your Jockamo's Pizza yummy, the one in Irvington not so much. When I left for work tonight you guys were getting some snow, hope it wasn't much. What hotel are you and DD staying at in May? Yay for an upcoming trip.

Snow wasn't too bad. One son got home from work at 8, the other at 10 and they said the roads were ok. My family loves Jockamo's, I am not a huge pizza fan but I like the sandwiches and salads.

My daughter, who is 25, and I will be staying at Pop Century. She hasn't been since she was twelve so it should be fun. Also, headed to Universal for one day so she can do the Harry Potter stuff. She's of that age, you know?

 

[thumper*]

Love this! Everest is one of the queues where I've never had a special message from my MB. I get them at Haunted Mansion all the time, but I won't be satisfied until I get a goodbye on IASW and something at Everest, LOL

Humm where is the one at HM I didn't see it eithr time wew rode but we had FP and didn't do SB

yum! Those look like the shrimp app I love at Bonefish Grill

Bonefish grill is better.

This m&g is also on the to do list this week if we can.

Hope you can do it.

She hasn't been since she was twelve so it should be fun.

this should be an exciting trip for you two.

 

[natebenma]

Interactive messages:

Love this! Everest is one of the queues where I've never had a special message from my MB. I get them at Haunted Mansion all the time, but I won't be satisfied until I get a goodbye on IASW and something at Everest, LOL

Humm where is the one at HM I didn't see it eithr time wew rode but we had FP and didn't do SB

I had one at RockNRollercoaster.

It was an anniversary message- my husband and I were wearing our buttons. A weird anniversary message since it just included my (real) name and hometown.

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[thumper*]

A weird anniversary message since it just included my (real) name and hometown.

Cute.

 

[chunkymonkey]

Ok All caught up now! I'm glad you chose to spend your Friday at Epcot and at DHS. I do that a lot! I can't wait for your 50's prime time review...I just went there 2 weeks ago and I still love it! The fried chicken is the best on property. I like it better than Homecoming.

I love the photopass pictures. The awkward ones are the funniest. I have a ton of those, and it's like, WHY are they making us do this?! LOL.
I used to have the number to the UK booths too. I tried to call my sister one time many years ago while she was in the booth taking pictures but she didn't pick up! She said he didn't know whether to pick it up or not so she didn't. Sigh.
Love the Tinkerbell picture and the Mistletoe pictures, so cute! Your husband looks like he's having a blast!
And Pluto...love him!! You both look like you're having the time of your lives!!

 

[thumper*]

I love the photopass pictures. The awkward ones are the funniest.

I have a lot of akward ones I think I'm gonna post just because they look so funny.

Your husband looks like he's having a blast!
And Pluto...love him!! You both look like you're having the time of your lives!!

We are having a lot of fun

 

[thumper*]

Happy New Years I tried to post a gif but no matter which gif I select nothing will paste into the image URL. I hope everyone has a safe and Happy New Year.


Super Day-Super Moon Fri Dec 1’st
part 2
Tequila and Pixie Dust

Last time I left you we were playing with a pup and it was now time to find something to eat and drink. So we headed out towards Mexico and stopped at the Las Posadas Holiday Kitchen and got Mark a Tamal de Chilorio: Slow-roasted Pork Shoulder, marinated in Ancho Paste and stuffed in a Corn Masa. Served with Salsa tres Chile and garnished with Crema Mexicana and Queso Fresco – $6.25. This was very good if not a little hot. I like some heat but Mark loves hot food.


In my opinion I think this would probably be too hot for the average person. So with my lips on fire it was time to head to La Cava de Tequila.

As we entered the Pyramid Mark wanted me to pose for a picture with the Day of the Dead Bride and Groom they had on display. Not sure why as he has no affinity to DOTD or the new Disney film Coco. I never did import those pictures from his phone. He then wanted to go see the artist that were painting but I had no time for that. I wanted to get to the Cave before it filled up and there was already a long line waiting. PRIORITIES. I was relieved when once at the hostess stand I discovered the long line were people waiting for margaritas to go. Crisis diverted as we were seated immediately and it wasn’t long before these beauties showed up at our table.




Jalapeno Margaritas-Tequila, muddled jalapeños, fresh lime juice, agave nectar, muddled cucumbers, served on the rocks with a hibiscus salt rim. Caution with the hibiscus salt it will stain your clothes as it did mine. Thankfully it was small and I was able to hide it in most of our PP shots. We infuse our tequila with our home grown Habanaro peppers and also salt for the rim. Our margaritas are good but not nearly this good and fresh. Love the muddled cucumber.

A tequila flight not sure of the brands as the menu I’m looking at now isn’t up to date but it had a Silver, an Anejo and a Reposado tequila. That tomato looking shot is palate cleanser called a Sangrita (learned that from a bartender later in the trip). I loved the Sangrita and would imagine you could make Mexican Bloody Mary by mixing it with a tequila. Oh Yum.

We also got the Queso Blanco Warm white nacho cheese with pico de gallo sauce and tortilla chips.

After enjoying our cool little break in the cave we were off to discover more of the Mexican Pavilion. We visited the artists who were painting and shopped in the store. I found a cute Minnie Mouse Coco inspired tank that I though I might stop and pick up on our next visit if I was stilling thinking about it. But I never did make it back. I found plenty of other things instead.

We then went on a wild chase through Mexico trying to help 2 of the Cabaleros find Donald. I just love the fireworks on the ceiling at the end of this ride. Once we were off the ride we did find Donald posing for PP so we got in line for photographic evidence of finding the pantless duck.

Not sure why we thought we had to bend over LOL.


Once back outside in the hot sunshine I immediately began to regret wearing jeans this day. It was HAWT. Nothing like what you guys experienced in the summer but still hot for early December. It got up to I think 87 deg F.

We posed for some PP outside of the pyramid and watched the special Coco Mariachi band perform.





We then found a PP doing magic shots in the area that Donald usually meets at. We also got a video magic shot but I'm unable to get it uploaded into youtube to post here. If anyone knows of another way for me to post a video let me know.



We strolled through Norway hoping to cool down with a Princess from Arondale, but alas she had a full house and the wait was too long. No surprise there.



In China we stopped to watch a dragon dancing around. Looks like he was having lots of fun.



Next we were off to the Outpost in search of a Warm Caramel-Stuffed Salted Pretzel with Soft-Serve Ice Cream and Chocolate Sauce – $6.49. I walked up to the counter and asked the CM if this is where I could find this pretzel. After he said yes I started to say I would like one and changed it to I HAVE try it. He laughed and went and made me one. While he was gone I put my $ on the counter and patiently waited for him to return with my fantasy of a pretzel. He came back saw my money pushed it back to me and said it was on Mickey today. Awesome got me some Pixie Dust.




I would like to say this did not disappoint but I would be lying. I think it was just too hot, I did enjoy the non descript soft serve ice cream as it was cold. But I didn’t finish the pretzel. Mark didn’t even want to try it.

Update continued in next post

 

[thumper*]

Super Day-Super Moon Fri Dec 1’st
part 3 Some Biers and more food.


Germany was up next and we had really wanted to try the Cheese fondue in a Bread bowl but it was too hot and neither of us thought it sounded good at the moment. Maybe we’ll come back on Sunday and try it then. Mark went off to find the bathrooms as I toured the shops. When did they put in the wine tasting room in there? I’ve never seen it before.




I did fall in love with this Crystal Castle Yes please Santa (Mickey) Baby.



I made Mark pose for this pic, boy you would have thought I asked him to give away bunch of money he was so put off, that was until he saw the final product. Score.




We posed for some pp.




The weather was perfect for a couple of Altenmuster Oktoberfest biers $8.75 each. We grabbed these and walked out to find some shade to enjoy them in. Said shade was found on the steps in front of Italy. We sat here and people watched for about ½ hr. As I went to the restroom I returned to a weird thing Mark had witnessed. When I left for the restroom there had been a big white pill on the concrete that looked like an Acetaminophen (hope I’m correct with my guess). A family walked by and a little boy (maybe 5ish) picked it up showed it to his dad and then popped it into his mouth. Dad saw this and did nothing and they kept walking on. Really I would have been freaking out.


We finished our biers and discussed our plan of action and decided that we should be at the IG by about 4-4:30 to head to DHS.


I had cancelled our 3:45pm adr at 50’s Prime Time so that we could have time to enjoy Epcot. So we didn’t have to be anywhere until my 1’st FP expired at 6:40pm. So with plenty of time left we went back to the German beir kiosk and Mark got another Oktoberfest while I got a Warsteiner Dunkel $9.


Here is the line at 3pm for the 5pm showing of the Processional. Whoopi was narrating tonight.


Looks like Santa was willing to wait in stand by for Whoopi.





We walked over to Japan and stopped at the Hokkaido Holiday Kitchen and got the New Year Celebration Soba: Buckwheat Soba Noodle with Spinach in Hot Soup with Shrimp Tempura or Chicken – $6.50. This was so delicious and I wish we had each gotten our own.


Come back to see what hijinks we get into.






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