60 Candles, 30 Million Lights, Best Friends&Family at Disney--Priceless (New 5/23)

[Tiggerrn2]

Great update and loved the suprise! You have me curious to know what didn't go so well for you over there....hmmmmm. Too many conventioners staying in your favorite spot?

Sorry for the loss of your friend.

 

[pas130]

I will respond to everyone later (running to the mall...heaven help us...for a few last minute Christmas gifts).

But I wanted to take a moment to tell you that the DIS lost a wonderful person today. Her name was Tracy (she was manntra here on the DIS). I never had the pleasure of meeting Tracy in person, but we were FB friends and we exchanged messages and comments on FB. She was a lovely woman who fought hard against her cancer. Rest in Peace my friend...you will be truly missed.

Sorry for the loss of your friend Kathy

Hope the mall wasn't too awful

 

[blessedmom4]

I sent you a PM with the link to the video on Youtube...hope you got it.

Please don't worry about being late...we've not gotten too far yet.

I got it, LOVED it and responded...That was such a great surprise. I can only imagine how excited Mark was to find out instead of what he had planned for the next few days he was ACTUALLY going to the happiest place on EARTH! SO exciting dear friend. KUDOS on pulling it off!

I am truly sorry about your friend Kathy.

 

[MEK]

Such a great surprise.

Can I just say I love that tree at the Dolphin!

 

[MeMom]

I watched the video three times...and I smiled three times. He is one happy man! Gotta love these feel good moments in life to carry us through normal life and tough times.

Thoughts and prayers have come from all over for Tracy's family. I hope they get just a glimpse of what she had going with her DIS community.

 

[WDisneyMom]

Sorry for the loss of your friend, Kathy

 

[englishrose47]

Kathy I couldn't believe how far back I was !!!But all caught up now !!Your room looks great and Yeah!!! for a real ME !!! Staying tuned for your first meal with Nicki and Todd !!!!

 

[Pluto0809]

Yay for surprise #2! I had already seen the video but had to watch it again. I would love to be surprised with a trip to Disney but I doubt my DH would even think of it.

I stayed at CSR in 2011 and loved it. Can't remember at this point which building we were in but we were near Bus Stop #3.

I love the Decorations at the Dolphin, that white tree is beautiful. And the train is really cute. I also enjoyed spying Pluto twice in your post!

 

[aras4007]

That tree at the Dolphin was gorgeous! I loved it...we only went there to pick up our rental car. Totally wasn't expecting the awesome decorations. Coronado rooms are so pretty!

 

[FreezinRafiki]

It took me a bit, but I'm all caught up! Nicki needs to be more careful running full speed into a 60 year old man like that. He could break a hip or something.

 

[mommy2mrb]

sorry about your friend Kathy for you and her family

love the video of the 2nd surprise!

hope you got your shopping finished!

sounds like you are in for a bit of snow, stay safe!

 

[annmarieda]

Your photo of the archway is outstanding! Did you stand in the aisle of the bus to get it?

Yay! For an actual dme bus!!!

I love the video of Mark and Nikki!

The decorations are awesome, last year we never ventured to the swan or dolphin. I guess I don't realize they too had amazing holiday decor

 

[mickeystoontown]

I loved the video of Nicki running up to Mark and his reaction. So cute!

 

[jenseib]

Fun surprise 2!

The Dolphin had a gorgeous tree!

 

[KatMark]

Yeah, an update and I am already home to catch it.

I don't get tired watching the little video of Mark meeting Nicki, it's too cute.

Problems with the room does not sound too promising though, but I hope it did not interfere with you enjoying the resort and WDW.

Thanks...I love that video too...it shows his true feelings for Nicki. It wasn't a problem with the room, but a problem with other guests...but we will get to that.

I'm glad everything worked out great since Mark went first. Seeing the room pictures makes me homesick for CSR, though Pop Century has been a decent substitute. I'm glad you got Casitas 4! I'm sorry to hear the experience was a nightmare. Are they staying there next year? Was it the rugrats or the chaperones? Our last stay at All Star Sports was when that group was at that resort. Vowed never again to stay at the same resort!

The tree at the Dolphin is beautiful.

Just seeing the archways to WDW give that warm fuzzy feeling. There is another set of arches that is longer across. I love the little ToT billboard with the mechanical tower swaying just before it.

I have no idea where Pop Warner is staying next year but I will NEVER stay at a resort that they are at again. It was a combination of the rugrats AND the parents!

It was a beautiful tree at the Dolphin.

Love the surprise #2 reaction! Room looks lovely, I'm sad it didn't turn out as magical as in the past. I love that white pointsetta tree, how gorgeous!

Thanks, Cynthia. The resort itself was fine and I still love it; it was the clientele I did NOT love.

The decorations at the Dolphin were quite lovely.

The rooms at Coronado are so pretty. I love the style there.

Can't wait to see all of the Christmas decorations! The Dolphin tree is great!

I love the rooms at the Coronado...much better than some of the "wild" patterns I've seen.

WooHoo for a real ME bus!! And you got the front row, which is nice.

Nice to hear the background for the surprise arrival of Nikki and Todd, since I saw the video when you shared it on your PTR.

And that tree at the Dolphin is gorgeous!!! I didn't make it over there, so I'm glad you took pictures of it!

Loved my front row seat on ME.

I'm surprised with all of our texting that our phones didn't die before we finalized those plans.

It was really pretty; I'll have pictures later of the Swan too.

for the real bus! I hate it when you get stuck with the yellow Mears bus. I know it's the same thing, but it feels like a disappointment anyway.

I agree; it is the same, but not. I was a very happy girl with my real bus.



Mark, after all our hard work, it was so worth it to see that.

Uh oh. You didn't have the same room as Andy, did you?

Nope, just the same group of rugrats!

Yay! looking forward to your PM.

Oh my word...what a sap I am!! I had tears watching Surprise #2!! Again!! I have seen it several times and just love, love, love it. The reaction was great and there's just a warm feel-good vibe about the whole thing.

Well you said nightmare about CSR but I hope it wasn't enough of one to ruin any part of your visit there.

The Dolphin tree is amazing...just beautiful!!

Looking forward to the next update....hope work is slow for you so we can read another one soon!!

Starr, I cry every time I see it too...so we will be saps together.

The nightmare did make for a "not so pleasant" stay as we are used to, but we dealt with it.

The Dolphin tree was amazing...I loved it.

oohhhh noooo you got me a bit worried here. I will be booking our November 2013 trip in the next few days and it's between POR, and CSR.

Hopefully it was nothing too major of a problem for you.

Bob, no worries. It was BECAUSE of the Pop Warner kids AND parents; we still love CSR and recommend it highly. We had the best bus service in over 20+ stays this trip.

 

[KatMark]

It was fun being first in line.

Wasn't Mark getting kind of curious why you were texting so much?? Or is seeing you texting about as typical as seeing you with a Starbucks cup?

Nope...Nicki and I are either texting, talking on the phone or messaging on FB ALL of the time...he's used to my ignoring him.

Best Birthday Ever.

I will agree with you there...it really was.

Hmmm... This story sounds oddly familiar.

I am SO sorry you experienced this...I really wanted you to see what I LOVE about CSR.

I was Cabanas 8A. I'm thinking my buddy from our first night might have been looking for Casitas 4 though.

Him and about 50 of his closest friends.

Unless they move Pop Warner to Nov, you should be good.

what he said!

I'm here! I haven't been on the DIS for months but I had to read your TR since we were all so excited for your surprise trip! Will try to get back into the swing of DISing in 2013! I miss my DIS friends that aren't my FB friends!

I have missed you my friend and am so glad to have you back.

Kathy,
Better late than never I suppose. I just subscribed to your trip report and am all caught up now. I love that you surprised Mark with this trip. That's fabulous. We were at Disney last year before Christmas. The decorations were wonderful and I was like a 3 year old at Osbourne lights. Soooooo beautiful! Words and pics do not do it justice do they.

So happy to see you. You are so right...pictures do not do the lights justice...they totally amazed me.

Awesome about getting a real ME bus... And loved the surprise that you and Nicki pulled off - it couldn't have been more perfect!

Kind of curious why your room location was an issue this time... I've never stayed at CSR, so...

D~

Hi, D. Nicki and I could not have planned it better.

My room issue was because of the clientele using the pool...I'll go into more detail in one of the next updates. I still LOVE my CSR though.

Yay a real ME bus! I'm so excited to finally be trying the ME in February!

Ahhh I'm so glad the surprise with Nicki went so perfect! I love the video!

The Dolphin looks so pretty, I really love that tree!

You are going to love the ME, Jen.

Thanks...it went perfectly.

You should go see the Dolphin if you go around the holidays again.

What a fun update! Even though I've turned into a deluxe snob , I have often thought fondly of CSR and I'm looking forward to returning in a couple weeks.

Great video! You gotta love Nicki! She's just one of those people who, right away, you feel like you've known forever! I was so happy to run into her and Todd in October.

I would not call myself a resort snob, but more of a "money snob". I can get Old Key West for $400 less than I would pay for CSR for the same amount of nights. To me, that's more dining at Yachtsman and souvenirs.

That's exactly how Nicki and I felt about each other when we first met. Now we can't wait until I move there.

 

[petals]

love the update. The tree at the Dolphin looks fab and luv pluto on the back of the train.

 

[KatMark]

The decorations at the CSR and the Dolphin were so beautiful...in all the trips for the holidays we never thought to make it over to the Swanphin to check them out, so glad we did!

I thought they were MUCH better than the CR and Poly!

I never get tired of watching it either Karin!

Me neither; your Romeo sure loves you.


Mark is used to the two of us texting, calling, emailing, Facebooking etc...He might think it odd if she wasnt texting me lol!

Ain't that the truth!

Isnt that a cute video! I wish it was longer because goodness knows we stood there for a long time hugging and chatting it up! Those are such sweet words and from the moment I saw you at Cape May I felt like we knew each other too! Loved seeing you at F&W, hope we can catch up in WDW again sometime....and have the bestest time ever on your holiday trip with Max!

I think Andy was afraid he would RUN out of battery. Or he wanted his hug too.

I am so sorry for your loss Kathy, my thoughts and prayers go out to her family

Thanks, Nicki. Tracy was a sweetheart and she will be sorely missed by many. But at least she is no longer suffering and in pain.

Yay for 1st row and a real ME bus!

I loved watching the video with Nicki again and again and again!

Boo for Pop Warner ruining CSR for you....although I am intrigued to hear the details.

Sorry for the loss of your friend. Peace be with all.

Thanks, Stefanie. Isn't that video, sweet? I just love it. Pop Warner was a real pain in my butt; and we used to be involved with them for one year.

Thank you; Tracy was a gem.

Great update and loved the suprise! You have me curious to know what didn't go so well for you over there....hmmmmm. Too many conventioners staying in your favorite spot?

Sorry for the loss of your friend.

It wasn't the conventioneers, but the rugrats and their parents.

Thank you for your condolences.

Sorry for the loss of your friend Kathy

Hope the mall wasn't too awful

Thanks, friend. The mall actually wasn't bad at all...at least in the stores we went to.

I got it, LOVED it and responded...That was such a great surprise. I can only imagine how excited Mark was to find out instead of what he had planned for the next few days he was ACTUALLY going to the happiest place on EARTH! SO exciting dear friend. KUDOS on pulling it off!

I am truly sorry about your friend Kathy.

Judy, I'm glad you enjoyed it. I sure pulled one over on him this time.

Thank you; Tracy gave it a good fight, but her body didn't want to cooperate.

Such a great surprise.

Can I just say I love that tree at the Dolphin!

MaryEllen, that tree at the Dolphin was simply gorgeous.

I watched the video three times...and I smiled three times. He is one happy man! Gotta love these feel good moments in life to carry us through normal life and tough times.

Thoughts and prayers have come from all over for Tracy's family. I hope they get just a glimpse of what she had going with her DIS community.

I find myself watching it to get over the sadness from Newtown last week and then the loss of Tracy. I wish I had met her in person, but I enjoyed our cyber friendship so vry much.

 

[KatMark]

Sorry for the loss of your friend, Kathy

Thank you.

Kathy I couldn't believe how far back I was !!!But all caught up now !!Your room looks great and Yeah!!! for a real ME !!! Staying tuned for your first meal with Nicki and Todd !!!!

Thanks, Rosie. The room was beautiful...as always.

Yay for surprise #2! I had already seen the video but had to watch it again. I would love to be surprised with a trip to Disney but I doubt my DH would even think of it.

I stayed at CSR in 2011 and loved it. Can't remember at this point which building we were in but we were near Bus Stop #3.

I love the Decorations at the Dolphin, that white tree is beautiful. And the train is really cute. I also enjoyed spying Pluto twice in your post!

I know my husband would never think of it.

I LOVE CSR...it was just the people staying there that I did NOT love.

The decorations at the Dolphin were first class; and guess who I was thinking of when I took those Pluto pictures????

That tree at the Dolphin was gorgeous! I loved it...we only went there to pick up our rental car. Totally wasn't expecting the awesome decorations. Coronado rooms are so pretty!

We picked up our rental car at the Dolphin in September. The Dolphin did a really great job with the decorations.

It took me a bit, but I'm all caught up! Nicki needs to be more careful running full speed into a 60 year old man like that. He could break a hip or something.

Oh my...that is too funny!

sorry about your friend Kathy for you and her family

love the video of the 2nd surprise!

hope you got your shopping finished!

sounds like you are in for a bit of snow, stay safe!

Thanks, Lisa. Such a sad loss and at such a young age.

I'm glad you enjoyed the video; yes, my shopping is done. We are supposed to get 2-4 inches; poor Markie and Alisha have already been socked with 7 and they are predicting another 8 to 10 inches.

Your photo of the archway is outstanding! Did you stand in the aisle of the bus to get it?

Yay! For an actual dme bus!!!

I love the video of Mark and Nikki!

The decorations are awesome, last year we never ventured to the swan or dolphin. I guess I don't realize they too had amazing holiday decor

No; actually Andy leaned out of his seat behind us to take that photo for me...he did a great job!

Love the actual DME bus; happy you enjoyed the video.

I was surprised how nice the Dolphin decorations were.

I loved the video of Nicki running up to Mark and his reaction. So cute!

Thanks, Lisa; I love it too...she is his second favorite gal...well assuming I'm still his first.

Fun surprise 2!

The Dolphin had a gorgeous tree!

Thanks, Jen; the tree was stunning.

love the update. The tree at the Dolphin looks fab and luv pluto on the back of the train.

Wasn't that Pluto riding the back of the train adorable? I fell in love with it.

 

[KatMark]

When I last left you, Mark, Des, Andy, Nicki, Todd and I had walked over to the Beach Club from the Dolphin. It was a beautiful early evening and I was wishing I had changed out of my jeans...but we were all starving and we hadn't gotten our luggage yet.

We arrived at

Nicki and Todd have eaten here in the past, but the rest of us never had. We were really looking forward to it. I'm not going to post food pictures because Nicki is doing the dining reviews for our trip (if you've not hooked up with that yet, here's the link one more time: http://www.disboards.com/showthread.php?t=3032686)

But here are some photos I took at dinner:

Looking at Stormalong Bay while waiting for everyone to visit the ladies/mens room:

We then walked over to the entrance of the Beach Club to see all the decorations there:

We were then going to walk to the Boardwalk.

But along the way, we had to stop at Epcot for Des to get her "first ever" annual pass and for Andy to pick up his park hopper ticket. As we were walking, Nicki suggested we just go into Epcot and do the Boardwalk later. We were all for it, but Andy had only bought a six-day park ticket. We told him to see how much more it would cost to add another day. Well, if you could have seen us goofs...we all started asking people to "donate to the Andy one extra day ticket fund." It was hysterical. Well, it only ended up costing him $10 extra to add a 7th day so he went for it. I told him his first beer was on me (that would cover the cost of the ticket just about).

Des and her first AP:

And while waiting for Andy....

A Nicki sandwich:

And, of course, I had to get in on the action too:

Up next, we enter Epcot and what do we do first?