Sew Much Fun...13 of Cinderella's Mice head to WDW! (update 3/10 page 23)

[Tnkrbelle565]

OK...I'm slowly but surely starting my TR. I really want to wait until I get the Photopass CD pics but I can do the beginning without that.

If case you haven't read my PTR or my previous TR...I should introduce myself.

I'm Kristine. I'm 32 years old. I'm a mommy and a social worker from Boston. I am also married to a man who humors me and has gone to Disney yearly for the past 5 years.

If you would like to know more about my family and our Disney Adventures, check out my other reports

The Smith's YES we are going to Disney AGAIN PTR!

Does the Pixie Dust Count if You Don't KNOW about it?

Santa Got me A DISboarder Weekend to the Mouse!

What is different about this trip is that I went to Disney SOLO (that's right...no hubby or DD this time!). But I did not stay solo when I got there. I was lucky enough to meet up with 12 other of the infamous Disboutiquers (plus some fab kiddos). If you don't know who we are- check out the Disney for Families Board. I really don't recall who came up with the amazing plan for us all to meet up in February but whoever did was a genius!

My original plan was to go with my DH's cousin but she was unable to go. I then contemplated going solo completely but the practical side of me said- save your money, this is silly. Then the impractical side of me (DH ) said: how about I buy you the trip as a Christmas/Birthday gift. Um okay!!!

So I went to Disney on Santa's dime ; without knowing a soul IRL!

I started planning this trip the moment I got back from my Sept. 2008 trip. By October, the AP rates had come out for February. A fellow Disboutiquer (SoHappy aka Stacy) and I decided to share a room so on Halloween, while handing out candy, I booked an AP rate preferred room at POP for the bargain price of $64/night.

Then it was on to ADRs. Stacy and I made a generalized park plan and decided where we were going to eat. I was particularly excited about this because I had never eaten at any of the restaurants we picked

In general, this "new" thing was a theme for this trip- new friends, new adventures, new restaurants, my first AP!!! If you haven't read my prior reports, you know that a huge pet peeve to me is people who say "you are going to Disney AGAIN" My response is always that there is always something new to do...which people tend not to believe. So I will be pointing out on this TR all the new things I did (and there is something every day...I assure you!)

 

[Tnkrbelle565]

Day number one started off just grand. I had to be up at 3am to get ready and leave for my flight. Since my DH works nights, I was so paranoid about not waking up (despite setting two alarms). And clearly I was “too excited to sleep” so I didn’t. At 2am I was still wide awake, so I ended up watching a lot of junk on tv and got up at 3am. I hopped in the shower, brewed a cup of coffee on my Keurig, and took off.

I drove up at Manchester airport and of no surprise, made it there quickly. (Not too many folks out at 4am in Southern NH). I parked my car and really lucked out that the little van was coming to the stop just as a I was getting out of my car. So I only had to wait a second in the freezing cold with my bags.

I had checked in online for my flight so I dropped off my suitcase and was off to security. On the way there, I ran into a friend of mine who is a NH state trooper. We chatted for awhile and then I made my way through security
And of course, as always when I fly alone, I got picked for the extra security. Seriously, was it my Snow White sweatshirt that gave me away as a threat? But I got the lovely pat down and was on my way. While I was being pat down, the TSA agent told me that I was picked because I had baggy clothes on. I was wearing yoga pants, a long sleeved tshirt, and a hoodie. Not really baggy. But then it got me thinking- do some people wear skin tight clothes to fly? I’m still convinced that they picked on me because my friend was a state trooper!

After security, I got a tea from Dunkins and sat down to enjoy my book until boarding. Since I flew SW, I had to deal with that “line up by number” thing. Still amazes me that grown individuals have such trouble with this!!!

I got on the plane and was able to get a coveted window seat (I wanted to be able to lean against the window when I took my nap). I was joined by a mother and her son going to Disney. The boy was very excited about the trip so we chatted for awhile. He lamented that he was unable to get a window seat. Of course I felt bad so I gave up my seat to him. BUT not before I got some pics of the sunrise

The flight was great and by 8:30am I was in Disney (that’s right…a whole ½ hour before rope drop!!!) . As soon as I got off the plane, I was greeted by the insane number of cheerleaders. They were EVERYWHERE. And they were loud…And they were cheering at 8:30am! So now I’m a little annoyed. My annoyance got worse when I got to EarPort and found out that all the information online saying that they sell APs is false. No APs to be had. Even more annoyed, I headed to ME. I saw a large cheerleading group heading there so I practically ran there so I didn’t have to be behind them in line. It worked. AND there was a bus waiting when I got there so I immediately got on the bus. OK my bad mood was making a turn around. Nothing was going to be able to ruin this day…or was it???

 

[Stephres]

Poor Kristine with the extra pat down! I remember I got singled out once when Megan was a baby. Yes, the lady with a baby is quite a security threat! First, they took away Megan's baby and made it go through x-ray (that went as well as you would think) and then they made me hand her off to Tom so they could pat me down. Ugh!

Hey, I think your trip gets better cause you meet me, right?

 

[Tnkrbelle565]

When I was all settled on ME, I finally turned on my cell phone. There was a bunch of missed calls/texts from Stacy. This was not good. Turns out that Stacy had missed her flight. So she was now getting in 5-6 hours after she was supposed to and was flying from Arkansas to Chicago to Orlando
Oh no!!! First and foremost, I felt bad to Stacy. She was going to miss almost all of our first day. Then I started wondering what I was going to do all day by myself. And what was going to become of our 5:30pm ADR at Sci-Fi. We certainly weren’t going to make it.

I called Stacy and I felt really bad. She was upset (although I do have to say…far more composed than I would have been for missing a flight). She offered to call Disney Dining to see what could be done about our ADR. Stacy called back letting me know that they were able to change it til 7:30pm. That means we would miss Fantasmic but that’s ok.

So minus being alone all day, things were looking up again!

The ME drive was fast. I did note as we were driving, you know you’ve been to Orlando too many times when you start recognizing specific houses. One, for instance, had put a new screened in 3 season room on the back of their house…I remember that their last one was apparently ruined during on the hurricanes and needed repair. Yup, I’ve officially been to Disney THAT many times!

I was at POP by 9:15am! I immediately hopped of the bus and headed over to baggage services to have them hold my carryon bag. Then I headed over to the DTD bus. Since I couldn’t pick up my AP at EarPort but I needed it for check in (or so I thought at the time), I headed to DTD since I knew I could get one there at guest services.

I should also note that it was 38 degrees out at this point. That’s right…38!!! I had fallen asleep on the plane and was scared that we flipped around and went back to Boston when they announced the temp. So the wait for the DTD bus (which was way longer than 20 minutes) was COLD!!!! I still had my long-sleeved tshirt, hoodie, and a puffy vest over it…and I was chilly.

And thus begins my list of “new” things!
First new thing: wearing a coat at Disney
2nd new thing: going to DTD straightaway on the first day. DTD is always a last day activity for my family so this was slightly strange.
We got to DTD and I was pleased that most of the shops were open. I checked out World of Disney and bought a little present as a pick-me-up for Stacy when she got there.

Did they always have this coach of WOD???

I then went off to find Guest Relations. They moved it….it’s now under this sign!

I very quickly got my AP and headed to walk back around DTD. I took some pics along the way

I stopped in the Lego Store to do the Make-your-own-lego-guys thing for Stacy’s sons. I made 6 men (2 lanyards) and then decided that it was time for breakfast. Now if you are a woman, on your own, at DTD, with NOBODY to see you eating something you shouldn’t…where would you have “breakfast”

That’s right!!!!

I got candy covered pretzels. I was able to eat one! I had gone to the dentist the day before my trip and seriously, the sweetness HURT my teeth. Sadly, I left the box in my carryon bag for the rest of the trip and forgot about them so I had to toss the other two.

I took some pics while I was waiting. I had a nice CM was from Worcester, MA waiting on me.

I even took a pic of the new napkins. It thrills me that Disney even changes the cups/napkins for each of their promotions.

At this point, I was pretty bored with DTD so I decided to head back to POP and check-in. It was only about 10:30am at this point! But I was hoping (praying) that maybe my room was ready so I could freshen up!

I took some more pics while I was waiting…including a light fixture for LL

I had the bus to myself

I got back to Pop, picked up my carryon from baggage services and headed inside to check in…this is what I saw

Seriously, aren’t we in a HUGE recession??? By the looks of this line…you couldn’t tell it! It took about a ½ hour to check in (yet another first!). BUT, my room was ready!!!

We were in the 60s, front of the “Playdoh” building, on the corner…it was a great room location. Here is some pics from the balcony in front of my room

When I was finished taking pics, I headed into the room to freshen up. I was soooo tempted to lay down and take a little nap but I was at Disney…and I only had 3 full days…there was no time to waste!!!

SOOOOO what did I do???? (Stay Tuned!)

 

[Tnkrbelle565]

Poor Kristine with the extra pat down! I remember I got singled out once when Megan was a baby. Yes, the lady with a baby is quite a security threat! First, they took away Megan's baby and made it go through x-ray (that went as well as you would think) and then they made me hand her off to Tom so they could pat me down. Ugh!

Hey, I think your trip gets better cause you meet me, right?

Oh yes...please don't think that my trip was full of gloom and doom...I MET STEPH!!!!

J/K Steph...hey congrats for being the first person to find me!

 

[Stephres]

I was looking for Cathy's when I saw your uber cute title, "sew much fun!" that must be for me to look at!

Love the pictures so far. Poor Stacy, I don't think I even knew she missed her flight.

 

[wannago2disney]

looking forward to reading more! It's a bummer when it's sooo cold in Florida, but at least the sun was shining!

 

[MouseTriper]

Hey Kristine....I found you. Yeah! Love the start of your TR. So sorry to hear Stacy missed her flight, that would have bummed me out. Can't wait to read all about your NEW adventures!!!!

 

[sohappy]

I'm here! Can't wait to find out what happens next

I think that I was only composed because I had an hour alone to feel sorry for myself! Plus I got Starbucks for breakfast and I was going to DISNEY! How can you let that get you down!

Love the Elephant/playdoh pic.

 

[Lady Lallie]

Yay!! The TR has begun. I love that you got to the world so early. I wish my flight was leaving at the same time yours did, but I think I'm an hour behind you but still to get there that soon is amazing!! I am interested to see what you did with the rest of your day. I can't believe you didn't take a nap either, I think I would have.

 

[feedthebirds]

Looking forward to reading more! You ladies on the Disboutiquers thread are so talented. I often admire all of your work. I hope to own a sewing machine sometime soon so I can sew for my kids.

Wow it was cold there! Hoping Stacy didn't have anymore travel issues. How nice of you to get her a pick me up!

Cute pics!

 

[jessica52877]

Hi Kristine! So glad you started! I can't wait to read more and glad you didn't wait for the photopass, especially since I haven't looked at it really and need to edit all 3 of my pictures!

what a good friend getting Stacy a pick me up! I can't believe you woke up so early in the morning, well, never went to sleep even.

 

[Tnkrbelle565]

I was looking for Cathy's when I saw your uber cute title, "sew much fun!" that must be for me to look at!

Love the pictures so far. Poor Stacy, I don't think I even knew she missed her flight.

Well the saddest part about her missing her flight is that she was AT the airport on time (ORIGINALLY anyway ) She got to the airport and released she forgot her travel documents and her ME tickets. She didn't think that she could have just picked up her bags at baggage claim and take them on the bus with her. Oh well. Makes for a fun start to my TR!

looking forward to reading more! It's a bummer when it's sooo cold in Florida, but at least the sun was shining!

Thanks for reading! Yes, definately was bummed about the weather. I've definately never been in Florida when I could see my breath!

Hey Kristine....I found you. Yeah! Love the start of your TR. So sorry to hear Stacy missed her flight, that would have bummed me out. Can't wait to read all about your NEW adventures!!!!

Hey Beth! All I have to say is Thank GOD for the ages of cell phones. I would have thought she stood me up!!!

I'm here! Can't wait to find out what happens next

I think that I was only composed because I had an hour alone to feel sorry for myself! Plus I got Starbucks for breakfast and I was going to DISNEY! How can you let that get you down!

Love the Elephant/playdoh pic.

I did forget about the Starbucks breakfast. Almost as nutricious as pretzels at Goofys!!!

Yay!! The TR has begun. I love that you got to the world so early. I wish my flight was leaving at the same time yours did, but I think I'm an hour behind you but still to get there that soon is amazing!! I am interested to see what you did with the rest of your day. I can't believe you didn't take a nap either, I think I would have.

It was quite thrilling to get there that early. I never accomplish that much by 9am!!!

Looking forward to reading more! You ladies on the Disboutiquers thread are so talented. I often admire all of your work. I hope to own a sewing machine sometime soon so I can sew for my kids.

Wow it was cold there! Hoping Stacy didn't have anymore travel issues. How nice of you to get her a pick me up!

Cute pics!

Thanks for reading! You definately should get a sewing machine. I'm not really that good at sewing yet (because I don't practice nearly as much as the other Disboutiquers) but my DD loves that she has special "Mommy made" things now.

 

[Tnkrbelle565]

Hi Kristine! So glad you started! I can't wait to read more and glad you didn't wait for the photopass, especially since I haven't looked at it really and need to edit all 3 of my pictures!

what a good friend getting Stacy a pick me up! I can't believe you woke up so early in the morning, well, never went to sleep even.

You only took 3 photopass pics???? WHAT???? OOOH that just reminds me. I need to email you the two I have. Which means you have at least 5 family pics right???

 

[MouseTriper]

Hey Beth! All I have to say is Thank GOD for the ages of cell phones. I would have thought she stood me up!!!

Oh my gosh how true....especially knowing you had never met yet! Good thing to know she was just a little delayed in her arrival.

(Hey Stacy...are you writing a TR too??)

 

[Tnkrbelle565]

Oh my gosh how true....especially knowing you had never met yet! Good thing to know she was just a little delayed in her arrival.

(Hey Stacy...are you writing a TR too??)

She might be but it won't have pictures! She left that to me!!! I can count on one hand the number of times she took out her camera!

 

[MouseTriper]

She might be but it won't have pictures! She left that to me!!! I can count on one hand the number of times she took out her camera!

LOL..awwww....! I am a total photo freak and took literally THOUSANDS of pictures on our last trip, and that is not even counting the photopass ones. Hahaha....! It would be very hard for me to go to WDW and only take a few pics. Though it would be nice to not have to carry a big ole' camera around with me. Hahaha

 

[Stephres]

You only took 3 photopass pics???? WHAT???? OOOH that just reminds me. I need to email you the two I have. Which means you have at least 5 family pics right???

I took one photopass picture.

 

[jessica52877]

You only took 3 photopass pics???? WHAT???? OOOH that just reminds me. I need to email you the two I have. Which means you have at least 5 family pics right???

Oh wait! Lin did get the one of him, Dallas and Morgan on Test Track, so that makes 4! And yep, 2 from you! So 5, and that is probably 4 more then usual.

I took one photopass picture.

Did you look at it yet? If not go put it on our account.

 

[Cindeegyrl]

Can't wait for more!!