1st trip as Mr. and Mrs. (lots of pics!) Updated 9/29: TR Link Posted!!

[stacikristine]

Hi everyone! :)

This is my first PTR but I just have to write one...I've been reading everyone else's like a maniac! popcorn:: So here it goes!

Background info:

My name is Staci. I'm 21 and a graphic designer. On Dec. 20, I'm going to be marrying my Best Friend Ever--Michael! :love: He's a youth/music minister. We're super-busy, but very much in-love. We love just being goofy together, watching The Office, and laughing. We've already planned dream vacations through 2013! :rotfl: Here's a picture of us:

http://i401.photobucket.com/albums/pp95/stacikristine/097-1.jpg

Since we're only taking a 4-day honeymoon so we can be back home for Christmas, we're planning a Disney trip for next September! :woohoo: We picked this time since the rates are low, weather is great, and we can both pick whatever vacation time we want!

We already have our ressie--we rented points from a DVC owner, and we're staying at AKV September 20-26, 2009. I had no clue that this was even an option--I read about it in the DisGuide e-book. So we rented points, and we're going to get our Deluxe Villa for a Value price!! I'm still waiting for all of the reservation confirmation to be mailed to me, but hopefully I'll get it soon.

We're getting 6 day Park Hopper tickets and the Dining Plan. I've only had the DDP one other time and it was honestly one of the best parts of my last trip! :banana: If any of you have any "must eats" let me know! I know I can't make ADRs for a while, but it's always good to dream....

Since it's going to be "just the two of us"--I think of Will Smith every time I say that phrase--do you have any ideas for ways to make this trip extra-special? My fiance' hasn't been to Disney since he was 9, so I really want to make it special for him.

Well....thanks for reading this! I'm excited about this PTR and eventually a TR. :dance3: Please introduce yourself--I would LOVE to get to know you!

--Staci

And for quick access, here are my individual links in this TR:
1. Ressie Saga (http://www.disboards.com/showthread.php?p=29034810#post29034810)
1.5 Engagement/Wedding Interruption (http://www.disboards.com/showthread.php?t=2023470&page=3)
2. Schedule, Books, and crazy DH (http://www.disboards.com/showthread.php?p=30209452#post30209452)
3. Plane Tickets! (http://www.disboards.com/showthread.php?t=2023470&page=5)
4. Sneaky Planning (http://www.disboards.com/showthread.php?t=2023470&page=6)
BREAK: 2006 Trip Day 1: MGM (http://www.disboards.com/showthread.php?t=2023470&page=7)
5. Park Tickets Purchased! and HELP wanted!! (http://www.disboards.com/showthread.php?p=30498264&posted=1#post30498264)
BREAK: 2006 Trip Day 2: MK (http://www.disboards.com/showpost.php?p=30536326&postcount=116)
6. ADRs!! Best part of the trip! (http://www.disboards.com/showthread.php?p=30614978&posted=1#post30614978)
BREAK: 2006 Trip Day 3: Epcot (http://www.disboards.com/showthread.php?p=30770427#post30770427)
BREAK: 2006 Trip Day 4: AK (http://www.disboards.com/showthread.php?p=30791463&posted=1#post30791463)
BREAK: 2006 Trip Day 4: MNSSHP (http://www.disboards.com/showthread.php?p=30791463&posted=1#post30791463)
7. Vera Mini Hipster! (http://www.disboards.com/showthread.php?p=30887573#post30887573)
BREAK: 2006 Trip Day 5: Epcot (last day) (http://www.disboards.com/showthread.php?p=31011263#post31011263)
8. Dallas, DISmeet, Spring Clothes! (http://www.disboards.com/showthread.php?p=31254639#post31254639)
9. Disney On Ice Weekend! (http://www.disboards.com/showthread.php?p=31386254#post31386254)
10. Disney On Ice part 2! (http://www.disboards.com/showthread.php?p=31484138#post31484138)
11. Random Little Updates (http://www.disboards.com/showthread.php?p=31674075#post31674075)
12. 120s and Randomness (http://www.disboards.com/showthread.php?p=31818508#post31818508)
13. ADR Help! (http://www.disboards.com/showthread.php?p=31940046&posted=1#post31940046)
14. Dining Plan!! (http://www.disboards.com/showthread.php?p=31990701&posted=1#post31990701)
15. YAY! Pictures and Hubby are back! (http://www.disboards.com/showthread.php?t=2023470&page=24)
16. It's so good to have a house... (http://www.disboards.com/showthread.php?t=2023470&page=24)
17. Disney Planning Binder (http://www.disboards.com/showthread.php?t=2023470&page=25)
18. Detailed Park Plan (http://www.disboards.com/showthread.php?p=32182323&posted=1#post32182323)
19. Haircut & Disney Binder Pictures Update (http://www.disboards.com/showthread.php?p=32314987#post32314987)
20. ADRs...Finally! (http://www.disboards.com/showthread.php?p=32384667&posted=1#post32384667)
21. Camp Pictures and Updates (http://www.disboards.com/showthread.php?p=32585453#post32585453)
22. Countdown Calendar, a Wedding, and Disney Dates (http://www.disboards.com/showthread.php?p=32603231&posted=1#post32603231)
23. Update/Addition to Plans! (http://www.disboards.com/showthread.php?p=32662474#post32662474)
24. Mulan Date Night (http://www.disboards.com/showthread.php?t=2023470&page=35)
25. Day 1 Plans and Clothes (http://www.disboards.com/showthread.php?p=32858191&posted=1#post32858191)
26. Random Updates and Apology (http://www.disboards.com/showthread.php?p=33046987&posted=1#post33046987)
27. Celebration Station Break (http://www.disboards.com/showthread.php?p=33063915#post33063915)
28. Day 2 Plans and Clothes (http://www.disboards.com/showthread.php?t=2023470&page=37)
29. Six Flags Mini TR (http://www.disboards.com/showthread.php?t=2023470&page=38)
30. Day 3 Plans & Clothes (http://www.disboards.com/showthread.php?p=33163494&posted=1#post33163494)
31. Disney Essentials Shopping and DME! (http://www.disboards.com/showthread.php?p=33225873#post33225873)
32. Day 4 Plans and Clothes (http://www.disboards.com/showthread.php?p=33286931#post33286931)
33. Day 5 Plans and Clothes (http://www.disboards.com/showthread.php?p=33349017&posted=1#post33349017)
34. Day 6 Plans and Clothes (http://www.disboards.com/showthread.php?p=33414420&posted=1#post33414420)
35. Day 7 Plans (http://www.disboards.com/showthread.php?p=33444008#post33444008)
36. Packing List, Must Dos & Not Dos for Parks, Random Thoughts! (http://www.disboards.com/showthread.php?p=33493496&posted=1#post33493496)
37. Maps, Notecards, and Packing, Oh My! (http://www.disboards.com/showthread.php?p=33570990#post33570990)
38. Update (http://www.disboards.com/showthread.php?p=33603666#post33603666)
39. Update--TWO DAYS!!! (http://www.disboards.com/showthread.php?p=33624415&posted=1#post33624415)
40. Another Update--1.5 Days!! (http://www.disboards.com/showthread.php?p=33632888&posted=1#post33632888)
41. Home! (http://www.disboards.com/showthread.php?p=33748307&posted=1#post33748307)
42. TR Link Posted! (http://www.disboards.com/showthread.php?t=2023470&page=51)

[BridetobeDisney]

Hey! I just found your PTR! Yay! I can't wait to read about your plans including your ADRs because honestly that's one of my fave parts of a trip. You two make the cutest couple!! You're so pretty! Yeah, we're a goofy couple too and guess what...I'm obsessed with the office. Here's what DH and I do, we don't watch the season as it goes along each week. We just wait for it to be released on DVD and then every night we watch two or three episodes. Dwight is my favorite. He completely makes the show. One of my fave scenes was when Michael followed what the GPS said and turned right into the lake. :rotfl: DH and I bring it up all the time on trips when our GPS tells us to turn when we can't or it says to make a U turn now. If someone took that literally LOL they'd be dead. Gosh, I love that show!

Where are you going on your honeymoon?

Also, please point me in the direction of a good thread that explains DVC. I might consider that for another trip. Maybe next December!!:cool1: :cool1: :santa:

[stacikristine]

Hey! I just found your PTR! Yay! I can't wait to read about your plans including your ADRs because honestly that's one of my fave parts of a trip. You two make the cutest couple!! You're so pretty! Yeah, we're a goofy couple too and guess what...I'm obsessed with the office. Here's what DH and I do, we don't watch the season as it goes along each week. We just wait for it to be released on DVD and then every night we watch two or three episodes. Dwight is my favorite. He completely makes the show. One of my fave scenes was when Michael followed what the GPS said and turned right into the lake. :rotfl: DH and I bring it up all the time on trips when our GPS tells us to turn when we can't or it says to make a U turn now. If someone took that literally LOL they'd be dead. Gosh, I love that show!

Where are you going on your honeymoon?

Also, please point me in the direction of a good thread that explains DVC. I might consider that for another trip. Maybe next December!!:cool1: :cool1: :santa:

:yay: Thanks for reading my PTR!! Now we can follow each others' trips!
Dining at Disney is so, so great! I can't wait either. I've actually been planning/trying to figure stuff out since October. :rotfl: I just couldn't help it!

YES!!! I'm SO happy yall are Office fans! :yay: popcorn:: :yay: I didn't start watching it until this past May...Michael has all the seasons on DVD, so we had to catch up. I'm so addicted. Now, we're really busy, so we usually wait 2-3 weeks, and then watch them online. :happytv: I LOVE that episode! I love pretty much all of them. Have you gotten to the one where Dwight is trying to pressure Michael into doing something (I can't even remember what) and he counts and says "Do it."? Because we quote that one ALL the time! I think 1/8 of what we say is probably from the Office. :laughing: I'm glad you can relate!!

I wrote about our honeymoon on your PTR :) But for a quick summary: 1 night in hotel one hr away. 3 nights in honeymoon cabin in mtns on the border of OK and AR (we live in OK). Christmas Eve and Day at home. 1 more night in OKC at the festival of lights, snow tubing, ice skating, etc. We're excited bc it'll be so relaxing. :lovestruc Yall went to Disney, right? How was it!? My cousin is going there for his honeymoon. That would be AMAZING!!

I don't know how to post links...I think this might work...
http://www.disboards.com/forumdisplay.php?f=7
If not, can you fill me in on it. Oh--and how do I put my PTR link in my sig? Again, if you need me to send you the point charts, I can email them to you...I don't know where you find them online. I'm sure DIS has a place. It would be GREAT if you all could go in Dec! Just an example, it's costing us $560 to stay for 6 nights! :scared1: I was shocked!

Well, I'll be reading your PTR as well....good luck!

[kgle]

I am slipping over here from Brandi's PTR :)

You guys are adorable and let me say I am super jealous of you being so tiny :faint: I remember those days!

How awesome that you get to stay at AKV! That is a future hope of mne to stay there or AKL, all the same! With a savannah view :goodvibes

Anyway, look forward to reading about your trip and seeing more pictures!

[kgle]

Oh by the way, to put your PTR link in your sig- just go to where you edit your signature and click the icon that looks like a globe and a paperclip (haha) and you can put your link in there. If you want to link it like mine with your own words you do this:
[url="http://www.yourlinkhere.com"]Click me![/url ] (minus the space at the end)

[stacikristine]

I am slipping over here from Brandi's PTR :)

You guys are adorable and let me say I am super jealous of you being so tiny :faint: I remember those days!

How awesome that you get to stay at AKV! That is a future hope of mne to stay there or AKL, all the same! With a savannah view :goodvibes

Anyway, look forward to reading about your trip and seeing more pictures!


YAY! :woohoo: Thanks for reading my PTR!

Thank you--we're really excited! And we're really excited to stay at AKV! Since we're getting a Studio, we're actually going to be in the Lodge...in one of the converted rooms. I'm telling you, there is NO WAY we could have stayed there without using DVC points! :eek: But we're really looking forward to it!! We got a value studio, and so that means we don't know if it'll be savannah or pool view until we get there (or maybe there's a way we can check before?) but either would be GREAT and it was a lot cheaper....:thumbsup2

Well, thanks for reading! And I see you have one too--I'll check it out! :banana:

[stacikristine]

Oh by the way, to put your PTR link in your sig- just go to where you edit your signature and click the icon that looks like a globe and a paperclip (haha) and you can put your link in there. If you want to link it like mine with your own words you do this:
[url="http://www.yourlinkhere.com"]Click me![/url ] (minus the space at the end)

THANKS! :woohoo: I'll try this out!

[BellaSoleil]

Hi! I found your PTR through danceinetherain's PTR. :laughing:

DH and I Honeymooned at Disney World and it was wonderful! We are going back (just the two of us) one last time before we start taking our daughter.

I would suggest dining at California Grill and watching the Wishes from the top of the CR. It is our favorite Honeymoon memory.:love:

By the way.... I'm also in Youth Ministry, love The Office and think you two are a beautiful couple!

[stacikristine]

Hi! I found your PTR through danceinetherain's PTR. :laughing:

DH and I Honeymooned at Disney World and it was wonderful! We are going back (just the two of us) one last time before we start taking our daughter.

I would suggest dining at California Grill and watching the Wishes from the top of the CR. It is our favorite Honeymoon memory.:love:

By the way.... I'm also in Youth Ministry, love The Office and think you two are a beautiful couple!


Great!! :woohoo: Thanks for reading my PTR! :)

Wow--I've heard such great things about Disneymoons! :love: Part of me wishes we were going for our official honeymoon, but I'm glad we're going to wait--I don't want to be away from home our first Christmas together! :santa:

How fun! One more couple trip! I bet yall are going to have a BLAST! We're trying to plan lots of vacations for us to do together before we start having kids. I'm sure it'll be tons of fun with a whole family, but we'll never get this time back to vacation just the 2 of us--I'm glad yall are going on a second honeymoon!! :lovestruc

Thanks for the California Grill tip. It sounds beautiful! By the way...do you usually go back to your room to "freshen up" before you go to dinner? My family usually didn't, but I didn't know if most people did. Do you usually go back to a park after you eat outside of the park? Just curious... :confused3

Wow! It's so fun to hear of other people in Youth Ministry! We love it. Sometimes it's really tough--we have some kids who require a lot--but it's so rewarding. I couldn't imagine doing anything different. Even though he's the one that's the official minister, we do a lot as a team. And another OFFICE watcher!!! :happytv: YAY!!!! I don't know if I'll ever grow tired of that show! Thank you. :) We're happy together.

Thanks again for reading my PTR!! I'll have to go read yours now! :rotfl:

[BellaSoleil]

Great!! :woohoo: Thanks for reading my PTR! :)

Wow--I've heard such great things about Disneymoons! :love: Part of me wishes we were going for our official honeymoon, but I'm glad we're going to wait--I don't want to be away from home our first Christmas together! :santa:

How fun! One more couple trip! I bet yall are going to have a BLAST! We're trying to plan lots of vacations for us to do together before we start having kids. I'm sure it'll be tons of fun with a whole family, but we'll never get this time back to vacation just the 2 of us--I'm glad yall are going on a second honeymoon!! :lovestruc

Thanks for the California Grill tip. It sounds beautiful! By the way...do you usually go back to your room to "freshen up" before you go to dinner? My family usually didn't, but I didn't know if most people did. Do you usually go back to a park after you eat outside of the park? Just curious... :confused3

Wow! It's so fun to hear of other people in Youth Ministry! We love it. Sometimes it's really tough--we have some kids who require a lot--but it's so rewarding. I couldn't imagine doing anything different. Even though he's the one that's the official minister, we do a lot as a team. And another OFFICE watcher!!! :happytv: YAY!!!! I don't know if I'll ever grow tired of that show! Thank you. :) We're happy together.

Thanks again for reading my PTR!! I'll have to go read yours now! :rotfl:

After you read my PTR, you will realize that I do go back to my room to freshen up before dinner. I love clothes and I try to dress pretty casual in the day and get dressed up for dinner. On my Honeymoon (and on this upcoming trip), we did alot of Signature Dining so you almost have to go back and clean up a bit.:goodvibes

I'm so glad I found your PTR. You are adorable and I'm looking forward to reading all about your plans. We may possibly head back in September with our daughter. I want to take her to MNSSHP.

[stacikristine]

After you read my PTR, you will realize that I do go back to my room to freshen up before dinner. I love clothes and I try to dress pretty casual in the day and get dressed up for dinner. On my Honeymoon (and on this upcoming trip), we did alot of Signature Dining so you almost have to go back and clean up a bit.:goodvibes

I'm so glad I found your PTR. You are adorable and I'm looking forward to reading all about your plans. We may possibly head back in September with our daughter. I want to take her to MNSSHP.

Yes--I definitely see that you go back and freshen up! I love all of your themed outfits! You remind me a lot of my college roomie/one of my best friends! She LOVES shopping and clothes/accessories!! :lovestruc And she's auditioned to be on the Disney Cruise ships (but she didn't get it :sad1: ) Still...yall seem to be a lot alike! That makes me happy! :)

Thanks--I'm so glad I found your PTR too! This is so much fun! And if you take Belle back in Sept, our trips might over-lap...meaning we might run into each other. I've read on here where DIS members run into each other..."it's a small world after all!" PS what's MDSSHP? I'm not up-to-date on all of the abbreviations. :)

[BellaSoleil]

Mickey's Not So Scary Halloween Party.:thumbsup2

[jenjolt]

Well I had to come by and say HI!! How exciting for you getting married! Congratulations!! My husband and I are also involved in youth ministry and starting in 2010 we will be moving to Austin, TX to help with a church plant in the area!

I can't wait to see how planning for your trip goes, you guys will have the best time. If you venture to my PTR you will find out that I will never take my DH to Disney again, but he has indulged me and is allowing me to go alone LOL!!

I too am one for freshing up before going to dinner!! Especially since I'm into shopping, thanks to Soleil LOL, and actually have my outfits picked out for my trip!!

Well I can't wait to hear more!!! Once again CONGRATULATIONS!!!

[kgle]

YAY! :woohoo: Thanks for reading my PTR!

Thank you--we're really excited! And we're really excited to stay at AKV! Since we're getting a Studio, we're actually going to be in the Lodge...in one of the converted rooms. I'm telling you, there is NO WAY we could have stayed there without using DVC points! :eek: But we're really looking forward to it!! We got a value studio, and so that means we don't know if it'll be savannah or pool view until we get there (or maybe there's a way we can check before?) but either would be GREAT and it was a lot cheaper....:thumbsup2

Well, thanks for reading! And I see you have one too--I'll check it out! :banana:

The DVC points are such a good deal! I looked into them, but I think it ended up being out of my budget but it sure makes me want to buy my own DVC! LOL I am trying to figure out ways to move to Orlando...I told my mom I was going to work at a hospital there and she said "okay" haha.

You can always have the owner fax a request, requesting whatever view you want. Doesn't mean you will get it, but it never hurts to try!

[stacikristine]

Mickey's Not So Scary Halloween Party.:thumbsup2

Oh! :laughing: That is a BLAST!! We did it a couple of years ago!

Well I had to come by and say HI!! How exciting for you getting married! Congratulations!! My husband and I are also involved in youth ministry and starting in 2010 we will be moving to Austin, TX to help with a church plant in the area!

I can't wait to see how planning for your trip goes, you guys will have the best time. If you venture to my PTR you will find out that I will never take my DH to Disney again, but he has indulged me and is allowing me to go alone LOL!!

I too am one for freshing up before going to dinner!! Especially since I'm into shopping, thanks to Soleil LOL, and actually have my outfits picked out for my trip!!

Well I can't wait to hear more!!! Once again CONGRATULATIONS!!!

Hi! :yay: Thanks for reading my PTR! I'll for sure check yours out! This is so fun! Thanks for the congrats--we're REALLY excited! And it's so, so neat to hear about other couples in youth ministry! How long have you all worked with students?

Wow! That's so amazing that you'll be starting a church plant. We've talked about how that would be incredible. And in Austin--much needed! Are you in TX now? DFi is from San Antonio, and we met in Dallas at school. So TX is near and dear to me! We'd love to move back someday, if that's what God has planned...who knows where we'll end up. I have a great job now, and he loves working with the kids here, but hopefully it's not forever.

I'll have to see why your DH is never going back! But HOW FUN to go on a trip by yourself! I can't wait to see what you have planned to do!!!

So, I'm thinking freshening up before dinner is starting to sound good...do you usually have all TS meals at night? We were thinking about having a lot in the afternoon b/c we're just going to snack for bfast.

Thanks again for reading! I'll go read yours now! :yay:

The DVC points are such a good deal! I looked into them, but I think it ended up being out of my budget but it sure makes me want to buy my own DVC! LOL I am trying to figure out ways to move to Orlando...I told my mom I was going to work at a hospital there and she said "okay" haha.

You can always have the owner fax a request, requesting whatever view you want. Doesn't mean you will get it, but it never hurts to try!

Haha!! I know--I wish I could buy my own DVC! But it's COMPLETELY out of the question. Not even entertaining the thought. But renting is actually cheaper than making your own ressie. It's only going to be $560 for us to stay at AKV for 6 nights...and we're buying our own tickets from Maple Leaf. We're saving $226 by staying at AKV instead of POP! :yay: You should check it out next time! And YES--how can I move to Orlando too? Let me know! :rotfl:

[jenjolt]

Hi! :yay: Thanks for reading my PTR! I'll for sure check yours out! This is so fun! Thanks for the congrats--we're REALLY excited! And it's so, so neat to hear about other couples in youth ministry! How long have you all worked with students?

Wow! That's so amazing that you'll be starting a church plant. We've talked about how that would be incredible. And in Austin--much needed! Are you in TX now? DFi is from San Antonio, and we met in Dallas at school. So TX is near and dear to me! We'd love to move back someday, if that's what God has planned...who knows where we'll end up. I have a great job now, and he loves working with the kids here, but hopefully it's not forever.

I'll have to see why your DH is never going back! But HOW FUN to go on a trip by yourself! I can't wait to see what you have planned to do!!!

So, I'm thinking freshening up before dinner is starting to sound good...do you usually have all TS meals at night? We were thinking about having a lot in the afternoon b/c we're just going to snack for bfast.

Thanks again for reading! I'll go read yours now! :yay:

We have been working with the teens in our church for 3 years. Before that we worked with teens in our church in Alaska for 2 years. I am also a high school teacher and I love working with teenagers!!!

I hope you'll post some wedding pics when you get them. You two make a mighty fine couple!! I wish you the best and will praying for you and your upcoming nuptials!!

As far as the move to TX we will be joining our Associate Pastor and his family the Summer of 2010 which will allow me time to find a job as a high school teacher and hopefully give us the summer to find a house. I'm scared and excited all at the same time!!!

I can't wait to hear more!!!

[stacikristine]

We have been working with the teens in our church for 3 years. Before that we worked with teens in our church in Alaska for 2 years. I am also a high school teacher and I love working with teenagers!!!

I hope you'll post some wedding pics when you get them. You two make a mighty fine couple!! I wish you the best and will praying for you and your upcoming nuptials!!

As far as the move to TX we will be joining our Associate Pastor and his family the Summer of 2010 which will allow me time to find a job as a high school teacher and hopefully give us the summer to find a house. I'm scared and excited all at the same time!!!

I can't wait to hear more!!!

That is so great! I can't wait to work with these youth long-term! And what an awesome experience to start a church with someone you already know and trust!! What a blessing. My mom is a JH english teacher, and my dad is a HS principal, so teachers are dear to my heart. :) I was going to teach when I first started college, but I quickly changed my mind--I love students, but teaching is not for me. But I'm glad you love it!

Thanks for your prayers! And YES! I'll post wedding pics! :)

[stacikristine]

Can someone tell me how to post links within my thread (like on the first page, putting links to the updates/posts throughout)? I've seen it on some of your PTRs and I'd love to know how to do it when I actually start posting updates :)

[jenjolt]

Can someone tell me how to post links within my thread (like on the first page, putting links to the updates/posts throughout)? I've seen it on some of your PTRs and I'd love to know how to do it when I actually start posting updates :)

Okay when you go to insert your link, wherever in your text box you would like you need to click on that button that looks like a globe with rings near it...its called the INSERT LINK...when you do that you just copy and paste the link you would like to have displayed. Press Okay. It will then take you back to your post and it will have some text highlighted...that highlighted part is what will be displayed to take the person to your link..so in my case I type in Episode 13 or like Soleil does the title of her next post...if you don't type something there it will just display the actually http address, so its up to you. I hope this helps.

To actually get to your chapters just themselves...in the upper right hand corner of each post is a number, if you click on that it will display that post only. Click on it. Just copy and paste that link in the InsertText button box and VIOLA..it will take your readers directly to your newest post..without all the replies!

[stacikristine]

Okay when you go to insert your link, wherever in your text box you would like you need to click on that button that looks like a globe with rings near it...its called the INSERT LINK...when you do that you just copy and paste the link you would like to have displayed. Press Okay. It will then take you back to your post and it will have some text highlighted...that highlighted part is what will be displayed to take the person to your link..so in my case I type in Episode 13 or like Soleil does the title of her next post...if you don't type something there it will just display the actually http address, so its up to you. I hope this helps.

To actually get to your chapters just themselves...in the upper right hand corner of each post is a number, if you click on that it will display that post only. Click on it. Just copy and paste that link in the InsertText button box and VIOLA..it will take your readers directly to your newest post..without all the replies!

Thanks so much!! :thumbsup2 I'll for sure try this when I update!! And maybe one day I'll be computer savvy enough to figure things out for myself...nah!! :sad2:

[stacikristine]

First, a little background information:

At the beginning of October, things were super slow at work (heck...they're still super slow). Therefore, I had to find something to occupy my time. The company I work for owns a travel agency, and I would pass by it periodically. The Disney brochures seemed to be calling my name! One day I decided to go for it--what could looking hurt? Well, I got the Disney Bug and I went balistic with excitement. The more I thought about it/looked at the brochure, the more I wanted to go!!! I started doing some figuring, and found out WE COULD AFFORD IT!!!

After looking at all of the prices and the busy seasons, I decided September would be the best time for us to go. And since my soon-to-be-DH and I can both pick our vacation times (unlike my family, since both of my parents are teachers), we could go whenever! Well, I texted my fiance' and told him I was putting together a Disney Dream Vacation Package. He just laughed and told me I was crazy. But he was really excited about the possibility.

I messed around with different packages and options for a couple of days, and finally decided that we could stay at POP for 6 nights/7 days. :yay: We were going to Disney World!! Oh--and the Dining Plan is a MUST for us. It's one of the best things about Disney World!!! I was goofy excited. Sometimes all I could do was giggle. This was my first vacation to plan all by myself!!!! :woohoo:

Well, I talked to one of the travel agents to see if they could get me something better, and no such luck. But it was ok, because I felt like I had a pretty good deal. I'd stayed at POP last time, and it wasn't extravagant by any means, but we loved it. We were pumped.

Then, I was super, super bored at work (do you see the pattern here?) and found the Ultimate Savings Guide ebook online. I checked with one of my co-workers to make sure I wouldn't get in trouble for ordering something online, and then I bought it! It is AMAZING!!! :cheer2: I couldn't believe the savings tips and strategies! I tried to spread out my reading, but it was so good...I dove in.

Before long, I came upon the best tip in the whole-wide-world: Renting from a Disney Vacation Club owner!! As I read, I couldn't believe that I'd never heard of this before. Well...I immediately became a DISboard member, and checked out the Rent/Trade board. After checking out the point charts and looking at TONS of pictures, we decided to try to stay at AKV. Michael and I were both super-pumped at the thought!

I read every single "Points for Rent" thread and kept trying to find someone with AKV points. So many had great pp deals, but they couldn't book at AKV until the end of Feb. I called Disney and found out the Value Studio rooms book really fast--I'd better book asap. I was a little discouraged, but I'm about as persistent as they come (many times, to a fault). We finally found someone to rent points from!! And we were going to be able to stay at AKV for LESS than staying at POP!!! :dance3: Talk about squealing with excitement!!!

I don't think I'm supposed to say who we're renting from, but I will say he's been GREAT! :thumbsup2 And there's been a lot for him to prove his patience/greatness with. First of all, since this is my first time renting, I was really uneasy about everything. I wanted to make sure I wasn't going to get screwed. I laugh now when I think that I almost pulled the "I work for a legal service, Buddy, don't screw with me!" card. :upsidedow Anyway...he had to deal with all of my questions and my "making sure he was who he said he was".

THEN...he wanted us to pay via paypal. No prob, right? Wrong. You have to understand--I live in a small town. Our bank website doesn't even work half the time. They would laugh me out of the building if I asked why our transactions took a couple of weeks to show up! It's just how it is. Let me tell you...I've never missed Bank of America so much in my whole life!! I almost cried when I moved here and had to switch banks! :sad1: To make a long story not quite as long, paypal wouldn't recognize our bank card as a credit card--even though it usually works ok. So we had to route it to our bank. Remember it's crappy. So that took forever. Then we had to verify the amounts...and on and on... until FINALLY I got an email from the DVC owner we're renting from saying that he received the payment! YES!!

Almost done...I promise. Well, he was supposed to call and switch the ressie to our names on Tuesday, but he had meetings, and they lasted too late to call. So last night, I was checking my email, and

:yay: :woohoo: :yay: WE HAVE A RESERVATION!!! :yay: :woohoo: :yay:

Now we're just waiting on the "official confirmation packet" in the mail. But we have the confirmation information! But needless to say, I'm super, super, super excited!! It's official now!

[jenjolt]

First, a little background information:

At the beginning of October, things were super slow at work (heck...they're still super slow). Therefore, I had to find something to occupy my time. The company I work for owns a travel agency, and I would pass by it periodically. The Disney brochures seemed to be calling my name! One day I decided to go for it--what could looking hurt? Well, I got the Disney Bug and I went balistic with excitement. The more I thought about it/looked at the brochure, the more I wanted to go!!! I started doing some figuring, and found out WE COULD AFFORD IT!!!

After looking at all of the prices and the busy seasons, I decided September would be the best time for us to go. And since my soon-to-be-DH and I can both pick our vacation times (unlike my family, since both of my parents are teachers), we could go whenever! Well, I texted my fiance' and told him I was putting together a Disney Dream Vacation Package. He just laughed and told me I was crazy. But he was really excited about the possibility.

I messed around with different packages and options for a couple of days, and finally decided that we could stay at POP for 6 nights/7 days. :yay: We were going to Disney World!! Oh--and the Dining Plan is a MUST for us. It's one of the best things about Disney World!!! I was goofy excited. Sometimes all I could do was giggle. This was my first vacation to plan all by myself!!!! :woohoo:

Well, I talked to one of the travel agents to see if they could get me something better, and no such luck. But it was ok, because I felt like I had a pretty good deal. I'd stayed at POP last time, and it wasn't extravagant by any means, but we loved it. We were pumped.

Then, I was super, super bored at work (do you see the pattern here?) and found the Ultimate Savings Guide ebook online. I checked with one of my co-workers to make sure I wouldn't get in trouble for ordering something online, and then I bought it! It is AMAZING!!! :cheer2: I couldn't believe the savings tips and strategies! I tried to spread out my reading, but it was so good...I dove in.

Before long, I came upon the best tip in the whole-wide-world: Renting from a Disney Vacation Club owner!! As I read, I couldn't believe that I'd never heard of this before. Well...I immediately became a DISboard member, and checked out the Rent/Trade board. After checking out the point charts and looking at TONS of pictures, we decided to try to stay at AKV. Michael and I were both super-pumped at the thought!

I read every single "Points for Rent" thread and kept trying to find someone with AKV points. So many had great pp deals, but they couldn't book at AKV until the end of Feb. I called Disney and found out the Value Studio rooms book really fast--I'd better book asap. I was a little discouraged, but I'm about as persistent as they come (many times, to a fault). We finally found someone to rent points from!! And we were going to be able to stay at AKV for LESS than staying at POP!!! :dance3: Talk about squealing with excitement!!!

I don't think I'm supposed to say who we're renting from, but I will say he's been GREAT! :thumbsup2 And there's been a lot for him to prove his patience/greatness with. First of all, since this is my first time renting, I was really uneasy about everything. I wanted to make sure I wasn't going to get screwed. I laugh now when I think that I almost pulled the "I work for a legal service, Buddy, don't screw with me!" card. :upsidedow Anyway...he had to deal with all of my questions and my "making sure he was who he said he was".

THEN...he wanted us to pay via paypal. No prob, right? Wrong. You have to understand--I live in a small town. Our bank website doesn't even work half the time. They would laugh me out of the building if I asked why our transactions took a couple of weeks to show up! It's just how it is. Let me tell you...I've never missed Bank of America so much in my whole life!! I almost cried when I moved here and had to switch banks! :sad1: To make a long story not quite as long, paypal wouldn't recognize our bank card as a credit card--even though it usually works ok. So we had to route it to our bank. Remember it's crappy. So that took forever. Then we had to verify the amounts...and on and on... until FINALLY I got an email from the DVC owner we're renting from saying that he received the payment! YES!!

Almost done...I promise. Well, he was supposed to call and switch the ressie to our names on Tuesday, but he had meetings, and they lasted too late to call. So last night, I was checking my email, and

:yay: :woohoo: :yay: WE HAVE A RESERVATION!!! :yay: :woohoo: :yay:

Now we're just waiting on the "official confirmation packet" in the mail. But we have the confirmation information! But needless to say, I'm super, super, super excited!! It's official now!

:banana: :banana: CONGRATULATIONS:banana: :banana: I'm sure you are super excited!!

I must admit I'm a little jealous I would love to stay at the AKL, but I'm hoping to rent DVC points on my trip in December to visit Christmas during the Holidays LOL!

[stacikristine]

:banana: :banana: CONGRATULATIONS:banana: :banana: I'm sure you are super excited!!

I must admit I'm a little jealous I would love to stay at the AKL, but I'm hoping to rent DVC points on my trip in December to visit Christmas during the Holidays LOL!

Thanks!!! I've gotta tell you, I never DREAMED we'd be able to, but I'm so, so pumped!! AKL at Christmas=GORGEOUS!! I saw pictures. You HAVE TO! Then I'll be the jealous one! ;)

[BellaSoleil]

Hey girl! I will probably be asking you lots of questions about renting from a DVC member soon. I think I'm going to try it out no our next trip.

[BridetobeDisney]

I've got to get that book. I need a good Disney book to read. Have you got the Passporter? I'm asking for it for my bday next month. Congrats on having the reservation now!! Yay!!:cool1: :cool1: :cool1:

[stacikristine]

Hey girl! I will probably be asking you lots of questions about renting from a DVC member soon. I think I'm going to try it out no our next trip.

YAY! I would LOVE to help you! Aren't you trying to go in Sept? Well...you should look into renting soon, so you make sure you get the kind of room you want. Some places only have a certain number of rooms at each level. You're going to Disney so soon!!! YAY!

I've got to get that book. I need a good Disney book to read. Have you got the Passporter? I'm asking for it for my bday next month. Congrats on having the reservation now!! Yay!!:cool1: :cool1: :cool1:

Yes you do!! It's AWESOME! And it's really cool because you pay once and can update it as many times as you want in your lifetime! No I haven't...do you recommend it? I actually don't have any Disney Books yet. I'm trying to spread things out so I don't plan all at once (even though I've already planned most of everything!) Thanks--I'm really excited! You're going to Disney SOOO soon!!

[stacikristine]

Wow--I had no clue I've been gone this long!! :crazy2: Things just got so crazy with the wedding and Christmas and everything. Plus we all got "talked to" about our internet usage at work, so I had to lay low for a while. Luckily, DIS shows up as "uncategorized" or something like that. The biggest issues were people shopping and looking at sports and entertainment. So I'll try to sneak on here when I can again! It's hard to make time to get on at home--I'm working 40+ hrs a week and then taking 19 hrs of classes at night (online)! :scared: But no more excuses--I'm getting back on DIS! :)

[kellbelle0618]

My fiance (well then husband) will hopefully be there the same week as you all on our honeymoon. So exciting!!

[stacikristine]

My fiance (well then husband) will hopefully be there the same week as you all on our honeymoon. So exciting!!

Congratulations!!! How amazing! I'm going to read your PTR right now. :) If we're there the same time, we should look into meeting up! It'll be both of our first Disney trips as husband and wife!

[Roxychica7]

Hi! :wave2: I found you through Lady Lallie's PTR (seems to be a trend doesn't it?! :goodvibes ) SO awesome to hear about your AKL deal! AND getting married AND you're first WDW together! I'm tuning in for more! :thumbsup2

[BellaSoleil]

I want a wedding report!:goodvibes

[stacikristine]

Hi! :wave2: I found you through Lady Lallie's PTR (seems to be a trend doesn't it?! :goodvibes ) SO awesome to hear about your AKL deal! AND getting married AND you're first WDW together! I'm tuning in for more! :thumbsup2

Thanks so much for reading!! :) Thanks--I still can't get over our AKL deal. Or getting married. I promise to post more soon!

I want a wedding report!:goodvibes

I'll get to work on it pronto! :)

PS are we allowed to post links to other sites on here--like to my video and wedding pics? Or do I have to use photobucket?

[jewels1916]

Hi Staci! :wave2: Just wanted to thank you again for the info on renting DVC points! Subbing to your report! And I want to see wedding photos!!

[stacikristine]

Hi Staci! :wave2: Just wanted to thank you again for the info on renting DVC points! Subbing to your report! And I want to see wedding photos!!

Thanks for reading!! :) And you're more than welcome. I bought The Ultimate Savings Guide (an ebook) and it's saving me SO much money. This was by far the best tip though! I'm excited to stay updated on your PTR! And I PROMISE I'll post wedding and honeymoon pics soon. I just have to figure out if I can get any of the professional ones on here. :)

[Roxychica7]

Thanks so much for reading!! :) Thanks--I still can't get over our AKL deal. Or getting married. I promise to post more soon!



I'll get to work on it pronto! :)

PS are we allowed to post links to other sites on here--like to my video and wedding pics? Or do I have to use photobucket?
I've posted links before through ebay, myspace and youtube. Just so long as you click on properties and copy the link into the yellow picture tab thing like you've been doing! :thumbsup2

[stacikristine]

Before I start a wedding pic thread, I wanted to show some more engagement pictures. :)

These are from our “actual enagement”—he proposed at his apartment. He told me his parents were in town and we needed to stop by and see them before we went on our date. As soon as he opened the door, I knew he was proposing. The whole place was covered with rose petals and candles. He had a dozen roses on an end table, and it was absolutely gorgeous. He bent down and turned on his iPod and “Wonderful Tonight” came on. We danced to a couple of songs, and then he led me over to the couch. He talked to me about how he wanted to lead me and serve me and protect me and all kinds of great stuff like that. Since he was already on his knees, he reached under the couch and pulled out the ring! I loved it—it was better than I could have imagined. Then he said he had another surprise for me and he went behind the couch and got his guitar. He played a song he wrote for me! I’m not a crier, but even I teared up! I loved it. Then the pillow he was kneeling on caught on fire by one of the candles, so he frantically tried to put it out. I laughed so hard—it’s definitely one of my favorite parts! Then, he went to his room and out came his parents, my parents, and my brother and sister. I was so surprised! I’m a huge “family person” so it meant so much for them to be there. We had a little engagement party and then we all went out to eat. It was perfect.

http://i401.photobucket.com/albums/pp95/stacikristine/081.jpg

http://i401.photobucket.com/albums/pp95/stacikristine/080.jpg

http://i401.photobucket.com/albums/pp95/stacikristine/083.jpg

These next pics were taken last May by my friend Jeremy (www.jeremycarrollphotography.webs.com) took for us in Fort Worth, TX. He is so talented!

http://i401.photobucket.com/albums/pp95/stacikristine/112.jpg

http://i401.photobucket.com/albums/pp95/stacikristine/104.jpg

http://i401.photobucket.com/albums/pp95/stacikristine/116.jpg

http://i401.photobucket.com/albums/pp95/stacikristine/101.jpg

http://i401.photobucket.com/albums/pp95/stacikristine/115.jpg

http://i401.photobucket.com/albums/pp95/stacikristine/114.jpg

http://i401.photobucket.com/albums/pp95/stacikristine/117.jpg

Now I’ll get to work on a Wedding Post!

[BellaSoleil]

Love the pictures and proposal story! We danced to 'Wonderful Tonight' at our wedding. LOL about the pillow!

Can't wait to hear about the wedding!

[Roxychica7]

Oh I LOVE them! Such a pretty background with the first few photos and I'm loving the actions shots (where you're in the air) and your DH did a GREAT job setting up the proposal atmosphere! Can't wait to hear more! :goodvibes

[jewels1916]

Love the pics and the story!

[stacikristine]

Love the pictures and proposal story! We danced to 'Wonderful Tonight' at our wedding. LOL about the pillow!

Can't wait to hear about the wedding!

Thanks! How sweet--I love that song. I'm listening to a new cd on my computer--I don't have it on my iPod yet and then I'll put in the Wedding Pics to upload to Photobucket. :)

Oh I LOVE them! Such a pretty background with the first few photos and I'm loving the actions shots (where you're in the air) and your DH did a GREAT job setting up the proposal atmosphere! Can't wait to hear more! :goodvibes

Thanks! My friend is an amazing photographer--we were his first engagement session! Yes he did--I think I'll keep him ;)

Love the pics and the story!

Thanks! :)

[jenjolt]

What a beautiful proposer, that was an amazingly sweet story!! And to be able to share that with your family...how exciting!!

I can't wait to hear all about the wedding!!!

[stacikristine]

What a beautiful proposer, that was an amazingly sweet story!! And to be able to share that with your family...how exciting!!

I can't wait to hear all about the wedding!!!

Thanks! It was really special.

[stacikristine]

Here are some of my Bridal Portraits. I wish I could put them all up…but then I’d have no more picture room!! My photographer was awesome! You can check out more of her photos at www.manwellphotography.com. She took me all over. We went to her parents’ land, an old train, some alleyways, different buildings, her land and to the studio at her house. Here’s some of my favorites:

http://i401.photobucket.com/albums/pp95/stacikristine/wedding%20pics/001.png

http://i401.photobucket.com/albums/pp95/stacikristine/wedding%20pics/003.png

http://i401.photobucket.com/albums/pp95/stacikristine/wedding%20pics/004.png

http://i401.photobucket.com/albums/pp95/stacikristine/wedding%20pics/006.png

http://i401.photobucket.com/albums/pp95/stacikristine/wedding%20pics/008.png

http://i401.photobucket.com/albums/pp95/stacikristine/wedding%20pics/011.png

http://i401.photobucket.com/albums/pp95/stacikristine/wedding%20pics/014.png

[stacikristine]

I got married on December 20, 2008 to my best friend in the world. We met during freshman orientation the summer before we started college. We went to Dallas Baptist University and loved every second of it. We immediately became great friends. We started dating the spring of our sophomore year and got married 1.5 years later.

Since we go to a really small church, we got married at one of the bigger churches in our town. FYI we both have HUGE families! We were expecting over 150 FAMILY MEMBERS! And that’s with most of his mom’s family not being able to come. And since DH works for a church, we invited the entire church. Plus friends from college and the camp where we worked in the summers. And family friends…and the list goes on. We ended up having over 300 at the reception and more at the ceremony. We were shocked so many people came the Saturday before Christmas!

It was honestly the best day of my life. And I’m so thankful I was able to share it with so many of my friends and family. My face hurt so much from smiling all day, but I couldn’t help it. The reception was my favorite—we just got to go around and hang out and visit with everyone who came. It was a gigantic party and we had a BLAST!

Again, I would love to put all the pictures up, but there’s over 500…so no can do. Here’s some of my favorites. (I’ll commentate at the bottom of the pics)

http://i401.photobucket.com/albums/pp95/stacikristine/wedding%20pics/002-1.png
We decided to see each other before the wedding. We did this so that we would have time to take all of the pictures besides the family pics before the wedding. We also wanted time to pray together and just sit by ourselves and cherish this special time before everything got crazy. This was me before we saw each other.

http://i401.photobucket.com/albums/pp95/stacikristine/wedding%20pics/004-1.png
Our first hug after we saw each other for the first time

http://i401.photobucket.com/albums/pp95/stacikristine/wedding%20pics/008-1.png
This is our wedding party—I know, it’s huge. But we love these people so much! We couldn’t narrow it down.

http://i401.photobucket.com/albums/pp95/stacikristine/wedding%20pics/007-1.png
And these are all of the kids under 18 who had a part in the wedding!!! And they all did so great—no one did anything crazy. We have so many kids in our family, and we couldn’t ask one cousin without the other, so they’re all in! I think it was one of the best parts of the wedding though. They loved being included.

http://i401.photobucket.com/albums/pp95/stacikristine/wedding%20pics/013-1.png
My uncle officiated the wedding. It was extra special for me because he married my parents too! They were his first wedding.

http://i401.photobucket.com/albums/pp95/stacikristine/wedding%20pics/012-1.png
Balcony shot of the ceremony

http://i401.photobucket.com/albums/pp95/stacikristine/wedding%20pics/017.png
After the wedding with our new rings!

[stacikristine]

http://i401.photobucket.com/albums/pp95/stacikristine/wedding%20pics/020.png
His Cake—we didn’t get any. My mom’s best friend kept some for us, but my brother ate it while we were on our honeymoon!!

http://i401.photobucket.com/albums/pp95/stacikristine/wedding%20pics/021.png
My Cake—it was super yummy!

http://i401.photobucket.com/albums/pp95/stacikristine/wedding%20pics/022.png
Our first dance. We danced to Etta James’ “At Last”

http://i401.photobucket.com/albums/pp95/stacikristine/wedding%20pics/023.png
I have no clue why, but I cried—cried, not just a few tears—when I danced with my dad. I’ve always been a Daddy’s Girl.

http://i401.photobucket.com/albums/pp95/stacikristine/wedding%20pics/024.png
We seriously had the most fun reception I’ve ever been to—and I’m not just being biased! Our DJ and his wife were incredible. She was out in the middle dancing with all of us and getting everyone to participate. I think here we were doing the Cupid Shuffle. I was surprised at how many people danced!

http://i401.photobucket.com/albums/pp95/stacikristine/wedding%20pics/026.png
This is us doing a “Grease” medley. She had the girls line up on one side and the guys on the other. It was so fun! I love this pic because it has my little cousins and some of my aunts. The video showed people lined up all the way to the dinner tables!

http://i401.photobucket.com/albums/pp95/stacikristine/wedding%20pics/029.png
We LOVE dancing. We used to dance all the time in Dallas. We’d go country, salsa, or swing dancing!

http://i401.photobucket.com/albums/pp95/stacikristine/wedding%20pics/030.png
This is one of my favorites. My brother is dancing with my cousin’s little girl. She tells everyone that he’s her PRINCE and that her favorite song is “At Last”!! There’s a Disney Princess if I ever saw one!! Btw they go to WDW every year.

http://i401.photobucket.com/albums/pp95/stacikristine/wedding%20pics/027.png
My little sis caught the bouquet!

http://i401.photobucket.com/albums/pp95/stacikristine/wedding%20pics/032.png
We changed and then came back down for one more song with everyone. It was such a great night! The best of my life!

[ClaraBug]

You are beautiful with extraordinary eyes. Your eyes were the first thing I noticed in your pictures. You are truly blessed to find a great guy like your husband! I wish you two many, many years of happiness!!

My sister and her husband also danced their first dance to Etta James "At Last"

I can't wait to see more!!

[stacikristine]

You are beautiful with extraordinary eyes. Your eyes were the first thing I noticed in your pictures. You are truly blessed to find a great guy like your husband! I wish you two many, many years of happiness!!

My sister and her husband also danced their first dance to Etta James "At Last"

I can't wait to see more!!

Thank you so much!! You're so sweet. My husband is great--I couldn't ask for better. Thanks for reading my PTR! I'm very excited about it. I'll post an actual Disney update soon! :)

[Roxychica7]

Man! You've got some GREAT pics. ::yes:: I LOVE the one of you getting out of the carriage and all the wedding pictures that has the bright red contrasted against your white dress, you had another AMAZING photographer. Such a beautiful wedding and you two look SO happy together!! :goodvibes

[stacikristine]

Man! You've got some GREAT pics. ::yes:: I LOVE the one of you getting out of the carriage and all the wedding pictures that has the bright red contrasted against your white dress, you had another AMAZING photographer. Such a beautiful wedding and you two look SO happy together!! :goodvibes

Thanks! I love them. I'm glad that we're going to have these pictures to remember everything! We are SO happy!!! Thanks for the sweet message.

[BridetobeDisney]

Oh Wow! You are just beyond gorgeous! The pictures are amazing. The proposal was the sweetest thing I've ever heard. DH proposed to me at his apartment too. The ring was under the bed and he had candles lit. It was so sweet. I'll always remember my little yorkie mix he had bought me was so tiny and she was trying to steal his spotlight. She just kept barking. That's a special memory because she went over the rainbow bridge way to early in life at only a year and a half. It's nice to know she was there with us to share the proposal.

[swtmommie2four]

Oh my, your wedding pictures are gorgeous! You make me really, really want to get that e-book! I can't wait till September!!!! :cool1:

[kellbelle0618]

Your DH planned a wonderful proposal. It's funny that the pillow caught on fire because is something that would have happened to my fiance. He proposed to me on a hot air balloon and was terrified the whole time that he was going to drop the ring over the edge. :rotfl:


I love your engagement and wedding pictures. Your dress was gorgeous...you made a beautiful bride. I ordered my dress this week and I am excited. :bride:

[BellaSoleil]

I loved all of the pictures! I'm so glad you had so much fun!

How much are you loving (because I know you are) playing house? Isn't it such a sweet time?:goodvibes

[jenjolt]

Your wedding was just pure magic!! Congratulations!! I'm so glad you had the best day ever...just like every bride deserves!!!!

[stacikristine]

Oh Wow! You are just beyond gorgeous! The pictures are amazing. The proposal was the sweetest thing I've ever heard. DH proposed to me at his apartment too. The ring was under the bed and he had candles lit. It was so sweet. I'll always remember my little yorkie mix he had bought me was so tiny and she was trying to steal his spotlight. She just kept barking. That's a special memory because she went over the rainbow bridge way to early in life at only a year and a half. It's nice to know she was there with us to share the proposal.

Thanks so much! You're sweet. What a neat memory! That is so special--I'm sure you'll always have a really special place in your heart for your yorkie! I'm sorry you don't have her anymore. I think sweet proposals are so great because they show just how much the guy is going to go out of his way to make us feel special! Yours sounds wonderful too!

Oh my, your wedding pictures are gorgeous! You make me really, really want to get that e-book! I can't wait till September!!!! :cool1:

Thank you so much! You should get the e-book! It's only $20. And I'm saving $250 of what I was originally planning (staying at POP) and $1400 of what we would be spending if we booked the "traditional" way!!! It's www.dw-secrets.com. I fully encourage you to get it! :thumbsup2

Your DH planned a wonderful proposal. It's funny that the pillow caught on fire because is something that would have happened to my fiance. He proposed to me on a hot air balloon and was terrified the whole time that he was going to drop the ring over the edge. :rotfl:


I love your engagement and wedding pictures. Your dress was gorgeous...you made a beautiful bride. I ordered my dress this week and I am excited. :bride:

What an amazing story! I've never been in a hot air balloon. I bet it was so special! Haha--at the wedding, I was standing over a little hole in the stage (I think it was for something to do with the sound) and I was terrified I was going to drop his ring in it during the ceremony! Tell your DFi I sympathize with him!

Thank you--I loved taking all of the pictures--we had a blast! And the bridal portraits were 4.5 hours of ME IN THE SPOTLIGHT which I loved. ;) Wow--I bet you're so excited! It seems like it takes forever for the dress to come, but when it does..... :) I'm so happy for you!

I loved all of the pictures! I'm so glad you had so much fun!

How much are you loving (because I know you are) playing house? Isn't it such a sweet time?:goodvibes

Thanks! I can't even say how much I love it! It's what I've wanted my whole life (well...besides being a Mommy!) But it makes me want to quit my job and be a stay-at-home-wife! I just have to keep reminding myself that the only reason I'm working is to pay off student loans and save for a baby so I can stay home with him/her! :) And that makes it worth it! Yes--It's such a sweet, sweet time! I can only imagine what a sweet time being a Mommy is too--I bet you cherish every minute with Belle!

Your wedding was just pure magic!! Congratulations!! I'm so glad you had the best day ever...just like every bride deserves!!!!

Thank you! I couldn't have asked for more! :)

[stacikristine]

Thank you all for your sweet words! You just made my day.

I just want you to know that I showed DH the Boards for the first time last night!! I showed him my thread and then showed him all of your PTRs and pictures of you! :goodvibes I had no clue that I would be so excited to share this with him until last night. It was like I just started Kindergarten and I was showing him my "new friends at school!" :rotfl: So thanks for making my night last night too!

[ClaraBug]

. It was like I just started Kindergarten and I was showing him my "new friends at school!" :rotfl: So thanks for making my night last night too!

I feel like that sometimes too!! :grouphug:

[stacikristine]

First of all, I ordered two new Disney books!! I got “The Unofficial Guide…” and “Birnbaum’s…” !! I bought both of them on Amazon and since it came to $25.12, I got free shipping. I can’t wait for them to come in—I just hope I don’t abandon all of my school work to read them as fast as I can!

Secondly, Michael is ridiculous! Every since I showed him the boards, he’s been such a goof! He adds “D” in front of everything!! :laughing: For example: We were grocery shopping and he said, “We’re buying DF—Disney Food!” And “You’re DF—Disney Funny!” And “Can I have a DK—Disney Kiss?” Even though it drives me nuts, I can’t help but laugh so hard every time he says it—it’s crazy the things he comes up with! And yesterday he sent me this text: “Thank you for wanting us to have a very special vacation at Disney! I know that I pick on you for all of your research, but I do it cause you’re cute and I love you! I am very thankful to know that you just care very deeply and just want it to be an unforgettable experience together! I love you! PS did you write about me putting a D before everything?” :lovestruc It made my day—and I thought it was really cute that he wanted me to tell you all that he puts a D in front of everything!!

**I also have a tentative schedule finished! :banana: :banana: I’ll revise this once the park and EMHs are posted, but going off of last year’s calendar, this is where we’ll be going each day:

19—Saturday
Drive to Dallas
Hotel by the Airport

20—Sunday
Arrive in Orlando
Check in at AKV! (we might have to go to the park and then check in—our room won’t be ready yet)
AFTERNOON: Magic Kingdom (hopefully by 1pm)
NIGHT: Magic Kingdom

21—Monday
MORNING: Disney’s Hollywood Studios
AFTERNOON: DHS
NIGHT: DHS

22—Tuesday
MORNING: Epcot
AFTERNOON: Epcot
NIGHT: Epcot

23—Wednesday
MORNING: Animal Kingdom
AFTERNOON: Animal Kingdom
NIGHT: Epcot

24—Thursday
MORNING: Visit Resorts/Relax at AKV
AFTERNOON: Visit Resorts/Relax
NIGHT: Relax at AKV

25—Friday
MORNING: Magic Kingdom
AFTERNOON: Magic Kingdom
NIGHT: ?? Whatever we want

26—Saturday
MORNING: ?? Whatever we want
AFTERNOON: ?? Whatever we want
Head back to the Airport (leave the parks around 3)


So…these are our plans so far! I’m more and more excited every day! :yay: :woohoo: I think Thursday might be one of my favorite days. I’ve never had a “relax day” at Disney before. I really want to explore the different resorts and have time to actually enjoy ours!!

NEXT UP: ADRs—Or our plans so far!

ALSO: Let me know if you have an attraction/something we should make a priority! We’ve started looking at things we want to do, and we don’t want to leave anything out!

[DreaGirl]

I love having a relax day! It really recharges you. We always go and walk around a few resorts on our down day just to check them out. :)

[autumnpalm]

Hi! I just read your whole trip report. Oh my gosh, your wedding pictures had me tearing up, they are so beautiful.:lovestruc Congratulations!!!

That is so exciting you are staying at AKL for less than the POP! I would love to rent points but I find the whole process kind of intimidating LOL. But after reading this I might head over and check it out.

I keep promising myself... no more PTR to read because I spend waaayyy too much time over here... but I couldn't help myself. You have such a great one going, I've got to keep reading!:laughing:

[HeatherBelle614]

We're going in September, except we'll be there two weeks before you guys!!

Where in the DFW area do you live? I saw you say you took your bridals in FTW. Maybe you're near me??

Subscribed! I'm new to the PTR board!

[stacikristine]

I love having a relax day! It really recharges you. We always go and walk around a few resorts on our down day just to check them out. :)

Welcome! Thanks for reading! I'm really excited to relax! What are your favorite resorts to visit? I want to be sure and see the best ones!!

Hi! I just read your whole trip report. Oh my gosh, your wedding pictures had me tearing up, they are so beautiful.:lovestruc Congratulations!!!

That is so exciting you are staying at AKL for less than the POP! I would love to rent points but I find the whole process kind of intimidating LOL. But after reading this I might head over and check it out.

I keep promising myself... no more PTR to read because I spend waaayyy too much time over here... but I couldn't help myself. You have such a great one going, I've got to keep reading!:laughing:

Hi!! Thanks for reading my PTR!!

Thank you--it was the best day of my life. :)

You should TOTALLY look into renting points next time! I've been blown away by the whole thing! You can probably get them for around $10 pp. This is a STEAL!

Haha--I tell myself the same thing. But I have to read everyone who reads mine--plus some! :rotfl: Well--thanks a ton for reading! I'll pop on over to yours now!

We're going in September, except we'll be there two weeks before you guys!!

Where in the DFW area do you live? I saw you say you took your bridals in FTW. Maybe you're near me??

Subscribed! I'm new to the PTR board!

Welcome to my PTR! Thanks for reading!!

Oh wow--we'll just barely miss each other. I'm excited about Sept. I've never been then. I went in Oct one year, and the rest were in the summer. Have you gone in Sept before?

I actually live in Oklahoma now. I was in Dallas for a little over 2 years. I was at school at DBU (which is off of Loop 12 in between 20 and 30). I LOVED being in Dallas!! We would love to move back someday. We're going to be in FW sometime between now and April because Michael's sister lives there and she's getting ready to move to NY--so we're planning a trip. It would be so cool if we did still live there bc maybe we could meet up! Small world.

[jenjolt]

You know what I just realized we're going to cross paths even if for a slight moment at Disney!! I arrive on the 26th which is the day you leave LOL!!!! Talk about small world LOL

[HeatherBelle614]

I've never been in September, either. I'm excited! I'm hoping they'll have some fall/Halloween decor up. They did it early last year, so I'm going to keep my fingers crossed tight!

If you have any spare time when you do come back here, let me know!! We can walk around a Disney Store or something! :)

[stacikristine]

You know what I just realized we're going to cross paths even if for a slight moment at Disney!! I arrive on the 26th which is the day you leave LOL!!!! Talk about small world LOL

Really?! "It's a small world after all!!" :) What time are you arriving? How crazy would it be if we ran into each other?!

I've never been in September, either. I'm excited! I'm hoping they'll have some fall/Halloween decor up. They did it early last year, so I'm going to keep my fingers crossed tight!

If you have any spare time when you do come back here, let me know!! We can walk around a Disney Store or something! :)

I went in October, and the Halloween stuff was great! We went to MNSSHP. A blast. :) I know it'll be up when we go, because the party is already going on. So I bet they'll at least start putting it up when you're there!!

I will for sure. How fun would that be? I told my DH about you living in Plano. :)

[MaleDisneyBeliever]

Hey! A great start to your PTR so far! I've been reading like mad too since I discovered these boards.

Your wedding pics look amazing! I've never been to a wedding before :( and at this rate (I plan to propose in September in WDW), mine will be the first one!

I had a call this morning, saying they were changing my flights by 2 days! :( The trips been pushed back those 2 days. We'll be in WDW from September 4th - 18th!

[DreaGirl]

Our favorite resorts to "browse" are Animal Kingdom Lodge, Poly, and Grand Floridian. :)

[mom_of_3_70737]

Great PTR. Looking forward to reading more :goodvibes We visited WDW last Sept (9/11-9/16) and all of the fall and Halloween decor was up. I loved it! They also had MNSSHP nights while we were there too. :)

[stacikristine]

Hey! A great start to your PTR so far! I've been reading like mad too since I discovered these boards.

Your wedding pics look amazing! I've never been to a wedding before :( and at this rate (I plan to propose in September in WDW), mine will be the first one!

I had a call this morning, saying they were changing my flights by 2 days! :( The trips been pushed back those 2 days. We'll be in WDW from September 4th - 18th!

Thanks for reading!! :) You've never been to a wedding?! I LOVE weddings. But it will be really cool that yours will be your first! That's really special. Early Congrats!! Proposing at Disney?!?!?!?! :love: How amazing! She will love it. Sorry about the date change for your trip. Wow--that's a really long trip!! You'll have a BLAST!!

Our favorite resorts to "browse" are Animal Kingdom Lodge, Poly, and Grand Floridian. :)

We'll be at AKL! Thanks for the other suggestions--we'll for sure try to make it to them!!! They look awesome.

Great PTR. Looking forward to reading more :goodvibes We visited WDW last Sept (9/11-9/16) and all of the fall and Halloween decor was up. I loved it! They also had MNSSHP nights while we were there too. :)

Thanks for reading!!! :) Yay--I'm glad the decor will already be up. I loved it a couple of years ago in October. MNSSHP is so fun, but we're going to pass. I think it's more fun with little kids. Did yall get to go?

[stacikristine]

I bought our plane tickets this morning! I have been checking prices since October (when we decided to go). The lowest price I could ever get was around $580 for both of us. There were some that were cheaper, but they had 4-8 hour flights (because they had a stop in Atlanta) or they were arriving late at night on Sunday. We can’t do that, because we want to be able to enjoy Disney on Sunday!!

Well…Today I decided to search again, and I found our tickets for $492 for both of us—for non-stop flights!! And they’re the exact time frames we were looking for!

I know that I might be able to find cheaper, but I really don’t want to risk it. Since gas prices have slowly crawling back up, I have a feeling the airlines will slowly start to raise their prices again too. \

Here it is: We’re flying AirTran (which I’ve never done). Does anyone have any good things to say about it? I know we have to pay $15 to check our first bag, but practically all of them charge $25 now, so it’s not that bad.

We’re leaving DFW at 7:50 am and arriving at MCO at 11:45—plenty of time to spend in the parks!!!

When we return, we’re leaving MCO at 5:41 and arriving at DFW at 7:32—again, plenty of time in the parks!!

It feels more real with every big purchase we make!! I’m SOOOO excited! I don’t think a day goes by that I don’t tell Michael, “We’re going to Disney World!!”

[ClaraBug]

:cool1:

I have also looked into Airtran and the couple people I have spoke to said that they liked flying Airtran...it was nothing fancy but no problems!

I got two :thumbsup2

[ramatae]

I enjoyed reading your report! I also am a trip to WDW with my DH for next year. He's never been and I'm so excited to plan the trip for the two of us!

I look forward to following the rest of your story! Thanks for posting! :)

[autumnpalm]

Yayyyy for plane tickets!!!

We got a really good deal on ours, but I'm not so thrilled with the times... on our arrival day we don't get to Orlando until 4:30 and the flight has a stopover. We saved a lot of money over a direct flight at a better time though, so we ended up adding a day to make up for it!:rotfl:

I've never flown with AirTran but I've also never heard anything bad about them!:thumbsup2

[A.Mickey]

Oh by the way, to put your PTR link in your sig- just go to where you edit your signature and click the icon that looks like a globe and a paperclip (haha) and you can put your link in there. If you want to link it like mine with your own words you do this:
[url="http://www.yourlinkhere.com"]Click me![/url ] (minus the space at the end)

:worship: :worship: :worship:
I don't know if she will see this, but I am sooo glad I found this out....I have been asking forever to see how to have clickable links in siggy but haven't gotten the help yet.

Haven't gotten far on your PTR, but isn't renting DVC pts the best :). We can all dream to own one day! We are renting DVC pts for the 1st time on our Trip too. I gotta go catch up on your report. This is addicting!

[Disneyfan71]

Hi Staci...I'm ALL caught up now. You are absolutely beautiful by the way and love your dress. The wedding photos are awesome.

As for AirTran--we've flown them once and didn't have any problems. We're going in June but not sure if we'll fly or drive. I'd love to fly and not worry about having a car down there. If we do fly, it will be Southwest since it's a direct flight from here to Orlando. AirTran doesn't fly direct--we have to stop in Atlanta. Plus you need a pretty long layover to accomodate for delays and such.

I will definitely be keeping up and can't wait for more ;)

[HeatherBelle614]

HAPPY VALENTINE'S DAY!! :hug:

[BridetobeDisney]

Happy Valentine's Day!!:lovestruc

[Disneyfan71]

Happy Valentine's Day Staci

[stacikristine]

:cool1:

I have also looked into Airtran and the couple people I have spoke to said that they liked flying Airtran...it was nothing fancy but no problems!

I got two :thumbsup2

Thanks! I was worried...but it sounds like things will be fine! :)

I enjoyed reading your report! I also am a trip to WDW with my DH for next year. He's never been and I'm so excited to plan the trip for the two of us!

I look forward to following the rest of your story! Thanks for posting! :)

Thanks for reading! That's so exciting!! :) How long have yall been married? I'm sure he will LOVE it. And I bet it will be one of your greatest trips since he'll be with you. I think that's what I'm most excited about for our trip!

Yayyyy for plane tickets!!!

We got a really good deal on ours, but I'm not so thrilled with the times... on our arrival day we don't get to Orlando until 4:30 and the flight has a stopover. We saved a lot of money over a direct flight at a better time though, so we ended up adding a day to make up for it!:rotfl:

I've never flown with AirTran but I've also never heard anything bad about them!:thumbsup2

:) Doesn't it just make it seem more real? I'm sorry your times aren't the greatest--but YAY for getting an extra day out of it!!!! :) I'm sure you'll be so excited to get to Disney that the stopover just flies by.

:worship: :worship: :worship:
I don't know if she will see this, but I am sooo glad I found this out....I have been asking forever to see how to have clickable links in siggy but haven't gotten the help yet.

Haven't gotten far on your PTR, but isn't renting DVC pts the best :). We can all dream to own one day! We are renting DVC pts for the 1st time on our Trip too. I gotta go catch up on your report. This is addicting!

Thanks for reading my PTR!!! :) Kgle saved me too!! YAY--another person renting DVC pts. I haven't heard of anyone else doing this. I'm really excited about it (as you can see). Have you rented before? I'm curious how the tickets will work. I'm buying through a non-Disney vendor, and I just want to make sure it won't mess up the Dining Plan and stuff (before, we've had them all on one). Do you have any answers? :)

Hi Staci...I'm ALL caught up now. You are absolutely beautiful by the way and love your dress. The wedding photos are awesome.

As for AirTran--we've flown them once and didn't have any problems. We're going in June but not sure if we'll fly or drive. I'd love to fly and not worry about having a car down there. If we do fly, it will be Southwest since it's a direct flight from here to Orlando. AirTran doesn't fly direct--we have to stop in Atlanta. Plus you need a pretty long layover to accomodate for delays and such.

I will definitely be keeping up and can't wait for more ;)

:) Thanks for reading my whole report! :) Thank you--I had a blast taking the pictures and picking out my dress and everything. I feel like everything came together well.

I'm glad to hear you've flown AirTran (honestly, I'd never even heard of them...) and it was good. Direct flights are the way to go!! I've had some looooong layovers, and I'd rather do without if at all possible. Thanks again!!

[stacikristine]

HAPPY VALENTINE'S DAY!! :hug:

Happy Valentine's Day!!:lovestruc

Happy Valentine's Day Staci


Happy Valentine's Day to you all too!!!! :hug:

I hope you had an amazing day! I was at a couples conference at the camp I used to work at. It was AWESOME! We're already signed up for Valentine's Day next year! :)

So...what was the highlight of everyone's Valentine's?!

[stacikristine]

Ok. So this is when you know you’re addicted to Disney Planning…

My Disney Planning books came in (YAY!) on Friday, and yesterday I brought Birnbaum’s Official Guide to work. Well, I work at a computer. So I knew I couldn’t get away with reading the book while I was here. NOT SO!! I went and scanned the pages (about 14 at a time) and saved them to my personal file. :lmao: This way, it LOOKS like I’m doing work “work” but I’m actually doing Disney “work”! :rotfl:

Disclaimer: I still do my real work. I’m just finish it a lot quicker than my boss is used to, so I never have anything to do. Or when I have “designer’s block” and I get frustrated and can’t seem to design anything right, we’re supposed to “clear our heads” so we can refocus. So I’m not quite as bad as I painted myself to be at first.

But I’m still pretty devious! Plus, I’m being more productive than just sitting here! :thumbsup2

[MaleDisneyBeliever]

I went and scanned the pages (about 14 at a time) and saved them to my personal file. :lmao: This way, it LOOKS like I’m doing work “work” but I’m actually doing Disney “work”! :rotfl:

Ooooo... I like it!!

[HeatherBelle614]

Ok. So this is when you know you’re addicted to Disney Planning…

My Disney Planning books came in (YAY!) on Friday, and yesterday I brought Birnbaum’s Official Guide to work. Well, I work at a computer. So I knew I couldn’t get away with reading the book while I was here. NOT SO!! I went and scanned the pages (about 14 at a time) and saved them to my personal file. :lmao: This way, it LOOKS like I’m doing work “work” but I’m actually doing Disney “work”! :rotfl:

Disclaimer: I still do my real work. I’m just finish it a lot quicker than my boss is used to, so I never have anything to do. Or when I have “designer’s block” and I get frustrated and can’t seem to design anything right, we’re supposed to “clear our heads” so we can refocus. So I’m not quite as bad as I painted myself to be at first.

But I’m still pretty devious! Plus, I’m being more productive than just sitting here! :thumbsup2

Amazing! I'm so proud of you! :cheer2:

[Disneyfan71]

That's a good idea---to scan the pages in so you aren't reading a book...and I'm sure it does make you look more productive. And believe me if I had a desk job like that I'd be doing the same thing at work ;) You're not alone.

[TeaForTulips]

subbing! love your report! amazing pics!

I love that you scanned your books to your computer! :laughing: That rocks!To spare you the long story, I am shy of a working laptop at home lately and so I DIS at work... I'm scared that one day I will pull up the page and they will have it blocked! :mad: but so far so good ....

I cant wait to read more! :flower3:

[stacikristine]

Ooooo... I like it!!

Thank you very much! I like it too! Now I have something to do! :rotfl:

Amazing! I'm so proud of you! :cheer2:

Thanks! :lmao: I don't know if it constitutes pride, but coming from a DISer, I'll take it! :laughing:

That's a good idea---to scan the pages in so you aren't reading a book...and I'm sure it does make you look more productive. And believe me if I had a desk job like that I'd be doing the same thing at work ;) You're not alone.

Thanks--I'm glad to know I'm not alone in this world of corporate boringness! If you worked with me, we could share scanned books! :laughing:

subbing! love your report! amazing pics!

I love that you scanned your books to your computer! :laughing: That rocks!To spare you the long story, I am shy of a working laptop at home lately and so I DIS at work... I'm scared that one day I will pull up the page and they will have it blocked! :mad: but so far so good ....

I cant wait to read more! :flower3:

Thanks for reading!!! I hope you enjoy it! Well, we're kinda "borrowing" internet from our neighbor, so sometimes it works here and sometimes it doesn't. Oh--and don't worry...it's not illegal. He didn't lock his service. :confused3 I KNOW!!! I'm so worried they'll block it at mine too! But as for now it shows up as "unclassified" on our reports. ;)

[HeatherBelle614]

UPDATE!! How is the sneaky book reading going! I want to hear! :cool1:

[stacikristine]

So sorry I've been MIA since Wednesday! I've been busy beyond what should be legal!

This weekend, I had to write a paper in Spanish (sick), Complete 100 pages of a workbook about lesson plans (not fun), take 2 quizzes online (why?!), finish a group project (with an over-achiever), and read about 100 pages of Jane Austen research (for my paper). Holy cow--I'm ready to graduate. I am so sick of working full-time and finishing school. August, where are you?!

On top of that, from 3-11 on Saturday I was helping my husband with a youth rally! It was really great--I'm excited to see how our "kids" react (once the excitement dies down, because that's what matters).

Today at work has been lovely...NOT! I came in this morning to a blue screen with a warning. It's been like that about every-other Monday for 6 months. They kept promising me a new computer, and I had enough today. I called and reminded them (nicely--I promise!) that I still don't have a new one. Well...they got me a new one but now I'm having to deal with a whole new set of issues. Like not being able to get on the internet (they fixed it, thank goodness), not having any FONTS--how am I supossed to be able to do anything without fonts?! and it messing with all of my fonts in my email so it looks silly. I think tech support is sick of my voice.

Sorry to rant. It's been frustrating.

But I have still been productive. I have a research paper to write about how the life and times of Jane Austen influenced "Persuasion". So I downloaded a free e-book of Persuasion and I've read almost the whole thing over the past few work days. I should be finished today. Hey--if they aren't going to give me work, I'll find my own. ;) And then it's back to Disney planning!!!

Random side note: I dreamed my mom and I had to take a quick trip to Disney so we could plan their family trip for the summer (even though in real life they aren't taking one) and mine and Michael's trip for the fall. Don't ask me why we had to go there--I guess we had to scope things out. :upsidedow

And then I woke up asking Michael if he wanted to schedule big meals for lunch and pretty much stay in the parks for the majority of the day or if he wanted to go back and relax for a couple of hours and then get ready for dinner and go back to the parks. As you can probably imagine, Disney was NOT on his "must discuss at 6:45 am topics"! :confused3 Why not?! :laughing: So...do yall have suggestions as to what we should do?

Sorry...this was a random post. But it's been a random day!

[stacikristine]

Oh--and I found some Disney pictures from Fall 2006 and I'll add them soon--maybe tomorrow. :)

[HeatherBelle614]

Ugh to being busy, but that's always a great thing in my book! I'd rather have too much going on than not having anything to do at all!

I like doing dinners, personally. We always do the parks, go to our resort, rest/change, and then go to dinner and park hop afterwards if we feel like it. It makes the day more relaxing in my book!

[stacikristine]

Ugh to being busy, but that's always a great thing in my book! I'd rather have too much going on than not having anything to do at all!

I like doing dinners, personally. We always do the parks, go to our resort, rest/change, and then go to dinner and park hop afterwards if we feel like it. It makes the day more relaxing in my book!

I agree--I feel so useless if I don't have anything to do! That's why I have to "make" things for me to do at work. ;)

Thanks for the advice. I'm really leaning towards that. I've always been with my mom--and she likes to go, go, go. Even though it's a ton of fun, and we get to do a lot, it's not super relaxing. After the crazy summer we have planned (I have a conference for work, and he has 3 camps plus a mission trip with the kids, and we're both taking the kids to a youth ralley) we're going to need relaxing. This trip is also a delayed honeymoon (ours was small because of Christmas' dates) as well as a Yay for being done with school trip. :) So I think relaxing is sounding better and better every minute! Thanks!

[jenjolt]

WoW you have been extremely busy!! I would love to hear your thesis on how you believe her life impacted the writing of Persuasion. Persuasion is one of my very most favorite of Jane Austen's novels!

I wish you the best of luck as you get ready to graduate and am really crossing my fingers for you!!!

[Roxychica7]

Oh man am I with you girl! Dbf and I are SO ready to graduate. He has 2 classes left and an Independent Project (an alternative thesis) BUT also works 20 hours a week at NASA. I on the otherhand have my Graduate Assistantship, a part time job with the Smithsonian AND I'm working on my thesis. Plus, we're moving out of our apartment this summer before we graduate in August, so the whole house looking process and job looking process. I totally feel you, so good luck with your work!!! :goodvibes

[autumnpalm]

Wow, have you ever been busy!:scared1: You must have a crazy schedule working and studying part time. Your Jane Austen paper sounds so interesting. I always like papers when I can write about something I enjoy.

I really like having a bit of time away from the parks every day, so I would definitely vote for dinner. I find I can get almost... overstimulated? at the parks and I start getting a headache from the walking and crowds and noise etc so a break in the room or at a quiet restaurant is perfect.:thumbsup2 Plus then I can get recharged for EMH!

[stacikristine]

WoW you have been extremely busy!! I would love to hear your thesis on how you believe her life impacted the writing of Persuasion. Persuasion is one of my very most favorite of Jane Austen's novels!

I wish you the best of luck as you get ready to graduate and am really crossing my fingers for you!!!

Well...my thesis is due this week (by midnight Sunday) so I'll share it with you as soon as I can. I've finished reading all my resources and the novel (I got an e-version so I could make notes in the actual document as I read). I LOVE Persuasion!! Jane Austen is my all-time favorite classic author. Ted Dekker is my favorite current author by the way. I think Emma is my favorite JA novel. Thank you so much! It's much appreciated!

Oh man am I with you girl! Dbf and I are SO ready to graduate. He has 2 classes left and an Independent Project (an alternative thesis) BUT also works 20 hours a week at NASA. I on the otherhand have my Graduate Assistantship, a part time job with the Smithsonian AND I'm working on my thesis. Plus, we're moving out of our apartment this summer before we graduate in August, so the whole house looking process and job looking process. I totally feel you, so good luck with your work!!! :goodvibes


Oh gosh. You do understand!!! I'm so ready to get it over with. Luckily DH is finished, so he can help me when I need it. I didn't realize we're all 3 graduating in August! PARTY TIME!!! :dance3: I'm so glad we decided to stay renting for the time being. I don't think I could handle looking for a house too! Good luck!

[stacikristine]

Wow, have you ever been busy!:scared1: You must have a crazy schedule working and studying part time. Your Jane Austen paper sounds so interesting. I always like papers when I can write about something I enjoy.

I really like having a bit of time away from the parks every day, so I would definitely vote for dinner. I find I can get almost... overstimulated? at the parks and I start getting a headache from the walking and crowds and noise etc so a break in the room or at a quiet restaurant is perfect.:thumbsup2 Plus then I can get recharged for EMH!

Yeah...to say the least. And the crazy thing is they're both full time. I work 8 hours a day then go home and have to work on my online classes. Sick. But only 5 more months!!! :)

My prof let us pick our own topics, and I adore Jane Austen's novels, so I picked one I hadn't read yet, and went with it. It's been good so far. It hasn't even felt like work.

Good plan!!! I think I'm liking the Dinner TS more and more. Thanks for the advice! I thought I had my ADRs planned out...but now I'm back to square one. But it's a good thing--it'll keep me busy with Disney stuff!

[autumnpalm]

Ahaha whoops I totally meant to write studying and working full time. I'm not THAT dense, I swear.:rotfl2:

[ClaraBug]

My prof let us pick our own topics, and I adore Jane Austen's novels, so I picked one I hadn't read yet, and went with it. It's been good so far. It hasn't even felt like work.



I loved reading "Persuasion" it was a hard read but I loved the storyline!

[HeatherBelle614]

Ohhhh, lady! Take the relaxing route! DH had only been once before our honeymoon, and he wasn't a WDW fan because his mom made them go, go, go. Then, we went on our honeymoon, did everything we wanted to do, but still relaxed and he's hooked! WDW is so much better when you aren't rushing around!

[stacikristine]

Ahaha whoops I totally meant to write studying and working full time. I'm not THAT dense, I swear.:rotfl2:

Haha!! I didn't think you were dense at all--promise! :) I thought maybe I hadn't said.

I loved reading "Persuasion" it was a hard read but I loved the storyline!

I've LOVED reading it! All of her books are hard reads, but they're so worth it. Emma is my favorite. It's the most action-filled throughout the entire book in my opinion. The storyline of this one was so good--I almost "Awww"ed out-loud at work!

Ohhhh, lady! Take the relaxing route! DH had only been once before our honeymoon, and he wasn't a WDW fan because his mom made them go, go, go. Then, we went on our honeymoon, did everything we wanted to do, but still relaxed and he's hooked! WDW is so much better when you aren't rushing around!

Thanks for the advice! I think I have my answer: we will be relaxing and going back to the hotel before dinner. Plus, we're at AKV!! We'll want to take it all in. I've never even spent time at the hotel before. This will be a treat!

[ClaraBug]

I've LOVED reading it! All of her books are hard reads, but they're so worth it. Emma is my favorite. It's the most action-filled throughout the entire book in my opinion. The storyline of this one was so good--I almost "Awww"ed out-loud at work!



I totally agree!!

[stacikristine]

I decided to go back and do a mini TR on my Oct 2006 trip. I’ll introduce you to the cast:

Me: 19—you’ve seen plenty of pictures of me

These are all pictures of us on DME—we were so excited!

My grandparents (on my mom’s side)
http://i401.photobucket.com/albums/pp95/stacikristine/disney%2006/Disney086.jpg

DM and Aunt L (sisters)
http://i401.photobucket.com/albums/pp95/stacikristine/disney%2006/Disney080.jpg

Cousin M and her Daughter A:1 (ps A is the same little girl who danced with my brother at my wedding and calls him her prince. This was her first Disney trip!)
http://i401.photobucket.com/albums/pp95/stacikristine/disney%2006/Disney082.jpg

Sister E:9 and Cousin M’s Daughter C:7
http://i401.photobucket.com/albums/pp95/stacikristine/disney%2006/Disney083.jpg

We went during my family’s fall break. I took a week off of work/school! AL planned the trip (it was her birthday present to herself) and she did an awesome job! We stayed at POP (I don’t have any pictures—hey—I didn’t DIS yet!) and loved it. We were practically never in our room, so it was perfect for us. A lot of the trip’s details are really fuzzy, but I’ll try my best to remember the gist of things.

Our first day, we went to MGM (I only figured this out by the clothes in the pictures…)

This was our first time to be on the DP and we LOVED it! I’ll never go without it again. We absolutely loved being able to go to all of the different restaurants and really take time to enjoy that side of Disney.

DM, E, and me being silly before Muppets 3-D
http://i401.photobucket.com/albums/pp95/stacikristine/disney%2006/Disney096.jpg

Gotta have a Herbie pose, right?!
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Playing in Honey I Shrunk the Kids Playground
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Toy Story was one of my family’s all-time favorites
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Eating at 50’s Prime Time Café
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Parade Pics: By the way…I am really going to miss this parade. I thought it was so unique!
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We had such a wonderful time! It was so neat to watch the girls get so excited about everything. Day one was a blast!

Up Next: Magic Kingdom Day!

[autumnpalm]

Awww I just love your idea of adding in a mini TR! I love that you got to go with all your extended family- I hope to be able to do that someday! The picture of all of you at the Primetime Cafe is great.:thumbsup2 My favourite pic is the one of you, your mom and your sister before Muppets though.:rotfl2:

[tinkgurl]

Such a good idea of doing a mini-TR.

By the way, I read 'Emma' for my Intro to Literature class last year. Thought you'd like to know. :)

[stacikristine]

Awww I just love your idea of adding in a mini TR! I love that you got to go with all your extended family- I hope to be able to do that someday! The picture of all of you at the Primetime Cafe is great.:thumbsup2 My favourite pic is the one of you, your mom and your sister before Muppets though.:rotfl2:

Thanks! I'm having a lot of fun with it. It's good to go back and "remember" the greatness that's Disney! :) I love that one too--one of my all-time favs!

Such a good idea of doing a mini-TR.

By the way, I read 'Emma' for my Intro to Literature class last year. Thought you'd like to know. :)

Thanks! I'm having a blast doing it! YAY for Emma! What did you think of it?

[stacikristine]

Ok. DISNEY TRIP UPDATE!

I ordered our tickets last night. Woo-Hoo! :dance3: We got 6 day PH tickets. I know I said in my first post that we were getting 7 day WPFM tickets, but we decided against it since we really didn't know how much we'd use the extra stuff and thought "there's always next time". We wanted to spend all our time in the parks/at our resort. Ans we got 6 days so we can have our “non-park day” where we stay at our resort and resort hop to all the ones we want to see and still be able to park hop all the other days. This trip is getting more and more “real” all the time! Every time we make a big purchase, I can almost feel the magic! :wizard:

So now…we have:

Our Room
Our Plane Tickets
Our Park Tickets


And we still need:

Our DFW Hotel Room
Checked Bag Fee
Dining Plan (we have to pay when we get there bc we’re renting)
Gas $
Tip $
Spending $


We have so little to still pay! Goodness—I’m pumped! DH keeps telling me I’m a DW=Disney Weirdie. But he says it lovingly, so I’m ok with that.


Now…I need your HELP! :confused3 I am trying to figure out what restaurants to go to. I thought I had it all figured out, and then Brandi (BridetobeDisney) was talking about how fantastic The Wave is. So now I want to make sure I have AMAZING meals. So…I would greatly appreciate it if you could send me your favorite TS and CS places (and if you’d like, your favorite meals there). I want to leave the CS meals pretty open, but it’s always good to have a list of good places to go—Right?!

I can’t wait to hear all of your favorite places! :yay: Thanks ahead of time!

[HeatherBelle614]

Ok. DISNEY TRIP UPDATE!

I ordered our tickets last night. Woo-Hoo! :dance3: We got 6 day PH tickets. I know I said in my first post that we were getting 7 day WPFM tickets, but we decided against it since we really didn't know how much we'd use the extra stuff and thought "there's always next time". We wanted to spend all our time in the parks/at our resort. Ans we got 6 days so we can have our “non-park day” where we stay at our resort and resort hop to all the ones we want to see and still be able to park hop all the other days. This trip is getting more and more “real” all the time! Every time we make a big purchase, I can almost feel the magic! :wizard:

So now…we have:

Our Room
Our Plane Tickets
Our Park Tickets


And we still need:

Our DFW Hotel Room
Checked Bag Fee
Dining Plan (we have to pay when we get there bc we’re renting)
Gas $
Tip $
Spending $


We have so little to still pay! Goodness—I’m pumped! DH keeps telling me I’m a DW=Disney Weirdie. But he says it lovingly, so I’m ok with that.


Now…I need your HELP! :confused3 I am trying to figure out what restaurants to go to. I thought I had it all figured out, and then Brandi (BridetobeDisney) was talking about how fantastic The Wave is. So now I want to make sure I have AMAZING meals. So…I would greatly appreciate it if you could send me your favorite TS and CS places (and if you’d like, your favorite meals there). I want to leave the CS meals pretty open, but it’s always good to have a list of good places to go—Right?!

I can’t wait to hear all of your favorite places! :yay: Thanks ahead of time!

Yay for getting stuff ordered!! We did 6 day tickets, too. We love having a day off to relax, walk around DTD, etc!

Ok, TS meals:
Crystal Palace - breakfast; this is such a great way to start your day in the park
Chef Mickey's - dinner; you can't go wrong with a buffet of amazing food with the main gang
Sci-Fi Drive-In - lunch; hamburger! they are the best burgers, ever, but they don't serve them on the dinner menu
Cape May Cafe - breakfast; this is a character breakfast at the Beach Club; if you want to see a pretty resort and have a fun, laid-back character meal, this one is amazing

CS:
Sunshine Seasons - the food court in The Land; everything here is wonderful; we did the asian cuisine last time and just about died
Pinocchio's - the food is typical Disney food (burgers, chicken, etc.), but we love to get a table at the window and watch the IASW boards go by

Hope that helps!! Let me know where else you are thinking and I'll let you know if we've eaten there and what we thought!

[tinkgurl]

Our TS:

Chef Mickey's
Tony's
1900 Park Fare
Mama Melrose
Ohana
the Spirit of Aloha Luau
Le Cellier

Our CS:

Sunshine Seasons
Cosmic Ray's
Pinnochio's

[autumnpalm]

My favourite TS:

1900 Park Fare- Dinner (the character interaction is awesome!)
Le Cellier
Teppan Edo
Crystal Palace
'Ohana


CS:

Sunshine Seasons
Tangierine Cafe
Columbia Harbour House
Flame Tree BBQ

[jewels1916]

Hm...favorite dining places...

TS:
Liberty Tree Tavern (lunch)
Crystal Palace (breakfast)
Nine Dragons (lunch or dinner)
Le Cellier (lunch or dinner)

Yummy.....
Cinderella's Royal Table was fun...more about the fact that you are eating in the castle than the food.
CS:
Sunshine Seasons
Pinocchio's Village Haus
Yorkshire Country Fish Shoppe

Ah....Disney food....:cloud9:

[ramatae]

Thanks for reading! That's so exciting!! :) How long have yall been married? I'm sure he will LOVE it. And I bet it will be one of your greatest trips since he'll be with you. I think that's what I'm most excited about for our trip!



We have been married two years this June. I am extremely excited to plan a vacation to Disney with just the two of us. I think it will be so much fun! He is a bit skeptical, but is becoming more curious about Disney as I tell him more about all of the opportunities for adults. So, for now I'm reading reports to find out what's best for couples at Disney (I have also purchased the same guide books you mentioned and am hooked!) Happy Planning!

[stacikristine]

We have been married two years this June. I am extremely excited to plan a vacation to Disney with just the two of us. I think it will be so much fun! He is a bit skeptical, but is becoming more curious about Disney as I tell him more about all of the opportunities for adults. So, for now I'm reading reports to find out what's best for couples at Disney (I have also purchased the same guide books you mentioned and am hooked!) Happy Planning!

Hi!!! How Exciting! :) Yall are going to have a blast! I'm going to write a TR, so you'll be able to see how our first couple trip went... Let me know if you hear of any good couple stuff!! My DH is excited, but not as much as I am! I talk Disney constantly.

[stacikristine]

Thanks for all of the great eating tips!!! If you haven't submitted your favorites yet, please do so! I'm making a mega-list that combines everyone's top choices. I'll share my results! :thumbsup2 Thanks again!!

Up next....day 2 of my mini TR :)

[BellaSoleil]

We are huge fans of O'Hana and The HoopDeeDoo. (You probably already know that.:goodvibes)

[Roxychica7]

Congrats on the ticket purchases! I'm a big list maker when it comes to how much money I need to save for each piece of Disney :thumbsup2
Ok...food choices...

TS:
Beaches and Cream: There's pics in my TR, we LOVED it. Relaxed atmosphere, great food and ice cream! No reservations needed on this one so try and get there early
Ohana's: Breakfast! They give you SO much, and it's all SO good. Plus, Mickey, Lilo, Stitch, you can't get any better, again, pics in the PTR
Tutto Italia: Excellent food. Romantic atmosphere. The Tiramisu is to DIE for
Grand Floridian Cafe: Nice to see the views inside and to eat in a GF restaurant without paying a bundle. Great salad (it had pears in it), crab cakes, sandwiches and they have mini deserts which are all great!
Sci Fi: Excellent atmosphere. It's just too cool in there!


CS:
Cosmic Rays: Pretty much anything. The burgers are great, plus they have a little bit of everything. The ribs combo is AMAZING (with mashed potatoes and green beans). Try to eat outside though, especially over looking the rose gardens, it can get noisy inside, and plus it's just too nice to be inside!
Pecos Bills: Good chicken wraps and taco salads
Pizzafari: Good pizza, very pretty murals, excellent chocolate cake! The Italian sandwich there is really good too! Dbf and I split a sandwich and pizza and I almost would get a sandwich all to myself next time.

If you like chai, tea or coffee (hot or iced) you must stop at the Royal Anandapur Tea Company in AK. It's a little cart, over by the Kali River Rapids, but they have the best stuff there!!

Good luck with your decisions and list making! :thumbsup2

[stacikristine]

The magic began bright and early on day two. We were all giddy to meet Cindy! The little girls had matching shirts that my DM made (isn’t she creative?!) and half of the rest of us were all Mickey-ed out. It was our first day at MK, and our first time ever inside the castle!!

Even A was excited (she must have felt the magic!)
http://i401.photobucket.com/albums/pp95/stacikristine/disney%2006/Disney108.jpg

When we got to MK, we were practically the only people there
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It was time for CRT Breakfast!

Beautiful lamp and flags inside the castle
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Is anyone else enthralled by mosaics?
http://i401.photobucket.com/albums/pp95/stacikristine/disney%2006/Disney003.jpg

Wonder why Cinderella looks slightly distressed? It may or may not be because A liked Cindy’s blue top a little too much and grabbed for whatever her little hands could reach…..you catchin’ my drift? Theirs was the picture right before ours. I think Cindy might have had to go to therapy after that photo session…
http://i401.photobucket.com/albums/pp95/stacikristine/disney%2006/cinderella.jpg

Jasmine is my favorite! In fact, DH and I are having a date night tonight and watching Aladdin! Also, my favorite Halloween consisted of me prancing around in a Jasmine costume with a jewel in my belly button (why didn’t anyone tell me it looked really silly?!)
http://i401.photobucket.com/albums/pp95/stacikristine/disney%2006/Disney013.jpg

Snow White was sweet, but she’s never been in my top princess list.
http://i401.photobucket.com/albums/pp95/stacikristine/disney%2006/Disney012.jpg

What a fun retirement “job”! Even if this isn’t why this sweet lady was here, I like to think it was
http://i401.photobucket.com/albums/pp95/stacikristine/disney%2006/Disney010.jpg

Belle is also one of my favorite princesses. Who doesn’t love that gold dress?! I was Belle for Halloween when I was in Kindergarten. I honestly thought I was a Disney Princess growing up.
http://i401.photobucket.com/albums/pp95/stacikristine/disney%2006/Disney011.jpg

I can’t even say how much I loved meeting all of the princesses! I think I was enjoying it more than the little girls. I guess I am the one who was raised on their movies though… What a perfect way to start off the first full day in the World!

I don’t remember the order of what all we did, but here are some pics from the day:

Minnie’s house is fabulous! Why can’t real life be like this?
http://i401.photobucket.com/albums/pp95/stacikristine/disney%2006/Disney027.jpg

Meeting Mickey! I was so, so excited! I’d only met Mickey one other time, and it was just out in the middle of Epcot in the heat of summer…this was tons better.
http://i401.photobucket.com/albums/pp95/stacikristine/disney%2006/Disney030.jpg

Who doesn’t love carousels?
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The Little Mermaid was my favorite movie growing up. I watched it at least once a day. But my mom had to fast-forward the parts with Ursela until I was around 4 years old because she scared me to death! I think I might have been the oldest “princess” in line to meet Ariel—as you can see, it didn’t stop me! This was a dream come true!
http://i401.photobucket.com/albums/pp95/stacikristine/disney%2006/Disney025.jpg

I know most people don’t enjoy IASW, but I almost cry every time I ride it. It takes me back to being 2 years old. You see, my dad’s youngest brother is only 7 years older than me, and he used to come over to play when I was really little. My mom had made me a clown lamp that played IASW when you pressed a button. I LOVED that lamp (it’s one of my earliest memories: age 2). Well, one day we were playing and we bumped into the dresser and broke my lamp. I was crushed. So now I have a very special place in my heart for IASW.
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That night, we ate at Tony’s. It was very yummy! Then we watched Spectro from right outside the restaurant. I think this is probably my favorite parade.
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And a little sisterly love to end the day
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It was a stupendous first full day at Disney World! We were exhausted, but we couldn’t have asked for more!


Up next: Day One at EPCOT!

[HeatherBelle614]

Aw; love all of your pictures! Your shirt is beyond cute!!

And, who cares about being the oldest princess waiting to meet a character! DH and I stood in every character line we could on our honeymoon. Never too old!

[tinkgurl]

Okay great update! Love all your Mickey shirts! And that's so cool you guys ate at CRT! :lovestruc

[autumnpalm]

Loved your update! Spectromagic is definitely my favourite Disney parade, I was so sad to miss it on our last trip. You have some great pictures, I love all the ones with the princesses. You and your sister are so cute together!:goodvibes

[jewels1916]

Love your update! And I love IASW, too! It's tradition!!

[stacikristine]

Aw; love all of your pictures! Your shirt is beyond cute!!

And, who cares about being the oldest princess waiting to meet a character! DH and I stood in every character line we could on our honeymoon. Never too old!

Thanks! My cousin bought it for herself and didn't realize it was the wrong size...so I got it! :) I'm glad I'm not the only one who still gets excited to meet the characters! I don't know if DH will want to or not...

Okay great update! Love all your Mickey shirts! And that's so cool you guys ate at CRT! :lovestruc

Thanks! We had fun wearing our shirts for our first full Disney day!

Loved your update! Spectromagic is definitely my favourite Disney parade, I was so sad to miss it on our last trip. You have some great pictures, I love all the ones with the princesses. You and your sister are so cute together!:goodvibes

It's just so beautiful! Disney is awesome to think of a night time parade! Thank you--I loved meeting the princesses. It's funny to look at those pictures of my sister and me because now she's a couple of inches taller than I am!

Love your update! And I love IASW, too! It's tradition!!

Thanks! I'm glad there's another IASW fan out there...most people hate getting the song stuck in their heads!

[stacikristine]

Hey Everyone!

I just wanted to say thanks for your restaurant advice (and if you haven't put in your vote, feel free...I can't make ADRs until June)!! In case you were wondering, here are the top votes for TS and CS:

Drumroll please...

1. O'hana
2. Crystal Palace and Le Cellier
3. Chef Mickey's and 1900 Park Fare

1. Sunshine Seasons
2. Pinocchio's
3. Cosmic Ray's


I'm definitely going to take all of this into consideration as I re-visit my ADR list...and hopefully I'll have some decisions before too long!

[ClaraBug]

Are you doing Ohanas for breakfast for dinner?

[stacikristine]

Are you doing Ohanas for breakfast for dinner?

Probably Dinner...what do you suggest?

[ClaraBug]

We are trying dinner on our upcoming trip...

We have done the breakfast before and that is DH favorite character meal! the food we had was WONDERFUL.

After reading the menu for the dinner, we are looking forward to that too....plus we scheduled a late dinner to watch the Wishes fireworks. I will let you know how it was when we get back!! I dont know if you drink or not ( with a youth pastor as a husband) but I am looking forward to try that pineapple drink with the umbrella. its has alcohol in it but it looks yummy, so I might try it just once. I very rarely drink but that looks really neat.

[tinkgurl]

Ooooh all those places look good to eat for both TS and CS! :thumbsup2

[autumnpalm]

All of the TS and CS picks look great! I've only been to 'Ohana for dinner but it's delicious! And it's really nice to be able to walk out to the beach for Wishes afterwards.

I have to say though, even though Tangierine Cafe didn't make the cut, I still think you should give it a try.:goodvibes It is my favourite CS in all of WDW.

[stacikristine]

We are trying dinner on our upcoming trip...

We have done the breakfast before and that is DH favorite character meal! the food we had was WONDERFUL.

After reading the menu for the dinner, we are looking forward to that too....plus we scheduled a late dinner to watch the Wishes fireworks. I will let you know how it was when we get back!! I dont know if you drink or not ( with a youth pastor as a husband) but I am looking forward to try that pineapple drink with the umbrella. its has alcohol in it but it looks yummy, so I might try it just once. I very rarely drink but that looks really neat.

I think we're going to try it for dinner! It just looks really yummy. And we're not super into the character meals (we're just wanting to eat at CP to get in to MK early) :) As far as drinking goes, we're not opposed to it, but we usually don't. The only alcoholic drinks I like are fruity mixed ones so I might give it a try! We just have a rule to not drink in town since we wouldn't want to give any of our kids a wrong view...and we're frugle, so we usually pass up the extra cost. :) I'm excited to hear if you all like O'hana!

Ooooh all those places look good to eat for both TS and CS! :thumbsup2

I looked at the lists compared to what we were planning at first and I finally have a list--I'll post it soon. :)

All of the TS and CS picks look great! I've only been to 'Ohana for dinner but it's delicious! And it's really nice to be able to walk out to the beach for Wishes afterwards.

I have to say though, even though Tangierine Cafe didn't make the cut, I still think you should give it a try.:goodvibes It is my favourite CS in all of WDW.

I'll keep the Wishes watch in mind!! That sounds awesome! I love the beach, so it'd be a double bonus! I've heard that Tangierine Cafe is really good. We'll see ;)

[stacikristine]

After much deliberating and searching, I've come to my ADR conclusions! First, let me say that I spent about five hours yesterday (at work ;) ) checking out all of the suggestions and ratings and everything. I looked at all of the ones yall suggested and then went to Allears and looked at the reviews. Needless to say, I feel like we are going to have some super yum meals! :thumbsup2 Here's the plan:

Day 1: The Wave
Day 2: O'hana
Day 3: LeCellier
Day 4: Teppan Edo
Day 5: Boma
Day 6: Crystal Palace (bfast)

Let me know what you think! I would love tips and meal ideas and everything. I've only eaten at Teppan Edo and CP before.

As far as CS restaurants go, here's the plan so far:

Day 1: Cosmic Ray's or Columbia Harbor House
Day 2: Studio Catering or Toy Story Pizza Planet
Day 3: Sunshine Seasons
Day 4: Flame Tree BBQ or Yak & Yeti Market
Day 5: Sassagoula...
Day 6: Cosmic Ray's or Columbia Harbor House
Day 7: Depends where we are...


One more thing: We got our tickets in the mail yesterday!!! YAYAYAYAYAYYAY!!!!!!!

[pinkpixie0920]

Hi Staci!

I just want to say taht I love love love your PTR! Your wedding and engagement pictures were absolutely GORGEOUS!! We must have the same brain when it comes to disney because not only are we going the same time as you, but we rented points too! And we were there in Oct 2006 too. That is crazy. I am subscribing!!!

[stacikristine]

Hi Staci!

I just want to say taht I love love love your PTR! Your wedding and engagement pictures were absolutely GORGEOUS!! We must have the same brain when it comes to disney because not only are we going the same time as you, but we rented points too! And we were there in Oct 2006 too. That is crazy. I am subscribing!!!

Oh my goodness! That is so crazy!!! :rotfl: As I was reading your PTR, I was thinking, "We have a lot in common!" I can't believe yall rented points too. You'll probably laugh at me, but as I was reading your PTR yesterday, I was making a list of the comments I wanted to make (since I was catching up on so much) and I just kept laughing at all of the stuff we were doing alike. Thanks for subbing!!

[tinkgurl]

Day 1: The Wave
Day 2: O'hana: Yummy! Ask for a table by the window with a MK view! It's not a guarantee, but it's worth a try.
Day 3: LeCellier: Oh so good!
Day 4: Teppan Edo
Day 5: Boma
Day 6: Crystal Palace (bfast)

Day 1: Cosmic Ray's or Columbia Harbor House: We love Cosmic Ray's!
Day 2: Studio Catering or Toy Story Mania: Do you mean Toy Story Pizza Planet? Toy Story Mania is the ride.
Day 3: Sunshine Seasons: Oh we love this one! Such a good variety of stuff.
Day 4: Flame Tree BBQ or Yak & Yeti Market: I've read some good things/seen some good pictures of Yak & Yeti!
Day 5: Sassagoula...
Day 6: Cosmic Ray's or Columbia Harbor House
Day 7: Depends where we are...

[Roxychica7]

Day 1: Cosmic Ray's or Columbia Harbor House
Day 2: Studio Catering or Toy Story Mania

Cosmic Ray's..definitely! Get the ribs!! ;)
Toy Story Mania..I was going to ask the same thing..do you mean Pizza Planet? We though their pizza was alright, but we've been to Studio Catering Company before..they have awesome greek salads with pitas and Dbf loves the grilled chicken and black beans!

[stacikristine]

Day 1: The Wave
Day 2: O'hana: Yummy! Ask for a table by the window with a MK view! It's not a guarantee, but it's worth a try.
Day 3: LeCellier: Oh so good!
Day 4: Teppan Edo
Day 5: Boma
Day 6: Crystal Palace (bfast)

Day 1: Cosmic Ray's or Columbia Harbor House: We love Cosmic Ray's!
Day 2: Studio Catering or Toy Story Mania: Do you mean Toy Story Pizza Planet? Toy Story Mania is the ride.
Day 3: Sunshine Seasons: Oh we love this one! Such a good variety of stuff.
Day 4: Flame Tree BBQ or Yak & Yeti Market: I've read some good things/seen some good pictures of Yak & Yeti!
Day 5: Sassagoula...
Day 6: Cosmic Ray's or Columbia Harbor House
Day 7: Depends where we are...

Thanks for the tips! HAHA! :rotfl: Yes, I meant Pizza Planet. I must have had the ride on my mind! We're so excited to try these new places (and re-visit some favs). I'll definitely ask for a table by a window that faces MK at O'hana's! What a good idea.

Day 1: Cosmic Ray's or Columbia Harbor House
Day 2: Studio Catering or Toy Story Mania

Cosmic Ray's..definitely! Get the ribs!! ;)
Toy Story Mania..I was going to ask the same thing..do you mean Pizza Planet? We though their pizza was alright, but we've been to Studio Catering Company before..they have awesome greek salads with pitas and Dbf loves the grilled chicken and black beans!

I think your TR is what made me want to go to Cosmic Ray's the most! :) I changed it to Pizza Planet :lmao: Thanks! I put pizza for DH...I'm leaning more towards Studio Catering Co. I'll tell him they have good beans--he loves them! ;)

[annabean]

new reader...

Love your engagement and wedding pics!!! You look so happy in every picture.

O'hanas is one of our must dos. The atmosphere is fun, the food is good and it's really romantic walking on the beach afterwards (perfect for newlyweds. hehe)

[pinkpixie0920]

Oh my goodness! That is so crazy!!! :rotfl: As I was reading your PTR, I was thinking, "We have a lot in common!" I can't believe yall rented points too. You'll probably laugh at me, but as I was reading your PTR yesterday, I was making a list of the comments I wanted to make (since I was catching up on so much) and I just kept laughing at all of the stuff we were doing alike. Thanks for subbing!!

That is too funny! No I will not laugh at all that you made a list, that makes sense to do actually. A lot of time I will read through someones and keep thinking in my head, Oh I have to remember to say this when I post and then I forget. Yeah that was the first time we rented points and I was so nervous too! We got our confirmations and everything last night so I think we are all good now. I can't wait to read more of yours!:goodvibes

[stacikristine]

new reader...

Love your engagement and wedding pics!!! You look so happy in every picture.

O'hanas is one of our must dos. The atmosphere is fun, the food is good and it's really romantic walking on the beach afterwards (perfect for newlyweds. hehe)

:yay: Thanks for reading!! Thank you--we were so happy! It was the best day of my life.

Good--I'm so excited to try O'hanas. I've heard such great things about it. Any special tips? We're really looking forward to walking on the beach. I'll have to remember to wear flip flops so I can be barefoot!

That is too funny! No I will not laugh at all that you made a list, that makes sense to do actually. A lot of time I will read through someones and keep thinking in my head, Oh I have to remember to say this when I post and then I forget. Yeah that was the first time we rented points and I was so nervous too! We got our confirmations and everything last night so I think we are all good now. I can't wait to read more of yours!:goodvibes

Thanks :laughing: I'm such a list person...it's ridiculous. I have lists for everything. I work for a legal services company, and I kept wanting to say "Hey Mister. You better not screw me over or you'll regret it!" But I refrained. I was so nervous until we got our confirmation number too! :cheer2: YAY for getting yours!!! Doesn't it just feel so much more real now?!

[annabean]

Tips for Ohanas.. hmmm..

Order the tropical drink that comes in a pineapple (Lapu Lapu?) It's so fitting for the theme of the restaurant. hehe

Getting a table by the window is always nice.

If you can time it right... you can catch Wishes from Polynesian's beach. There's also the Electric Water Parade (I think that's what it's called).

[stacikristine]

Tips for Ohanas.. hmmm..

Order the tropical drink that comes in a pineapple (Lapu Lapu?) It's so fitting for the theme of the restaurant. hehe

Getting a table by the window is always nice.

If you can time it right... you can catch Wishes from Polynesian's beach. There's also the Electric Water Parade (I think that's what it's called).

I've heard that drink is amazing--I'll have to get it! We're hoping for a late ADR so we can watch Wishes afterwards. :)

[HeatherBelle614]

After much deliberating and searching, I've come to my ADR conclusions! First, let me say that I spent about five hours yesterday (at work ;) ) checking out all of the suggestions and ratings and everything. I looked at all of the ones yall suggested and then went to Allears and looked at the reviews. Needless to say, I feel like we are going to have some super yum meals! :thumbsup2 Here's the plan:

Day 1: The Wave
Day 2: O'hana
Day 3: LeCellier
Day 4: Teppan Edo
Day 5: Boma
Day 6: Crystal Palace (bfast)

Let me know what you think! I would love tips and meal ideas and everything. I've only eaten at Teppan Edo and CP before.

As far as CS restaurants go, here's the plan so far:

Day 1: Cosmic Ray's or Columbia Harbor House
Day 2: Studio Catering or Toy Story Pizza Planet
Day 3: Sunshine Seasons
Day 4: Flame Tree BBQ or Yak & Yeti Market
Day 5: Sassagoula...
Day 6: Cosmic Ray's or Columbia Harbor House
Day 7: Depends where we are...


One more thing: We got our tickets in the mail yesterday!!! YAYAYAYAYAYYAY!!!!!!!

I'm alive, and back! Yayyy!! The only place on your TS that we've eaten at is CP; it is one of my must-do TS every time we go. It is such a wonderful WDW experience! They have an amazing breakfast, too. I think we're going to try dinner for the first time there this time!

I have to cast 10 votes for Flame Tree BBQ. We're Texas who LOVE our BBQ and are typically really, really picky and this place is one of our favorites for BBQ of all time. Their pulled beef sandwich is AMAZING!!! This is a must-do on DH's list this time, too!!

[stacikristine]

I'm alive, and back! Yayyy!! The only place on your TS that we've eaten at is CP; it is one of my must-do TS every time we go. It is such a wonderful WDW experience! They have an amazing breakfast, too. I think we're going to try dinner for the first time there this time!

I have to cast 10 votes for Flame Tree BBQ. We're Texas who LOVE our BBQ and are typically really, really picky and this place is one of our favorites for BBQ of all time. Their pulled beef sandwich is AMAZING!!! This is a must-do on DH's list this time, too!!

I'm glad you're back!!! And I hope your DH is feeling great! I ate at CP about 7 years ago with my mom and little sis and we really liked it. Michael is excited to get to be in MK before they're officially opened!

Haha! I think I'll take your 10 votes and make Flame Tree BBQ a must! :rotfl:

[HeatherBelle614]

:cool1:

I'm drooling just thinking about FTB...ohhh...yummy, yummy meat..

[stacikristine]

On day three, we were going to Epcot! Even though each of the parks has a special place in my heart, and I love them all for different reasons, if it came down to the wire, Epcot would have to be my favorite. Especially World Showcase. I just love feeling like I’m really visiting all of those different countries at once! :love:

Today, however, we went to Future World first. I think I’ve started to like FW a little more every time I go back.

I just love the “Big Silver Ball”! I especially liked the Beauty and the Beast topiaries. My best friend was playing Belle in our university’s musical in February, and it was one of my all-time favorites, so I really, really liked these!
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The first thing we did was go to Soarin’. I LOVED IT!!! What an incredible ride! We talked about it the whole rest of the trip.

We also went to the character meet place—I don’t know what it’s called. All of the “stars” were there! They were great. We were literally the only family there, and they took time to dance, pose, and play around with all of us. Their blue dressy clothes were so beautiful!
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http://i401.photobucket.com/albums/pp95/stacikristine/disney%2006/Disney134.jpg

Chip and Dale are such flirts! They were hilarious.
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Hmmm…I guess I didn’t take anymore pictures that day. How sad. I know that we ate at the Garden Grill for lunch, and had a lot of fun! We were definitely hooked on the DDP!

Since it was so long ago, I don’t really remember what else we did that day. I think we pretty much hung out in FW. We might have gone back to MK. :confused: Sorry—I promise this won’t happen on my real TR!!!! I’ll be taking lots of pictures, and I’ll share everything significant with yall!


Up next: Animal Kingdom and Mickey’s-Not-So-Scary-Halloween-Party! :woohoo:

[Roxychica7]

Love the character pics!! We ate at the Garden Grill on our Dec 2007 trip! So fun! Really good fresh veggies. Can't wait to hear your final ADR decisions! :thumbsup2

[tinkgurl]

Haha, Chip and Dale are hilarious! When I was little, I used to call them "Chip and Dip"! :laughing:

[stacikristine]

Love the character pics!! We ate at the Garden Grill on our Dec 2007 trip! So fun! Really good fresh veggies. Can't wait to hear your final ADR decisions! :thumbsup2

Thanks! We were so surprised that there was no one else there! Yes--I remember the veggies were amazing!!

I posted my final ADR choices!! They're on page 9 post 129. Let me know what you think! :)


Haha, Chip and Dale are hilarious! When I was little, I used to call them "Chip and Dip"! :laughing:

Haha!! :laughing: That is so cute! Yes, they are so funny! You know they have a blast meeting people too!

[Roxychica7]

How did I miss that?! Well...don't worry though, if you're like the rest of us, there WILL be some changes in at least one of your ADR's...you still have until June to change your mind (especially if you keep reading dining reviews) ;)

[autumnpalm]

Love all the character pictures! Those Beauty and the Beast topiaries are so pretty. Were you there during the Flower and Garden festival? That's when we'll be there this year and I hope they have things like that.:goodvibes

I love getting one on one time with the characters, it's so much fun. It looks like you had a great day! And I agree, I wasn't a huge fan of Future World at first but it grows on me with every trip.

[HeatherBelle614]

We love Soarin', too! DM has not been on it, so I'm excited for her to ride it for the first time!!

Can't wait to hear about your MNNSHP experience! We're going for the first time!

[pinkpixie0920]

Great update! I can't wait to read about MNSSHP!

[annabean]

the character pics are so cute! hehe.

Garden Grill was the first table service we ever had at DW! I remember liking it very much! Does the restaurant still spin?

[stacikristine]

How did I miss that?! Well...don't worry though, if you're like the rest of us, there WILL be some changes in at least one of your ADR's...you still have until June to change your mind (especially if you keep reading dining reviews) ;)

Well...it was kinda confusing since I posted yalls top results on the same page... :) I KNOW! I thought I already had all of our ADRs picked out back in December, and then I kept hearing such great stuff about other places. And some of the places we did choose were not talked highly about...so we switched! But I'm sure we'll change even more between now and then! :laughing:


Love all the character pictures! Those Beauty and the Beast topiaries are so pretty. Were you there during the Flower and Garden festival? That's when we'll be there this year and I hope they have things like that.:goodvibes

I love getting one on one time with the characters, it's so much fun. It looks like you had a great day! And I agree, I wasn't a huge fan of Future World at first but it grows on me with every trip.

Aren't they gorgeous?! I loved it. No, we were there in October. I don't know why they had the topiaries...but I was happy they did. I've seen lots of pictures from the F&G festival and it looks so gorgeous!


We love Soarin', too! DM has not been on it, so I'm excited for her to ride it for the first time!!

Can't wait to hear about your MNNSHP experience! We're going for the first time!

Oh--your DM is going to love it! I can't wait to hear what she thinks! My whole family still talks about it. :) And MNSSHP is a ton of fun. It's just a whole different side of Disney.


Great update! I can't wait to read about MNSSHP!

I'll try to post it today!


the character pics are so cute! hehe.

Garden Grill was the first table service we ever had at DW! I remember liking it very much! Does the restaurant still spin?

Thanks for reading!! :) First TS restaurants are always special! Yes--it still turns slightly. It's one of those things where you forget it's turning until you see that the scenery has changed...

[stacikristine]

On day 4, we put on our best safari-esque frames of mind and boarded the bus to the Animal Kingdom!

The first time I’d been to Disney World when I was old enough to remember it, Animal Kingdom was fairly new. Still, we loved it. I’d heard that AK was much more developed by this time (including Everest!!) and I was very excited to go back!

I really don’t know what the deal was, but we must have been doused with fairy dust—there was no one in line at Camp Minnie Mickey either!! You can bet we weren’t complaining about not having anyone else in the character lines with us!
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Animal Kingdom is just an amazingly beautiful park! I could admire the Tree of Life for hours!
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This is one of my favorite pictures of our trip. I just wish the person hadn’t cut out my Aunt L…
http://i401.photobucket.com/albums/pp95/stacikristine/disney%2006/Disney063.jpg

These guys were SO fascinating! I’ve always wanted a monkey…
http://i401.photobucket.com/albums/pp95/stacikristine/disney%2006/Disney062.jpg

A couple of my favorite safari pictures:
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We were Elephants at the Festival of the Lion King. Goodness—I love this show! http://i401.photobucket.com/albums/pp95/stacikristine/disney%2006/Disney050.jpg

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So sorry I don’t have more pictures. But I can tell you that our half-day at Animal Kingdom was a blast! Oh—and we rode Expedition Everest!!! It was love at first ride.


That night, we went to MNSSHP!!!

[autumnpalm]

Oh those are some beautiful AK pictures. AK really is one of my favourite parks.:lovestruc It is so peaceful and the Tree of Life is just breathtaking. Wow you lucked out with no character lines! They look so cute in their safari gear.:goodvibes

[HeatherBelle614]

The bug glasses picture is too funny!

I can't wait to see your MNSSHP pictures! Post soon, please!!! :cool1:

[Roxychica7]

Great update!! The best time we found to visit Camp Minnie Mickey is during one of the Lion King shows. Every trip we've had we always have to see FOTLK! It's so amazing! Have you ever seen the one on Broadway? WOW! And I thought the one at WDW was awesome! :lovestruc

[stacikristine]

Oh those are some beautiful AK pictures. AK really is one of my favourite parks.:lovestruc It is so peaceful and the Tree of Life is just breathtaking. Wow you lucked out with no character lines! They look so cute in their safari gear.:goodvibes

Thanks! AK is just such a beautiful park! :) We lucked out so much--I hope the lines are that short when we go in Sept!


The bug glasses picture is too funny!

I can't wait to see your MNSSHP pictures! Post soon, please!!! :cool1:

Haha! Thanks--I love it. I'll post tomorrow at work. I don't usually post on the weekends...gotta give myself something to do at work! :rotfl:

Great update!! The best time we found to visit Camp Minnie Mickey is during one of the Lion King shows. Every trip we've had we always have to see FOTLK! It's so amazing! Have you ever seen the one on Broadway? WOW! And I thought the one at WDW was awesome! :lovestruc

Thanks! Good thinking--we probably went during one of the shows and didn't even know it. :laughing: FOTLK is amazing. No--I've never seen it on Broadway. I want to SOOOOO badly though! I can't even imagine how amazing it is!

[annabean]

love Expedition Everest too... only wish it was a tad longer. :-(

[stacikristine]

love Expedition Everest too... only wish it was a tad longer. :-(

Me too! :)

[stacikristine]

I promise to post about our 2006 MNSSHP tomorrow!

Michael and I are going to a Spurs vs. Thunder game tonight! :cheer2: It'll be my first NBA game--I know--How sad! Michael is a HUGE Spurs fan (we even played Spurs Monopoly the other night!) and he said that if the Thunder beat them, he might have to do some major damage. :laughing: It would be horrible if the Thunder won...but anything can happen!

We're leaving early so we can get some shopping done before the game. :woohoo: We have wedding gift cards that are just burning holes in our pockets!

Anyway, I'll hopefully post some Spurs victory pictures, as well as the MNSSHP day!

[pinkpixie0920]

I love your pictures from AK. I too love the tree of life, they put so much detail into that. Doesn't the festival of the lion king just make you want to jump down their with them!

[stacikristine]

I love your pictures from AK. I too love the tree of life, they put so much detail into that. Doesn't the festival of the lion king just make you want to jump down their with them!

Thanks! It's just gorgeous. YES--I want to be a part of it! :)

[stacikristine]

Boo to You!

Let me just say, Mickey’s-Not-So-Scary-Halloween-Party was SO much fun! None of us really brought costumes, but I changed into orange and black and we headed out…

The Boo to You parade was adorable. I was just so amazed at all of the details and the way Disney truly does go “all out” for everything. We had a really great spot on the front of the curb on Main Street.
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Goofy is such a character! I loved his candy machine!
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These guys creeped me out! They got really close to us, and one of the guys got right in my cousin’s face.
http://i401.photobucket.com/albums/pp95/stacikristine/disney%2006/Disney084.jpg

I wanted to be one of these girls! I have shoes like theirs (but they're black) for swing dancing!
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We were able to go around “Trick-Or-Treating” and had a lot of fun doing so. Even though they didn’t hand out much candy (hey—I’m still a kid at heart) the characters were all dressed up really cute, and everything was all Halloweenly festive.

This was the best photo I could get of the Toon Town Fair entrance. It was really cute.
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After a while, everyone went back to the hotel but my mom and me. We had a fun “girls’ night” with the villains and Ghost Mickey!

Is it just me, or is it always a little awkward to take pictures with villains? Since they can’t put their arm around you and ham it up, I never really know what to do with them… But these villains were pretty good about telling you how to pose. I had fun posing like a bad guy!
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When we went when my sister was 5, she was very upset that my mom suggested that she take a picture with the Queen of Hearts at MGM. She said she was very ugly, and she had a mean face. My mom talked her into it, though, and her face was PRICELESS! She had a look of disgust mixed with a little fear—She was not a happy princess! Anyway…
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Cruella was by far the best villain! She is just great…what a fun character to be!
http://i401.photobucket.com/albums/pp95/stacikristine/disney%2006/Disney123.jpg


I needed a date for the night…but for some reason, he didn’t want to walk around with us. Oh well.
http://i401.photobucket.com/albums/pp95/stacikristine/disney%2006/Disney124.jpg


We ended the night with a picture with Ghost Mickey.
http://i401.photobucket.com/albums/pp95/stacikristine/disney%2006/Disney127.jpg


MNSSHP is SO much fun! I highly recommend it to all kids and kids-at-heart. Disney’s done it again!!


Up next: Our last full day—Epcot!

[HeatherBelle614]

Your MNSSHP pictures made me even more excited!!!

I love the pictures of you posing with the villans!

[pinkpixie0920]

I thought I posted this yesterday but I must not have. I love you MNSSHP pics! Are you going again this year? I'm trying to talk my DH into going, he isn't a real big halloween fan.

[stacikristine]

Your MNSSHP pictures made me even more excited!!!

I love the pictures of you posing with the villans!

I'm so excited for you!! You and your family are going to have a BLAST!!! Thanks--it was a lot of fun to stay and take pictures with them. They were so serious! :mad:

I thought I posted this yesterday but I must not have. I love you MNSSHP pics! Are you going again this year? I'm trying to talk my DH into going, he isn't a real big halloween fan.

Thanks! It was a lot of fun. I don't think we're going this year. We haven't really talked about it, but I think we're going to try something else that we haven't done before. I definitely want to go when we have kids though. Right now, I'm looking at "Everything Else In The World" in my Birnbaum Guide to see what else we could do for the cost of MNSSHP. Tell your DH that it's a lot of fun--and you don't have to dress up. Plenty of people weren't. It's a good time for rides too.

[autumnpalm]

Wow, what great pictures from MNSSHP!!! I've always wanted to go but October just doesn't work out for travel, at least until I'm out of school. The pictures with the villains are awesome, and I can imagine what you mean about posing... I still feel a little awkward sometimes with the "happy" characters!:laughing:

[stacikristine]

Wow, what great pictures from MNSSHP!!! I've always wanted to go but October just doesn't work out for travel, at least until I'm out of school. The pictures with the villains are awesome, and I can imagine what you mean about posing... I still feel a little awkward sometimes with the "happy" characters!:laughing:

Thanks! It was a lot of fun. You should look into missing a week of school/work. That's what I did when we went in October. I highly recommend it--you just have to make sure your professors will let you make up work!

:laughing: Yes--I'm pretty awkward when posing with ANY characters!

[Roxychica7]

:laughing: Yes--I'm pretty awkward when posing with ANY characters!

I totally feel you on that one. I don't think I have EVER posed with any of the non-costume characters (princesses, etc). It's one thing to not "see" the person you're posing with, it's completely another to have the person "in real life." Totally weird for me :rotfl:

[stacikristine]

I totally feel you on that one. I don't think I have EVER posed with any of the non-costume characters (princesses, etc). It's one thing to not "see" the person you're posing with, it's completely another to have the person "in real life." Totally weird for me :rotfl:

:laughing: I know!! I'm always wondering what they're thinking. You know it has to be weird for the characters. They have to hug all these crazy, smelly, over-excited guests! :rotfl:

[stacikristine]

I just bought my very first Vera Bradley bag!

Thanks to autumnpalm, I checked the sales on the vera website, and the prices were great! I bought this little beauty for $25! It's the Cambridge Mini Hipster.

http://i401.photobucket.com/albums/pp95/stacikristine/vera.jpg


Can you say, "Hello, Disney!"?


Aaaahh! I'm so ready to be there! :woohoo:

[Roxychica7]

Yayy!!! :woohoo: to your 1st Vera!! I have 3...thanks to the DIS :laughing: I particularly love the regular sized Hipster, it fits my wallet, ipod and digital camera among the other essentials. I'm excited for you!! :goodvibes

[stacikristine]

Yayy!!! :woohoo: to your 1st Vera!! I have 3...thanks to the DIS :laughing: I particularly love the regular sized Hipster, it fits my wallet, ipod and digital camera among the other essentials. I'm excited for you!! :goodvibes

Thanks! :yay: I'm SOOO excited! :dance3: I can't wait to get it in. It should come in Monday at the latest. I'll post a picture of me with it when I get it! I already have my eye on a regular hipster too :rotfl:

[Roxychica7]

Thanks! :yay: I'm SOOO excited! :dance3: I can't wait to get it in. It should come in Monday at the latest. I'll post a picture of me with it when I get it! I already have my eye on a regular hipster too :rotfl:
Ah, the addiction has already begun :rotfl:
Can't wait to see it when you get it!
(Shh..I'm thinking about getting a mini!)

[autumnpalm]

LOL you bought it already!:rotfl: I smiled when I read your thread title... I'm so happy for you! I love the pattern you chose and you got a great deal on it too.:goodvibes Can't wait to see pictures once you get it... Monday at the latest? Wow, they ship fast!!

[ClaraBug]

I love Vera Bradley bags too! I already a small collection of VB bags and I have only been "collecting" for about 16 months :rolleyes1

As you know from my pre-trip report, i bought the small backpack for our trip....NEXT WEEK!!:woohoo:

[pinkpixie0920]

Cute bag! I was looking at VB and I wasn't sure if the mini hipster was too small. Let me know how you like it when it comes in!

[stacikristine]

LOL you bought it already!:rotfl: I smiled when I read your thread title... I'm so happy for you! I love the pattern you chose and you got a great deal on it too.:goodvibes Can't wait to see pictures once you get it... Monday at the latest? Wow, they ship fast!!

Haha! :rotfl: I know--I really had the Vera bug, didn't I?! :lmao: Did you see my little shout out to you in my post? You're right--the ones on her sight are great deals! And I can't believe they're so fast! Standard shipping is 3 business days! :thumbsup2 Too bad they can't ship to Canada! Maybe you could have them ship to a friend in the US and they could ship it to you... :confused3



I love Vera Bradley bags too! I already a small collection of VB bags and I have only been "collecting" for about 16 months :rolleyes1

As you know from my pre-trip report, i bought the small backpack for our trip....NEXT WEEK!!:woohoo:

I think I'll be following in your footsteps with the whole "collecting" thing! :laughing: I've already got my eye on another! Yes--your small backpack is adorable! I can't wait to see it in pictures! You're going SOOOO SOON!!! :banana:



Cute bag! I was looking at VB and I wasn't sure if the mini hipster was too small. Let me know how you like it when it comes in!

Thanks! I looked at the catalog and they had pictures of both. I think the mini hipster is going to be better for me. But if it's too small, that just means I get to order another! :rotfl: I'll post a pic of me with it!

[HeatherBelle614]

Love your bag! Great choice! Can't wait to see more pictures!

[annabean]

love the mickey not so scary halloween party pics! Never been a big fan of Halloween but Halloween at Disney, now that's a different story!

The Vera Bradley bag is super cute. I've been eyeing the mini hipster too (in peacock). Now that it's on sale... time to shop! hehe.

[stacikristine]

Love your bag! Great choice! Can't wait to see more pictures!

Thanks! I'm going to try to get the ones from the Spurs game up tonight. My work computer won't read my card. :confused3


love the mickey not so scary halloween party pics! Never been a big fan of Halloween but Halloween at Disney, now that's a different story!

The Vera Bradley bag is super cute. I've been eyeing the mini hipster too (in peacock). Now that it's on sale... time to shop! hehe.

I'm the same way--I don't care for Halloween, but I loved it at Disney! :thumbsup2 Thanks!! You should get it. The sale was GREAT! And they seem to be really quick--I should get my bag on Monday!

[stacikristine]

I just have to say...

WE'RE 6 MONTHS AWAY TODAY!!!!!

:cool1: :banana: :woohoo: :dance3: :cheer2: :hyper: :rainbow:

[autumnpalm]

Woohooo 6 months!!! The time will just fly by and before you know it you'll be at Disney.:goodvibes Just think, tomorrow you can say 5 months, 3 weeks and 6 days!!!:cheer2: :cheer2: :laughing:

[stacikristine]

Woohooo 6 months!!! The time will just fly by and before you know it you'll be at Disney.:goodvibes Just think, tomorrow you can say 5 months, 3 weeks and 6 days!!!:cheer2: :cheer2: :laughing:

Haha! :rotfl: So true! :)

[stacikristine]

As I said a few days ago, Michael and I went to a Spurs vs. Thunder game in OKC on Monday night. It was my first NBA game, and I had a BLAST!! It’s just so different from high school and college ball…

Before we went to the game, we had some shopping to do/some gift cards that were burning holes in our wallets. May I just say, wedding gifts are amazing. Thank you friends and family!!

Our first stop was Bed, Bath & Beyond where Michael decided he needed to “try out” the pillows:
http://i401.photobucket.com/albums/pp95/stacikristine/spring%20spurs%20stuff/08SpursandShopping001.jpg

Then we went to the mall and I tried to find some shoes at Dillard’s. I came across these:
http://i401.photobucket.com/albums/pp95/stacikristine/spring%20spurs%20stuff/08SpursandShopping002.jpg
Seriously, Jessica? What made you think someone would WANT to walk around in something like that?! :eek: (Sorry if you’re a fan of Jessica Simpson’s new line…I could never walk in such things…)

This is us all excited to eat some Chick-fil-A…we don’t have them in Ada and we were both addicted before we moved to Ada.
http://i401.photobucket.com/albums/pp95/stacikristine/spring%20spurs%20stuff/08SpursandShopping006.jpg

After our delicious meal (outside on the patio I might add!) we changed and headed to the game!

This is us inside the stadium:
http://i401.photobucket.com/albums/pp95/stacikristine/spring%20spurs%20stuff/08SpursandShopping007.jpg

At the beginning of the game, they had all kinds of music going and just stuff to get the crowd excited. Right before it started, they played the Oklahoma state song (you know… "Oooooooo-klahoma where the wind comes sweeping down the plain…") and had the words on the screen. Even though it was a little cheesy, it made me so happy to be from OK—even though I was there to cheer for the Spurs. I was glad that my state has a fun song that practically everyone has heard (I’ve even heard it at MGM before!!) and that the fans were so into the game even though OK didn’t have a winning season. …more on this later…

Here are some shots of the court and the stadium:
http://i401.photobucket.com/albums/pp95/stacikristine/spring%20spurs%20stuff/08SpursandShopping014.jpg

This one kinda shows how far up we were:
http://i401.photobucket.com/albums/pp95/stacikristine/spring%20spurs%20stuff/08SpursandShopping008.jpg

If you can’t tell, we were WAAAAAY at the top. This was the row directly behind us:
http://i401.photobucket.com/albums/pp95/stacikristine/spring%20spurs%20stuff/08SpursandShopping016.jpg

Hey—they’re not $13 seats for nothing! Haha!

Well, the Spurs ended up playing “like poo” as my brother would say. And the Thunder played awesome! The Spurs were ahead by 17 at one point, and then they just started missing EVERYTHING! And the more they missed, the more frustrated they got. And the more the Thunder came back, the more excited they got. This resulted in the Thunder actually beating the Spurs by 2!!! I KNOW—this is crazy!! :scared1: In case you’re not familiar with the standings right now, San Antonio is ranked #2 in the West. And Oklahoma City is ranked 12th out of 15.

These are our sad “we got beat” faces. :sad1:
http://i401.photobucket.com/albums/pp95/stacikristine/spring%20spurs%20stuff/08SpursandShopping018.jpg

But even though I was cheering for the Spurs, I was proud of the Thunder! It’s their first year in OK, and they played really well. I was even more surprised at the fans. They were AWESOME! It was so loud in there. When OK was down by 17, they were cheering with every basket made. When they were getting closer, they were going crazy. And when they were ahead, they went absolutely nuts! When the buzzer went off, confetti and streamers shot down and everyone was jumping up and down. You would have thought they won the conference!

When it was all over, Michael wasn’t even too upset. He said the Thunder definitely deserved it, and that he’s glad the win went to someone like them. Yay for my “homeland”!! :cheer2:

Here’s my favorite pic from the night to end on:
http://i401.photobucket.com/albums/pp95/stacikristine/spring%20spurs%20stuff/08SpursandShopping003.jpg

It was a good night. I’m glad I’m married to my best friend.

[autumnpalm]

LOL I love the picture of your DH trying out the pillows!:rotfl2:It looks like you two have so much fun together... you make a beautiful couple.:goodvibes The "I'm so glad I'm married to my best friend" is so lovely... I can't wait for you guys to go on your first WDW together.:cloud9:

Great update! I'm not really a sports fan but the game looked like fun!

[annabean]

Oh gosh, is that how you try out pillows? It does seem the smart way to do it... I just use my hands to squeeze it, which seems a little pointless... next time... definitely taking the pillows for a test run! hehe.

Those heels look killer! Not just the height but the plastic like soles! Scary!

Looks like you guys had a great time at the game... despite the Spurs playing like poo. hehe.

[stacikristine]

LOL I love the picture of your DH trying out the pillows!:rotfl2:It looks like you two have so much fun together... you make a beautiful couple.:goodvibes The "I'm so glad I'm married to my best friend" is so lovely... I can't wait for you guys to go on your first WDW together.:cloud9:

Great update! I'm not really a sports fan but the game looked like fun!

He's a goof! :rotfl2: I laughed so hard when he just plopped down on the floor! But he did a good job picking them out...pretty comfy if I can say so myself. :rotfl: We have a great time together!!! We were best friends before we even started dating, so it makes for a lot of fun now that we are!


Oh gosh, is that how you try out pillows? It does seem the smart way to do it... I just use my hands to squeeze it, which seems a little pointless... next time... definitely taking the pillows for a test run! hehe.

Those heels look killer! Not just the height but the plastic like soles! Scary!

Looks like you guys had a great time at the game... despite the Spurs playing like poo. hehe.

Haha! :rotfl: That's the way HE tries out pillows! I don't think I have the guts to do so... I usually do the hand-squeeze thing too. But he picked some good ones...:confused3 Go for it--just check to make sure no one else is looking when you lay on the floor! :lmao: I know--aren't the heels horrible! We had a ton of fun. I don't know if you watch the NBA, but they are continuing to play like poo...no longer #2 team! :sad2:

[stacikristine]

Today is a very exciting day!

1) We're at 180 days today!! :dance3: (It makes me sad about the new ADR rule, but oh well...)

2) I purchased Tour Guide Mike subscription yesterday and it looks AWESOME! :thumbsup2 Let me know if you have any tips with using him...

3) I just got paid to write a 9 page paper at work. Well...I didn't really get paid to WRITE it, but I did write it while on the clock...Hey--they didn't give me anything else to do! :confused3

4) When I went home for lunch, my MINI HIPSTER was sitting on my porch!!! :cheer2::woohoo: I love it! I'm definitely addicted now! :rotfl: It's a great size, but it's not big enough for a bottle of water. So I might just have to look into ordering a regular Hipster, and I can switch off! ;) I'll post a picture later.

[Bridora]

Hi! I just came across your PTR and started reading, just caught up to the the end, so I'm saying hello! You girls are making me want to start one, but I wouldn't know what to write about...

Gosh, between you and BellaSoleil (not to mention everyone else!)I'm thinking about looking at Vera Bradley for our upcoming trip. And I've been perfectly happy with my black backpack every other time! :lmao:

[tinkgurl]

Aw, the part "I'm glad I married my best friend" is so cute! :goodvibes

[stacikristine]

Hi! I just came across your PTR and started reading, just caught up to the the end, so I'm saying hello! You girls are making me want to start one, but I wouldn't know what to write about...

Gosh, between you and BellaSoleil (not to mention everyone else!)I'm thinking about looking at Vera Bradley for our upcoming trip. And I've been perfectly happy with my black backpack every other time! :lmao:

:cheer2: Welcome! Thanks for reading! :) You should write one--they're a lot of fun! It's good to be able to be excited about Disney with people who actuall GET IT! Just write about your plans--you'll have more to write about than you thought...

Get one!!! :thumbsup2 I'm already planning my next purchase. If you order from her website and look at the sales, they're really good deals! I just love the fact that it's so lightweight. Perfect for Disney!! I have back problems, so I can't carry something too heavy, but this will be great!


Aw, the part "I'm glad I married my best friend" is so cute! :goodvibes

Thank you! We were best friends before we even started thinking about dating, so we have a lot of fun together!

[pinkpixie0920]

I have to say I am a huge fan of Jessica Simpson shoes and I will not be buying those. I have no idea who could wear those, they look extremely uncomfortable. Yay, for being at the 180 day mark (well now it is even less since that was a couple days ago), i know it does make you miss the whole dining reservation system.

[stacikristine]

I have to say I am a huge fan of Jessica Simpson shoes and I will not be buying those. I have no idea who could wear those, they look extremely uncomfortable. Yay, for being at the 180 day mark (well now it is even less since that was a couple days ago), i know it does make you miss the whole dining reservation system.

Some of her other shoes looked really cute! These were just a little ridiculous!! :sad2: It's getting closer and closer until we go!!!

[jewels1916]

Hey Staci!! Glad you guys had fun at the basketball game! I'm with you on the new Jessica Simpson shoes...who could wear those? Oh, and I have the state song of Oklahoma in my head right now.....thanks....;)

We sang it at every single football game when I was in college. Go OSU! :)

[stacikristine]

Hey Staci!! Glad you guys had fun at the basketball game! I'm with you on the new Jessica Simpson shoes...who could wear those? Oh, and I have the state song of Oklahoma in my head right now.....thanks....;)

We sang it at every single football game when I was in college. Go OSU! :)

Yay for Oklahoma being the only state to have a musical named after it! :cheer2: Now everyone knows it!! Even though it's slightly corney, I LOVE singing it at everything--and singing it very loudly when we cross the border from TX into OK. My DH does NOT like this! :rotfl:

[stacikristine]

This post will be fondly dedicated to Epcot World Showcase. Even when I was younger, WS has always been one of my favorite parts of Disney World. I just LOVE all of the different countries! What a great way to spend our last full day at Disney!

Mary Poppins is my mom’s favorite, so we were really happy when we saw her!
http://i401.photobucket.com/albums/pp95/stacikristine/disney%2006/Disney158.jpg

I think I mentioned it before, but Beauty & the Beast was one of my top 3 growing up, and my college roomie was Belle in the university’s production…and we’d never seen Beauty & the Beast at Disney before…So my sis and I were REALLY excited!
http://i401.photobucket.com/albums/pp95/stacikristine/disney%2006/Disney160.jpg

We were supposed to eat at Chef Mickey’s, but we were loving being at Epcot. My aunt (who made all our ADRs) called and cancelled CM’s and saw what was available. They went somewhere in MK and my mom, sis, grandparents and I stayed at Epcot. We went to Teppan Edo. It was GREAT!!
http://i401.photobucket.com/albums/pp95/stacikristine/disney%2006/Disney145.jpg

http://i401.photobucket.com/albums/pp95/stacikristine/disney%2006/Disney141.jpg

http://i401.photobucket.com/albums/pp95/stacikristine/disney%2006/Disney144.jpg

http://i401.photobucket.com/albums/pp95/stacikristine/disney%2006/Disney148.jpg

When I was in junior high, my dad made up this crazy story about how we went to the beach and I kept running up to big bellied men and rubbing their bellies because I thought they were Buddha. My dad’s always coming up with something off the wall. Well, my cousins gave me a hard time about it forever, and it became a tradition to pose with any Buddha I see.
http://i401.photobucket.com/albums/pp95/stacikristine/disney%2006/Disney149.jpg

We have a picture almost identical to this (except my brother is in it) from our trip when I was 15.
http://i401.photobucket.com/albums/pp95/stacikristine/disney%2006/Disney150.jpg

Don’t you just love how detailed the Imagineers were in making all of the countries?!
http://i401.photobucket.com/albums/pp95/stacikristine/disney%2006/Disney153.jpg

http://i401.photobucket.com/albums/pp95/stacikristine/disney%2006/Disney140.jpg

http://i401.photobucket.com/albums/pp95/stacikristine/disney%2006/Disney137.jpg
I love this shot. I love the World Showcase. I love Disney!


Well, this wraps up our 2006 trip…The next morning, we just got up, packed up everything, went to Everything POP to spend the rest of our snack credits, and headed off on the Magical Express bus.

We had a WONDERFUL Disney trip! Needless to say, I didn’t want to head back to school and work…



But now I can look forward to THIS trip!!!! Less than 6 months!

[autumnpalm]

Ahhhhh Epcot. I LOVE Epcot! The World Showcase is sooo relaxing, I can spend hours there! Teppan Edo is one of my favourite WDW restaurants too.:thumbsup2

I'm so jealous you got to meet Beauty and the Beast together. I really hope we catch them this trip. What great photos you got!:banana:

[pinkpixie0920]

What a great trip you had! Your family seems so fun.

Did you see how they have the free dining now? Too bad we can't take advantage of it since we booked through DVC. I hope it is not too crowded now.

[stacikristine]

Ahhhhh Epcot. I LOVE Epcot! The World Showcase is sooo relaxing, I can spend hours there! Teppan Edo is one of my favourite WDW restaurants too.:thumbsup2

I'm so jealous you got to meet Beauty and the Beast together. I really hope we catch them this trip. What great photos you got!:banana:

I can spend hours there too...it's one of my very favorite places! I can't wait to take my DH to Teppan Edo! :thumbsup2

There was practically no line to see them either--we were so lucky!! Thanks :)

What a great trip you had! Your family seems so fun.

Did you see how they have the free dining now? Too bad we can't take advantage of it since we booked through DVC. I hope it is not too crowded now.

My family is a ton of fun! I wish my dad and brother could have gone though...they are a BLAST!

I KNOW!!! I saw that. I emailed my DVC owner and asked him if there was ANY way it could work for us...but it doesn't look like it. :sad2: I SO wish we could. I bet it will bring a few more people, but most of the Disney crowd will be in school or coming to F&WF. And we're leaving right when it's starting. So I think we'll be ok. Hopefully. :confused3

[stacikristine]

Guess what! Guess what! Guess what!

:dance3: We're going to DISNEY ON ICE for my birthday!!! :dance3:

I am SOOOO excited!! We're going to visit my in-laws and go with them. We'll leave here on my bday (Thurs the 9th) when I get off work, and we'll drive to Dallas to stay the night. I get a "birthday vacation day" at work, so I'll take that on Friday. We'll get up pretty early on Friday and drive to San Antonio and get there by late afternoon. We'll hang out with his family, go to DOI, and leave Saturday morning. It'll be a short trip, but it'll be really good. We weren't going to get to go to SA until Christmas, so this will be a nice little surprise. AND we're going to get some Disney magic! I haven't been to DOI since Toy Story came out...

:yay: YAAAAYYYYY!!!! :yay:

[autumnpalm]

Awww I'm so excited for you! Are you seeing Worlds of Fantasy? DOI is so much fun. What a perfect birthday evening!:goodvibes

See if you can grab any pictures of San Antonio for me!:laughing: I'm so curious as to what it'll be like.

What a great update!!!:cheer2::cheer2::cheer2:

[stacikristine]

Awww I'm so excited for you! Are you seeing Worlds of Fantasy? DOI is so much fun. What a perfect birthday evening!:goodvibes

See if you can grab any pictures of San Antonio for me!:laughing: I'm so curious as to what it'll be like.

What a great update!!!:cheer2::cheer2::cheer2:

Thanks! I'm really excited! :yay: It's actually Mickey & Minnie's Magical Journey. It'll show The Little Mermaid, The Lion King, Peter Pan, and Lilo & Stitch. I can't wait!

If we go to the Riverwalk or anything, I'll take pics for you. It's beautiful! I LOVE San Antonio! It'll be really hot for you, since you're used to Canada, but hopefully you can still enjoy it.

[Roxychica7]

That's AWESOME Staci!! Dbf surprised me last year on my birthday with tickets to see Disney on Ice (Finding Nemo). I'm so excited for you!! :thumbsup2

[stacikristine]

That's AWESOME Staci!! Dbf surprised me last year on my birthday with tickets to see Disney on Ice (Finding Nemo). I'm so excited for you!! :thumbsup2

Thanks Jess! I'm REALLY excited! I bet Finding Nemo was amazing--all of the colorful fish and everything. I'll post lots of pics :)

[HeatherBelle614]

I'm glad you enjoyed Teppan Edo! We'll be trying it for the first time this year. We LOVE the hibachi grills here, so I hope it's just as great! What did you get to eat?

YAY for DOI!!

You should pit-stop in Dallas... :goodvibes

[stacikristine]

I'm glad you enjoyed Teppan Edo! We'll be trying it for the first time this year. We LOVE the hibachi grills here, so I hope it's just as great! What did you get to eat?

YAY for DOI!!

You should pit-stop in Dallas... :goodvibes

It is SOOO good! I think I had the chicken and shrimp. I'm not 100% sure though. It was back when it appetizers were still included in the DDP, and I got edamame for the first time--now I'm hooked and buy it all the time! The only thing I wasn't crazy about was dessert, since I'm not a ginger fan...but seriously...I probably didn't need another dessert since I was having 2 a day on the DDP! :laughing: I'm sure you'll love it!

Actually, we are stopping in Dallas! And we're coming to Dallas on the 7th. Michael has to go to court for a ticket (long story...they tried to make him change his license when he was a student) and I have to take care of some stuff at DBU. And then we're coming down on the 9th to spend the night before we go to SA. I'll let you know what our schedule is, and you let me know what yours is and maybe we could meet up! :woohoo:

[Roxychica7]

Man, I almost forgot that we ate at Teppan Edo too! My mom and I tried it back in 2000 (not sure if the name was still the same back then), but they didn't do the dining plan thing either. Can't go wrong with the shrimp and chicken! It was the first time I ever tried sushi! I remember it being really good, although, it was my 1st eating at a hibachi, since they were "new" back then too. I don't like ginger either ;)

[HeatherBelle614]

It is SOOO good! I think I had the chicken and shrimp. I'm not 100% sure though. It was back when it appetizers were still included in the DDP, and I got edamame for the first time--now I'm hooked and buy it all the time! The only thing I wasn't crazy about was dessert, since I'm not a ginger fan...but seriously...I probably didn't need another dessert since I was having 2 a day on the DDP! :laughing: I'm sure you'll love it!

Actually, we are stopping in Dallas! And we're coming to Dallas on the 7th. Michael has to go to court for a ticket (long story...they tried to make him change his license when he was a student) and I have to take care of some stuff at DBU. And then we're coming down on the 9th to spend the night before we go to SA. I'll let you know what our schedule is, and you let me know what yours is and maybe we could meet up! :woohoo:

PM me when you figure out your detailed plans. :)

[jewels1916]

Hey, count me in on this Dismeet in Dallas! I want to come! :)

[stacikristine]

Man, I almost forgot that we ate at Teppan Edo too! My mom and I tried it back in 2000 (not sure if the name was still the same back then), but they didn't do the dining plan thing either. Can't go wrong with the shrimp and chicken! It was the first time I ever tried sushi! I remember it being really good, although, it was my 1st eating at a hibachi, since they were "new" back then too. I don't like ginger either ;)

Aren't hibachi grills just so great?! Teppan Edo was my first too! I LOVED it. :) I still don't like sushi, but everything else was yummy!!!


PM me when you figure out your detailed plans. :)

Will do. :yay:


Hey, count me in on this Dismeet in Dallas! I want to come! :)

:yay: Yay!!! I'm so excited! Well...it's going to have to be the 7th bc we're not stopping on the 9th anymore--we're driving straight through to San Antonio. But let me know your plans for the 7th!!! We'll be busy in the morning/early afternoon, but should be free after that. Also, let me know what area would be best for you. We'll be all over (from Euless to south Dallas to Lewisville)

[stacikristine]

My mom, sister and I went shopping last night for a birthday present/Easter dress for me! I found two that I LOVED and my mom bought them both for me for my bday!! I'll try to take pictures of everything. Oh--and she bought Michael a shirt that coordinates (not totally matching, but it has a stripe that's my dress's color) with my dress to wear for Easter. I'm excited--my first Easter as a married couple! I'll FOR SURE post pics of us next weekend.

Oh--and I think I might want to start doing Disney nights once a month before we go in September. I was reading someone's PTR (I don't remember who's...sorry!) and she said they did Disney nights as a family. One time they ordered pizza, watched Toy Story, and then did some cute Toy Story kind of activity. I think it'd be a lot of fun, and it'd give me something else to plan!! WooHoo! :woohoo: So if any of you have any ideas...just let me know! I'll let you know when I decide to have our first. And OF COURSE there'll be pictures ;)

[ariel1025]

I just found your PTR and wanted to say Hi :goodvibes

We will be staying at AK in September as well (only we'll be there at the beginning of the month). All your plans look great so far! And I loved reading about your previous trip.

Can't wait to read more updates!!

[HeatherBelle614]

Please post pics of your dresses!! You sound like me..this is our first ___ as a married couple! I think it's a girl thing. Haha.

I'm so looking forward to Tuesday!!! I'm going to brainstorm places and send you both a PM later today.

[jewels1916]

I love the Disney Movie theme night idea! Hm....you could do Lady and the Tramp and have spaghetti and meatballs!
Hm...what else.....Finding Nemo/Scavenger Hunt.
I think it's too late for me to really think of anything, but I think it's way cute!

[pinkpixie0920]

Oh my gosh I love the Disney movie night theme! That is such a creative idea.

[stacikristine]

I just found your PTR and wanted to say Hi :goodvibes

We will be staying at AK in September as well (only we'll be there at the beginning of the month). All your plans look great so far! And I loved reading about your previous trip.

Can't wait to read more updates!!

Welcome!!! :cheer2: Thanks for reading! How exciting!! I'll have to check out your PTR. Have you stayed at AKL before? I'm very pumped. And I can read your TR to get a fix of AKL before we go :)



Please post pics of your dresses!! You sound like me..this is our first ___ as a married couple! I think it's a girl thing. Haha.

I'm so looking forward to Tuesday!!! I'm going to brainstorm places and send you both a PM later today.

Haha--yeah, it probably is! :laughing: I say that phrase ALL the time! AAAHHH!!! I'm so looking forward to tomorrow too!! :yay: I think you sent me a PM but I haven't checked yet...our internet was being stupid this weekend. I'll see ya tomorrow! :woohoo:



I love the Disney Movie theme night idea! Hm....you could do Lady and the Tramp and have spaghetti and meatballs!
Hm...what else.....Finding Nemo/Scavenger Hunt.
I think it's too late for me to really think of anything, but I think it's way cute!

Isn't it a great idea? I wish it were mine... I'll just have to be content with stealing it! :laughing: Ooohhh--Lady and the Tramp night sounds amazing! We LOVE Italian food... And I never would have thought about a scavenger hunt on Finding Nemo night! Keep em comin--you have great ideas! :thumbsup2



Oh my gosh I love the Disney movie night theme! That is such a creative idea.

I "borrowed" the idea ;) You should too!! I'm really excited about it. This other lady that I got it from did it with her kids and husband. I was going to wait til we have kids...but I think we'll have to break some out now! :laughing:

[BridetobeDisney]

I think Disney movie nights would be lots of fun. I want to see pics of the dresses!

[stacikristine]

I think Disney movie nights would be lots of fun. I want to see pics of the dresses!

Thanks! I'm excited about it! And I took pictures of my new dresses and some other shopping stuff last night--I'll post them asap!

[stacikristine]

We just got back from Dallas night-before-last. We had a ton of fun!

Michael had to go to court to try to fight a ticket (they fined him for not changing his license when he went to school—he didn’t know he had to go to court last spring…they racked the bill up to $960 then told him he’d be arrested if he didn’t pay…so we paid and then he went to fight it) So we went to court and got $450 back!! It should have been all of it (or at least all but the $250 for failing to appear in court—even though he didn’t know he was supposed to go to court. But the judge thought she was Judge Judy. I don’t think anyone told her that she’s not. One guy got cuffed and taken out while we were there. And one girl had about 7 tickets form over the past couple of years. And she yelled at another guy for not understanding what she was saying. So overall, it was a very entertaining morning.

Then we went to DBU to turn in my application for graduation!!! YAYAYAYAYAY!!! I’m FINISHED in August! They’d finished the new bookstore and worked a ton on the new chapel since I’d been there last time. Here’s two pics of the new buildings.

http://i401.photobucket.com/albums/pp95/stacikristine/spring%20spurs%20stuff/09DBUandClothes006.jpg

http://i401.photobucket.com/albums/pp95/stacikristine/spring%20spurs%20stuff/09DBUandClothes008.jpg
I wish you could see how big the chapel is…maybe I’ll go through my pics again and find a different one…


Then we met up with a friend for lunch, visited a church to get ideas for our new youth/children’s building (they started on the dirt work yesterday!!), and ordered our new iMac!!! YAY it should be here tomorrow!

After that, we met up with Heather (HeatherBelle614) and her DH Brad. We ate at Snuffer’s—oh my gosh—those cheese fries were amazing. We had a ton of fun (but we missed you, Courtney!). We’re already planning our next DISmeet!

http://i401.photobucket.com/albums/pp95/stacikristine/spring%20spurs%20stuff/09DBUandClothes025.jpg


We got home really late (well, late for me—I like to go to sleep before 10:30 and we didn’t get home til almost 11).


Last night, I was supposed to be doing homework bc I have a TON to do this week, but I couldn’t start homework without being a trusty DISer and taking pictures of my new dresses! I went ahead and took pictures of my last shopping trip stuff too (or what was clean of it!)

http://i401.photobucket.com/albums/pp95/stacikristine/spring%20spurs%20stuff/09DBUandClothes024.jpg

This is my Easter dress this year—I didn’t want something too dressy…
http://i401.photobucket.com/albums/pp95/stacikristine/spring%20spurs%20stuff/09DBUandClothes027.jpg

Close-up of the top detail
http://i401.photobucket.com/albums/pp95/stacikristine/spring%20spurs%20stuff/09DBUandClothes028.jpg

Easter sandals
http://i401.photobucket.com/albums/pp95/stacikristine/spring%20spurs%20stuff/09DBUandClothes033.jpg

Easter earrings (gold ones) and some my cousin sent me yesterday
http://i401.photobucket.com/albums/pp95/stacikristine/spring%20spurs%20stuff/09DBUandClothes032.jpg

New Mini Hipster (sorry I didn’t post sooner). I love it. I’ve been using it quite a bit.
http://i401.photobucket.com/albums/pp95/stacikristine/spring%20spurs%20stuff/09DBUandClothes030.jpg

New shirts from a few weeks ago:
http://i401.photobucket.com/albums/pp95/stacikristine/spring%20spurs%20stuff/09DBUandClothes036.jpg

http://i401.photobucket.com/albums/pp95/stacikristine/spring%20spurs%20stuff/09DBUandClothes035.jpg

http://i401.photobucket.com/albums/pp95/stacikristine/spring%20spurs%20stuff/09DBUandClothes034.jpg

http://i401.photobucket.com/albums/pp95/stacikristine/spring%20spurs%20stuff/09DBUandClothes037.jpg

This back is my favorite—I’m actually wearing this shirt today!
http://i401.photobucket.com/albums/pp95/stacikristine/spring%20spurs%20stuff/09DBUandClothes038.jpg



That about does it for new clothes! I love spring.

We’re heading to San Antonio tonight! And then we’re going to DOI tomorrow night!!! YAY! I can’t wait. Michael’s parents are joining us. So exciting!

I’ll be sure and post lost of pics!

[Roxychica7]

CUTE new clothes and mini hipster! Isn't it great to know that graduation is coming up so quickly? This semester has FLOWN by, I can't believe that it's almost the middle of April already!! (But no complaints of course!;))
Have FUN at DOI and don't forget to take pics for us!! :goodvibes

[HeatherBelle614]

I'll leave a longer comment later, but oh man, is Brad in trouble for taking a picture with a toothpick hanging out of his mouth. He's going to be lectured on picture etiquette tonight! He looks so goofy. Silly, silly DH.

[autumnpalm]

Awww the DIS meet looks so fun! Did you get any more pictures?:banana: I'm totally jealous, guys!

I love all your new clothes, especially your Easter dress. I still haven't figured out what I'm going to wear... probably a sundress and cardigan since it might be a little chilly here.

Congrats on almost being done with university! Your campus looks so pretty.:goodvibes

Can't wait to see the DOI pictures. Have a wonderful time!:wizard:

[stacikristine]

CUTE new clothes and mini hipster! Isn't it great to know that graduation is coming up so quickly? This semester has FLOWN by, I can't believe that it's almost the middle of April already!! (But no complaints of course!;))
Have FUN at DOI and don't forget to take pics for us!! :goodvibes

Thanks!! I KNOW--I can't wait to graduate! Isn't it just so great?! :cool1: I'll take lots of pics--hopefully they'll come out ok :)


I'll leave a longer comment later, but oh man, is Brad in trouble for taking a picture with a toothpick hanging out of his mouth. He's going to be lectured on picture etiquette tonight! He looks so goofy. Silly, silly DH.

Haha!! :rotfl: I laughed really hard when I saw it. Silly, silly boys. ;)


Awww the DIS meet looks so fun! Did you get any more pictures?:banana: I'm totally jealous, guys!

I love all your new clothes, especially your Easter dress. I still haven't figured out what I'm going to wear... probably a sundress and cardigan since it might be a little chilly here.

Congrats on almost being done with university! Your campus looks so pretty.:goodvibes

Can't wait to see the DOI pictures. Have a wonderful time!:wizard:

It was a TON of fun!! No--we didn't get more pictures. We will next time though. We're already planning another hang out! :thumbsup2 Thanks--new clothes are so fun. I'm glad we're in the south for Easter. I don't like the cold at all. Post pictures of your Easter dress too!! I love Easter dresses :) Thanks--I'm really excited to graduate. I'll (hopefully be able to) take lots of pictures tonight!! Thanks!

[blabbermouth]

OOh, I love your easter dress, so pretty! (And the other clothes too). Happy Easter! Hope to hear more about your trip soon.

[stacikristine]

OOh, I love your easter dress, so pretty! (And the other clothes too). Happy Easter! Hope to hear more about your trip soon.

Thanks! It was freezing here on Easter, but I wore it anyway!



Hey everyone! Sorry I haven't posted pics from last weekend yet. I'm having trouble with my camera uploading. But I'll hopefully get it done in the next couple of days...

[stacikristine]

The much anticipated Disney On Ice weekend was INCREDIBLE!!

The festivities started on Thursday when I came to work and found my desk like this:

http://i401.photobucket.com/albums/pp95/stacikristine/spring%20spurs%20stuff/10BdayWeekend003.jpg

http://i401.photobucket.com/albums/pp95/stacikristine/spring%20spurs%20stuff/10BdayWeekend002.jpg
If you’re unsure what that red and black thing is, it’s the Birthday Vulture—everyone gets it on their desk when it’s their bday


Then, Michael and I headed out to San Antonio!!

On the way, we could have sworn we were in the Oklahoma Dust Bowl of 2009. We found out later that 100s of homes had been burned in fires across Oklahoma and north Texas. I’m so thankful we weren’t affected. Anyway, I took a ton of pictures, and these are some of the best.

http://i401.photobucket.com/albums/pp95/stacikristine/spring%20spurs%20stuff/10BdayWeekend028.jpg

http://i401.photobucket.com/albums/pp95/stacikristine/spring%20spurs%20stuff/10BdayWeekend016.jpg

This is one of the little towns we drove through. This picture reminded me of an old western film.
http://i401.photobucket.com/albums/pp95/stacikristine/spring%20spurs%20stuff/10BdayWeekend020.jpg

This is what it looked like once we got on the highway.
http://i401.photobucket.com/albums/pp95/stacikristine/spring%20spurs%20stuff/10BdayWeekend027.jpg


We arrived in San Antonio really late that night. Surprisingly, I stayed awake the whole time in the car! The next morning, we slept in and just hung around the house.

My MIL had made me a DELICIOUS funfetti cake and chocolate chip cookies for my bday
http://i401.photobucket.com/albums/pp95/stacikristine/spring%20spurs%20stuff/10BdayWeekend004.jpg

After a morning and afternoon of relaxing and enjoying ourselves, we headed down to the heart of the city. We ate at the Chili’s in the Riverwalk Mall. I was honestly pretty disappointed. I usually love the Cajun Chicken Pasta (I usually get that or the Chicken Enchilada Soup) but it was horrible! I couldn’t even taste any of the sauce. I asked for a side of more sauce and put it on, but it still wasn’t good. Oh well.

We walked from the mall to the Alamo Dome, where DOI was showing. Michael laughed and called me a tourist, but I snapped these along the way:

http://i401.photobucket.com/albums/pp95/stacikristine/spring%20spurs%20stuff/10BdayWeekend018.jpg

http://i401.photobucket.com/albums/pp95/stacikristine/spring%20spurs%20stuff/10BdayWeekend024.jpg

http://i401.photobucket.com/albums/pp95/stacikristine/spring%20spurs%20stuff/10BdayWeekend025.jpg

Before long, we were at the Alamo Dome!

http://i401.photobucket.com/albums/pp95/stacikristine/spring%20spurs%20stuff/10BdayWeekend033.jpg

This guy was our first sight of Disney!
http://i401.photobucket.com/albums/pp95/stacikristine/spring%20spurs%20stuff/10BdayWeekend035.jpg

I don’t know why, but this sign just made me laugh.
http://i401.photobucket.com/albums/pp95/stacikristine/spring%20spurs%20stuff/10BdayWeekend036.jpg

And then we were inside!!!
http://i401.photobucket.com/albums/pp95/stacikristine/spring%20spurs%20stuff/10BdayWeekend038.jpg

It was a little strange to be there without a little kid, but it didn’t matter—I was SOOO excited!

Cont. SOON!!

[stacikristine]

THE SHOW!

We found our seats and waited for the show to start. Here is a picture of us with my in-laws.
http://i401.photobucket.com/albums/pp95/stacikristine/spring%20spurs%20stuff/10BdayWeekend041.jpg

This is what the stage looked like:
http://i401.photobucket.com/albums/pp95/stacikristine/spring%20spurs%20stuff/10BdayWeekend040.jpg


The opening scene was Mickey, Minnie, Donald, Daisy, and Goofy in their tourist gear. They were looking for a fun vacation.
http://i401.photobucket.com/albums/pp95/stacikristine/spring%20spurs%20stuff/10BdayWeekend044.jpg

Let me just say that girls sitting behind us were adorably hilarious. They were all decked out in their princess gear, and they were PUMPED to be here! No matter what went on, they were squealing and completely enthralled. They sung along with all of the songs, and they commented on everything. When the monkeys came out, they clapped and shouted “they’re making a circle” and things like that. When Arial sang, they “Aaaa-aaah-aaahhh. Aaaaa-aaaah-aaaaahhh” –ed along with her. They kept us almost as entertained as the actual show did.

Then some monkeys came out and started skating around. This pic is blurry, but it was really cute and colorful
http://i401.photobucket.com/albums/pp95/stacikristine/spring%20spurs%20stuff/10BdayWeekend045.jpg

Next up: The Lion King!
http://i401.photobucket.com/albums/pp95/stacikristine/spring%20spurs%20stuff/10BdayWeekend048.jpg

Nala and Simba were incredible! They were probably the best of the couple skaters. At one point, Simba was holding Nala, and then he flipped her over his back and she landed and then spun around. He also held her legs and spun her around in the air. Soooo great!
http://i401.photobucket.com/albums/pp95/stacikristine/spring%20spurs%20stuff/10BdayWeekend051.jpg

After The Lion King, Mickey and the gang came back out and said something about going under water.

The Little Mermaid!!
http://i401.photobucket.com/albums/pp95/stacikristine/spring%20spurs%20stuff/10BdayWeekend053.jpg

The mermaids were really pretty. What a fun job!
http://i401.photobucket.com/albums/pp95/stacikristine/spring%20spurs%20stuff/10BdayWeekend054.jpg

http://i401.photobucket.com/albums/pp95/stacikristine/spring%20spurs%20stuff/10BdayWeekend055.jpg

The big Under The Sea song/dance was so, so great! They had starfish, jellyfish, regular fish, clams, and so much more.
http://i401.photobucket.com/albums/pp95/stacikristine/spring%20spurs%20stuff/10BdayWeekend060.jpg

When it was time for Eric to defeat Ursela, this huge blow-up Ursela came out
http://i401.photobucket.com/albums/pp95/stacikristine/spring%20spurs%20stuff/10BdayWeekend063.jpg

The finale!
http://i401.photobucket.com/albums/pp95/stacikristine/spring%20spurs%20stuff/10BdayWeekend064.jpg


Sticking with the ocean theme, Lilo and Stitch were up next!
http://i401.photobucket.com/albums/pp95/stacikristine/spring%20spurs%20stuff/10BdayWeekend065.jpg

The Lilo and Stitch finale was one of the best of the entire show! Everyone was dancing and singing and it was just so, so cute!
http://i401.photobucket.com/albums/pp95/stacikristine/spring%20spurs%20stuff/10BdayWeekend071.jpg

Now, it was time for the intermission. So far, the show was fantastic!! I loved knowing that my in-laws were really enjoying themselves. My MIL is so, so sweet and she just loves everything and everyone. So of course she loved it. My FIL was laughing and clapping all throughout the show too! YAY!!! It was a hit!!


Next up: the rest of the show, big disappointment on the way home, and Easter pic!

[ariel1025]

Oh my goodness....DOI looks like SO much fun!! I wish they were coming to a town near us, but so far no luck :sad1:

Can't wait to see the rest of the show!!!

[Bridora]

I love the Pumbaa costume! :lmao:

We took our kids to see The Incredibles on ice. I'm not sure of the correct title, really, but it was good. My DS got a really funny Dash mask. It was the top of his head (hair & forehead) and his eyes only. We all tried it on & everyone looked hilarious!

It looks like you guys had a really fun time so far. I hope the disappointment on the way home is not too too bad... :sad1:

[pinkpixie0920]

Your pictures are great! Looks like you had a great birthday. Disney on Ice looks like so much fun. We are in the 150's!!!:banana:

[shellywalker]

I'm tagging along! I loved reading your whole report tonight! I can't wait to read more about your plans and also see more pics from DOI! We went back in February and LOVED it...I've seen it what seems like 100 times, and it never gets old!

[autumnpalm]

I love the Disney on Ice pictures! I wonder if that show will come to Toronto... I want to see the Lilo and Stitch part!:goodvibes

Thanks for getting some pictures of San Antonio. It looks very American, if that makes sense?:laughing:

And this is completely off topic, but your Office calendar is the best! Are you a big fan of the show? I plan on bringing season 2 on the airplane with me to watch.:thumbsup2 I think the Office is my favourite show on television right now.

Can't wait to hear about and see the rest of DOI!

[stacikristine]

Oh my goodness....DOI looks like SO much fun!! I wish they were coming to a town near us, but so far no luck :sad1:

Can't wait to see the rest of the show!!!

Thanks!! It was so, so cute. Way fun! Maybe they'll come to a town somewhere near you in the future--we drove 7 hours...but we also had a reason to go down and see his parents. I'll post the rest probably tomorrow. I have to upload the rest of the pics to PhotoBucket and my computer at work won't read my card :confused3



I love the Pumbaa costume! :lmao:

We took our kids to see The Incredibles on ice. I'm not sure of the correct title, really, but it was good. My DS got a really funny Dash mask. It was the top of his head (hair & forehead) and his eyes only. We all tried it on & everyone looked hilarious!

It looks like you guys had a really fun time so far. I hope the disappointment on the way home is not too too bad... :sad1:

Hi! Haha--I know. Isn't that hilarious! What was really impressive was that it was one person bent over skating on his/her feet and hands! :rotfl: I bet your family got some good pics from that! We had a great time--and the disappointment is more of a silly let-down...so no worries!! :thumbsup2



Your pictures are great! Looks like you had a great birthday. Disney on Ice looks like so much fun. We are in the 150's!!!:banana:

Thanks! We did! So, so much fun. I KNOW!!! :dance3: We leave 5 months from today!!!! :woohoo:




I'm tagging along! I loved reading your whole report tonight! I can't wait to read more about your plans and also see more pics from DOI! We went back in February and LOVED it...I've seen it what seems like 100 times, and it never gets old!

Welcome! :cheer2: Thanks so much! I can't wait to get more plans posted on here...I've been doing lots of planning with tourguideMIKE, but I'll wait to post final plans. ;) I'll post more DOI pics tonight or tomorrow. Wow! Did you see Mickey & Minnie's Magical Journey, or one of the others? They all looked so great.




I love the Disney on Ice pictures! I wonder if that show will come to Toronto... I want to see the Lilo and Stitch part!:goodvibes

Thanks for getting some pictures of San Antonio. It looks very American, if that makes sense?:laughing:

And this is completely off topic, but your Office calendar is the best! Are you a big fan of the show? I plan on bringing season 2 on the airplane with me to watch.:thumbsup2 I think the Office is my favourite show on television right now.

Can't wait to hear about and see the rest of DOI!

Thanks! It was really, really cute. The Lilo and Stitch finale was SOOO good!!! :thumbsup2 Haha--I think San Antonio looks kinda Spanish. But I guess it might look American to you. ;) OH MY GOSH!!! I LOVE The Office! :rotfl: It's by far our favorite show! We have all the seasons (besides this one--but we'll get it when it comes out) and we even have the board game! :thumbsup2 Great Show!

[shellywalker]

We saw Disney's 100 Years of Magic! It was so awesome, they had a ton of different movies incorperated! I've also seen Beauty and The Beast on Ice and loved that one too!

[stacikristine]

We saw Disney's 100 Years of Magic! It was so awesome, they had a ton of different movies incorperated! I've also seen Beauty and The Beast on Ice and loved that one too!


Welcome! :cheer2: I saw pictures of Disney's 100 Years of Magic--it looked INCREDIBLE! Isn't DOI just so great?!

[Roxychica7]

Man, that dust storm looks horrible! :scared1:
Glad you made it out of there too!

I've noticed that Chili's is starting to go down hill a little. It's the same way around us! I used to go there all the time on my college breaks.

SO FUN though about DOI! We were contemplating going, but figured I'd just put what we were going to spend into our WDW fund jar, that way we can go next April! Awesome pics though! I loved Finding Nemo on ice, but The Little Mermaid and Lion King (also Beauty and the Beast!) are my favorites! Looks like you had a blast! :thumbsup2

[autumnpalm]

We have all the seasons of The Office on DVD too! I think 2 and 3 are my favourites.

OMG I was so mad at Dwight on this week's episode. I couldn't believe he betrayed Michael!:rotfl: I really want the Michael Scott Paper Company to succeed.:goodvibes And I'm so excited for Pam and Jim to get married. I really hope they don't start messing with the story line and adding more "will they or won't they" dramatics.

Seriously, no matter how bad of a mood I'm in, The Office can always make me laugh!:thumbsup2

[BellaSoleil]

Thanks for all the fun pics! We go to Disney on Ice tommorow!!!

[stacikristine]

Man, that dust storm looks horrible! :scared1:
Glad you made it out of there too!

I've noticed that Chili's is starting to go down hill a little. It's the same way around us! I used to go there all the time on my college breaks.

SO FUN though about DOI! We were contemplating going, but figured I'd just put what we were going to spend into our WDW fund jar, that way we can go next April! Awesome pics though! I loved Finding Nemo on ice, but The Little Mermaid and Lion King (also Beauty and the Beast!) are my favorites! Looks like you had a blast! :thumbsup2

Thanks! We were happy to make it out too! Luckily the roads were opened when we were driving... Isn't that disappointing? I used to LOVE Chili's! :confused3 Smart to use your DOI money for your real Disney trip! The only reason we went was for my bday, and we hadn't been since we were both little kids :) It was really, really cute, but I think we'll wait to go again til we have kids... Oh my gosh--I would love to see those three though!! They (and Aladdin) are my favorites!



We have all the seasons of The Office on DVD too! I think 2 and 3 are my favourites.

OMG I was so mad at Dwight on this week's episode. I couldn't believe he betrayed Michael!:rotfl: I really want the Michael Scott Paper Company to succeed.:goodvibes And I'm so excited for Pam and Jim to get married. I really hope they don't start messing with the story line and adding more "will they or won't they" dramatics.

Seriously, no matter how bad of a mood I'm in, The Office can always make me laugh!:thumbsup2

Haha--so true!! The Office always makes me so happy! The game is a lot of fun too. But Michael beats me so bad when we play it--he's watched each episode at least 3 times...and I've only watched them once. I know--I don't want it to turn into one of those drama shows...there's enough of them already!! I was worried it was going to turn into that with the whole thing between Angela, Dwight, and Andy. What a good show! :rotfl:



Thanks for all the fun pics! We go to Disney on Ice tommorow!!!

Have SOOO much fun! Yall are going for Belle's bday, right? I can't wait to hear all about how much she loved it!!! (and you and 'G') :yay:

[BellaSoleil]

Yes, we are. This is the kick-off to the two week birthday celebration. She knows that it is her birthday and keeps singing to herself. :goodvibes

[stacikristine]

Yes, we are. This is the kick-off to the two week birthday celebration. She knows that it is her birthday and keeps singing to herself. :goodvibes

SO SO CUTE!! :goodvibes I can't wait to read all about it--and her parties!!

[stacikristine]

It’s time to finish up the Disney On Ice TR!


After intermission, some fancy-clad London folks came out and danced/skated around a bell tower. Then the fab 5 came out and joined in the little scene. They were singing “It’s a Jolly Holiday in London” to the tune of “It’s a Jolly Holiday with Mary”…it was really cute, but it got my hopes up for more Mary Poppins songs!

http://i401.photobucket.com/albums/pp95/stacikristine/spring%20spurs%20stuff/10BdayWeekend078-1.jpg

http://i401.photobucket.com/albums/pp95/stacikristine/spring%20spurs%20stuff/10BdayWeekend076-1.jpg


This set the stage for the next show: PETER PAN!

The show opened with the parents leaving and putting the kids to bed, and Peter and Tink downstairs looking for Peter’s shadow. Peter goes upstairs, and the next thing you know…

They’re flying—I took a ton of pictures, but this is my favorite!
http://i401.photobucket.com/albums/pp95/stacikristine/spring%20spurs%20stuff/10BdayWeekend083.jpg

http://i401.photobucket.com/albums/pp95/stacikristine/spring%20spurs%20stuff/10BdayWeekend084.jpg

One of the coolest props was the pirate ship.
http://i401.photobucket.com/albums/pp95/stacikristine/spring%20spurs%20stuff/10BdayWeekend089.jpg

And these pirates were amazing! We could tell a lot of them were girls…but I think it just added to the creativity of it all. They had one of the best “dances” in the show!
http://i401.photobucket.com/albums/pp95/stacikristine/spring%20spurs%20stuff/10BdayWeekend091.jpg

When Peter fights Hook, a HUGE crocodile comes out to eat him up! He pulled the string down on himself to shut the croc’s mouth
http://i401.photobucket.com/albums/pp95/stacikristine/spring%20spurs%20stuff/10BdayWeekend094.jpg

And then it was time to go back to London
http://i401.photobucket.com/albums/pp95/stacikristine/spring%20spurs%20stuff/10BdayWeekend095.jpg


Let me just say, the finale was INCREDIBLE!!

http://i401.photobucket.com/albums/pp95/stacikristine/spring%20spurs%20stuff/10BdayWeekend097.jpg

http://i401.photobucket.com/albums/pp95/stacikristine/spring%20spurs%20stuff/10BdayWeekend098.jpg

http://i401.photobucket.com/albums/pp95/stacikristine/spring%20spurs%20stuff/10BdayWeekend100.jpg

http://i401.photobucket.com/albums/pp95/stacikristine/spring%20spurs%20stuff/10BdayWeekend101.jpg


WE LOVED IT!!!! Such a good show! Very, very good bday present!


After the entire show, they had a “behind the scenes” part. We went down to the second row to get a better view.

Before the “mini-show”
http://i401.photobucket.com/albums/pp95/stacikristine/spring%20spurs%20stuff/10BdayWeekend107.jpg

Sorry this is a bad picture…it was hard with the lighting… But this was the girl that came out and explained some of the “magic behind the magic”
http://i401.photobucket.com/albums/pp95/stacikristine/spring%20spurs%20stuff/10BdayWeekend109.jpg

A guy came out to help her demonstrate emotions and show some props. He drove the boat by leaning back on the stick/chair thing and using his feet. His hands controlled where the boat went—but it was all very discreet. He went a little too fast and the girl almost fell off at one point though!
http://i401.photobucket.com/albums/pp95/stacikristine/spring%20spurs%20stuff/10BdayWeekend114.jpg

They showed some lighting and sound effects, and then some of the skaters came out and performed a little. They each did 2 special skating things (I don’t know the real name…) There was a girl, a guy, and a couple.
http://i401.photobucket.com/albums/pp95/stacikristine/spring%20spurs%20stuff/10BdayWeekend116.jpg

There’s a lady’s head in the way for part of this, but it was just such a cool video—I had to share!
http://i401.photobucket.com/albums/pp95/stacikristine/spring%20spurs%20stuff/th_10BdayWeekend122.jpg (http://s401.photobucket.com/albums/pp95/stacikristine/spring%20spurs%20stuff/?action=view&current=10BdayWeekend122.flv)



And that about wraps up our Disney On Ice experience!! It was GGGGRRRREEEEAAAATTT!!!!

Such fun.


On the way back to Oooooo-kla-homa we had our hearts set on stopping by the Gainsville Factory Outlets and getting a Cinnamon Roll from Cinnabon. I used to stop there a lot when I would drive back and forth from OK to Dallas (school). Well…we knew that business was pretty much dropping off for the outlet mall, but we didn’t expect what we found in the food court:

http://i401.photobucket.com/albums/pp95/stacikristine/spring%20spurs%20stuff/10BdayWeekend031-1.jpg

http://i401.photobucket.com/albums/pp95/stacikristine/spring%20spurs%20stuff/10BdayWeekend043.jpg

Are you kidding me?!?! What good is a food court if it has NO FOOD?! And especially if it has no CINNAMON ROLLS?! As you can see, I was more than a little disappointed. I love those things! Well, we used the little men’s and women’s rooms (I guess that’s the only reason they keep the food court open) and decided to stop by a 75% off bookstore so the stop wouldn’t be a complete waste. Well, the bookstore was beyond awkward—they played no music, and it was just one of those places where you didn’t want to sneeze because then everyone would look at you like a crazy… Anyway, we headed back to the car and continued on our trip home. And, no, I still haven’t had a cinnamon roll since then. Sad.


Well, I can’t finish this update with a disappointing story, so here’s a picture of us outside church for OUR FIRST EASTER! It was really cold, but I braved it and wore my new dress anyway. I woke up in such a great mood—even though it was sprinkling. I just LOVE Easter.

http://i401.photobucket.com/albums/pp95/stacikristine/spring%20spurs%20stuff/10BdayWeekend047-1.jpg


That about does it…We had a WONDERFUL, wonderful weekend. A great 22nd birthday!

[stacikristine]

Guess what?! We're in the 140s today!!! Wa-Hoo!!!

[autumnpalm]

Your DOI pictures are so great!:goodvibes I would have loved to have seen the Peter Pan part. That looks so cute! I love that they did a behind the scenes part after, that's so interesting.

Your Easter picture is beautiful!

Congrats on making it to the 140s!! You'll be in double digits before you know it!:cheer2:

[stacikristine]

Your DOI pictures are so great!:goodvibes I would have loved to have seen the Peter Pan part. That looks so cute! I love that they did a behind the scenes part after, that's so interesting.

Your Easter picture is beautiful!

Congrats on making it to the 140s!! You'll be in double digits before you know it!:cheer2:

Thanks! It was so much fun :thumbsup2 The Peter Pan part was incredible. One of my favorites of the entire show. Didn't you get to see all the fairies? That looked SOO great!

Thanks and thanks! I know--I can't wait til we're finally in double digits!! You're almost at DISNEY WORLD!!! :yay:

[stacikristine]

I don't really have a lot to update about...

But I've fallen in love with tourguideMIKE's website. So much so that I dreamed we were at Disney and we were watching a parade in MK and I was so upset because I needed a computer to make sure we were visiting the tourguideMIKE recommended park the next day! :rotfl2:

Anyway...

Well, I was talking about our trip during Sunday lunch, and my dad started telling me about all of these scam stories. We're renting DVC points, and he was just telling me to call Disney and make sure the ressie # he gave us was valid. So after talking to a Disney reservation lady, I found out I'd have to call DVC member services. Well, I'm not supposed to do that. But I did anyway, and the nice lady told me she couldn't give me the info, and she would need to talk to the person we were renting from. I told her that was the problem. The DVC owner told me I had a ressie, but I just wanted to make sure we didn't show up at Disney World and not have a room! :scared1: So she told me she couldn't give me any info, but she would check to see if I had a ressie. and...... WE DO!!! Yay! :yay: :woohoo: We weren't scammed! :dance3:

This isn't directly related, but I only have 2.5 weeks of school left!!! And then this summer, I'm taking 2 online classes and then I'M FINISHED!!!!! :yay::yay::yay: I can't tell you how happy I will be. This semester has been tough! I have a huge Spanish oral presentation in an hour and I've been totally stressed about it. Anyway...not really related, but...

When it's over, I can focus more on DISNEY!!! :banana: So it is related in a way...


Sorry this has been so sporadic. Hopefully I'll have a better update soon.

[blabbermouth]

Great, I'm glad you were able to double check the DVC rental. I know when I sold a guy some leftover lift tickets I had for the local ski hill he called there to make sure the numbers were valid... better safe than sorry!

And good luck with your Spanish presentation! Presentations are always the most nerve wracking. I don't even mind public speaking really, but especially when it's in a different language I always am the most nervous. I'd rather just write a test! And congrats on almost being done school! I remember being there... now I'm getting my accounting designation, so I'm right back at it. :scared: Any plans for more education?

[autumnpalm]

I'm so glad your DVC rental is all set!:goodvibes

Congratulations on being done school so soon. What a relief that must be!:hug:

I hope your Spanish presentation went well!! If I could say good luck in Spanish, I would.:rotfl:

[Roxychica7]

Awesome pics from part II of DOI! I think the next one we go to we will definitely do the one with all the characters like you did! YAHOO for 2.5 weeks of school left! I didn't have any classes this semester, but Dbf is just as excited as you, since he also has 2.5 weeks of school left. Then, we both have our last class, him his independent research project and me the rest of my thesis and then we're done!! :thumbsup2