So list checking did work out... both times. 3/7/10 - FINISHED!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

[RachelTori]

Happy to hear you had a great trip! Now it's time to start getting ready for the next one!! :woohoo: :cheer2: :yay:

I've started to look at Accuweather for an idea of what temps will be like. The forecast goes through Dec 22nd today so here goes:


Wed, Dec 16: Cloudy to partly sunny: Low: 49 / High: 73.
Thur, Dec 17: Partial sunshine: Low: 49 / High: 71.
Fri, Dec 18: Sun and some clouds: Low: 52 / High: 69.
Sat, Dec 19: Sun and areas of high clouds: Low: 54 / High: 73.
Sun, Dec 20: Overcast with spotty showers: Low: 59 / High: 76.
Mon, Dec 21: Rain: Low: 51 / High: 73.
Tues, Dec 22: Mostly cloudy: Low: 53 / High: 68.


I do know one thing for sure, this forecast will change many times in the next week or so (:rotfl2:) but if this is even a little accurate, it looks pretty good! :thumbsup2


:goodvibes

[PNO4TE]

Happy to hear you had a great trip! Now it's time to start getting ready for the next one!! :woohoo: :cheer2: :yay:

I've started to look at Accuweather for an idea of what temps will be like. The forecast goes through Dec 22nd today so here goes:


Wed, Dec 16: Cloudy to partly sunny: Low: 49 / High: 73.
Thur, Dec 17: Partial sunshine: Low: 49 / High: 71.
Fri, Dec 18: Sun and some clouds: Low: 52 / High: 69.
Sat, Dec 19: Sun and areas of high clouds: Low: 54 / High: 73.
Sun, Dec 20: Overcast with spotty showers: Low: 59 / High: 76.
Mon, Dec 21: Rain: Low: 51 / High: 73.
Tues, Dec 22: Mostly cloudy: Low: 53 / High: 68.


I do know one thing for sure, this forecast will change many times in the next week or so (:rotfl2:) but if this is even a little accurate, it looks pretty good! :thumbsup2


:goodvibes

I will take any weather down there as long as I have good weather for traveling! :rotfl:

[PNO4TE]

Ten days until I leave again!!! :eek:

[jackskellingtonsgirl]

Elin, just wanted to say it was such a pleasure to finally meet you! I hope you enjoyed the rest of your little trip! And now to get ready for the BIG trip! :banana:

[PNO4TE]

Elin, just wanted to say it was such a pleasure to finally meet you! I hope you enjoyed the rest of your little trip! And now to get ready for the BIG trip! :banana:

It was nice to finally meet, wasn't it? Kind of like an "ahhhhhhhhhhhhh" moment!

The rest of the trip was interesting. The flight from Baltimore was 3 1/2 hours late and Sandy, Val and Hayley had to sit on the plane for 2 of those hours because they were already in line to be de-iced (again) and to take off. We ended up not being aboe to go to HS that night, but did go to DD for dinner at WP Express and some shopping. :)

Sunday morning we had breakfast at the Mara and then met our two CM friends at 9:00. They took us over to Epcot and one of them had 1-day hopper passes for the other three. :love: We went into Epcot and stayed until 1:30 or so, then walked over to Beach Club (where we ran into mutual friends who had just arrived from Chicago!), Yacht Club and BoardWalk to look at their Christmas decorations.

Jumped on a bus to the MK and walked over to the Contemporary, where we began our resort monorail loop for Christmas decor gazing. We stopped in at Capt. Cook's for a Dole Whip snack too!

At the GF we jumped on a bus bound for HS and Hayley rode ToT while we three ladies took in the Osborne Lights. Even though I had gone by myself the night before I was delighted to get to see them again. :teeth:

About 6:30 we took a bus from HS to the TTC and monorailed over to the MK for MVMCP. We stayed there until after midnight and arrived back at AKL about 1:30. Let me tell you... that alarm at 5:30 was RUDE! But we packed a lot of great times into those 28 hours we had together.

I see I have done a mini TR just in my reply to you! I will expand upon it when I have the chance to upload photos and give it all a little more thought.

I really loved spending time with you and the other DDA folks at lunch at Mama Melrose on Saturday. That was a real family-like lunch we had and it was delightful to get to know everyone even better. :goodvibes

[Happydog]

Oh welcome back and I hope you had a wonderful time, it sounds like you did have a magical trip! :goodvibes

[RachelTori]

Wed, Dec 16: Cloudy to partly sunny: Low: 49 / High: 73.
Thur, Dec 17: Partial sunshine: Low: 49 / High: 71.
Fri, Dec 18: Sun and some clouds: Low: 52 / High: 69.
Sat, Dec 19: Sun and areas of high clouds: Low: 54 / High: 73.
Sun, Dec 20: Overcast with spotty showers: Low: 59 / High: 76.
Mon, Dec 21: Rain: Low: 51 / High: 73.
Tues, Dec 22: Mostly cloudy: Low: 53 / High: 68.


Well, that forecast is out the window already!! :rotfl:

They took the rain out of the 12/21 forecast, but now the high's will only be 60 - 63; the lows will be low 40's. (adding more long-sleeved shirts to my packing list - and a winter coat, gloves and a scarf!! :laughing:)

[ChelleinNC]

Ten days until I leave again!!! :eek:

:banana::cool1:

It was nice to finally meet, wasn't it? Kind of like an "ahhhhhhhhhhhhh" moment!

The rest of the trip was interesting. The flight from Baltimore was 3 1/2 hours late and Sandy, Val and Hayley had to sit on the plane for 2 of those hours because they were already in line to be de-iced (again) and to take off. We ended up not being aboe to go to HS that night, but did go to DD for dinner at WP Express and some shopping. :)

Sunday morning we had breakfast at the Mara and then met our two CM friends at 9:00. They took us over to Epcot and one of them had 1-day hopper passes for the other three. :love: We went into Epcot and stayed until 1:30 or so, then walked over to Beach Club (where we ran into mutual friends who had just arrived from Chicago!), Yacht Club and BoardWalk to look at their Christmas decorations.

Jumped on a bus to the MK and walked over to the Contemporary, where we began our resort monorail loop for Christmas decor gazing. We stopped in at Capt. Cook's for a Dole Whip snack too!

At the GF we jumped on a bus bound for HS and Hayley rode ToT while we three ladies took in the Osborne Lights. Even though I had gone by myself the night before I was delighted to get to see them again. :teeth:

About 6:30 we took a bus from HS to the TTC and monorailed over to the MK for MVMCP. We stayed there until after midnight and arrived back at AKL about 1:30. Let me tell you... that alarm at 5:30 was RUDE! But we packed a lot of great times into those 28 hours we had together.

I see I have done a mini TR just in my reply to you! I will expand upon it when I have the chance to upload photos and give it all a little more thought.

I really loved spending time with you and the other DDA folks at lunch at Mama Melrose on Saturday. That was a real family-like lunch we had and it was delightful to get to know everyone even better. :goodvibes

Sounds great so far! :goodvibes

Well, that forecast is out the window already!! :rotfl:

They took the rain out of the 12/21 forecast, but now the high's will only be 60 - 63; the lows will be low 40's. (adding more long-sleeved shirts to my packing list - and a winter coat, gloves and a scarf!! :laughing:)

Layers! You have to have layers in December at Disney :thumbsup2 I always take the small stretchy gloves and keep them in my jacket or sweatshirt pocket and a windbreaker is great over a sweatshirt of long sleeved shirt. :goodvibes

[PNO4TE]

Well, that forecast is out the window already!! :rotfl:

They took the rain out of the 12/21 forecast, but now the high's will only be 60 - 63; the lows will be low 40's. (adding more long-sleeved shirts to my packing list - and a winter coat, gloves and a scarf!! :laughing:)

Keep watching that forecast. If it changes as much as it did for my trip you will have to repack about 17 times before you leave!

I don't have time to even think about the forecast and packing until Saturday afternoon and Sunday morning. And then that is all the time I have at all! :eek: So, if it changes after Sunday I am in trouble!

However, I will have a little bit of everything packed so I will be fine. There are advantages to driving. :teeth:

[PNO4TE]

Layers! You have to have layers in December at Disney :thumbsup2 I always take the small stretchy gloves and keep them in my jacket or sweatshirt pocket and a windbreaker is great over a sweatshirt of long sleeved shirt. :goodvibes

::yes:: Layering is always best. That is what I did last weekend and I was perfectly happy. Last year we needed warm things and my Lands End fleece was perfect. The windbreaker is also a great idea. One I hadn't thought of! I don't have one of those, so maybe I need to think about where I could find one. Any suggestions?

[jackskellingtonsgirl]

The windbreaker I usually carry is just a little un-lined thing from Target, but it can be packed in a sandwich bag! I didn't bring it this time, but I bet I could have put it over one of those thinner Lands End fleece pullovers.

DS has one that folds into a pouch that I ordered from Amazon.

DH bought one at WDW. They had several at Mouse Gears in Epcot. He chose a lined on with a hood.

I was sorry we didn't run into you again before we all left AKL to come home! We will have to see when we have overlapping trips again! :thumbsup2

[PNO4TE]

I was sorry we didn't run into you again before we all left AKL to come home! We will have to see when we have overlapping trips again! :thumbsup2

After reading your TR I can't believe we didn't run into one another. We must have been mere minutes apart on all we did at MVMCP! Including the bus ride back to AKL. :rotfl2:

[PNO4TE]

Yes, friends... there is a change in plans. I know you are all shocked! :rolleyes:

I am planning to leave here after my last recitals next Thursday evening and drive part way. I will finish up the drive on Friday, the 18th. Why, you might ask?























Because my dear friend, Diana, has booked us into AKL for one night before we go over to POFQ for the remainder of our trip! :love: I sent her a photo of the AKL Christmas tree last weekend and she caved in. Changed CS to AKL in a hot minute. :rotfl2:

I am hoping to get to WDW in time to eat an early dinner at Boma with both Diana and Laura and then go see Osborne Lights again.

Think of me next Thursday and Friday and wish good traffic and weather for me, please. :goodvibes

[PNO4TE]

A week from right now I will probably be about to Manning, SC. :teeth:

[Flossbolna]

What a wonderful change in plans!! :love:

[PNO4TE]

It is now Saturday 12/12/2009 at 10:31:45 AM
Event: Christmas at WDW!
Scheduled For 12/17/2009 9:00:00 PM
5 days 10 hours 28 minutes 15 seconds or
0 weekends or
5 days or
130 hours (87 waking hours) or
7,828 minutes or
469,694 seconds


And I am busy, busy, busy!!!!!

[*KeepMovingForward*]

Hey Elin! Just wanted to pop in and say hello. I have not been able to keep up the past month or so (I've been buried in scholarship application hell for Drew). Maybe we'll run into each other this trip. We arrive on 12/17 and are staying our first few nights at AKV's and then over to BLT.

I know this is terribly late, but I'm very sorry about your friend's husband. It was nice that you guys were able to take your vacation anyway and have a good time. I'm sure she needed and appreciated it. Your a good friend. :goodvibes

[PNO4TE]

Hey Elin! Just wanted to pop in and say hello. I have not been able to keep up the past month or so (I've been buried in scholarship application hell for Drew). Maybe we'll run into each other this trip. We arrive on 12/17 and are staying our first few nights at AKV's and then over to BLT.

I know this is terribly late, but I'm very sorry about your friend's husband. It was nice that you guys were able to take your vacation anyway and have a good time. I'm sure she needed and appreciated it. Your a good friend. :goodvibes

Hi, Alison! So nice to hear from you. I arrive on the 18th and will be at AKL for one night. Maybe we will pass one another. Are your ADRs still the same? Mine have been tweaked and re-tweaked so much I am not even sure where we will be on what day at this point!!

Thanks for reading along, my friend!

[PNO4TE]

http://bestsmileys.com/christmas1/3.gif

I go to WDW THIS WEEK!

http://bestsmileys.com/christmas1/3.gif

[RachelTori]

http://bestsmileys.com/christmas1/3.gif

I go to WDW THIS WEEK!

http://bestsmileys.com/christmas1/3.gif


:woohoo::yay::cheer2:ME TOO!!!:cheer2::yay::woohoo:


:goodvibes

[RachelTori]

I like the accuweather 15 day forecast they're showing now!! :thumbsup2 I know it won't stay the same, but it looks fantastic this morning!!! High's in the low 70s, Low's in the mid-50s; no rain until Christmas Eve (which is when we go home :sad1:).

In 2006 we spent Christmas Day in Epcot - Christmas Dinner at Biergarten :cloud9: - and there were severe storms in the area that day. We were soaked to the bone, but I wouldn't trade a minute of it!! :goodvibes


I need to start thinking about packing!! :eek:

[PNO4TE]

:woohoo::yay::cheer2:ME TOO!!!:cheer2::yay::woohoo:


:goodvibes

YIPPEE!!!! And I see you this week too!! I am still hoping to make dinner at Boma on Friday. I am going to try to get an extra hour of driving in on Thursday night to help that goal along. :yay:

[PNO4TE]

I like the accuweather 15 day forecast they're showing now!! :thumbsup2 I know it won't stay the same, but it looks fantastic this morning!!! High's in the low 70s, Low's in the mid-50s; no rain until Christmas Eve (which is when we go home :sad1:).

In 2006 we spent Christmas Day in Epcot - Christmas Dinner at Biergarten :cloud9: - and there were severe storms in the area that day. We were soaked to the bone, but I wouldn't trade a minute of it!! :goodvibes


I need to start thinking about packing!! :eek:

It does look decent, doesn't it? We have a joke in our family about rain at WDW on Christmas Day. We can't remember one single Christmas Day that it DIDN'T rain! :rotfl:

[jackskellingtonsgirl]

I hope you have FABULOUS weather this time around! :wizard:

[PNO4TE]

I hope you have FABULOUS weather this time around! :wizard:

Thanks, Elizabeth! :goodvibes

[Happydog]

I hope you have a fabulous time! We are so thrilled to go to WDW for the first time at Christmas! Your family tradition is amazing! I am glad to hear the weather is going to be great!! :goodvibes

[PNO4TE]

I hope you have a fabulous time! We are so thrilled to go to WDW for the first time at Christmas! Your family tradition is amazing! I am glad to hear the weather is going to be great!! :goodvibes

Since you have seen pictures of all of us, please feel free to say HI if you run into us! Have a wonderful trip! You will love it, I promise. :love: :santa:

[oybolshoi]

Elin, I have the strangest feeling of de ja vu as I type this ...

Have a great trip!!!! :hug: :goodvibes

Can't wait to read all about everything you guys do and see and eat and drink! :thumbsup2

[PNO4TE]

Elin, I have the strangest feeling of de ja vu as I type this ...

Have a great trip!!!! :hug: :goodvibes




:rotfl2: Feels that way to me too! I am sitting here wondering why I just couldn't stay at AKL for the 11 nights between the two trips! :confused3 :laughing:

[PNO4TE]

Laundry is done.
Baking is done.
Bills are paid.
Car has had its pre-trip check-up.
Presents are ready to ship.
Recital programs are ready to print.
Packing is 90% complete. (This includes myBob's and Kristin's suitcases too!)

Let's get this show on the road!!!! Why, oh why do I have to wait until Thursday to leave??

:yay: :dance3: :yay:

[RachelTori]

Laundry is done.
Baking is done.
Bills are paid.
Car has had its pre-trip check-up.
Presents are ready to ship.
Recital programs are ready to print.
Packing is 90% complete. (This includes myBob's and Kristin's suitcases too!)

Let's get this show on the road!!!! Why, oh why do I have to wait until Thursday to leave??

:yay: :dance3: :yay:

I'm impressed!! :worship::worship:

Elin, I leave tomorrow afternoon and I haven't even started packing yet! :eek:

Baking? What's that??? :laughing:

Most of the bills are paid, but I haven't gotten through the stack yet! :eek:

But I do always find time to check in with my Dis friends!! ;)

[ChelleinNC]

Laundry is done.
Baking is done.
Bills are paid.
Car has had its pre-trip check-up.
Presents are ready to ship.
Recital programs are ready to print.
Packing is 90% complete. (This includes myBob's and Kristin's suitcases too!)

Let's get this show on the road!!!! Why, oh why do I have to wait until Thursday to leave??

:yay: :dance3: :yay:

I've got more baking and cleaning to do if you want to come over and keep busy before your trip :laughing:

We're actually headed sort of your way on Friday. Headed to Newport News on Friday for a long weekend with our bestest friends :dance3:

If for some reason, I don't talk to you again this week; have a WONDERFUL trip!

[DisneyBride'03]

I'm impressed!! :worship::worship:

Elin, I leave tomorrow afternoon and I haven't even started packing yet! :eek:

Baking? What's that??? :laughing:

Most of the bills are paid, but I haven't gotten through the stack yet! :eek:

But I do always find time to check in with my Dis friends!! ;)

popcorn:::rolleyes1 I caught that one....or my guilt did... :rotfl2:LOL..pretty sad..It said I havent signed in since 11/20!!! :scared1:
i am missing out on all the fun here!!!
Laundry is done.
Baking is done.
Bills are paid.
Car has had its pre-trip check-up.
Presents are ready to ship.
Recital programs are ready to print.
Packing is 90% complete. (This includes myBob's and Kristin's suitcases too!)

Let's get this show on the road!!!! Why, oh why do I have to wait until Thursday to leave??

:yay: :dance3: :yay:

You are just amazing......AND yet....there is Another surprise...er...um...change...:lmao:
Always know there is something new around the corner if I am involved in a Pre TR!!!:lmao:
:yay::yay::yay:

Here is the newest addition to Elin's Pre TR: (as of last night)

http://i213.photobucket.com/albums/cc68/dvcsangus/GirlsWDWTripmay2009135.jpg

(Ava @ Chef Mickeys in May)

can't wait for Ava to meet my friend Elin and to see Laura and Tori again and meet the rest of the family!!!
I am blessed:grouphug:

[PNO4TE]

But I do always find time to check in with my Dis friends!! ;)

Most important thing on the list, Laura! See you in a few days!!!!!!!!!!!! :yay:

[PNO4TE]

I've got more baking and cleaning to do if you want to come over and keep busy before your trip :laughing:

We're actually headed sort of your way on Friday. Headed to Newport News on Friday for a long weekend with our bestest friends :dance3:

If for some reason, I don't talk to you again this week; have a WONDERFUL trip!

Thanks, Chelle! Newport News is not so very far away at all. A couple of hours is all! Have fun!!

[PNO4TE]

popcorn:::rolleyes1 I caught that one....or my guilt did... :rotfl2:LOL..pretty sad..It said I havent signed in since 11/20!!! :scared1:
i am missing out on all the fun here!!!


You are just amazing......AND yet....there is Another surprise...er...um...change...:lmao:
Always know there is something new around the corner if I am involved in a Pre TR!!!:lmao:
:yay::yay::yay:

Here is the newest addition to Elin's Pre TR: (as of last night)

http://i213.photobucket.com/albums/cc68/dvcsangus/GirlsWDWTripmay2009135.jpg

(Ava @ Chef Mickeys in May)

can't wait for Ava to meet my friend Elin and to see Laura and Tori again and meet the rest of the family!!!
I am blessed:grouphug:

And I cannot wait to spend a couple of days with the adorable munchkin! Oh, and you too, Diana.... :rotfl:

[Flossbolna]

Elin, Laura and Diane, I hope you all have wonderful trips to WDW! Being there over Christmas must be really special! :goodvibes

[RachelTori]

popcorn:::rolleyes1 I caught that one....or my guilt did... :rotfl2:LOL..pretty sad..It said I havent signed in since 11/20!!! :scared1:
i am missing out on all the fun here!!!

:rolleyes1






http://i213.photobucket.com/albums/cc68/dvcsangus/GirlsWDWTripmay2009135.jpg

They just don't come any cuter than that!!! :cloud9:


I'm almost packed!! It's usually not this difficult, but I'm bringing a small suitcase on the plane for the 1st 3 days and sending the rest of my clothing with DH and the girls who will be driving down this weekend!! This could work out great or be a total disaster!! :rotfl:

[RachelTori]

Well that didn't work!!! (trying to pack 2 small suitcases) :rotfl2:

So I upgraded my flight to Business Class using rewards points, will pack my regular suitcase and check it at the airport, and carry-on my little suitcase without it being so full it barely closes!!! :rotfl:

And I'll just hope we'll have enough room in the car for the ride home!! (DH assured me we would but, well, to know him is to love him!!! :laughing:)

So now I have to go re-pack!! :rotfl:

[PNO4TE]

I'm almost packed!! It's usually not this difficult, but I'm bringing a small suitcase on the plane for the 1st 3 days and sending the rest of my clothing with DH and the girls who will be driving down this weekend!! This could work out great or be a total disaster!! :rotfl:

We are doing the same thing. myBob and Kristin will pack their suitcases and have them in my car by Thursday morning! My packing is about finished too. Just have to fit it all in!!

Have fun tonight, and safe travels. See you soon!

[PNO4TE]

Well that didn't work!!! (trying to pack 2 small suitcases) :rotfl2:

So I upgraded my flight to Business Class using rewards points, will pack my regular suitcase and check it at the airport, and carry-on my little suitcase without it being so full it barely closes!!! :rotfl:

And I'll just hope we'll have enough room in the car for the ride home!! (DH assured me we would but, well, to know him is to love him!!! :laughing:)

So now I have to go re-pack!! :rotfl:

OK... not the same at all! :rotfl: :rotfl2: :lmao:

[RachelTori]

OK... not the same at all! :rotfl: :rotfl2: :lmao:

Somewhere between inception and execution, it went terribly wrong!!! :rotfl2:

:rotfl:

[DisneyBride'03]

And I cannot wait to spend a couple of days with the adorable munchkin! Oh, and you too, Diana.... :rotfl:
Thanks Elin:goodvibes I cannot wait to see her reactions to things....being almost 3.5...so into Christmas this year...she has already said "This is the best Christmas ever..." little does she know!
Elin, Laura and Diane, I hope you all have wonderful trips to WDW! Being there over Christmas must be really special! :goodvibes:cloud9: With all my changes....(quiet from the peanut gallery...:rotfl2:I would be a travel agent's nightmare....Ok, Laura had a good joke for that one already...:laughing:) I now have an extra day...so 4 nights ..woohoo...Elin and Laura will have time to relax after the munchkin and I leave on Monday..:hyper2:

Well that didn't work!!! (trying to pack 2 small suitcases) :rotfl2:

So I upgraded my flight to Business Class using rewards points, will pack my regular suitcase and check it at the airport, and carry-on my little suitcase without it being so full it barely closes!!! :rotfl:

And I'll just hope we'll have enough room in the car for the ride home!! (DH assured me we would but, well, to know him is to love him!!! :laughing:)

So now I have to go re-pack!! :rotfl: Are you done yet??? lol want to see pics of all the luggage on the way home...lol

We are doing the same thing. myBob and Kristin will pack their suitcases and have them in my car by Thursday morning! My packing is about finished too. Just have to fit it all in!!

Have fun tonight, and safe travels. See you soon!
You two are something...I havent even began to pack!! I have gotten Ava's wardrobe together....her Christmas Minnie party dress from Disney Store and her Sleeping Beauty costume....what else does she need?!:rotfl:

It is 20 degrees right now...off to take Ava to preschool and last minute running around.....cant wait for Florida weather...will be like summer to me!

[RachelTori]

Are you done yet??? lol want to see pics of all the luggage on the way home...lol


I have finished packing!!! :woohoo: Oh, the ride home will not be pretty, I'm sure!! :rotfl2: What will be an even funnier site is me trying to lug all this stuff through the hotel tomorrow morning around 6am to catch the airport shuttle!! :rotfl: (OK, it's not a pretty site normally, but with more luggage than I can manage on my own, it'll REALLY not be pretty!!! :lmao:)

[RachelTori]

I just wanted to post one more time!! ;) I'm at the Atlanta Airport Sheraton; the Club Level lounge will open in about 45 minutes, so that's where I'll be!! :rotfl2: I have a room on the 12th (top) floor with a runway view; I just love watching the planes take off! :cloud9:

Tomorrow morning around 6:30 I will be taking the shuttle over to the airport and if there are no delays, I will be at a park (not even sure which one yet!!) before noon! :woohoo:

Diana, I will see you and Ava Thursday :yay::yay: and Elin, we'll see you Friday! :yay::yay:

Dwight and the girls arrive Saturday morning! :yay::yay:

Safe travels everyone! :goodvibes

[PNO4TE]

Since the lows at WDW are to be about the same as the highs here in Virginia, you will hear no complaints from me! It is always amzing to me that there can be such discrepancies between prognostications! :rotfl2:

From AccuWeather:

Friday, Dec 18
Humid with rain and a t-storm
Low: 59 °F
High: 75 °F

Saturday, Dec 19
Periods of sun; windy, cooler
Low: 46 °F
High: 67 °F

Sunday, Dec 20
Windy in the morning
Low: 40 °F
High: 60 °F

Monday, Dec 21
Remaining cool with some sun
Low: 42 °F
High: 60 °F

Tuesday, Dec 22
Mostly sunny
Low: 42 °F
High: 64 °F

Wednesday, Dec 23
Times of clouds and sun
Low: 40 °F
High: 65 °F

Thursday, Dec 24
Sunshine and patchy clouds
Low: 38 °F
High: 61 °F

Friday, Dec 25
Times of clouds and sun
Low: 39 °F
High: 59 °F

Saturday, Dec 26
Partial sunshine
Low: 40 °F
High: 61 °F

Sunday, Dec 27
A shower in the afternoon
Low: 49 °F
High: 62 °F

From Weather.com:

Fri, Dec 18
T-Storms (70% chance)
76°
61°

Sat, Dec 19
Cloudy
63°
48°

Sun, Dec 20
Partly Cloudy
64°
41°

Mon, Dec 21
Partly Cloudy
64°
43°

Tue, Dec 22
Mostly Sunny
66°
49°

Wed, Dec 23
Sunny
67°
49°

Thu, Dec 24
Mostly Sunny
70°
57°

Fri, Dec 25
Partly Cloudy
74°
58°

From WFTV.com:

Friday, December 18
30% chance of rain
High: 71
Low: 36

Saturday, December 19
Partly sunny
High: 69
Low: 53

Sunday, December 20
Mostly sunny
High: 65
Low: :rotfl2:49

[PNO4TE]

I am home! I need to find time for an update and a change from PTR to TR status. But, suffice it to say that it was a marvelous trip. I had the best time with friends, old and new. And family time was precious too. I will try to put something together for the first couple of days tonight or tomorrow!

[Flossbolna]

I am home! I need to find time for an update and a change from PTR to TR status. But, suffice it to say that it was a marvelous trip. I had the best time with friends, old and new. And family time was precious too. I will try to put something together for the first couple of days tonight or tomorrow!

Welcome home! Sounds like a wonderful trip, I can't wait to hear about it. It will just be the right thing to get me in the Disney mood for my trip which is less than a month away! :goodvibes :cool1:

[ChelleinNC]

Welcome Home! We missed you :goodvibes

[MEK]

Welcome Back!

Looking forward to reading all about your trip! popcorn::

[PNO4TE]

Welcome home! Sounds like a wonderful trip, I can't wait to hear about it. It will just be the right thing to get me in the Disney mood for my trip which is less than a month away! :goodvibes :cool1:

Welcome Home! We missed you :goodvibes

Welcome Back!

Looking forward to reading all about your trip! popcorn::

Thanks, y'all! I hope to get more photos uploaded tonight and again in the morning. Right now I need to find out why my siggy picture has grown larger!! :confused:

[John's Mom]

Welcome back! Can't wait to hear about your trip and see your holiday pictures. :goodvibes

Kathy

[PNO4TE]

Welcome back! Can't wait to hear about your trip and see your holiday pictures. :goodvibes

Kathy

I was just starting to write about our mini-meet at AKL!! Hopefully I will have the first part of my TR ready to post. :goodvibes

[PNO4TE]

I was concerned about the impending wintry mix weather that was predicted for our weekend so I had trouble sleeping on Friday night. But all I had to deal with on the drive from Fredericksburg to DC was some rain. I left Reagan National Airport on time on Saturday, December 5, and arrived at MCO without incident. My driver, Roger (from :sunny:ray Transportation) met me and since I only had a carry-on we were off and running quickly. Before long I was arriving at the AKL and getting through security. Interesting aside… they gave my driver a parking pass for my use during the stay… :confused:

This is the sight that greeted me as I entered the lobby:

http://i25.photobucket.com/albums/c69/PNO4TE/December%202009%20WDW%20Trips/TR%20photos/1205091225-1.jpg

The quality of my photos was going to be a little lacking since I had decided to just use my cell phone this trip. I am happy to see that they are not too bad after all!! :teeth:

Sandy had put me on the reservation so I was able to check us in and check my bag with bell services. As I walked out the door to go to HS to meet some friends, I got a text that our room was ready, but it was too late then. :rolleyes:

It took quite a while for a HS bus to come but eventually I was on my way and stopped along the way to take a few photos:

http://i25.photobucket.com/albums/c69/PNO4TE/December%202009%20WDW%20Trips/TR%20photos/1205091322-1.jpg

I met part of my group near this wretched ride:

http://i25.photobucket.com/albums/c69/PNO4TE/December%202009%20WDW%20Trips/TR%20photos/1205091329-1.jpg

And the rest joined out little group after they got off the ToT. We have all known each other for a number of years, having met on the DIS on the Creative DISign board and staying together, despite our lack of doing much designing lately! Many of us had met in person before, but for some, this was our first group meet. :yay: We were going to Mama Melrose’s for lunch.

http://i25.photobucket.com/albums/c69/PNO4TE/December%202009%20WDW%20Trips/TR%20photos/1205091608-1.jpg

There were 14 of us in all. And we had a ball. There were old friends and new friends and lots of food and drink shared. Hi to Debbie and Richie, Bernadette and her friends and family, Elizabeth and her family, Stephanie and Terry. :wave2: And thanks to Elizabeth’s DH for taking a photo of many of us! :)
http://i25.photobucket.com/albums/c69/PNO4TE/December%202009%20WDW%20Trips/TR%20photos/Disney1209124-1.jpg

After lunch we discussed what we all had planned to do for the rest of the day. Some were planning to stay in the Studios for Osborne Lights and others had plans to go elsewhere. Elizabeth and her family were also at AKL so we decided to go back to the room for a little rest before coming back to HS for the Dancing Lights that night. I also had hopes of meeting up with some other DISers at AKL.

Sandy, Val and Hayley were also supposed to be arriving in time to go see the lights that night. But, during lunch I got a number of texts from both Sandy and Val letting me know that the weather had deteriorated in Baltimore and that their flight had been delayed. Throughout the afternoon and evening I would discover that it was delayed many times and they were stuck on the tarmac at BWI for over 2 hours waiting to be de-iced and given clearance to take off. This was not how we had hoped our 48 hour trip would begin!! :( I was still holding out hope that they would arrive in time for a quick view of the lights that night.

Back to the Lodge I went and after checking into our room (pool view studio) I got a call from Kathy (John’s Mom on the DIS) that she and her daughter, Erin (I hope I remembered that correctly!) were going to be in the lobby getting ready for their dinner ADR at Boma. So I went back down to meet her finally. And we didn’t get a picture!! What were we thinking, Kathy?!?!? As I was talking to them, Elizabeth and her family came back down on their way to HS but I decided to see if Sandy and Val and Hayley might still make it. Unfortunately I got a text from Sandy that they were STILL on the tarmac and there was no way they would get to MCO in time to make the lights. We changed our plans right then and I got ready to go see the lights.

Although I knew many of my DIS friends were at HS that night, I never saw anyone I knew! But I did get to see the lights for as long as I wanted. :love:

http://i25.photobucket.com/albums/c69/PNO4TE/December%202009%20WDW%20Trips/TR%20photos/1205091957.jpg
http://i25.photobucket.com/albums/c69/PNO4TE/December%202009%20WDW%20Trips/TR%20photos/1205091922.jpg
http://i25.photobucket.com/albums/c69/PNO4TE/December%202009%20WDW%20Trips/TR%20photos/1205091941.jpg
http://i25.photobucket.com/albums/c69/PNO4TE/December%202009%20WDW%20Trips/TR%20photos/1205091924.jpg
http://i25.photobucket.com/albums/c69/PNO4TE/December%202009%20WDW%20Trips/TR%20photos/1205091925.jpg
http://i25.photobucket.com/albums/c69/PNO4TE/December%202009%20WDW%20Trips/TR%20photos/1205091914a.jpg

I returned to the Lodge and got a text from Sandy that they had finally arrived at MCO and were in the towncar on their way to WDW! When they finally arrived (five hours late!) we decided to go to DTD for a late dinner at Wolfgang Puck Express. We got a bus very quickly and soon were ordering lots of yummy foods which included butternut squash soup, mac & cheese, Asian salads and more. Then it was time for Hayley to have some ice cream so we went to Ghiardelli and then shopped around in the stores a bit. On the way back to the buses hot chocolate seemed appropriate, so back to Ghiardelli we went.

It had been a very long day for all four of us so it wasn’t long before we were all fast asleep, with an alarm set for 7:00 since we had another BIG day planned for Sunday.

[ChelleinNC]

I'm so happy the report is starting :goodvibes

[oybolshoi]

Glad your friends finally made it - shame that the weather had to be such an old man grumpypants.

[John's Mom]

Elin,

When I was going through my pictures, I realized that we didn't get a picture together. It was probably one of my senior moments. :rotfl2: I'll just blame it on Erin. She should have thought of it. ;)

Kathy

[PNO4TE]

Elin,

When I was going through my pictures, I realized that we didn't get a picture together. It was probably one of my senior moments. :rotfl2: I'll just blame it on Erin. She should have thought of it. ;)

Kathy

We were very rushed that night, Kathy! Not Erin's fault... it just means we have to do it again! :goodvibes

[PNO4TE]

I'm so happy the report is starting :goodvibes

The rest of Trip #1 is about to be posted too! :thumbsup2

Glad your friends finally made it - shame that the weather had to be such an old man grumpypants.

That would be myBob! :rotfl2: But, you are right, Brenda... it was an awful way to start the trip. We only had 48 hours TOP to make it all work. But, as you will soon see, we did an admirable job of taking it all in! ;)

[PNO4TE]

The alarm went off and four women shared one bathroom in a timely fashion… that in itself might be a Christmas miracle! ;) We had a quick breakfast at The Mara and soon got our much awaited phone call; our friends were coming to pick us up for our day at Epcot!! :yay: Dar and Peggy were CMs at a Disney Store north of Baltimore with Sandy eons ago. We all used to take Girls Only trips together every fall. During those trips we all talked about how we dreamed of moving to Florida to work for the Mouse. They actually did it! So now, when we go to our favorite place we can see them having a wonderful time making our time there magical. :love: Today, however, we were all going to play together like old times. We hugged and kissed and cried a bit and soon were on our way to my favorite park. It was fun to have us all walking through Epcot chattering away like magpies. We were able to do quite a bit: Soarin’ and the gentle version of Mission Space, Test Track and Spaceship Earth. Too soon Dar had to leave us to go to the MK to work and then she would be at MVMCP tonight. Long day! Before she left she told Sandy and Val and Haley that the passes she had given them that morning were actually one-day hoppers so we could do anything we wanted at any park we wanted! :yay:

The rest of us went over to The Land and ate at Sunshine Seasons for lunch and decided what else we wanted to get done that day. With Peggy’s promise to see us at MVMCP that night (she was also working) she left us to start the real whirlwind part of the trip.

Sometimes during the trip I forgot that Val had never been here during the holidays before and we really wanted to take in as much as possible. So, we walked over to the Epcot resorts to look at their decorations. On the way we saw Lumberjack “Santa” in Canada. I love his transformation as he tells his story.

http://i25.photobucket.com/albums/c69/PNO4TE/December%202009%20WDW%20Trips/TR%20photos/1206091333.jpg

http://i25.photobucket.com/albums/c69/PNO4TE/December%202009%20WDW%20Trips/TR%20photos/1206091333b.jpg

http://i25.photobucket.com/albums/c69/PNO4TE/December%202009%20WDW%20Trips/TR%20photos/1206091340a.jpg

http://i25.photobucket.com/albums/c69/PNO4TE/December%202009%20WDW%20Trips/TR%20photos/1206091340b-1.jpg


Beach Club:

http://i25.photobucket.com/albums/c69/PNO4TE/December%202009%20WDW%20Trips/TR%20photos/1206091354-1.jpg

http://i25.photobucket.com/albums/c69/PNO4TE/December%202009%20WDW%20Trips/TR%20photos/1206091356a.jpg

Yacht Club:

http://i25.photobucket.com/albums/c69/PNO4TE/December%202009%20WDW%20Trips/TR%20photos/1206091413c-1.jpg

http://i25.photobucket.com/albums/c69/PNO4TE/December%202009%20WDW%20Trips/TR%20photos/1206091413a-1.jpg

BoardWalk:

http://i25.photobucket.com/albums/c69/PNO4TE/December%202009%20WDW%20Trips/TR%20photos/1206091435-1.jpg

http://i25.photobucket.com/albums/c69/PNO4TE/December%202009%20WDW%20Trips/TR%20photos/1206091431b-1.jpg

http://i25.photobucket.com/albums/c69/PNO4TE/December%202009%20WDW%20Trips/TR%20photos/1206091431.jpg

http://i25.photobucket.com/albums/c69/PNO4TE/December%202009%20WDW%20Trips/TR%20photos/1206091433.jpg

From here we took a bus to the MK and walked over to the Contemporary Resort. This has got to be the largest wreath I have ever seen!!

http://i25.photobucket.com/albums/c69/PNO4TE/December%202009%20WDW%20Trips/TR%20photos/1206091515-1.jpg

A quick monorail loop to the Polynesian and Grand Floridian Resorts allowed us to take in those decorations too!

http://i25.photobucket.com/albums/c69/PNO4TE/December%202009%20WDW%20Trips/TR%20photos/1206091536.jpg

http://i25.photobucket.com/albums/c69/PNO4TE/December%202009%20WDW%20Trips/TR%20photos/1206091537.jpg

http://i25.photobucket.com/albums/c69/PNO4TE/December%202009%20WDW%20Trips/TR%20photos/1206091618.jpg

http://i25.photobucket.com/albums/c69/PNO4TE/December%202009%20WDW%20Trips/TR%20photos/1206091620.jpg

With park hoppers and annual passes burning the proverbial hole we decided to go to HS to see the Osborne Lights which the ladies missed last night. But first, a walk along Hollywood Boulevard had us smiling at this window display!

http://i25.photobucket.com/albums/c69/PNO4TE/December%202009%20WDW%20Trips/TR%20photos/1206091707-1.jpg

http://i25.photobucket.com/albums/c69/PNO4TE/December%202009%20WDW%20Trips/TR%20photos/1206091707a-1.jpg

We grabbed a quick bite to eat at The Backlot Express while we were waiting for the Lights to start dancing. At this point Hayley told us she really wanted to ride Rock ‘n’ Roller Coaster and the wretched Tower of Terror ( :eek: ) so she left us to do that while we gazed in amazement once again.

http://i25.photobucket.com/albums/c69/PNO4TE/December%202009%20WDW%20Trips/TR%20photos/1206091823.jpg

It is truly one of my favorite holiday happenings at the World.

(continued on next post)

[PNO4TE]

Before I continue with our MVMCP trip I wanted to tally up what we had been able to do so far today: 2 parks and 7 resorts! Pretty impressive, I think.

We had much discussion as to the best way to get to the MK from HS and decided to take the bus that made the most sense that came the most quickly. Confused? So was I … but we made it in pretty quick time, but I cannot remember which way we ended up going! :rotfl:

We did as many things during the Party as we possibly could. Here are photos to show some of those highlights:

http://i25.photobucket.com/albums/c69/PNO4TE/December%202009%20WDW%20Trips/TR%20photos/1206091908.jpg

http://i25.photobucket.com/albums/c69/PNO4TE/December%202009%20WDW%20Trips/TR%20photos/1206091910.jpg

http://i25.photobucket.com/albums/c69/PNO4TE/December%202009%20WDW%20Trips/TR%20photos/1206091911.jpg

http://i25.photobucket.com/albums/c69/PNO4TE/December%202009%20WDW%20Trips/TR%20photos/1206091914.jpg

http://i25.photobucket.com/albums/c69/PNO4TE/December%202009%20WDW%20Trips/TR%20photos/1206092135c.jpg

http://i25.photobucket.com/albums/c69/PNO4TE/December%202009%20WDW%20Trips/TR%20photos/1206092134b.jpg

http://i25.photobucket.com/albums/c69/PNO4TE/December%202009%20WDW%20Trips/TR%20photos/1206092131-1.jpg

http://i25.photobucket.com/albums/c69/PNO4TE/December%202009%20WDW%20Trips/TR%20photos/1206092138b.jpg

And one lowlight. :( The Christmas Parade was a huge disappointment to me this year!! The music was lackluster and the floats were small. I missed all the hoopla and grand celebratory music and mayhem of these parades I remember. It has been a couple of years since I had seen one, I think, but c’mon Disney… I felt like I was watching a Valium-induced parade! :mad:

(lousy pictures of a lousy parade)
http://i25.photobucket.com/albums/c69/PNO4TE/December%202009%20WDW%20Trips/TR%20photos/1206092254-1.jpg

http://i25.photobucket.com/albums/c69/PNO4TE/December%202009%20WDW%20Trips/TR%20photos/1206092252.jpg

And the two women who made it possible for all of us to have such a fun-filled day:

Dar:
http://i25.photobucket.com/albums/c69/PNO4TE/December%202009%20WDW%20Trips/TR%20photos/1206091932-1.jpg

Peggy (with Sandy):
http://i25.photobucket.com/albums/c69/PNO4TE/December%202009%20WDW%20Trips/TR%20photos/1206091947-1.jpg

And the four of us just before we headed back to AKL:

http://i25.photobucket.com/albums/c69/PNO4TE/December%202009%20WDW%20Trips/MVMCP09.jpg

I think by now we were all falling asleep on the bus ride. We quickly got ready for bed and slept soundly, thanks, in part, to all the walking and excitement of the day! That 5:30 alarm came much too soon. We shared the bathroom without incident again and soon were in the towncar heading to MCO and home. :( We were flying out of different terminals so had to say our goodbyes quickly. Again, lots of hugs and kisses and tears. This had been a bittersweet trip. But one that really needed to be made. I am so very thankful that Sandy and Val made these plans months ago and convinced me that I could make it work out. I wouldn’t have wanted to be anywhere else this weekend. Despite the circumstances and the changes we needed to make on the fly, it was a time of re-connecting with old friends and loved-ones. What a good way to begin the holiday season.

As always, thanks for reading. Trip #2 will be coming soon!

[jackskellingtonsgirl]

I am so happy we were able to meet you, Elin! :)

[PNO4TE]

I am so happy we were able to meet you, Elin! :)

It was one of the highlights of the trip, Elizabeth! :goodvibes

[whogirl'smom]

Christmas stuff with friends looked like so much fun! Glad it was a good trip!:goodvibes

[Tammi67]

Wonderful trip, Elin. I'm so glad you enjoyed it. Great picture of the 4 of you!

[PNO4TE]

Christmas stuff with friends looked like so much fun! Glad it was a good trip!:goodvibes

Wonderful trip, Elin. I'm so glad you enjoyed it. Great picture of the 4 of you!

Thanks, you two! I really need to spend some time on TR #2 now! :eek:

[my3princes]

I enjoyed TR one, can't wait for the next one:cool1:

[PNO4TE]

I enjoyed TR one, can't wait for the next one:cool1:

Thanks, Deb! I have started it, but not quite ready to post Day 1 yet.

[PracPerfPatricia]

Elin,

sounds like a lovely holiday interlude...what a great way to get into the spirit...:santa:


this made me laugh though..."a valium induced parade"...:lmao:

you do have a wicked sense of humor...and I mean that as a compliment...it takes one to recognize one...;)...straddling the naughty and nice lists indeed...

Looking forward to reading about the family trip...:goodvibes

[PNO4TE]

Elin,

sounds like a lovely holiday interlude...what a great way to get into the spirit...:santa:


this made me laugh though..."a valium induced parade"...:lmao:

you do have a wicked sense of humor...and I mean that as a compliment...it takes one to recognize one...;)...straddling the naughty and nice lists indeed...

Looking forward to reading about the family trip...:goodvibes

Thank you, Miss Patricia! The compliment was taken very nicely by yours truly!! I am glad to see you here. Hope I can get to that second TR tomorrow morning!

[PNO4TE]

I had the car all packed and ready to go for Thursday evening. All I had to do was get through four last recitals before I could leave. By 8:30 p.m. my studio was empty of the young pianists and their families as well as leftover food and garbage. I was ready!

I made a quick stop at home, where Kristin had a sandwich and juice ready for my dinner and where Bob was being a worrywart over my traveling alone. I dropped off all the many gifts that had been given to me, grabbed my dinner, calmed Bob down with the promise that if I got too tired I would stop sooner than I had planned. Hugs and kisses, pats for the dog (with the required promise of “I’ll be right back”) and I was off by 9:00. I had a three hour drive ahead of me and my handy GPS (hereafter called “Jill”) confirmed this estimate.

The drive was easy with little traffic and no weather to deal with! I stopped at a Comfort Inn in Rocky Mount, NC for the night, arriving at 11:56 p.m. I called the girls to let them know I had made it (Bob was already asleep). Check-in was a breeze and the price of $62 was reasonable. The room was clean and the King bed comfortable. I was in bed and asleep before 12:30. But I was wide awake at 4:30 a.m. so I decided to go ahead and get a start on what I thought should be about an 11 hour drive. Jill said it should only be 10 hours, but I knew there was some rough weather to get through so I figured I was right and she was wrong. It was only 30 degrees in Rocky Mount…. Brrrrrrrrr.

The first couple of hours were dark and quiet. About 6:00 I stopped in Lumberton, NC to fill up both the tank and my tummy. Only lost about 15 minutes for all of that. Back on the road, I waited for dawn and 7:00 to call myBob to let him know all was fine. He asked about the rain but it hadn’t started yet. I knew it was coming, but I wanted to get as far south as possible so I wasn’t dealing with ice or snow. In fact, I didn’t run into rain until I crossed the SC/GA border. And then, like in the old movie in The Living Seas at Epcot, it rained, and rained, and rained… the deluge.

I was so glad I had left Thursday night because I knew when these sheets of rain hit the cold air further north there would be lots and lots and lots of snow. Traffic kept up a pretty good pace, and the small amount of road construction made little impact on speed limits. I watched with fascination as Jill’s time estimate was becoming more and more plausible! Next stop I made was in Palm Coast, FL. It was a little sunny, actually! And I was shocked at the temperatures and humidity. It felt like a steam bath when I got out of my car to fill it up with gas. I think it was 76o and the humidity was close to 100%. It was amazingly different from what I had expected. A quick fill up and bathroom break and I was back on the road.

As I approached I-4 in Daytona Beach I saw more and more sunshine with intermittent showers, but I also knew it was better than what I had left behind me. I called Bob to let him know about the weather and he disgustingly told me that Fredericksburg was now under a Winter Weather Warning with high snowfall amounts predicted. :eek: He was not happy and my reminding him that he was originally supposed to be with me on this drive didn’t help the matter either.

I texted my friend, Diana (DisneyBride03), to let her know that my drive was going well and that I would let her know when I got to the WDW area. Meanwhile, a CM friend of mine (Peggy), texted me to find out if I had made it yet. I told her that I was almost there and we made arrangements to get together in the next day or so since she was going home for Christmas.

In what seemed like record time I found myself seeing this:

http://i25.photobucket.com/albums/c69/PNO4TE/December%202009%20WDW%20Trips/TR%20photos/1218091420-1.jpg

And I let Diana know how close I was. She replied that they were in the AK and would come over to AKL when they were done. And then I saw this:

http://i25.photobucket.com/albums/c69/PNO4TE/December%202009%20WDW%20Trips/TR%20photos/1218091426-1.jpg

…which threw Diana into a panic. She had no idea that I was really that close. They were in the middle of The Lion King show and couldn’t leave until it was over. No problem! I was able to get a room key and go to the room to freshen up and they were able to take their time getting there. It also gave me a chance to enjoy the Lodge since I had not expected to see it again so soon. See… my friend Diana booked this night at AKL as a surprise and thank-you for me. :love: Luckily she let me know ahead of time or I would have been sitting over at Pop Century wondering why they wouldn’t let me in the gates!! :rotfl:

Soon Diana, her adorable daughter Ava, and our friend Laura (RachelTori) were in the room and we were all gabbing and enjoying being together. We had a 4:30 ADR for Boma and were seated fairly quickly. The three of us had nice glasses of wine with dinner and everyone seemed to be enjoying the meal. Ava was getting tired, and I have to admit… so was I!

Laura had to leave to go back to her room after dinner and Diana and I decided downtime was a good thing! As we walked through the lobby we discovered a handbell choir had set up shop and was entertaining the guests with Christmas music. And around the lovely tree we found Donald and Daisy and then Chip and Dale! How nice for Ava to get to see four characters already!

http://i25.photobucket.com/albums/c69/PNO4TE/December%202009%20WDW%20Trips/1218091846_0001-1.jpg

We went back to the room, got Ava ready for bed, opened a bottle of prosecco and bundled everyone up for a little time on one of the balconies with rockers.

(Do ya like my hat?)
http://i25.photobucket.com/albums/c69/PNO4TE/December%202009%20WDW%20Trips/1218092135-2.jpg

I had started to get messages from home that the weather was not looking good. There was now a Winter Storm Warning out for our area, with more than a foot of snow expected. :eek: I was not the most popular person in my family at this point. :rolleyes:

After the bracing cool weather and the prosecco we were ready for bed. We had lots to do tomorrow too!

[PNO4TE]

Up and at ‘em… things to do today. But first, some coffee and a looksee off the balcony (Diana had scored a savanna-view complimentary upgrade!).

http://i25.photobucket.com/albums/c69/PNO4TE/December%202009%20WDW%20Trips/1219090735-1.jpg

http://i25.photobucket.com/albums/c69/PNO4TE/December%202009%20WDW%20Trips/P1050647-1.jpg

http://i25.photobucket.com/albums/c69/PNO4TE/December%202009%20WDW%20Trips/P1050651-1.jpg

http://i25.photobucket.com/albums/c69/PNO4TE/December%202009%20WDW%20Trips/P1050657-1.jpg

Breakfast at The Mara was followed by repacking and transferring luggage to my car. The plan was to head to the MK for a few hours and then Diana and Ava would take a bus to Port Orleans French Quarter while I took a bus back to AKL and drove to POFQ to check us in there. I got a phone call from a tired Peggy (who worked the final MVMCP the night before) and we planned to meet at POFQ for lunch so it was perfect!

(On our way!)
http://i25.photobucket.com/albums/c69/PNO4TE/December%202009%20WDW%20Trips/P1050664-1.jpg

After all the rain we had hoped for a sunny day. We were not disappointed. A few of the things we did and saw:

http://i25.photobucket.com/albums/c69/PNO4TE/December%202009%20WDW%20Trips/P1050665-1.jpg

http://i25.photobucket.com/albums/c69/PNO4TE/December%202009%20WDW%20Trips/P1050708-1.jpg

http://i25.photobucket.com/albums/c69/PNO4TE/December%202009%20WDW%20Trips/P1050670-1.jpg

http://i25.photobucket.com/albums/c69/PNO4TE/December%202009%20WDW%20Trips/P1050683-1.jpg

http://i25.photobucket.com/albums/c69/PNO4TE/December%202009%20WDW%20Trips/P1050684-1.jpg

This was a lucky shot!
http://i25.photobucket.com/albums/c69/PNO4TE/December%202009%20WDW%20Trips/P1050693-1.jpg

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It was 11:00 (as you can see by it’s a small world) so we decided to start our trek to POFQ. It took forever for buses to come. About 35 minutes! But, eventually we were on our respective rides and I let Peggy know I was making the move from AKL to POFQ. She promised to meet me there and as I pulled into the parking lot for check-in… she pulled up right behind me! How wonderful to see her again so soon. :love:

We checked in (got Building 5) and met Diana and Ava in the food court for some lunch. One of the reasons we like French Quarter so much is that we think their food is wonderful. Diana and I split a Taco Salad (plenty big enough for two, and it comes in a tortilla bowl!) and Peggy had their Muffaletta sandwich (this comes with their house-made chips with some creole seasoning… YUM!). Peggy was leaving the next day to go home for Christmas and still had packing to finish, so she left us after lunch. I won’t see her again until October. :(

(continued)

[PNO4TE]

Our room was ready so we decided to get a bellman to help with all the luggage and see if Ava would go down for a nap. CM Michael was terrific and got everything, including all 18 (oops… 17. We drank one last night!) bottles of wine onto the cart. When we arrived at our room I noticed that we had what I have dubbed a “deciduous waterview” room. If you get room 5334 in the summer, there will be no view of the Sassagoula River. But if you come after the falling of the leaves…

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I sent that picture to my family with the comment that “This is the view from our window!” and my lovely DD, Kristin, replied with this picture and the comment that “This is the view from our window, bu**head!”

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(We don’t normally talk that way so this was absolutely hysterical to me. One of those "IWillAlwaysRememberThisMoment” moments. :love: ) They were now under a blizzard warning and on their way to getting 22 inches of snow. :eek: :faint: They will never, ever, forgive me for this. Never. Ever. It was about this time I realized I had better stop sending them pictures. My mama didn’t raise a dummy!

Ava wasn’t really interested in sleeping so we looked for things to do to help her relax. I know! Put up the Christmas tree and put the wreath on the door!

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No one napped, but we did have some much needed downtime. We were going back to MK tonight to see the lighting of the castle and we knew it would be crowded. That was an understatement. It was a mob scene! But, we only wanted to do one thing and then get the heck outta there, but we caught the “Move It! Shake It” parade as we came into Main Street.

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For the most part the crowds were not too bad. There was that one scary time when Diana and Ava were almost knocked over a fence and into the shrubbery behind, but… ;)

We found a spot at the beginning of the Hub to stand/lean and waited for Cinderella and her Fairy Godmother to do their magic. It was worth the wait and the fighting of the crowds!

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We had thought about trying to get to Pirates after this but it was impossible and people were pushy and rude. Not worth it, so we turned around and left the park. I captured a few shots of Main Street as we left:

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We decided to get on the monorail and go to the Polynesian. Diana and herBob had been married there and she wanted to show it to Ava. We walked along the beach and Ava, looking at all the sand, said, “Look at all the snow!” :goodvibes We were hungry so we decided to eat at Captain Cook’s which was crowded. But the divide and conquer method worked. I got the food and Diana got the table. After Grown-Up Grilled Cheese and Dole Whips we were ready to call it a night. We made our trip back to the resort.

When we got back Diana got Ava ready for bed. She had some time to play with her “guys” under the tree.

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Then it was lights out and girl time for Diana and me. Another bottle of wine was opened and lots of talking that we had not had the chance to do before. A very nice evening to cap off a very nice day!

[oybolshoi]

Love the updates and pics, Elin! And that text from your DD ... I snorted coffee! Too funny! :rotfl2:

[PNO4TE]

Love the updates and pics, Elin! And that text from your DD ... I snorted coffee! Too funny! :rotfl2:

Brenda ... That is when I seriously realized that my pictures were not being received in the manner in which they were being sent. :rotfl:

[Flossbolna]

Wow, you manage to do a full TR before I have time to comment!! :scared1: Well, I guess it was a short trip! :goodvibes

Happy New Year to you, Elin! I love your reports as always, it seems like you had a great time with your friends! :goodvibes

I love your Mardi Gras themed Christmas Tree, very sweet! But why was your family angry with you over the snow? :confused: You did not order the snow, did you? But it does look like scary amounts of snow. I guess you normally don't have that much snow where you live?

[PNO4TE]

Wow, you manage to do a full TR before I have time to comment!! :scared1: Well, I guess it was a short trip! :goodvibes

Happy New Year to you, Elin! I love your reports as always, it seems like you had a great time with your friends! :goodvibes

I love your Mardi Gras themed Christmas Tree, very sweet! But why was your family angry with you over the snow? :confused: You did not order the snow, did you? But it does look like scary amounts of snow. I guess you normally don't have that much snow where you live?

Hi, Magdalene! I am glad you got over here and read my short report and the beginning of my second one too. You are right... 22 inches of snow in December set records all the way back to the 1800s. I hate the snow and cold weather intensely. But I am the one who normally deals with shoveling and getting the dog out into the snow and dealing with travel plans so all of this was dropped in their laps that week. It is nice to know that they were able to deal with it, but their "attitude" about it did make for some glares and nasty comments when they finally arrived in WDW. :rolleyes:

You are very right... I did not order it and should not have to carry the blame for it! :snooty:

[CPer'sMom]

Glad to see you've started your TR Elin. LOVE the comment from Kristin!! :rotfl2: It so sounds like something that could come from my DD in that situation! I thought of you & your family when we started to get that snowstorm and wondered if they would make it okay. Looking forward to hearing how that went ......

______________
Nancy

[Flossbolna]

Hi, Magdalene! I am glad you got over here and read my short report and the beginning of my second one too. You are right... 22 inches of snow in December set records all the way back to the 1800s. I hate the snow and cold weather intensely. But I am the one who normally deals with shoveling and getting the dog out into the snow and dealing with travel plans so all of this was dropped in their laps that week. It is nice to know that they were able to deal with it, but their "attitude" about it did make for some glares and nasty comments when they finally arrived in WDW. :rolleyes:

You are very right... I did not order it and should not have to carry the blame for it! :snooty:

Ah well, I hope they realize now much more what they have in you!! :goodvibes But it seems like they do that anyway, you always come across like a very caring family anyway. :goodvibes

[PNO4TE]

Glad to see you've started your TR Elin. LOVE the comment from Kristin!! :rotfl2: It so sounds like something that could come from my DD in that situation! I thought of you & your family when we started to get that snowstorm and wondered if they would make it okay. Looking forward to hearing how that went ......

Hi, Nancy! Thanks for reading along. After the storm hit I was even more relieved that I had ordered a towncar company to pick them up to take them to the Richmond airport. Although they had dug out Bob's car long before that he is not a fan of driving in snow and ice and I really would have been concerned if the roads weren't cleaned yet. Oh, and as an aside... there are STILL six patches of ice on the street in the area in front of our house. Since we have bitter cold temps I think they may still be here come May. The other funny thing is that we are originally from the mountains of western PA and grew up driving on snow-covered roads. But neither one of us likes to do it any more. :sad2:

Ah well, I hope they realize now much more what they have in you!! :goodvibes But it seems like they do that anyway, you always come across like a very caring family anyway. :goodvibes

Awwww.... Magdalene.... you made me teary-eyed. I do love having and caring for my family. There are times, however, when they need to take the initiative, you know?? :rolleyes:

[ChelleinNC]

Brenda ... That is when I seriously realized that my pictures were not being received in the manner in which they were being sent. :rotfl:

I don't know, with you're wicked sense of humor I think those pictures might have been received in exactly the manner in which they were sent ;):lmao:

The 18th is the day we drove from Charlotte to Newport New VA. We were going to leave around 1pm ish, but ended up getting the kids out of school much earlier. We still ended up driving through a lot of yucky snow & sleet. :scared1:

Looking forward to the rest of the report now that I'm caught up :goodvibes

[PNO4TE]

I don't know, with you're wicked sense of humor I think those pictures might have been received in exactly the manner in which they were sent ;):lmao:

Who? Me??? :snooty:














:lmao:

I am hoping to get another day or two done today. But I have to face the reality that I go back to teaching tomorrow and my studio is still decorated for Christmas! :eek: Kristin has offered to go in with me today to turn it into a winter wonderland instead.

[PNO4TE]

We had a fancy day planned! First up is breakfast at the Grand Floridian Café. I am very excited for this since I have never eaten there, and it is Diana’s treat. :) We had to get dressed up because pictures would definitely be in order.

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We decided to drive so that we could get there and back quickly because we had many other things to do today. On our way through the lobby we saw these fine gentlemen finishing up their Christmas gig! I love that WDW resorts have all this entertainment during the holidays.

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Off we went and soon saw this lovely sight!

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Breakfast was wonderful and the company was even better. We had a great server too, but it did take a while for our meals to arrive. Not so for the Grand Mimosas! ;)

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After breakfast we had fun just looking around (the new marble floors are exquisite!) and meeting some new and old friends.

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Ava found a friend to play with on the grand staircase, but I couldn’t watch! :rotfl: My stomach was in knots with worry. (In my defense, I had a student fall down the stairs at my studio years ago and since then I get that clutchy feeling when I see kids playing on steps!)

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Diana and herBob stayed at the Grand for their honeymoon and had met this gentleman back in 2003. Now he is also Ava’s friend!

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Ava was getting tired so we decided to go back to POFQ for a rest.

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We had hopes that Ava would take a nap since we were going to be out late tonight. She didn’t nap, so we decided to take the boat to Downtown Disney to shop a little and see if we could see Santa!

The Characters in Flight balloon was grounded today due to the high winds, but look who I saw!

Merryweather!
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And…

Santa’s Workshop
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Look who I see!!!!!!
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Have you been a good girl this year?
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A kiss for Santa
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(continued)

[PNO4TE]

We went back to POFQ and bundled up for the evening ahead. Soon we were on our way to Epcot to meet our friends Laura (RachelTori) and her husband, Dwight. Also along for the evening were Laura’s daughter, Tori and her friend Chelsea. The girls were going to entertain Ava while the adults watched the Candlelight Processional. But first, we had dinner at the Biergarten. We all had so much fun. The restaurant was beautifully decorated, as usual, and the show was fun for young and old alike.

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Maybe the best part was the telling of the Stille Nacht (Silent Night) story, which Tori and Ava enjoyed a lot!

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We left Ava and the girls to do their own thing and got in line for CP. Whoopi Goldberg was reading for her last night and we were seeing her last performance of the run. It was going to be crowded so I am glad Laura had made reservations for the dinner package for us all. While we were in line we took lots of photos, checked on football scores (the Steelers pulled it out in the last few seconds!) and had fun talking.

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In the midst of it all I got a phone call from another DIS friend, Anne Marie (mommykds) who was here with her family too. After much description of where I was stuck in line they found me (:wave2: Anne Marie, Dana and kids!!) but other than talking over top of the heads of those in the lines beside me, we couldn’t do much “meeting” unfortunately. We will have to plan it better next time!

Soon they were letting us in and we had great seats! :yay: We talked about the decorations and the music. I love this score and have even gone so far as to find and purchase the entire thing so I can read along when I listen to my CD at home. :teeth: Laura used her new Flip Video camera to record as much as possible (I still don’t know how that worked out) and I took lots of photos. Some turned out pretty goo, and others are a little blurry. But the pageantry was as beautiful as I remember and the music stirred my soul as it always does. I also had a chance to see a friend working up in the rafters! Justin Muchoney, the first Chief Magical Officer for WDW, had been asked to come down and lend his talented hands to the CP production this year and I saw him at work. Whoopi was wonderful and she LOVED the music. I wish you could see her moving as the choirs sang! She shared a personal reflection at the end of the show that was moving too.

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When the show was over it was time to go meet the girls and head home, but I stopped and bought two copies of the CP CD for Laura and Diana. I love mine and I knew they would enjoy listening to theirs for years to come. :goodvibes

Since Diana and Ava were leaving in the morning there were “goodbyes” to be said to Laura and her family. Bur soon we were headed back to our resort so that Diana could finish up her packing and they could get a good night’s sleep before traveling. After a few minutes of playing by the Christmas tree again, Ava was ready to sleep.

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Soon we were all dreaming. Some of us were remembering the moving Christmas music and others were excited about getting to see Daddy very soon.

[ChelleinNC]

I love the Candlelight Processional! We've seen it twice, first time was with Edward James Olmos and 2nd time was Neil Patrick Harris. They were so different but both were incredible!

So did you eat anything with your Grand Mimosa at GFC?

[DisneyBride'03]

:goodvibes:goodvibes Sigh!

I am so enjoying this ELin:)

It is like re-living the whole trip..and your wonderful photos!!

Ava had the most glorious time...loved every moment, was well behaved , even without naps...she did fall asleep on the way INTO MK and slept through the parade...lol..Then I just woke her up!

Ava truly adored Elin....one night when we returned to FQ...Elin had stopped in the "Place with that scary man thingie"..lol..well Ava didnt realize this, and when we got to the room, she asked..:Where is your sister? Where is Elin?"

ANd began crying for her....so sweet:love:
There were so many wonderful moments as you all can tell!

I am so glad that Elin did leave a day early....and missed the weather....but it was fun getting the weather updates from her family!! Esp the exchange about "the views"!!!

It was my first CP.....it was wonderful to share this with Elin and Laura! (ok..Dwight too...lol)

The crown AVa is wearing at our GF breakfast was a gift from ELin, which Ava adored.:cloud9:

[PNO4TE]

:goodvibes:goodvibes Sigh!

I am so enjoying this ELin:)

It is like re-living the whole trip..and your wonderful photos!!

Ava had the most glorious time...loved every moment, was well behaved , even without naps...she did fall asleep on the way INTO MK and slept through the parade...lol..Then I just woke her up!

Ava truly adored Elin....one night when we returned to FQ...Elin had stopped in the "Place with that scary man thingie"..lol..well Ava didnt realize this, and when we got to the room, she asked..:Where is your sister? Where is Elin?"

ANd began crying for her....so sweet:love:
There were so many wonderful moments as you all can tell!

I am so glad that Elin did leave a day early....and missed the weather....but it was fun getting the weather updates from her family!! Esp the exchange about "the views"!!!

It was my first CP.....it was wonderful to share this with Elin and Laura! (ok..Dwight too...lol)

The crown AVa is wearing at our GF breakfast was a gift from ELin, which Ava adored.:cloud9:

And I adored Ava! I had forgotten she got so upset when I went to fill up our mugs in the food court! :hug:

She was such a good trooper throughout the whole trip. And I got to sing Christmas songs with her in the evenings instead of bedtime stories. I cannot imagine the trip being any different than it turned out. :love:

[Flossbolna]

What a wonderful day!

I think Whoopi Goldberg is a fantastic actor and I think she must be fantastic for the CP. I wonder wether I will ever make it to WDW for the Christmas season. :goodvibes

Just two questions: what is the Stille Nacht story? I did not know that there was a story to the song? The words of the song are just about the Christmas story I think...

And the other is: what was Justin doing in the rafters? I guess the one picture of the man under the roof is of him? But why is this helping with the CP??? :confused:

[PNO4TE]

I love the Candlelight Processional! We've seen it twice, first time was with Edward James Olmos and 2nd time was Neil Patrick Harris. They were so different but both were incredible!

So did you eat anything with your Grand Mimosa at GFC?

We were trying to remember who all we have seen at CP over the years: Robert Urich, George Kennedy, Brian Dennehy, Alfre Woodard, Gary Sinese (for 6 years!!!) James Caviezel and now Whoopi Goldberg. We skipped two years because Gary was there yet again, and I couldn't convince any of my family to go see him again. (They suggested that we invite him and his family to join us for Christmas Day dinner since we had spent so many Christmas Eves with him. :rotfl: )

As for breakfast... yes, we did eat! Diana and I both had the Maple-Vanilla French Toast (Challah Bread dipped in Maple and Vanilla flavored Batter) with Sausage and Ava had a pancake which she didn't eat (but she did eat the sprinkles on it!).

[DisneyBride'03]

I thought Whoopi was fantastic, although I have no others to compare her to...lol

I would see her again! ANd the music...I came home and listened to my CD (:) ) every day..at home, while driving....!!!

[PNO4TE]

Just two questions: what is the Stille Nacht story? I did not know that there was a story to the song? The words of the song are just about the Christmas story I think...

I can't believe I am telling this to someone from Germany!! It probably isn't true, but it is a story that is told everywhere in the US, and in the Biergarten in Epcot!

From Wikipedia:

"The carol was first performed in the Nikolaus-Kirche (Church of St. Nicholas) in Oberndorf, Austria on December 24, 1818. Mohr had composed the words two years earlier, in 1816, but on Christmas Eve brought them to Gruber and asked him to compose a melody and guitar accompaniment for the church service.

In his written account regarding the composition of the carol, Gruber gives no mention of the specific inspiration for creating the song. According to the song's history provided by Austria's Silent Night Society, one supposition is that the church organ was no longer working so that Mohr and Gruber therefore created a song for accompaniment by guitar. Silent Night historian, Renate Ebeling-Winkler Berenguer says that the first mention of a broken organ was in a book published in the U.S.

Some believe that Mohr simply wanted a new Christmas carol that he could play on his guitar. The Silent Night Society says that there are "many romantic stories and legends" that add their own anecdotal details to the known facts."

And the other is: what was Justin doing in the rafters? I guess the one picture of the man under the roof is of him? But why is this helping with the CP??? :confused:

I am not 100% certain exactly what Justin was doing up there. Maybe sound checks?? He hardly ever moved all night long! I do know that he went down there specifically to work the CP for 6 weeks.

[RachelTori]

Laura used her new Flip Video camera to record as much as possible (I still don’t know how that worked out) and I took lots of photos.

Elin, I still don't know how that worked out either!!! (looks and sounds kind of cruddy on the little bitty screen!!) One of these days, I'll have to figure out how to get the video uploaded and then we'll know!! :laughing:

I LOVE, LOVE, LOVE all your pictures!!! :love: And while I was fiddling with Flip, you were taking some great shots of Whoopi! :thumbsup2

The CP CD is wonderful. Thank you so much for that wonderful gift! :flower3:

[DisneyBride'03]

The one of Tori and Ava is precious!! Too bad there are no pics of you chasing Ava around the AKL Lobby...lol

[MEK]

Maybe the best part was the telling of the Stille Nacht (Silent Night) story, which Tori and Ava enjoyed a lot!



Hi PNO4TE -

I got really behind on your TR, but I just read your last update and loved it. Plus, I love the story of Stille Nacht. What a timeless song which, by happenstance, was written on the guitar. Imagine if that organ had never broke that evening?

I love the CP and i really didn't know you could buy a CD. I would love that. I stood through the entire thing last year and I find the music top quality and the story is so beautiful. I am glad that Disney ignores political correctness to tell this wonderful, heart warming story.

[RachelTori]

The one of Tori and Ava is precious!! Too bad there are no pics of you chasing Ava around the AKL Lobby...lol

That would have given everyone a good laugh!!! :rotfl2: I kept up with her, but I'm sure that was not a pretty sight! :rotfl:

[PNO4TE]

Hi PNO4TE -

I got really behind on your TR, but I just read your last update and loved it. Plus, I love the story of Stille Nacht. What a timeless song which, by happenstance, was written on the guitar. Imagine if that organ had never broke that evening?

I love the CP and i really didn't know you could buy a CD. I would love that. I stood through the entire thing last year and I find the music top quality and the story is so beautiful. I am glad that Disney ignores political correctness to tell this wonderful, heart warming story.

If you contact Disney Merchandising they can get you one! Or you can get an MP# download from amazon.com.

http://www.amazon.com/Candlelight-Processional-Massed-Choir-Presented/dp/B0007SOLUA/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&s=music&qid=1262569307&sr=1-1

And thanks for reading along, ME!

[PNO4TE]

The one of Tori and Ava is precious!! Too bad there are no pics of you chasing Ava around the AKL Lobby...lol

That would have given everyone a good laugh!!! :rotfl2: I kept up with her, but I'm sure that was not a pretty sight! :rotfl:

I would have paid money for that picture! And also one of Laura playing hide and seek with Ava and the Christmas tree on our way to Boma for dinner! :lmao:

[DisneyBride'03]

Also, so nice to have extra eyes and hands with me during the trip with Ava:)
Big help:)

[PracPerfPatricia]

Elin,

I'm enjoying reading about trip "2" very much. Ava is quite the cutie...seeing Christmas through a small child's eyes is magical-I love that you sang Christmas Carols together at night...:goodvibes

Just to let you know...the snow was really quite something...we got about 20" here and I decided to just enjoy it-it was pretty and festive...but a lot to dig out of...

I don't normally talk like that either-- but in Kristen's defense I remember---maybe 5 years ago in January---Eric was at a conference at the Contemporary...we had just gotten about a foot and a half of snow...Em was about 10 and David 2...I had to shovel out out the drive and walk -ok we had a snow blower (but still) and then Eric called me to tell me he was just watching the fireworks over Cinderella's castle...apparently he had a great view of it from his room...(I think my little darlings learned a couple of words that they didn't know mommy knew that night...;)

Hmmm...I'd love to see the CP some day...I can imagine that WG did a nice job...your photos from Biergarten look like fun...oddly enough we've never eaten there but it looks just right for a festive holiday dinner...:goodvibes

[raider97]

Just caught up on your trip report! I am really enjoying it. Sounds like you made it out just in time. :) Can't wait to hear some more!

Stephanie

[DisneyBride'03]

Love your new ticker...btw:) !

[DisneyBride'03]

Elin,

Ava is quite the cutie...seeing Christmas through a small child's eyes is magical-I love that you sang Christmas Carols together at night...:goodvibes



Thanks:goodvibes
The best was when Ava tried to sing along in German at Biergarten:laughing::cutie:

[PNO4TE]

I am so excited! Some of my videos from the trip did work out quite well! :goodvibes

When I posted about CP I said I was sorry you all couldn't see Whoopi enjoying the music... well, now you can!

http://i25.photobucket.com/albums/c69/PNO4TE/December%202009%20WDW%20Trips/th_P1050854-1.jpg (http://s25.photobucket.com/albums/c69/PNO4TE/December%202009%20WDW%20Trips/?action=view&current=P1050854-1.flv)

[*KeepMovingForward*]

I'm totally trying to catch up here. We've only been back from our 3 week whirlwind at Disney for a few days and I've missed so much of your report. OMG, I can't believe we were at the SAME CP show and didn't see each other! :sad: Me, Fred and the kids were sitting in the dead center, right on the aisle only about 6 rows back from the stage. It was a good show. Anyhooo...I have to do a lot of back reading here, but from the looks of it, you had some fabulous trips. ;)

[RachelTori]

OMG Elin, that is AWESOME!!!! :woohoo::yay: (I still haven't had time to check my Flip!! :confused3)

[PNO4TE]

I'm totally trying to catch up here. We've only been back from our 3 week whirlwind at Disney for a few days and I've missed so much of your report. OMG, I can't believe we were at the SAME CP show and didn't see each other! :sad: Me, Fred and the kids were sitting in the dead center, right on the aisle only about 6 rows back from the stage. It was a good show. Anyhooo...I have to do a lot of back reading here, but from the looks of it, you had some fabulous trips. ;)

Hop to it, Alison! I can't believe we were at the same show either! Did you get to Boma on Christmas morning too???

OMG Elin, that is AWESOME!!!! :woohoo::yay: (I still haven't had time to check my Flip!! :confused3)

I was so excited to see that those were on the computer, because they didn't automatically upload to Photobucket. More in the next post.

[PNO4TE]

If I am going to keep taking videos with my camera I need to invest in a little tripod, but for now:

From the beach at the Polynesian:

http://i25.photobucket.com/albums/c69/PNO4TE/December%202009%20WDW%20Trips/th_P1050735-1.jpg (http://s25.photobucket.com/albums/c69/PNO4TE/December%202009%20WDW%20Trips/?action=view&current=P1050735-1.flv)

http://i25.photobucket.com/albums/c69/PNO4TE/December%202009%20WDW%20Trips/th_P1050736-1.jpg (http://s25.photobucket.com/albums/c69/PNO4TE/December%202009%20WDW%20Trips/?action=view&current=P1050736-1.flv)

[*KeepMovingForward*]

Hop to it, Alison! I can't believe we were at the same show either! Did you get to Boma on Christmas morning too???


No. We changed a lot of our dining plans on this trip. We slept in that day and then stayed in the villa baking cookies and watching movies until it was time for dinner at CG. We were really lazy on this trip.

[PNO4TE]

No. We changed a lot of our dining plans on this trip. We slept in that day and then stayed in the villa baking cookies and watching movies until it was time for dinner at CG. We were really lazy on this trip.

We changed a lot of our dining plans too. In fact, we canceled most of them! We had a very relaxing trip without time constraints for meals. Everyone seemed happier that way.

[babytrees]

Elin-that CP video was awesome!! I can't wait to show Cassidy it when she gets home...being the musical family we are, she will be thrilled (and she :lovestruc Whoopi!)

[PNO4TE]

Elin-that CP video was awesome!! I can't wait to show Cassidy it when she gets home...being the musical family we are, she will be thrilled (and she :lovestruc Whoopi!)

Thanks, Theresa! That is one of my favorite songs in the whole program and to see her enjoy it so much (and who wouldn't?!?!?) was just delightful! :teeth:

[babytrees]

Thanks, Theresa! That is one of my favorite songs in the whole program and to see her enjoy it so much (and who wouldn't?!?!?) was just delightful! :teeth:

I so want to go to the World at Christmas time...espescially to see a CP performance...I may need to download it from Amazon soon.

Your trip reports are awesome, as usual!!

[PNO4TE]

I so want to go to the World at Christmas time...espescially to see a CP performance...I may need to download it from Amazon soon.

Your trip reports are awesome, as usual!!

Thank you, my friend! :goodvibes

[John's Mom]

Elin,

Enjoying your TR. :goodvibes Great video of Whoppi at the CP. On The View, Whoppi mentioned how cold it was in Florida during her stay.

[MrsSpratt]

Elin!

What a great trip (so far.....)

My friend that is a performing CM said that Whoopi was their favorite at CP - she is a dream to work with because she has so much fun - it looks like it showed!

Can't wait for more...

Jaime

[MinnieMouseMom]

Elin, I loved the report and the videos!! :love:

[PNO4TE]

Elin,

Enjoying your TR. :goodvibes Great video of Whoppi at the CP. On The View, Whoppi mentioned how cold it was in Florida during her stay.

Elin!

What a great trip (so far.....)

My friend that is a performing CM said that Whoopi was their favorite at CP - she is a dream to work with because she has so much fun - it looks like it showed!

Can't wait for more...

Jaime

Elin, I loved the report and the videos!! :love:

Thanks for reading, ladies! I hope to get to another day tomorrow. Hold me to it!!

[raider97]

Just checking in on you! Great videos... can't wait to hear more about your trip!

[PNO4TE]

Thanks for checking on me, Stephanie! Real life has gotten in the way but I hope to be able to find some time late this weekend to get another day up on this TR. I have to start a PTR for my April trip too!! :eek:

[PNO4TE]

I am still hoping to get something up later on today for this TR!!! I am going to work on it while I am doing paperwork for work and watching football! Thanks for being patient with me. :flower3:

[PNO4TE]

It didn’t seem possible that Diana and Ava were leaving this morning! I feel like there is so much more we could do together. We stopped in the lobby for a few pictures before they were whisked away by ME.

http://i25.photobucket.com/albums/c69/PNO4TE/December%202009%20WDW%20Trips/P1050859-1.jpg

Ava was so sad to leave, she broke my heart. I knew she was excited to see her Daddy but she told Diana she wanted to stay. :( So, I left them as they were getting on the bus or the three of us were going to be crying! :sad1:

I had a 1:00 date with Laura (RachelTori) and her DH, Dwight, for lunch and a drink at La Cava del Tequila in Mexico so I grabbed a bus bound for Epcot! It was a gorgeous day. The sky was blue and the sun was out. YAY!! Soon I arrived at the Mexico pavilion and I was early. Good thing, because the place was really full. When a table opened up I snuck right in and staked our claim. I took the opportunity to take a couple of picture of this lovely little hole in the wall!

http://i25.photobucket.com/albums/c69/PNO4TE/December%202009%20WDW%20Trips/tequila-bar-4-1.jpg

http://i25.photobucket.com/albums/c69/PNO4TE/December%202009%20WDW%20Trips/P1050871-1.jpg

http://i25.photobucket.com/albums/c69/PNO4TE/December%202009%20WDW%20Trips/1221091308-1.jpg

http://i25.photobucket.com/albums/c69/PNO4TE/December%202009%20WDW%20Trips/P1050956-1.jpg

http://i25.photobucket.com/albums/c69/PNO4TE/December%202009%20WDW%20Trips/P1050946-1.jpg

I also ordered my first margarita of the afternoon: the Blood Orange Margarita. Yum!

http://i25.photobucket.com/albums/c69/PNO4TE/December%202009%20WDW%20Trips/P1050876-1.jpg

Soon Laura and Dwight joined me and we had a wonderful time talking and trying a couple of different kinds of margaritas as well as the Crab Tostadas. It was the beginning of a lovely afternoon, and ended with an invitation to join them at lunch time tomorrow in their Tree House Villa! I was delighted to accept.

We left “The Ditch” (a nickname for this joint, proffered by TDCNala… based on an online translation of cava) and started around the World Showcase. I parted ways with my companions and stopped in at the American pavilion to see the show. My family doesn’t like to take the time to do this, so every time I am in WDW alone, it is a definite must-do for me. I liked the updates in the slideshow.

http://i25.photobucket.com/albums/c69/PNO4TE/December%202009%20WDW%20Trips/P1050877-2.jpg

When I was done here I walked the rest of the way around the Showcase, stopping to window shop (I picked up a couple of stocking stuffers) and simply enjoy being here! One of my favorite groups to listen to is “Off Kilter” so I enjoyed a little of their show before continuing out of Epcot.

http://i25.photobucket.com/albums/c69/PNO4TE/December%202009%20WDW%20Trips/P1050894-1.jpg

http://i25.photobucket.com/albums/c69/PNO4TE/December%202009%20WDW%20Trips/P1050895-1.jpg

http://i25.photobucket.com/albums/c69/PNO4TE/December%202009%20WDW%20Trips/P1050901-1.jpg

http://i25.photobucket.com/albums/c69/PNO4TE/December%202009%20WDW%20Trips/P1050903-1.jpg

I went back to POFQ and snagged a muffaletta for dinner. I took it back to my room so I could watch the football game and the finals of "The Sing-Off" and also to talk to DD, Kathrin, who is FINALLY getting to join me tomorrow! I ended up falling asleep during the news. Quite the party animal I turned out to be in my evening alone. :rotfl:

[PNO4TE]

Kathrin arrives today!!!! I was wakened by a text letting me know she was up and getting ready to walk to the T and get on her way to the airport. :yay: I made coffee and took my time getting ready; when I got out of the shower there was a second text letting me know that she was leaving on time from Boston but there was a delay out of Baltimore so her flight would be late arriving. :( She was supposed to get to MCO at 6:00 but now we knew it would be at least an hour later than that. Good thing I had nothing planned for that evening!

I decided to make good use of my morning and started our annual holiday puzzle, then walked around the resort taking photos before going to Winn-Dixie to get the makings for our Christmas Eve meal.

http://i25.photobucket.com/albums/c69/PNO4TE/December%202009%20WDW%20Trips/P1050912-1.jpg

http://i25.photobucket.com/albums/c69/PNO4TE/December%202009%20WDW%20Trips/P1050914-1.jpg

http://i25.photobucket.com/albums/c69/PNO4TE/December%202009%20WDW%20Trips/P1050913-3-1.jpg

http://i25.photobucket.com/albums/c69/PNO4TE/December%202009%20WDW%20Trips/P1050917-2.jpg

http://i25.photobucket.com/albums/c69/PNO4TE/December%202009%20WDW%20Trips/P1050918-2.jpg

http://i25.photobucket.com/albums/c69/PNO4TE/December%202009%20WDW%20Trips/P1050920-2.jpg

http://i25.photobucket.com/albums/c69/PNO4TE/December%202009%20WDW%20Trips/P1050907-1.jpg

I was done eating my fruit and taking photos by 8:00 and in W-D by 8:15. I picked up fruits, cheeses, meats, hummus, crackers, bread, chips and beer. I completely forgot that you can’t buy beer in WDW country until 9:00 a.m. so I had to wait around a bit before I could check out. :rolleyes:

Got all the groceries unloaded and then I decided to take the boat to Downtown Disney and then switch to a water taxi to get me to the Treehouse Villas. I talked to Laura and they were expecting me! Well… if you are I a hurry to get to the THVs, do not take the boats! :rotfl: I took a boat to DD, one water taxi to West Side, another one to Pleasure Island and then another boat to the THVs with a stop first at SSR! The boat pilot for the first water taxi called ahead and asked that the second taxi wait for me. When I got on people looked at me oddly, and as we were exiting the boat one young woman said they had all assumed I was “someone famous or at least a VIP” because they held that second boat for me! Through all this Dwight had started to check on me and they were holding lunch!! When I docked at the THVs Dwight and their friend Reese were waiting for me, drinks in hand. :teeth: I had brought a couple bottles of my wine stash with me as a housewarming gift and we had a quick tour of the villa. These are nice! And I have no pictures… sorry.

It was a lovely day so we took our lunch out onto the enormous deck and had a wonderful time talking and getting to know one another. Reese and his wife Mary live in the Orlando area and Mary and Laura were friends from elementary school. There were lots of fun stories! While I was here I got a text letting me know that Kathrin was in Baltimore, enjoying a brew or two, waiting for her second flight.

At some point during lunch there was a decision to go to the WL to look around and have hot chocolate so we piled into the two cars and off we went on our adventure. The gentlemen I was with are jokesters and we were all laughing for the rest of the afternoon. (We never did get that hot chocolate.)

http://i25.photobucket.com/albums/c69/PNO4TE/December%202009%20WDW%20Trips/P1050927-1.jpg

http://i25.photobucket.com/albums/c69/PNO4TE/December%202009%20WDW%20Trips/P1050928-1.jpg

Looking for hidden Mickeys:
http://i25.photobucket.com/albums/c69/PNO4TE/December%202009%20WDW%20Trips/P1050929-1.jpg

On the way to the Contemporary:
http://i25.photobucket.com/albums/c69/PNO4TE/December%202009%20WDW%20Trips/P1050931-1.jpg

We also hit the Poly (Dole Whips!) and the Grand Floridian on our most awesome adventure! On the monorail back to the MK I said my goodbyes as my friends had dinner reservations that evening and I wanted to be at POFQ when Kathrin arrived. I had so much fun this afternoon and made some delightful new friends. :goodvibes

When I got back to the room I found these lovelies! Ava had been looking for towel “animals” the whole time, and today they showed up. I think what we have is a fancy French Quarter lady and a baby Jesus!

http://i25.photobucket.com/albums/c69/PNO4TE/December%202009%20WDW%20Trips/P1050932-1.jpg

I worked on the puzzle a little and waited to hear from Kathrin. It seemed like forever before she landed, got ME and got to POFQ. We stopped in Scat Cats and had a couple of beers and something to eat. She was tired from her trip so we decided to stay in and relax. We worked on the puzzle a little before turning in around 11:00. What a wonderful day. And tomorrow was full to the brim with exciting things too!

[*KeepMovingForward*]

Sounds like a wonderful way to spend the day Elin! Didn't those people on the boat know you ARE a VIP? :confused3 Your blood orange margarita at the ditch looked heavenly and it sounds as though your trip to WinnDixie will yield a great meal.

[RachelTori]

May I add some pictures of our afternoon?

THV #7028 :thumbsup2
http://i802.photobucket.com/albums/yy304/HappyPictures_WDW/Dec2009wdw8/DSCN6095.jpg

Elin, Mary, Reese, Chelsea, Tori, Dwight (Laura's the one behind the camera! :laughing:)
http://i802.photobucket.com/albums/yy304/HappyPictures_WDW/Dec2009wdw8/DSCN6099.jpg

Quick (partial) tour!
http://i802.photobucket.com/albums/yy304/HappyPictures_WDW/Dec2009wdw7/DSCN6037.jpg

http://i802.photobucket.com/albums/yy304/HappyPictures_WDW/Dec2009wdw7/DSCN6046.jpg

http://i802.photobucket.com/albums/yy304/HappyPictures_WDW/Dec2009wdw7/DSCN6048.jpg

http://i802.photobucket.com/albums/yy304/HappyPictures_WDW/Dec2009wdw7/DSCN6051.jpg

http://i802.photobucket.com/albums/yy304/HappyPictures_WDW/Dec2009wdw7/DSCN6054.jpg

Master bed & bath:
http://i802.photobucket.com/albums/yy304/HappyPictures_WDW/Dec2009wdw7/DSCN6044.jpg

http://i802.photobucket.com/albums/yy304/HappyPictures_WDW/Dec2009wdw7/DSCN6045.jpg

:goodvibes

[PNO4TE]

May I add some pictures of our afternoon?

THV #7028 :thumbsup2
Elin, Mary, Reese, Chelsea, Tori, Dwight (Laura's the one behind the camera! :laughing:)
http://i802.photobucket.com/albums/yy304/HappyPictures_WDW/Dec2009wdw8/DSCN6099.jpg



Thanks, friend!! :goodvibes I love that picture of all of us, minus one. We should have had your maintenance man take a picture of all of us! http://bestsmileys.com/doh/2.gif

[RachelTori]

Thanks, friend!! :goodvibes I love that picture of all of us, minus one. We should have had your maintenance man take a picture of all of us! http://bestsmileys.com/doh/2.gif

:laughing: That poor guy!! He sure had his hands full with that door lock! :rotfl2:

[oybolshoi]

Love the updates Elin - I feel like I was right there with you. :goodvibes

[PNO4TE]

:laughing: That poor guy!! He sure had his hands full with that door lock! :rotfl2:

It never occurred to me to find out if you all got in OK that night when you got home! :eek:

Love the updates Elin - I feel like I was right there with you. :goodvibes

Thanks, Brenda! :goodvibes

[Flossbolna]

Wonderful updates. I love the way you vacation at WDW! I think after so many trips it isn't that important any more ! :goodvibes And meeting friends during vacation is always great!

I am really looking forward to the ditch (which I already think of as the "Graben" - German translation of ditch! :thumbsup2)! It just sounds like such an interesting place. :yay:

What kind of puzzle were you doing? In my family we have a bit of a tradition of doing puzzles during the holidays. My parents found a British manufacturer which makes the most amazing puzzles and we have gotten a few from them recently. They are really difficult because the pieces have the weirdest forms, but a lot of fun as well. I helped my father doing one this Christmas. If you want to check them out: http://www.jigsaws.co.uk/index.php

[PNO4TE]

Wonderful updates. I love the way you vacation at WDW! I think after so many trips it isn't that important any more ! :goodvibes And meeting friends during vacation is always great!

I am really looking forward to the ditch (which I already think of as the "Graben" - German translation of ditch! :thumbsup2)! It just sounds like such an interesting place. :yay:

What kind of puzzle were you doing? In my family we have a bit of a tradition of doing puzzles during the holidays. My parents found a British manufacturer which makes the most amazing puzzles and we have gotten a few from them recently. They are really difficult because the pieces have the weirdest forms, but a lot of fun as well. I helped my father doing one this Christmas. If you want to check them out: http://www.jigsaws.co.uk/index.php

Thanks, Magdalene! I like the way we travel to WDW now too. Our younger daughter, Kristin, is planning her first WDW with a friend and she realized she has been over 20 times in her 23 years! And I have been over twice that many times. So we don't need to do commando park trips anymore. Makes for a relaxing vacation!

We usually do 1000 piece puzzles between Thanksgiving and Christmas, but this year we decided to take a smaller one to WDW instead! It is a 550 piece puzzle and we finished it on Christmas afternoon. I will show it to you now instead of making you wait until that day's report! :goodvibes

http://i25.photobucket.com/albums/c69/PNO4TE/December%202009%20WDW%20Trips/1225091924-1.jpg

Your website has some wonderful puzzles! I will have to look at it more carefully when I have more time. Thanks!

[John's Mom]

Love your updates and pics! :goodvibes

BTW, great picture of you and yourBob in your siggie!

[PNO4TE]

Love your updates and pics! :goodvibes

BTW, great picture of you and yourBob in your siggie!

thanks, Kathy! :goodvibes

[PNO4TE]

I need to find time today to add at least another day on here. Let's get some motivation, girl!

[PNO4TE]

We got going this morning and stopped in the food court for some breakfast. We love the selections at POFQ’s Sassagoula Floatworks. And we also love that even when it is a crowded morning, it really isn’t. Today was an Epcot day to begin with so we grabbed a bus to our favorite park.

I don’t think we rode a single ride or saw any attractions. We just walked around and took in the holiday sights. We also made our daily stop at La Cava del Tequila (“The Ditch”) and I introduced Kathrin to the joys of their margaritas. We were early and had to wait for them to open their doors, but we had our choice of tables. We also had some chips and salsa and the crab tostadas. Yum!

We continued walking around the World Showcase and Kathrin indulged my request to stop in to see Voices of Liberty. That is a group I would love to sing with. Their control and sound just makes me smile every single time!

http://i25.photobucket.com/albums/c69/PNO4TE/December%202009%20WDW%20Trips/1223091405-1.jpg

We spent quite a while just walking and window-shopping. We got a glass of champagne in the wine shop in France and also visited the perfume shops there too. I had found a Guerlain perfume that I loved but that was way out of my price range, so I wanted Kathrin to see it. She liked it too, but we both agreed that there was so much more we could spend $230 on. Maybe some day I will change my mind. When we got into the other half of this shop we tried some other perfumes and I found a special one from Annick Goutal that I also liked. My lovely daughter was very persuasive and I bought myself a Christmas gift! I think she was just excited that I was picking something totally unlike what I normally wear. :rotfl:

I returned the favor and rode “Living with the Land” which is a favorite of Kathrin’s. And then we rode Nemo. We all like how well Disney redid this ride. It is so well-themed as you progress through the queue.

When we were planning this trip the only place Kathrin had asked to eat was at Coral Reef. We almost always have a great meal here and love the whole feel of this restaurant. We also are fortunate and are usually seated at an aquarium window seat. Such was the case again today!

Our linner/lupper companions
http://i25.photobucket.com/albums/c69/PNO4TE/December%202009%20WDW%20Trips/1223091539a-1.jpg

I think the meal we had this late afternoon may have been the best of the entire trip! Kathrin and I both ordered a beer and one order of the Lobster Soup. The kitchen split is into two bowls for us! For our entrée we both had their salmon. It was wonderful!

Roasted Scottish Salmon - with leek fondue, Orecchiette pasta, asparagus, and red wine reduction
http://i25.photobucket.com/albums/c69/PNO4TE/December%202009%20WDW%20Trips/1223091621-1.jpg

We were much too full for dessert which always breaks my heart.

We decided to go on back to the room to get changed for our trip to Downtown Disney tonight. We were going to see Cirque du Soleil “La Nouba” at 9:00. :yay:

We took the boat from POFQ and decided to stop in at House of Blues for a drink. Kathrin was also craving mashed potatoes (who knows why??) so she ordered an side of those. I have to admit they were good, but most of them went in her tummy, not mine. I was still full from lunch. While we were there we got a phone call from Kristin that Bob was not feeling well so we were concerned about their trip tomorrow. I think that may have colored my evening, sadly.

The two of us have wanted to see this show for years, but it wasn’t anything that Bob and Kristin were interested in doing. This was the perfect time to treat ourselves. I bought the cheapest seats they offer because the ones that popped up on Disney’s website were across the aisle from the next pricier tier. It was a good decision since we had a view that was perfect, in our opinion.

Kathrin loved the show; she would like to go back. I was left a little ambivalent. I don’t know whether it was because I was worried about Bob, the fact that I have seen this show on television before, or that I don’t like circus-style entertainment. I am glad I went. I just don’t know if I would ever go back.

We left by bus to go back to POFQ. We stopped in the food court and got a late-night snack since we had not really eaten dinner. We talked to Kristin again and she was still worried about her Dad. The limo was picking them up at 5:00 and he was pretty sick. I guess we won’t know who will be arriving in Orlando until tomorrow morning!

[PNO4TE]

It is Christmas Eve! I love this day. It is so full of promise and expectation.

And it is promising to be a pretty good day. Kristin texted me to say that they were both in the limo and on the way to the airport. Bob still is not feeling too perky, but he got his carry-on bag packed and got dressed and is on his way. That means it will be a good Christmas.

I think I went back to sleep for a bit and when we woke up again I knew that the rest of the family was on its way to MCO. Their flight was to land at 9:00 so we got up and made coffee. Very soon ME was delivering the last two members of my family to my favorite place in the world. Ahhhhhhhhhhhhh…

Bob looked a bit wan and pale, but he was here and no longer getting sick. We checked them into the second room with only a little drama. The CM just couldn’t understand that we were traveling together and why my husband wasn’t in a room with me. We tried to explain that we would be rooming together (:rotfl:) and that the girls would be in the room Bob just checked into but she was trying to charge us extra for having “that many adults” in the room. Seems Diana was still on there, as well as Kathrin and now Bob. We sure started her day off with a little bit of a hassle! It got fixed eventually and we knew that the girls would be right next door to us again. But the room wasn’t ready. So we took Bob up to our room, tucked him into bed, grabbed some breakfast and the three of us headed to Epcot!

We had a destination in mind in the World Showcase. We had a date with “The Ditch.” We had to show Kristin what we had been raving about. It was almost empty when we got there but quickly filled up. We were ready to drink a little.

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The Ditch’s Avenging Tequila Angel
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Kristin had been waiting for the avocado margarita but they had redone the menu for Christmas week. :( I am sure they were trying to make their lives easier with the masses of people they were expecting. We settled on a Blood Orange, a pineapple one (pina) and La Cava. We liked them all! We had some salsa and chips.

Then my adventurous daughters decided they wanted to try the jalapeno margarita. So we ordered one. Boy, was this a pretty drink!

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It went down quickly with three people sampling, so we ordered another one. Have I mentioned lately how much I love my daughters and how much fun we have together? They are bright, articulate and hysterically funny. Add in a few margaritas, a few months of absence and vacation time and you have the perfect mix of hilarity. :love:

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Next stop… France. Champagne and Champagne & Pomegranate in hand we did some window shopping and photo taking.

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And finally… England and the Rose & Crown Pub!

Love us some Boddington’s…
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We needed to-go cups eventually. ;)

We enjoyed the show at the fountain and then rode Spaceship Earth.

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By now Kristin was getting tired... she had been awake since 4:15 that morning and dealing with not knowing whether or not she would be traveling alone or having to stay in Virginia with Bob. We decided to go back to the resort for a nap for her and puzzle time for Kathrin and me. Their room was ready so we moved their stuff next door and soon Kristin was snoozing and we were working. We opened a bottle of wine and had a good time just relaxing.

When Kristin and Bob woke up it was time for Christmas Eve Dinner! In the past we have usually gone to the Candlelight Processional with dinner afterward at a favorite Epcot eatery. Or we would make a reservation at a resort restaurant like California Grill or Yachtsman Steakhouse or Citricos. This year the request was made that we try something different. They didn’t want to spend a lot of time at a restaurant. They didn’t want to have to get dressed up. What could we do instead? The suggestions were to eat at the food court (not a bad choice) or go to the Magic Kingdom for the parade and fireworks and hit a counter service spot (also not too bad). Then I came up with fruit, cheese and meats in the room. That is one of our favorite meals so that plan was quickly put into action. That is what I went shopping for earlier in the week.

We had ourselves quite a spread!

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We opened another bottle of wine after dinner and worked on the Christmas puzzle some more. Santa Claus comes tonight!!!

[John's Mom]

Great pictures of you, Kristin and Kathrin! Erin and I shared quite a few drinks and laughs during our trip also. :laughing: I love that mother/daughter time together. :love:

[PNO4TE]

Great pictures of you, Kristin and Kathrin! Erin and I shared quite a few drinks and laughs during our trip also. :laughing: I love that mother/daughter time together. :love:

Thanks, Kathy. And, as you already know, that is what really makes the trips super special.

[RachelTori]

Elin,

I love the update, but my favorite part is the visual of you & Kathrin waiting for The Ditch doors to open!!! :rotfl:

BTW, what time do they open?! :yay:

[PNO4TE]

Elin,

I love the update, but my favorite part is the visual of you & Kathrin waiting for The Ditch doors to open!!! :rotfl:

BTW, what time do they open?! :yay:

We had the most interesting encounter with a CM while we were waiting too. He was very talkative. VERY talkative. And very opinionated. VERY opinionated. About subjects as diverse as Disney, Florida and Vietnam. We couldn't wait for the doors to open!

As of this morning the girls and I disagree on the opening of the gates: I say noon, they say 11:30. Actually, they opened when they were ready while we were there. :rotfl2:

[DisneyBride'03]

love the photos..esp of your DD's:) They are gorgeous! (Ava's new favorite word..BTW) lol

[ChelleinNC]

All caught up now :goodvibes Love the Christmas Eve meal, sounds like a perfect evening! The girls are beautiful and it looks like you had a great day together :cool1:

[PNO4TE]

love the photos..esp of your DD's:) They are gorgeous! (Ava's new favorite word..BTW) lol

Thanks, Diana! I got a photo (and Valentines) from you and Ava today!! :love:

[PNO4TE]

All caught up now :goodvibes Love the Christmas Eve meal, sounds like a perfect evening! The girls are beautiful and it looks like you had a great day together :cool1:

Thanks, Chelle! We did have a great day. They are so much fun to be with.

[DisneyBride'03]

Thanks, Diana! I got a photo (and Valentines) from you and Ava today!! :love:

Your welcome:goodvibes That was fast! I had 2 of those photos made...one for you and one for Ava's scrapbook! I love that photo...you were both color coordinated:)

[raider97]

Great updates! Glad DH was feeling well enough to make the trip. Love your Christmas Eve meal. The treehouse villas look amazing! And your variety of margaritas sound marvelous!

Stephanie

[Flossbolna]

Lovely update!! Laura told us about you waiting for the doors to open when we met her after we had to explain that we did not make it to the Ditch. We were standing at the entrance at around noon (they were open!) and figured that we would not see very much of Epcot if we had a margarita then... And we still had a number of things on our to do list!!

I also love your Christmas eve dinner, sometimes simple is the best option!

And I never commented on your Christmas puzzle. a lovely pictures, but rather difficult with all the snow in it, I guess.

[PNO4TE]

OK - I really need to finish this up. I am to the point where I don't even remember what all we did, and figure lots of you don't even care any more!!! :rotfl:

[*KeepMovingForward*]

OK - I really need to finish this up. I am to the point where I don't even remember what all we did, and figure lots of you don't even care any more!!! :rotfl:

Dig deep! I'd still love to hear about the rest of your trip-even though I have been a DisSlacker as of late. :goodvibes

[John's Mom]

The last thing that I recall from your TR was that Bob was ill when he arrived :sick: :sad2: and you and your DDs went drinking :drinking1:drinking1:drinking1.

popcorn::

[PNO4TE]

The last thing that I recall from your TR was that Bob was ill when he arrived :sick: :sad2: and you and your DDs went drinking :drinking1:drinking1:drinking1.

popcorn::

That sounds about right!!

[PNO4TE]

I think all I have left is Christmas Day and the day after. Let's see if I can get these done!

[PNO4TE]

Up and at ‘em! Santa Claus came while you were asleep!! There are always toys under the tree at our house, so puzzles, Word Search, Crossword and Sudoku books were shared.

And then we headed to AKL for our traditional breakfast at Boma. We had a 10:00 ADR and arrived early enough for a couple of pictures. Unfortunately, Photobucket is not cooperating this morning and I want to finish this up before it is locked!! :eek: I can tell you that we took the shots of the tree (you have all seen it before) and a picture of the Boma dining room. That was it. ;)

Bob took the car back to the resort and the girls and I went to the Animal Kingdom for a short visit. Lines are always long on Christmas Day, so we didn’t do a safari or ride Everest, but Dinosaur! was a walk-on. It was a dreary, chilly day so I think that cut down on the crowds.

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We went back to the room to warm up and to get ready to go to DD for Christmas Dinner at Raglan Road. We hemmed and hawed over the previous months in making a decision about this meal. Bob and I had a wonderful time and good food when we were there last fall. So we really wanted to share it with the girls. We should have had the cheese and fruit that was leftover from Christmas Eve dinner. :( We had a lousy time. We were put in a back room (there was nothing else available… we asked) and they sat the 4 of us at a table that was clearly meant to be a 2-top. My chair was sticking out into the archway between the rooms. It was so loud in the restaurant we couldn’t talk to one another, let alone understand what our server was saying. We would have left except I know there is no place you can walk into on Christmas night without an ADR. Our food was barely warm when it was served. I had the chowder and that was probably the best entrée we received.

The whole evening was a bust. The four of us became surly and did not have any fun at all, which is highly unusual for us. I couldn’t take any photos because it was so dark in our area so I have nothing to share with you. Maybe this is why I have procrastinated on the posting of this day of the TR. It was not a good one, unfortunately. They don’t happen often, but this evening was one of the worst we have ever spent together at WDW. But, being the eternal optimist that I am, I know tomorrow will be better! Besides, I already know what happens, so I can say that with great certainty. :teeth:

[ChelleinNC]

I'm so glad that's not the end of the trip or report because that was just too sad :sad1:

You had the ADR, I can't understand why they didn't have a table to fit your party. That's poor management and don't even get me started on cold blech food :mad::headache:

Sorry it was such a bummer of a Christmas night :hug:

[*KeepMovingForward*]

Elin I'm so sorry you guys had a bad Christmas night. The day had started out so well too. :sad1: We've never been to Raglan Road before, but it shounds like they were shoving people in like sardines-that in itself doesn't make for a good time. Hope that was the last bad day you ever have at Disney.

[PNO4TE]

I'm so glad that's not the end of the trip or report because that was just too sad :sad1:

You had the ADR, I can't understand why they didn't have a table to fit your party. That's poor management and don't even get me started on cold blech food :mad::headache:

Sorry it was such a bummer of a Christmas night :hug:

Elin I'm so sorry you guys had a bad Christmas night. The day had started out so well too. :sad1: We've never been to Raglan Road before, but it sounds like they were shoving people in like sardines-that in itself doesn't make for a good time. Hope that was the last bad day you ever have at Disney.

Thanks, ladies. As you can see from my tickers, it hasn't put us "off" Disney! :rotfl:

Maybe they hadn't had to handle a Christmas rush before?? Who knows. :confused3 But Kathrin told me this morning she would like to try them again one day so we had something to compare it to. She said the discrepancies in our two visits were just too vast to use, so we needed to give it a third try. I agree!

[Flossbolna]

Hi Elin, I am glad that you returned to your report, I was just thinking yesterday that I haven't seen you around that much! :goodvibes

But I guess writing about that evening really wasn't a pleasure and I can understand why you put it off. I am sorry that you were so miserable at Christmas, but I guess things like that happen and there was so much positive in your trip already and it sounds like there is more positive going to happen as well! :goodvibes

[John's Mom]

So sorry about your Christmas dinner. :sad2: I agree with Kathrin; you all should try it again.

[PNO4TE]

Hi Elin, I am glad that you returned to your report, I was just thinking yesterday that I haven't seen you around that much! :goodvibes

But I guess writing about that evening really wasn't a pleasure and I can understand why you put it off. I am sorry that you were so miserable at Christmas, but I guess things like that happen and there was so much positive in your trip already and it sounds like there is more positive going to happen as well! :goodvibes

Magdalene - My not being around has absolutely nothing to do with Christmas Day or anything Disney related. I am working 7 days (and nights) a week right now, and there just isn't any time leftover for the DIS. It is coming to an end in the next week so I ought to be back on here posting way too many times very soon! :goodvibes

[Flossbolna]

Magdalene - My not being around has absolutely nothing to do with Christmas Day or anything Disney related. I am working 7 days (and nights) a week right now, and there just isn't any time leftover for the DIS. It is coming to an end in the next week so I ought to be back on here posting way too many times very soon! :goodvibes

Oh, that sounds like a lot of stress. :scared1: But good to hear that you will have more spare time soon! :goodvibes

[PNO4TE]

Oh, that sounds like a lot of stress. :scared1: But good to hear that you will have more spare time soon! :goodvibes

It is not that bad... I was preparing 46 students to participate in a music festival and 8 of them were playing piano concertos, so teacher had to practice too (I am the accompanist when they do a concerto). Performances were last weekend and I am hoping they all received "Superior" ratings.

This weekend I am the co-chair of a Sonata/Sonatina Festival at our local university, so once that is out of the way I will have some relaxation time to look forward too. I am hoping to finish the last day on here and will think about a PTR for my April trip which is looking to be kind of amazing!

[PNO4TE]

This is Girls’ Day Out! Today we are having tea at The Grand!

I got up early and took my coffee and a book over to the food court. On the way I caught this shot of the pool at sunrise:

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Kristin soon joined me and we thought about breakfast, but nothing appealed. Kathrin showed up a little later and had no interest in breakfast foods either. Kristin had a stroke of genius and we were soon hopping a bus (that took forever to get there) to the MK and Casey’s!!

Breakfast of Champions!
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After refueling we saw Hall of Presidents and rode Haunted Mansion and the People Mover.

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Crowds were heavy and we were in the middle of the Celebrate! Parade (or whatever it’s called) once again.

We decided to leave MK and hopped the monorail to the GF and shopped and looked at the gingerbread house. Soon it was time for tea! We always get The Grand Tea because no tea is complete without a little booze!

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After tea we decided to mosey onto the Beach Club because we needed more booze and I wanted to introduce the girls to “Smilin’ Chad” the bartender at Martha’s Vineyard at BC. We took the monorail to MK.

Silly girls at the bus stop

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Hopped a bus to BC and saw this lovely décor on one of the trees:

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When we got to Martha’s Vineyard, we asked about Chad. Seems he is spending more of his time at the BW these days. We were too tired to walk over there just to see if he happened to be working that day, so the meet and greet will have to wait for another trip!

Back into Epcot we went with boozin’ and cruisin’ on the mind. Stopped at Rose & Crown for another round of Boddington’s ‘n’ Bass. Kathrin got a phone call from her beau and Kristin and I decided to sit a spell and wait for her to finish the “I miss you” stuff. Next stop: a scarf to warm Kristin’s cold little torso. And then…

THE DITCH!

We had no wait for a table and got the same one (had a Frida chair) we had on Christmas Eve. We ordered chips and salsa and went out on a limb and got 3 jalapeno margaritas. I am not a fan of spicy food but the girls promised me that this was not that bad. So… we started to drink. Kathrin finished hers almost immediately and I found mine to be a bit hot, but I was doing OK. Kristin was having a hard time finishing hers and we called her a wuss. However… let me tell you. I do not believe that these margaritas are “pre-made” as is reported on many threads and other sites. Kathrin’s was VERY mild, mine was less than medium, but Kristin’s… burnt the skin off the inside of my mouth! :eek: That didn’t daunt us however, because we had another round. This time it was Passion Fruit and Blood Orange ones instead.

We left here feeling fine and went to Norway to look for Laila lotion for Kristin but they were out and it was getting chilly so we took a bus back to POFQ.
That night we had promised a long-time Disney friend that we would be on the lookout for her and her family at Scat Cats. We had quite a few bottles of wine left so we split one in three big Solo cups and left to walk around a bit before getting to Scat Cats. It was a little chilly so we ended up going in before we had finished our drinks. The bar was full but there was a table in the area between the bar and the stage. We sat down and started to enjoy Eliot Dyson’s show. This man is a whiz at remembering the names of the people who are in the audience.

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Kristin saw someone she recognized, but didn’t put two and two together right away. She soon realized the was looking at Chloe, Mark and Liz and it was Old Home Week!

Liz (traveliz on the DIS) and me!

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We got a quesadilla from the food court and Eilot harassed Kathrin and Kristin for leaving. He kept asking where they were, which made us laugh!

Much too soon it was time to go back to the room to do some packing because tomorrow we leave. Kathrin’s ME was to arrive around 8:00 a.m. and we were taking off soon thereafter.

[PNO4TE]

Today we leave. Kathrin left on ME amidst tears because we didn’t know when we will next be together. Being together is wonderful. The leaving, not so much. :(

Bob and Kristin and I had breakfast and loaded up the car. As we were putting things in the car we had a visitor!

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This turkey was in love with my car! He wouldn’t move. We had to honk our horn to get him away. And then, he ran in front of us as we were leaving the parking lot:

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A second one joined him. They seemed to be telling us goodbye! :rotfl:

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That was our last view of WDW. Luckily it made us laugh for a change.

We had plans to drive about 10 hours this day and to finish the trip on Monday morning. However, traffic was surprisingly light and I canceled our hotel reservation and we made the whole trip in one day. I will admit that it was a long day of driving for both of us, but we were glad that we did it that way. We got home about 9:00 Sunday night and Kristin had a full night’s sleep in her own bed before going back to work on Monday. Bob still had Monday off, but we could sleep in a bit rather than having to get up early to finish the drive.

Well, that is it! Another Disney Christmas in our memory banks. What wonderful trips we have together. The memories are (mostly) good ones.

Next up, at some point: Three Silly Ladies at the Flower and Garden Festival, and Another Fantabulous Food and Wine Trip with Friends!

Thanks for reading along!

[Flossbolna]

Isn't tea great? We really enjoyed it a lot! I love the christmas decorated cakes. But I don't really like the look of that green filling of the swan. I tlooks more like Helloween to me... :confused3:goodvibes

[FirstMagic]

Enjoyed your review! Loved the pictures of your "Goodbye Committee"!!! :goodvibes

[PNO4TE]

Isn't tea great? We really enjoyed it a lot! I love the christmas decorated cakes. But I don't really like the look of that green filling of the swan. I tlooks more like Helloween to me... :confused3:goodvibes

It was a mint mousse. It tasted lovely. We go to tea every Christmas vacation. And I am taking my friends there next month too! :goodvibes

[PNO4TE]

Enjoyed your review! Loved the pictures of your "Goodbye Committee"!!! :goodvibes

Weren't they something?? :) Thanks for reading to the bitter end. ;)

[RachelTori]

:laughing: Loved the ending, Elin!!!

You all had so much fun AFTER we left!!! :rotfl:

[PNO4TE]

:laughing: Loved the ending, Elin!!!

You all had so much fun AFTER we left!!! :rotfl:

We all had so much fun while y'all were there too! :love: Thanks for sticking with me as I rambled on this thing for 2 months... :rotfl:

[*KeepMovingForward*]

Sounds like it was a really wonderful trip. I did my first tea at GF this past October and loved it. I think its a nice little indulgence. The end of the trip is never fun and neither is saying goodbye. Soon you'll be back again. :goodvibes

[John's Mom]

Thanks for sharing your Trip Report with us.:goodvibes

Can't wait for your PTR. popcorn::

[PNO4TE]

Sounds like it was a really wonderful trip. I did my first tea at GF this past October and loved it. I think its a nice little indulgence. The end of the trip is never fun and neither is saying goodbye. Soon you'll be back again. :goodvibes

Thanks for sharing your Trip Report with us.:goodvibes

Can't wait for your PTR. popcorn::

thanks, ladies! :goodvibes

I just booked my airfare for the October trip, so I have two to be planning for again! :rotfl: