We all can't be Princesses, just put on your big girl tiara and deal with it... (4/2)

[typhoonlagooner]

Dates: March 11th to March 15th, 2008
Where: Disney’s Grand Floridian Resort
Who: Kip and Ty

Yup, that’s right, no cute kids or senile seniors this trip. No worries though, I somehow came back with a staggering total of 600 pictures. Usually we return with pictures of me not even paying attention, awkward faces and poses, etc. There’s always one guilty party for these pictures too… the mom

I take my map time very serious…
http://i16.photobucket.com/albums/b48/BostonBeanah/September%20Disney%20World/MapatAK.jpg

There’s an angle most don’t get to see of the Crystal Palace… and my nose…
http://i16.photobucket.com/albums/b48/BostonBeanah/September%20Disney%20World/IMG_2026.jpg

Seriously mom? I look like I’m in freakin’ labor…
http://i16.photobucket.com/albums/b48/BostonBeanah/September%20Disney%20World/IMG_2135.jpg

This trip we left mom behind and embarked on a nice little couple’s getaway filled with conference related mornings and cell phone antics… pretty romantic eh? Slap “the Grand Floridian” on anything and it sounds romantic to me… I was good.

I had my hesitations about this trip though. How would the parks be? I don’t “do” crowds… not even remotely. Kip knows this… he calls it ridiculous… but Mr. Fast Pass nazi has his own crowd issues too, don’t let him fool you. What about the Grand Floridian? How’s the girl in flips and board shorts going to feel here? There is nothing “princess” about this *hand gestures around body*. Could I really enjoy it… I had become pretty content in my little square value room with the scary toilets.

To be honest, I had said no to Kip at first … passed… zippo… nadda… forget it; I told him I’d rather go in September; my elastic waist board shorts make something like free dinning a breeze! That lasted about 5 hours and 17 minutes though... don’t tell me you didn’t see that coming.

So it was settled and booked… but would the Grand Floridian bring out the inner princess buried deep, and I mean deep, within me? Would I reach the ultimate park meltdown with wall to wall people? Would Kip still love me after all this?! Guess you’ll just have to read and find out…

INDEX:
Day 1.1 A new kind of corral, photography fugitive, and “I think that’s too small for you”: Page 1
Day 1.2 Dinner with 8 strangers, the return of E-ride nights, and camera challenged: Page 1 - 2

[typhoonlagooner]

It never ceases to amaze me how animals sense when you’re leaving. The cat was mounting my luggage as if she was going to let everyone know it’s "hers" and the dogs were… well… still out cold on the bed. They don’t get up before 9am most mornings… apparently this was no different. “Grandma” will be taking care of them while we’re away; I’m sure I’ll come back to pictures of them licking themselves and sniffing each other… I’d expect nothing less from her… thanks mom.

Patiently waiting for Santa Paws…
http://i16.photobucket.com/albums/b48/BostonBeanah/Disney%2008%20first%20day/bear.jpg

A rare sight…
http://i16.photobucket.com/albums/b48/BostonBeanah/Disney%2008%20first%20day/Bauer.jpg

I arrived at the airport a little on the early side but was surprised to find my gate had a lot of conference and business folk. I figured this has to be a good sign, maybe Spring Break wasn’t going to be so bad after all? I spread the word around (aka I called my mommy).

Disney here I come…
http://i16.photobucket.com/albums/b48/BostonBeanah/Disney%2008%20first%20day/SouthwestGate.jpg

As I was listening to my ipod and people watching (those business folk are a fun bunch to watch), I heard an announcement: “Now boarding group A, Flight 3456 to Austin, TX at Gate 26” Suddently the conference and business folk ditched me in swarms…look at me go with my assumptions.

The business friendly Austin plane…
http://i16.photobucket.com/albums/b48/BostonBeanah/Disney%2008%20first%20day/planeatRDUgate-1.jpg

Soon it was our time to board and our Southwest boarder managed to cram an entire 2 page instruction manual into a 30sec spiel. Thankfully, the folks at Southwest are far from geniuses and the boarding process is pretty logical if you know your letters and numbers.

Because I was A 56, it meant that I could board with group A but as the last 5 passengers out of the first 60. Instead of the old tripod corral they now have metal pole corrals. One side reads 1-30, the other 31-60. When A has finished loading, they spin the pole to show that B is now loading. 2 page instruction manual for this people… 2 page.

The new pole corrals… bravo Southwest… bravo…
http://i16.photobucket.com/albums/b48/BostonBeanah/Disney%2008%20first%20day/SouthwestRDU.jpg

I was the 56th person to board or 57th cause I’m pretty sure A 59 cut me off, and headed towards the back of the plane. I assumed the position in my usual window seat right behind the wing, buckled up and waited for 61 thru whatever to board. The flight wasn’t sold out and there were very few families on board. Maybe my assumptions were right, perhaps crowds weren’t going to be that bad afterall… it was either that or the plane was going to Austin after it stopped in MCO.

The view from window seat…
http://i16.photobucket.com/albums/b48/BostonBeanah/Disney%2008%20first%20day/viewfromseat.jpg

Nobody physically sat next to me but there was a young woman around my age in the aisle seat with a very granola/emo/punk look to her. I’m never one to judge and offered to hold her coffee while she got situated. I usually engage people to see how they react/interact... she passed… we were good… she could stay.

I had wanted to take pictures of the take off but was really confused about what “turn off ALL electronic devices” meant. Did this mean ALL including a digital camera? What could my camera do to the plane? Turning off a cell phone I get… Kip explained it to me one time… something about the signal, service, chip, or whatever…I admit I lost interest in that conversation. I’ve seen enough CSIs and Law and Orders to understand the true wrath of a cell phone though.

I smuggled the camera out of my bag and quickly slipped it between me and the window while the plane was pulling back from the gate. I was stealth and smooth but I’m pretty sure I scared the granola/emo/punk girl. I think at that moment I had “terrorist” written all over my forehead without even trying. This wouldn’t be the first time.

When I was trying to fly back from our Carnival Cruise I quickly pushed everything off the cabin table into my carry-on bag since we were running so late. As I was going through security at MCO he froze on my backpack. Turns out there was a butter knife from breakfast in there… right next to the scuba mask, snorkel, and cloth napkin. I had pulled an all-nighter and was surprised I was even able to eat breakfast never mind “pack” a knife.

The cabin table in question…
http://i16.photobucket.com/albums/b48/BostonBeanah/Cruisecabin.jpg

I smiled at her and quickly scanned the aisle trying to see where the fight attendants were. That probably didn’t make her feel any more comfortable. As the attendant came by to check our chairs and tray tables I shielded the camera from view. I was going to do this… there was no turning back… heck it’s even in my blood… you’ve seen my mom’s work!?

Take off…
http://i16.photobucket.com/albums/b48/BostonBeanah/Disney%2008%20first%20day/depatureview.jpg

Once in the air the flight was smooth and uneventful. I scanned the skymall and snacked on some peanuts. Southwest spared me two packs this flight… I was livin’ the high life baby.

Crossing over the Florida Coastline…
http://i16.photobucket.com/albums/b48/BostonBeanah/Disney%2008%20first%20day/FLcoast.jpg

The last two flights to MCO have provided great views of Spaceship Earth and the Swan and Dolphin as I landed. I had the camera ready, kept an eye out for the flight attendants, and was ready to grab some pictures; granola/emo/punk girl was out cold, I was glad… didn’t want to scare her again.

We were getting closer and closer to landing but nothing looked familiar. It “looked” like FL but where were the high rises? Where was the ball? Oh there it is… on the other side of the plane… across the aisle.

The only landing shot I grabbed…
http://i16.photobucket.com/albums/b48/BostonBeanah/Disney%2008%20first%20day/arrivalview.jpg

Landing was smooth, even with that forceful stop that sent me a few inches off my seat. To be honest, it takes a lot of force to do something like that with this double threat of thunder thighs and back side. I know right? Look at this princess go! We disembarked and I stepped into a nearly empty terminal.

Now your probably thinking, hey wait a minute, where’s this Kip guy? You’d be right if you thought he was MIA, he ditched me too… it must be a conference thing. He was flying from a different airport this morning because of work and would be meeting me at MCO about an hour after I landed.

My first ride… notice how empty the area was?!
http://i16.photobucket.com/albums/b48/BostonBeanah/Disney%2008%20first%20day/MCOmonorail.jpg

I scared two college spring breakers with my attempt at this shot…
http://i16.photobucket.com/albums/b48/BostonBeanah/Disney%2008%20first%20day/MCOmonorailview.jpg

Inside the main terminal, looking up at the Hyatt…
http://i16.photobucket.com/albums/b48/BostonBeanah/Disney%2008%20first%20day/MCOHyatt.jpg

That hour took forever and I managed to tour both Disney, Sea World, and Universal stores multiple times, got lost 4 times, hit the bathroom twice, and overall was bored out of my mind. Perhaps if I had Kip’s credit card to actually buy things, my experience would have been different.

We met up in one of the Disney stores (making it my 5th visit), grabbed some Chic-fil-a for Kip and headed towards the Magical Express desk. I had never seen the airport so empty, flying in during the week really has its advantages!

The walk to Magical Express is ridiculously long especially when your trying to carry two backpacks and a drink 'cause your man’s stuffing a chicken sandwich in his mouth. Ok that’s a slight exaggeration; he did carry one of the backpacks. There was no time to physically sit and eat, I wanted to get to the resort. Walk and chew babe… walk and chew.

There was a very short line for ME and check-in was a breeze. We were directed to line 2 (or 3) which shared with the Polynesian. Very few families were waiting, and we ended up getting a bus quickly that would share with the Wilderness Lodge, Contemporary, Polynesian, and Grand Floridian.

A newer Disney Cruise line bus with larger screens…
http://i16.photobucket.com/albums/b48/BostonBeanah/Disney%2008%20first%20day/newMEbus.jpg

The ride was looonnnggg and I’d say it was almost 90mins before we got to the Grand Floridian from the time we boarded the bus. Kip couldn’t stand the wait and was going to get off at the WL to catch a boat and monorail over. Surprisingly we were the only ones to get off at the Grand Floridian.

Passing the Nick Hotel…
http://i16.photobucket.com/albums/b48/BostonBeanah/Disney%2008%20first%20day/nickhotel.jpg

Cruising down World Drive… hiya Epcot!
http://i16.photobucket.com/albums/b48/BostonBeanah/Disney%2008%20first%20day/epcotworlddrive.jpg

Welcome to the Magic Kingdom area... notice the lack of cars?
http://i16.photobucket.com/albums/b48/BostonBeanah/Disney%2008%20first%20day/MagicKingdomSign.jpg

Our first stop… the Wilderness Lodge…
http://i16.photobucket.com/albums/b48/BostonBeanah/Disney%2008%20first%20day/WildernessLodgeME.jpg

I’ve posted a full review of the resort here:
http://www.disboards.com/showthread.php?p=23947926#post23947926&highlight=grand+floridian+trip+report

The remainder of the post is continued below...

[typhoonlagooner]

Once we were in the room, Kip couldn’t wait to get out, all that time on Magical Express was really hurtin’ him. Our next mission was to rent boats from the Marina but I was still soaking in all the ‘deluxe’ features like queen beds, two sinks, and a balcony. I’m a simple girl, I admit it.

We strolled down to the Marina, with camera in pocket. I wasn’t sure if they allowed you to take pictures from the sea racers or not and I really didn’t want to get trouble out there. I’ll be honest… the patrol boat people scare me. I never asked and my fugitive-like behavior continued.

We rented two water mice and were directed to grab a life jacket. I grabbed for an Adult Medium and Kip gave me this odd look. As I tried to clip it, I noticed it was a little on the tight side. Before I even had a chance to adjust the straps Kip remarked “I think that’s too small for you”… thanks babe, love you too, this trip’s going to be a blast.

A lil’ Ty on her first Disney boating excursion…
http://i16.photobucket.com/albums/b48/BostonBeanah/Disney%2008%20first%20day/sill1stboat.jpg

I sized up to a Large which meant that when I was sitting, the shoulders of the vest practically went up to my ears. I was totally sporting the “little kid floating in the pool with the oversized life jacket” look… how ya like me now Kip?

Once “vested” we were taken through a very nice safety spiel complete with display watercraft. We’ve taken boats out at POR and DTD so this wasn’t exactly “new” to us, but he was putting that Southwest guy to shame… ah the Disney difference! We were reminded of the no wake zones and boarded our watercrafts.

We pulled away from the marina as clouds loomed in the distance. It was a perfect day to rent boats, ok minus the sun part, but it was by no means hot and there was such an amazing breeze on the lake. This was a highlight of our trip…

Pulling out of the Marina…
http://i16.photobucket.com/albums/b48/BostonBeanah/Disney%2008%20first%20day/pullingoutofmarina.jpg

Looking straight out to the Contemporary…
http://i16.photobucket.com/albums/b48/BostonBeanah/Disney%2008%20first%20day/CRtowers.jpg

Kip, his cell, and Space Mountain...
http://i16.photobucket.com/albums/b48/BostonBeanah/Disney%2008%20first%20day/kipincracers.jpg

Into Bay Lake we go… wee!
http://i16.photobucket.com/albums/b48/BostonBeanah/Disney%2008%20first%20day/contemporary.jpg

Hanging a right to the Wilderness Lodge…
http://i16.photobucket.com/albums/b48/BostonBeanah/Disney%2008%20first%20day/wildernesslodgefromblake.jpg

A glimpse of the geyser…
http://i16.photobucket.com/albums/b48/BostonBeanah/Disney%2008%20first%20day/WLgeyser.jpg

The remains of River Country…
http://i16.photobucket.com/albums/b48/BostonBeanah/Disney%2008%20first%20day/Rivercountry2.jpg

http://i16.photobucket.com/albums/b48/BostonBeanah/Disney%2008%20first%20day/Rivercountry.jpg

And a baby Ty who once enjoyed the park…
http://i16.photobucket.com/albums/b48/BostonBeanah/Disney%2008%20first%20day/RiverCountrydays.jpg

The view from the marina area of Fort Wilderness…
http://i16.photobucket.com/albums/b48/BostonBeanah/Disney%2008%20first%20day/viewfromFWbeach.jpg

The Contemporary and construction from Bay Lake…
http://i16.photobucket.com/albums/b48/BostonBeanah/Disney%2008%20first%20day/CastlebetweenCR.jpg

Back into the Seven Seas Lagoon we go…
http://i16.photobucket.com/albums/b48/BostonBeanah/Disney%2008%20first%20day/MkviewfromCRace.jpg

The Grand Floridian and beach area…
http://i16.photobucket.com/albums/b48/BostonBeanah/Disney%2008%20first%20day/GrandFloridian.jpg

http://i16.photobucket.com/albums/b48/BostonBeanah/Disney%2008%20first%20day/GFmainbuildingandbeach.jpg

The Polynesian…
http://i16.photobucket.com/albums/b48/BostonBeanah/Disney%2008%20first%20day/Polynesian.jpg

Kip and the castle from Polynesian waters…
http://i16.photobucket.com/albums/b48/BostonBeanah/Disney%2008%20first%20day/kipandcastle.jpg

Kip and the monorail as we pull back into the Marina…
http://i16.photobucket.com/albums/b48/BostonBeanah/Disney%2008%20first%20day/kipandmonorail.jpg

[mom_of_3_70737]

Loving the report! Keep it up! We are going in September and soooo ready!

[typhoonlagooner]

Loving the report! Keep it up! We are going in September and soooo ready!

Thanks... working on the next installment now...

We went in September last year and absolutely loved it!

[bbwfan]

Love your trip report!!! We travel as a couple too and you see Disney with totally new eyes...

[irky416]

I'm enjoying your report so far!

I would love to take boats out on the water sometime. It sounds like it was fun.

[stagemomx3]

:love: Love the report, I've already caused my family to burst into laughter by reading parts of it to them. I can't wait to see if your inner princess breaks out!

[typhoonlagooner]

Love your trip report!!! We travel as a couple too and you see Disney with totally new eyes...

You really do; It's kind of nice actually! Kip thinks its the same thing as two other people but we just hold hands :sad2: although this is the same person who said making love was "the same thing except we say I love you"... sharing feelings is not one of his better qualities :ssst: Frankly as long as he keeps sending me to Disney every year... we can overlook that flaw.

Thanks for reading...

I'm enjoying your report so far!

I would love to take boats out on the water sometime. It sounds like it was fun.

I highly recommend it! I was always really hesitant about boating on the lagoon, especially with all the ferrys. The last thing I wanted was to cause an accident and have it be plastered all over Dis when I returned home. The boats are very easy to control and when going full speed. they steer similar to a car. The area is so beautiful and it was such a fun start to the vacation!

Thanks for reading...

:love: Love the report, I've already caused my family to burst into laughter by reading parts of it to them. I can't wait to see if your inner princess breaks out!

:laughing: Glad I could share the laughter. She starts peaking through the cracks in the next installment... I blame the plastic beads and paper crown though :rolleyes1

Thanks for reading...

Just need to finish uploading some pics but I'm hoping to have the next installment up by tonight the latest:

"Dinner with 8 strangers, the return of E-ride nights, and camera challenged"

[nanlou]

What fun! So far we've only ever visited as a family.... I imagine it would be really nice to go as a couple, with no "hangers on." I wonder if I could ever convince DH .... :cloud9:

[wendy3]

A couple of trip reports I was following just finished up, and a couple more are pretty slow in the new installments department, so I was ready for a new writer. With a title like yours, who can resist?? Loving your report!!:thumbsup2

[hlrababy]

Your report is cracking me up!!! I can't wait to hear the rest of it!!

[ArmyWife3-4]

I'm in for the long haul! Looking forward to hearing more! Your photos are great! As said above, I love seeing WDW through different eyes. No DH for my next trip so we'll see how that goes with the family!

[k_reile]

A rare sight…
http://i16.photobucket.com/albums/b48/BostonBeanah/Disney%2008%20first%20day/Bauer.jpg


Awww...how cute. I would never be able to get a sleeping picture of my chihiuaha...his head perks up with just the slightest movement. That is why he does not sleep with us because the one night we tried it...none of us got any sleep that is including the dog.

[typhoonlagooner]

Just to recap, our “romantic couple’s getaway” has started with two separate flights and nearly an hour in two different boats… yet we were both having a blast. Not sure if that’s a good thing or not.

After our high seas adventure we headed back up to the room to change and get organized for tonight. Kip was able to get tickets for the Pirate and Princess party and since they were allowing guests in at 4pm, it meant we didn’t need to buy an extra day on our tickets. This would be our only time at the Magic Kingdom…

I had big plans in the clothing department for this party. I lurked around the DISboutique forum and cafepress and came up with some pretty creative ideas for home made t-shirts. A couple of slogans I was looking at:
“Barbossa/Sparrow 08”
“Insta-pirate, just add dole whip”
“Party checklist… parrot… eye patch… arghh practice”
“Why be Royality when Pirates get all the booty?”

I then realized that we wouldn’t be engaging in any photo ops and my time and effort would be… well… worthless. I took my focus in a different direction and found a “nerd pirate” shirt for Kip and a Goonies t-shirt for me online. I figured we could at least go “themed”.

A little after 4pm we left the resort, him in a black Disney shirt and me in a grey Old Navy shirt (as you can see, my intensions never actually materialize) and headed for the Magic Kingdom. We had a plan, hit all the attractions that we knew would be closed during Party: Jungle Cruise, Hall of Presidents, etc. We had a reservation at the Plaza for dinner around 6p and the park was closing at 7pm so time was short.

I’ve always been one to ‘over look’ the monorail. Kip thinks it’s a cool idea and design and a great time saver… whatever star wars nerd… it’s a “fancy train”. Well folks… in a matter of 5mins, we had boarded an empty monorail car, had an amazing view of the resort area, and was at the gates of the Magic Kingdom… I didn’t even have time to take a freakin’ picture. He’s crazy if he thought a “value bus” would hack it after that.

Empty monorail platform at the resort…
http://i16.photobucket.com/albums/b48/BostonBeanah/Post%202/1.jpg

Once in the park we hung a left into Adventureland and noticed that the Jungle Cruise had a 40min wait. We grabbed fast passes and headed towards Liberty Square. The walkways were pretty congested but as we were passing Pirates, I noticed it only had a 10min wait! I dragged Kip on but how do you pass an attraction like Pirates with a 10min wait when you haven’t been on a single ride!?

Welcome banner… fancy-smanchy eh?
http://i16.photobucket.com/albums/b48/BostonBeanah/Post%202/2.jpg (http://i16.photobucket.com/albums/b48/BostonBeanah/Post%202/2.jpg)

My enchanted adventure with plastic beads and paper crown awaits…
http://i16.photobucket.com/albums/b48/BostonBeanah/Post%202/3.jpg (http://i16.photobucket.com/albums/b48/BostonBeanah/Post%202/3.jpg)

And this was the next sign… it’s Disney’s mission to make me a princess…
http://i16.photobucket.com/albums/b48/BostonBeanah/Post%202/4.jpg (http://i16.photobucket.com/albums/b48/BostonBeanah/Post%202/4.jpg)

Castle sighting with crowds…
http://i16.photobucket.com/albums/b48/BostonBeanah/Post%202/6.jpg (http://i16.photobucket.com/albums/b48/BostonBeanah/Post%202/6.jpg)

Welcome to Adventureland…
http://i16.photobucket.com/albums/b48/BostonBeanah/Post%202/7.jpg (http://i16.photobucket.com/albums/b48/BostonBeanah/Post%202/7.jpg)

Jungle Cruise exterior painting…
http://i16.photobucket.com/albums/b48/BostonBeanah/Post%202/8.jpg (http://i16.photobucket.com/albums/b48/BostonBeanah/Post%202/8.jpg)

Hooray… we get to ride something…
http://i16.photobucket.com/albums/b48/BostonBeanah/Post%202/9.jpg (http://i16.photobucket.com/albums/b48/BostonBeanah/Post%202/9.jpg)

We walked right on and were quickly directed to our queue. Now if you’re familiar with POTC, you’ll notice that the front row is the smallest row of the boat; this didn’t stop the CM from loading 4 adults and a child into it. I don’t even think the 4th adult’s bottom touched the seat; it hung there wedged between the other person’s thigh and the boat side. Me and Kip lounged out in our row and enjoyed a lovely float amongst drunk robots. Ah… how I missed you Disney.

We made our way to Liberty Square and remember how I said we (and by we I mean he) wanted to catch Hall of Presidents? Well apparently the show is every half hour… meaning we just missed it by minutes and the next show would interfere with our dinner. I felt horrible… I did drag him on Pirates and had we skipped it for the time being, we would have made the show in time. I bribed him with a popcorn and we went on our way… Kip’s “easy”… I won’t lie.

Haunted Mansion…
http://i16.photobucket.com/albums/b48/BostonBeanah/Post%202/11.jpg (http://i16.photobucket.com/albums/b48/BostonBeanah/Post%202/11.jpg)

We headed towards the Haunted Mansion with a wait posted at 30mins but it was more like 15. I was afraid of this for years until the movie came out. I’d like to thank Eddie Murphy for helping me overcome my fear… I rode it for you Eddie. Kip liked the new changes and commented on every thing… he was like a 5yo all over again... too cute.

After Haunted, we hoofed it over to the Plaza to check in for our ADR. I didn’t even realize it at the time but the last time I had eaten was on the plane… those two packs of peanuts went a long way. We were seated almost immediately and I was surprised at how small the seating area was. Our table was in the “green house” seating area but on a very awkward corner angle. We were neatly wedged between two local high schoolers and a family of 6. Kip took the prime castle view seat, actually he whined to get the castle view seat which left me in the chair that nearly touched the two next to me. Thanks babe, love ya mean it. We enjoyed our first meal with 8 strangers…

Small seating area and notice how close that table is to ours?!
http://i16.photobucket.com/albums/b48/BostonBeanah/Post%202/12.jpg (http://i16.photobucket.com/albums/b48/BostonBeanah/Post%202/12.jpg)

Kips lovely few from his more spacious accommodations…
http://i16.photobucket.com/albums/b48/BostonBeanah/Post%202/13.jpg (http://i16.photobucket.com/albums/b48/BostonBeanah/Post%202/13.jpg)

Loved my meal though…
http://i16.photobucket.com/albums/b48/BostonBeanah/Post%202/14.jpg (http://i16.photobucket.com/albums/b48/BostonBeanah/Post%202/14.jpg)

After dinner we headed back to ride Jungle Cruise. As we were about to get on our boat, the grandmother behind cut us off big time with her young grand kids, it was rude and ridiculous… she must have been related to A 59.

Tiki hut across from loading area…
http://i16.photobucket.com/albums/b48/BostonBeanah/Post%202/15.jpg (http://i16.photobucket.com/albums/b48/BostonBeanah/Post%202/15.jpg)

The entire ride the grandmother kept screaming (and I mean screaming, we couldn’t even hear the skipper a few times) at her grandson, who was chosen to drive the boat: “steer the boat, turn the wheel, fix your hat, you can’t see, fix your hat, look at the tigers, look at the snake, fix your hat, your not looking, see the elephants.” Suddenly my dinner with 8 strangers wasn’t looking so bad.

After a disappointing ride (which was a shame as we had a really great skipper) we started walking towards Fantasyland. We hit BTMRR with a 10min wait and picked up our first “loot”… a plastic bead necklace... nothing like a little bling to start your night! Crowds had significantly decreased since before dinner and it looked like it was going to be a great night for the party. The weather was holding out, no rain yet.

Yee-haw…
http://i16.photobucket.com/albums/b48/BostonBeanah/Post%202/17.jpg (http://i16.photobucket.com/albums/b48/BostonBeanah/Post%202/17.jpg)

I never noticed this iron work before, but loved how it looked…
http://i16.photobucket.com/albums/b48/BostonBeanah/Post%202/20.jpg (http://i16.photobucket.com/albums/b48/BostonBeanah/Post%202/20.jpg)

Love how they “themed” the choke hazard…
http://i16.photobucket.com/albums/b48/BostonBeanah/Post%202/18.jpg (http://i16.photobucket.com/albums/b48/BostonBeanah/Post%202/18.jpg)

Not one of the better P&PP decoration items…
http://i16.photobucket.com/albums/b48/BostonBeanah/Post%202/19.jpg (http://i16.photobucket.com/albums/b48/BostonBeanah/Post%202/19.jpg)

Riverboat as the sun sets…
http://i16.photobucket.com/albums/b48/BostonBeanah/Post%202/21.jpg (http://i16.photobucket.com/albums/b48/BostonBeanah/Post%202/21.jpg)

Hall of Presidents… just pretend we actually went on…
http://i16.photobucket.com/albums/b48/BostonBeanah/Post%202/22.jpg (http://i16.photobucket.com/albums/b48/BostonBeanah/Post%202/22.jpg)

The 5th empty Splash boat to come down the hill…
http://i16.photobucket.com/albums/b48/BostonBeanah/Post%202/23.jpg (http://i16.photobucket.com/albums/b48/BostonBeanah/Post%202/23.jpg)

Not sure exactly what this is… but I thought it looked neat...
http://i16.photobucket.com/albums/b48/BostonBeanah/Post%202/24.jpg (http://i16.photobucket.com/albums/b48/BostonBeanah/Post%202/24.jpg)

Continued below...

[typhoonlagooner]

The park was deserted. I had read horror stories about other parties and how people were still milling around once 7pm rolled around. This was not the case tonight and we were now sharing the walkways with a small handful of families decked out for the evening festivities. I donned my paper princess crown and cruised through Fantasyland (Kip was a little let down about the Peter Pan refurb) and was able to hit It’s a Small World, Snow White, Pooh, and the Tea Cups as walk-ons.
I was too lazy to wait for the view to actually be “clear”…
http://i16.photobucket.com/albums/b48/BostonBeanah/Post%202/25.jpg (http://i16.photobucket.com/albums/b48/BostonBeanah/Post%202/25.jpg)

He’s looking psyched about the upcoming additions of pixar characters!
http://i16.photobucket.com/albums/b48/BostonBeanah/Post%202/16.jpg (http://i16.photobucket.com/albums/b48/BostonBeanah/Post%202/16.jpg)

Castle from behind…
http://i16.photobucket.com/albums/b48/BostonBeanah/Post%202/26.jpg (http://i16.photobucket.com/albums/b48/BostonBeanah/Post%202/26.jpg)

CMs making sure only those with wrist bands are allowed in…
http://i16.photobucket.com/albums/b48/BostonBeanah/Post%202/28.jpg


Empty queue for Snow White…
http://i16.photobucket.com/albums/b48/BostonBeanah/Post%202/27.jpg (http://i16.photobucket.com/albums/b48/BostonBeanah/Post%202/27.jpg)

Empty Fantasyland a short time after 7pm...
http://i16.photobucket.com/albums/b48/BostonBeanah/Post%202/29.jpg (http://i16.photobucket.com/albums/b48/BostonBeanah/Post%202/29.jpg)

5min wait for Winnie the Pooh…
http://i16.photobucket.com/albums/b48/BostonBeanah/Post%202/30.jpg (http://i16.photobucket.com/albums/b48/BostonBeanah/Post%202/30.jpg)

Empty Queue…
http://i16.photobucket.com/albums/b48/BostonBeanah/Post%202/31.jpg (http://i16.photobucket.com/albums/b48/BostonBeanah/Post%202/31.jpg)


Wait time for the Tea Cups…
http://i16.photobucket.com/albums/b48/BostonBeanah/Post%202/32.jpg (http://i16.photobucket.com/albums/b48/BostonBeanah/Post%202/32.jpg)

We headed into Tomorrowland and rode the Indy Speedway with a 10min wait. Kip was in front (and drove like an old man) while I laughed the entire time; this was an attraction I haven’t done since the early 90s. I think the best part was interacting with other parents at the mercy of there kids. We somehow got in a great “pack” of cars and really enjoyed hollering back and forth, laughing, etc. With our lungs filled of exhaust and thighs cramped (that pedal is HARD to push and keep steady) we headed to Space.

Queue for Indy Speedway…
http://i16.photobucket.com/albums/b48/BostonBeanah/Post%202/33.jpg

Space had a 10-15min wait and like always we headed to the left side. The last time I was on Space a clip off my back pack somehow ripped off, inside of it was our photopass card, all the cash I had for the trip (a whoppin’ $5), and a couple of fast passes. It was our last night... and it never turned up within lost and found. It was my first time using photopass… and last… I’m way too disorganized and absent minded for it. Kip was holding everything this trip… he was no fool.

We discussed hitting Buzz but I really didn’t want to miss out on the parade. We picked up a frozen coke and walked towards Main Street. I was glad too, as crowds were pretty solid 20 minutes before the parade was even supposed to start. Not sure where all these people came from, Fantasyland and Tomorrowland were practically empty.

Main Street was already working on their second row of viewers so we headed toward Frontierland in hopes of better luck. I was able to find 5 feet of space just past the Liberty Bell looking towards Splash and BTMRR. Kip left me for a “bathroom break” saying he’d be back in 2mins. He returned 15mins later talking on the phone and holding another box of popcorn?! Kip lives off popcorn and cookies in Disney… just wait and see.

I had been having camera issues since the sun went down. None of the pictures were coming out good… parade pics included. I called my mom to see if she could google it for me and sure enough my camera has a “nite mode”… I found it…30secs before my camera battery died… but it’s ok…I had my plastic beads and a paper crown to make me feel better.

Opening horses…
http://i16.photobucket.com/albums/b48/BostonBeanah/Post%202/34.jpg (http://i16.photobucket.com/albums/b48/BostonBeanah/Post%202/34.jpg)

Hi-ho, Hi-ho… it’s off to Disney we go…
http://i16.photobucket.com/albums/b48/BostonBeanah/Post%202/35.jpg (http://i16.photobucket.com/albums/b48/BostonBeanah/Post%202/35.jpg)

One of several “Princess Carriages”
http://i16.photobucket.com/albums/b48/BostonBeanah/Post%202/36.jpg (http://i16.photobucket.com/albums/b48/BostonBeanah/Post%202/36.jpg)

Notice the bling… she put my plastic necklaces to shame…
http://i16.photobucket.com/albums/b48/BostonBeanah/Post%202/37.jpg (http://i16.photobucket.com/albums/b48/BostonBeanah/Post%202/37.jpg)

Dancing with the Disney Stars...
http://i16.photobucket.com/albums/b48/BostonBeanah/Post%202/38.jpg


Only the best for the best… it’s obvious who the favorite Disney Princess is…
http://i16.photobucket.com/albums/b48/BostonBeanah/Post%202/39.jpg (http://i16.photobucket.com/albums/b48/BostonBeanah/Post%202/39.jpg)

Colorguard Pirates… argh
http://i16.photobucket.com/albums/b48/BostonBeanah/Post%202/40.jpg (http://i16.photobucket.com/albums/b48/BostonBeanah/Post%202/40.jpg)

Very nicely done Pirate float…
http://i16.photobucket.com/albums/b48/BostonBeanah/Post%202/41.jpg (http://i16.photobucket.com/albums/b48/BostonBeanah/Post%202/41.jpg)

These guys put the HM to shame…
http://i16.photobucket.com/albums/b48/BostonBeanah/Post%202/42.jpg (http://i16.photobucket.com/albums/b48/BostonBeanah/Post%202/42.jpg)

Captain Jack’s float...
http://i16.photobucket.com/albums/b48/BostonBeanah/Post%202/43.jpg (http://i16.photobucket.com/albums/b48/BostonBeanah/Post%202/43.jpg)

Captain Hook in the zone…
http://i16.photobucket.com/albums/b48/BostonBeanah/Post%202/44.jpg (http://i16.photobucket.com/albums/b48/BostonBeanah/Post%202/44.jpg)

The lost boys found Peter… go figure…
http://i16.photobucket.com/albums/b48/BostonBeanah/Post%202/45.jpg (http://i16.photobucket.com/albums/b48/BostonBeanah/Post%202/45.jpg)

Tink was jealous of my paper crown… I could tell…
http://i16.photobucket.com/albums/b48/BostonBeanah/Post%202/46.jpg (http://i16.photobucket.com/albums/b48/BostonBeanah/Post%202/46.jpg)

Once the parade was over, we headed for Frontierland so I could ride Splash Mountain. Along the way we found a treasure spot that was giving out CANDY necklaces… yes c-a-n-d-y… you read that right. Sure it wasn’t a handful of chocolate… but a nice surprise none the less.

Splash was a walk-on and I asked Kip if he had brought the ponchos, more specifically two. He nodded and I suggested using them. He gave yet another odd look and I realized at that point he must have totally forgot how this ride works; Splash was closed when he was last here in January of ‘07. I neatly tucked my paper princess crown into the back pack and shielded the right side of my body with the poncho. I instructed Kip to do the same and I noticed he had development this look of fear and panic.

If you’re familiar with Splash you know that there is only one true area where you will always get wet… it’s right at the beginning, as your boats outside, rounding the briar patch drop. Right as you’re about to head up the ramp a boat usually comes down and a fountain of water is sprayed into your area. The ponchos were useless… we were soaked… Kip wasn’t happy. Love ya mean it… you made me wait an hour for you at the airport… we’re even.

Now before I continue… you must note that Kip is very metro and boy scout-like. He likes being prepared, in order, dry, etc. Kip was not a happy camper. Kip made sure I knew he wasn’t a happy camper. Let’s just file this one down as another “oops, sorry” moment.

After Splash we sloshed over to Main Street in hopes of finding a spot for the fireworks. Main Street was looking a little iffy to me so we picked up yet another box of popcorn and headed for a spot in front of the Crystal Palace. Kip left for another bathroom break and again came back 10mins later but bummed because he couldn’t find a cookie. I didn’t even know men’s bathrooms had cookies. It was a great spot to watch from and we were able to see everything clearly with exception to the “all around” firework effects.

After the fireworks we were really dragging. We headed back to finish Tomorrowland, took a ride on the TTA and enjoyed a spin on the Astro Orbitor; there was no line for either. We each had our own rocket and I seriously felt like I was going to fall out… I clung to the side of the rocket for dear life. Their idea of a seat belt is a “strap” with holes and a hook on the inside of the rocket… that did not make me feel all warm and fuzzy.

We walked onto Buzz, Kip schooled me, and found another treasure spot that was giving out ring pops (c-a-n-d-y again) in Tomorrowland. After Buzz we both agreed to head back to the hotel… it was now a little after 11pm.

As we walked up Main Street, High School Musical’s “You are the Music in Me” was playing. I looked at Kip, squeezed his hand, and smiled. Disney is what physically brought me and Kip together and while walking out, I realized how thankful I was to have him in my life. I looked back down a nearly empty Main Street with a lighted Partners Statue and smiled again. Thanks Walt… your dreams, made mine come true… love ya mean it, always.

We rode an empty monorail back to the resort and I was surprised to see how many people were heading to the Magic Kingdom. We made it back to the room, jumped in the shower to rinse off the left over “Splash” and crawled into bed. I laid there, soaking everything in. There is nothing better than your first night in Disney....

[stagemomx3]

Sounds like you had fun at the Pirates and Princesses Party. We were there that night too.

[packerbeth]

Yours is my new favorite TR. Keep it up!

And thanks for the great pics of P & P Party. We'll be enjoying that celebration a month from right now!

[ArmyWife3-4]

Love your TR!!! What a riot!:rotfl: I don't think my soon to come first attempt at a TR will measure up!!! Yikes!

[typhoonlagooner]

What fun! So far we've only ever visited as a family.... I imagine it would be really nice to go as a couple, with no "hangers on." I wonder if I could ever convince DH .... :cloud9:

I bet you guys would have a blast! I'm now in the opposite mood... thinking how great it would be to bring a family down; sharing everything through a child's eye. Kip then reminded me about what I wouldn't be able to ride and the discussion quickly changed (still likin' the "all about me" trips ;) )... BUT... I'm glad I'm getting these oppurtunities with him... it's just a great time all around.

Thanks for reading...

A couple of trip reports I was following just finished up, and a couple more are pretty slow in the new installments department, so I was ready for a new writer. With a title like yours, who can resist?? Loving your report!!:thumbsup2

I'm going to try and update (with lengthy installments) as soon as possible. They don't take long to write but editing and uploading pics is a pain. I probably won't have the next installment out till Friday, Saturday the latest.

Thanks for reading...

Your report is cracking me up!!! I can't wait to hear the rest of it!!

Glad I could share the joy :laughing:

Thanks for reading....

I'm in for the long haul! Looking forward to hearing more! Your photos are great! As said above, I love seeing WDW through different eyes. No DH for my next trip so we'll see how that goes with the family!

Thanks... I actually did impress myself with some of these photos I ended up with... mom was proud ;) We're over here in Cary, NC (noticed your location) and my guess is that perhaps your husband's deployed? Either way I just want to say thanks for the sacrafices he and your family makes, to protect mine :flower3: I hope you and your family have an amazing trip...

Thanks for reading...

Awww...how cute. I would never be able to get a sleeping picture of my chihiuaha...his head perks up with just the slightest movement. That is why he does not sleep with us because the one night we tried it...none of us got any sleep that is including the dog.

Don't let him fool you... this is his "old cold" period following hours of stealing, chewing, harrasing his big brother, and running loops. He's usually exactly how you described yours, up at the slightest noise (usually with a nice bark too)... that pic was taken after the Christmas morning rush... I had just edited out the shreaded boxes, wrapping papers, and bows behind him. :rolleyes1

Thanks for reading...

Sounds like you had fun at the Pirates and Princesses Party. We were there that night too.

We did... but had our intensions been more "party" focused...we'd be slightly disapointed. Like I said before, we were using it for "ride time" and skipped the character greetings. The Tomorrowland Dance Party looked fun, but Kip said I was "too big" to dance :mad:

I've been consumed with this report for the last few days but will definately hop over to your report and check out your review! As others have mentioned, it's nice seeing something through another's eyes!

Thanks for reading...

Yours is my new favorite TR. Keep it up!

And thanks for the great pics of P & P Party. We'll be enjoying that celebration a month from right now!

Oooo I'm flattered.

Have a great time... we were really impressed with the fireworks and parade and loved the lack of crowds. Tomorrowland was the only congested area we found... and even then... wait times were limited. Space started to build up at the end (posted at 25mins) but we noticed when riding the TTA they had closed one side... cheaters.

Thanks for reading.

[stagemomx3]

We did... but had our intensions been more "party" focused...we'd be slightly disapointed. Like I said before, we were using it for "ride time" and skipped the character greetings.



We used it for ride time too.

[PirateFish989]

Now if you’re familiar with POTC, you’ll notice that the front row is the smallest row of the boat; this didn’t stop the CM from loading 4 adults and a child into it. I don’t even think the 4th adult’s bottom touched the seat; it hung there wedged between the other person’s thigh and the boat side.

:rotfl:

I can't wait to read more!

[irky416]

Sounds like you had fun at the party! I'm jealous you got candy at yours!

I've had my camera for more than a year and also just recently (and at Disney!) learned about how to access all the different modes. I hope you got better pictures later in the trip once you figured out how to work it!

[wendy3]

Ummmm, I believe "somebody" promised an update by Friday or Saturday at the latest??? :rolleyes1

[stagemomx3]

:surfweb: