Disney Day 8 - Last Day at CBR-Characters and Trains

Our last day at the Caribbean Beach Resort. We really liked it here, unfortunately, we have been spoiled at the Poly and Grand Floridian... although, CBR was fantastically nice, it was also a bit older and in dire need of a remodel. Alas, the pool is getting a super makeover, so the Imagineers thought of it WAY before we did. It is one of the older resorts now and it showed a bit. Don't get me wrong, it was GORGEOUS... just lacked a little Disney sparkle for us. It definitely has potential. It is super huge, so I know that was an issue for some people, however, we were at Martinique and we didn't have a problem with that. You could watch Epcot Illuminations from out beach and it was peaceful. Just something missing, we cannot put our finger on. I miss the Poly... haha
Anyways, our last day here, and we move to The Boardwalk tomorrow for our extra day!
Too cute!




This bright and beautiful day, we are heading to Chef Mickey's Character Breakfast at The Contemporary Resort.


This is by far, one of the best character breakfasts... we were a little disappointed with this visit... but I would definitely come back to this one. Too many GREAT previous visits. Last visit we did Chef Mickey's twice... and one time before that with my parents, sister, brother and sis in law. So one time... eh... no biggie, it still turned out nice, just a rough start, thats all.
Tyler had a BLAST and thats all that matters!



Ty and Donald


Ty and Goofy... Goofy noticed Ty's shirt with Goofy on the front...


Ty with Minnie


Ty and Pluto


Hell yeah I wore my ears!

They did the celebration thing again where everyone waves their napkins above their heads... very cute. Tyler got into this!

Inside the Contemporary Resort... The new store on the concourse...

They had this display made out of chocolate...




After breakfast, we walked to Magic Kingdom for a quick visit.



Cute topiary tree (elephant on a ball)

We walked into and decided to ride the train. The night before, when we got the rice crispy treats, we bought a Disney Train for under our tree back home. The cast member that waited on us told us to talk to the cast conductors when we get to MK and they will let Tyler be a guest conductor... as long as he could say “All Aboard!” Tim found the conductor and asked him and he was thrilled! So we went to the back. People are funny. When they see you getting something, you can see the jealousy. SO...we head to the back and there is this family following us... they pushed their way through and tried to sit where we were supposed to. They had a little boy who you could tell was dying to be a guest conductor. We laughed at the brat and were so excited that Ty got...haha of course we didn't do that...especially in DISNEY! Its not his fault his parents are pushy and jealous. Tim and I asked the conductor if the little boy could do the conductor duties with Tyler. The little boy was so excited. The couple said thank you through gritted teeth actually. Very odd. So we had another stop and we all sat down assuming that another child would get a chance... NO WAY! The parents had the nerve to ask if their child could do it by himself!!! Can you believe that! Oh well...It turned out incredible for Tyler! He LOVED it and had a complete blast! We were so proud of his “All Aboard!” It was a dream come true for Tyler!



On the way out, there was a Family Fun Day Parade! Too cute! As I walked out I remembered I needed to get something...so Tim and Ty started ahead of me. As I walked out, I heard Grand Old Flag then God Bless America..both songs are very special to my family. Every family event ends with God Bless America... it made me miss my Mom-mom, but made me smile because I knew she was there with me...


As I walked out, I saw Mickey ears on the turnstiles and I thought...Hmmm, is that Tyler's.... sure enough, it had his name on it. The cast member handed it over to me...I was pretty sure it was Tyler's...when we caught up to each other... turns out, Tyler DID just lose them... they were his! Its a small world after all... I know, I know...bad joke. haha .. but if the hat fits... ok I know its shoe... but I am on roll. haha

We rode the monorail back, just for fun :)

The Contemporary resort was the first stop... as most know... the monorail rides right through the building.

I stayed here my first trip ever to WDW... I was 5 :)
Here is some new construction going on at the Contemporary Resort... Rumored to be DVC rooms.

We got off and rode down to the concourse...
We went back to the resort, packed up, relaxed and decided to head to MGM to see The Osbourne Light Spectacular.... WOW! It was SPECTACULAR! INCREDIBLE!

Wall to wall lights... pictures do not do this justice... you just gotta see it in person!

Stunning! AND they made it snow here as well! Old chirstmas carols played as you walked down the block... it was just an incredible feeling!


We got back to the resort... I snapped a couple pictures while Tim and Ty ventured into the arcade one last time...

Each resort had a gingerbread house, or something made out of food to get into the holiday spirit :)
Here is Caribbean Beach's Gingerbread Hut...

We went outside to watch the fireworks again from our beach... We had a great view!
Here is a view from Tyler's perspective...of course spent most of the time on daddy's shoulders :)





We filled our mugs with hot chocolate and went back to the room, finished packing up, put on our pjs, snuggled...and dreamed on our extra Disney Day!

Next up...
The Boardwalk, and Epcot!

Disney Day 7 (Part 2)

So we rest up and get ready for the Hoop De Doo Revue. I went as a child and I had fond memories. I remember playing the washboard and singing standing on a chair. I remember the whole show and everyone laughing. I think I was 6. I was hoping that it didn't change much ;) Getting there was tricky. We missed the entrance and finally found out that we had to take a bus back through the campgrounds to the Pioneer Hall. We met a nice family who had a Disney Vacation Club. We want to have one one day. We got a lot of great info. We got there and stood in line with our tickets and got our picture taken. I saved it of course. haha I took a picture of the picture with my computer..

We got in another line to go inside... I was getting worried, I didn't remember all this "waiting". I guess I became an impatient 12 year old once again. haha
We got inside and got our drinks RIGHT away with the cornbread. Then the show started... The actors came out and sang a song and introduced the "vittles" were on the way to the tables... I think they even had a cow bell or triangle or something that they hit as the servers brought the food out. It was "All you can eat"...but there was SO much food from the get-go. BBQ pork RIbs that Tim and Ty loved, Fried Chicken, Mashed Potatoes, Corn, Baked Beans, Salad... So much food. It was so good. Then the show started.

Ty was mesmerized...

Someone got engaged, so they made a big thing with that. Hoop Dee Doo engagement... They sang a song about where you were from...all in jest. They were rather humorous and entertaining.
Towards the end, they brought out the washboard! Tyler LOVED IT! He was very serious about his wash board playing...haha People got a kick out of it... A lady stopped us when the show was over and asked how old he was... she said that she could tell he loved music. She was impressed.

I was there...haha

They brought out Strawberry Shortcake for dessert...but we were so full.
We headed out and decided to go to Downtown Disney to check out the hand-dipped rice crispy treats that we read all about on the Disboards.

You can get a lot of things hand-dipped... white or dark chocolate...Apples, Marshmallows, Cookies...rice crispy treats...etc. you can then add toppings like crushed butterfinger, m&ms, oreo cookies, nuts, etc... You fill out an order and them make it and chill it right there for everything to set. They were incredible... One bite is enough (unless you are a sugar fiend) haha Then you are in trouble.
Check them out...
Tim's

Mine and Ty's

They wrapped them in gift boxes and we packed them up and took them back to the resort.
We were STILL full from the Hoop De Doo Revue Dinner.
On the way out, there was a little Christmas Train ride for the kiddies... Ty got on and rode 3 or 4 times... It was tough to pry him off. haha
We caught this picture by accident, but the lights made a heart... so perfect for Disney...
haha
Check it out...

We finally got back to the resort...We were SOOO tired! haha Ty cuddled up with his monchichi that he named on his own, so perfectly... "Baby Tim". I had NOTHING to do with it. Its precious.

We had a fantastic, exciting day!

Next up... Day 8
Chef Mickey's, Magic Kingdom, Ty the conductor, MGM, Osbourne Light Spectacular, Fireworks...

Day 7 - Disney is Dangerous (Part one)

OK, so I have not kept up on this trippie, I know, I know...maybe a psychological thing that I don't want it to be over. haha
Day 7...
Disney is dangerous!
Today we ventured off to Epcot once again. we Had one more day left in Disney...so we were a little sad. This trip has been INCREDIBLE.




This has been a very Epcot-centric trip. We hit Animal Kingdom once. It was just way tooo crowded. (Supposed to be slow season). The next trip we will hang there a little more. We just are loving us some Epcot and all the holiday spirit mixed in. There is just an energy in the air here that is addicting. Dangerous I tell ya.
Here is The Santa in Canada...


First stop, right before Canada, we pick Tyler up some chicken nuggets... We then head over to the UK and I get in line for our fish and chips while Tim waits with Tyler and the beers.


Boddingtons for Tim and Bass Ale for me. (We have had this tradition since our honeymoon) I am the first in line, being the expert, I know when they open up :) People start to notice and this gigantic line forms behind me. haha The window opens and the cast members are entertaining... We just get one Fish and Chips to share cause it is a lot of food, and we have a lot of walking to do ;)

We head into the pub, where it is empty...Tim played some bar tricks with the bartender, as Tyler got a little antsy. I told Tim to hang out and drink another and I would take Ty over to the KidCot area where he can color a special mask. It is pretty cool, each country has a special charm that you can collect. Tyler might have been a little young for it, but he caught on quickly and loved it!

We met up with Tim and he had a great time. I said, "hey, go get another for our walk and meet us in France". haha Pretty cool of me, huh?!
Canada, then UK...now France. We didn't even have to go through security. haha So Ty and I venture to France and see Papa Noel, the French Santa. We got a picture with him too.


So we wait, and wait...still no Tim... We walk around a little and I see him on the phone. Hmmm, suspicious.

I was getting a little excited, because the look in his eye made me think something cool was up... remember, I said Disney was dangerous?! WELL, he surprised us and put a hurting on our credit card... He added another Day! He booked us another night, however, Caribbean Beach was booked, but he found a night at The Boardwalk (Deluxe resort, more expensive)... but hey, it's Christmas, we are in Disney, and you are supposed to act like a spoiled child, right?! haha Disney puts you in that state of mind of “no worries”, that's probably part of the reason you don't want to leave.


We were buzzing with excitement and the UK beers... we went to Morocco and saw Princess Jasmine,

and Japan had the drum show,

USA, visited the train garden,


Italy


where we had a “time out”,
This picture is too cute...haha


Germany, more trains and Snow White and Dopey...




At this point you can imagine... We were literally floating. Extreme happiness just radiating. It is pretty exciting...my dad used to surprise us and add an extra day...and it brought back all that childlike excitement. Sigh... You rock Tim!





Next...China, Norway and Mexico... we collected all of our KidCot charms. We decided to head back... have a swim and nap. The Mousekeepers set up Ty's stuffed animals and Wully's (lovey) and a towel animal. Don't know why, but we thought it was the coolest thing to get one!


We have the HOOP DE DOO Revue tonite!!!
I have not done this since I was a child and have very fond memories. I could not wait to show Tim and Tyler. I hope it didn't change much!
Coming up...
HoopDeDoo and Rice Crispy Treats too!