Trials, Treats & Meet'nGreets of 15th Disney BDay: May 09 * THANK YOU! 8/18/09!

[MyMuse]

Hello all!

Here I am doing a PTR when my TR from my March is not yet finished! :dance3:

You can find my TR from March 2009 HERE (http://disboards.com/showthread.php?t=2071052). I'm now done, complete with pics and vids. :goodvibes

Anyways, this trip came about since my niece was so into my trip in March. She wanted to be packed in my suitcase. :cutie:

So, I was thinking as I was there, that I could probably swing to come down again. My niece will turn 15 on May 5 princess:. We've had some rough patches over the last few years, but she is back on track now and I did want to do something special. And it is a surprise! :tiptoe:

To make this short, when I got home I saw that Disney released the Spring room only discounts and I got a quote from a travel agent and placed my resort, POFQ, on hold. I was doin' a little dance. :woohoo:

Sadly, after ALOT of back and forth, double and triple checking, I ended up losing the rooms :headache: Her mom also told her about the trip. :sad2:

Ok, so I finally get over it, and my niece is over the moon. :cloud9: I decided upon POFQ's sister resort, POR and add on an extra day to console myself. I'm worried about the buses, but I'm trying to get over it.

My bro learns about the trip and also decides to come along to join the party. At least, it will share some of the costs a bit.

We are going from May 2 - 6; a Saturday to Wednesday stay. Though, I would love a week, my niece has to get back to school for Thursday.

"We" are:
Me Michele, the trip planner :woohoo:
Niece Jenna, turns 15 on May 5th princess:
Bro Dom :happytv:

I'm hoping to have pictures soon! My current online photo album does not allow for individual picture links, so I have to switch over to another service.

[MyMuse]

Ok, onward. I booked the rooms last Friday morning, paid the deposit :thumbsup2 to the travel agent and then booked airfare for the three of us.

I was looking at flights for a couple of days and there were over $200. I looked again when I paid the deposit and it dropped to $178! So, I was all over that! :yay:

Though the times do not thrill me, since we are leaving later in the afternoon than I wanted to and will not get enough time to visit a park. So, it may be Downtown Disney day. I wonder if the Characters in Flight will be operating by then?

I still need to:

1. Buy park tickets for the other 2 - probably 3 day park hoppers
I'll buy them from AAA - it's next door to where I work!

2. Book Magical Express
Though I may handle own luggage on the way in?

3. Check with ADRs
I doubt we'll get anything at this late stage, but it will not hurt to try! I also told the travel agent to see what she can do.
Jenna wanted to eat in the Castle! princess: How cute is that?! Hopefully, I'll get something, but what would be the alternatives? Crystal Palace?

4. Touring Plans!
Miss Jenna says she wanted Epcot for her Birthday Day. I'm thrilled since this definitely a favorite park. I think we may do a Birthday Fastpass and definitely 'Snack Around the World'. She is too young for most of the fun tours. :guilty:
I'm hoping for an Illuminations/Rose & Crown reservation, but I'm not holding my breath! Anyone know any other restaraunts?

Onward! Any help appreciated!

[MyMuse]

I bought Mary Poppins on Broadway tickets today. I found a discount code for $53 off the ticket. Whoo-hooo!

And we are going a couple of weeks before our big trip. A little Disney pre-trip, if you will. :yay:

:woohoo:

Maybe a visit to the NYC Disny store is in order. :goodvibes

[autumnpalm]

Yay, you started a PTR!

I really want to see Mary Poppins, that sounds like so much fun.:goodvibes And congrats on the plane tickets- who did you book with? I'm always looking for good airline deals!:laughing:

[MyMuse]

Yay, you started a PTR!

I really want to see Mary Poppins, that sounds like so much fun.:goodvibes And congrats on the plane tickets- who did you book with? I'm always looking for good airline deals!:laughing:

Welcome! :welcome: to this PTR. How are your pins doing? Any hidden valuables?

I'm soooo excited about Mary Poppins, I cannot explain! :goodvibes
I just missed her when I was there in March, so I'm hoping to meet her this trip.

I went with Continental since their hub is in Newark Liberty airport, so their deals are always pretty good. Then, of course, yesterday Jet Blue comes out with $158 flights. Argh! And much better times going down. The $20 would not sway me, but they have much better times. Ah well.

The flight I have with Continental went up almost $100! :scared1:

[disneyquilter]

3. Check with ADRs
I doubt we'll get anything at this late stage, but it will not hurt to try! I also told the travel agent to see what she can do.
Jenna wanted to eat in the Castle! How cute is that?! Hopefully, I'll get something, but what would be the alternatives? Crystal Palace?


What about the Princess breakfast, lunch or dinner in EPCOT at the Akershus?
We thought it was great last time we were there. Low crowds (we had a breakfast ressie at 8:45AM) and the food was good :thumbsup2

[MyMuse]

What about the Princess breakfast, lunch or dinner in EPCOT at the Akershus?
We thought it was great last time we were there. Low crowds (we had a breakfast ressie at 8:45AM) and the food was good :thumbsup2

:welcome: Thank you for stopping by!

I'm definitely looking into that today. Great idea, thank you! And I just learned last night that she wants to meet Princess Aurora!

I wonder if Mary Poppins makes an appearance at Akerhaus? That would definitely be a bonus. Plus, we'll be at Epcot for her birthday day. :goodvibes

I really have to figure out how many things I can schedule for that day. We are getting the birthday fastpass, so I am not worried about ride lines.

Hmmm.....

[dawnbu40]

What a wonderful aunt you are! Her 15th birthday is sure to be one she'll never forget!

[MyMuse]

What a wonderful aunt you are! Her 15th birthday is sure to be one she'll never forget!

I hope so! It's difficult to balance this trip between the little girl she was/is and smart young lady she is becoming. :goodvibes

[dawnbu40]

Well one of the wonderful things about Disney is it appeals to the little girl (or boy) inside each of us and helps us to recapture that magic!:tinker: My daughter is 18 and on the Dean's List at her university but as soon as she sets foot in WDW she is transformed into a carefree child who is as excited to meet the Princesses as she was when she was 5! There are also many things that appeal to "adults" as well (like great dining,rollercoasters etc) so I am certain she will have the time of her life!

[autumnpalm]

Welcome! :welcome: to this PTR. How are your pins doing? Any hidden valuables?

I'm soooo excited about Mary Poppins, I cannot explain! :goodvibes
I just missed her when I was there in March, so I'm hoping to meet her this trip.

I went with Continental since their hub is in Newark Liberty airport, so their deals are always pretty good. Then, of course, yesterday Jet Blue comes out with $158 flights. Argh! And much better times going down. The $20 would not sway me, but they have much better times. Ah well.

The flight I have with Continental went up almost $100! :scared1:

I've been lazy and haven't figured out anything about the pins yet.:laughing:

Mary Poppins is so much fun to meet! I love that she even has an accent. I think the little attentions to detail like that are so neat.:lovestruc

[MyMuse]

I saw my niece last night and she was so excited.

I spied a Disney store in their mall and guess what she saw? A Sleeping Beauty tiara and her eyes lit up! princess: So....I think I'm going to ask my sister's for her wedding tiara and let Jenna wear it in the parks. The tiara in the store was a plastic thing; I think it was just wearing a tiara that was exciting not necessarily Sleeping Beauty's.

She also saw a birthday sash, so I picked that up as well. :goodvibes

I may get some more little things, just to be a surprise, now that I can see that she is into it.

And, is it awful that I am getting all steamed at my travel agent? She has not contacted me in the last 3 days about Akerhus Norway dining? :headache: I don't know if she put in my request for buildings or booked my Magical Express. I'm sure she did, but she's not letting me know. Argh.

Perhaps, it was better if I just do it myself. Or send me an email that you are working on it. :rolleyes: Or, I need to calm down. :laughing:

I also made her a cover for the binder that I'm putting together. I found this picture of Sleeping Beauty that is adorable. princess:

[MyMuse]

Update!

I still need to:

1. Buy park tickets for the other 2 - probably 3 day park hoppers
I'll buy them from AAA - it's next door to where I work!

2. Book Magical Express :thumbsup2 - done, no paperwork yet, though
Though I may handle own luggage on the way in?

3. Check with ADRs
I doubt we'll get anything at this late stage, but it will not hurt to try! I also told the travel agent to see what she can do.
Jenna wanted to eat in the Castle! princess: How cute is that?! Hopefully, I'll get something, but what would be the alternatives? Crystal Palace?
It is either CRT or Akerhus, TA is still trying.

4. Touring Plans!
Miss Jenna says she wanted Epcot for her Birthday Day. I'm thrilled since this definitely a favorite park. We are doing a Birthday Fastpass and definitely 'Snack Around the World'. She is too young for most of the fun tours. :guilty:
I'm hoping for an Illuminations/Rose & Crown reservation, but I'm not holding my breath! Anyone know any other restaraunts? Got a 6:40pm ADR but that is probably not going to help with Illuminations viewing....will it? *hopeful look here*

[MyMuse]

Update! April 5

I still need to:

1. Buy park tickets for the other 2 - probably 3 day park hoppers
I'll buy them from AAA - it's next door to where I work!

2. Book Magical Express :thumbsup2 - done, TA says luggag tags will not come in time
Though I may handle own luggage on the way in?

3. Check with ADRs
I doubt we'll get anything at this late stage, but it will not hurt to try! I also told the travel agent to see what she can do.
Jenna wanted to eat in the Castle! princess: How cute is that?! Hopefully, I'll get something, but what would be the alternatives?
Got Princess Storybook Dining at Akerhus on her Birthday Day!!! :woohoo: :yay:


4. Touring Plans!
Miss Jenna says she wanted Epcot for her Birthday Day. I'm thrilled since this definitely a favorite park. We are doing a Birthday Fastpass and definitely 'Snack Around the World'. She is too young for most of the fun tours. :guilty:
I'm hoping for an Illuminations/Rose & Crown reservation, but I'm not holding my breath! Anyone know any other restaraunts?
Got a 6:40pm ADR but that is probably not going to help with Illuminations viewing....will it? *hopeful look here*

[autumnpalm]

YAY you got Akershus! Congratulations!:cool1::cool1:

[MyMuse]

YAY you got Akershus! Congratulations!:cool1::cool1:

Yep, but I'm keeping it a secret from her. :goodvibes

It's at 3:10pm and previously got a 6:40pm ADR for Rose & Crown, so we'll b sure to be eating quite a bit that day! :laughing:

[MyMuse]

Update: April 8!

I still need to:

1. Buy park tickets for the other 2 - 3 day park hoppers
I'll buy them from AAA - it's next door to where I work!
I'll get this done in the next couple of weeks

2. Book Magical Express - :thumbsup2 done
TA says luggage tags will not come in time, though I don't see why not :confused3
Though I may handle own luggage on the way in?
I'm hoping to get on a flight that is an hour earlier.

3. Check with ADRs - :thumbsup2 done
I think we are good with ADRs. Here's what we got:
-Princess Storybook Dining at Akerhus on her Birthday Day! :woohoo:
-Rose & Crown, bit too early for Illuminations viewing, but I'll deal with that.
-Sci-Fi Dine In at HS
-Due to a wonderful DISer, we now have Fantasmic Dining Package at Hollywood & Vine! :woohoo:

I want to do Pizzasafari at AK and just letting MK roll. There's no way I can get the Royal Table, so I'm just letting that go. :goodvibes

4. Touring Plans!
Miss Jenna says she wanted Epcot for her Birthday Day.
We are doing a Birthday Fastpass and definitely 'Snack Around the World', plus Princess ADR and R&C ADR, there will be lots of eating that day! :laughing:

I have RideMax, so I'll play around with that for awhile for the other parks.

5. Need to buy a binder for the cute cover I made.

6. Trip to NYC Disney store, to be done in conjunction to attending Mary Poppins, which is a present from her other aunt.

7. Photopass - :thumbsup2 done
I went in on a share, so it cost me $14! :woohoo:

[MyMuse]

Mary Poppins tickets arrived today! :yay::yay::yay:

and 23 more days left to go! :yay::yay::yay:

[shordiebecka]

so exciting! That's so sweet that you've planned some surprises for the b-day trip. 23 days! Woo hoo! Have you thought about telling the staff at Rose and Crown that it's her birthday..and asking if there is any way you can maybe hang on the porch for a little while? If you eat reallll slow and order apps and desserts, you could probably push it to around 8:00..illuminations is only an hour away at that point. I would ask...emphasize the b-day..you never know what they will do with some disney magic!!

[MyMuse]

so exciting! That's so sweet that you've planned some surprises for the b-day trip. 23 days! Woo hoo! Have you thought about telling the staff at Rose and Crown that it's her birthday..and asking if there is any way you can maybe hang on the porch for a little while? If you eat reallll slow and order apps and desserts, you could probably push it to around 8:00..illuminations is only an hour away at that point. I would ask...emphasize the b-day..you never know what they will do with some disney magic!!

Now it's 20 days!! :woohoo:

Yes, I'm going to order a cake for dessert through the Cake Hotline. I know there is 2 hour limit, so that brings us to 8:40pm, so I'm hoping for the best.:wizard:


Of course, I don't know if I can go for 2 hours since we have another ADR at 3:10pm. I'll hope for the best!

[MyMuse]

Update: April 15!

I still need to:

1. Buy park tickets for the other 2 - :thumbsup2 - done!
3 day park hoppers

2. Book Magical Express - :thumbsup2 done!
TA says luggage tags will not come in time, though I don't see why not :confused3
Though I may handle own luggage on the way in?
I'm hoping to get on a flight that is an hour earlier.

3. Check with ADRs - :thumbsup2 done
I think we are good with ADRs. Here's what we got:
-Princess Storybook Dining at Akerhus on her Birthday Day! :woohoo:
-Rose & Crown, bit too early for Illuminations viewing, but I'll deal with that.
-Sci-Fi Dine In at HS
-Due to a wonderful DISer, we now have Fantasmic Dining Package at Hollywood & Vine! :woohoo:
-Just Added: Raglan Road at Downtown Disney for departure day :)

I want to do Pizzasafari at AK and just letting MK roll. There's no way I can get the Royal Table, so I'm just letting that go. :goodvibes

4. Touring Plans!
Miss Jenna says she wanted Epcot for her Birthday Day.
We are doing a Birthday Fastpass and definitely 'Snack Around the World', plus Princess ADR and R&C ADR, there will be lots of eating that day! :laughing:

I have RideMax, so I'll play around with that for awhile for the other parks.

5. Need to buy a binder for the cute cover I made

6. Photopass - :thumbsup2 done!
I went in on a share, so it cost me $14! :woohoo:

There is also the matter of the celebrations Disney-style starting this Sunday. princess: We have a trip to NYC Disney store, to be done in conjunction to attending Mary Poppins on Broadway, which is a present from her other aunt.

So, while we are there, we are going to see if they still have a make your own crown/tiara station and see what we can do. There is also a Mr Potatoe Head section that I'm dyin' to see!

[MyMuse]

Yes, I did.
.
.
.
.
.
I bought a new camera. I shouldn't have, but I did anyway! :rolleyes1 The price didn't drop as much as I wanted it to, but I wanted to order it in enough time for the trip.

It is an Olympus Stylus 9000; I have an Olympus FE-240, but wanted to upgrade. I miss the C-770!


I spent ALOT of moola today between buying park tickets and my spree on Amazon! :eek:

[disneygirlinnj]

Can't read yet but subbing just so I have it in my list! :)

[EastYorkDisneyFan]

wow and i thought booking a trip in February for April was short notice.

[disneygirlinnj]

Just caught up... you guys are going to LOVE Mary Poppins on Broadway! My dad took me there for my bday last year and I loved every minute of it!

I've been waiting for stupid Continental to drop their prices for September at Newark...grrr! Right now they've been stuck at $250. I think that's what I ended up paying for them in 2007 in Dec but still! lol

[MyMuse]

Just caught up... you guys are going to LOVE Mary Poppins on Broadway! My dad took me there for my bday last year and I loved every minute of it!

I've been waiting for stupid Continental to drop their prices for September at Newark...grrr! Right now they've been stuck at $250. I think that's what I ended up paying for them in 2007 in Dec but still! lol

I'm sure we are gonna love Mary P. :goodvibes

Continental will drop prices in another month or so. Airfares are so roller coastery. :scared: The flight I have for May went up and down since I booked it, but they don't do the refund/cancellation thing. Argh.

I wish I could 'transfer' to an earlier flight, but no can do. Airlines have so many fees that it is ridiculous. :sad1:

[MyMuse]

We are going in 15 days for the 15th Birthday Trip! :woohoo: :hug: :yay:

And, I visited my hair salon and got a trim on the ol' bangs and wowza, they are a bit on the short side. Thank god for straighteners! :laughing: By the May trip, it should be alllll goooood.

Still awaiting for the arrival of my new camera! :yay:

Itinerary coming soon! :goodvibes

[MyMuse]

The trip into the city went well!

This is an early birthday gift to Jenna from her other aunt, since she will be at Disney with me on her actual birthday.

We attended the 1pm showing of Mary Poppins. It was really good. I didn't read any reviews, so I like to be surprised with the show. We were in first mezzanine, 5th row, right in the middle. Awesome!

There were quite a few "How did they do that?!" moments. Jenna LOVED it. And, as I predicted, asked how to meet Mary P at Disney. I have it covered.I hope!

At the end of the play, the cast did take a few minutes to do charity work (as all Broadway plays do), and there was a backstage tour and to meet the actors but it was $150 for 4, but there was 5 of us. We ended up buying Jenna the $25 signed poster and she loved that.

She's an easy kid to please. princess: Except she doesn't listen to anyone about footwear and consequently, her feet hurt. She got no sympathies from us about that. Tough patooties.

So, the play has ended and it's about 3:45pm. We hail one of the van cabs and take it to the Disney Store at 55th. Our cabbie take us for a real ride alllll the way to 10th, then to 5th, then to 56th. I made him stop there. So, we get to Disney at 4:15pm or so.

We go nuts! I went straight to Vinlymations, but find the minis are all sold out. :sad1: I buy a uncolored one, but I'll try again at Downtown Disney. I think I am destined to always find them sold out. We ask about the 'make your own crown' station and they don't have it anymore. :sad1:

We look around and I find the I 'mickey ears' NY shirt, so I grab one of those. We head toward the potatoe head parts and I fill up my box. I never do this at Downtown Disney since I don't want to lug it back home with me. But at the NYC city store, the bag is really tiny!

We go to the 3rd floor to check out the artwork and I just pick up 3 postcards from there. There are no Precious Moments collectables there or character greetings. :sad1:

So, I head for the register on the first floor and spy a car thingie with a Statue of Liberty crown, magnet with Mickey as Statue of Liberty (need that) and a princess vinylmation pin, so I need that too. What I didn't see was a cool messenger bag (or smaller type bag) to wear to the parks.

I also see a Minnie graduation plush and I pick up that for my sister who graduating from grad school next month and I also pick up a gift card for myself to use for purchases while at the park, so I don't need to fiddle with cash while at the park. My sister also picks up a birthday giftcard for Jenna to use at the parks and this way, she will be able to give it to her before we leave.

Even though some things were not available, I still managed to ring up quite a bit at the register. :laughing: I completely forget to pick up disney dollars.

My sister and I walk back to our car at PA, but the rest of the fam take a cab (the hurting feet peeps). They only had to wait less than 10 minutes for us. We drive out and have dinner at Jenna's choice of restaraunt called Johnny Carino's.

We embarass her by doing the dessert thing and singing happy birthday. princess:

It was a good day ! :dance3:

[dawnbu40]

A Broadway show and a trip to Disney World! What an amazing birthday! Mary Poppins is one of my favorite Disney movies so I envy you! Sounds like a great day and before you know it you'll be celebrating in the Happiest Place on Earth!:goodvibes

[disneygirlinnj]

I think you live closer to me than I thought! :) I know exactly where Johnny Carino's is! haha! Glad you guys loved Mary Poppins! I have YET to go to the Disney store in the city :(

[MyMuse]

I think you live closer to me than I thought! :) I know exactly where Johnny Carino's is! haha! Glad you guys loved Mary Poppins! I have YET to go to the Disney store in the city :(

The one on Route 3? Yeah, I live a few minutes from there. After the dinner, I was home in no time and the other family members had a drive. That's what they get for moving further out! :laughing:

I did go a little nuts in the store, even though I didn't get most of what I was looking for, I'm glad I got my "I (mickey ears) NY" t-shirt. I bringing that one down! :goodvibes

[MyMuse]

Ticker Update:

Here's the itinerary so far: (subject to changes, of course :goodvibes)

May 2
Arrival & Check-in
DTD open until midnight

May 3
Either AK or MK until early afternoon

HS for 3:50pm @ HW & Vine
8:30pm Fantasmic show

MK for EMH PM until 2am!
Can catch Wishes at 10pm?

May 4
Either AK (EMH AM!) or MK until early afternoon

HS for 3:10pm @ Sci-Fi
HS for EMH PM until 10pm

May 5
Birthday Day @ Epcot
EMH AM for 8am

Norway lunch @3:10pm

UK dinner @6:40pm

Illuminations @9pm

If there's time, maybe check out Boardwalk area during the day?

May 6
Departure Day
DTD
Raglan Rd @11:30am

Magical Express @2pm


Disney added another Fantasmic show for 10pm; I would hate to cancel the dining package.
I'm thinking to stick with MK that day and utilize the AK EMH for the next day. Assuming, I can get the troops up, of course. ;)

Opinions?

[autumnpalm]

Hey, we're doing the DHS EMH on the 4th too!:thumbsup2 Actually, it looks like we have a few overlaps in our schedules. Getting the itinerary done is so much fun.:goodvibes We're getting close!!

[jenseib]

Just found this. Don't know where I've been :confused3, but joining in now. I've only read the first post so I got to go back and catch up! :yay:

[jenseib]

I've only read the first page, but I wanted to add some things, maybe they have been told to yo ualready though.
!1the Akershus lunch and breakgast sometimes have Mary Poppins there, and also sometimes have Aurora, so you might get lucky there.
2 have you looked inot the Birthday FP's much. they really aren;t that great. They only allow 2 bitg rides and 2 smaller rides. Not sure what it includes for Epcot, but I know it is very limited.
3 Your travel agent sounds like she sucks. We booked our trip last yerar 13 days before we left and out ME luggage tags arrived days before we elft, so she should get them in time, with out any worries. Disney can overnight this stuff and do. And we also got all the ADR's we wanted except for CRT last year. I always do that stuff myself though, so I know it gets done and fast.

I can't wait to hear about yo useeing the Mary Poppins show. We are going to go see Annie this weekend here.

[jenseib]

Yes, I did.
.
.
.
.
.
I bought a new camera. I shouldn't have, but I did anyway! :rolleyes1 The price didn't drop as much as I wanted it to, but I wanted to order it in enough time for the trip.

It is an Olympus Stylus 9000; I have an Olympus FE-240, but wanted to upgrade. I miss the C-770!


I spent ALOT of moola today between buying park tickets and my spree on Amazon! :eek:

Yay on the new camera. Did you get it yet?
Sounds like Mary Poppins was great. I would love to see it sometime too. M\aybe in a few years it will make it's way here.

[MyMuse]

I've only read the first page, but I wanted to add some things, maybe they have been told to you already though.
1 Akershus lunch and breakfast sometimes have Mary Poppins there, and also sometimes have Aurora, so you might get lucky there.
2 have you looked into the Birthday FP's much. they really aren't that great. They only allow 2 big rides and 2 smaller rides. Not sure what it includes for Epcot, but I know it is very limited.
3 Your travel agent sounds like she sucks. We booked our trip last year 13 days before we left and out ME luggage tags arrived days before we left, so she should get them in time, with out any worries. Disney can overnight this stuff and do. And we also got all the ADR's we wanted except for CRT last year. I always do that stuff myself though, so I know it gets done and fast.



I can only hope for both Aurora and Mary P! *crosses fingers & wishes real hard*

I wanted to the Birthday Fastpass because I hate waiting in lines. There is so much to do at Epcot that I wanted to minimize anything that I could. I'm hoping that we might even be ahead of schedule to take a break at the Boardwalk.

I think I got a bummer for a travel agent. I'm using Dreams Unlimited (sponsor of DIS), but so far, I'm not impressed at all. There was all these services they do, but I haven't seen evidence of it. :confused3
I did most fo the ADRs myself and will be making the call to the cake hotline. I would LOVE a CRT! As far as I know, the TA has been checking up on it for me. There was someone who was cancelling a CRT on the threads that almost would have been good. Thisclose!!

Yay on the new camera. Did you get it yet?
Sounds like Mary Poppins was great. I would love to see it sometime too. Maybe in a few years it will make it's way here.

Yup! So far, lovin' it! I will hopefully be good by the time we leave. :thumbsup2

Mary P was great! :goodvibes I feel very blessed to be living next to Broadway. I made a promise to myself a couple of years ago to take more advantage to living next to one of the greatest cities in the world. I never do anything in my own backyard.

Thank you for reading up on this thread. I hope to have a wonderful TR when I return.

[MyMuse]

So, I did a little shopping yesterday. :)

1) Got the binder for our trip. I already had made a cover and I'll post that as soon as I can. :thumbsup2

2) Picked up a few travel items at Harmon's. Love that store! :lovestruc
Ponchos, some make-up, toiletries....

3) I tried to break-in my new sandals.
They are Nature Walks by Earth and I'm hoping to wear them in AK as they are supposed to dry fast! Kali River Rapids, here I come!

I need to:

1) Get a ride to/from airport or book a service

2) PACK! :scared1:
Get those summer clothes out! It is supposed to be high 80s, low 90s

3) RideMax plans/Touring plans

4) Make sure all surprises are in order hehehe popcorn::

Onward! 9 DAYS!!! :yay::yay::woohoo::woohoo:

[jenseib]

Wow! It is getting so close!

[autumnpalm]

1 week!!!!!!!:banana::banana::banana::banana::banana :

[KatGarcia]

How did I miss this! Ok I'm in now!

[MyMuse]

Ticker Update:

I need to:

1) Get a ride to/from airport or book a service :thumbsup2 - my sister will bring us

2) PACK! :scared1:
-Get those summer clothes out! It is supposed to be high 80s, low 90s
-Need to figure out my park bag
-I do not have luggage tags, so I'll be picking up luggage before boarding ME
-make sure the troops have their packed too

3) RideMax plans/Touring plans - hmm, think I may just wing it....not sure yet.

4) Make sure all surprises are in order hehehe :thumbsup2 - should be allll good as long as I can get through the Cake Hotline! ARGH.

5) Post pics! Coming! :wizard:

[MyMuse]

How did I miss this! Ok I'm in now!

:welcome:

Welcome! Yeah, where HAVE you've been? ;) :laughing:

The trip actually does not seem real yet. Sounds dumb, I know. :upsidedow

[MyMuse]

I came home today to find some Mickey Mail! ::MickeyMo

I was completely surprised to find Magical Express vouchers and luggage tags! :goodvibes

http://i665.photobucket.com/albums/vv12/MyMuse18/DisneyJenna-PreArrival/P4270041.jpg

Since I was taking a photos, I made sure to get a pic of binder with the cover I made a couple of weeks ago:
http://i665.photobucket.com/albums/vv12/MyMuse18/DisneyJenna-PreArrival/P4270040.jpg

More things done! Yipee! :yay:

I don't think I can do anymore tonight, will have to continue after the gym tomorrow. I'm trying to get some "last chance workouts" in before I leave. Tomorrow night is Kick Box class.

[disneygirlinnj]

I can't believe your trip is only 4 days away!!!!

[MyMuse]

I can't believe your trip is only 4 days away!!!!

I know! :goodvibes

I still have to :laundy: and hoping for :beach: & a good dose of pixiedust:

[jenseib]

Love the binder!

[MyMuse]

Love the binder!

Thank you! :goodvibes

I just told Jenna about it the other day. She thought I had put a picture of her on the front. LOL!

Now, of course, I have to do that. :lmao:

[MyMuse]

Ok - 2 days to go!

Last night, I did a bit of shopping at Party City & Dollar Tree (and Micheals, but I did not find anything there).

I wanted to pick up little things to give Jenna along the way. I stole the idea from jenseib from her TR. ;)

From Party City, I got:
Aurora/Sleeping Beauty necklace
Princesses' earrings and rings (packet had Aurora in it along with the others)
Little cookie with Aurora on it
Disney Birthday Princess ribbon/button

From Dollar Tree, I got:
Princesses mini-puzzle (2)
Magic Towels (Princess & Mickey)
Non-Disney little travel journal (has a girl with red hair just like Jenna!)
Mini gel pens to use for the journal
Surprise Bag!

Here's a pic:
http://i665.photobucket.com/albums/vv12/MyMuse18/DisneyJenna-PreArrival/P4300001.jpg

I will also stop in my local bakery tomorrow after work and pick up an Aurora cupcake. We are having brunch at our diner before we leave for the airport, so I'll give it to her then with a nifty candle. princess:

Meanwhile, I have to finish organizing packing & make sure the troops have their luggage ready. I am still not sure whether we will use the luggage tags or just get our luggage since we land at 7:30pm.

The only thing really stressing me is the cake hotline. I can't believe that it has been a week & 3 messages and no one has called me back for my order.

Onward! :yay:

[dawnbu40]

Your little Tink gifts sound really cute! Sounds like you are ready to go and have an awesome celebration vacation!

[MyMuse]

Your little Tink gifts sound really cute! Sounds like you are ready to go and have an awesome celebration vacation!

Thank you! :goodvibes

She likes Tink as well but it is more about Aurora/Sleeping Beauty. princess:

Now, if I can just get the darn cake finished, then I'll be happy! LOL!

[jenseib]

I love your gift ideas! It's so fun to do!
I hope you get that cake ordered. maybe try calling dining line and see if they can help or switch you to someone who can.

[MyMuse]

Ok, the itin has changed a bit. Keep in mind, almost all of the itin is a surprise for Jenna. I didn't tell her much. :goodvibes

And, she also doesn't know about all the cute little gifts from the post above. princess:

I'm sooooo excited!!! :dance3: Due to a very cool DISer, see below!! :yay::yay:

Here's the itinerary so far:

May 2
Arrival & Check-in early evening
DTD open until midnight

May 3
MK until afternoon

HS for 3:50pm @ HW & Vine
8:30pm Fantasmic show (dinner package)

MK for EMH PM until 2am!
Can catch Wishes at 10pm?

May 4
AK (EMH AM) until afternoon

HS for 3:10pm @ Sci-Fi

HS for EMH PM until 10pm

May 5
Birthday Day @ Epcot
EMH AM for 8am
Kidcot Stations
F&G Festival

Princess Storybook lunch @3:10pm

Rose & Crown dinner @6:40pm
(custom cake hopefully)

Illuminations @9pm

If there's time, maybe check out Boardwalk area during the day?

May 6
Departure Day

1900 Park Faire @9am :yay:

DTD ?

Magical Express @2pm


I am so giddy, I cannot explain! :dance3: I feel like crying since I know she will remember this forever. I wish my mom was here to see it. *sniffle*

Due to great DISers, I got the F! dinner package and 1900 Park Faire. For that, I thank you very very much. :disrocks:

This special celebration could not be done without (all of) you.

[MyMuse]

I love your gift ideas! It's so fun to do!
I hope you get that cake ordered. maybe try calling dining line and see if they can help or switch you to someone who can.

Thanks to you! :worship:

I keep calling, punch in for the Epcot area and just get voicemail. I already left 3 messages. It's very frustrating. I think I may just give up or maybe they will call 48 hours before. Why it says to call 2 weeks ahead, I don't know. :confused3

No one on the cake chatter thread has any other experience (other than my own...or worse) with the Epcot area. So strange, since it has all those fab restaraunt and its also in the Boardwalk area. One would think they would be on top of it all.

In any case, Jenna will not mind that she doesn't have a custom cake. She'll be so goggly-eyed anyways. She doesn't know about much of the itinerary.

[jenseib]

Sounds great. You guys will have so much fun. Take lots of pictures!

[MyMuse]

Sounds great. You guys will have so much fun. Take lots of pictures!

Thank you!! Pictures will abound. :goodvibes

I have to update the itin, since I have another update! I must have done something good because pixie dust came my way. pixiedust:

1 more day to go! Tomooooorrrroooooowwwww, I love ya! :rolleyes1

[MyMuse]

http://www.********************/timers/tickers/iz6moetem4u13n1o.png (http://www.********************/timers/)

Due to a very cool DISers, see below!! :yay::yay:

Here's the itinerary so far:

May 2
Arrival & Check-in early evening
DTD open until midnight

May 3
MK until afternoon

HS for 3:50pm @ HW & Vine
8:30pm Fantasmic show (dinner package) :smickey:

MK for EMH PM until 2am!
Can catch Wishes at 10pm?

May 4
AK (EMH AM) until afternoon

HS for 3:10pm @ Sci-Fi

Chef Mickey's @8:20pm! :mickeyjum


May 5
Birthday Day @ Epcot
EMH AM for 8am
Kidcot Stations
F&G Festival

Princess Storybook lunch @3:10pm

Rose & Crown dinner @6:40pm
(custom cake :thumbsup2)

Illuminations @9pm

If there's time, maybe check out Boardwalk area during the day?

May 6
Departure Day

1900 Park Faire @9am :yay:
DTD ?

Magical Express @2pm


I am so giddy, I cannot explain! :dance3: I feel like crying since I know she will remember this forever & look back with great fondness. I wish my mom was here to see it. *sniffle*

Due to great DISers, I received the F! dinner package, 1900 Park Faire and Chef Mickey's. As well as great ideas for a memorable trip. For that, I thank you very very much. :disrocks:

This special celebration could not be done without all of YOU! :grouphug:

[jenseib]

Awesome!

[MyMuse]

The cake is ordered!!! I got a call back a few minutes ago. :thumbsup2

I'm so glad this is done before we leave. Thankfully, the cast members was very personable and the call lasted almost 22 minutes!!! :goodvibes

I was even able to have a Plan A & B order in, since the cake choices are very limited. If the chef says no to the A order, she will call me back and let me know, we will be served the B order cake.

After work today, I'll pick up a Sleeping Beauty cupcake for brunch tomorrow before the plane & as well as the surprise bag. princess:

1 more day!!! :yay:

[dawnbu40]

I'm glad the cake order worked out for you!
Have a great time!

[jenseib]

I just can't even tell you how jealous I am of you! :worship:

[MyMuse]

The celebration starts as soon as Jenna arrives and we are heading off to our diner for brunch.

At brunch, I will give her the Sleeping Beauty cupcake (I bought 4 for all of us). I just realized the cupcake isn't Sleeping Beauty but a very good look-alike, so for the purposes of this story, let's just say it's Sleeping Beauty. ;)

I will also include the surprise bag from Dollar Tree and I just picked up the Hidden Mickey book, since she is crazy about finding them. And I didn't really have time to go through the thread. This we can probably read whilst waiting at the airport.

The cupcake:
http://i665.photobucket.com/albums/vv12/MyMuse18/DisneyJenna-PreArrival/P5010007.jpg

The Hidden Mickey book:
http://i665.photobucket.com/albums/vv12/MyMuse18/DisneyJenna-PreArrival/HMbook.jpg

[jenseib]

That sounds like a fun idea

[MyMuse]

Ok, we are leaving in a couple of hours! :yay:

Resort online check-in :thumbsup2
Airport online check-in :thumbsup2
Bags packed :thumbsup2

Now I'm just waiting for the Princess to arrive and doing this dance: :dance3:

[MyMuse]

I just can't even tell you how jealous I am of you! :worship:

I'm all giddy! :dance3:
It was really your PTR/TR that gave me all these wonderful ideas. Even though Jenna will be 15, I think it still translates for all ages!! :worship:

That sounds like a fun idea
I thought it was cute. Though, I do have the gifts in Christmas paper! :laughing:

I'm glad the cake order worked out for you!
Have a great time!

I can't tell you how relieved I am about it! Now I can be all :cool2:. LOL!

[jenseib]

Ok, we are leaving in a couple of hours! :yay:

Resort online check-in :thumbsup2
Airport online check-in :thumbsup2
Bags packed :thumbsup2

Now I'm just waiting for the Princess to arrive and doing this dance: :dance3:


Again...I am Sooo jealous!
have a wonderful trip! I'll be thinking of you! I hope your neice enjoys all her surprises. If you ever want another neice, I'm right here waiting! :rolleyes1

[KatGarcia]

I hope you are having a great time! Can't wait to hear all about it!!!

[disneygirlinnj]

Can't wait to hear all about your trip when you get back! :)

[MyMuse]

We are back!

We got in late on Wednesday night. We had a great time, though they was a few meltdowns, usually from the 35 yr old brother in which the 15 yr old niece followed suit.

In any case, the highlights off the top of my head was:
--- We visited all 4 parks – Magic Kingdom, Animal Kingdom, Hollywood Studios & Epcot. Rode every ride she wanted, saw every live show, fireworks, took a million pictures, both mine and Photopass.

--- We did 3 character meals – Chef Mickey’s, Princess Storybook Dining and Supercalifragistic Breakfast, which included Chef Mickey, Minnie, Donald, Pluto, Goofy, Belle, Cinderella, Snow White, Ariel, Mary Poppins, Alice, Mad Hatter, Pooh & Tigger. We also found Aurora & Mary Poppins in the countries at Epcot. Chef Mickey’s was at the Contemporary Resort and Supercali Breakfast was at the Grand Floridian, both Deluxe resorts. Absolutely beautiful inside! :lovestruc

--- We also did Fantasmic, which is a nighttime spectacular fireworks water show thing at Hollywood Studios. Very cool. We saw Wishes Fireworks at Magic Kingdom and Illuminations at Epcot. We also got to see the parade at Magic Kingdom, totally by accident on our way to eat hot dogs. :wizard:

--- We also ate at table service restaurants of Hollywood & Vine (buffet) and Sci-Fi Drive-In Theater (like the old time movie drive-ins). popcorn::

--- We also went up in a balloon over Downtown Disney and ate at T-Rex (a new restaurant like Rainforest Café only better). :cheer2:

--- Jenna also got to hold the “red card” at the Great Movie Ride at Hollywood Studios, which helps them keep time for the waiting (stand-by) line. She got it because it was her birthday and she was wearing her Mary P Broadway shirt! princess:

Much more later!!

[jenseib]

Glad you had fun. I can;t wait to hear about it! :cool1:

[KatGarcia]

Can't wait to hear all about it!

[MyMuse]

Hi all,

I meant to start the Trip Report version yesterday, but it was Mother's Day and I get a little on the depressed side. I miss my mom (and my grandmothers and my aunts) and desperately wish she was here. :sad1:

I also have a trip to the doctor today after work, so I'm all quite freaked, so I'll start my TR portion as soon as my brain goes back to normal functioning.

Sorry! :flower3:

[jenseib]

Hi all,

I meant to start the Trip Report version yesterday, but it was Mother's Day and I get a little on the depressed side. I miss my mom (and my grandmothers and my aunts) and desperately wish she was here. :sad1:

I also have a trip to the doctor today after work, so I'm all quite freaked, so I'll start my TR portion as soon as my brain goes back to normal functioning.

Sorry! :flower3:

Take your time. I'll be waiting!

[KatGarcia]

Hi all,

I meant to start the Trip Report version yesterday, but it was Mother's Day and I get a little on the depressed side. I miss my mom (and my grandmothers and my aunts) and desperately wish she was here. :sad1:

I also have a trip to the doctor today after work, so I'm all quite freaked, so I'll start my TR portion as soon as my brain goes back to normal functioning.

Sorry! :flower3:

Take your time. I totally understand. Mother's day is a sore spot for me as well, i lost my mom 3 years ago. It gets easier but on days like that it just plain stinks! :hug:

[MyMuse]

Can't wait to hear all about your trip when you get back! :)

I'm almost there! I have a bit of a summary in a previous post. :goodvibes

Take your time. I'll be waiting!

Thanks, I'm almost finished with the pictures. I was waiting on a couple from my bro and though I would have some Photopass, but it looks like that will not be coming for a couple of weeks yet. So, I shall push on without it. :lmao:


Take your time. I totally understand. Mother's day is a sore spot for me as well, i lost my mom 3 years ago. It gets easier but on days like that it just plain stinks! :hug:

Thanks for understanding. I lost my mom 8 years ago now and it always leaves an empty spot. I totally thought I was fine, but I wasn't. :sad1:

I guess with the trip to Disney, I missed her alot.

I will have the trip report beginning! Never fear, my peeps. But I do thank you for your understanding. :hug:

[MyMuse]

Saturday, May 2
Day 1, Part 1
Pre-Arrival

The celebrations begins at brunch at one of our local diners (we are true Jerseyians, give us a diner, we’re happy).

Jenna and her mom get there around 10am-ish with my sister Lori-Anne arriving a little earlier. We are off to the diner (Tick Tock Diner) to have ourselves a party. :cake:

We arrive, order and Jenna opens her gifts. She received a $50 giftcard and the Hidden Mickey book from Lori-Anne with a cute card with a royal theme that said to expect "woyal tweatment”. So cute!

Notice Jenna wearing her Mary Poppins Broadway T-shirt? :goodvibes


http://i665.photobucket.com/albums/vv12/MyMuse18/DisneyJenna-PreArrival/P5020013.jpg http://i665.photobucket.com/albums/vv12/MyMuse18/DisneyJenna-PreArrival/P5020011.jpg


She opens my card which is Sleep Beauty with sound, also very cute. I also give her the Surprise Grab bag (that I picked up from Dollar Tree), but truly it was full of odd junk.


http://i665.photobucket.com/albums/vv12/MyMuse18/DisneyJenna-PreArrival/P5020016.jpg

We eat our breakfast and order coffee and we make her close her eyes. I break out the “Sleeping Beauty” cupcakes (4, one for each of us) and I put a candle on hers and proceed to embarrass the living daylights out of her to sing “Happy Birthday”.


http://i665.photobucket.com/albums/vv12/MyMuse18/DisneyJenna-PreArrival/P5020020.jpg http://i665.photobucket.com/albums/vv12/MyMuse18/DisneyJenna-PreArrival/P5020023.jpg


We finish and head for home around 11:30am-ish to await Dominick (my bro, who runs on his own clock) and enjoy each others company for awhile and do some last minute stuff. Gotta make sure I have those Magical Express vouchers and park tickets!

[disneygirlinnj]

so cute! i'm trying to log on with my blackberry so that I can see the photos.... GIVE US MORE!! :) haha!

mmm... Tick Tock.. :)

[MyMuse]

Part 2, Leaving on a Jetplane

Dom calls, says he’s on the road heading home and he’ll make it just in time! Argh. :headache:

He does tell me he’s packed. Skipping ahead, he’s finally arrives, runs around a bit, checks his luggage. Did you know he packed 18 outfits, 6 pairs of footwear and 8 hats in one huge suitcase, 1 big carry-on (just his footwear & hats) AND a backpack? For a 4 day stay? He’s SUCH a girl. princess:

We, the girls, have 1 tiny carry-on each and medium sized suitcases. It was almost funny, if we weren’t running out of time. He knows the itinerary, so I don’t know what he is thinking and I don’t want to know.

We finally hit the road at 2pm; my sister is taking us to the airport. It doesn’t take long to get to the airport, but I like to get there early since one does not know if there will be traffic or how long the security line will be.

We are there by 2:30pm, I check for earlier flights but no go, I already checked us in and printed our boarding passes online, so all we had to do is check-in our luggage and go through security. We were all completed by 3pm. I think that was the fastest time I ever experienced! Whoo-hoo! :yay:

We decide to relax and grab a meal at a Steakhouse near our gate. It turns out our flight is pushed back from 4:35pm to 5pm. Argh. It was already later flight to begin with. This does not bode well for Magical Express luggage.

Waiting...
http://i665.photobucket.com/albums/vv12/MyMuse18/DisneyJenna-PreArrival/P5020025.jpg

The Airport 3:
http://i665.photobucket.com/albums/vv12/MyMuse18/DisneyJenna-PreArrival/Airport3.jpg

Eventually, we board the plane and our seats are not together, Jenna & I are together in one row and Dom has his seat in the row in front of us. The man in our row nicely switches with Dom, so he can sit with us.

Ok, we are on our flight and heading to Disney! We watch Bedtime Stories with Adam Sandler, read the Hidden Mickey book a little and study the guide maps a little.

On the jetplane:
http://i665.photobucket.com/albums/vv12/MyMuse18/DisneyJenna-PreArrival/P5020028.jpg

Quite literally on Cloud 9:
http://i665.photobucket.com/albums/vv12/MyMuse18/DisneyJenna-PreArrival/P5020026.jpg

We land with our male flight attendant singing “M-I-C-K-E-Y-M-O-U-S-E”, which was cute and the first time I ever heard it over the PA. We were sitting in the last row, so it took awhile to deplane. Our flight attendant was chatting with us and found out we were there for Jenna’s birthday. He offered to make an announcement over the PA, but she declined. LOL! He is now around 8:15pm.

We head to the Magical Express, no wait for the elevator but the ME line was long-ish and VERY slow. Basically there was only one window that was moving. The other 2 or 3 windows had non-moving people, I asked the CM and she was wondering the same thing!

We get in line and wait forever for our bus to come (30 minutes!!); we must have just missed it leaving. It seemed like all the other buses left. Dom, at this point, is getting antsy about not having our luggage. Apparently, when I explained ME, he wasn’t listening. SUCH a shocker. :rolleyes:

Granted, since we were arriving late, I should have had Jenna & Dom pick up our luggage and bring it to the bus. I was debating it earlier, but Dom should have gotten his butt home earlier. Ah well, lesson learned.

Next up: Get the Party Started! :cheer2:

[KatGarcia]

Great start! I'm giggling already! Hope your ME wait wasn't too bad!

[MyMuse]

so cute! i'm trying to log on with my blackberry so that I can see the photos.... GIVE US MORE!! :) haha!

mmm... Tick Tock.. :)

You are fast! I hope you can see the photos soon. I'm getting better at posting them.

The Tick Tock is famous! WPLJ broadcasts from there every year. :)

Great start! I'm giggling already! Hope your ME wait wasn't too bad!

It wasn't bad bad. It was more like..."I want to ge there!". I'm not a good line wait-erer. :goodvibes


Thanks for reading! I'll have the next update soon! :dance3:

[jenseib]

Love the update. Looks like a fun trip. Your brother is cracking me up. I'm sure he irritated the heck out of you though.

I don't think they would've been able to get your luggage though. Once the tags are put on them, they don't come out. they get put right into a Disney spot from the plane.

[MyMuse]

Love the update. Looks like a fun trip. Your brother is cracking me up. I'm sure he irritated the heck out of you though.

I don't think they would've been able to get your luggage though. Once the tags are put on them, they don't come out. they get put right into a Disney spot from the plane.

He was either really cool or completely annoying. I wish he either listened or read the itin. I am definitely not traveling with him again. :rolleyes: I would have traveled with him now, but Jenna asked if he could come.

About the luggage, I meant not put the luggage tags on it at all. He wasn't listening at the house. He just assumes he knows everything. Oh well.

I'm updating today! :yay:

[MyMuse]

Day 1, Part 3

Now, we are finally off and watch the cute Magical Express video. The first stop was Riverside, so that made me happy. I was able to check right in; I was going for the “online check-in” sign, but I was waved over to another desk. The CM said it didn’t matter. I was the only one checking in, so I don’t know what happened to the other people.

I was able to change rooms from the Alligator Bayou to the Acadian House in the Magnolia section. My travel agent assured me, that she put in on my reservation. In any case, I was happy to be switched over to Acadian House, even though, it was not one of my preferred buildings, but it turned out to be great. I was getting a little worried about my CM checking me in, since I seem to be telling him what to do next, plus I was on my third set of Keys to be printed out. I also wanted my credit card number taken out of the system. I never gave permission to be in there to begin with. I also had to prod him to get the birthday buttons for Jenna (and even got a First Visit for Dominick since this is the first on-site visit). It was a bit odd. I know it is late, but still.

Ok, so that is all done. It is pretty late now, but we head to our room, Acadian House 8006, which is on the ground floor and facing a courtyard. It’s fairly easy to find, through the pool area, take a bridge, hang a left, then go right into Acadian House, then turn another left. LOL!:rotfl: We stop in for a moment, I don’t take pictures since it is so late, but we head back out again to go to Downtown Disney and see if the balloon is still going and get something to eat. We catch one of the last boats to DTD, it’s 10:30 now.

We get dropped off by Rainforest Café and see that the Characters in Flight balloon ride is shut down. The winds are too wild for it to operate.

Here is a rad photo of the Characters in Flight ride, I love the reflection!
http://i665.photobucket.com/albums/vv12/MyMuse18/DisneyJenna%20-%20Downtown%20Disney/P5030055.jpg

So, we go to eat. Jenna chooses T-Rex and we head there to see if there are any openings. Thankfully, there is an immediate one and we sit down. We are seated right in front of the Woolly Mammoth area, which is nice, but it is a busy walk-way and seems to b a favorite picture-taking spot. So, we are in quite a few family photo albums. LOL!

T-Rex is a better version of Rainforest Café and much more expensive. Holy Buckets! Worth it to eat there once, but never again. I ordered the Pork with gnocchi, but I forget to take a picture. The pork was not laying down on the plate but standing up to carve yourself. Fancy! It took quite some time to get the food ordered and served, but the restaurant was entertaining.

Here are some T-Rex photos:
http://i665.photobucket.com/albums/vv12/MyMuse18/DisneyJenna%20-%20Downtown%20Disney/P5030052.jpg http://i665.photobucket.com/albums/vv12/MyMuse18/DisneyJenna%20-%20Downtown%20Disney/P5020039.jpg

Jenna at the table, notice the dual cellphones?!
http://i665.photobucket.com/albums/vv12/MyMuse18/DisneyJenna%20-%20Downtown%20Disney/P5020043.jpg
http://i665.photobucket.com/albums/vv12/MyMuse18/DisneyJenna%20-%20Downtown%20Disney/P5020038.jpg

By the time, we were all done, it was midnight and everything was closed. Should have shopped a bit first, but sometimes ears do not listen.:rolleyes: We walked around a bit and found the bus area and got in line for Riverside. I’ve never used the bus before, just the riverboat. We decided to use South Depot (front entrance to the resort), since we knew the way to the room from there and we didn’t have to fumble around in the dark. We finally get to our room at 1am and found no luggage.

Dom has a meltdown between not finding the luggage and wanting a cigarette. Argh.:rolleyes: I don’t even want to know what he did to the front desk staff. As it turns out, the luggage was delivered to our original room and not to the room we were in, so I assume the CM didn’t communicate this to the luggage people.

Dom, thankfully, goes back out and I unpack. Jenna is sleeping, but I wake her up to change and she quickly goes back to sleep. I think I head to bed around 2:30am.

Next up: The Magical Place of All!

[MyMuse]

I have a very good friend that I help out whenever I can. She used to work in my office, but she got sick and she is going through a tough time. She is absolutely amazing, beautiful and never lets anything bring her down (even though it probably should).

So, one of the ways I help out is to do her & her husband's taxes and their son's. I've done this for 3 years now, I think.

The week before I left I got a package in the mail from their son, who lives and attends school in Rhode Island. He sent me a big box of Disney gifts!!! They are Disney people, so they understand why I wanted to go. He also works in a Disney store. It was lovely, but I certainly don't want them spending any monies at all. He said with his discounts, it was like he got it for free, so I felt better.

A pic of my surprise gifts:
http://i665.photobucket.com/albums/vv12/MyMuse18/DisneyJenna-PreArrival/P5130004.jpg

It was a cute "Earth Day" shopping bag, coffee mug, tall glass, Mickey head pen, stickers and the Mickey notepad. I also had a "Earth" poster, but I gave that to my sister to put up in her classroom.

I loved it and loved the fact that they completely surprised me; it was like early pixie dust. :wizard:

[MyMuse]

I forgot to add in my Pre-Arrival section, that Jenna altered my calendar to show this on the morning of leaving:
http://i665.photobucket.com/albums/vv12/MyMuse18/DisneyJenna-PreArrival/P5150018.jpg

I was so glad she was so excited to go. :cutie:

[KatGarcia]

LOL Figures the luggage wasn't there because Dom was nervous of it to begin with! T-rex looked fun tho!

and what a thoughtful gift!!!

[jenseib]

Great update. I've heard alot of good things about T-rex. I wish I could go for a month and try all these neat things.

[MyMuse]

LOL Figures the luggage wasn't there because Dom was nervous of it to begin with! T-rex looked fun tho!

and what a thoughtful gift!!!

Yeah, he was just whining a mile a minute about it. I hope he wasn't too hard on the staff. Dom sometimes is on a very high horse.

T-Rex was quite cool! It is definitely a place to try, but it is so incredibly expensive, I probably will not be back. I would like to try Raglan Road next.

Great update. I've heard alot of good things about T-rex. I wish I could go for a month and try all these neat things.

It was cool. The food took awhile, so checking out the place wasn't a problem. There is meteorite (sp?) show that is quite entertaining. It is a hyper Rainforest Cafe.

I wish I could go for more than a few days too. Maybe next time. :goodvibes And go solo again! All this other non-like minded people kinda brings me down. :rotfl:

[MyMuse]

Sunday, May 3rd
Day 2, Part 1

I wake up at 6:30am to get ready. I start waking up the others at 7:15am since we should be at the bus at 8am-ish to get to Magic Kingdom for rope drop.

Dom thinks he should go last since he’ll finish the quickest; I think he should go now, so he can finish and get his all important coffee. What he really wants to do is just sleep more; who is he trying to kid? argh.

Jenna gets up, showered and dressed and then Dom. We all get our collective stuff together and head out. We go to the South Depot since we know the way and I read that it is the favored bus stop to pick up the bus, plus Dom gets to hit the food court for coffee, which, of course, slows us down. Argh. :headache:

Here's her first day of little gifts:
http://i665.photobucket.com/albums/vv12/MyMuse18/DisneyJenna%20-%20PO%20Riverside/P5030060.jpg

A bus comes at 8:24am and off we go! We were able to get through bag check, entrance in time for the opening ceremony. I have never seen this before, so I’m so excited!!! :yay:

http://i665.photobucket.com/albums/vv12/MyMuse18/DisneyJenna%20-%20Magic%20Kingdom/P5030064.jpg
http://i665.photobucket.com/albums/vv12/MyMuse18/Disney%20-%20Magic%20Kingdom/P3120282-1.jpg

Dom & Jenna went off for refreshments; sometimes, they don’t get it. Jenna wanted her Uncle Dom on this trip, so she was attached at the hip with him. Whenever he grumbled, she grumbled.

I think it is around 8:45am or so at this point since the public announcements kept on going off.

Dom & Jenna came back in time for the ceremony. It was great fun & I loved it! I am so glad to catch it. The singing, the dancing, watching the train pull in, seeing Walt’s window….worth all the grumbling I had to endure this morning. As it turns out, they liked it too! I guess they just have to grumble to grumble.

http://i665.photobucket.com/albums/vv12/MyMuse18/DisneyJenna%20-%20Magic%20Kingdom/P5030069.jpg http://i665.photobucket.com/albums/vv12/MyMuse18/DisneyJenna%20-%20Magic%20Kingdom/P5030065.jpg


We go through the tunnel and head for the Barber Shop since Jenna was interested in getting her hair pink. I almost missed it, I knew sort of where it was. It is not open yet and there was a meet & greet with Chip & Dale right there in front of the store.

Jenna wasn’t interested in character greeting and since I knew what was in store with characters, I didn’t want to push any greetings on her. So, we leave the Barber Shop and walk up Main Street. I point out various windows.

http://i665.photobucket.com/albums/vv12/MyMuse18/Disney%20-%20Magic%20Kingdom/P3120286-2.jpg

We went into the Bakery ‘cause Dom needed coffee & Jenna was hungry.
I didn't want anything, but the place smelled heavenly & needed photos of the place!

In the glass case while waiting online:
http://i665.photobucket.com/albums/vv12/MyMuse18/DisneyJenna%20-%20Magic%20Kingdom/P5030072.jpg

We notice the walk-through to Crystal Arts shop and I inquire about the glass blowing demonstration, since this is one of the things on the list. I was told shortly after 2pm, which was good for us, since we needed to leave around 2:30pm for Hollywood Studios.

We finish in the Bakery, Crystal Arts shop (we can see it more later) and locate a Photopass CM on Main Street. Yay!! He nicely takes a pic with my camera and while I’m off taking pics of the mini-statutes (I never noticed them before), Jenna gets her individual photos with Photopass. I always had them take pics of all of us and then pics by herself.

Notice their beverages? lol:
http://i665.photobucket.com/albums/vv12/MyMuse18/DisneyJenna%20-%20Magic%20Kingdom/P5030075.jpg

Isn't this the cutest?!:
http://i665.photobucket.com/albums/vv12/MyMuse18/DisneyJenna%20-%20Magic%20Kingdom/P5030078.jpg

And of course, the pic of the Castle: (notice no big crowd? Yay!)
http://i665.photobucket.com/albums/vv12/MyMuse18/DisneyJenna%20-%20Magic%20Kingdom/P5030079.jpg

I have to note at this point, the crowds are very low. I don’t know where people went, but they must have went to ToonTown. Good news for us!

We head for Splash Mountain and while walking there, we checked out the Liberty Tree and in Frontierland, there was a CM shoot-out. It was the CUTEST thing. I took a pic since there was no people to obscure my view.

I don't think I noticed the lanterns in the Tree before:
http://i665.photobucket.com/albums/vv12/MyMuse18/DisneyJenna%20-%20Magic%20Kingdom/P5030083.jpg

See the "shooter"?: (notice no crowd? Yay!)
http://i665.photobucket.com/albums/vv12/MyMuse18/DisneyJenna%20-%20Magic%20Kingdom/P5030085.jpg

So, we get to Splash Mountain and the standby is 10 minutes, but it was actually a walk-on. So, we go to Big Thunder to get Dom & Jenna Fastpasses since there was no way I’m going on that.

Ok, so back at Splash Mountain (which is a few feet from Big Thunder), I gird myself to go on and I did. I HATED the last drop but the ride itself was cute and I took pics of the waiting line, the themeing is just great!, but I didn’t want to take too many of the inside in case my brand spanking new camera got wet.

From queue line at Splash Mountain:
http://i665.photobucket.com/albums/vv12/MyMuse18/DisneyJenna%20-%20Magic%20Kingdom/P5030090.jpg

Now, I'm thinking I should do this...
http://i665.photobucket.com/albums/vv12/MyMuse18/DisneyJenna%20-%20Magic%20Kingdom/P5030092.jpg

Inside:
http://i665.photobucket.com/albums/vv12/MyMuse18/DisneyJenna%20-%20Magic%20Kingdom/P5030094.jpg

And it's finally over!
http://i665.photobucket.com/albums/vv12/MyMuse18/DisneyJenna%20-%20Magic%20Kingdom/P5030098.jpg

Dom sat in the front row (yikes!) with a nice know-it-all and Jenna & I got into the second row. Figures that I was nervous enough about the ride and we end up with the front rows. I think the ride photo was me screaming my head off and I got wet – twice! Argh. A little mini-splash while another canoe was going down (I assume they time it this way) and at the big drop.

Here's the photo of the ride photo, Dom is in front with the blue shirt and Jenna & I are in the back. See me screaming? and Jenna is just smiling serenely. Seriously, I'm adopted.
http://i665.photobucket.com/albums/vv12/MyMuse18/DisneyJenna%20-%20Magic%20Kingdom/P5030100.jpg

Dom & Jenna (henceforth as D&J) go off to Big Thunder, but do not need their Fastpasses since it is a walk-on. Whoo-hoo! It would be faster to go on without than wait to next 10 minutes or so for their FP window to open.

I go and repair myself (my hair went nuts). Thank god we took Photopass pics before I got wet. I got my souvenir penny, take a bunch of pics and whilst doing that, I completely forgot to get a a pic of the Tink outline at the exit of Big Thunder. And it was on my list too! Argh.

http://i665.photobucket.com/albums/vv12/MyMuse18/DisneyJenna%20-%20Magic%20Kingdom/P5030102.jpg

Saw a Riverboat come in:
http://i665.photobucket.com/albums/vv12/MyMuse18/DisneyJenna%20-%20Magic%20Kingdom/P5030104.jpg

Tom Sawyer Island:
http://i665.photobucket.com/albums/vv12/MyMuse18/DisneyJenna%20-%20Magic%20Kingdom/P5030103.jpg

Big Thunder had a 5 minute standby time:
http://i665.photobucket.com/albums/vv12/MyMuse18/DisneyJenna%20-%20Magic%20Kingdom/P5030105.jpg

To Come: The Haunted Not so Haunted but Very Cool Mansion...

[MyMuse]

Sorry, it double-posted!

[KatGarcia]

Great start! I love those little statues around the walt and mickey one!!! It's rough to go with people who don't always "get it" huh? Believe me , i know!

[MyMuse]

Just testing...pardon my dust....

[MyMuse]

Did you all get this announcement? Kat, you goin'???

Whoo-hooo! :yay:

Disney Pulls Out All the Whistle Stop for 40-City “Christmas Carol” Train Tour

Disney is taking its show on the road with a spectacular immersive and interactive 40-city train tour including a 3D sneak peek of film footage from the upcoming movie “Disney’s A Christmas Carol.” This family event is for guests of all ages and is free to the public.

Featuring four custom-designed vintage rail cars full of behind-the-scenes attractions; artwork, costumes and props from the film; authentic artifacts on loan from the Charles Dickens Museum of London; entertaining demonstrations, and fun activities, the tour will have its inaugural stop at Los Angeles’ Union Station over Memorial Day Weekend, from May 22-25.

During the next 24 weeks, the train will make 40 stops in 36 states, as it travels its way across more than 16,000 miles of track. The tour will finish at New York’s Grand Central Terminal over the weekend of October 30 - November 1.

At each stop along the way, a state-of-the-art Disney Digital 3D Theatre will be erected, where guests can get a sneak peek of “Disney’s A Christmas Carol” and see other exclusive behind-the-scenes materials from the movie. The latest details about tour stops and scheduled events are available at http://www.christmascaroltraintour.com

Starring Jim Carrey and directed by Academy Award®-winning filmmaker Robert Zemeckis, “Disney’s A Christmas Carol” opens November 6 in theatres, in Disney Digital 3D™ and in IMAX 3D®.

[dawnbu40]

Did you all get this announcement? Kat, you goin'???

Whoo-hooo! :yay:

Disney Pulls Out All the Whistle Stop for 40-City “Christmas Carol” Train Tour

Disney is taking its show on the road with a spectacular immersive and interactive 40-city train tour including a 3D sneak peek of film footage from the upcoming movie “Disney’s A Christmas Carol.” This family event is for guests of all ages and is free to the public.

Featuring four custom-designed vintage rail cars full of behind-the-scenes attractions; artwork, costumes and props from the film; authentic artifacts on loan from the Charles Dickens Museum of London; entertaining demonstrations, and fun activities, the tour will have its inaugural stop at Los Angeles’ Union Station over Memorial Day Weekend, from May 22-25.

During the next 24 weeks, the train will make 40 stops in 36 states, as it travels its way across more than 16,000 miles of track. The tour will finish at New York’s Grand Central Terminal over the weekend of October 30 - November 1.

At each stop along the way, a state-of-the-art Disney Digital 3D Theatre will be erected, where guests can get a sneak peek of “Disney’s A Christmas Carol” and see other exclusive behind-the-scenes materials from the movie. The latest details about tour stops and scheduled events are available at http://www.christmascaroltraintour.com

Starring Jim Carrey and directed by Academy Award®-winning filmmaker Robert Zemeckis, “Disney’s A Christmas Carol” opens November 6 in theatres, in Disney Digital 3D™ and in IMAX 3D®.

I had read that this is coming to my area and I can't wait! Looks like fun!:goodvibes

[KatGarcia]

Did you all get this announcement? Kat, you goin'???

Whoo-hooo! :yay:

Disney Pulls Out All the Whistle Stop for 40-City “Christmas Carol” Train Tour

Disney is taking its show on the road with a spectacular immersive and interactive 40-city train tour including a 3D sneak peek of film footage from the upcoming movie “Disney’s A Christmas Carol.” This family event is for guests of all ages and is free to the public.

Featuring four custom-designed vintage rail cars full of behind-the-scenes attractions; artwork, costumes and props from the film; authentic artifacts on loan from the Charles Dickens Museum of London; entertaining demonstrations, and fun activities, the tour will have its inaugural stop at Los Angeles’ Union Station over Memorial Day Weekend, from May 22-25.

During the next 24 weeks, the train will make 40 stops in 36 states, as it travels its way across more than 16,000 miles of track. The tour will finish at New York’s Grand Central Terminal over the weekend of October 30 - November 1.

At each stop along the way, a state-of-the-art Disney Digital 3D Theatre will be erected, where guests can get a sneak peek of “Disney’s A Christmas Carol” and see other exclusive behind-the-scenes materials from the movie. The latest details about tour stops and scheduled events are available at http://www.christmascaroltraintour.com

Starring Jim Carrey and directed by Academy Award®-winning filmmaker Robert Zemeckis, “Disney’s A Christmas Carol” opens November 6 in theatres, in Disney Digital 3D™ and in IMAX 3D®.

OH HECK YEA!!!! We should go together if you are planning on coming into NYC!

[MyMuse]

I had read that this is coming to my area and I can't wait! Looks like fun!:goodvibes

The train will be in a few different spots around here; Albany (which is a bit too far away), Philly and 2 days at Grand Central in NYC. It definitely looks like fun.


OH HECK YEA!!!! We should go together if you are planning on coming into NYC!

I shall be there. I can't for this to come. It'll certainly give me a Disney fix! :yay:It looks so cute!

[MyMuse]

Day 2, Part 2

I left with finishing up Frontierland with the Splashiest and Thunderous Mountains.

After we finish with the Mountains, we walk to Adventureland. I always get confused around this area bcause I never know how to get from one Land to another. In any case, we come across some head and arm shackles and D&J have their photo taken. Now, should I leave them there?

http://i665.photobucket.com/albums/vv12/MyMuse18/DisneyJenna%20-%20Magic%20Kingdom/P5030107.jpg

Off to Adventureland, and we go on Haunted Mansion after we wait for Dom to shop. Again.

We find Haunted Mansion and it is a walk-on. I enjoy the CMs here and the stretching room. So funny! This time I remembered to look up at the end. All 3 of us fit into one “doom buggy” and some good photos from outside. This is one of my favorite rides.

http://i665.photobucket.com/albums/vv12/MyMuse18/DisneyJenna%20-%20Magic%20Kingdom/P5030109.jpg

The Mansion:
http://i665.photobucket.com/albums/vv12/MyMuse18/DisneyJenna%20-%20Magic%20Kingdom/P5030110.jpg

Bluebeard's Troubles....errr, Wives?
http://i665.photobucket.com/albums/vv12/MyMuse18/DisneyJenna%20-%20Magic%20Kingdom/P5030113.jpg


Next up is Pirates of the Caribbean and I remember to take the water pirates shot. The CM on line, was speaking in this gravelly-piratey-ish voice that both delighted us adults and semi-scared the little ones. It was a very short wait, probably not more than 10 minutes, if that. After wards, we visited the shop and Jenna tried on some hats and we lost Dom. Again.

Can you see the pirate?
http://i665.photobucket.com/albums/vv12/MyMuse18/DisneyJenna%20-%20Magic%20Kingdom/P5030122.jpg

Testing out the hats:
http://i665.photobucket.com/albums/vv12/MyMuse18/DisneyJenna%20-%20Magic%20Kingdom/P5030128.jpg

http://i665.photobucket.com/albums/vv12/MyMuse18/DisneyJenna%20-%20Magic%20Kingdom/P5030129.jpg


We FP Jungle Cruise for noon and decide to go into the Enchanted Tiki Room, since a show was starting. I didn’t do this last time, so I was curious. It was certainly cool in there both in temperature & décor. Cute show, but I don’t know if I would do it again.

We then head over to Aloha Isle for some Dole Whip! D&J didn’t get the sanctity of the Dole Whip and ordered Root Bar Floats inside. According to my receipt, it is now 11:36am. We sit at the nice shaded table area with the fans and rest a bit while we finish our snacks.

Thee Dole Whip:
http://i665.photobucket.com/albums/vv12/MyMuse18/DisneyJenna%20-%20Magic%20Kingdom/P5030134.jpg

We still had a bit of time before our Jungle Cruise FP, so we walk through Swiss Family Robinson Treehouse. I do like this a lot. It has great views, it moves and doesn’t take very long. I notice something new each time I go through it. You can see the top of the Castle and I finally caught the Hidden Mickey. If you remember from yesterday morning, Jenna got the Hidden Mickey book since she was so into it when we were first planning the trip. However, she took a lower interest in it since Dom wasn’t into it, but I took up the slack.

The view of the Castle:
http://i665.photobucket.com/albums/vv12/MyMuse18/DisneyJenna%20-%20Magic%20Kingdom/P5030141.jpg

Hidden Mickey!
http://i665.photobucket.com/albums/vv12/MyMuse18/DisneyJenna%20-%20Magic%20Kingdom/P5030148.jpg

We finish and it’s off to Jungle Cruise. I just think this ride is hysterical. We had a great CM this time around too, that really makes the ride. I literally take a zillion pictures. The CM even notices J’s birthday button. After the ride, I take a couple more pics of the Adventureland scenes since, you guessed it, Dom needed to shop. Again.

Our FP:
http://i665.photobucket.com/albums/vv12/MyMuse18/DisneyJenna%20-%20Magic%20Kingdom/P5030153.jpg

Our boat & cruise director:
http://i665.photobucket.com/albums/vv12/MyMuse18/DisneyJenna%20-%20Magic%20Kingdom/P5030156.jpg

Looks real, doesn't it?
http://i665.photobucket.com/albums/vv12/MyMuse18/DisneyJenna%20-%20Magic%20Kingdom/P5030180.jpg

At this point, I should mention this is Jenna’s birthday trip and she asked Dom to go with us and celebrate. She is getting a bit disgruntled that he is making it into a shopping expedition for his girlfriend and her 3 kids. And, at this point, I’m getting annoyed too. Argh.

Ok, so we are back on the road again and heading for Fantasyland. We decide to eat lunch at Village Fry Shop since it has hot dogs. Everyone is in a hot dog mood. Upon walking to Fantasyland, a CM overhears us and says that the Village Frye Shop is no longer and that we could find hot dogs at Casey’s Corner at Main St. Of course, that would defeat the purpose of being in Fantasyland to go on the rest of our rides.

We go to Casey’s Corner anyway and as we approach the hub, the parade is coming around the bend and we have a front row view. Excellent! We enjoy it for a while and shake our booties. So, this detour actually added to the fun.

They are moving it and shaking it:
http://i665.photobucket.com/albums/vv12/MyMuse18/DisneyJenna%20-%20Magic%20Kingdom/P5030186.jpg
http://i665.photobucket.com/albums/vv12/MyMuse18/DisneyJenna%20-%20Magic%20Kingdom/P5030188.jpg

We get to Casey’s Corner, order our hot dogs and sit inside to eat. There is no seating inside at all, but we manage to find a table with 2 chairs, so Dom has to stand. That’s his payback for us waiting for him at every shop in Magic Kingdom.

[MyMuse]

Double-post! Sorry!

[MyMuse]

Day 2, Part 3

We ended with our hot dog lunch in Casy's Corner.....

We finish and the parade just ends and we find CMs cleaning up the trees as we walk to Fantasyland. I stop and take pics of the Castle from the side and Cinderella’s Royal Table sign. I wasn’t able to get into here, but someday. We all try to get the sword out of that darn rock.

Cleaning up:
http://i665.photobucket.com/albums/vv12/MyMuse18/DisneyJenna%20-%20Magic%20Kingdom/P5030193.jpg

Release Thy Sword!
http://i665.photobucket.com/albums/vv12/MyMuse18/DisneyJenna%20-%20Magic%20Kingdom/P5030199.jpg

I want to go to Mickey’s PhilarMagic because I think it is the best 3D show. D&J aren’t too interested (sigh – “it’s not a ride”), but I convince them to give it a shot. Jenna is a band person (she plays flute, bassoon, bells and piano), so I don’t she how she would not like it. Of course, I was right and she loved it once she saw it was themed with instruments.


PhilarMagic!
http://i665.photobucket.com/albums/vv12/MyMuse18/DisneyJenna%20-%20Magic%20Kingdom/P5030202.jpg
http://i665.photobucket.com/albums/vv12/MyMuse18/DisneyJenna%20-%20Magic%20Kingdom/P5030205.jpg
http://i665.photobucket.com/albums/vv12/MyMuse18/DisneyJenna%20-%20Magic%20Kingdom/P5030207.jpg

The entire stage outline had instrumnts engraved on it:
http://i665.photobucket.com/albums/vv12/MyMuse18/DisneyJenna%20-%20Magic%20Kingdom/P5030211.jpg

Up next is small world, so cute! That song lives in your heads for hours, days, weeks later. LOL! I take more pictures than I thought I would.

http://i665.photobucket.com/albums/vv12/MyMuse18/DisneyJenna%20-%20Magic%20Kingdom/P5030218.jpg

Ahhh, Venice. One of my fav cities:
http://i665.photobucket.com/albums/vv12/MyMuse18/DisneyJenna%20-%20Magic%20Kingdom/P5030222.jpg

http://i665.photobucket.com/albums/vv12/MyMuse18/DisneyJenna%20-%20Magic%20Kingdom/P5030235.jpg

How many times can you say good-bye?
http://i665.photobucket.com/albums/vv12/MyMuse18/DisneyJenna%20-%20Magic%20Kingdom/P5030238.jpg

Unfortunately, there was no time for Peter Pan’s Flight, which is one ride I really wanted to go on. We wanted to get to the glass blowing demonstration at the Crystal Arts Shop and then onward to Hollywood Studios for our 3:50pm ADR.

We head back to Main St and I finally see Cinderella’s Fountain. I had zero idea where it was. I as trying to remember what happens when you kneel in front of it, but I could not remember. It’s just about 2pm now and can you guess where Dom is? Yup. Again.

http://i665.photobucket.com/albums/vv12/MyMuse18/DisneyJenna%20-%20Magic%20Kingdom/P5030247.jpg

I go look for him in the shop next door to Cinderella’s Fountain and did catch Tinkerbelle being called. That was super cute.

http://i665.photobucket.com/albums/vv12/MyMuse18/DisneyJenna%20-%20Magic%20Kingdom/P5030252.jpg

After that, we head off to Main St and did see a street performer. I didn’t even know MK had them! I took a quick pic; she was advising the Photopass client how to pose for the camera.

http://i665.photobucket.com/albums/vv12/MyMuse18/DisneyJenna%20-%20Magic%20Kingdom/P5030253.jpg

We finally get to Crystal Arts shop and find out that the glass demonstration has moved to a later time to “around 3pm”, which will not help us since we needed to leave by 2:30pm. So, we hang in the shop and I take pics of very expensive crystal and some impressive swords. Wow, I could not believe the price tag on some of these things.

Check out that price tag!
http://i665.photobucket.com/albums/vv12/MyMuse18/DisneyJenna%20-%20Magic%20Kingdom/P5030256.jpg

Yes, indeedy, Mickey is King!
http://i665.photobucket.com/albums/vv12/MyMuse18/DisneyJenna%20-%20Magic%20Kingdom/P5030257.jpg

Swords!
http://i665.photobucket.com/albums/vv12/MyMuse18/DisneyJenna%20-%20Magic%20Kingdom/P5030262.jpg

We exit and I take pics of a cool window and the serene area around the Crystal Arts Shop. We stop by the Barber Shop, but it is so tiny and no one comes forward to help us, so we leave. We look into the firehouse and since Dom is a EMT, he wanted to check something out. Of course, we lost him you-know-where. Again.

Serene area right on Main St
http://i665.photobucket.com/albums/vv12/MyMuse18/DisneyJenna%20-%20Magic%20Kingdom/P5030269.jpg

http://i665.photobucket.com/albums/vv12/MyMuse18/DisneyJenna%20-%20Magic%20Kingdom/P5030271.jpg


We finally find him after using the restroom (or so he says). It’s already 2:30pm, so it’s time to go!

We exit and I completely forget to do Photopass at the floral mickey in front of the railroad. Guess we have to do that next time.

Up Next: A ferry ride, a buffet and a fantasmic show!

[KatGarcia]

OMG u lost Dom like 500 tomes! OY!

[MyMuse]

OMG u lost Dom like 500 tomes! OY!


I know! It was getting so :headache:

But I was in the magical land, :wizard: so I tried to not let it get to me. Deep breaths here! :laughing:

[shebaxric]

Good morning! I found your trip report from Jeseib's, and I have enjoyed every single post! You are a fantastic Aunt for giving your niece this once in a lifetime experience!:thumbsup2 I also appreciate the post on the Christmas Carol Train Tour! It's coming to a location about 90 minutes from me on a weekend, so I'm thinking of heading down for a day! My DH and father would love this!

[jenseib]

Loving the report. The pictures are faboulous. I love that parade too, and it's so neat how they clean up right away.

I forget what that Cindy stautue shows. Some one posted it in my trip report. I know you kneel in front and it shows something about money. It's called the Rags to Riches fountain. I'll have to go back and re read what it was.
Dom would drive me nuts. I've been with people like that and I swear I've been so tempted to leave them. And now in the day of cellphones (and he being an adult) I probably would. Well I kind did somewhat with DH when he was lagging behind. LOL!

[jenseib]

Oh, and that train sounds super cool and comes about an hour from me, so I might see about it too. I think it comes in Sept.

[disneygirlinnj]

there's always an annoying one on the trip but looks like you dealt well with him :) sounds great so far!

[MyMuse]

Great start! I love those little statues around the walt and mickey one!!! It's rough to go with people who don't always "get it" huh? Believe me , i know!

I made sure I took pics of them this time. I didn't even notice them in March! For some reason, I just have Dumbo. I have to make sure I take more next time.

Yeah, this was a rough trip for me as I wanted them to experience the Magic, but I had to pull myself back because this particular trip was about Jenna. And Jenna was mostly about Uncle Dom. :worship: :confused3

Good morning! I found your trip report from Jeseib's, and I have enjoyed every single post! You are a fantastic Aunt for giving your niece this once in a lifetime experience!:thumbsup2 I also appreciate the post on the Christmas Carol Train Tour! It's coming to a location about 90 minutes from me on a weekend, so I'm thinking of heading down for a day! My DH and father would love this!

Thanks and WELCOME!! :welcome:

The Christmas Carol Train tour looks awesome, doesn't it? It can't come soon enough!

Loving the report. The pictures are faboulous. I love that parade too, and it's so neat how they clean up right away.

I forget what that Cindy stautue shows. Some one posted it in my trip report. I know you kneel in front and it shows something about money. It's called the Rags to Riches fountain. I'll have to go back and re read what it was.
Dom would drive me nuts. I've been with people like that and I swear I've been so tempted to leave them. And now in the day of cellphones (and he being an adult) I probably would. Well I kind did somewhat with DH when he was lagging behind. LOL!

Thanks, Jennifer!! :hug:

Dom did drive me nuts. I was trying to put it all aside for Jenna's sake (& Disney magic's), but oh, he was aggravating! A trip with him will never happen again. :snooty:

Oh, and that train sounds super cool and comes about an hour from me, so I might see about it too. I think it comes in Sept.

Can't wait for it! :yay:

there's always an annoying one on the trip but looks like you dealt well with him :) sounds great so far!

I was trying! Really. Really. Hard. *breathe in, breathe out* LOL!!

This was me most of the time: :angel:



Thank you all for joining me on this trippie report!
I will be updating again soon!


I'm also thinking I'm going back in December, as I usually visit FL in December (not every year, but most years) for my family. I'm thinking to swing by Orlando for a few days. I'll fully decide during the summer and definitely by September since that is the 90 day window. The only down side is that I will be off-site. :sad1:

[disneygirlinnj]

A trip in December sounds amazing! The parks are all decorated for the holidays and it's beautiful!

Side note... I remember you got cupcakes before your trip and it just reminded me. have you ever been to Mr. Cupcakes in Clifton?! OMG they're fabulous. We just ran there during our lunch so I can bring some with me when I go to Tampa this weekend. I just inhaled a pumpkin one and am slightly on a sugar high..haha

[MyMuse]

A trip in December sounds amazing! The parks are all decorated for the holidays and it's beautiful!

Side note... I remember you got cupcakes before your trip and it just reminded me. have you ever been to Mr. Cupcakes in Clifton?! OMG they're fabulous. We just ran there during our lunch so I can bring some with me when I go to Tampa this weekend. I just inhaled a pumpkin one and am slightly on a sugar high..haha

I'm thinking Candleight Processional. :goodvibes

No, I know nothing of this Mr Cupcake! I LOVE PUMPKIN! I must have this cupcake! I'm googling dirty finger it now.

Sorry for the lack of an update. I was exhausted yesterday and literally slept for 14 hours! I should be posting one in a few. :dance3:

[dawnbu40]

I'm thinking Candleight Processional. :goodvibes



The Candlelight Processional is absolutely beautiful! We saw it this past Christmas and loved it! Christmas is a great time to go! The parks are just gorgeous!

[MyMuse]

Day 2, Part 4 - Hollywood Studios!

So, we are currently heading out of MK to park hop to HS to make our 3:50 ADR at Hollywood & Vine. So, we hop a ferryboat to the Ticket & Transportation Center (TTC) as there is no park transportation direct from MK and then take a bus to HS.

The Polynesian Resort from the ferryboat:
http://i665.photobucket.com/albums/vv12/MyMuse18/DisneyJenna%20-%20Magic%20Kingdom/P5030282.jpg

http://i665.photobucket.com/albums/vv12/MyMuse18/DisneyJenna%20-%20Magic%20Kingdom/P5030283.jpg

We even see this guy at the TTC:
http://i665.photobucket.com/albums/vv12/MyMuse18/DisneyJenna%20-%20Magic%20Kingdom/P5030286.jpg

We enter and see the 20th celebration signs. I think we missed the celebrations by a day or two.

http://i665.photobucket.com/albums/vv12/MyMuse18/DisneyJenna%20-%20Hollywood%20Studios/P5030292.jpg

We see a Photopass CM, take a few pics (I wish I had my Photopass CD!) and check-in at Hollywood & Vine for the Fantasmic Dining package.

This is the one I took:
http://i665.photobucket.com/albums/vv12/MyMuse18/DisneyJenna%20-%20Hollywood%20Studios/P5030332.jpg

This is one of Jenna’s surprises, to be able to watch the Fantasmic show later on at 8:30pm. I was able to get a package through the Disney boards as I was not able to get it on my own; very difficult to get and we now have reserved seats, so we don’t have to wait hours in line. The original ADR was only for a party of 2 and I thought I would take a shot and ask the front desk whether I was could add Dom to our reservation right there & then. Done, no problem! I had called several times prior to our going and nothing was available. YAY! Happy times.

The themeing was very cute and the food decent; it was a buffet after all. Our waitress was good and was always on top of things. We finish around 4:30pm and I get the coveted yellow F! seating vouchers for all 3 of us. And Dom pays. Whoo-hoo!

Inside HW & V:
http://i665.photobucket.com/albums/vv12/MyMuse18/DisneyJenna%20-%20Hollywood%20Studios/P5030293.jpg

http://i665.photobucket.com/albums/vv12/MyMuse18/DisneyJenna%20-%20Hollywood%20Studios/P5030295.jpg

Outside:
http://i665.photobucket.com/albums/vv12/MyMuse18/DisneyJenna%20-%20Hollywood%20Studios/P5030297.jpg

D&J go off to ToT and I shop a bit. I was looking for autograph book for Jenna since she could not find hers at home, but I wanted one that had a big 2009 on it. I spot 2009 merchandise at Mickeys of Hollywood and ask about the autograph books since they had other things with 2009, but not autograph books. I saw a comparable one (and cheaper!) and pick that up for Jenna. While I was there I picked up another pair of sunglasses (the ones I had weren’t working for me anymore) and I see a messenger type bag that would work better than the one I currently had. My receipt says it is now 4:45pm.

New messenger bag:
http://i665.photobucket.com/albums/vv12/MyMuse18/DisneyJenna%20-%20Hollywood%20Studios/P5130009.jpg

I walk around Sunset Blvd, take in some Streetomsphere characters, take pics and generally wander around a bit. I saw some of High School Musical 3 too. It was nice to have a bit of a break. ToT has a standby time of 13 minutes and RnRC had 40 minutes.

HM3 float:
http://i665.photobucket.com/albums/vv12/MyMuse18/DisneyJenna%20-%20Hollywood%20Studios/P5030302.jpg

The cute balloons:
http://i665.photobucket.com/albums/vv12/MyMuse18/DisneyJenna%20-%20Hollywood%20Studios/P5030303.jpg

Streetomsphere character:
http://i665.photobucket.com/albums/vv12/MyMuse18/DisneyJenna%20-%20Hollywood%20Studios/P5030324.jpg

Sunset Blvd with ToT in background:
http://i665.photobucket.com/albums/vv12/MyMuse18/DisneyJenna%20-%20Hollywood%20Studios/P5030309.jpg

ToT standby was 13 minutes:
http://i665.photobucket.com/albums/vv12/MyMuse18/DisneyJenna%20-%20Hollywood%20Studios/P5030314.jpg

Scene pic:
http://i665.photobucket.com/albums/vv12/MyMuse18/DisneyJenna%20-%20Hollywood%20Studios/P5030316.jpg

RnRC entranceway:
http://i665.photobucket.com/albums/vv12/MyMuse18/DisneyJenna%20-%20Hollywood%20Studios/P5030319.jpg

I meet up with D&J and head to RnRC and standby is down to 35 minutes. I gird myself and went on this ride. I heard the pre-show was great, but I didn’t think much of it. I was determined to do this ride since it had shoulder harness, so I would feel secure and it was less than 2 minutes long.

OMFG!!! The darn thing went upside down and I screamed my head off. The ride photo was priceless but I wasn’t able to get my camera out fast enough and wasn’t about to buy it. I was also not feeling so hot after this ride, so it took some time before I could go on. Besides, you know what Dom had to do. Again.

This time, it was fine since I didn’t want to go anywhere as of yet. The shop was called Rock Around the Shop and I bought the penny holder, J got rainbow drumsticks and Dom added a T-shirt. My receipt says it is now 5:53pm. I make Dom carry all our purchases in his backpack.

We head off to the Narnia attraction since both D&J loved the movie. I explain all the reviews say it is not worth going to, it is not a ride but a collection of movie memorabilia, but they want to go anyway. Apparentely, I am not to be believed. Sigh.

So, we go and we wait FOREVER in line. The character meeting part is not available. It was so not impressive and both of them don’t like it. Told ya. It is completely not worth it unless you want to meet Prince Caspian.

Dom wants to go through where TSM is and see where we can cut through the back to get to Streets of America. Thankfully, no one wanted to go on TSM. Ok, Lead on, MacDuff! I’m not about to say anything. Oh, and One Man's Dream was closed! The injustice.

http://i665.photobucket.com/albums/vv12/MyMuse18/DisneyJenna%20-%20Hollywood%20Studios/P5030335.jpg

Was closed!!!
http://i665.photobucket.com/albums/vv12/MyMuse18/DisneyJenna%20-%20Hollywood%20Studios/P5030334.jpg

This pic cracks me up!
http://i665.photobucket.com/albums/vv12/MyMuse18/DisneyJenna%20-%20Hollywood%20Studios/P5030337.jpg

We stroll toward the Streets of America and I’m guessing at this point, the Backlot Tour was vetoed. I’ll go on it next time. We take pics of scenes and with Jenna under the umbrella. My mom posed under the umbrella in 1999 and I have that pic, so I wanted Jenna to do the same. She was so into it and I just wanted to cry.

Jenna:
http://i665.photobucket.com/albums/vv12/MyMuse18/DisneyJenna%20-%20Hollywood%20Studios/P5030340.jpg

My Mom in 1999:
http://i665.photobucket.com/albums/vv12/MyMuse18/DisneyJenna%20-%20Hollywood%20Studios/A-Umbrella-2.jpg

You can see the background changed a bit in 10 years!

Youse Guuuuuys!
http://i665.photobucket.com/albums/vv12/MyMuse18/DisneyJenna%20-%20Hollywood%20Studios/P5030347.jpg

San Fran:
http://i665.photobucket.com/albums/vv12/MyMuse18/DisneyJenna%20-%20Hollywood%20Studios/P5030345.jpg

Con'd next post.....

[MyMuse]

Due to picture limitation....

I veto the stunt shows and we swing to Star Tours. It was a 10 minute standby and I don’t think we even waited that long. I do like this ride, though the CMs were better this time around. I was able to take pics of the queue line this time.

Going under the enemy ship to enter:
http://i665.photobucket.com/albums/vv12/MyMuse18/DisneyJenna%20-%20Hollywood%20Studios/P5030351.jpg

There are coming!
http://i665.photobucket.com/albums/vv12/MyMuse18/DisneyJenna%20-%20Hollywood%20Studios/P5030350.jpg

Queue line:
http://i665.photobucket.com/albums/vv12/MyMuse18/DisneyJenna%20-%20Hollywood%20Studios/P5030353.jpg

http://i665.photobucket.com/albums/vv12/MyMuse18/DisneyJenna%20-%20Hollywood%20Studios/P5030352.jpg

Standby:
http://i665.photobucket.com/albums/vv12/MyMuse18/DisneyJenna%20-%20Hollywood%20Studios/P5030362.jpg

We walk back through Commisionary Lane and see where Sci-Fi Dine-In is for tomorrow. This is not a surprise for Jenna, since this is one of the restaurants she picked for this trip.

Gotta love the ABC Commissionary:
http://i665.photobucket.com/albums/vv12/MyMuse18/DisneyJenna%20-%20Hollywood%20Studios/P5030364.jpg

We stop at Sweet Smells (or Beverly Sunset as the receipts says) for some snacks and drinks for the F! show. I find my mickey rice krispie and J finally has her candy apple & chocolate strawberries. She’s been longing for one. My receipt says is it now 7:24pm, so we head off to Hollywood Hills Amphitheater.

We take our seats (to the most left we can get), rest, relax. We have our snacks and drinks. I journal and D&J are playing around with their cell phones, which is also driving me a little crazy.

Snack-a-polloza:
http://i665.photobucket.com/albums/vv12/MyMuse18/DisneyJenna%20-%20Hollywood%20Studios/P5030365.jpg
Jenna and her darn pose, that's Dom trying to get in it:
http://i665.photobucket.com/albums/vv12/MyMuse18/DisneyJenna%20-%20Hollywood%20Studios/P5030368.jpg

Waiting for Fantasmic!:
http://i665.photobucket.com/albums/vv12/MyMuse18/DisneyJenna%20-%20Hollywood%20Studios/P5030367.jpg

8:30pm rolls round and F! starts. It’s a great show, the water feature is just awesome, though the characters were little ants since the stage was so far away. I do really like this show and now seeing it twice, I think I can skip it next time.

Scenes from F!:
http://i665.photobucket.com/albums/vv12/MyMuse18/DisneyJenna%20-%20Hollywood%20Studios/P5030377.jpg
Fire, Water & Mickey:
http://i665.photobucket.com/albums/vv12/MyMuse18/DisneyJenna%20-%20Hollywood%20Studios/P5030381.jpg
Yay! He does it:
http://i665.photobucket.com/albums/vv12/MyMuse18/DisneyJenna%20-%20Hollywood%20Studios/P5030384.jpg
Tink:
http://i665.photobucket.com/albums/vv12/MyMuse18/DisneyJenna%20-%20Hollywood%20Studios/P5030385.jpg
Scoerer Mickey!
http://i665.photobucket.com/albums/vv12/MyMuse18/DisneyJenna%20-%20Hollywood%20Studios/P5030391.jpg

We finish and let out for the long way back down to Sunset Blvd. The line was for 10pm show seemed quite long! I thought it was easy street for the second showing. At Sunset Blvd, I wanted a Photopass pic in front of ToT, since my pics of the Hotel never come out.

See? Never comes out:
http://i665.photobucket.com/albums/vv12/MyMuse18/DisneyJenna%20-%20Hollywood%20Studios/P5030392.jpg

Up Next: The Night is Not Over!!!!

[jenseib]

Yay! You rode RNRC. Isn't that take off something. I can't beleive the speed of that.

How did you like H&V? I actually had that booked for our trip and then heard bad reviews so I changed it and I actually ended up going to MK that day anways once I got my plans all set.

That Narnia thing is so dumb. I love the movies, but was so disappointed iwth it. The attraction just basically shows clips of the movie and then the walk through is more like don't blink or you will miss it all. LOL! Prince Caspian was the best part for sure.

You got alot of great pictures.. I am still amazed you have already gone back and come home again since the March trip. LOL!

Isn;t it amazing al lthe stuff you learn about the parks and disney itself from what rip to another. I thought I knew alot in years past when I took my older two, and that was 10 years ago since they last went. And then in 2007 I studied the boards and learned so much, and then the next year knew so much more, and this year again, I knew so much more, but still have learned new stuff since I've been back. LOL!

[KatGarcia]

I am just laughing at why they don't listen to you! And how Dom gets sucked into the dump shops every time! So funny. Thats a great pic of Tink through the water at fantasmic!

[MyMuse]

You may have noticed that I changed the title of the trip report since it seemed more fitting. :goodvibes:lmao:

The Candlelight Processional is absolutely beautiful! We saw it this past Christmas and loved it! Christmas is a great time to go! The parks are just gorgeous!

I can't wait to see it. If I do go, then my 90 day day, is early September. A whole summer of wishing to do!

Yay! You rode RNRC. Isn't that take off something. I can't beleive the speed of that.

How did you like H&V? I actually had that booked for our trip and then heard bad reviews so I changed it and I actually ended up going to MK that day anways once I got my plans all set.

That Narnia thing is so dumb. I love the movies, but was so disappointed iwth it. The attraction just basically shows clips of the movie and then the walk through is more like don't blink or you will miss it all. LOL! Prince Caspian was the best part for sure.

You got alot of great pictures.. I am still amazed you have already gone back and come home again since the March trip. LOL!

Isn;t it amazing al lthe stuff you learn about the parks and disney itself from what rip to another. I thought I knew alot in years past when I took my older two, and that was 10 years ago since they last went. And then in 2007 I studied the boards and learned so much, and then the next year knew so much more, and this year again, I knew so much more, but still have learned new stuff since I've been back. LOL!

The RnRC take-off was ok; it was the corkscrew, almost upside down part that was hairy. I'm shocked my bag didn't fall out! :sick:

I thought HW&V was good. I did see the reviews too, that's why I choose Mama Melrose in March. But Mama Melrose wasn't so hot either.
I really wanted Jenna to see F! and the person on the board had it at HW&V, so that's where we went. Our waitress was awesome. The front check-in CM was great too and even got Dom in as well. I thought the food was alright; it was a buffet after all. The place was not a mad house, the service was fast and everyone was really nice. So, it was all good by me.

Narnia was dumb, I should have gone off and did something else. I can't believe they call it an attraction. Without Prince Caspian, they should just close it or leave it as a walk-through. :confused3

The pics came out better than I thought. I went to my sister's grad party (she got her Master's) and my family was there commenting that my pictures were quite high in number! :rotfl2: and I'm still not finished!

You are absolutely right about learning more. In the past, I thought one trip to the parks was enough. As I was doing research for my solo trip this past March, I found a whole new world! I had no idea that Disney has so much more to offer. It was the act of finally staying on property that got me going. I can't believe how much I missed in the last years. I go down to Florida at least 2x a year for family, so now I'm going to add it some Disney days and make up for lost time! :goodvibes

I am just laughing at why they don't listen to you! And how Dom gets sucked into the dump shops every time! So funny. Thats a great pic of Tink through the water at fantasmic!

It was so frustrating! I'm just glad there was no hysteronics about not going to stunt shows or TSM.

I'm impressed that my camera actually caught the pic of Tink. :goodvibes

I hope to put up another update soon!!! I hope all had a wonderful holiday weekend.

[MyMuse]

We ended at the conculsion of the Fantasmic! show and getting a Photopass in front of ToT......and we are off to MK to see Wishes!

If we can make it!!

So, in a rare moment of total agreement, we book it out of HS and head back to MK to see Wishes. It is EMH late night as well.

We make it with minutes to spare and literally Dom knocked old ladies out of the way (I kid you not!). We end up fairly close to the Castle, hanging on to Dom’s backpack as he treks through the crowd. I have never seen Wishes from inside the park before, so this is quite a thrill.

It was lovely and I took a bunch of pics and video. I hope to take the Wishes cruise next time.

The Wishes Pictures:
http://i665.photobucket.com/albums/vv12/MyMuse18/DisneyJenna%20-%20Magic%20Kingdom/P5030399.jpg

http://i665.photobucket.com/albums/vv12/MyMuse18/DisneyJenna%20-%20Magic%20Kingdom/P5030401.jpg

See the stars & moon on the Castle?
http://i665.photobucket.com/albums/vv12/MyMuse18/DisneyJenna%20-%20Magic%20Kingdom/P5030405.jpg

After Wishes, we head to Fantasyland to finally get on Peter Pan. The crowds were horrid! We could not get through at all. There was some sort of stoppage in the entrance to Liberty Square and the cut through to Fantasyland was roped off. Argh.

We finally make it through and Peter Pan is at 40 minutes; so we go on a hunt for food and walk around back & forth, back & forth. Most places around that area were closed or closing. The place was super busy and this is really the first time we had to endure crowds. I highly doubt whether all these people are resort guests for EMH. There was never a CM who asked for my Key to the World card to get on a ride.

We finally give up a bit and go on Peter Pan Flight, which is now at 35 minutes. This ride is so very cute and I can tell I’ll be going on this one again in the future. Jenna did not want to repeat anything, so we head for Tomorrowland.

Peter Pan's Flight:
http://i665.photobucket.com/albums/vv12/MyMuse18/DisneyJenna%20-%20Magic%20Kingdom/P5030409.jpg

Supposed to be London below, the light thing is Big Ben:
http://i665.photobucket.com/albums/vv12/MyMuse18/DisneyJenna%20-%20Magic%20Kingdom/P5030411.jpg

We find that Cosmic Ray’s Starlight Café is open (& had I researched it, I would have known what was open and what was not, avoiding the almost-meltdowns for food). I order chicken nuggets and an iced cappuccino. Ahh, it hit the spot. My receipt says it is now 11:10pm. I wish I would have known an 11pm Spectro parade was taking place, I would have tried to schedule that in somehow.

Cosmic Ray's entertainment: it was funny!
http://i665.photobucket.com/albums/vv12/MyMuse18/DisneyJenna%20-%20Magic%20Kingdom/P5030417.jpg

We finish and head for Indy Speedway, but J does not want to go on but neglects to tell me since I am waiting on the grandstand area to watch them. Argh.

I take a pic anyway:
http://i665.photobucket.com/albums/vv12/MyMuse18/DisneyJenna%20-%20Magic%20Kingdom/P5030418.jpg

So, we start to head out. We take another Photopass pics at the Tomorrowland side of the Castle. I take pics as well, but Im sure the Photopass ones will have better ones. We wait a minute while they change Photopass CMs. I stop to take a pic of floral Mickey & Minnie. We are walking out of MK and I take night pics all the way down Main St.

Jenna:
http://i665.photobucket.com/albums/vv12/MyMuse18/DisneyJenna%20-%20Magic%20Kingdom/P5030421.jpg

Nighttime floral Mickey & Minnie:
http://i665.photobucket.com/albums/vv12/MyMuse18/DisneyJenna%20-%20Magic%20Kingdom/P5030420.jpg

Nighttime pics on the way out:
http://i665.photobucket.com/albums/vv12/MyMuse18/DisneyJenna%20-%20Magic%20Kingdom/P5030423.jpg

Main Street:
http://i665.photobucket.com/albums/vv12/MyMuse18/DisneyJenna%20-%20Magic%20Kingdom/P5030396.jpg
This one is the crowd before Wishes started...


http://i665.photobucket.com/albums/vv12/MyMuse18/DisneyJenna%20-%20Magic%20Kingdom/P5030427.jpg

http://i665.photobucket.com/albums/vv12/MyMuse18/DisneyJenna%20-%20Magic%20Kingdom/P5030432.jpg

http://i665.photobucket.com/albums/vv12/MyMuse18/DisneyJenna%20-%20Magic%20Kingdom/P5040433.jpg

I remembered to get a direct bus to our resort this time (unlike last time, where I accidentily went to TTC). It comes within minutes. D&J are lying on the ground, ahhh, young ‘uns. I'm the one still standing. It’s probably around 12:30am by now.

The exhausted ones, waiting for the bus, but still have enough strength to play with the cell phone LOL!:
http://i665.photobucket.com/albums/vv12/MyMuse18/DisneyJenna%20-%20Magic%20Kingdom/P5040437.jpg


We get to the resort and D&J go swimming, texting and laptopping by the pool area. I take a shower & prepare everyone for tomorrow (my new bag, remember snacks, etc). I also take care of my eyes a bit since I’ve worn my contacts a bit too long today.

D&J come back around 2:20am and I finish journaling at 3am. This thereby concludes our first VERY full day! :yay:

[KatGarcia]

That sure was a full day!!! At least things seemed to get better towards the end of the day in terms of everyone being on the same page. Can't wait for more!

[jenseib]

You guys did soooo much. I bet Dom was all tuckered out from all that shopping. LOL!

[MyMuse]

That sure was a full day!!! At least things seemed to get better towards the end of the day in terms of everyone being on the same page. Can't wait for more!

Oh, yes, indeedy it was.....
There was a food meltdown back at MK after Wishes, but I was trying to downplay it. :rotfl:

You guys did soooo much. I bet Dom was all tuckered out from all that shopping. LOL!

You betcha! But they still went to the pool afterwards to text and download pics to Dom's Facebook page. Probably why she didn't want to do anything else in MK. :confused3

It was fine by me since I got some time to myself and was able to get ready for the next day. My eyes were freakin' killing me! :rotfl2:

[MyMuse]

I forgot to mention and realized after looking at the end night photos from MK that one of Dom's purchases was - besides the 8 he brought down with him - was to buy another hat! You can see it pictures when he was lying down on the crowd waiting for the bus after MK.

I thought he bought it in Animal Kingdom, since it was a safari-type hat, but he actually bought it in Adventureland during our day portion trip to MK on Day 2 above on one of his many shopping expeditions.

During this particular shopping trip, I did make him buy me a insulated black lunchbag with a green Mickey head (as a birthday present) and he did carry it with him all day.

La Lunchbag:
http://i665.photobucket.com/albums/vv12/MyMuse18/DisneyJenna%20-%20Magic%20Kingdom/P5130017.jpg

So, he does have his useful times. :lmao:

And he never did wear the other 8 hats. Boys!

[MyMuse]

I totally forgot to share.....





..... that I......






........bought into a .......






.....D23 membership! I am now a charter member!




What sold me is seeing a sign at HS at One Man's Dream and that they will have some NYC events.......

http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_GsJ0PZjfZPw/SbbqqgoS1uI/AAAAAAAABpc/DEcvgrk_voc/s400/Tinker+Bell+D23.jpg

[MyMuse]

Monday, May 4
Day 3, Part 1
Animal Kingdom, 2nd full day!

I wake up at 6:30am, dressed and woke the others at 7:15am. Jenna gets some more of the litle gifts, but I forgot to take a picture. :rolleyes:

AK has early AMH this morning. The opening ceremony at 8am.

I got my new bag together and remembered a plastic bag, poncho and magic towels for any potential mishaps on Kali River Rapids. I can't wait to finally get on this ride!

We went for the South Depot, but Dom had to get coffee at the food court and took forever, so we ended up missing the earlier bus. Shocking, I know.

We took the next one, and did end up making it to AK before 9am, but not by much. Completely forgot about the opening ceremony again, but I'm sure we missed it.

Cute bus sign at POR:
http://i665.photobucket.com/albums/vv12/MyMuse18/DisneyJenna%20-%20PO%20Riverside/P5040450.jpg

While waiting for D, took some pics of POR:
http://i665.photobucket.com/albums/vv12/MyMuse18/DisneyJenna%20-%20PO%20Riverside/P5040443.jpg

http://i665.photobucket.com/albums/vv12/MyMuse18/DisneyJenna%20-%20PO%20Riverside/P5040440.jpg

http://i665.photobucket.com/albums/vv12/MyMuse18/DisneyJenna%20-%20PO%20Riverside/P5040449.jpg

Oh, I think this is a towel animal? or a cutesy thing?:
http://i665.photobucket.com/albums/vv12/MyMuse18/DisneyJenna%20-%20PO%20Riverside/P5040438.jpg


We stopped for some pics Photopass pics before we entered the park (in front of the AK sign) and we head in to FP Kilimanjaro Safari. I remembered that it didn’t open on EMH morning until 8:30am anyways.

Me taking a photo along with Photopass CM:
http://i665.photobucket.com/albums/vv12/MyMuse18/DisneyJenna%20-%20Animal%20Kingdom/P5040457.jpg


We head over to Dinoland to go on Dinosaur. I did get hit with a survey person, but thankfully, it will be emailed to me later for when I return home. This ride is not scary but it is scary. On this particular ride, it will be easier the second time around. The CMs were awesome here and totally got into the theme. I think they said we hope to see you back alive or something to that effect as we leave in the jeep. I decided to get dramatic and put me arms out while we were driving away saying “save me!” I can’t remember exactly what I did but it was darn tootin’ funny. There was absolutely no line; no waiting!

Pre-show at Dinosaur, love this guy!
http://i665.photobucket.com/albums/vv12/MyMuse18/DisneyJenna%20-%20Animal%20Kingdom/P5040469.jpg

The ride pics were priceless again and this time I remembered to take a photo. I really wish they would have ride photos on Photopass (Test Track does, but that’s the only one). The big dinosaur was on my side of the jeep; I have to remember to be on the other side. Jenna tries on another hat, since we are waiting for you-know-who doing you-know-what. Again. She says its her pouting. LOL!

Gotta love the ride photos:
http://i665.photobucket.com/albums/vv12/MyMuse18/DisneyJenna%20-%20Animal%20Kingdom/P5040471.jpg

J's "pouting" picture while waiting for D:
http://i665.photobucket.com/albums/vv12/MyMuse18/DisneyJenna%20-%20Animal%20Kingdom/P5040473.jpg

He bought a rather large toy that he had to send to the resort. I swear he buys stuff and doesn’t think how he is actually going to carry it around or get it home. Like you can’t find a plastic dinosaur at home?

We finish, head out and they are calling last call for the Finding Nemo show. We debate and decide to go in. It must be the 10am showing. We are literally in the last row. We would have been further down but a lady was saving an entire row for people that never showed up. I thought we were not supposed to do that, but I guess way back here, it really doesn’t matter. When I went to see last time, I was in the front shows, so it was a different perspective and we got out a lot quicker! Bonus!

I really like Finding Nemo, the puppetry, artistry and acting is just so good. For this, it is better to be closer to really get into it, but it was still a great show, even further back.

Nemo photos:
http://i665.photobucket.com/albums/vv12/MyMuse18/DisneyJenna%20-%20Animal%20Kingdom/P5040475.jpg

http://i665.photobucket.com/albums/vv12/MyMuse18/DisneyJenna%20-%20Animal%20Kingdom/P5040476.jpg

http://i665.photobucket.com/albums/vv12/MyMuse18/DisneyJenna%20-%20Animal%20Kingdom/P5040483.jpg

After Nemo, we went on the Safari with our FPs. The one part I don’t like is that the line merges with the regular line at a point, so there is no organization as how to form a line to get on the ride. I know this doesn’t matter in the scheme of things, but it does bug me.

In any case, we ended up in the front row (yay!) and a dud for a driver (argh). No magic, no stories, no nothing. She barely spoke! We made up for our lack of a driver, by a white rhino blocking our way, so our driver “pushed” it with our jeep. Hello! I would rather not be charged by a white rhino if you please. It was scary, but exciting. She did have to radio to let the other jeeps know as well as the gamekeepers.

Took loads of photos and remember to watch for the flamingo island hidden mickey. The animals were doing well that day other than the rhino. The giraffes were a favorite part. We saw all kinds of animals, so the safari was a great success other than the potential of being charged by a rhino. Each Safari is different, so that would make me coming back to this ride.

Safari photos:
http://i665.photobucket.com/albums/vv12/MyMuse18/DisneyJenna%20-%20Animal%20Kingdom/P5040491.jpg

http://i665.photobucket.com/albums/vv12/MyMuse18/DisneyJenna%20-%20Animal%20Kingdom/P5040507.jpg

http://i665.photobucket.com/albums/vv12/MyMuse18/DisneyJenna%20-%20Animal%20Kingdom/P5040515.jpg

"Bumping" the rhino:
http://i665.photobucket.com/albums/vv12/MyMuse18/DisneyJenna%20-%20Animal%20Kingdom/P5040524.jpg

We know we wanted to eat, so we went to get another FP. Explaining FPs to Dom took some time. He’s a “wing it” kind of boy. The dilemma was to FP Kali or Everest? We ended up FP Everest since I wasn’t going to go on that thing.

We took some Photopass Everest pics and I point out how the temple matches Everest. It seems to interest the other two. Score!

[MyMuse]

So, I left off at getting FPs before heading out to lunch.....to Pizzafari! I reaaaally want to see the inside of this place and its themed rooms.

We head off to Pizzafari and order, well, pizza. We place the order and wait a very long time for the pizza to come. Something was up but I forget what, in any case, the plus side was that our pizza was very fresh and hot! I didn’t realize it also came with a salad. J wanted breadsticks, so we got that too. Good value at Pizzafari. So much food! My receipt says it is now 11:39am.

I wanted to go to Pizzafari to check out all the different rooms. We sat in the way back and relatively empty room, though it got busier when we left. We were in the winter/polar bear room, but I took pics of all the rooms. Nice themeing in here as well. Though, it does need more room by the ordering area.

Pizzafari photos:
Our room
http://i665.photobucket.com/albums/vv12/MyMuse18/DisneyJenna%20-%20Animal%20Kingdom/P5040531.jpg

Cool light fixture:
http://i665.photobucket.com/albums/vv12/MyMuse18/DisneyJenna%20-%20Animal%20Kingdom/P5040532.jpg

http://i665.photobucket.com/albums/vv12/MyMuse18/DisneyJenna%20-%20Animal%20Kingdom/P5040534.jpg

http://i665.photobucket.com/albums/vv12/MyMuse18/DisneyJenna%20-%20Animal%20Kingdom/P5040535.jpg

After lunch, we head to Everest, but stop to take pics by the music area where the bongos are. We also were able to catch DeVine!!! So exciting. It was a different DeVine than the one I saw last time, but still cool. It’s hard to explain until you see it. J was wowed by it, so that made me happy.

DeVine photos:
http://i665.photobucket.com/albums/vv12/MyMuse18/DisneyJenna%20-%20Animal%20Kingdom/P5040541.jpg

http://i665.photobucket.com/albums/vv12/MyMuse18/DisneyJenna%20-%20Animal%20Kingdom/P5040543.jpg

Can you tell where she is?
http://i665.photobucket.com/albums/vv12/MyMuse18/DisneyJenna%20-%20Animal%20Kingdom/P5040548.jpg

A Photopass CM was in the area in front of the Tree of Life, but no one wanted to take a photo.

We hang there for awhile and soak DeVine in. By this time, it was probably time for D&J’s FP for Everest. I wait by the viewing area and take pics of the nearby scenes and try to see them coming down, but that was impossible. I know he was wearing a bright yellow shirt and she was wearing her black Mary P shirt. They came and got me after they finished.

Everest:
http://i665.photobucket.com/albums/vv12/MyMuse18/DisneyJenna%20-%20Animal%20Kingdom/P5040552.jpg

http://i665.photobucket.com/albums/vv12/MyMuse18/DisneyJenna%20-%20Animal%20Kingdom/P5040553.jpg

http://i665.photobucket.com/albums/vv12/MyMuse18/DisneyJenna%20-%20Animal%20Kingdom/P5040554.jpg


We went on Kali River Rapids next at a standby time of 50 minutes. It might have been slightly less but not by much. The themeing in the queue was awesome! I took quite a few photos there. Wow! Waiting in line is not so bad here. Just as we were a few people away the ride stops. Uh oh. It turns out someone had to be let out, I’m not sure how that happens. At the last minute, I decided not to put the poncho on, but still cover my bag in the plastic bag I brought with me to keep it nice and dry.

Kali queue line photos:
http://i665.photobucket.com/albums/vv12/MyMuse18/DisneyJenna%20-%20Animal%20Kingdom/P5040559.jpg

http://i665.photobucket.com/albums/vv12/MyMuse18/DisneyJenna%20-%20Animal%20Kingdom/P5040563.jpg

http://i665.photobucket.com/albums/vv12/MyMuse18/DisneyJenna%20-%20Animal%20Kingdom/P5040566.jpg

Of course, Murphy’s Law hits me and I get completely drenched a couple of times over. The family we sat with was super nice and did warn me he always gets wet and he apologized. LOL! D&J are barely wet. I did remember to keep my feet up, so the very bottom of me was dry.

After the ride, I head for the restroom to repair and D&J go shopping. I whip out my magic towel which helps a tiny bit, repair the best I can and pull my hair up in a bun. It’s fairly sunny outside, so I should dry fairly quickly.

This does take a while, but we still have time before we need to park hop to HS.

So, I suggest going to Maharajah Jungle Trek since it has the tigers and the themeing is great. It doesn’t disappoint, the tigers are out. J even wanted to see the bats. Ick. I like this trail since it doesn’t take long, there always interesting animals about. On the way out, we glimpse Kali boats passing by through the reeds.

Maharajah photos:
Bats. Ick.
http://i665.photobucket.com/albums/vv12/MyMuse18/DisneyJenna%20-%20Animal%20Kingdom/P5040569.jpg

http://i665.photobucket.com/albums/vv12/MyMuse18/DisneyJenna%20-%20Animal%20Kingdom/P5040572.jpg

http://i665.photobucket.com/albums/vv12/MyMuse18/DisneyJenna%20-%20Animal%20Kingdom/P5040578.jpg

Kali thru the reeds:
http://i665.photobucket.com/albums/vv12/MyMuse18/DisneyJenna%20-%20Animal%20Kingdom/P5040584.jpg


We start heading out since we need to get to HS for our 3:10 ADR at Sci-Fi. Dom decided to veer off again and I’m about to hit him over the head with something. The boy has no concept of time.

Along the same vein, no time to go for “It’s to be a Bug” either but J doesn’t want to go anyway. I think it’s super cute.

No one wanted to stop to get a Photopass in the Tree alcove; guess they are Photopass’d out with the first 2 parks? Dom stopped to get more coffee and off we were to HS. It should be around 2pm now.

[jenseib]

I totally forgot to share.....





..... that I......






........bought into a .......






.....D23 membership! I am now a charter member!




What sold me is seeing a sign at HS at One Man's Dream and that they will have some NYC events.......

http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_GsJ0PZjfZPw/SbbqqgoS1uI/AAAAAAAABpc/DEcvgrk_voc/s400/Tinker+Bell+D23.jpg

What is that?


Sounds like fun. I would be kicking Dom's butt though. I hate when people hold me up. You guys do alot of stuff though and thats cool. My family go tired of Photopass too, but I kept making them. LOL! Gotta get your moneys worth.

[MyMuse]

What is that?


Sounds like fun. I would be kicking Dom's butt though. I hate when people hold me up. You guys do alot of stuff though and thats cool. My family go tired of Photopass too, but I kept making them. LOL! Gotta get your moneys worth.

D23 is the new Disney Community (not in the forum sense, but to attend events, exclusive merchandise, expo, etc)... 23 for 1923 when Disney started. Remember the ads for "Are you 23?", this is what it was.

There should be a thread for it in the Community board. THey also have a website at disney.com/23. I was hemming and hawing and finally just decided to do it. :thumbsup2


I wanted to kick Dom's butt and split his head into 2 on top of it, but I didn't since this was about Jenna's birthday. I should have made them do more Photopass, but I didn't want to push it. This kind of trip will never happen again, so that kind of kept me going.

[MyMuse]

I had this update done and ready to post and DIS logged out on me, even though I as logged in. Argh. So, here I try again....

Day 3, Part 3
Hollywood Studios

So, we are park hopping to HS from AK and it is around 2pm-ish. A bus arrives within minutes. We arrive at HS and we go to Guest Services while Dom hits a shop next door. Again.

Jenna needs a new birthday button since hers keeps getting smudged and we have a little time. We finish and drag Dom out of the store. In our rush to get Dom out, J leaves her brand new pin on the bench, but thankfully, a nice lady runs up behind us to give it back.

http://i665.photobucket.com/albums/vv12/MyMuse18/DisneyJenna%20-%20Hollywood%20Studios/P5040588.jpg

We head up and encounter streetomsphere characters, so we stop to watch for a few minutes. So far, we are good on time.

http://i665.photobucket.com/albums/vv12/MyMuse18/DisneyJenna%20-%20Hollywood%20Studios/P5040594.jpg

http://i665.photobucket.com/albums/vv12/MyMuse18/DisneyJenna%20-%20Hollywood%20Studios/P5040597.jpg

http://i665.photobucket.com/albums/vv12/MyMuse18/DisneyJenna%20-%20Hollywood%20Studios/P5040598.jpg


We continue on and come across the American Idol stage and J gets her pic taken. A CM notices us and gives her a microphone and tells her to work it. It was too funny. She doesn’t want to do the Experience part but she’ll ham it up for a photo op.

http://i665.photobucket.com/albums/vv12/MyMuse18/DisneyJenna%20-%20Hollywood%20Studios/P5040602.jpg

We check-in at Sci-Fi to find out they are really behind and a bit disorganized. Our reservation is for 3:10pm and we wait and wait and wait some more. We finally get seated at 3:40pm! When we do get seated, the host (some walk, some are on roller skates), at least, they do ask if we ever been here before and since we have not, explained a little bit about the restaurant.

The place is themed so cool. You are seated in an old fashioned convertible car since it is old drive-in theater, so the place itself is dark. They even have old fashioned speakers on the car window. Our had 3 rows, so D&J took the first row, I sat in the second and family sat in third. Our waiter called the third row ‘hitch hikers’.

http://i665.photobucket.com/albums/vv12/MyMuse18/DisneyJenna%20-%20Hollywood%20Studios/P5040611.jpg

http://i665.photobucket.com/albums/vv12/MyMuse18/DisneyJenna%20-%20Hollywood%20Studios/P5040606.jpg

http://i665.photobucket.com/albums/vv12/MyMuse18/DisneyJenna%20-%20Hollywood%20Studios/P5040617.jpg

http://i665.photobucket.com/albums/vv12/MyMuse18/DisneyJenna%20-%20Hollywood%20Studios/P5040644.jpg

http://i665.photobucket.com/albums/vv12/MyMuse18/DisneyJenna%20-%20Hollywood%20Studios/P5040619.jpg


I ordered a Marsha Martian, which was a milkshake with Kahula & Baileys (you know I needed it!). It came with a funky glowing cube. We all ordered sandwiches; for some reason, I decided against a burger. Food was decent, the atmosphere was awesome. You watched old sc-fi movie reels and news (hence the name). I spent a lot of my time taking pics of the screen and the other cars.

http://i665.photobucket.com/albums/vv12/MyMuse18/DisneyJenna%20-%20Hollywood%20Studios/P5040616.jpg

We got the check and it is called a “speeding ticket” and we are “suspended” until we return. The best part is that Dom paid. It is probably around 4:30pmish by now.

We are off to the Voyage of the Little Mermaid show, I was surprised J wanted to see it, so we check it out. We find the next showing is 6:05pm, which actually turned out not to be true since the CM there checked her little pad and said there is a later showing at 6:55pm. This might work out since J wanted to see the Beauty & the Beast show and that was at 5:45pm.

So, I convince the troops that the Great Movie Ride is worth going on and that it is a replica of the Mann Chinese Theater in LA. D&J are completely unimpressed. Geez.

So, I try to explain the different names on the ground and as we enter GMR, the CM notices J’s birthday button and her Broadway Mary P shirt and hands her the red card! We explain that we just saw the Mary P play in NYC a few weeks back. It was so exciting. See, totally worth going on.

The red card determines the standby waiting time. We take pics of her holding the card and even Dom was impressed the power of the red and the costumes on the queue line. As it turns out, we were able to catch the waiting tram and got the last row. We had it all to ourselves.

http://i665.photobucket.com/albums/vv12/MyMuse18/DisneyJenna%20-%20Hollywood%20Studios/P5040645.jpg

I like this ride, so cute. We got our gangster shoot-out (yes, I did hear the Jersey joke in it), thought our lady gangster’s accent was a bit thick. We also got our cowboy shoot-out and the alien attack, though we were so far back, we actually didn’t see it but I knew it was there. I do take more pics than I thought I would.

http://i665.photobucket.com/albums/vv12/MyMuse18/DisneyJenna%20-%20Hollywood%20Studios/P5040649.jpg

http://i665.photobucket.com/albums/vv12/MyMuse18/DisneyJenna%20-%20Hollywood%20Studios/P5040652.jpg

http://i665.photobucket.com/albums/vv12/MyMuse18/DisneyJenna%20-%20Hollywood%20Studios/P5040654.jpg

http://i665.photobucket.com/albums/vv12/MyMuse18/DisneyJenna%20-%20Hollywood%20Studios/P5040669.jpg

http://i665.photobucket.com/albums/vv12/MyMuse18/DisneyJenna%20-%20Hollywood%20Studios/P5040677.jpg

We exit and over to B&TB show and what we should have done, was double-back to the entrance and thank the CM.

We stop for some streetompshere characters on Sunset Blvd. Dom gets coffee while we watch the skit. I was taking photos and the lady character stops what she is doing and starts posing for me. She comes into the crowd looks in my camera and says to take some more since she didn’t like the ones I had. I felt like a paparazzi. It was so cute!!! We stay for a bit but we need to B&TB.


http://i665.photobucket.com/albums/vv12/MyMuse18/DisneyJenna%20-%20Hollywood%20Studios/P5040695.jpg

We get there around 5:20pm and sit on the left-hand side about 6 rows in. All the middle was already taken and we await the start of the show. It starts and it is good and live, which is a change from the rides and the 3D shows.

We exit and head out to catch our showing of Little Mermaid. On the way, we stop to get Mickey ice cream at a cart & beverages at Beverly Sunset/Sweet Smells. My receipt says 6:22pm. Along the way, we Dom goes shopping. Again.

http://i665.photobucket.com/albums/vv12/MyMuse18/DisneyJenna%20-%20Hollywood%20Studios/P5040697.jpg

Jenna & I go to Little Mermaid and we find out there is a 6:30pm show but we miss it because Dom is not there since he went shopping. We call him but he doesn’t answer. He decided to go back to shop at the Tower of Terror.

Plus, the CMs were screaming that food & drinks were not allowed in the theater, so we needed his backpack to store the drinks. We speed-ate our Mickey ice cream as well. The CMs here were absolutely awful and a disgrace to the Disney name. They had garbage container at the entrance and were making everyone throw their items away and would not let them in the theater.

I was so fed up, especially since we could have made an earlier showing and kept the schedule going, maybe fit in more time watching the Streetomsphere skits. He comes back and gives us attitude. We go to the 6:55pm showing and I just completely ignore him. If he really wanted to go shopping that bad, he could have gone to DTD while we went to the parks. Jenna might have been pouting about not having Uncle Dom, but I bet she would have liked it better than pouting that he was shopping all day at the parks rather than spending time with her.

It doesn’t help that the CMs are literally screaming for everyone to move down the seats. This was not done nicely any way shape or form. I am horrified at the CM attitude and their language. If it is such a problem at this particular theater, then have it part of the public announcements instead of screaming.

The show was cute and it was a mixture of video, lights, live action and puppetry. I don’t know if I would see it again due to the CMs and the disorganization of the place.

http://i665.photobucket.com/albums/vv12/MyMuse18/DisneyJenna%20-%20Hollywood%20Studios/P5040698.jpg

http://i665.photobucket.com/albums/vv12/MyMuse18/DisneyJenna%20-%20Hollywood%20Studios/P5040702.jpg

http://i665.photobucket.com/albums/vv12/MyMuse18/DisneyJenna%20-%20Hollywood%20Studios/P5040703.jpg

http://i665.photobucket.com/albums/vv12/MyMuse18/DisneyJenna%20-%20Hollywood%20Studios/P5040707.jpg

[jenseib]

You should send in a complaint about that.

[MyMuse]

You should send in a complaint about that.

It really was horrendous! I think I may send in a very edited version of this TR to Disney. I wish I remembered CM names!

Last time as I was solo, I made an effort and wrote them down, so the great ones can get something in their HR files. This time around, there were 3 people to take care of and I just wasn't able to get names.

There is one more part to the day and it's coming up!

[MyMuse]

I left off at leaving Mermaid show and heading out of HS. Our 2nd visit to HS this trip comes to an end, so I take a pic of hat to recall fond memories....

http://i665.photobucket.com/albums/vv12/MyMuse18/DisneyJenna%20-%20Hollywood%20Studios/P5040709.jpg

So, we start to head out since it’s near our surprise dinner ADR. It’s probably around 7:30pm sometime. And, yes, I have to drag Dom out. Argh.

We are heading to J’s next surprise of Chef Mickey’s at the Contemporary for 8:20pm, which she still doesn’t know yet.

Dom goes to the wrong resort bus and I remind him that is not where we are going. I also remind him to watch his language on Disney property.

So, we wait for the Contemporary bus (and I see a Disney security SUV, they are real!) and have to tell Jenna we are going to the Contemporary for dinner. I know she is going to like it, since we were on the monorail at some point in the recent past and she noticed the Chef Mickey’s sign as we passed through the Contemporary. I explained what it was then and she was totally jealous.

I have to admit that I am enjoying torturing her...just a little bit.

It is real!
http://i665.photobucket.com/albums/vv12/MyMuse18/DisneyJenna%20-%20Hollywood%20Studios/P5040710.jpg

The Contemporary bus! She still doesn't know! hehe
http://i665.photobucket.com/albums/vv12/MyMuse18/DisneyJenna%20-%20Chef%20Mickey%20Dinner/P5040711.jpg

We get dropped off and walk up the 2 flights to get to Chef Mickey’s and Jenna finally sees where she is. Hehe! She commented that we saw it earlier and she didn’t like it that I kept it a secret all this time.

We check in at 8pm and D&J relaxes on the comfy couch. At this point, my eyes are going a little crazy. I wear contacts and I probably should not be wearing them this long. They are also my new ones, so I’m not completely comfortable with them yet. However, I march on. I can see, so that’s the only important part and I put in eye drops.

I also take pics around the Contemporary. I’m just wowed that the monorail comes right through the resort. And so quiet!

http://i665.photobucket.com/albums/vv12/MyMuse18/DisneyJenna%20-%20Chef%20Mickey%20Dinner/P5040717.jpg

http://i665.photobucket.com/albums/vv12/MyMuse18/DisneyJenna%20-%20Chef%20Mickey%20Dinner/P5040712.jpg

http://i665.photobucket.com/albums/vv12/MyMuse18/DisneyJenna%20-%20Chef%20Mickey%20Dinner/P5040714.jpg

We get buzzed slight past our time and we have our picture taken with plastic Chef Mickey and I end up buying the photo. It was very cute. I do end up adding it to my Photopass.

I like where we get seated in our pretty room; I’m also glad not everyone is smashed together. We meet Chef Mickey first right off the bat with Minnie, Pluto, Goofy and Donald Duck not far behind. These people know what they are doing! It was great interaction and completely got the J was nervous.

The pics are absolutely priceless; plus I make sure to take video. J doesn’t even have to stand up. It was a fun time.

http://i665.photobucket.com/albums/vv12/MyMuse18/DisneyJenna%20-%20Chef%20Mickey%20Dinner/P5040731.jpg

She spies with her little eye....(I love this photo!)
http://i665.photobucket.com/albums/vv12/MyMuse18/DisneyJenna%20-%20Chef%20Mickey%20Dinner/P5040734.jpg

...Pluto!
http://i665.photobucket.com/albums/vv12/MyMuse18/DisneyJenna%20-%20Chef%20Mickey%20Dinner/P5040737.jpg

High-fiving with da Goofster
http://i665.photobucket.com/albums/vv12/MyMuse18/DisneyJenna%20-%20Chef%20Mickey%20Dinner/P5040742.jpg

Minnie is telling her to "listen to your aunt!"
http://i665.photobucket.com/albums/vv12/MyMuse18/DisneyJenna%20-%20Chef%20Mickey%20Dinner/P5040750.jpg

Finally, the last but not least Mr Donald
http://i665.photobucket.com/albums/vv12/MyMuse18/DisneyJenna%20-%20Chef%20Mickey%20Dinner/P5040758.jpg

I had her autograph book as well, but she was too nervous and embarrassed, so I put it away. Dom was nowhere to be seen, so I’m not in any photos with the characters.

In the middle of meeting characters, we eat at the buffet. As I was going up, I didn’t realize it but Goofy was behind me. I turned around and was scared out of my skin! It was so funny; I just cracked up, so I did get part of the magic, too.

The buffet was decent; there was Mickey ravioli and Mickey mac n cheese. They also had plenty of other foods. The real showstopper was the cool candy station. It had Mickey oreo cookie and some kind of key lime tart thing that everyone was going crazy over. I take pics of it all.

http://i665.photobucket.com/albums/vv12/MyMuse18/DisneyJenna%20-%20Chef%20Mickey%20Dinner/P5040733.jpg

http://i665.photobucket.com/albums/vv12/MyMuse18/DisneyJenna%20-%20Chef%20Mickey%20Dinner/P5040739.jpg

http://i665.photobucket.com/albums/vv12/MyMuse18/DisneyJenna%20-%20Chef%20Mickey%20Dinner/P5040765.jpg

http://i665.photobucket.com/albums/vv12/MyMuse18/DisneyJenna%20-%20Chef%20Mickey%20Dinner/P5040764.jpg

We finish before 10pm (receipt shows 9:50pm) and head for the bus to DTD, after hitting the restroom. DTD closes at midnight, so maybe Dom can get his shopping fix in. I’m hoping to see the street party and the balloon ride.

We got our meal photo:
http://i665.photobucket.com/albums/vv12/MyMuse18/DisneyJenna%20-%20Chef%20Mickey%20Dinner/P5040762.jpg

Scanned photo: (my fav Tee!)
http://i665.photobucket.com/albums/vv12/MyMuse18/DisneyJenna%20-%20Chef%20Mickey%20Dinner/Chef2.jpg

As we wait for the bus, we see Wishes go off and I take some pics of that. I guess it is a good thing the bus didn’t come yet. I didn’t realize MK was so close. We have a great view of Wishes.

http://i665.photobucket.com/albums/vv12/MyMuse18/DisneyJenna%20-%20Chef%20Mickey%20Dinner/P5040781.jpg

http://i665.photobucket.com/albums/vv12/MyMuse18/DisneyJenna%20-%20Chef%20Mickey%20Dinner/P5040782.jpg

http://i665.photobucket.com/albums/vv12/MyMuse18/DisneyJenna%20-%20Chef%20Mickey%20Dinner/P5040780.jpg

However, I mess things up royally when I suddenly realize that I left our Chef Mickey photos in the restroom upstairs. So, my gym training comes in handy and I literally take off running back up 2 flights to check the restroom. I check and do not find it, so I spot a CM and ask and she says to go downstairs and ask the front desk.

So, I sprint back downstairs and ask. No one has turned anything in and I’m absolutely about to cry. They say to go back upstairs to ask Chef Mickey people and I say that it was closing up. They say there always someone there, so go in anyway.

I sprint back up 2 flights and was able to get someone and they went checking. I really must have looked like I was about to cry. I was also out of breath because of all the running, but I wanted to find it and get back downstairs without crimping the plans for DTD.

A CM comes back with no one turned anything in and I ask whether it can be reprinted. She went to ask the Photopass person, who thankfully, was still there. While I was waiting, D&J come back up, since the bus came and went.

Dom holds the receipt and wait for the CM to return with an answer while I go back down 2 flights back to the front desk to fill out a lost and found card.

I am filling out the card with all the details and the front desk people could not be nicer. I’m sure this is not the first time this happened. I can’t believe I did that. While filling out the card, D&J comes back down with the reprinted Chef Mickey photos and I literally jump up and down clapping my hands. Probably not something I should do at a deluxe resort, but I was so happy.

DTD shopping is not going to happen since it was so late because of this delay. I ask the front desk how to get back to POR. They advise just to walk to MK. Hold the presses! We can WALK to MK?! No need to take the monorail anywhere. Whoo-hoo! The path brings you right to the bus area to catch the POR bus home.

I thank them and again apologize for losing my pictures and driving them crazy. We set off for the path and D has the brilliant idea of pushing J into the sprinklers. This makes her shriek and her birthday button get smudged yet again. It was a little comic relief though from the craziness of the past 30 minutes or so.

Due to the Wishes crowds, the bus lines were packed, but the POR busses were ready. There were 4 of them! We hop on the 3rd one, I think and return to our room.

D&J went to the pool area to do their nightly thing while I stayed in the room to get ready for tomorrow. I also pack my bag with J’s birth certificate and registration to get her birthday pass tomorrow.

I call J’s mom since I know she was sending us something, but there’s nothing in the room. I then notice that the message light is blinking and it was that there was a delivery at the front desk.

I text Dom to go pick up and texts back that he is on his way and that I’m the best sister in the world. It’s nice to know he acknowledges it.

D&J return with a basket from Edible Arrangements. I take pics, J calls her mom, we try to eat it a little. It not big, but big enough where I don’t think we’ll finish it before we get to leave. I didn’t know it was fresh fruit, but we could have used it for the last couple of mornings to avoid the grumbling!

http://i665.photobucket.com/albums/vv12/MyMuse18/DisneyJenna%20-%20PO%20Riverside/P5050005.jpg

http://i665.photobucket.com/albums/vv12/MyMuse18/DisneyJenna%20-%20PO%20Riverside/P5050784.jpg

Up Next: Jenna’s Birthday Day at Epcot!

[KatGarcia]

Whew thats a lot of updates!!!!! I'm really enjoying reading along tho. I swear Dom needs DTD- send him there while you girls have some fun! LOL

[jenseib]

Great updates!

[OhMari]

Hi
I am going to move you over to our regular TR board.
OhMari

[disneygirlinnj]

Awesome updates! I just caught up on I think 4 or 5 entries! Can't wait to hear about Jennas bday :)

[MyMuse]

I don't have an update just yet - but will soon!

I wanted to share that I got my D23 membership card today! I'm official! :woohoo: :woohoo: :woohoo:

I'm calling tomorrow to order the special Mary Poppins Broadway ticket!

I gotta do something to calm my nerves since I'm having a physical tomorrow. I know I *have* to do it; I just don't *want* to do it. Doctors never have anything good to say. :sad2:

[MyMuse]

I ordered my D23 Mary P Broadway ticket today! :wizard:

Now, I can go to the doctor with a bit of a smile on my face. :goodvibes

Here's the info for this D23 event:

D23's Supercalifragilistic Night on Broadway: Wednesday, June 24, 2009
Thanks to our friends at Disney Theatrical Productions, D23 Members can have a supercalifragilisticexpialidocious night to remember at Mary Poppins, which recently celebrated its 1,000th performance on Broadway, with a special "behind-the-scenes" experience after the show!*

Date: Wednesday, June 24, 2009
Location: New Amsterdam Theatre, 214 W. 42nd Street, NYC 10036
Time: 8 p.m. curtain
Tickets Available: May 14, 2009
Cost: $121.50 per ticket (does not include ticketing fees)

Your ticket includes:
• Premium seating location
• Special "behind-the-scenes" experience following the show
• Coupon for 20% merchandise discount (included in your ticket envelope)
• Complimentary 2-Disc Mary Poppins 45th Anniversary Special Edition DVD courtesy of Walt Disney Studios Home Entertainment

[MyMuse]

Hello all!

So, I got my membership card a couple of days back and ordered my Mary P D23 night ticket yesterday before I went to the doctor.

Then, doctor visit. :headache:

After said visit, I do a few errands and what do I find when I get home? My charter year gift of a gorgeous lithograph. It is the one with Mickey painting a smile on the world. And, let me tell you, this is HUGE. A subway-size poster. I left it rolled up in its can for safe keeping.

http://www.disneynewsarchive.com/blog/uploaded_images/mmlitho-772315.jpg

I think there is one more package coming too. A pin, I think. So far, I'm liking the D23. :goodvibes

I hope there will be more events around here. I'm also hoping that there will be something with the train tour too. It's not like I can rush to WDW or DL (though I wouldn't mind). There is currently a contest for Vegas. So, maybe some of the pixie dust will make it's way over.

I'm currently trying to finish Birthday Day at Epcot. It was a day to remember for sure!

[jenseib]

I still don't understand that D23 thing. So you get discounts on things? I guess where I live it wouldn't be worth it. I can;t just run off to NYC to see a broadway show. LOL!

[MyMuse]

I still don't understand that D23 thing. So you get discounts on things? I guess where I live it wouldn't be worth it. I can;t just run off to NYC to see a broadway show. LOL!

True.

I probably would not have joined if they didn't have any NYC events. I have no idea if you get discounts, but you do get what is supposed to be exclusive merchandise (ie: D23 merchandise), contests (the only one is for Vegas), special entrance/screening/showings like the Mary P Broadway show.

Same for me here; it's not like I can get to the parks on a moments notice. They do have a D23 Expo planned though and it was announced when D23 started, so I guess that gave enough people time to plan for a trip.

Other things are listed at disney.com/23.

[MyMuse]

Tuesday, May 5
Day 4, Part 1 - Epcot
Our 3rd full day!

Jenna turns 15 at 6:55am today.

I’m already up getting dressed at 6:30am, but I do wake her up at 6:55am to give her a birthday kiss, but I tell her to go back to sleep for a little bit more. She goes right back to sleep!

Unfortunately, I have some eye problems, so I had to wear my glasses. I bought a back-up pair of contacts but I didn’t realize they had to be cleaned before I could use them. So, the eyes were scorched and swollen. Of course, the one time, I actually need them; I didn’t bring my prescription sunglasses! I never, I mean NEVER wear my glasses. I’ve had an aversion to them since I got contacts at age 16. Though, I would have worn my prescription sunglasses.

Ah well. So, glasses on. Epcot has early EMH, but I know we are not going to get there on time. Besides, it’s her birthday day, so I will not push it. I am going to get the Birthday Fastpasses, so we should be able to make up any time there.

I wake J up around 7:15am and then Dom. I place this morning’s gifts on the bed. This morning it is the Birthday Princess sash (which was bought some time ago before the other doo-dads, so she wasn’t going to be wearing it), her Disney princess button, princess puzzle, a gift from her mom and another card from me and my sister’s wedding tiara (which she was going to wear today). My card was a Princess Aurora one that said something like “you’re turning 5 today!”, but I added a 1 in front of the 5 t make it 15. I didn’t sign it since this card I was planning on taking to the Princess Storybook Lunch at Norway. As far as Jenna knows, we are “Snacking Around the World” and finding Aurora in France and Mary Poppins in UK during our travels.

Her gifts:
http://i665.photobucket.com/albums/vv12/MyMuse18/DisneyJenna%20-%20PO%20Riverside/P5050009.jpg

She opens the gift from her mom and it is a musical note necklace. She goes and gets dressed and wears her birthday outfit of a white skirt and a pretty blue shirt. We get her tiara on and we’re ready to rock. We take some pics outside of our room and off we go to catch the bus.

Princess pose complete with a tiara:
http://i665.photobucket.com/albums/vv12/MyMuse18/DisneyJenna%20-%20PO%20Riverside/P5050015.jpg

I think we get there shortly before 9am and head for the Will Call to get the Birthday FPs. We got all the paperwork done, had to show the registration and her birth certificate and he did make sure all 3 of us were present and accounted for. I also get Jenna yet another birthday pin since hers got smudged with the sprinklers water from last night. In case, you are counting, I do believe this is the THIRD pin. Teenagers!

See the Mickey the CM drew?
http://i665.photobucket.com/albums/vv12/MyMuse18/DisneyJenna%20-%20Epcot/P5050024.jpg

Birthday FPs:
http://i665.photobucket.com/albums/vv12/MyMuse18/DisneyJenna%20-%20Epcot/P5130015.jpg

We enter and see the princess topiaries (“Cindercelebration”). Lots of people around! We see an empty Photopass CM a little further up and get a pic in front of the Cinderella carriage. She asked the ball or the carriage? Carriage, please!

http://i665.photobucket.com/albums/vv12/MyMuse18/DisneyJenna%20-%20Epcot/P5050028.jpg

We also make sure we take a pic of front of the Sleeping Beauty topiary.

http://i665.photobucket.com/albums/vv12/MyMuse18/DisneyJenna%20-%20Epcot/P5050026.jpg

I also locate J’s Living Legacy from when she was younger; I knew where it was from my March trip. We also take a pic with Snow White & her pals and another wide shot of the Ball & Cindercelebration before moving on.

http://i665.photobucket.com/albums/vv12/MyMuse18/DisneyJenna%20-%20Epcot/P5050029.jpg

http://i665.photobucket.com/albums/vv12/MyMuse18/DisneyJenna%20-%20Epcot/P5050035.jpg

http://i665.photobucket.com/albums/vv12/MyMuse18/DisneyJenna%20-%20Epcot/P5050036.jpg

We finish and decide to go on Spaceship Earth since it was no wait. D&J sit on their tram and I sit in the one behind. This is a cute, calm ride. I like the vignettes they have especially the Sistine Chapel, since I was there last summer. I take a video of D&J’s montage they do. I love that it is interactive. We try to stand around afterwards, but we don’t see our faces on the big board, so we move on. It’s around 10am when we finish.

Painting the Sistine:
http://i665.photobucket.com/albums/vv12/MyMuse18/DisneyJenna%20-%20Epcot/P5050037.jpg

On the tram:
http://i665.photobucket.com/albums/vv12/MyMuse18/DisneyJenna%20-%20Epcot/P5050038.jpg

Earth of Spaceship Earth:
http://i665.photobucket.com/albums/vv12/MyMuse18/DisneyJenna%20-%20Epcot/P5050040.jpg

We see the Fantasia topiary so we take pics of front of that. Fantasmic is such a great nighttime show and I have a bit of a crush on Scorer Mickey. LOL! We also stop to watch the dancing waters for a moment.

http://i665.photobucket.com/albums/vv12/MyMuse18/DisneyJenna%20-%20Epcot/P5050046.jpg

Dancing Waters:
http://i665.photobucket.com/albums/vv12/MyMuse18/DisneyJenna%20-%20Epcot/P5050049.jpg

Then I spy with my little eye…Club Cool. I totally missed this last time. This is where you can taste drinks around the world. The Beverly from Italy was indeed disgusting! I think it was the Mexico one tasted like sugar water. We spend some time in here and it was fun.

http://i665.photobucket.com/albums/vv12/MyMuse18/DisneyJenna%20-%20Epcot/P5050050.jpg

http://i665.photobucket.com/albums/vv12/MyMuse18/DisneyJenna%20-%20Epcot/P5050051.jpg

Then it was off to Mission: Space, this time intense version. The standby time is 10 minutes, so we didn’t use the Bday FP. I take a pic of the “launch ticket” of the orange, more intense version. This ride was ok, I wasn’t really looking forward to it; it was first couple of minutes that was really weird, but after that, it was the same as the less intense version. Jenna doesn’t feel so hot after this ride, so we take an easy a bit right afterwards, but you know what Dom had to do. Again.

http://i665.photobucket.com/albums/vv12/MyMuse18/DisneyJenna%20-%20Epcot/P5050059.jpg

We set off and stop at a cart to fill J’s belly since she is still feeling a little sick. We order an apple cup, veggie cup and drinks. My receipt says it is now 11:02am.

We stop somewhere and see Crocs at a cart, but nothing fits Jenna or Dom. I’m not really a fan of these things, so I’m glad. We continue on to The Land, and do Circle of Life, the Living with the Land boat ride, rode The Seas with Nemo & Friends, where there as a little bit of a wait. This was not on the Birthday FP list, so we could not use it here. I love the queue line for Nemo, so cute!! Jenna wasn’t interested in Turtle Talk with Crush or seeing the other exhibits. So, goes on the list for next time.

Queue line for Nemo:
http://i665.photobucket.com/albums/vv12/MyMuse18/DisneyJenna%20-%20Epcot/P5050061.jpg

The Circle of Life film is worth watching once and we did have a bit of a wait. We got our first Birthday FP for Living with the Land. Our FP says it is now 12:25pm (we had to wait a bit to watch the film). This ride was actually quite interesting. I have never been on it before. We saw the Mickey shaped casing for the fruit, couple of hidden mickeys and learned about a whole host of ways to grow fruit & vegetables. I took more pics than I thought I would. I would go on this one again. It’s close to 1pm by the time we finish. Time is just flying by!

Land photos:
http://i665.photobucket.com/albums/vv12/MyMuse18/DisneyJenna%20-%20Epcot/P5050071.jpg

This made me giggle:
http://i665.photobucket.com/albums/vv12/MyMuse18/DisneyJenna%20-%20Epcot/P5050073.jpg

http://i665.photobucket.com/albums/vv12/MyMuse18/DisneyJenna%20-%20Epcot/P5050075.jpg

New ways to grow:
http://i665.photobucket.com/albums/vv12/MyMuse18/DisneyJenna%20-%20Epcot/P5050079.jpg

http://i665.photobucket.com/albums/vv12/MyMuse18/DisneyJenna%20-%20Epcot/P5050081.jpg

http://i665.photobucket.com/albums/vv12/MyMuse18/DisneyJenna%20-%20Epcot/P5050082.jpg

We finally head to Soarin’ and get another Birthday FP; our FP says it is now 12:54pm. I just love this ride; the screen, the scenes, the smells. It’s just great. D&J wasn’t impressed. Blasphemy! And she starts getting a little whiny.

You're Welcome!
http://i665.photobucket.com/albums/vv12/MyMuse18/DisneyJenna%20-%20Epcot/P5050086.jpg

Lord, talk about trying my patience; between Dom’s shopping, the non-impressed with Soarin’ (which I was so excited to show them) and Jenna’s semi-whininess, I’m talking to myself to take deep breaths and chant “this is her birthday trip and she’s usually the greatest of girls…when she’s not near Uncle Dom”. I’ve survived a few days now and only got one more left!

We finish and say goodbye to the Land (we didn’t stop at Sunshine Seasons, next time!).

[disneygirlinnj]

Aww that stinks that they weren't that impressed with Soarin! although I will have to admit that I REALLY wasn't impressed at all the first few times either. Then someone mentinoed to me that it's a million times better if you ask to be in the front, so you dont have feet hanging in your view. And it was a lot better then. Maybe the feet ruined it for them?

[MyMuse]

We said goodbye to the Land....

http://i665.photobucket.com/albums/vv12/MyMuse18/DisneyJenna%20-%20Epcot/P5050087.jpg

http://i665.photobucket.com/albums/vv12/MyMuse18/DisneyJenna%20-%20Epcot/P5050088.jpg

and headed to Test Track. I think we do another Bday FP for this too. New Jersey represents by having a median barrier as part of the queue line! Too funny. The roller coaster part of this ride does me in. Just confirms for me that I am not a roller coaster girl. Though, when we merge on line (I hate when ride do that!), there was big group of girls who went on the SR line and get a little grumpy that they were apart, but oh well! Wait on line for everyone else. And, I’m used to the grumpiness.

NJ in da house!
http://i665.photobucket.com/albums/vv12/MyMuse18/DisneyJenna%20-%20Epcot/P5050089.jpg

http://i665.photobucket.com/albums/vv12/MyMuse18/DisneyJenna%20-%20Epcot/P5050090.jpg

So, Dom heads off somewhere to you know what (he turns out he was at Odyssey) and we head off to the Butterfly Garden, which I had difficulty finding. The map said it was on TT Walkway, so it had to be near. Then I spy a big ol’ butterfly from across the pond and figured that’s got to be it. We stop to take some pretty pond pictures and the floral mickey.

http://i665.photobucket.com/albums/vv12/MyMuse18/DisneyJenna%20-%20Epcot/P5050091.jpg

J is a little upset that D isn’t with us (mantra, mantra) and doesn’t want to start World Showcase without him, but accepts Minnie’s Butterfly Garden (and I guess me), in the meantime. This is very pretty and again, I am struck by the topiaries and the artistry of the F&G Festival. I decide that I must come back some year by myself and enjoy this again. We stay for a bit and say hello to Minnie, see some butterflies, got some butterfly education and take a couple of pics.

http://i665.photobucket.com/albums/vv12/MyMuse18/DisneyJenna%20-%20Epcot/P5050095.jpg

http://i665.photobucket.com/albums/vv12/MyMuse18/DisneyJenna%20-%20Epcot/P5050099.jpg

http://i665.photobucket.com/albums/vv12/MyMuse18/DisneyJenna%20-%20Epcot/P5050101.jpg

http://i665.photobucket.com/albums/vv12/MyMuse18/DisneyJenna%20-%20Epcot/P5050103.jpg

http://i665.photobucket.com/albums/vv12/MyMuse18/DisneyJenna%20-%20Epcot/P5050104.jpg

For some reason, we leave the way we came, so I completely missed the Pixie Hollow Fairly Garden. Obviously, I cannot read a map and my mind must have been on other things. I also was keeping an eye on the time since we had a 3:10 ADR and we still had to do Mexico, so I was probably thinking to face the correct direction. I did really want to see it too!

Onward to World Showcase, we stop and admire the topiaries we pass and take pictures. It’s Beauty & the Beast and Lion King and their respective gangs. Just amazing, these topiaries!! We also stop to watch a bit more of the dancing waters.

Celebration Purple:
http://i665.photobucket.com/albums/vv12/MyMuse18/DisneyJenna%20-%20Epcot/P5050113.jpg

http://i665.photobucket.com/albums/vv12/MyMuse18/DisneyJenna%20-%20Epcot/P5050111.jpg

http://i665.photobucket.com/albums/vv12/MyMuse18/DisneyJenna%20-%20Epcot/P5050116.jpg

http://i665.photobucket.com/albums/vv12/MyMuse18/DisneyJenna%20-%20Epcot/P5050117.jpg

http://i665.photobucket.com/albums/vv12/MyMuse18/DisneyJenna%20-%20Epcot/P5050120.jpg

http://i665.photobucket.com/albums/vv12/MyMuse18/DisneyJenna%20-%20Epcot/P5050121.jpg

http://i665.photobucket.com/albums/vv12/MyMuse18/DisneyJenna%20-%20Epcot/P5050112.jpg


Onward to Mexico! I stop to take a pic of J with an Epcot F&G flag and had to take a pic of Gnome Mickey! Omg! That made me laugh.

http://i665.photobucket.com/albums/vv12/MyMuse18/DisneyJenna%20-%20Epcot/P5050124.jpg

http://i665.photobucket.com/albums/vv12/MyMuse18/DisneyJenna%20-%20Epcot/P5050126.jpg

[MyMuse]

Aww that stinks that they weren't that impressed with Soarin! although I will have to admit that I REALLY wasn't impressed at all the first few times either. Then someone mentinoed to me that it's a million times better if you ask to be in the front, so you dont have feet hanging in your view. And it was a lot better then. Maybe the feet ruined it for them?

True..or they could have said, it was the most wonderful ride they have ever been on just to make me happy......ah well.

Maybe they will be impressed the next time...and the fact we had Birthday FPs, it was like gold. But sometimes, you don't know what you've got when you had it. The next time they go (not with me, of course), they are going to be standing online for hours.....

[autumnpalm]

I just got all caught up on your TR... awesome pictures!!! I love the one of you guys at Chef Mickey's all together, it's great. And Mmm that Edible Arrangements thing looks so neat.

Loving the report so far... Jenna is so lucky to have you!:goodvibes You're an amazing aunt.:grouphug:

[MyMuse]

Part 3 - World Showcase!

We arrive at Mexico and I finally get to see some Showcase players! I ALWAYS miss Showcase players. I am never there when they are; it’s like a mission with them. LOL! So, we stop and listen to the Mariachi Band for a few moments and I take pics and video.

http://i665.photobucket.com/albums/vv12/MyMuse18/DisneyJenna%20-%20Epcot/P5050128.jpg

We go inside the pyramid to see about the ride. I have never gone on the ride and was looking forward to it, but really, it was like a maze to get to it. Geez. First the art section, then the stairs, then to try to find your way through the shopping plaza. Holy Buckets!

Inside is cool looking but still, it’s like a jungle! I didn’t realize it was so dark. San Angel Inn is in the back next to the Gran Fiesta ride, sort of like the Sci-Fi Diner. I take pics while we wait for Dom, since we can’t go on the ride without him.

To get to the ride, you must go thru the Plaza:
http://i665.photobucket.com/albums/vv12/MyMuse18/DisneyJenna%20-%20Epcot/P5050129.jpg

We call Dom and he says he’s at Mexico but can’t find the ride. He hasn’t realized you can walk into the pyramid, so we had to go back outside and get him. We finally get on the ride (no wait!) and it is cute. Reminds me of small world at MK. I take some pics on the ride. The simulated fireworks were pretty cool.

http://i665.photobucket.com/albums/vv12/MyMuse18/DisneyJenna%20-%20Epcot/P5050132.jpg

From the ride:
http://i665.photobucket.com/albums/vv12/MyMuse18/DisneyJenna%20-%20Epcot/P5050137.jpg

http://i665.photobucket.com/albums/vv12/MyMuse18/DisneyJenna%20-%20Epcot/P5050138.jpg

http://i665.photobucket.com/albums/vv12/MyMuse18/DisneyJenna%20-%20Epcot/P5050140.jpg

There’s not too much going on in Mexico, so with the strands of the Mariachi Band behind us, we walk to Norway. It’s good timing since both D&J are having food meltdowns and it’s time to check in at Akershus for our 3:10 ADR. So, it’s probably 2:45pm now or thereabouts.

It’s actually getting a bit on the hot side and Dom disappears. He does come back (I forget whether I called him or not) and I have him take J to the Kringla Bakery for a snack and for both of them to get out of the sun. My receipt of J’s Strawberry Cream Cake says it is 3:03pm. Time is flying by! Thank god for the Birthday FP!

There’s actually quite a line to check-in but I finally get to podium and check-in. The themeing here does look very cute.

http://i665.photobucket.com/albums/vv12/MyMuse18/DisneyJenna%20-%20Epcot/P5050146.jpg

http://i665.photobucket.com/albums/vv12/MyMuse18/DisneyJenna%20-%20Epcot/P5050143.jpg

I find D&J in the bakery eating and tell them I’ve checked in and waiting for our name to be called and go back outside. I retreat to some shade and as soon as I do, our name is called and I get online and call them to come out. I think we were called fairly on-time, around 3:15pm. I think at this point, I told J that her birthday lunch will be spent with the Princesses. Within a few moments, we were online heading for our picture with Belle. I was kind of hoping it would be Aurora but it seems Belle is the one usually at the picture spot. At least, it is with a live character instead of a plastic statue. And it was included in the price, I didn’t have to pay extra.

The CM here was really funny and kept kidding around with J that girls who are from NJ and having a birthday were banned. So, after quite a few moments of the CM stalling, we got our pic with Belle. I explained it was really Jenna’s birthday day. The pic didn’t really come out that well (it was ok), and I completely forgot that I could have it redone.

Once we got inside, I was wowed! I loved it! We got steated the right side in front of a beautiful tapestry, so I like this a lot. We will not have food in the background and no people walking by and with a tapestry of a royal table. Our waitress comes and takes our entrée and drink order. Dom and I order the traditional Kjottake and Jenna orders the BBQ Sandwich. She’s not that adventurous when it comes to food. The waitress does find out that it is J’s birthday.

http://i665.photobucket.com/albums/vv12/MyMuse18/DisneyJenna%20-%20Epcot/P5050148.jpg

http://i665.photobucket.com/albums/vv12/MyMuse18/DisneyJenna%20-%20Epcot/P5050155.jpg

http://i665.photobucket.com/albums/vv12/MyMuse18/DisneyJenna%20-%20Epcot/P5050154.jpg

http://i665.photobucket.com/albums/vv12/MyMuse18/DisneyJenna%20-%20Epcot/P5050149.jpg

http://i665.photobucket.com/albums/vv12/MyMuse18/DisneyJenna%20-%20Epcot/P5050157.jpg

I ran around taking pictures before I went to the buffet for the appetizers & salads. I was impressed! This is much more calm than Chef Mickey’s and it’s half buffet and half served. It was tasty. Our entrees come fairly quickly and the Kjottake was a cross between a hot dog and meatloaf is the best way I can describe it. Very filling. It came with mashed potatoes and asparagus.

The dessert selection arrives. You don’t order it; they just give you a plate with all three desserts already on them. The desserts are the traditional sweetbread (which is custard pudding donut with coconut), rice pudding with strawberries and a chocolate brownie. The waitress then comes back with a lighted Birthday Cupcake & a signed birthday card with the celebration theme from all the princesses for Jenna! I was surprised. I literally forgotten they do that. We have never experienced it with any of the other restaurants we were in and I didn’t have that when I was there in March. So, she loved it and so did I. I thought it was very magical of them.

http://i665.photobucket.com/albums/vv12/MyMuse18/DisneyJenna%20-%20Epcot/P5050160.jpg

http://i665.photobucket.com/albums/vv12/MyMuse18/DisneyJenna%20-%20Epcot/P5050158.jpg

http://i665.photobucket.com/albums/vv12/MyMuse18/DisneyJenna%20-%20Epcot/P5050166.jpg

I think the Princesses came then. First was Cinderella! I heard she doesn’t really come to Akershus, so I was super surprised to see her. And happy, of course, since I could not get into Cinderella’s Royal Table. The interaction between her and J was very nice; she signed both the autograph book and my Aurora card, which technically she wasn’t supposed to do, but who was I to stop Cinderella? So, Jenna has 2 birthday cards, signed by the Princesses. One can never have too many of those.

http://i665.photobucket.com/albums/vv12/MyMuse18/DisneyJenna%20-%20Epcot/P5050174.jpg

Dom wasn’t around, so no pics of me with princesses. So, I took a bunch of pictures and videos.

We saw Ariel, the walking version. But Snow White came next and she was a hoot! She also signed both the Aurora card and the autograph book. I was happy that Jenna was relaxed enough to get autographs this time. Perhaps, it’s easier when the characters can talk, not in suits and can see the autograph book.

http://i665.photobucket.com/albums/vv12/MyMuse18/DisneyJenna%20-%20Epcot/P5050181.jpg

Next was Ariel. J and Ariel had a discussion about cool red hair and cool hair accessories. She did the same with her autograph and I did like how each of them stood in a different way. Cinderella held her skirt, Snow White had her hands in front and Ariel had her hands out to the side. It made for different pictures.

http://i665.photobucket.com/albums/vv12/MyMuse18/DisneyJenna%20-%20Epcot/P5050183.jpg

http://i665.photobucket.com/albums/vv12/MyMuse18/DisneyJenna%20-%20Epcot/P5050184.jpg

And our character photo:
http://i665.photobucket.com/albums/vv12/MyMuse18/DisneyJenna%20-%20Epcot/Princess2.jpg

The folder it comes in:
http://i665.photobucket.com/albums/vv12/MyMuse18/DisneyJenna%20-%20Epcot/P5160067.jpg

I think at this point, the Princesses and their peeps were making sure everyone got to them, so Snow White came double-backed over to our area and there was a bit of a traffic jam, so I turn to Snow White and say "don't they know you are a princess? they should be parting and making way for you!". She says without missing a beat and says they all definitely should. It was cool.

One manager type person comes around and asked whether all 3 princesses came around, but I took her aside and asked what time Aurora comes out since that was the primary reason for booking Akershus. We got Cinderella instead, so I’m not complaining. She said she would check.

All in all, the themeing was great, the interaction great, and the people friendly. I wish I remembered to take another Belle picture, but still a pretty good time. My receipt says 4:30pm.

The bill came and went and the CM did not return. We left and J stops at the restroom and I was going to shrug it off, but then decided I really did need to know, so I can make sure Jenna can meet her. I go back to the podium where my waitress was and asked. And that person went to find the CM (Wanda, I think).

J comes out and CM Wanda returns and says Aurora will be in France between 5:15pm to 6:20pm. YAY!!!

We head outside and go on Maelstrom, which we Bday FP it. Our FP says 4:40pm. The standby line was really long! I didn’t take a pic, but I think it was something like 30 or 40 minutes. The ride is perfectly fine, quick and just a little thrilling, so I don’t understand why the line is so long. Maybe it’s the crowd from Akershus? Anyway, I didn’t get to ride this last time, so I was happy to ride it now with a Bday FP.

Inside Maelstrom:
http://i665.photobucket.com/albums/vv12/MyMuse18/DisneyJenna%20-%20Epcot/P5050187.jpg

I still wanted to head to the shop to buy the perfume I saw and smelled in March. I know France is where you are supposed to buy perfume, but this one was heavenly. It is called Laila and I bought the smaller bottle for $55. Now, you know from this TR, I’m not big on shopping while at the parks, but this is incredible. And, a little pixie dust came my way, because the designer was there signing bottles!

It took some time to get through to the register, since there were some elderly ladies at the counter who did not quite understand American monies and perhaps knew the designer since it was helping to translate. I finally paid for my perfume at 5:03pm. The designer was Geir Ness. He apologizes, which I thought was quite amazing, and signs my perfume bottle and give me a tiny bottle that he says was in the Grammy swag bag. I explain to him that I was here about 6 weeks ago and came back to make sure I bought this perfume. He gave me this big hug and says how lucky since he almost was not there that day. How cool was that?! He also gives me, D&J, little purse sizes as well and I got a signed photo as well. He was a cutie-pie!

http://i665.photobucket.com/albums/vv12/MyMuse18/DisneyJenna%20-%20Epcot/P5130016.jpg

We had to make a stop at the Kidcot Station since that was part of her birthday celebration when we were planning. She wasn’t so into it now since Dom wasn’t, but I said we are doing it. So KS signs and stamps her autograph book. Next time, I’m going to get myself an Epcot passport book and hitting all the Kidcots again. I think they are super neat.

I also forgot about the Troll Garden (too many things inside my head!), so I also missed that. We also have so much left to do and a 6:40 ADR. Time just flew by and we are now just finishing up Norway with all the other countries to go.

[MyMuse]

I just got all caught up on your TR... awesome pictures!!! I love the one of you guys at Chef Mickey's all together, it's great. And Mmm that Edible Arrangements thing looks so neat.

Loving the report so far... Jenna is so lucky to have you!:goodvibes You're an amazing aunt.:grouphug:

Thanks! Sometimes, I felt like a third wheel though. We had a good time, however, I don't think I would repeat it with the same cast of characters. :laughing:

You are leaving in a week! Holy Buckets!!

[MyMuse]

So, I left off at finishing up Norway after our awesome Princess Lunch...

I remind the troops about our 6:40pm ADR for dinner in the UK. We decided to head straight off to France to see Aurora, since that is Mission Number 1. I did stop to take a pic of the Aladdin topiary.

http://i665.photobucket.com/albums/vv12/MyMuse18/DisneyJenna%20-%20Epcot/P5050188.jpg

We get there slightly before 5:15pm, as she was out walking to the gardens.
One little girl ran up to her and they held hands walking. It was adorable! We got in line and J got her Aurora card signed. J & Aurora had some wonderful interaction including the signing of the card and A being suitably impressed and the proper wearing of a crown. So, Aurora fixes J’s tiara. There was a Photopass CM there, so I took only a few pictures, got out of the way and took mostly video.

http://i665.photobucket.com/albums/vv12/MyMuse18/DisneyJenna%20-%20Epcot/P5050191.jpg

The fixing of the royal tiara:
http://i665.photobucket.com/albums/vv12/MyMuse18/DisneyJenna%20-%20Epcot/P5050193.jpg

http://i665.photobucket.com/albums/vv12/MyMuse18/DisneyJenna%20-%20Epcot/P5050195.jpg

The Aurora Bday card:
http://i665.photobucket.com/albums/vv12/MyMuse18/DisneyJenna%20-%20Epcot/P5240001.jpg

Jenna was floating on air afterwards and finally got to meet Aurora. J said she was very nice but when Aurora asked her if she knew who her fairies were, J said she blanked out since she was nervous. The fairy is Mary Beth, in case of any future Aurora meets and greets for those of you out there. I’m guessing Aurora asked since I’m sure Jenna said she was her favorite princess. I explain that the characters know what they are doing, try to relax and they will talk with you.

I don’t think I know where Dom’s location currently is. I mention that we should try to find Mary Poppins since Aurora was out. We go to the UK and she is out in her white & red walking dress. At the Mary P Broadway show, she’s not in this iconic dress. There was no Photopass CM, so I took pictures.

While waiting: Twinings Tea of London
http://i665.photobucket.com/albums/vv12/MyMuse18/DisneyJenna%20-%20Epcot/P5050206.jpg

Jenna gets frozen again, so I start off with that we just saw her on Broadway as a birthday gift for Jenna. So, they had a quick conversation about Broadway and Mary P signs her autograph book.

http://i665.photobucket.com/albums/vv12/MyMuse18/DisneyJenna%20-%20Epcot/P5050208.jpg

http://i665.photobucket.com/albums/vv12/MyMuse18/DisneyJenna%20-%20Epcot/P5050209.jpg

http://i665.photobucket.com/albums/vv12/MyMuse18/DisneyJenna%20-%20Epcot/P5050212.jpg

Happy times this was and she didn’t even think that D wasn’t around, since she was on a high after meeting, let’s see…Belle, Cinderella, Snow White, Ariel, Aurora and Mary Poppins.

I think we decided to backtrack to France and we stopped to take a pic of the Eiffel Tower at the bridge between UK and France. I always forget it’s there and the few things one cannot visit.

http://i665.photobucket.com/albums/vv12/MyMuse18/DisneyJenna%20-%20Epcot/P5050214.jpg

We visit a few stores and stopped to check out a perfume shop. There was one there we both liked, I think it was called Strawberry or Raspberry Sorbet or something. It wasn’t heavy and something a teen can wear. The sales lady was definitely giving it a push in a nice way. I said we would think about it and told J can buy it if she wants, since she has birthday/Disney money to spend. The sales lady said since it was J’s bday that she would add in a Givenchy denim totebag for a bday gift. I don’t know if they always do that, but I thought it was nice to tie in J’s bday to it. We said we would think about it and was told they were open until 9pm.

Cool window in France:
http://i665.photobucket.com/albums/vv12/MyMuse18/DisneyJenna%20-%20Epcot/P5050196.jpg

French shoe tree:
http://i665.photobucket.com/albums/vv12/MyMuse18/DisneyJenna%20-%20Epcot/P5050200.jpg

Dom finally joined us in France, we walked a bit around the place and moved on to Morocco.

I wanted to find the hidden mickey there but found it was moved across the street to the lakeside shops. I literally found it by accident. Note to Kat!

Morocco hidden mickey:
http://i665.photobucket.com/albums/vv12/MyMuse18/DisneyJenna%20-%20Epcot/P5050217.jpg

Jenna wanted a henna tattoo, so we stopped for that. She picked a symbol for happiness. My receipt says it is now 5:48pm. The tattoo went really quickly. We probably also stopped for Kidcot Station.

Pretty dress in Morocco:
http://i665.photobucket.com/albums/vv12/MyMuse18/DisneyJenna%20-%20Epcot/P5050219.jpg

Henna tat:
http://i665.photobucket.com/albums/vv12/MyMuse18/DisneyJenna%20-%20Epcot/P5050220.jpg

Jasmine, Aladdin and the Genie were out, but we didn’t stop for them. The lines were long, J wasn’t too interested and we still had lots to do.

I take a few scene pics (I never noticed the Illuminations ball by the lakeside!) on our way to Italy. The home of my paternal peeps.

http://i665.photobucket.com/albums/vv12/MyMuse18/DisneyJenna%20-%20Epcot/P5050223.jpg

The sign said a venetian mask maker was there, but I never noticed where. Italy has no attractions other than the architecture, which is beautiful. It is a replica of Venice, which is one of my favorite cities on my trip to Italy last summer. They got it pretty close.

http://i665.photobucket.com/albums/vv12/MyMuse18/DisneyJenna%20-%20Epcot/P5050226.jpg

http://i665.photobucket.com/albums/vv12/MyMuse18/DisneyJenna%20-%20Epcot/P5050231.jpg

We take a pic by the Lady & the Tramp topiary, visit their Kidcot station and I don’t think I see any Showcase players. We head out for Germany, the home of our maternal peeps.

http://i665.photobucket.com/albums/vv12/MyMuse18/DisneyJenna%20-%20Epcot/P5050228.jpg

I love the miniature village here. I don’t know why; it’s just so adorable. I take some more scene pics as we meander through Germany, stop at the clock (see the figures running around) and of course, stop at the shops. I do like the architecture inside here too. I stop by the talking steins, but I don’t see them go off. I did in March and it was hysterical. I pay homage to the clock wall and walk by the pickle tree. I also noticed they have Aurora plates, which is cute and expensive crystal. I bought a Minnie perfume bottle here in March.

Miniature village in Germany:
http://i665.photobucket.com/albums/vv12/MyMuse18/DisneyJenna%20-%20Epcot/P5050234.jpg

http://i665.photobucket.com/albums/vv12/MyMuse18/DisneyJenna%20-%20Epcot/P5050237.jpg

http://i665.photobucket.com/albums/vv12/MyMuse18/DisneyJenna%20-%20Epcot/P5050240.jpg

http://i665.photobucket.com/albums/vv12/MyMuse18/DisneyJenna%20-%20Epcot/P5050245.jpg

http://i665.photobucket.com/albums/vv12/MyMuse18/DisneyJenna%20-%20Epcot/P5050247.jpg

http://i665.photobucket.com/albums/vv12/MyMuse18/DisneyJenna%20-%20Epcot/P5050252.jpg

We visit the Kidcot station, take pic of some cute bears, find Dom (he went to get a drink) and head back out. It’s close to our 6:40 ADR for the Rose & Crown in the UK, so we make our way there.

[MyMuse]

We are leaving Germany after visiting the Kidcot station, take pic of some cute bears, find Dom (he went to get a drink) and head back out. It’s close to our 6:40 ADR for the Rose & Crown in the UK, so we make our way there.

More Germany pics of inside stores:
http://i665.photobucket.com/albums/vv12/MyMuse18/DisneyJenna%20-%20Epcot/P5050248.jpg

http://i665.photobucket.com/albums/vv12/MyMuse18/DisneyJenna%20-%20Epcot/P5050249.jpg

http://i665.photobucket.com/albums/vv12/MyMuse18/DisneyJenna%20-%20Epcot/P5050259.jpg

Expensive crystal!
http://i665.photobucket.com/albums/vv12/MyMuse18/DisneyJenna%20-%20Epcot/P5050256.jpg

The clock wall:
http://i665.photobucket.com/albums/vv12/MyMuse18/DisneyJenna%20-%20Epcot/P5050260.jpg

Cute bears:
http://i665.photobucket.com/albums/vv12/MyMuse18/DisneyJenna%20-%20Epcot/P5050261.jpg

http://i665.photobucket.com/albums/vv12/MyMuse18/DisneyJenna%20-%20Epcot/P5050264.jpg

I take some scene pics on the way to the UK, including the French cart which fascinates J. She is in French class at school (which is why I wanted POFQ so badly!). We come to the UK , take a pic of the chalk marking on the ground and I make my way to check-in & get a buzzer. D&J head over into the UK.

Across the lagoon:
http://i665.photobucket.com/albums/vv12/MyMuse18/DisneyJenna%20-%20Epcot/P5050265.jpg

Too shady at the French cart:
http://i665.photobucket.com/albums/vv12/MyMuse18/DisneyJenna%20-%20Epcot/P5050267.jpg

http://i665.photobucket.com/albums/vv12/MyMuse18/DisneyJenna%20-%20Epcot/P5050269.jpg

The Showcase players are out – the Beatles tribute band, so I listen for a minute or two, then go into the shop to find D&J. I know we did Kidcot, but I don’t know whether it was before or after Rose & Crown. Anyway, buzzer goes off and J&I go to check-in and Dom will follow in a few minutes since he heads back into a store.

So, here is where is goes downhill. :scared:

We get seated and all I hear is whining. She’s not hungry, she doesn’t want to eat, she wants to go back into World Showcase, she’s pouting because Dom is not paying attention to her, etc, etc, etc. Mainly, she is repeating what Dom was saying since he wasn’t hungry either, was itching to shop and maybe will come into the R&C to join us.

I explain we don’t have to eat, just order a drink and an appetizer and we can move on. If you remember, I ordered a custom cake for this Rose & Crown ADR. I am okay that we are not going to stay; I was initially planning to be here for the entire 2 hours and see if we can use their patio for Illuminations viewing. However, since we have not done much in World Showcase, fine on ordering and leaving. We can find a spot for Illuminations.

I am so excited for this R&C ADR, since I loved it when I was here in March and there was so much involved in ordering this cake. I assumed it was the “Plan A” cake since I didn’t get a phone call from the bakery line. Of course, having the cake delivered the table, I was envisioning a lovely time.

I am not all that excited where we are sitting, right behind the podium outside. I wanted to be inside, but I didn’t want to make a big deal and we weren’t staying for a meal anyway. Our waitress comes and I cover J’s ears and ask whether there is a cake in the back. She left to check to make sure. In the meantime, Dom arrives and repeats exactly what Jenna did and whines.

At this point, I just have HAD it. I cannot handle any more whining. :headache:

The waitress comes back and indicates yes and I ask to have to boxed up, so we can leave. The waitress takes a look around and scurries to the back. She returns very quickly and the chef personally brings out the cake and says it came out very nicely. The chef rings up the cake ($45!) personally. It turns out it was the Aurora cake (“Plan B”). It then makes me sad that we couldn’t enjoy this, since it would have been a super cap to a day of princesses. :sad2:

I apologize to the chef explaining that I have a meltdown happening and it is best that we leave. Dom finally clues in and realizes what is going on and says “we can have coffee!” and I shake my head and refuse to look at him or talk with him. My receipt says it is now 6:54pm.

[MyMuse]

I left off at leaving the R&C with a boxed up cake....

We head into the UK shops again. I don’t make an issue out of Kidcot, since all I got is expiration or indifference and quite frankly, I am not in the best of moods. I’m part frustrated and part saddened. This time, D actually asks for it and I just hand it over.

I decide to go outside and enjoy the Beatles tribute band, while they shop and do whatever. I still have the boxed up cake, which J has not yet seen the decoration of it.

As I am listening, D comes up behind me and scares the living daylights out of me. He thought it was funny. I didn’t.

We head out again; they were in shopping mode and the discussion about going on additional rides with her Bday FP was veto’d. I asked if they are shopping, that we switch bags and I will go on rides with the golden Bday FPs . Dom keeps both bags and so I leave them to their shopping.

I make my way, taking scene pics of more topiaries as I go, to Soarin’ at The Land, but the FP line is super long as well. All the regular FPs were done, but it must have been a popular time to return. I love this ride and was happy, literally, to be free. It was probably around 7:30pm by the time I was done.

Playground topiaries:
http://i665.photobucket.com/albums/vv12/MyMuse18/DisneyJenna%20-%20Epcot/P5050270.jpg

http://i665.photobucket.com/albums/vv12/MyMuse18/DisneyJenna%20-%20Epcot/P5050271.jpg

I just like this sign:
http://i665.photobucket.com/albums/vv12/MyMuse18/DisneyJenna%20-%20Epcot/P5050275.jpg

I debate whether to go on again since I had all the Bday FPs but I lost the internal debate. Instead, I head to the Camera Center to add our Norway lunch pics to my Photopass, where I had earlier added the Chef Mickey’s pictures. I get a text from Jenna and I explain that I am now at the Camera Center.

After, I thought I would head to Mission: Space, less intense version, since I had all this open rides on the Bday FP. I really did want to use it since I wanted to get my full use out of it, but I decide to find out where Tinkerbelle topiary is since I have yet to see it on our travels. I look at the F&G guide and realize it was on the other side of the Butterfly Garden! We didn’t walk that way earlier, so we completely missed it.

It was so cute!! It is getting a bit dark now, so my pics do not come out well. The specific area where Tink is located is actually blocked off with a gate, so I couldn’t really see that well. I’m a bit disappointed I missed all this, since it did look adorable.

http://i665.photobucket.com/albums/vv12/MyMuse18/DisneyJenna%20-%20Epcot/P5050278.jpg

http://i665.photobucket.com/albums/vv12/MyMuse18/DisneyJenna%20-%20Epcot/P5050280.jpg

http://i665.photobucket.com/albums/vv12/MyMuse18/DisneyJenna%20-%20Epcot/P5050283.jpg

http://i665.photobucket.com/albums/vv12/MyMuse18/DisneyJenna%20-%20Epcot/P5050284.jpg

http://i665.photobucket.com/albums/vv12/MyMuse18/DisneyJenna%20-%20Epcot/P5050289.jpg

As I leave the Pixie Hollow Fairy Garden, I saw the sand sculpture promoting Earth, which we also missed. Very detailed for sand!

http://i665.photobucket.com/albums/vv12/MyMuse18/DisneyJenna%20-%20Epcot/P5050291.jpg

I then decided to ask about American Adventure times since I was at the big board. I have never seen this show, so I wanted to and Illuminations, I guess I am just not in my happy place to watch it. The CM checked, I checked the big board and couldn’t find it and then we both realized it was listed on the front of the Times Guide not the back! Duh!

So, I head to America and ask the CM at the theater when the next show was and it was for 9pm. It was 8:30pm now, so I head for a restroom next to Liberty Inn. J texts and I tell her where I am and to remember Illuminations begin at 9pm. D then texts and says he is heading to where I am. At this point, I’m still in the restroom.

I stopped at the Liberty Inn for forks and a knife since we would need it later for the cake at the resort. I still have some time for the AA show to hang with D&J for a minute as we text back and forth. I find D after I exit Liberty Inn and he does ask if I bought anything and I say no, while he goes for coffee and I find Jenna. On the way, I stop at a little cart since I do want to get F&G pins. Dom finds me at the cart and hands me a little bag with the F&G pins in it.

I find Jenna at the fence in front of the AA theater where the globe is. This is really an excellent spot since there is a blind spot next to us, so no one was crowding us and we could see perfectly. They have a ton of bags! We hang while Dom gets the coffee.

J is upset & crying since D was yelling at her while they were shopping. We talked about it for a few minutes. I’m sure she was calling a million people in NJ upset as well. D doesn’t handle people well when they are constantly with him and I wasn’t there to be the buffer.

I said I will stay for Illuminations and leave American Adventure for another time. J goes off to the restroom, which is probably to make a bunch of phone calls to NJ while D comes back with huge coffees. He also shows me that he bought me a big drawing of Epcot as J must have told him we were browsing through them earlier in the day. I actually was looking at a smaller drawing of MK (thinking of traveling back with it and where to hang it), but it was the thought that counted and I was planning on getting all 4 parks eventually. D just couldn’t do enough; shame that he couldn’t do this in the first place. I didn't need for me to get me pins and a drawing; less grumpiness & attitude would have been far more appreciated.

Illuminations starts and we watch from our perfect spot. I don’t think it was all that crowded. Gorgeous as usual. I was fairly impressed that my new camera took fairly decent pictures. I also took a bit of video.

http://i665.photobucket.com/albums/vv12/MyMuse18/DisneyJenna%20-%20Epcot/P5050294.jpg

http://i665.photobucket.com/albums/vv12/MyMuse18/DisneyJenna%20-%20Epcot/P5050297.jpg

http://i665.photobucket.com/albums/vv12/MyMuse18/DisneyJenna%20-%20Epcot/P5050306.jpg

http://i665.photobucket.com/albums/vv12/MyMuse18/DisneyJenna%20-%20Epcot/P5050314.jpg

It ends and we gather everything up and decide to go to the American Adventure Amphitheatre to have cake and coffee instead of the resort. Jenna finally sees that she has an Aurora cake that said “Happy 15th Birthday Jenna”. It was decently good and held up well considering it was in a bag for 2 hours being lugged across World Showcase.

http://i665.photobucket.com/albums/vv12/MyMuse18/DisneyJenna%20-%20Epcot/P5050321.jpg

http://i665.photobucket.com/albums/vv12/MyMuse18/DisneyJenna%20-%20Epcot/P5050319.jpg

She cuts while we have our coffee (she has hot cocoa) with the trees twinkling around us, relaxing from a very long and tiring day. We don’t rush which is nice. We finish off half the cake, pack it up the best we can and start strolling through the park to the exit.

I take scenery pictures and we watch the dancing waters again framed by the Epcot ball. I wish Photopass was still out, but I don’t see any around.

http://i665.photobucket.com/albums/vv12/MyMuse18/DisneyJenna%20-%20Epcot/P5050326.jpg

http://i665.photobucket.com/albums/vv12/MyMuse18/DisneyJenna%20-%20Epcot/P5050328.jpg

http://i665.photobucket.com/albums/vv12/MyMuse18/DisneyJenna%20-%20Epcot/P5050330.jpg

We stop in at Mouse Gears, I actually do shop a bit and pick up a graduation car topper for my sister, a 2009 tee for Jenna and a 2009 zip hoodie for myself. I saw this hoodie from jenseib’s TR and loved it. They don’t have XL, so I get the LG, which I’m sure will not fit, but I like it too much. The CM was nice enough to even check. My receipt says 10:02pm, so we were there for a good while.

http://i665.photobucket.com/albums/vv12/MyMuse18/DisneyJenna%20-%20Epcot/P5130011.jpg

We head out and catch the bus to POR.

Up Next: The Night Does Not End Here!

[disneygirlinnj]

I love Laila! When i went in 2000 (I think?!) I also bought it. Sadly I never got to finish the bottle and now I think it has gotten stronger and I can't wear it anymore. I need to go buy another bottle when I go in Sept!

[dawnbu40]

I'm sorry to hear the day didn't go as you had planned but at least it seemed to improve near the end of the day! I love the hoodie and almost bought that when we were there last month but decided to pick it up in Sept. I hope they still have it then!

[MyMuse]

Part 7!

We arrive at the resort and go and collect the forwarded purchases from the parks (remember the big old dinosaur from AK?). As we walk through the reception area, we see the caricature artist is still there. J starts jumping and we agree she can have one done. It’s got to be around 11pm by now.

She and the artist bond over Dane Cook (he sounds exactly like him :laughing:) while she picks out her theme. They continue to have a whole conversation about her theme, the actual color of her eyes, etc. It was quite funny to watch. Jenna chooses a music theme, so she is singing and has a guitar. I sit on a nearby bench with the 50 bags while Dom goes into the gift shop to pay. I take care of the tip. It doesn’t take too long, but I’m sure it was close to midnight by the time we actually make it back to the room.

http://i665.photobucket.com/albums/vv12/MyMuse18/DisneyJenna%20-%20PO%20Riverside/P5050333.jpg

http://i665.photobucket.com/albums/vv12/MyMuse18/DisneyJenna%20-%20PO%20Riverside/P5050342.jpg

http://i665.photobucket.com/albums/vv12/MyMuse18/DisneyJenna%20-%20PO%20Riverside/P5050345.jpg

http://i665.photobucket.com/albums/vv12/MyMuse18/DisneyJenna%20-%20PO%20Riverside/P5050348.jpg

http://i665.photobucket.com/albums/vv12/MyMuse18/DisneyJenna%20-%20PO%20Riverside/P5050355.jpg

http://i665.photobucket.com/albums/vv12/MyMuse18/DisneyJenna%20-%20PO%20Riverside/P5050357.jpg

http://i665.photobucket.com/albums/vv12/MyMuse18/DisneyJenna%20-%20PO%20Riverside/P5050339.jpg

I think at this point, I probably tell J tomorrow morning is actually a character breakfast meal (1900 Park Fare) at the Grand Floridian to meet Mary Poppins & friends. She knew she was going to fancy breakfast at a deluxe resort. It was called Supercalifragilistic Breakfast, so one has to assume Mary P would be there.

At our room, our Magical Express time is for 2:30pm and they already printed out our boarding passes, which I do think is a little odd. My trip from March, I had to go to the airline check-in desk at the lobby. In any which case, we pack the best we can since we are leaving our luggage and checking out before the breakfast, then heading to DTD after we finish.

While packing, I find out Jenna did get the perfume from France and the bag the sales lady was talking about. princess: It was quite a feat packing it all. Dom will not be using ME for luggage (remember his freak-out at the arrival of the luggage), so he will keep his separate.

We head to bed, since our breakfast is at 9am at the GF . We still need to checkout of the hotel and check-in our luggage at the airline desk. We need to be up early to take care of all this plus get to the Grand Floridian in time. Holy Buckets!

And so, Birthday Day at Disney formally ends. :cake:

[MyMuse]

Thursday, May 6
Departure Day
Part 1 - Check-out, Check-in and Supercali

It’s departure day and we have the Supercali Breakfast at GF for 9am. We wake and get moving, since we have to check out. We really have not had a chance to wonder about the resort, but J has to get back to school for some sort of quiz tomorrow.

Jenna wears her new 2009 tee which looks super cute. We wheel our luggage out saying goodbye to our room. We try to eat more cake and fruit, but leave most of it behind.

We get to reception and check-out. I tell the CM that fruit and cake are left behind, so the housekeeping will not be surprised. I explain we are checking out now, but will be back for our ME time of 2:30pm. I look over to the airline check-in desk and they are not open yet. So, I guess it is a good thing that we already have our boarding passes, but I am concerned about where to leave luggage. In March, I left it with the airline check-in desk.

Front desk, very quiet:
http://i665.photobucket.com/albums/vv12/MyMuse18/DisneyJenna%20-%20Supercalifragistic%20Breakfast/P5050358.jpg

The CM says to go outside and look for the ME sign and place our bags with the CMs there. I do state that I & J have ME but D does not. The CM just says to go to the ME sign. Okaaaay, we do that. Total chaos ensues and I just can’t believe it. I didn’t have any of these issues in March at POFQ and I left even earlier. The ME CMs are completely confused why we are there and are bordering on rude. :headache:

We have precious time ticking by and we FINALLY straighten out the luggage. The ME CMs were absolutely no help at all and I think was deliberately misunderstanding me. Is this really the first time this has happened? :headache:

I finally get my and J’s luggage to the right place – there is an airline luggage desk further down the pavement. Why didn’t they say that in the first place when I explained it? Dom’s luggage plus mine & J’s carry-on get placed in the holding area where these CMs are. What a chore to get this done. I wonder why the airline check-in desk was not open; it would have eliminated all this hassle. Not a good way to start the morning, let me tell you!

In any case, we finally finish this up and head for the bus depot and hop a bus to MK, then monorail it to GF. I’m definitely getting antsy since I didn’t plan on wasting god knows how much time getting the luggage straightened out. I try to relax and de-stress. :cloud9:

View from the MK monorail of GF:
http://i665.photobucket.com/albums/vv12/MyMuse18/DisneyJenna%20-%20Supercalifragistic%20Breakfast/P5060363.jpg

We get there and GF is gorgeous!! We check in something like 9:05am and we wait anyway. It does seem like character meals usually run a little late. I take pics of GF & marvel at the place. I show J the menu that was on the wall that it had strawberry soup. She seems excited. A little bit of some birthday magic before we need to head home is nice. We get buzzed shortly thereafter.

http://i665.photobucket.com/albums/vv12/MyMuse18/DisneyJenna%20-%20Supercalifragistic%20Breakfast/P5060365.jpg

http://i665.photobucket.com/albums/vv12/MyMuse18/DisneyJenna%20-%20Supercalifragistic%20Breakfast/P5060368.jpg

http://i665.photobucket.com/albums/vv12/MyMuse18/DisneyJenna%20-%20Supercalifragistic%20Breakfast/P5060373.jpg

We get online to have our meal photo which is back against a wall with a MK mural. We then proceed to go online to wait for our name to be called to be allowed into the hallowed hall of 1900 Park Fare. LOL! We get called and we have a nice table and a nice server. We immediately see characters doing their thing. I think Mad Hatter was yelling.

We head off to the buffet and get ourselves some Mickey waffles and strawberry soup! Everything was very tasty. The place was really pretty.

http://i665.photobucket.com/albums/vv12/MyMuse18/DisneyJenna%20-%20Supercalifragistic%20Breakfast/P5060379.jpg

http://i665.photobucket.com/albums/vv12/MyMuse18/DisneyJenna%20-%20Supercalifragistic%20Breakfast/P5060383.jpg

http://i665.photobucket.com/albums/vv12/MyMuse18/DisneyJenna%20-%20Supercalifragistic%20Breakfast/P5060386.jpg

J & strawberry soup as topping on Mickey waffles!
http://i665.photobucket.com/albums/vv12/MyMuse18/DisneyJenna%20-%20Supercalifragistic%20Breakfast/P5060390.jpg

The character interactions were also good. And this time, I got into the action and made Dom take pictures before he had time to scamper off. Plus, I bet, he’s still feeling it from yesterday.

We met Pooh, Tigger, Mary P, Alice and Mad Hatter. It was great fun! I would do this character meal over again, no problem. Dom even consented to have his pic with Pooh (he came around twice) & Mad Hatter. I didn’t actually get one with Mad Hatter since I was taking the photo. Mad Hatter was also busy being very vocal and throwing things. Even Dom laughed at him.

http://i665.photobucket.com/albums/vv12/MyMuse18/DisneyJenna%20-%20Supercalifragistic%20Breakfast/P5060387.jpg

Tickled orange by Tigger?
http://i665.photobucket.com/albums/vv12/MyMuse18/DisneyJenna%20-%20Supercalifragistic%20Breakfast/P5060392.jpg

http://i665.photobucket.com/albums/vv12/MyMuse18/DisneyJenna%20-%20Supercalifragistic%20Breakfast/P5060393.jpg

Do they kinda look alike?
http://i665.photobucket.com/albums/vv12/MyMuse18/DisneyJenna%20-%20Supercalifragistic%20Breakfast/P5060396.jpg

http://i665.photobucket.com/albums/vv12/MyMuse18/DisneyJenna%20-%20Supercalifragistic%20Breakfast/P5060397.jpg

http://i665.photobucket.com/albums/vv12/MyMuse18/DisneyJenna%20-%20Supercalifragistic%20Breakfast/P5060401.jpg

http://i665.photobucket.com/albums/vv12/MyMuse18/DisneyJenna%20-%20Supercalifragistic%20Breakfast/P5060404.jpg


We had a great convo with Mary P (told her about Broadway) and Alice (told her we were waiting for her and Mary P). If you talk, they will listen and go with it. I also got some good video as well. Though, my battery dies right in the middle of taking pics with Mad Hatter, so he yells at me. It was too funny.

Our meal photo:
http://i665.photobucket.com/albums/vv12/MyMuse18/DisneyJenna%20-%20Supercalifragistic%20Breakfast/SupercalifragisticBreakfast-1.jpg

GF Folder:
http://i665.photobucket.com/albums/vv12/MyMuse18/DisneyJenna%20-%20Supercalifragistic%20Breakfast/P5160066-1.jpg

I buy the meal photo and pay for the meal. My receipt now says it is 10:26am. D is itching to get to DTD, but we go outside and take a pic of the Mary P topiary. GF is such a super pretty resort.

http://i665.photobucket.com/albums/vv12/MyMuse18/DisneyJenna%20-%20Supercalifragistic%20Breakfast/P5060407.jpg

As we walk out, a CM say hello and ask how the breakfast was (I’m assuming he saw the GF picture folder). The CM literally beams when I say it was lovely and I would love to stay at this resort. What a nice feeling.

On our way out:
http://i665.photobucket.com/albums/vv12/MyMuse18/DisneyJenna%20-%20Supercalifragistic%20Breakfast/P5060416.jpg

GF had a Victorian theme, so this was in front:
http://i665.photobucket.com/albums/vv12/MyMuse18/DisneyJenna%20-%20Supercalifragistic%20Breakfast/P5060413.jpg

[KatGarcia]

That was a whole lotta update!!!

The pic from Akershus was funny, what the heck was Belle doing?!

So sorry your plan for an awesome surprise didn't work out! At least you got some alone time to relax a bit and the night ended well!

[KatGarcia]

U were posting as I did....

finally you are in some pics! Great character photos!

[disneygirlinnj]

Ohhh...cute photos! 1900 sounded really fun! :)

[MyMuse]

I love Laila! When i went in 2000 (I think?!) I also bought it. Sadly I never got to finish the bottle and now I think it has gotten stronger and I can't wear it anymore. I need to go buy another bottle when I go in Sept!

It smelly so heavenly! :cloud9: And Geir Ness was a sweetheart! :lovestruc

I'm sorry to hear the day didn't go as you had planned but at least it seemed to improve near the end of the day! I love the hoodie and almost bought that when we were there last month but decided to pick it up in Sept. I hope they still have it then!

Yeah, I needed that break. I love the hoodie too! I might look for it again in December for a bigger size. Aren't they pretty?

That was a whole lotta update!!!

The pic from Akershus was funny, what the heck was Belle doing?!

So sorry your plan for an awesome surprise didn't work out! At least you got some alone time to relax a bit and the night ended well!

Isn't it? I think she was doing an Elvis impression. I completely forgot I can ask for a redo. And I wore my glasses in the photo, which I meant to take off.

I needed the time alone, so it was a good break for all of us. Not so much Jenna....but, hey, it was of her own making. I was saddened that my surprise didn't work out but eating in the twinkling trees wasn't too bad, either. :goodvibes

U were posting as I did....

finally you are in some pics! Great character photos!

I know! Finally! I think I got Dom still in grateful mode. :laughing:

Did you see that they moved the hidden mickey in Morocco? It's now lagoon-side.

Ohhh...cute photos! 1900 sounded really fun! :)

It was! I would definitely do that one again!

Thanks for reading everyone! :grouphug:

I think I have one more update, then hopefully, I'll have Photopass pics and videos!!! :yay:

[KatGarcia]

Did you see that they moved the hidden mickey in Morocco? It's now lagoon-side.

I def have to remember to take a new pic next time!

[jenseib]

Wow! You updating fool.
Sounds like fun. I know how it goes with whiners. I have one for a DH when we travel. LOL!

I have learned, even with my older two when I travaled with them as kids, that even the best plans go awry. I think this poast trip was one of the best because I wasn't pushing as hard to do "my plan" and just kind went more with the flow than in past years. Yes we still had stressful problems, but I think it went better, and since I let them sleep in a bit more, they were nicer in the long run. LOL! Someday I will go and do EXACTLY what I want to do. ;)

I think you guys got the 3 fairies names wrong. I don't think thre is a Mary Beth. there are 3 of them, Flora, Fauna and Merryweather.

I love the sweatshirt! I am kind of puffing up with pride that you took some of my ideas. LOL! I did think they ran a bit small. I think I got an XL too. Though if I keep eating like a pig the way I have been lately I'm gonna need a bigger size too! LOL!
The cake was goregeous too. Too bad about the surprise not working. I was didappointed how ours worked out to at 1900 PF. They delivered it to MY spot, when it was for Claire, while we were up dancing with the stepsisters. She never even noticed it when we got back til lwe moved it over to show her. I wanted the presentation to be part of the fun. OH well. I should write and complain though. The waitress we had in general there wasn't all that great.

Sounds like you should've went for the b-day gift card with all the shopping she did. And it sounds like she just didn't want to do many rides, at least with Uncle Dom around. LOL!

The way you describe her with him reminds me of my cousins. We always had so much fun, but they had an older brother who worked alot and when he would come home they would treat him like he was so great, and he was fun, but it became annoying. We couldn't do anything unless it was something he wanted to do. Whats funny now is that 25-30 years later he is kind of the blacksheep of the family (he got into drugs for awhile) and they don't have much to do with him at all anymore.

Ok, i need to go exercise now. I promised myself after I read your update, I would. :yay:

[MyMuse]

Sorry for the lack of updates, but I thought my Photopass CD would be in from the share I was in.

It is NOT! :headache:

My leader said she received the CDs on 5.27.09 and it is now been 2 weeks and nothin'. :sad2: She also ordered the CDs without letting anyone know, so the album I uploaded is not included. *sigh*

I did a Photopass share in March and it was great. I was always kept updated and got the CDs timely. This time, no communication at all. I have no idea where things stand and emails/PMs are not being answered. :scared:

Or maybe I'm just asking too much?

I think I am rethinking any future Photopass shares. :sad1:

so, long story short...I will update with the rest of the trip soon (yes, there's more!) and do the videos (ooohhhhhhh) and hopefully, there will be Photopass pictures to post!!!

THanks!! :grouphug:

[MyMuse]

So, I left off at leaving the...

http://i665.photobucket.com/albums/vv12/MyMuse18/DisneyJenna%20-%20Supercalifragistic%20Breakfast/P5060415.jpg

http://i665.photobucket.com/albums/vv12/MyMuse18/DisneyJenna%20-%20Supercalifragistic%20Breakfast/P5060421.jpg

..and we are at the prettiest bus depot I've ever seen.

There is actually a person there monitoring the buses! I have never seen this before. Is this only at Deluxe resorts? We tell her DTD and she checks her paper and says if the bus is not here in a few minutes, she will call for one. We chat while we wait and I make sure to get another souvenir penny from the machine nearby. We do wait a bit, but one does come and off we are to DTD.

I am so used to using the riverboats to get to DTD, this is a new experience. We get dropped off at Marketplace.

We check out the water feature/fountains from the ground thingies, hit a restroom, visit pictures areas and stop in to the Art of Disney. Still no small Vinylmations! So, I take a pic of one on the wall. LOL!

Hmm, Christmas card 2009?
http://i665.photobucket.com/albums/vv12/MyMuse18/DisneyJenna%20-%20Downtown%20Disney/P5060422.jpg

http://i665.photobucket.com/albums/vv12/MyMuse18/DisneyJenna%20-%20Downtown%20Disney/P5060423.jpg


I convince Dom not to buy stuff right now, since he seems to be eyeing big things and get them on the way out, so don’t have to carry around. In so doing, I completely forget to buy a box of Vinylmations pins.

So, we continue on, stop at Photopass studio and add the Supercali breakfast and end up at Westside, so we can check on the balloon ride. It is temporarily closed for weather. We talk to the CM and he says as soon as we see the balloon in the sky for the test flight to come back and check.

Boo!
http://i665.photobucket.com/albums/vv12/MyMuse18/DisneyJenna%20-%20Downtown%20Disney/P5060426.jpg

We stop in to the Wetzel Pretzel for D&J to have something. I don’t know what they get (milkshake?) because I got a call from the NJians. I finish the call and we head to the Virgin Megastore. We split up in there and wander around a bit. There doesn’t seem to be many sales for a place that is about to close.

I get myself a book, earhooks and my receipt now says it is 12:29pm. We hook up with Dom and I see ......

















......the balloon in the air! Whoo-hooooo!
http://i665.photobucket.com/albums/vv12/MyMuse18/DisneyJenna%20-%20Downtown%20Disney/P5060430.jpg

....so I go to check it out. Dom stops me to go into another store (Mickey’s Grove?) and when we get out, there’s now line of 15 people waiting for the ride! Argh! I just lost a bunch of time. I get upset and D scurries away to go shopping somewhere.

J stays with me as we wait in line for a flight, but she stays in the shade due to her very fair skin. I pay for the ride and my receipt says it is now 1:04pm. We are the 3rd group, I think, so I’m trying to calculate if we have enough time to do this, visit a couple of stores and make it back to POR by 2:30pm. I think we can.

So official!
http://i665.photobucket.com/albums/vv12/MyMuse18/DisneyJenna%20-%20Downtown%20Disney/P5060432.jpg

Our Boarding Pass:
http://i665.photobucket.com/albums/vv12/MyMuse18/DisneyJenna%20-%20Downtown%20Disney/P5060433.jpg

Other flight coming in:
http://i665.photobucket.com/albums/vv12/MyMuse18/DisneyJenna%20-%20Downtown%20Disney/P5060442.jpg

Down the gangplank we go!
http://i665.photobucket.com/albums/vv12/MyMuse18/DisneyJenna%20-%20Downtown%20Disney/P5060436.jpg

J makes a little friend on the flight. So cute! We finally get to go up and it is the greatest thing! Once up, you can walk around as long as the others are in step with you since you cannot lopside the balloon. It only takes 5 people at a time, but really depends on the weather.

We can see the Epcot ball, the Tower of Terror and the deluxe resorts in the distance. As well as all of DTD, of course. I take a bunch of pics and video. We land and J says goodbye to her little friend.

During the flight:
http://i665.photobucket.com/albums/vv12/MyMuse18/DisneyJenna%20-%20Downtown%20Disney/P5060443.jpg

http://i665.photobucket.com/albums/vv12/MyMuse18/DisneyJenna%20-%20Downtown%20Disney/P5060447.jpg

http://i665.photobucket.com/albums/vv12/MyMuse18/DisneyJenna%20-%20Downtown%20Disney/P5060448.jpg

http://i665.photobucket.com/albums/vv12/MyMuse18/DisneyJenna%20-%20Downtown%20Disney/P5060454.jpg

http://i665.photobucket.com/albums/vv12/MyMuse18/DisneyJenna%20-%20Downtown%20Disney/P5060451.jpg

Heading Down:
http://i665.photobucket.com/albums/vv12/MyMuse18/DisneyJenna%20-%20Downtown%20Disney/P5060450.jpg

Homebase:
http://i665.photobucket.com/albums/vv12/MyMuse18/DisneyJenna%20-%20Downtown%20Disney/P5060452.jpg

It was GREAT! I highly recommend it.

We visit the Lego store, J gets a pic with the lego girl with a cell phone. I have J do the same pose. We head over to World of Disney and J takes a pic with Aurora. I text Dom to make sure he knows we need to leave by 2pm to make our ME bus.

http://i665.photobucket.com/albums/vv12/MyMuse18/DisneyJenna%20-%20Downtown%20Disney/P5060458.jpg

LOL! But I do forbid fanny packs!
http://i665.photobucket.com/albums/vv12/MyMuse18/DisneyJenna%20-%20Downtown%20Disney/P5060459.jpg

This would probably be cuter with a skirt on:
http://i665.photobucket.com/albums/vv12/MyMuse18/DisneyJenna%20-%20Downtown%20Disney/P5060461.jpg

We run into Mickey’s Mart to grab some surprise bags (I LOVE those things!). My receipt says 1:46pm. We very quickly do a look-see around Goofy’s Candy Co, but everything in there seems complicated.

Surprise Bag surprises:
http://i665.photobucket.com/albums/vv12/MyMuse18/DisneyJenna%20-%20Downtown%20Disney/P5130010.jpg

Big ol' Mickey rice krispie at Goofy's:
http://i665.photobucket.com/albums/vv12/MyMuse18/DisneyJenna%20-%20Downtown%20Disney/P5060464.jpg

You're welcome!
http://i665.photobucket.com/albums/vv12/MyMuse18/DisneyJenna%20-%20Downtown%20Disney/P5060466.jpg

One last look to Characters in Flight:
http://i665.photobucket.com/albums/vv12/MyMuse18/DisneyJenna%20-%20Downtown%20Disney/P5060463.jpg

I text Dom again since I don’t see him anywhere. I head for the boat since I’m right there and I have no idea why I didn’t think of the bus. It probably would have been faster. However, there was a boat right there waiting.

Dom texts back that he’s at the bus but it still doesn’t occur to me to take the bus, so I text back that I’m at the boat. He finally gets there and we board around 2pm. So, I start to breathe. However, to my horror, the CMs just hang and talk. The boat is completely full, so I don’t know why we aren’t moving. We finally go, make a stop at POFQ, where the CMs AGAIN stop to hang & talk. I am now officially in full panic mode.

We finally make it to POR and take off running to the ME station, only to see our bus turn the corner out of the parking lot. I am horrified and just beyond myself. :scared:

The luggage people are not helping by just shrugging. I am amazed at their complete indifference. One helpful CM says to check if we can ride on the 3pm pickup.

We get our carry-on out & I ask if my checked in luggage went on the bus without me. I get blank stares. I am getting very frustrated, so I go back into the resort with Jenna. Dom went off somewhere. She escapes to the bathroom where, I’m sure, there is another flurry of phone calls.

I go to the concierge and get a taxi number and explain what had happened with the ME luggage CMs. He seems shocked and apologizes. He suggests going to Bell Services and checking on 3pm ME bus. I return to our bags and J quickly gets off the phone and we head outside to Bell Services. The CM there is very nice and learns the 3pm ME bus is full. I decide to order a taxi and confirm my luggage went to the airport.

We finally find Dom, outside in some corner, drinking and talking on the phone. If I didn’t seem him, I was just going to leave without him.

*SIGH* So, NOT the way I envisioned ending a Disney Birthday Celebration.

We are definitely not the only ones since there is a family that is in the same predicament. They also order a taxi but offer to share, which is such a nice thing to do. A little Disney magic between all this craziness is definitely appreciated!
However, I did not take them up since they were a family of 5 with luggage and we were 3 with luggage, so it would need to be a rather large taxi.

Both of our taxis roll up at the same time, ours is this van and there is a regular taxi. It should be the other way around but the taxi drivers say they have to pick up who they were called for. So, the three of us pile into the big van taxi.

I am completely silent all the way there and I’m sure it is uncomfortable all the way around. We get to the airport in short order. Dom pays!

Dom still has to check his luggage, so we wait until he does so. He should already have his boarding pass, but I think they re-issue it just to be safe. I did check ours on the kiosk and we are all good. And he kept a bunch of things since J & I can still bring another bag on the plane with us. Argh.

We get through security to the monorail to our gate. This part, thankfully, goes fairly smoothly. The blessed thing is we are fine on time for our flight, so I head off with J to get some food and coffee. I’m sure J made her phone calls home to calm down the NJ people and D plays on his laptop.

We board and I continue the travel journal, read and listen to music. We touch down and head over to luggage where it takes an additional 30 minutes to get it, while my sister circles the airport. Dom is outside most of the time. Luggage forwarding is sounding better and better these days!

My sister drives us to my house and then I drive J home, about 45 minutes away at 11pm. So, I finally end my day at around midnight.

*****************

In the following weeks, I get the online photo album together (all properly labelled ad separated), border up my Photopass, write up a trip report (J will get a edited version of this one) and place together J’s binder with all the momentos of the trip (b-day cards, BDay FP, park card, meal photos, etc). I buy a cute hot pink beach bag, place the binder inside and give it to her. I'll add a CD of all pics as soon as I get the Photopass ones and the edited TR later.


The Greatest Thing of All:

I did receive a very pretty thank you note from Jenna AND in the mail a few days later.....











.....received my original Chef mickey photos! How cool was that!

I made sure to send a thank you note to the Contemporary on Mickey Mouse stationary.


Up Next: Photopass pics and Videos. The videos are AWESOME!!!

[dawnbu40]

Great update! Looks like you all enjoyed DTD! My DH and DD did the balloon ride and they loved it too! How nice of her to send you a thank you card! It shows she must have really appreciated all you did for her!

[KatGarcia]

I have never seen issues like that for ME, usualy busses come every few minutes and you can just get on 'em when you get on 'em. I never do the 3 hour wait thing, it's too much time, we usually show up around 2 hours and hop on one. Weird.

Gald you all amde it home ok and got a thank you note to boot!!!

[jenseib]

Sorry for the lack of updates, but I thought my Photopass CD would be in from the share I was in.

It is NOT! :headache:

My leader said she received the CDs on 5.27.09 and it is now been 2 weeks and nothin'. :sad2: She also ordered the CDs without letting anyone know, so the album I uploaded is not included. *sigh*

I did a Photopass share in March and it was great. I was always kept updated and got the CDs timely. This time, no communication at all. I have no idea where things stand and emails/PMs are not being answered. :scared:

Or maybe I'm just asking too much?

I think I am rethinking any future Photopass shares. :sad1:

so, long story short...I will update with the rest of the trip soon (yes, there's more!) and do the videos (ooohhhhhhh) and hopefully, there will be Photopass pictures to post!!!

THanks!! :grouphug:

Actually any pictures you upload won't go on the CD anyways. You can only buy them seperate or put them in a photobook. But they won't go on the Cd.

I hope she starts to answer you all. We had this problem last year. Our leader started out great and then dropped off the earth. Later to say she had a nervous breakdown and any other ecuse in the book. She kept saying it was in the mail, but the March CD never arrived till June. And that was after basically harrassing her. We threatened to report her for mail fraud and to paypal to get the money back. I also called her cell phone basically every other day and left messeages.
I don't think this happens often though. But I vowed that I will always be the leader from now on. LOL!
Hopefully the yahoo photopass shares pick up by the time I go again.

[jenseib]

I have never seen issues like that for ME, usualy busses come every few minutes and you can just get on 'em when you get on 'em. I never do the 3 hour wait thing, it's too much time, we usually show up around 2 hours and hop on one. Weird.

Gald you all amde it home ok and got a thank you note to boot!!!

I was thinking the exact same thng. That they have buses every 15 minutes. We actually went on a earlier one, just becuase they said what difference would it make if we waited 15 more minutes when we were there already.Also the luggage will not go on that bus. Disney has some other way to get the luggage to the airport, but it's not on your ME bus. It sounds like a bunch of morons were working that area this trip. LOL!

I'm jealous of the GF bus monitoring. It did not happen while I was there. In fact it was one of the longest waits I had the whole trip (that and DTD buses) We waited a good half hour for an AK bus, and 3 HS busses had come and gone in that time. I wish we had someone ther to complain to or call.

I was also shocked that you said the balloon only held 5 people. I have read it holds like 15 or 20, as familes on another report I'm reading were planning on all doing it together. I don't think I could stomach it though. But the pictures were awesome of your view.

I think Dom should've just stayed home and got a hotel near the mall. :rotfl2:LOL! :rotfl2::rotfl2:

I can't beleive all the shopping he does. I'm sure he has his good points, but I bet it would've been a much better trip without him. Jenna wouldn't be worrying about him and you two could've had more fun I'm sure.
I sure hope that photopass CD comes for you soon. I can't wait to see the pics from that as well. And yeah for getting the origional Chef Mickey's picture too. More for you guys to share.

[MyMuse]

Wow! You updating fool.

:banana: :banana:



I think you guys got the 3 fairies names wrong. I don't think thre is a Mary Beth. there are 3 of them, Flora, Fauna and Merryweather.

Ahhh, then Jenna probably meant to tell me Merryweather and said MaryBeth. I didn't hear them talk too much.

I love the sweatshirt! I am kind of puffing up with pride that you took some of my ideas.

:worship: :worship:

The way you describe her with him reminds me of my cousins. We always had so much fun, but they had an older brother who worked alot and when he would come home they would treat him like he was so great, and he was fun, but it became annoying. We couldn't do anything unless it was something he wanted to do.

Yeah, that's it! But only with Jenna.
For most of the family, they are just amazed to actually see him. I have told everyone if they want to see him/invite him, etc, they should get in touch with him and not go through me. I'm not his personal messaging service. :cool1:


Ok, i need to go exercise now. I promised myself after I read your update, I would. :yay:
Same here, I'm going to the gym after work after not being there for 3 days. I'm much more disciplined during the week than the weekends.

Great update! Looks like you all enjoyed DTD! My DH and DD did the balloon ride and they loved it too! How nice of her to send you a thank you card! It shows she must have really appreciated all you did for her!

The balloon ride was pretty cool.
Oh, she absolutely did appreciate it! I sometimes wish she expressed it while we were there.

I have never seen issues like that for ME, usualy busses come every few minutes and you can just get on 'em when you get on 'em. I never do the 3 hour wait thing, it's too much time, we usually show up around 2 hours and hop on one. Weird.

Gald you all amde it home ok and got a thank you note to boot!!!

Both times, they gave me specific times to get on the bus. I didn't know it was a jump on! I specifically asked both the luggage people (they had no clue anyways), concierge and bell services. The next bus was completely full and told me they could not accomodate any more passengers. The next bus was 30 minutes, not 15. :confused3

I actually like being at the airport early, so the 3 hours didn't bother me.

Actually any pictures you upload won't go on the CD anyways. You can only buy them seperate or put them in a photobook. But they won't go on the Cd.

I hope she starts to answer you all.

Oh, then I feel better about it, then. Now, I wish I printed them out! Ah well, I know for next time.

She did actually PM me this morning that she is mailing them out. No explanation, no nothing. One of the other of the group was calling her and got her husband who said she changed her email address.

It would have been nice to get updates; I'm sure she would not like something like this to happen to her.


I was also shocked that you said the balloon only held 5 people. I have read it holds like 15 or 20, as familes on another report I'm reading were planning on all doing it together. I don't think I could stomach it though. But the pictures were awesome of your view.

That was because of the winds. I wish it held 15-20 people that morning! I would not have to wait as long.


I can't beleive all the shopping he does. I'm sure he has his good points, but I bet it would've been a much better trip without him. Jenna wouldn't be worrying about him and you two could've had more fun I'm sure.
I sure hope that photopass CD comes for you soon. I can't wait to see the pics from that as well. And yeah for getting the origional Chef Mickey's picture too. More for you guys to share.

Thank you!
We will not be having anymore trips. It is just too much. He does have his good points, absolutely; I just do not want to vacation with him to test it out again. :laughing:

He's very serious with his girlfriend and she has 3 kids, so I doubt it will ever come up again.

I'm hoping on receiving the Photopass CD soon. *wishes real hard*
I'm very grateful to the Contemporary for mailing the original CM to me. I sent them a mickey mouse thank you card. :goodvibes

[MyMuse]

She (our photopass leader) did actually PM me this morning that she is mailing them out. :woohoo:

No explanation, no nothing. :confused3 One person of the group was calling her, leaving messages and got her husband who said she changed her email address, but she was copying them in the last few days.

It would have been nice to get updates; I'm sure she would not like something like this to happen to her.

I'll have to rethink Photopass shares - either lead them myself, not participate or see how long the person has been a member. I'll figure it out by the next time I go.

[disneygirlinnj]

Yeah that sucks about the photoshare. I've just sucked it up the past two trips and bought the CD myself. Much less hassle. :(

[MyMuse]

I have one more week until the Mary Poppins D23 event on Broadway :woohoo::woohoo:

and



my photopass CD should come by this weekend! :banana::banana:

Well, I hope and pray it does. LOL!!! Though, this does have me rethinking the Photopass shares.

[jenseib]

:cool1:

[KatGarcia]

Yea a PP share is risky but it is saving money. I think I'd do it if I knew who was leading it and knew what I'd get out of it, ya know. I hope it comes soon!

[MyMuse]

I picked up my Photopass CD last night!! I'm :dance3::dance3::dance3:!!!

I'm uploading pictures now when I should be cleaning up my yard. :lmao:

[MyMuse]

So, I got the pics uploaded and here are my favs from MK:

http://i665.photobucket.com/albums/vv12/MyMuse18/DisneyJenna-Photopass/Image436.jpg

I like this one alot since there us, the Castle, Walt & Mickey!
http://i665.photobucket.com/albums/vv12/MyMuse18/DisneyJenna-Photopass/Image445.jpg

2 Tinks are better than 1!
http://i665.photobucket.com/albums/vv12/MyMuse18/DisneyJenna-Photopass/Image460.jpg

http://i665.photobucket.com/albums/vv12/MyMuse18/DisneyJenna-Photopass/Image487.jpg

http://i665.photobucket.com/albums/vv12/MyMuse18/DisneyJenna-Photopass/Image441.jpg

At night
http://i665.photobucket.com/albums/vv12/MyMuse18/DisneyJenna-Photopass/Image526.jpg

[MyMuse]

From Hollywood Studios


Remind me not to wear this outfit again!
http://i665.photobucket.com/albums/vv12/MyMuse18/DisneyJenna-Photopass/Image494.jpg

Saucy!
http://i665.photobucket.com/albums/vv12/MyMuse18/DisneyJenna-Photopass/Image506.jpg

http://i665.photobucket.com/albums/vv12/MyMuse18/DisneyJenna-Photopass/Image504.jpg

At night
http://i665.photobucket.com/albums/vv12/MyMuse18/DisneyJenna-Photopass/Image512.jpg

[MyMuse]

Here are the Animal Kingdom ones...we acualy did quite a few here!

http://i665.photobucket.com/albums/vv12/MyMuse18/DisneyJenna-Photopass/Image530.jpg

http://i665.photobucket.com/albums/vv12/MyMuse18/DisneyJenna-Photopass/Image532.jpg

http://i665.photobucket.com/albums/vv12/MyMuse18/DisneyJenna-Photopass/Image534.jpg

http://i665.photobucket.com/albums/vv12/MyMuse18/DisneyJenna-Photopass/Image536.jpg

http://i665.photobucket.com/albums/vv12/MyMuse18/DisneyJenna-Photopass/Image540.jpg

http://i665.photobucket.com/albums/vv12/MyMuse18/DisneyJenna-Photopass/Image554.jpg

http://i665.photobucket.com/albums/vv12/MyMuse18/DisneyJenna-Photopass/Image558.jpg

http://i665.photobucket.com/albums/vv12/MyMuse18/DisneyJenna-Photopass/Image573.jpg

[MyMuse]

Ahhh, eyeglasses day!

http://i665.photobucket.com/albums/vv12/MyMuse18/DisneyJenna-Photopass/Image604.jpg

http://i665.photobucket.com/albums/vv12/MyMuse18/DisneyJenna-Photopass/Image608.jpg

Test Track, nice face I have! LOL!
http://i665.photobucket.com/albums/vv12/MyMuse18/DisneyJenna-Photopass/Image624.jpg

J finally meets Sleeping beauty!!!
http://i665.photobucket.com/albums/vv12/MyMuse18/DisneyJenna-Photopass/Image630.jpg

http://i665.photobucket.com/albums/vv12/MyMuse18/DisneyJenna-Photopass/Image634.jpg

http://i665.photobucket.com/albums/vv12/MyMuse18/DisneyJenna-Photopass/Image636.jpg

http://i665.photobucket.com/albums/vv12/MyMuse18/DisneyJenna-Photopass/Image638.jpg

http://i665.photobucket.com/albums/vv12/MyMuse18/DisneyJenna-Photopass/Image640.jpg

[MyMuse]

Here are meal photos via Photopass, though I did scan and posted the ones I bought previously.

Chef Mickey
http://i665.photobucket.com/albums/vv12/MyMuse18/DisneyJenna-Photopass/Image595.jpg

http://i665.photobucket.com/albums/vv12/MyMuse18/DisneyJenna-Photopass/Image599.jpg

Princess Storybook Dining, Norway, Epcot
http://i665.photobucket.com/albums/vv12/MyMuse18/DisneyJenna-Photopass/Image628.jpg

1900 Park Fare, Supercali Breakfast
http://i665.photobucket.com/albums/vv12/MyMuse18/DisneyJenna-Photopass/Image659.jpg

http://i665.photobucket.com/albums/vv12/MyMuse18/DisneyJenna-Photopass/Image662.jpg

Up Next: The Videos! But now I must go outside and do yardwork. :lmao:

[dawnbu40]

Great Photo Pass Pics! That cd is a wonderful keepsake of your special trip!

[KatGarcia]

Great pics!!! Glad you finally got the CD!

[disneygirlinnj]

beautiful pics :) glad you finally got them and they turned out great!

[jenseib]

I love them. I bet you are so thrilled to finally have them.
The one of Dom on Test Track is funny. And Jenna really knows how to pose. I did laundry on our trip, so I have repeat outfits, but I tried to mix the tops up with different bottoms, in case people thought I was wearing the same thing eveyday. LOL!

[MyMuse]

Great Photo Pass Pics! That cd is a wonderful keepsake of your special trip!

Thank you!:goodvibes
Photopass is a great thing. Thank goodness I got the CD!

Great pics!!! Glad you finally got the CD!

Thank you! :hug:
I'm so glad that I got the CD. I'll make a trip CD for Jenna with a written trip report, plus all the pictures (including Photopass) and the videos. I'm uploading them all now, so I should have another update soon.

beautiful pics :) glad you finally got them and they turned out great!

Thank you! I really thought I had more than I did. I'm glad we did the night ones.

I love them. I bet you are so thrilled to finally have them.
The one of Dom on Test Track is funny. And Jenna really knows how to pose. I did laundry on our trip, so I have repeat outfits, but I tried to mix the tops up with different bottoms, in case people thought I was wearing the same thing eveyday. LOL!

I was jumping for joy when I saw the CD in my mailbox! I was doin' a little dance like :dance3:!!
Jenna is photogenic; som agency picked her out of a crowd at the mall last week. They tried to get her to do an interview in their office for this week, but most of these agencies are rip offs.

Test Track pics really are funny! All of our faces are completely weird! :lmao: I do wish they allow all ride pics to be on Photopass or at the very least, more than just Test Track!

Another update coming soon for the videos! :goodvibes:goodvibes

[MyMuse]

Yes, I still have the videos to put up. I'll get there! I just previewed alot of them...so cuuuute!

As for Mary P, the D23 page has been updated to say this event is sold out.

I don't know how many tickets they had, but sold out is good. I kinda felt I was going to be the only one there!

Hmm, though I wonder how long it will take to do the behind the scenes after the show? If the show ends around 10:30pm and we do the behind the scenes thing (whatever that might be), I'm hoping I can meet my bus back home! I think the last one is midnight, so I should be good? :confused3

Despite that, I'm still excited to go!

[MyMuse]

Mary P D23 event tonight! :cheer2:

I am stressing out over transportation since this play runs long and after, there is special behind-the-scenes tour.

If it runs 2 hours & 45 minutes and it begins at 8pm show, then it end around 10:45pm. Then figure at least 30-60 minutes for whatever it is they have planned, so that's bring us to 11:45pm, which means my bus needs to have a late departure! :scared:

One bus near work has it's last departure from Port Authority at 12midnight, but the one near my home has a couple of more after that (12:30am & 1:05am).

They are roughly the same price & travel times; one near work has a parking fee, express bus, ticket vending machines and may have an issue with parking. The one near home is free parking, 5 stops on route, have to buy a ticket onboard and no issues with parking.

Hmmm..... :confused::confused3

[dawnbu40]

The Mary Poppins event sounds wonderful! I Hope you have an amazing evening!

[KatGarcia]

Have a great time! Hope the bus thing gets all worked out, but I bet you'll be having such a good time the stress won't get you!

[disneygirlinnj]

Good luck with the busses! The last bus to my house leaves Port Authority at 1:20am. They all usually leave a few mins late though!

[MyMuse]

The Mary Poppins event sounds wonderful! I Hope you have an amazing evening!

Have a great time! Hope the bus thing gets all worked out, but I bet you'll be having such a good time the stress won't get you!

Thanks girls! :hug:

Oh, I'm definitely excited about it. :yay:
I decided to take the bus near to home to alleviate my stress levels and leave 15 minutes early from work. I'm sure it will not be a problem.

[jenseib]

Have fun

[MyMuse]

There were people there from Rhode Island and California!

My seat was in center orchestra, 6th row. What a different experience to watch the show. If you recall, I also went for J's birthday in April and saw the show from front mezzanine, 5th row.

WOW!

I'll backtrack a bit - the bus ride went fine and dandy. It was even less expensive than I thought! :laughing: I got there a bit earlier than I expected, so I took a few minutes to take pics of the local scenery. I didn't go all the way down to the new pedestrian mall though. I have to do that next time. Gotta love NYC! :goodvibes
I also stopped in to Europa Cafe to grab a sandwhich, coffee and a rice krispie treat for later on the way home.

I finished and picked up my ticket at Will Call and asked about the DVD. The window guy didn't seem to know what is going on, but told me to go inside. I asked the ticket taker and she didn't know. I asked at the merchandise counter and he said there was a guy with a tag that said D23 and look for it, that he was wondering around. I also took to wondering about just a bit to see this beautiful theater and took a few pics. It's just gorgeous!! :lovestruc

I got to my seat and meet a few fellow D23ers. A family from Rhode Island who's son requested this as his graduation present. Cool! I took a pic of them and they took a pic of me in front of the "Cherry Tree Lane" backdrop.

A few minutes later, I spotted the guy with the D23 tag and introduced myself. I completely forget his name :scared:, but he was really nice. There was also a woman counterpart; just as nice. He explained that to wait a few minutes after the show and then we'll start the tour and there was a surprise! We will also receive the DVD after the show. I also found out that I could have bought 4 tickets. :guilty:

The show was great and now seeing it from 2 different locations, I can really appreciate how the performers get it right. I know I was be-bopping in my seat for a few numbers. :music: After the show, we stay in our seats for a few minutes. The show wraps up quite quickly this time around; I guess they don't mess around with the 8pm shows (the previous time was a 2pm Sunday show).

Our group of perhaps 25 people or so, were led into the backstage area and got to meet Mary & Bert! I didn't get to shake hands since they were lining us up for a group picture quite quickly. We take the group picture and I said "D23!" as the picture was taken and it got a bit of a laugh. The D23 CM said "you should have my job!". :lmao:

Some other D23ers had their cameras out and the D23 CMs took shots with the personal cameras. So, we should have quite a few. I have no idea how we'll get the group picture from the D23 people themselves or the other people. I don't think anyone was on the DIS. :confused3 I guess the D23 CMs will post it on the D23 page or email us individually since they know who we are.

I did exchange cards with the friendly family next to me, who were able to get their camera in for one of the group shots. I wasn't fast enough and i was crouching down and in slight pain by then. LOL!! They had a professional camera since they are professional photogs. I was standing behind and to the left of Mary. :upsidedow

Then we were able to get our Playbill signed by both players - Shelley and Andy. They had their own sharpies, thank goodness. I was able to tell them that I saw the play in April and, of course, had to mention meeting Mary P at WDW and the Supercali Breakfast. :goodvibes

After that, we got a talk from one of the stage managers and how the stage worked and some of the magic but he kept some to himself. :wizard: It was really a nice talk and it lasted for quite a few minutes. I took some video and a bunch of more pictures from the stage.

We also got to see one of the wings where props were kept and some of the silly cast/crew stuff like a voo-doo Mary doll with pins in her as a joke from Halloween.

We got led out by the cast entrance (with DVDs in hand) and the people there waiting thought we were part of the cast. :laughing: It was really cute.

I looked at my cell and it said 11:03pm as I was walking away from the theater. I met my 11:20pm bus home (though it left at 11:30pm).

It was a fantastic time and I met some nice people. The D23 CMs were very nice. I'm glad I was able to attend the first D23 event in NYC. :cloud9:

I'll have my photos and videos up when I go home tonight.

[jenseib]

It sounds super fun!

[disneygirlinnj]

Oh wow! That sounds awesome :) Hmm...now I might have to actually sign up for D23. I was always thinking that they wouldnt have a lot of stuff that I can go to since we're up here in the northeast. Do you know if they're planning on having any other events in the area?

Isn't that theatre breathtaking? I wish I had my good camera when I went because I would have loved to take photos. Even the area down by the restrooms was amazing and I could have wandered around there for a long time looking at everything.

So glad you had a great time, can't wait to see all the photos.

[dawnbu40]

It sounds like you had a fantastic evening! I'm so happy for you and I can't wait to see the pics!

[KatGarcia]

Sounds awesome! Next time you come to the city let me know, maybe we can do lunch!

[MyMuse]

Sorry that I went a little MIA. I had some serious spring cleaning to do. I HATE yardwork. Really. I do. ;)

I know I'm lagging beind of the pictures of the night and the videos of my trip, but I'll try to get to them soon. Thanks for staying along!

Good luck with the busses! The last bus to my house leaves Port Authority at 1:20am. They all usually leave a few mins late though!

I was all good on buses. I went to my defult bus that I know well and it runs 24/7, so I knew I would not miss a bus home. It made me enjoy the night alot better. :goodvibes

Have fun

It sounds super fun!

It was great, girls! Thanks!

Oh wow! That sounds awesome :) Hmm...now I might have to actually sign up for D23. I was always thinking that they wouldnt have a lot of stuff that I can go to since we're up here in the northeast. Do you know if they're planning on having any other events in the area?

Isn't that theatre breathtaking? I wish I had my good camera when I went because I would have loved to take photos. Even the area down by the restrooms was amazing and I could have wandered around there for a long time looking at everything.

So glad you had a great time, can't wait to see all the photos.

I would imagine that they would have more in the area, either more play interaction or something with the Christmas Carol Train Tour. Maybe. I'm hoping. *crosses fingers*
I'm also hoping that there with by D23 things to do in the parks that are not time-specific. It's not like everyone can run to the parks on a moment's notice (not that I would mind, but my bosses will!!:lmao:).

The theater is GORGEOUS! I took pictures of everything - even the restroom area!!:rotfl: I stare around and I think the employees were laughing at me. LOL.


It sounds like you had a fantastic evening! I'm so happy for you and I can't wait to see the pics!

I prmoise to get them up!

Sounds awesome! Next time you come to the city let me know, maybe we can do lunch!

I'm actually going in tomorrow night after work for a friend's event. And hopefully, I will figure out how to get there and not miss the train home!! I'm thinking of using the new Secaucus parking lot.

[MyMuse]

Ok, I'm about ready to run into the City and I'm definitely using the new Secaucus Park & Ride lot.

Let's hope to G-O-D that I can figure my way around the Secaucus Junction train station! :scared1:

I'll have those pics and vids up by THIS WEEKEND.

[MyMuse]

Yes, I know! Finally!

So, I was wondering around a bit...

http://i665.photobucket.com/albums/vv12/MyMuse18/D23-MaryPoppins/P6240012.jpg

http://i665.photobucket.com/albums/vv12/MyMuse18/D23-MaryPoppins/P6240019.jpg

http://i665.photobucket.com/albums/vv12/MyMuse18/D23-MaryPoppins/P6240021.jpg

http://i665.photobucket.com/albums/vv12/MyMuse18/D23-MaryPoppins/P6240022.jpg

http://i665.photobucket.com/albums/vv12/MyMuse18/D23-MaryPoppins/P6240024.jpg

http://i665.photobucket.com/albums/vv12/MyMuse18/D23-MaryPoppins/P6240027.jpg

Heading to the theather...
http://i665.photobucket.com/albums/vv12/MyMuse18/D23-MaryPoppins/P6240015.jpg

http://i665.photobucket.com/albums/vv12/MyMuse18/D23-MaryPoppins/P6240028.jpg

http://i665.photobucket.com/albums/vv12/MyMuse18/D23-MaryPoppins/MP1-sign.jpg

Inside the theater...
http://i665.photobucket.com/albums/vv12/MyMuse18/D23-MaryPoppins/P6240031.jpg

http://i665.photobucket.com/albums/vv12/MyMuse18/D23-MaryPoppins/P6240032.jpg

http://i665.photobucket.com/albums/vv12/MyMuse18/D23-MaryPoppins/P6240033.jpg

http://i665.photobucket.com/albums/vv12/MyMuse18/D23-MaryPoppins/P6240035.jpg

http://i665.photobucket.com/albums/vv12/MyMuse18/D23-MaryPoppins/P6240036.jpg

http://i665.photobucket.com/albums/vv12/MyMuse18/D23-MaryPoppins/P6240047.jpg

http://i665.photobucket.com/albums/vv12/MyMuse18/D23-MaryPoppins/P6240046.jpg

At my seat...
http://i665.photobucket.com/albums/vv12/MyMuse18/D23-MaryPoppins/P6240034.jpg

http://i665.photobucket.com/albums/vv12/MyMuse18/D23-MaryPoppins/P6240038.jpg

The D23 leaders...
http://i665.photobucket.com/albums/vv12/MyMuse18/D23-MaryPoppins/P6240043.jpg

[MyMuse]

Watch video: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=QQlZhfvLxKY

So, after the show, we headed backstage....

http://i665.photobucket.com/albums/vv12/MyMuse18/D23-MaryPoppins/MP4-bow2.jpg

..and meet Mary and Bert first...
http://i665.photobucket.com/albums/vv12/MyMuse18/D23-MaryPoppins/MP6-signing.jpg

http://i665.photobucket.com/albums/vv12/MyMuse18/D23-MaryPoppins/MP5-group1.jpg

http://i665.photobucket.com/albums/vv12/MyMuse18/D23-MaryPoppins/P6240059.jpg

..and then we get a backstage tour and speech...
http://i665.photobucket.com/albums/vv12/MyMuse18/D23-MaryPoppins/P6240051.jpg

http://i665.photobucket.com/albums/vv12/MyMuse18/D23-MaryPoppins/P6240050.jpg

http://i665.photobucket.com/albums/vv12/MyMuse18/D23-MaryPoppins/P6240052.jpg

http://i665.photobucket.com/albums/vv12/MyMuse18/D23-MaryPoppins/P6240063.jpg

http://i665.photobucket.com/albums/vv12/MyMuse18/D23-MaryPoppins/P6240065.jpg

http://i665.photobucket.com/albums/vv12/MyMuse18/D23-MaryPoppins/MP9-theaterbefore.jpg

[dawnbu40]

That theater looks beautiful! I am so envious you got to see the show let alone have the special meet and greet and tour! Thanks for sharing so the rest of us got to experience it vicariously! I was really hoping that the Mary tour would stop in Detroit but as of yet it's not scheduled :(

[MyMuse]

I'm going to try and come bacl later tonight, but I'm currently packing for my trip tomorrow morning.

I'm heading on a jet place to spend 4 days in San Fran, then a couple of Vegas, then back to home. :goodvibes

I've been in the City twice since Mary P, both times to see Rob Thomas. :lovestruc One of the nights, was to attend "Late Show with Rob Thomas" gig with WPLJ. I hope to post some pics of that, depending on how fast I pack tonight.

My trip highlight next week is to also see my favorite band, but it's a secret since I get made fun of alot. :laughing:

Take care all !!

[MyMuse]

I almost forget to post the videos from the trip! *slaps forehead*

In no particular order:

Jenna opening her Sleeping Beauty card (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=q_ejirCH2Vk)

Jenna getting her caricature done (1st of 3) (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=XP8WHO7AVD8)

Magic Kingdom, Wishes (1st of 2) (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=cMQtJ31J7mo)

Magic Kingdom, Wishes (2nd of 2) (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ltiJRESubU4)

Magic Kingdom, Opening Ceremony (1st of 2) (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hQMPEeYczCk)

Magic Kingdom, Jungle Cruise (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=BO7mdmy4XW8)


Hollywood Studios, Streetomsphere (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zKXQFCR4dpA)

Hollywood Studios, Sci-Fi Dine-In (2nd of 3) (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=cwmgfiRbjvE)

Hollywood Studios, Fantasmic (2nd of 2) (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=EdKEeCThj8Q)

Epcot, Spaceship Earth, D&J video (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=37Ky3rbBTqA)

Epcot, Meeting Sleep Beauty (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=oiSvLyIcWvg)

Epcot, Meeting Mary Poppins (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ufDmTWqmaEA)

Epcot, Mariachi Band (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=tOk027cgDNc)

Epcot, Illuminations (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2AvQPpRufgI)

Epcot, Dancing Waters (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=t3E8YX5WJGE)

DTD Balloon Ride (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4og9yMS0vtA)

Animal Kingdom, Finding Nemo (2nd of 2) (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=r8vFAjk2ap8)

Animal Kingdom, DeVine (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=erdigtJm3m4)

DTD, Animator At Work (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-zsWNM-2fuA)

Obviously, you can see all my videos from the frontpage of my channel as well. There's a whole mish-mash of things on there.

[jenseib]

Great videos! :thumbsup2

[ellajeansmom]

Just finished reading about your trip - too bad they gave you such a hassle but it sounds like overall it was a good trip with some fun times! We were there at the same time, but in the AB section of POR. We did Fantasmic! the same night as you and also AK the same day. Thanks for sharing!

[MyMuse]

Just finished reading about your trip - too bad they gave you such a hassle but it sounds like overall it was a good trip with some fun times! We were there at the same time, but in the AB section of POR. We did Fantasmic! the same night as you and also AK the same day. Thanks for sharing!


Thanks! :welcome:

Then we passed each other along the way! We definitely had a great time, but can do without the hassle. Maybe next time.

How did you like the AB section? I wanted the Mansion side since I didn't think I would like it.

[MyMuse]

I have a killer cold :sick::sick::sick: that is knocking me sideways, but I did start a PTR for the December trip (which technically isn't an all Disney trip, but close enough).....

Check it out in my sig.....maybe I'll try to post some more pics of my vacation adventures of the last week. :goodvibes

Of course, I've got to stop blowing my nose for that. :lmao:

[MyMuse]

Great videos! :thumbsup2

Thanks! I hope you enjoy it. Feel free to take a look around the site. The Happy Birthday orchestra version in St Mark's Square in Venice is quite funny. :goodvibes

That theater looks beautiful! I am so envious you got to see the show let alone have the special meet and greet and tour! Thanks for sharing so the rest of us got to experience it vicariously! I was really hoping that the Mary tour would stop in Detroit but as of yet it's not scheduled :(

It was a nice perk of D23. I hope they expand it to more.

Though, I just got an email that The Little Mermaid on Broadway is closing on 8/30. Didn't it just open?

[KatGarcia]

Though, I just got an email that The Little Mermaid on Broadway is closing on 8/30. Didn't it just open?

Yea and it was stinky lol.

So what Vynilmations do you have?

[MyMuse]

Yea and it was stinky lol.

So what Vynilmations do you have?

LOL! That's what I heard! So, I wasn't too interested in seeing it. Though, I should try to see The Lion King, but there is usually a Matthew Broderick play I wanna see. :rotfl:

I don't have any Vinylmations! :sad1: Well, I do have the white non-art-y one; the one you can color yourself. Oh, I did manage to buy pins, though since it is in a blind box, I have a few doubles.
Each time, I try to buy the mini-mickeys (Vinylmations), the store I'm in is sold out. Both times in Orlando and the trip to the NYC store. ARGH! What's up with that? Is it me?! :dance3: LOL!

[MyMuse]

Anyone out there? :goodvibes

I had the best of intentions this weekend to post a few pics but I got some icky medical news, so I was moping around all weekend having a pity party, not doing what I was supposed to like downloading pictures amd a million other things.

Being sick last week and still a little bit this week certainly isn't helpful. :sick:

Here's to a better week and getting more things off my list DONE! :wizard:

[dawnbu40]

I hope you feel better soon!:flower3:

[MyMuse]

Here's some pics from my NYC outing to watch Rob Thomas on WPLJ's (NY radio) "Late Show" gig. They broadcasted his mini-concert live.

I have a few videos on my YouTube page: http://www.youtube.com/mymuse18


http://i665.photobucket.com/albums/vv12/MyMuse18/LateShow-RKT-July09/P7010068.jpg

http://i665.photobucket.com/albums/vv12/MyMuse18/LateShow-RKT-July09/P7010089.jpg

http://i665.photobucket.com/albums/vv12/MyMuse18/LateShow-RKT-July09/P7010100.jpg

http://i665.photobucket.com/albums/vv12/MyMuse18/LateShow-RKT-July09/P7010095.jpg

http://i665.photobucket.com/albums/vv12/MyMuse18/LateShow-RKT-July09/P7010104.jpg

http://i665.photobucket.com/albums/vv12/MyMuse18/LateShow-RKT-July09/P7010109.jpg

http://i665.photobucket.com/albums/vv12/MyMuse18/LateShow-RKT-July09/P7010110.jpg

http://i665.photobucket.com/albums/vv12/MyMuse18/LateShow-RKT-July09/P7010111.jpg

[jenseib]

Hope you are feeling better

[MyMuse]

I hope you feel better soon!:flower3:

Hope you are feeling better

Thanks girls!

I'm over my cold, thank goodness. That was 2 weeks that I don't want back again.

The icky medical news part? Well, tha will be what it'll be. I can't change it. The doc says I have to cut out meat, cheese and fat. I really don't do cheese and I always was trying to cut out fat. I really don't do alot of red meat, usually chicken. So, I'm not really sure what I'm exactly supposed to eat, but I'll figure it out. :lmao:

[MyMuse]

Before this thread closes completely, I wanted to thank all of you for joining me on this trip! :goodvibes

I also want to give special thanks to those DISers on the ADR thread since I got some wonderful experiences, that I would not have achieved on my own. It made it so much more special.

After this trip, I think all other Disney trips for Jenna is going to have to live up to this one.

So, thank you all! :grouphug:

[jenseib]

No need to thank me. I love reading your reports! :lovestruc