lklasing 16 Posted February 2, 2014 Report Share Posted February 2, 2014 I thought of a lot of different names for this trip report as it went along – “The New Camera Trip Report” (Ray got an awesome new camera), the “Best Room View Ever Trip Report” (awesomely self-explanatory), the “Segway through Epcot Trip Report” (would have been so cool), the “I Can’t Believe We Left our Kids at Home in the Snow to go to Disney Trip Report” (to be explained in a little bit), but in light of the way everything happened, I landed on “The Trip Cut Short but Thank Goodness Everything’s OK Trip Report”. So, here we go! Last year Ray and I celebrated our 20th anniversary with two trips – a trip to WDW for just the two of us on our actual anniversary in February, and a (much bigger) trip for our whole family to Hawaii for two weeks, including a week at Disney’s Aulani on Oahu. Both trips were amazing and just a really awesome way to celebrate 20 years together. Flash forward to this year – 21 years of marriage now (well, almost!). We definitely could not even consider a big trip like the Hawaii trip had been last year, but our trip with just the two of us to WDW last winter had been so much fun and such a great break from the doldrums of winter that we decided we had to return. It helped that we had bought annual passes last year that started on the February trip, so we wanted to get one more trip in on those passes before they expired. Looking forward to this trip really helped get us through the doldrums of winter. It’s been a tough one too – lots of cold, rainy, dreary, and even snowy days. So we were thrilled when the time came to jump on a plane (no driving this time!) and hop on down to Orlando on January 28. Our girls are now in 12th and 10th grade. There was no way they could miss school, especially Danielle who wants to get to skip her final exams this semester. To get to do this, she can only miss 5 days of school this semester and she is going to use up all 5 days on another mission trip to Honduras right before spring break. So, I lined up my sweet 20-something cousin who is getting married in March to stay with the girls. They were glad to get to stay at home and we knew they would be in good hands with her. My cute cousin: We had an early morning flight – here is what the forecast for our area was on our departure day: (We are in the "Dusting" portion of that map.) I’m sure some of you know the punchline of this part of this report – things didn’t quite pan out the way they were supposed to. I’ll give y’all the Disney portion of this report first, and then the home version, and that will be it. This will be a pretty short report. We’ll just bypass for now the serious guilt and regret we were dealing with once things started to unravel at home. We landed in beautiful Orlando, zipped easily to the Boardwalk and were in sandals heading to Epcot in 80 degree sunny weather by 10:30. One of my favorite pictures each trip: While I checked in at the BWV, Ray set off to take pictures with his new camera. The scary chairs: The room wasn’t ready yet, so we headed off to Epcot to enjoy the wonderful weather and find some lunch. Even just the stroll over there was relaxing. Anyone know what this boat does? We saw it (or another just like it) going back and forth from Epcot a few times this trip. We made it to Epcot! After trying in vain to find any plush or other merchandise from Frozen in Norway (all sold out, but we did get to see Elsa and Anna as they passed through to the meet and greet area!), we grabbed lunch at the fish and chips CS spot in England – Ray’s favorite lunch in all of WDW. It was good and fresh – I completely burned the roof of my mouth almost off. After lunch, we went back to Boardwalk, where our room was ready. Let me say that we truly had the best view I’ve ever had in any room at WDW. It was so fun. Looking from left to right – it would be really cool if I knew how to put these together into one panoramic shot, but I don’t: Close up shot of Epcot, plus a bird in flight: Just loved it. Quote Link to post Share on other sites
Beckers 1,136 Posted February 2, 2014 Report Share Posted February 2, 2014 Great pics!! I am excited to see Lucy the elephant in the scary chair picture.Looking forward to the trip and glad everyone is okay! Quote Link to post Share on other sites
GOBA Mom Lynn 18 Posted February 2, 2014 Report Share Posted February 2, 2014 Nice pictures! We loved walking the Boardwalk to Epcot when we stayed at the Dolphin. Looking forward to the rest of your report. Quote Link to post Share on other sites
Momof6....aka Marty 769 Posted February 2, 2014 Report Share Posted February 2, 2014 I have never been over to the Boardwalk area, so I am loving all the pics! Looking forward to more! Quote Link to post Share on other sites
mouseketab.....Carol 1,261 Posted February 2, 2014 Report Share Posted February 2, 2014 Great pics!!! Oh, and where is that Hawaii Aulani Trip Report??!!!!!!! (or did I just miss it) Quote Link to post Share on other sites
DaveInTN 3,247 Posted February 2, 2014 Report Share Posted February 2, 2014 The new camera takes great pics. Looking forward to more! Quote Link to post Share on other sites
momof3kids-Yvonne 594 Posted February 2, 2014 Report Share Posted February 2, 2014 Great pics!!! Oh, and where is that Hawaii Aulani Trip Report??!!!!!!! (or did I just miss it)I was wondering the same thing about the Hawaii trip report.Looking forward to more on this report. Quote Link to post Share on other sites
Okieatheart 33 Posted February 2, 2014 Report Share Posted February 2, 2014 Gorgeous pictures! Can't wait to see and read more! Quote Link to post Share on other sites
GaDawgFan.....Kelly 799 Posted February 2, 2014 Report Share Posted February 2, 2014 Lucy! Lucy! Quote Link to post Share on other sites
Roller ... aka Ed 351 Posted February 2, 2014 Report Share Posted February 2, 2014 The harringbone area of the Boardwalk is VERY rough and could use some work. I thought it was going to jar my teeth out during the 10K ride across it in the handcycle. You can see how uneven it is in the photos. Really Disney ... this is supposed to be aPremium area. Spend a few bucks! Quote Link to post Share on other sites
lklasing 16 Posted February 2, 2014 Author Report Share Posted February 2, 2014 Hey everyone! Glad to have you on board! Great pics!!I am excited to see Lucy the elephant in the scary chair picture.Looking forward to the trip and glad everyone is okay! Thanks! I know there is a story behind Lucy the elephant but I can't remember what it was. It looks to me kind of like Alabama football's mascot, but I'm quite sure that's not right. Please fill me in! Nice pictures! We loved walking the Boardwalk to Epcot when we stayed at the Dolphin. Looking forward to the rest of your report. Thanks! The ability to walk to two parks is one of the best things about staying at BW. I do also love the atmosphere - it changes dramatically from day to night! Of course, nothing compares to the Fort... :) ****I have never been over to the Boardwalk area, so I am loving all the pics! Looking forward to more!**** Oops - I messed up your quote, Marty. Sorry, but I'm glad you're here! Great pics!!! Oh, and where is that Hawaii Aulani Trip Report??!!!!!!! (or did I just miss it) You know, I started on a trip report from Hawaii and got all the way through our first week on Kona but fizzled around the time we got to Aulani. No idea why, other than I'm sure life got in the way. I always try to get the reports pretty substantially completed before I start posting so I don't abandon ship. If y'all don't mind wading through a Hawaii but non-Disney week, I might could use that time to get the Aulani part shaped up. Let me see if I can find what I started... The new camera takes great pics. Looking forward to more! Thanks! It's a fun camera and Ray really enjoyed being the photographer this trip! I was wondering the same thing about the Hawaii trip report.Looking forward to more on this report. Thanks, Yvonne! Gorgeous pictures! Can't wait to see and read more! Thanks! Glad you're reading! Lucy! Lucy! I'm guessing this is about Lucy that elephant again. I've got to be brought up to date on her! The harringbone area of the Boardwalk is VERY rough and could use some work. I thought it was going to jar my teeth out during the 10K ride across it in the handcycle. You can see how uneven it is in the photos. Really Disney ... this is supposed to be aPremium area. Spend a few bucks! You're absolutely right, Ed. It's definitely a rough area. I never thought about how that would be in a handcycle or even a wheelchair. I do know one thing though - a wet boardwalk and Tom's (the shoe) do not mix - I busted my butt pretty hard Wednesday morning going to get breakfast. Lesson learned there. Thanks, y'all, for reading and commenting! Quote Link to post Share on other sites
alexwyattmommy 181 Posted February 2, 2014 Report Share Posted February 2, 2014 Did I make the first page? Looking forward to more. Great pictures so far. Quote Link to post Share on other sites
Katman1356...Jason 1,140 Posted February 2, 2014 Report Share Posted February 2, 2014 Count me in. I would also love to see the Hawaii trip. It is definitely on our list of places we want to go. Quote Link to post Share on other sites
dvccamper 32 Posted February 2, 2014 Report Share Posted February 2, 2014 Wow, those pictures are beautiful! Looking forward to reading more, and thank you for letting us know in the title that everything is going to end up okay (it's the mother in me, I just have to know immediately "Is everyone alright??" haha). Quote Link to post Share on other sites
DramaMama .......... Janet 75 Posted February 2, 2014 Report Share Posted February 2, 2014 I'm in! Have I ever made 1st page TR??? Quote Link to post Share on other sites
GaDawgFan.....Kelly 799 Posted February 2, 2014 Report Share Posted February 2, 2014 Lucy the Elephant is a landmark in Margate, NJ. (That's where my parents grew up.)http://www.lucytheelephant.org/index.php?option=com_content&view=article&id=43&Itemid=18 Quote Link to post Share on other sites
lklasing 16 Posted February 2, 2014 Author Report Share Posted February 2, 2014 Did I make the first page? Looking forward to more. Great pictures so far. Thanks! Glad you're here! Count me in. I would also love to see the Hawaii trip. It is definitely on our list of places we want to go. Thanks! I'll try to dig the Hawaii TR up when I get done with this one. Won't be too long as this one is gonna be pretty short! Wow, those pictures are beautiful! Looking forward to reading more, and thank you for letting us know in the title that everything is going to end up okay (it's the mother in me, I just have to know immediately "Is everyone alright??" haha). Thanks! Yup - I'm the same way - that's why I started with the end - everything being ok, thankfully! I'm in! Have I ever made 1st page TR??? You made it! Glad you're here! Lucy the Elephant is a landmark in Margate, NJ. (That's where my parents grew up.)http://www.lucytheelephant.org/index.php?option=com_content&view=article&id=43&Itemid=18 Ah - thanks, Kelly! I knew there was a story and now I know what it is! Quote Link to post Share on other sites
lklasing 16 Posted February 3, 2014 Author Report Share Posted February 3, 2014 After getting settled in, we headed back to Epcot to catch our FP for Soarin’ and then went to dinner somewhere completely new for us – Restaurant Marrakesh. It was great! This was the cutest scene I think I’ve ever seen at a character interaction: Something was being filmed in England. Y’all let me know if you know what this was. The girl in the red shirt and the girl with the black hat and sunglasses seemed to be someone – I just don’t know who! With Ray’s new camera, we weren’t as good at shooting selfies as we normally have been on these trips: (Sorry! I know that’s a little scary!) Made it to Morocco! After supper, we headed back to our room to watch fireworks, first Wishes and then Illuminations! Wishes: Illuminations: Up next: Ray’s first trip to Universal! Quote Link to post Share on other sites
Memphis 105 Posted February 3, 2014 Report Share Posted February 3, 2014 I'm in. :pc: Quote Link to post Share on other sites
alexwyattmommy 181 Posted February 3, 2014 Report Share Posted February 3, 2014 The red headed girl in the red shirt is from Shake It Up. Don't ask. The pictures are really good. Does he like his camera? Quote Link to post Share on other sites
momof3kids-Yvonne 594 Posted February 3, 2014 Report Share Posted February 3, 2014 The red headed girl in the red shirt is from Shake It Up. Don't ask. According to my dds her name is Bella Thorne. Quote Link to post Share on other sites
kampfirekim 260 Posted February 3, 2014 Report Share Posted February 3, 2014 Yay! :jumpforjoy: I am all in! Beautiful view!! That would have been a great TR name for sure! But I have a feeling this story is going to get more ingteresting than it already is. You look as lovely as ever! Quote Link to post Share on other sites
Starbuc71 162 Posted February 3, 2014 Report Share Posted February 3, 2014 I hope you visited Jellyrolls on the boardwalk. That is mine and my wife's favorite place to party at Disney when the kids are not with us (which isn't very often). They don't advertise this place much and many people don't know about it. This dueling piano bar has had the same entertainers here for years and your guaranteed to have a good time. I can't even imagine what the rates on your room was. I looked for rooms last week and saw them for over $600 a night...ouch. Gotta love camping :) Quote Link to post Share on other sites
DaveInTN 3,247 Posted February 3, 2014 Report Share Posted February 3, 2014 Like both Annie and Yvonne's dentist said....that girl is from Shake It Up. That show is one of the reasons we got rid of our cable a couple years back. Your view is awesome....imagine being able to watch both fireworks from one balcony! Nice. Quote Link to post Share on other sites
Tri-Circle-D 2,059 Posted February 3, 2014 Report Share Posted February 3, 2014 Anyone know what this boat does? We saw it (or another just like it) going back and forth from Epcot a few times this trip. That's a fuel boat. They use it to bring gas to all of the boats that they use around Epcot. There are similar boats that travel around Bay Lake and the Seven Seas Lagoon. I hope you visited Jellyrolls on the boardwalk. That is mine and my wife's favorite place to party at Disney when the kids are not with us (which isn't very often). They don't advertise this place much and many people don't know about it. This dueling piano bar has had the same entertainers here for years and your guaranteed to have a good time. I can't even imagine what the rates on your room was. I looked for rooms last week and saw them for over $600 a night...ouch. Gotta love camping :) I agree. It's been a while since I've been to Jellyrolls, but it is a very fun place. Much more fun than it sounds. TCD Quote Link to post Share on other sites
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