I was at WDW 12/10 to 12/19...see post #35 for the last update.

[Timon-n-Pumbaa Fan]

I am so happy and so stressed all at the same time. I am more unprepared for this trip than any other Disney trip ever and this is not the trip to be unprepared for since we are taking Corey's mom with us.

Doggie Boarding - Confirmed
ADR's - Confirmed after they told us one was cancelled that was really just put under the wrong name.
ECV rental - Confirmed
SUV rental - Confirmed
Hotel room info - printed
Gas and Food Gift Cards - gathered
Pin collection - sorted and packed
Family Gift Backpacks - mostly done, but not complete
Matching shirts - mostly done, still need to do one for our AK day and my MVMCP shirt
Itinerary - basic one hammed out
Day by Day Park Touring Itinerary - not done...I still have 3 days to hammer out a flow for. :scared1:

Decorations for scooter basket
Craft Foam Signs - done
Bells strings - done
Lights - done
Batteries - done
Laminated Paper Signs: Not done - graphics created, but not printed or laminated yet

Household stuff
Mail hold - done
Talk to neighbor about taking our holiday deliveries, if any - not done
Refresh alarm sensor batteries - not done
clean out fridge - not done
Buy dog food - not done
Cut up treats for the pet resort - not done
Count out doggie meds - not done
Print out doggie care sheet - not done

Stuff that can only happen tomorrow
Set up 4 litter pans on tarp
board the dogs
get the rental suv
decorate the suv
pack the suv
Take the tickets & credit cards out of the safe

OMG, and there is more, but this should give you an idea of my current state of :scared1:

I can't believe this has gotten so far behind. There just are not enough hours in the day sometimes.

I am looking forward to 5:30pm and I am dreading it all at the same time. I have a lot to do in the next 24 hours.

Luckily, I do all of this planning and freak out, but I do know that once I am on the road, barring any unforseen circumstances, it's all about relaxation. For now, it's all about feeling like I need to barf. lol

[OrlandoMike]

I swear one of these days I'm going to meet you at the airport, shread all of your spread sheets, and force you to tour by the seat of your pants! :rotfl2:

You act like it's your first trip to Disney World! :hug:

[Timon-n-Pumbaa Fan]

I would have to have you charged with assault with a deadly shredder! :lmao:

OMG, I know. We just don't do the stageshows and that is one of the few things that MIL has requested that we do, because she loves them and because frankly, she isn't up to doing a whole lot of the rides. The weather is a factor because Corey and her mom are both cold natured creatures. Her mom is going to be cooler sitting on the scooter because she won't be as active. Then add to that the whole family coming to join us at MVMCP and the disaster that it has been the last two times we tried it and the fact that SIL has decided to take our BIL to the freakin' Jag's game that afternoon and then bring him down to join us at the MVMCP and add to that the fact that BIL's wife may have a cancerous mass under her clavicle that is being biopsied on Thursday before the party and one day before she is supposed to come join Corey and her mom for dinner at Raglan Road while I go to the MouseFest Pin-a-Palooza Meet over at POR, well, you can see that there are more issues this time than usual. On top of all of this, I have had to work out special dietary arrangements for MIL's needs and more stuff behind the scenes, it's just crazy.

April, I promise in April, I will fly by the seat of my pants. In April I will be solo. I won't make a single ADR. I will just go. Really. I mean it. I think. :rolleyes1

[OrlandoMike]

April, I promise in April, I will fly by the seat of my pants. In April I will be solo. I won't make a single ADR. I will just go. Really. I mean it. I think. :rolleyes1



:rotfl2:

[jackskellingtonsgirl]

I swear one of these days I'm going to meet you at the airport, shread all of your spread sheets, and force you to tour by the seat of your pants! :rotfl2:

You act like it's your first trip to Disney World! :hug:

Now those are fightin' words! :scared1:
I think you and my DH must secretly be related. Plain heads, strong desire to make the planners fly by the seat of their pants, I see similarities here.

Lindy, huge holiday hugs to you and Corey! :hug: Have a magical trip!!

[PrincessSuzanne]

We are almost there aren't we. I still have alot to do. We leave Saturday morning at 5:30am to drive down. DH says to me tonight, I wonder how we will manage to do all the parks in 9 days, WTH, we have done all 4 parks in 2 days :lmao: :rotfl2:. I have been planning this trip since Aug 2007, I think we are ready, I know I am and it will be kinda bitter sweet, since mom is no longer with me, she was looking forward to it as much as the kids :guilty: But I know she is with us in spirit.

Suzanne

[MousekaMaddi]

have fun!!! Be well!!

[Timon-n-Pumbaa Fan]

Lindy, huge holiday hugs to you and Corey! :hug: Have a magical trip!!

Hugs right back at ya'! I know this will be an amazing trip. I have been planning this for over a year, how could it not be?!?! :thumbsup2

We are almost there aren't we. I still have alot to do. We leave Saturday morning at 5:30am to drive down. DH says to me tonight, I wonder how we will manage to do all the parks in 9 days, WTH, we have done all 4 parks in 2 days :lmao: :rotfl2:. I have been planning this trip since Aug 2007, I think we are ready, I know I am and it will be kinda bitter sweet, since mom is no longer with me, she was looking forward to it as much as the kids :guilty: But I know she is with us in spirit.

Suzanne

:hug: I really hope we get a chance to meet at WDW this year. I know that you will have an awesome trip too with your family. I hope you have a moment somewhere where you get a chance to send her a balloon and think of her in the much happier place that she is today.

have fun!!! Be well!!

We will have fun! I can't wait! :woohoo:

Corey is replacing all of the alarm sensor batteries. We have the rental SUV, they gave us the bigger one for the same price as the smaller one, since the smaller one needed an oil change and we were going on a long trip. We put the Mickey decorations on the rental car along with the Rudolph nose & antlers. I still have to put the lime green Mickey Antenna Topper on. We have scooter decorations done and gathered for loading along with all of the blankets & the meds/bathroom necessities bag has been filled, pins and the major important info backpack need to be loaded along with MIL's trip shirts and Chip & Dale hoodie. The SUV has the luggage, beverages, Christmas presents, and more already crammed inside.

We have the doggie stuff ready to take to PetsHotel. We will put out all of the extra cat boxes and cat food after we get back from boarding the dogs. We are then going to set out for Lake City, FL. We decided not to drive the whole way in one day, so that we can stop in Ocala and take Corey's Grandma to lunch tomorrow. Then we will go over and pick up MIL and drive over to WDW!

Since we will be at CR, I doubt that I will take my laptop. Thank God for a computer in the room!

[OrlandoMike]

Are ya comming down I-75?

Keep an eye out for that KFC with the buffet! :thumbsup2

Cant beat that! $4.95 all you can eat chicken! :worship:

[PrincessSuzanne]

:hug: I really hope we get a chance to meet at WDW this year. I know that you will have an awesome trip too with your family. I hope you have a moment somewhere where you get a chance to send her a balloon and think of her in the much happier place that she is today.



That would be nice. I am meeting another Dis'er probably on Saturday afternoon or Sunday. I am sure I will probably see you at MVMCP and we have dinner at LTT at 6pm, so I will keep an eye out for you. I might be able to get at least one LGMH ready to put on my backpack.

We are going to send mom a Mickey balloon, since he was her favorite. She is no longer in pain and that make me feel better.

Suzanne

[Timon-n-Pumbaa Fan]

We are here! Everything is in the rooms. It looks like a baggage bomb exploded in our room. MIL just took her insulin, so we are about to go try out Contempo Cafe for dinner. Then, it's time to decorate the scooters with bells, lights, and signs! :woohoo: I am really hoping the weather cooperates tomorrow.

I am really excited to finally be here for our big MIL spoiling blowout Disney trip! :banana:

[zeitzeuge]

I hope you have a wonderful time, which I'm sure you will. :)

[OrlandoMike]

Thursday 10:30am update...

Weather is clearing, it was a rough start this morning, but seems someone is not keeping up with the "schedule". :rolleyes1


:rotfl2:

[OrlandoMike]

Then, it's time to decorate the scooters with bells, lights, and signs!


I hope all that stuff is "Rainy day parade" ready...the weather has taken a turn for the worse! :sad2:

[hematite153]

Are ya comming down I-75?

Keep an eye out for that KFC with the buffet! :thumbsup2

Cant beat that! $4.95 all you can eat chicken! :worship:

Really? Where?

We've never come via I-75, but, it could happen someday. Plus, there's the issue of my chicken allergy...but, my DW would enjoy it.

[Timon-n-Pumbaa Fan]

Last night we were up later than either of us wanted, but we got unpacked and prepared for our day at Epcot. Scooters were both blinged out with signs, bells and lights. Pins were loaded onto lanyards. Shirts were selected for wearing to the parks. It was all set and I was in bed by 1:30am.

Wow, this was a different sort of park touring day for sure. :rolleyes1

I was up at 7:11am. We didn't manage to get Corey and her mom up, showered, dressed, fed, and on Disney transportation until almost noon. Yes, we were rained on until about 3:00pm or so. Yes, my socks were still wet when we got back to the room a little bit ago. Yes, my MIL is slower than Christmas. Honestly, I had no idea, well actually, neither of us had any idea that her health and stamina had gotten to this point. :sad2:

On the positive side, we did get to ride Soarin'. It was the only ride we were able to work in today. I did manage to get the Goofy Gingerbread House pin that came out today and was lucky enough to manage to sneak over to the American pavillion in time to get Chef Lothar Neumaier to sign the pin. :) We really enjoyed our lunch at the Rose & Crown. Thankfully, the rain stopped while we dined. Marlee Matlin at the CP is a Do Not Miss! OMG, she was so freakin awesome. I enjoyed CP way more this time that I did back when Edward James Olmos did it back in 2003. We did not stay for IllumiNations. MIL was freezing cold and still a bit damp from the earlier rains.

Corey is in MIL's room attaching the MK sign to the front of her basket and putting in a fresh set of batteries into the Christmas lights around her basket. Tomorrow is our day to wear the yellow gold shirts with Mickey dragging home his Christmas tree. Corey and her mom hated their breakfast from Contempo Cafe. I thought it was ok, but they are wanting something different. I think they will be trying out the Wave. I am seriously considering going on my own to MK early and letting them come join me. We shall see. Corey is so screwed right now. She has been running back and forth between us all day. I am fine. Her mom, well, she needs all of the assistance that she can get.

It's all good though. I had a great day other than worrying about Corey kicking someone's butt for walking in front of her mom's scooter with no warning. But, that's another story. lol

[hematite153]

I was up at 7:11am. We didn't manage to get Corey and her mom up, showered, dressed, fed, and on Disney transportation until almost noon.

Yikes!!!

That doesn't sound good.


It's all good though. I had a great day other than worrying about Corey kicking someone's butt for walking in front of her mom's scooter with no warning. But, that's another story. lol

Yeah, I couldn't get over how many people do this until we discovered that our very bright 6 year old nephew just couldn't seem to understand that he had to pay attention to the path of the ECV and w/c in our party. So, if someone who's travelling with them all day can't get it, how can I expect the general public to get it? (Granted, the majority of adults have drivers licenses and therefore ought to know that a motorized vehicle can't stop on a dime. So, I've really only found my way to forgiving the little kids who step in front of us.)

[Timon-n-Pumbaa Fan]

I slept in longer than intended this morning. I was up at 8:30 and out the door after a quick shower just before 9am. I got thought baggage check ok, but the security guard had opened my front backpack pouch while I was opening the camera and pin bags. I thought to myself, "Wow, I could have lost my ticket out of the little blue holder, if I had not caught the open flap issue when I did." I get to the turnstile and there is no ticket inside the blue holder. :scared1:

I freaked out, checked every pocket, & flap of the backpack and my wallet. No ticket. :sad2: I called Corey to check the room. No ticket. :sad1: So, I went back to the room and looked the room over to make sure for myself that I had not let it slip out in the room yesterday. No ticket. :guilty: I called lost and found and after 20 minutes on hold gave up. I thought maybe I had lost it at Epcot in the FP machine and maybe I just missed it. I decided that I would just buy an AP to make up for it, but when I went outside of the room to reclaim my scooter, there it was on the deck of the scooter. Mr. Security guard had indeed "helped" me to lose the ticket, thankfully, it was only temporary, but it did cost me about an hour and a half of fun.

Corey and her mom had breakfast at the Wave, which was much better than Contempo Cafe. We met up at MK just after noon. I had a blast enjoying Main Street during my time alone. I got a chance to enjoy the brass band, the Dapper Dans, and the Main Street Trolley parade. After they joined me, we went to lunch at LTT, which was very good. We did Mickey's Philharmagic, checked out ToonTown, Monster's INC Laugh Floor Comedy Club, and the Haunted Mansion. That was all that we were able to work in. I left at 5pm and they are on their way back here to the room now. I am going over to POR for the pin trader meet that is a part of MouseFest here in a few. Corey and her mom are meeting her sister and BIL for dinner at Raglan Road later this evening.

Tomorrow is our day to go to DHS. MIL wants to see Beauty & the Beast and The Voyage of the Little Mermaid. I hope that we can work it in being that she poops out so easily.

Despite the lack of stuff accomplished, I am still having a great time. It's just a very different vacation experience than what I am used to when it comes to WDW.

[TuckandStuiesMom]

It sounds like you're having a good time in spite of the normal delays associated with traveling with others. I am really sorry I won't get to meet you. I totally LUV the idea of lights on the scooters -- very seasonal! :goodvibes

[OrlandoMike]

Doesn't you pin lanyard have a small folder at the bottom of it to hold your tickets/fastpasses?

Hmmm Seems like someone needs to do a little more shopping today!;)

Glad to see the weather has cleared today! :thumbsup2

[Timon-n-Pumbaa Fan]

Doesn't you pin lanyard have a small folder at the bottom of it to hold your tickets/fastpasses?

Hmmm Seems like someone needs to do a little more shopping today!;)

Glad to see the weather has cleared today! :thumbsup2

Yes, my lanyard does have one of those oh so handy pouches, but I was going without the lanyard yesterday. The big pin meet at POR last night was more important to me than having a pin filled lanyard yesterday, so I had thrown my ticket into the front pouch of my backpack. Bad decision. Now the ticket is in my wallet. I can't lose that! :eek:

We were supposed to go to DHS today. We decided to skip doing a park today. That means that I will have 3 more days of park admission leftover for my April trip. :thumbsup2 Basically, Corey and I have just hung out in our and MIL's rooms. We went to The Wave for lunch and brought MIL some soup and a salad back to her room. I think we are going to end up staying in MIL's room for awhile playing games and doing some silly craft stuff that we brought to kill time with. We may try to go to DTD later today, but for now, it's looking like a completely down day. MIL's legs and feet a hugely swollen. She hasn't been behaving with her diet, despite my efforts to make sure that she had healthier dietary options available. :sad2:

We may go see Four Christmases at the AMC at PI later. I know that we all want to see it, it's just a matter of getting down there. Anyway, it's vacation. We have all been to WDW before. I will get to come back and do it my way in April. It's better than being at home or at work. :wizard: But, we are both bummed about just how far off of our plans that we both thought were reasonable that things are going. It's sad that MIL's health is so crappy.

[TuckandStuiesMom]

You and Corey are wonderful daughters. Hugs for both of you. :grouphug:

Yes, my lanyard does have one of those oh so handy pouches, but I was going without the lanyard yesterday. The big pin meet at POR last night was more important to me than having a pin filled lanyard yesterday, so I had thrown my ticket into the front pouch of my backpack. Bad decision. Now the ticket is in my wallet. I can't lose that! :eek:

We were supposed to go to DHS today. We decided to skip doing a park today. That means that I will have 3 more days of park admission leftover for my April trip. :thumbsup2 Basically, Corey and I have just hung out in our and MIL's rooms. We went to The Wave for lunch and brought MIL some soup and a salad back to her room. I think we are going to end up staying in MIL's room for awhile playing games and doing some silly craft stuff that we brought to kill time with. We may try to go to DTD later today, but for now, it's looking like a completely down day. MIL's legs and feet a hugely swollen. She hasn't been behaving with her diet, despite my efforts to make sure that she had healthier dietary options available. :sad2:

We may go see Four Christmases at the AMC at PI later. I know that we all want to see it, it's just a matter of getting down there. Anyway, it's vacation. We have all been to WDW before. I will get to come back and do it my way in April. It's better than being at home or at work. :wizard: But, we are both bummed about just how far off of our plans that we both thought were reasonable that things are going. It's sad that MIL's health is so crappy.

[Timon-n-Pumbaa Fan]

Thanks for the hug Sue! We ended up staying in all night last night. I worked on reconciling our expenses and updating my pinpics.com needs/wants/collections data. Corey spent time with her mom and at about 9 pm came back to the room. We watched some tv and fell asleep.

This morning, Corey and I had a late breakfast at The Wave. We brought MIL back some breakfast. She was napping again. We discovered the new resort guests sale on T-shirts, mugs, and hats are on sale 40% off and Christmas stockings, tree skirts, and ornaments are all 1/2 off! Our discounted $1000 merchandise card became ours to use today because our free dining package kicked in, so Corey and I are going to go to WoD to do some damage. :thumbsup2 Shopping therapy is good. :woohoo: Afterwards, we are going to come back here and hopefully get MIL up and moving for MVMCP tonight. She has been sleeping a lot and her legs and feet still are very swollen. I hope she gets to enjoy herself some tonight.

Pray for us. Corey's two sisters, BIL, niece and nephew are all coming to join us at various times throughout the night. It's going to be like herding cats, as usual. I will be happy, if I get to see Mickey's Twas the Night Before Christmas and the Holiday Wishes presentation. :santa:

[Timon-n-Pumbaa Fan]

We survived the MVMCP. :woohoo: We had dinner at LTT. OMG, we were notorious there this evening. Let's just say that our trip mascot, a stuffed TY beanie baby beaver that we named Joey, was the entertainment topic of the night among the wait staff and cooks. There was a bit of "blue humor" based on the fact that we had a beaver on the table. It went totally downhill. The chef was a hoot. Basically, you know that you have been very bad when Goofy comes out of the kitchen shaking his finger at you for being naughty. :lmao:

Thankfully, everyone seemed to have had a good night. MIL actually rode a few rides tonight. I wasn't around the family much tonight. I figured that with all of them around to deal with MIL, that I would take advantage of some time at the MK to do my own thing. I had a blast enjoying the parade, some of the fireworks, the Notorious Banjo Brothers & Bob and more. I went to Pixie Hollow and got to meet Tinker Bell! I traded a lot of pins and was just happy to be in my happy place.

A couple of Corey's friends from home surprised us and joined us tonight too. Overall, it was a successful night of entertainment. We are all pooped. I am going to bed here in a few. We have already blown through over $700 on the $1000 merchandise card. Our pin collection got a boost today. :thumbsup2

[Timon-n-Pumbaa Fan]

Yesterday was a planned down day. We all slept in. MIL had a hard time falling asleep and then was awakened early by the Mousekeepers. She was kind of slow moving and a bit grumpy first thing.

The first thing that was on the agenda for the day for Corey and I was breakfast at The Wave. The food was pretty good. We did the Afternoon Tea at the Gardenview Lounge at the GF. We arrived early and were seated with no delay. MIL and Corey had the Buckingham Palace and I did the Gentleman's Tea and had the trifle at the end to finish off the wonderful experience. We were not hurried and the experience lasted about 2 hours. We all had a great time. We went to DTD Marketplace for some shopping and a late dinner afterwards. We ate at Cap'n Jack's. We all thought the food was really good, with the only exception being that the key lime pie was a bit too much on the sweet side. We came back here and were all tucked in and eligible for sleep before midnight.

Today, well, I got up at 7 to get showered and dressed so that I could be at DHS for rope drop. My mission, gather 3 FP's for TSM before they ran out using only my park admission ticket to do so, since Corey and her mom wouldn't be arriving until almost 1pm. I had a blast there today. I met a DIS'er and her son, James, at the CR bus stop this morning. We chatted all the way to TSM. I got to meet Stitch, Mike & Sully, Pluto & Goofy, and Chip & Dale before Corey & MIL arrived. I also managed a ride on ToT, which is my favorite ride out of all the ones that Disney offers. We had lunch at Backlot Express. We all got to meet Bolt, Mittens, & Rhino! We saw Beauty & the Beast and Voyage of the Little Mermaid. After 7pm, the FP window was finally open for all three of the FP's to TSM that I had collected by 11:50am. Corey got to ride ToT, but sadly there just wasn't enough time for her to get in a ride on RnR, even though I had a FP for her for that too. We did enough the Osborne Lights. Our dinner at ABC was ok, but the Curry Chicken was much too spicy for MIL.

Overall, it was a good day. I am tired. AK is our park for tomorrow. It's hard to believe that we leave on Friday, it seems like we just got here. Time flies when you are having fun!

[Timon-n-Pumbaa Fan]

MIL's curry chicken caused her to bail on coming out to the parks to play today. Corey texted me this information after I had gathered 3 FP's to KS. I was focusing on meeting characters this morning, since MIL doesn't like meeting them and getting silly photos taken. :confused3 So, after I found a nice family of three to pass the FP's off to, cancelled our Tusker House ADR and made an ADR for Corey and I to use at MK tonight, I finally headed back to CR. Corey had fed MIL breakfast and set her up for lunch. Corey and I went over to MK alone.

Can I just say that this was my favorite part of our entire vacation? MK was not very busy at all. We rode Buzz, BTMRR, SplMnt, & JC. Corey and I took lots of nice PhotoPass pics. We had lunch at Pecos Bill's and used the quiet seating on the backside of the restaurant. We had a Dole Whip in memory of "Bawb" Varley. I took Corey through Pixie Hollow, so that she could meet Tinker Bell too, like I did at MVMCP. We had dinner at CP. And, we finally got to see Wishes again. The last time we got to see it all the way through was 2006! :eek: Basically, we took it easy and had a wonderful afternoon and evening. :love:

Corey is with MIL now. She's having a late dinner while Corey gets her stuff ready to go to Epcot tomorrow to see the Santas and Storytellers around the WS. We have dinner reservations at 6pm at Le Cellier. I really hopeful that we get to do the whole day there as planned. MIL has been focusing on seeing the Santas and Storytellers since we first planned the trip. I am just hoping that she can hold out to enjoy them.

We are going to try to pack up the dirty clothes tonight, so that check out on Friday goes smoothly. We brought a lot of stuff, which thankfully, is gone now, like fluids and Christmas presents!

I can't wait to come back SOLO in April! :woohoo:

[OrlandoMike]

Glad to hear you had a good day! And the weather was nice!

On a side note, thanks for the text's, sorry I couldn't always respond, Mickey frowns on us texting at work! :confused3

[Timon-n-Pumbaa Fan]

No worries. But, as I said, the "by the seat of your pants" touring method is suckin. :headache: I am so not liking this at all.

Yesterday, MIL asked why we couldn't do TS for dinner at DHS. I told her because in order to have done that, I would have needed to have booked an ADR more than a month ago. She didn't understand why they wouldn't let us use the one that we cancelled from two days before when we were supposed to have gone to DHS and dined at the HBD. :sad2:

I wanted to kiss the ground that the CM at guest relations at AK walked on today when I cancelled Tusker, since MIL bailed on the plans today, but I still needed to find something for us to eat at MK that was TS, so that we wouldn't waste the dining credits. I still think that it's awesome that Corey and I were able to get into CP.

We were blessed with some really great weather today. It was just beautiful. My biggest mistake of the day.....I forgot to sunscreen my knees. Both of them are glowing bright red from being on the scooter.

[OrlandoMike]

No worries. But, as I said, the "by the seat of your pants" touring method is suckin.

And you know, thats pretty much the only way I travel! I hate making plans! Oh well, to each their own! :thumbsup2

[jackskellingtonsgirl]

I would die if I had to go to WDW without meticulous planning.

Lindy, I am glad you and Corey are still having fun! It doesn't sound like the trip you envisioned, but you are making the best of it! :hug:

[Timon-n-Pumbaa Fan]

Final park day today. I got up early and was at Epcot for rope drop. I bought the two pins that we wanted that came out today at Pin Central, even before the rope dropped. I followed a couple of families into the Character Connection instead of going with the masses to ride the rides. It was great! I got the Fab Five and a bonus of Belle at the end. I never have been one to get pics with the princesses, but today, I did. From there, I went over by the Seas and took some pictures and had intentions of going inside, but I really needed some coffee and breakfast, so I headed over to the coffee/danish hut over in FW near TT and Ellen's. I sat in a quiet shady spot and enjoyed my danish and coffee, watched some squirrels play and then headed over to see what the wait time was like at TT. Off to my left, I see the Dream Team! :woohoo: They were headed to TT. I asked, "Is this a good time to be riding TT?" I was told that for some, it was a very good time to be riding. ;) So, I parked the scooter, left the coffee and the little cooler filled with other fluids for the day, grabbed the camera and my trip mascot, Joey, and headed into the 20 min wait line for single riders. I walked straight to the top. The Dream guy told me to hold, then he recognized me from outside and told me to come in. :yay: There were probably 40 of us that were given, Dream FP's!!! :banana: I just wished that Corey had been there with me. :sad2: I rode TT and decided to hold onto the Dream FP for Corey to use while MIL and I took in the Santa's and Storytellers around the WS. So, I continued on my way out to the WS because it was nearing 11am and I wanted to catch a few characters out there. I was first in line for Snow White....yep, 2 princesses in one day...I must be slipping, but honestly, if I had to pick a favorite princess, Snow would be my gal. :rolleyes1 Anyway, um, I went on over to wait for Aladdin and I was first in line again. Aladdin came out with Jasmine. :rotfl2: I swear, this was not intentional. Ok, that makes 3 princesses in one day. I can feel the butchness just oozing out of me at this point. :lmao: I guess it was the HSM cheerleader pics I did for Corey as a silly goof at DHS that messed me up to start with. Yet another reason to hate HSM. :thumbsup2 Ok, back to my day, where was I, oh yeah, inadvertantly hunting princesses. :rotfl: So, by this time, I am get the message from Corey that they have arrived at Epcot. I tell them to come meet me in Mexico and I headed that way. They are taking forever and a day and want to start in France, so I met them at the Lights of Winter and we did go on over to France. (Please note that I was very close to France at the point that they arrived, it's important.) We started meeting Santas and Storytellers. While they watched Pere Noel, I met Aurora. :rotfl2: Yes, that makes 4 princesses in one day. :eek: I guess it's almost time to completely resign my butch card, huh? Should I tell you that I also managed to meet Mary Poppins just after the Father Christmas meet? :upsidedow

Ok, it was at this point that we mapped out a plan for me to take MIL on a tour of 4 more Santas and Storyteller while Corey used the Dream FP and finally got to ride some of the stuff that she enjoys at Epcot without having to worry about her mom. She was reluctant to leave her to me at first, but in the end, she was glad that she was able to go ride TT, Soarin', The Land, and M:S with no waits. She returned to us as we waited to see Papa Noel in Canada. After he finished it was time for MIL's meds and a pre-dinner trip to the potty.....yea, it was scheduled. :lmao: Anyway, we had a fanatastic dinner at Le Cellier. I adore their Mushroom Filet Mignon and the Maple Creme Brulee. I think that if I were asked for my final meal choice, this would have to be the last one that I enjoyed. I could die happy right now. :goodvibes

We decided to head back to the room instead of doing anything more. We managed to see every storyteller and Santa except for the American Santa & the German, Chinese, & Japanese storytellers. Overall, I think we got a lot done in one day. So much zig zagging to catch what we did though. :headache: I really wish that Disney would make their schedules a little more foot friendly. Corey's poor feet are killing her at this point. So, we head back to CR. My scooter has gone so many trips back and forth around the WS that poor Corey had to push me up the freakin ramps at the monorail. Corey is an :angel:

We officially blew through the entire $1000 merchandise card that we bought for $695 before we got here. So, we saved roughly 30% off the top on all that merchandise. Add to that the deals of 40% off t-shirts, hats, & mugs and the 50% off deals on the Christmas ornaments, well, let's just say that we have enjoyed some great savings this trip. The FD plan that we have had the last 5 days has been pretty darn great too. We will use our last credits tomorrow at Kona Cafe and Earl of Sandwich.

We will be driving home tomorrow. This trip was long enough to relax. I just wish that it was a day or two longer before reality has to set in, but at least we all had some great fun, despite the obvious challenges. We start loading the SUV with dirty laundry filled luggage tonight. I hate that we are at the end, but we are. At least I have April to look forward to!

[RAPstar]

I also ran into Belle in the Character Connection as we were exiting. It was also the first thing I did when I got to Epcot (not long after opening). It's a small world (no pun intended). Wonder if they have a different character near the ext randomly throughout the day. Anywho, sounds like a fun trip!!

[ConcKahuna]

It was great seeing you, even if it was only for 20 seconds because the lobby was busy for the first and only time so far today :goodvibes

[TuckandStuiesMom]

Sounds like a GREAT last day!!! :thumbsup2

[Timon-n-Pumbaa Fan]

Our day started pretty much on time. MIL got up and moving pretty quickly this morning, which was a pleasant surprise. We had our breakfast at Kona. Afterwards, I headed off to DTD to buy our lunch for the road with our remaining CS and snack credits from Earl of Sandwich. I did see a very busy Conch working with another guest, so when it became very obvious that this wasn't the time for friendly chat, I briefly interupted, just long enough to give Conch a wave and a quick friendly greeting. MIL and Corey looked at the shops in the Poly and then returned to CR to drop off her scooter and get the SUV to come pick me up from DTD. While at DTD, I picked up one last thing for me, a frosted glass Timon. I also picked up the PJ set that Corey had seen and decided that she wanted before we left. To my surprise, the PJ's were $76. I did at the very least get the Disney Visa Discount at WOD, but damn. They are really cute though. It's flannel patchwork plaid and Mickey's on the pants and a thermal underwear type shirt with a vintage aged looking Mickey with a WDW logo underneath. Corey says that she will have to wear them for years before they get retired with that price tag. But, it's almost Christmas and we have been very good coming in underbudget in several areas.

We got home and have unpacked most of the souvinears and some of the luggage. We undecorated the SUV, it's no longer the Christmas Pixie Dust Mobile. The cats are all very happy to see us. I am glad to be home, but I do wish that Corey and I could have remained there just a bit longer.

We have so much to do tomorrow. We have to return the rental and then Corey's sister and BIL are coming through town and we will do lunch with them. We have some laundry to do and some clean up in the "dogs room" downstairs that we would like to tackle before we bring the dogs home on Sunday. We are possibly doing my job's Christmas party, but I think we are both going to be too pooped to go. I am also hoping to work in photos of Mama Jean's Christmas display. She has gone all out. We drove by on our way home just to see. I have no idea how she decorated one of the trees, but she managed to get the ornaments up pretty darn high.

Anyway, the trip is over. It's Photopass editing time! April 24th can't get here soon enough!