Mama Meija's Disney Birthday Roadtrip Extraveganza!!!

[PolynesianPixie]

Part 1

Greetings from Walt Disney World!:banana:

my great plans for a progressive trip report came to a screaching halt when the campground we chose for night number 1 had no internet....so with no further adieu...

The trip began with a bittersweet parting with the youngest DDs. They were happy enough to go on with Grandma, so Meija and I jumped in the car, rolled down the windows (a convertable would have been much more appropriate), blasted showtunes and sang on the top of our lungs. It was so movie star of us, you rally should have seen it, dahling! One of the soundtracks we listened to was "Mama Mia"...hence my ever-so-witty thread title "Mama Meija's Disney Birthday Roadtrip Extravaganza"...get it, get it???? :laughing:

Our first stop was at the Point South KOA in SC. Which, as we learned, is "Port Royal". For all you Pirates of the Caribbean fans...ring any bells? Us girls pitched a tent and slept on the ground, dodged thunderstorms and flash floods...it was so very daring. And so very nice just to hang out, no distractions, with my nearly teenage daughter.

http://i243.photobucket.com/albums/ff45/polynesianPixie/mamameijatrip003.jpg

The next morning I woke with the sun, thought I'd be a super cool mom by going to pick up some iced coffee for the two of us and letting her sleep a little longer. I grabbed a jacket and my wallet out of the trunk and headed to the coffee shop. When I got back to our site, it struck me that...the car was locked...the trunk shut....and my keys were not in my pocket. CRAP! I friggin locked my keys in my trunk! I should never attempt to do anything that requires thought before I've had coffee....
I talk to the guy in the coffee shop who says there are several blacksmiths in Beufort. Seriously...the guy said "blacksmith's".
I go to break the news to Meija. For a person who had just woken up, she was very quick to point out that we were about to be rescued by a blacksmith from Port Royal...Maybe it's Will Turner!!!!! Where was she when the trunk was open? So all morning we waited on Will to come save us...wishing we had been able to dress more like Elizabeth Swan...or at least had a toothbrush.

Well, we are about to head out to dinner....more to report later. The pirate theme continues and I have pictures!!!:goodvibes

[disney92]

Love the thread title!!! :thumbsup2


Can't wait for more!! popcorn::

[Minnie&Mickey]

I can't wait to hear all about the rest of your trip!

[liv luvs disney]

I can't wait to hear the rest of the story! It already sounds exciting!

[mouseketeer_mom]

:surfweb: I attempt absolutely nothing before coffee... nothing!

but, I can't wait until your next post.. Was he Will or a decidely unWill like character?

[VACAMPER]

loving your report, becca wants to know why we didn't join you and leave her little sisters behind as well.

[3gr8kids]

(not so) patiently waiting to hear more...........................................

[AuburnJen92]

I want to know who got you back in your car, locksmith, blacksmith, gunsmith?????? Inquiring minds want to know here...:rolleyes1

[Gatordad]

it was the bootblack

[PolynesianPixie]

loving your report, becca wants to know why we didn't join you and leave her little sisters behind as well.

Excellent point! We must remedy that unjustice soon! Tel Becca that I will certainly take another trip...for her benefit, of course!

[PolynesianPixie]

:surfweb: I attempt absolutely nothing before coffee... nothing!

but, I can't wait until your next post.. Was he Will or a decidely unWill like character?

When "Will" finally showed up, we could clearly see by the beer belly and unkempt hair (but not in that sultry Orlando Bloom, beach blown way) that he had let himself go after marrying Elizabeth. A shame really.

I want to know who got you back in your car, locksmith, blacksmith, gunsmith?????? Inquiring minds want to know here...:rolleyes1

He pulled up in a large tow truck proclaiming some sort of "wrecker" service. I was so happy to see him and get on our way that he looked like a knight in shining armor to me!!!!:lmao:

[PolynesianPixie]

Part 2

After several more hours of show tunes, chit chatting about everything under the sun and listening to "Kingdom Keepers" on CD; we finally arrived in WDW!!! We checked into Caribbean Beach Resort, a place neither of us had ever set foot in. It's really quite beautiful and really large. We had heard about the new pirate themed rooms and had to see what they were all about. Let me tell you, whoever designed these rooms had WAY too much fun! The attention to detail in Disney never ceases to amaze me!

The beds are ships! How cool is that?

http://i243.photobucket.com/albums/ff45/polynesianPixie/mamameijatrip007.jpg

Filled with pirate booty!

http://i243.photobucket.com/albums/ff45/polynesianPixie/mamameijatrip008.jpg

complete with cute little cannons!

http://i243.photobucket.com/albums/ff45/polynesianPixie/mamameijatrip023.jpg

notice the wood floor? Hee hee...it's actually carpet. Pretty nifty, huh?

A few more room shots...
http://i243.photobucket.com/albums/ff45/polynesianPixie/mamameijatrip009.jpg

http://i243.photobucket.com/albums/ff45/polynesianPixie/mamameijatrip010.jpg

http://i243.photobucket.com/albums/ff45/polynesianPixie/mamameijatrip012.jpg

Arrrrgh! Then we went out to explore, me mateys! Found a real treasure, too!

[Born 2 Fish]

I love the CBR, one of our favorites.
Sounds like a great time,,and love the pics :thumbsup2

[des1954]

Wow!! That is NOT the same CBR I stayed at. Way cool!!

I absolutely LOVED the book Kingdom Keepers. I hope you two enjoyed listening to it as much as I enjoyed reading it. Ridley Pearson has such imagination. I also recommend his books "Peter & the Starcatchers", and "Peter and the Shadow Thieves". The first one is how Peter Pan became Peter Pan, and the second is about some adventures of Peter Pan. Excellent!!

[des1954]

Arrrrgh! Then we went out to explore, me mateys! Found a real treasure, too!

Was the treasure Johnny or Orlando? Either will do.

[big kahuna1]

You almost lost me at "One of the soundtracks we listened to was "Mama Mia"...":scared1:

Waitin' for the next report.:thumbsup2

[PolynesianPixie]

Wow!! That is NOT the same CBR I stayed at. Way cool!!

I absolutely LOVED the book Kingdom Keepers. I hope you two enjoyed listening to it as much as I enjoyed reading it. Ridley Pearson has such imagination. I also recommend his books "Peter & the Starcatchers", and "Peter and the Shadow Thieves". The first one is how Peter Pan became Peter Pan, and the second is about some adventures of Peter Pan. Excellent!!

We"ll check out the Peter books, thanks! Meija has read Kindom Keepers a bazillion times and recently read Kingdom Keepers 2 which she loved even more! Guess I'll read that when we get home :goodvibes

Was the treasure Johnny or Orlando? Either will do.

um...well, we found Orlando...but not the "Bloom" variety....:lmao:

[PolynesianPixie]

You almost lost me at "One of the soundtracks we listened to was "Mama Mia"...":scared1:

Waitin' for the next report.:thumbsup2

We also listened to Wicked, Oliver, Annie, and Godspell.....somewhat diverse :)

[PolynesianPixie]

Before I go on, here is a picture of Meija sailing her ship....kinda reminds me of Tink :cutie:

http://i243.photobucket.com/albums/ff45/polynesianPixie/mamameijatrip022.jpg

[PolynesianPixie]

Meija is still sleeping (it was a late night of EMH) so I'll take advantage of the time (and the 10 bucks I spent on internet service ;)) and continue on....

We walked the circumfrance of the resort, checking out every nook, scoping the differences in each building and enjoying each other's company. We finally made it back to the pool area where the pirates have continued their pillage. I need to get back and take more pics there because the pool is spectacular, but I only got a couple.

these forts (or what left of them after Balbosa last tore through) are all around the complex

http://i243.photobucket.com/albums/ff45/polynesianPixie/mamameijatrip035.jpg

We decided to relax in the hot tub and turn in early-ish for our big park day.....when what started to happen? Just as our toes hit the water...CABOOM! Lights filled the sky! Fireworks! We could see Illumination from the hot tub! I don't know about you, but I've never had a better seat for watching them! I snapped this real quick, and then sat next to Meija to enjoy the rest of the show!

http://i243.photobucket.com/albums/ff45/polynesianPixie/mamameijatrip038.jpg

ok, ok...the biggest boom is behind a tree...You get the point!

Afew more pics to leave you with until the next installment

http://i243.photobucket.com/albums/ff45/polynesianPixie/mamameijatrip032.jpg

http://i243.photobucket.com/albums/ff45/polynesianPixie/mamameijatrip034.jpg

[Just Beachy]

Very clever thread title!! :cutie: Enjoying this very much so far!!!

[auntie]

Glad to hear that you are enjoying your stay at the CBR. It's one of our favorites. :thumbsup2 Even when we stay at other resorts we still go and visit the Caribbean as we really enjoy the food court selections and the Old Port Royale shops. I think the gift shop and market have some of the nicest selections on Disney property. Oh..and you girls can get your hair braided at the CBR as well!
It's great being able to see some of the Illuminations display from the resort.. a magical way to end the evening.:wizard:
Oh and I think they did a fabulous job on the new pool and hot tub renovations.

[disney92]

Watching Illuminations from the hot tub very nice!! pixiedust:

DS thinks CBR looks awesome!!!!! Thanks for the photos!!

[disney4dan]

Part 2

After several more hours of show tunes, chit chatting about everything under the sun and listening to "Kingdom Keepers" on CD;

Just jumping on board (had to have the pirate reference) - can I ask if this is an audio CD of the Ridley Pearson book? How cool is that! I'd love to get one for the kids, we've read the book and really enjoyed it.

Loving the trip report, glad you are having a good time.

[PolynesianPixie]

Just jumping on board (had to have the pirate reference) - can I ask if this is an audio CD of the Ridley Pearson book? How cool is that! I'd love to get one for the kids, we've read the book and really enjoyed it.

Loving the trip report, glad you are having a good time.

Yes! I think I ordered the CDs from Barnes & Nobles. Its a great way to pass the time on your way to WDW :goodvibes





Sitting in a campground now....it's the last night of the MMDBRTE (The title of this thread is really long).....but I don't want to get ahead of myself! I still need to post about day 2!

[AuburnJen92]

Loved seeing the two of you! I sure wish we could have spent more time together!:thumbsup2

[ntsammy5]

i'll drink a beer in your honor

[PolynesianPixie]

Day 2 we woke early for EMH and turned on Stacy. She told us that Expiition Everest is a "Must Do"....so as soon as the doors were open we were there.









You know......
Stacy

http://i243.photobucket.com/albums/ff45/polynesianPixie/mamameijatrippart2042.jpg

[PolynesianPixie]

Loved seeing the two of you! I sure wish we could have spent more time together!:thumbsup2

I wish we could have too! Such a short trip and so much to do!!!!! Glad Meija finally got to meet some of my "virtual" friends!

[PolynesianPixie]

i'll drink a beer in your honor

Awesome! I thought of you as I strolled through Germany :goodvibes

[RvUsa]

I wish we could have too! Such a short trip and so much to do!!!!! Glad Meija finally got to meet some of my "virtual" friends!


Hey, what am I, chopped liver???? :sad2:

:lmao:

[PolynesianPixie]

It was HOT like only Africa can be but we had a fabulous time in AK. Rode EE 3 times before the crowds started arriving. We NEVER could have made it to a.m. EMH with the other kiddos in tow.

http://i243.photobucket.com/albums/ff45/polynesianPixie/mamameijatrippart2008.jpg

our tent after the yeti got to it

http://i243.photobucket.com/albums/ff45/polynesianPixie/mamameijatrippart2004.jpg

The last thing we did in AK was Kali rapids. I have never been on this ride, mind you...I'm like a cat and not found of getting wet unless it's a temperature controlled shower or something of that nature. I went on...thinking how bad could it be? Ha. I'll tell you how bad. I was in the proverbial "hot" seat. Despite the fact that I was armed with rain gear, my jacket was no match for the tidal wave that had my name on it. I just checked that experience off my list and there are NO pictures to prove it!;)

[PolynesianPixie]

Hey, what am I, chopped liver???? :sad2:

:lmao:

Yes...you and Amanda and Kelly and Donnie and Debbie and Dennis......

ok, ok....I should have said more of my virtual friends....sorry, John!!!!:rolleyes1

[RvUsa]

That's better ;) TY

[PolynesianPixie]

Meija is too young to audition this year, but she is already planning her big debut for next year! She IS the next AMERICAN IDOL!!!!!!

http://i243.photobucket.com/albums/ff45/polynesianPixie/mamameijatrippart2009.jpg

[PolynesianPixie]

Day 3 we went to downtown disney to check out some of the new stuff they have down there.

We started the day by driving over to POFQ to get som Beniegts...YUM! Nothing like fried bread covered in powdered sugar!!!!! we sat outside and the sugar started blowing everywhere....ended up in a powdered sugar fight! Our black shirts were covered in the stuff! Look at this picture and tell me who is the guilty fight starter.....:rolleyes1

http://i243.photobucket.com/albums/ff45/polynesianPixie/mamameijatrippart3044.jpg

Have you seen this?

http://i243.photobucket.com/albums/ff45/polynesianPixie/mamameijatrippart3048.jpg

I tried to convince Meija to go with me...no such luck, she prefers her feet on solid ground. So....I went up all by myself. It was really spectacular though! You could see all of WDW!!!!!!

http://i243.photobucket.com/albums/ff45/polynesianPixie/mamameijatrippart3061.jpg

http://i243.photobucket.com/albums/ff45/polynesianPixie/mamameijatrippart3054.jpg

http://i243.photobucket.com/albums/ff45/polynesianPixie/mamameijatrippart3056.jpg

http://i243.photobucket.com/albums/ff45/polynesianPixie/mamameijatrippart3052.jpg

http://i243.photobucket.com/albums/ff45/polynesianPixie/mamameijatrippart3057.jpg

scary heights and scary dinosaurs

http://i243.photobucket.com/albums/ff45/polynesianPixie/mamameijatrippart3046.jpg

[BigDaddyRog]

Awesome shots from the balloon....and I gotta say....those pirate themed rooms are pretty freakin cool!!! We may need a room for Halloween night...and Im thinking those look pretty good!

[BigDaddyRog]

OMG...at the quoted $219/night.....looks like we may be sacrificing the Pirate theme!!!

[PolynesianPixie]

OMG...at the quoted $219/night.....looks like we may be sacrificing the Pirate theme!!!

Talk to Rhonda. I think we ended up paying around $140 a night. Disney is still throwing around the deals!

[disney4dan]

Definitely talk to Rhonda BDR, we're saving for a room before our cruise this fall, and Rhonda is finding some good deals.

[ntsammy5]

Rhonda is goosd at what she does whetever that might be ------ Yay Roz

[PolynesianPixie]

I have been neglecting my thread.

busy busy busy

We had such a nice night after dtd. We cleaned up and Meija put on a pretty dress and we headed to the Poly for sushi. Took lots of pictures. While we were there, I got a text from Jen saying they were at the Fort and near MrsGus. Plus the Gator family was on their way. We drove over there and visited for a bit. It was so nice.

The next day we went to MK.

Guess who we ran into?????

JACK SPARROW!!!!!!!!
not Will Turner, but he'll do!
I took pictures.

Then we just HAD to go get one of those dreamy creamy refreshing Dole Whips. You know the stuff. We were so engrossed in our creamy pineapple goodness that we walked off and left our camera on the bench :sad1:
All those pictures mentioned above....gone.
We checked lost and found 3 times. Nada.
I will keep trying. Keep your fingers crossed for me.

Not to be discouraged, we continued on our fun and went on to Epcot for Meija's birthday dinner at Tutto Italia. It was a great place and the food was delicious. After leaving there I noticed my feet were swelling. Not too alarming; I'm allergic to soy and often feel a little swollen after eating in a restaurant. In line for Soarin'...Gosh, my feet...still, not too concerned. We went back to MK and I made Meija take the train 'cause I WAS NOT WALKING! Man it hurt! It...my left foot, as it turns out my right was just fine. When we got on the train I was alarmed! My whole leg was swollen and I had hives! My foot barely fit in my flip flop. Yikes! I wasn't leaving though. We had EMH until 2 am! By the time we were on the bus to go back to CBR I was in pain! Oh it was awful! At the hotel I noticed that the blood vessels in my leg had burst and I debated on whether or not I should go find a doctor. I ended up taking a Benadryl and going to bed. By morning it was no better and I had blisters.
As it turns out, I was bit by a spider. Most likely it was in the booth I was sitting in at Tutto. I really hope they bring in Pest Control!
I'm better now, but still scarred where I was bit.

Despite a few misfortunes, it was still a great day. I have a few pics on my phone that I'll get up here.

[chief19spixi]

Sorry to hear about the spider bite and the loss of the camera.. besides all of that it sounds like you both had a great time and thats all that matters!! :thumbsup2

[3gr8kids]

The last thing we did in AK was Kali rapids. I have never been on this ride, mind you...I'm like a cat and not found of getting wet unless it's a temperature controlled shower or something of that nature. I went on...thinking how bad could it be? Ha. I'll tell you how bad. I was in the proverbial "hot" seat. Despite the fact that I was armed with rain gear, my jacket was no match for the tidal wave that had my name on it. I just checked that experience off my list and there are NO pictures to prove it!;)

This brought back memories for me - did you happen to read my novel, errr, I mean, trip report (specifically the chapter about this very ride?) You would have been forwarned. Please tell me you did not have a white t-shirt on as I did, LOL.

Sorry to hear about the spider bite. Those things are NASTY with a capital N-A-S-T-Y. I'm allergic to spider bites, so I know exactly how you felt - I've been to the hospital on more than one occasion because of them. I'm glad it didn't completely ruin your time!

[ntsammy5]

Spider bites are nasty - I had a friend who was bitten by a brown recluse at Ft Drum and almost lost his leg (we looked at lost and found too but no luck).

It looked terrible - like he had some flesh eating virus.

[PolynesianPixie]

This brought back memories for me - did you happen to read my novel, errr, I mean, trip report (specifically the chapter about this very ride?) You would have been forwarned. Please tell me you did not have a white t-shirt on as I did, LOL.


Ah yes! I recall.....you gave the other rafters a ride and a show!:lmao:

No white T here....nothing to see but me=drowned rat :eek:

[PolynesianPixie]

Meija being sung "happy Birthday" to at Tutto Italia. She hates attention...but I think she kind of enjoyed this :thumbsup2

http://i243.photobucket.com/albums/ff45/polynesianPixie/utf-8BSU1HMDAxNDMtMjAwOTA3MzEtMTgwN.jpg

[chief19spixi]

Awww Great pic!!!

[PolynesianPixie]

Perhaps I am beating a dead horse now with this thread, but I just got this photopass pic and wanted to share :goodvibes


http://i243.photobucket.com/albums/ff45/polynesianPixie/14244270000-1-1.jpg

[Born 2 Fish]

Perhaps I am beating a dead horse now with this thread, but I just got this photopass pic and wanted to share :goodvibes


http://i243.photobucket.com/albums/ff45/polynesianPixie/14244270000-1-1.jpg

far as I'm concerned that horse has plenty life in it,,
I love see'n pics ! :thumbsup2

[VACAMPER]

very cute picture Ami!

[PolynesianPixie]

Awww thanks, guys!

[disney92]

Love the photo!!

I'll second what Frank said!

[mamaloya]

I agree too. Keep it coming. I am so jealous that you got a mother daughter trip. I would love to do that. A mother only trip would be cool too. LOL

So, did you ever find your camera. Have you called since you've been home to see if anyone turned it in? I have always said that if anyone stole my camera, I would hope that they would at least leave me the memory card. That is the most valuable part to me anyway.

My dad always took a pic of his name and address on a sheet of paper so that if the roll of film got lost it would have a way to find him. The same could be done with a memory card.

Cool story... A soldier in Iraq dropped his camera from a helicopter flying over the dessert. A couple months later he bumps into another soldier at his FOB (base over there) and the soldier asked him if he lost a camera. He said yes and the soldier told him that he had found it while on patrol and looked at the pics and then recognized him. He got his camera back.

Hope yours somehow finds it way to you.