Thank God For Trip Insurance; Our Merry Land/Sea! (Two new updates October 3)

[pmama]

Well we are home after a outstanding once in a lifetime trip for the third year in a row! This was our first trip during the Holidays and it did not disappoint!

As in the year prior everything did not go exactly as planned but we still had a tremendous time. For those that read last year's TR you know that I broke both my arms right before our 10 night September trip. This year we thought we all stayed in one piece before the trip but had a couple hiccups toward the end that caused us to have to stay an additional (not so fun) two days.

For those who enjoy PTRs here is a link to mine for this trip: http://www.disboards.com/showthread.php?t=2238868

And for those of you that haven't read a long here is the cast of characters:

DH~ Original Disney Lover that converted me and now rides along with my
Disney Obsession.


ME~ Obvious Disney Lover, Proud Mom to two adorable girls, Lucky Wife to an amazing husband, and 5th grade teacher.


DD9~ Loves Disney, High School Musical, and Tinkerbell. New favorite Disney Princess is Princess Tiana.


DD5~ Lucky enough to have been traveling to Disney yearly as long as she can remember. She loves Cinderrella and Ariel.

Here's us at MNSSHP last year.

Our trip was originally 10 nights but turned out to be 12 nights. We did 6 nights on land at WDW followed by 3 nights on the Disney Wonder followed by 3 nights back on Land. We were able to visit all four parks, MVMCP, and even the DIS private party at HS.

for reading along. Can't wait to share all of our holiday experiences from WDW and the Disney Wonder!

 

[KatMark]

I'm here to follow your report. You have a lbeautiful family and I can't wait to hear about your trip for the holidays.

 

[*Seanaci*]

I'm on board for this trippie. I've LOVED reading your other ones. ^_^

 

[pmama]

I'm here to follow your report. You have a lbeautiful family and I can't wait to hear about your trip for the holidays.

Welcome!

I'm on board for this trippie. I've LOVED reading your other ones. ^_^

Thanks, I'm looking forward to sharing our fun.

 

[pmama]

Hi all, I've uploaded the pics and am looking forward to sharing our trip. It's great looking back at the pics and even more fun reliving it by writing a TR. The end events left a pretty sour taste in our mouth but when I look back at the pictures I remember how much of a blast we had for most of the trip.


This was the first time our flight was at the end of the day. We added on a night when free dining came out. I liked this. It really was a bonus night. It allowed us to not have to get up super early for the flight and made our first real day there a full day. So, I'm calling this First Night as it really wasn't our first day. DD9 went to school for a half day and DH went to work. This allowed me to do my last minute scrambling. And boy was I scrambling. I had worked over 12 hours the day before and was too tired when I got home to finish with all the last minute packing. So I went to bed. I then woke up at 2 a.m. and got to work. I ran around getting everything ready up until 1 p.m. when we left. Crazy huh? It really does make a difference to be a working woman this time around. I've learned that I need to take care of every tiny detail possible far ahead of time. Things that I thought wouldn't take very long all added up. I found myself making a fast run to Walgreens for makeup right as we were supposed to be leaving. I was also taking care of work things up till the last minute as well.

We did make it to our 4:15 p.m. flight in plenty of time! I love this picture of DH and his screen glasses. I'm not sure what they're called but when he puts them on it looks like you're watching a full screen movie.

Here we are on MCO's mini monorail. It was a different experience to arrive in the dark. Not to mention, the girls and I had so much fun looking at star constellations from the plane.

Our plane arrived about 9:40p.m. Orlando time. ME stops transfering luggage at 10p.m. We could have allowed them to get the luggage but I was nervous about how close to the cutoff time we were and I also didn't want to be awoken in the middle of the night when they dropped of the luggage. So, we made our way to baggage claim and got lost a couple times. If I could do it again I would have left it for ME. It was a headache. We did however walk through the Hyatt area which we had never crossed before. Very pretty.

I had originally made reservations here for the night before we departed but canceled them. Some time when we arrive late or leave early we may try this lovely hotel. The pictures of the pool on top look awesome.

We loved how there were no lines for ME this time of night. We walked on our bus but did have to wait about 20 minutes for more people. When we finally left the bus was not even 1/4 full. It had 3-4 stops but we were happy to hear that we were the first.

There really is something "magicial" about Magic Express. It's the first time where it really hits me that I've made it! I'm in WDW.

As we approached Pop Century I pointed it out to Faith (DD5) out the window. The bus was very quiet as it was empty and dark. Faith yells out loud enough for everyone on the bus to hear, "We're here" with such excitement. It was sooo cute. Everyone on the bus laughed. It's one of those moments I'd like to tuck into my permanent memory of precious moments.

Check in was fast and easy (another bonus of late arrival). And we were happy to hear we got the room I had requested via fax. Same spot as last year but even better on 4th floor. Perfect view of Epcot and MK fireworks overlooking the lake! Love it! Even though it was late and we were quite tired we wanted to go get our mugs so we made our way to Classic Hall. Here we are with our new Mickey Mugs!

At that time Tammy (OneTreeHillAdict) was there for the last night. We met in the food court. When I saw her family I turned to DH and said, "they look exactly like their pictures". Too funny, he just said, "well that's the idea". Very nice family. They gave both girls light up toys that they played with all week. We were all exhausted, us from our long travel, them from going to all four parks in one day. Faith refused to get in the picture.

We brought almost a whole suitcase with wrapped gifts each labeled according to what day they should open them. I'll have to upload that picture later. I even brought a tiny light up tree. The girls received their first present this night.

It was Tinkerbell nightgown for DD9 and Cinderella for DD5. They loved these.

Pretty quickly after putting on our pjs we were out. It had been a long day for us all.
Our delivery from garden grocer with water and breakfast/snack items was also brought to our room.

The next morning we had the latest possible reservations from breakfast at Chef Mickey's. We all loved hearing our first wake up call from Mickey for the trip. So of course the girls had to dress up for the occasion! Our first Disney bus ride to the MK this trip.

They really missed not visiting CM last year. I was not impressed with dinner there in 2007. We tried breakfast this time and I would definitely recommend breakfast over dinner.

We were pretty much done with breakfast when the characters finally came around but once they came they came pretty quickly. Mickey touched both the girls' noses as he walked by.

Before we knew it, it was napkin swirling time!

First came Pluto, (the light behind us made for some dark pictures).

Faith (DD5) reminded me how he patted her head at MNSSHP last year. It is one of those moment that must have really stood out for her as she mentions it all the time.

Next up Goofy!

Mickey!

And Minnie!

We were impressed with this huge Mickey head wreath that could be seen from the monorail as you are entering Contemporary.

Next Up We head on the monorail for our first day at ........... EPCOT!

 

[cdotla]

Whoo hooo!!!! So glad to hear that your trip was great! Can't wait to hear all about it!!!

LOL - I love hearing other people are doing the last minute packing and preparation marathon til the last minute like me. I really should take your advise and try to get finished early this year!

Not liking that title about the trip insurance and the extra unhappy days at the end...hopefully nothing too bad!

Can't wait to hear all about everything! And Happy belated Christmas to you and your Family!

 

[ladybugmom]

YAY!!! I am soooo excited to read your TR, Brooke (especially since we're going next year around Christmas)!! But you have me worried about what happened at the end! I'm assuming everything is ok now?! LOVE the first update!! How fun that you got to meet Tammy and her family!! We did Chef Mickey's for breakfast on our last trip--soooo fun! I wore that same shirt you wore when we ate there! And the girls look adorable as ever in their outfits!! Can't WAIT to read more!!!!

 

[MAJ RN]

I am in for your trip report. I love the girls first gifts, the nightgowns are so cute! Can't wait to read more!!

Melissa

 

[*Seanaci*]

Afternoon/evening/night arrivals are so much better. That's about what we did last year...which made our first full day in the park that much better! We weren't so tired from travelling and then hopping into a park.

Your girls are just precious!

 

[RinkyTinkyTinky]

Welcome back! Sounds great so far. Can't wait to read the rest!

 

[MaryAz]

Been lurking,now posting. Great start to your TR. Girls are so cute. Can't wait to read along. We are planning a Christmas trip next year!

 

[BippityBoo]

Yay! I am in!! I am with Becky...SO worried about your last two days! I hope you guys were ok SO interested in hearing about Christmas WDW AND the cruise!!

 

[gellybean]

I'm so in!! Can't wait to read more and you're really doing a good job building the suspense for whatever happens at the end of the trip!!! Now all kinds of things are running through my head !!


Your girls are TOO Cute!!

 

[princess&her4princes]

Yay! You started...going back to read now! Hope you had a wonderful time and a Merry Christmas!!

 

[JPFamilyMom]

subbing in for your new adventure. I missed keeping up with the PTR again but am here for the journey.
As always your family is just darling. What a great start to your trip and your TR so far. Can't wait to read more.

 

[morgtroy]

Great Start, can't wait to read along. Seems like every trip has some issues, but the fun out weighs it by far. We had a car accident on our way home in March and it really put a huge cloud over the end of a wonderful vacation. Weeks later digging thru the photos, I was back "in" all the fun we had.
Very nice meeting your family, can't wait til the cruise.

 

[WDWPrincess486]

Subbing...I've lurked on your PTR but definitely joining in to hear about your trip!! Sorry to hear that things did not go according to plan at the very end, but it's great that you still had a wonderful trip and a lot of fun!! Glad that you're all home safely and can't wait to read more...

 

[DisneyCP08]

Great start, I am soooo excited to hear about the trip. We had an issue on the very last day of our day at Animal Kingdom and my mom ended up going to the emergency room and coming home in a wheelchair. But when we look back it still was a really good trip.

 

[pmama]

Whoo hooo!!!! So glad to hear that your trip was great! Can't wait to hear all about it!!!

LOL - I love hearing other people are doing the last minute packing and preparation marathon til the last minute like me. I really should take your advise and try to get finished early this year!

Not liking that title about the trip insurance and the extra unhappy days at the end...hopefully nothing too bad!

Can't wait to hear all about everything! And Happy belated Christmas to you and your Family!

Packing is a huge feet. I took way too much this year. Hope to be more organized next time.

YAY!!! I am soooo excited to read your TR, Brooke (especially since we're going next year around Christmas)!! But you have me worried about what happened at the end! I'm assuming everything is ok now?! LOVE the first update!! How fun that you got to meet Tammy and her family!! We did Chef Mickey's for breakfast on our last trip--soooo fun! I wore that same shirt you wore when we ate there! And the girls look adorable as ever in their outfits!! Can't WAIT to read more!!!!

What, are you going May and December?

I am in for your trip report. I love the girls first gifts, the nightgowns are so cute! Can't wait to read more!!

Melissa

Thanks, they had pointed out the nightgowns a few months earlier but did not know that I purchased them.

Afternoon/evening/night arrivals are so much better. That's about what we did last year...which made our first full day in the park that much better! We weren't so tired from travelling and then hopping into a park.

Your girls are just precious!

It's true. I may stick with the whole evening thing when possible.

Welcome back! Sounds great so far. Can't wait to read the rest!

Thanks a bunch.

Been lurking,now posting. Great start to your TR. Girls are so cute. Can't wait to read along. We are planning a Christmas trip next year!

Hi Mary, glad you're still around.

Yay! I am in!! I am with Becky...SO worried about your last two days! I hope you guys were ok SO interested in hearing about Christmas WDW AND the cruise!!

Looking forward to sharing it all with you.

I'm so in!! Can't wait to read more and you're really doing a good job building the suspense for whatever happens at the end of the trip!!! Now all kinds of things are running through my head !!


Your girls are TOO Cute!!

Thanks too funny. I guess our ending does at least make for good storytelling.

Yay! You started...going back to read now! Hope you had a wonderful time and a Merry Christmas!!

Merry Christmas. I stopped by your thread and it looks like you've been VERY sick. I am so sorry to hear this, especially during the holidays. Hope you're feeling better now.

subbing in for your new adventure. I missed keeping up with the PTR again but am here for the journey.
As always your family is just darling. What a great start to your trip and your TR so far. Can't wait to read more.

Glad you're joining along, I agree. . TRs are much funner to read than PTRs.

 

[heaven2dc]

I definitely am subbing to this one! The girls look so cute with Minnie! You had a great idea by arriving the night before a full park day. I have contemplated this before but since our flight is only 2 hrs away, I couldn't stand not going to a park the first day! But traveling with little ones does make a difference and you were smart to get your rest