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

[KatMark]

I want to get an update done while I can and then will come back with responses.

We had just arrived at the theater to watch Fantasmic...Mark and I have done it before, as has Andy. But this was Des' first experience.

Do you think she is excited?

Soon the show began. I got some good pictures, some bad pictures and some really bad pictures. I'll post the ones that turned out the best...enjoy:

And what did Des think?

Yep, Andy got a big smooch as a thank you for making sure we went to see it...she loved it!

I'm sure Des would have gotten much better pictures, but she wanted to just enjoy the show since it was her first time seeing it.


Fantasmic over, it was time to walk over to use our Fastpasses finally for Toy Story Mania. A few pictures along the way:

Continued in the next post

 

[KatMark]

Time to do battle at Toy Story Mania:

Des and my score (Andy had to go with his dad to try to get revenge on his Father)

Let's just say that Andy came in last, I came in second to last, Mark came in second place and Des won--and this was her first time on Toy Story Mania.

Up next, we have time for one or two more things and we are hungry. What shall we do?

I also wanted to share with you a piece a friend of ours (he works for a newspaper and covers wrestling in Illinois) did about Mark on a wrestling forum:
GBN's Mark Schultz to coach at Loras College

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Former Glenbard North High School and Dubuque College standout, Mark Schultz has signed on to be an assistant coach for Head Coach Randy Stewart at Loras College in Dubuque, Iowa.

Famous for his signature deadly headlock, from 2002-06, Mark, a IHSA State Qualifier posted 115 wins for the Panthers and Hall of Fame Coach, Mark Hahn. He was a member of two Illinois state Dual Teams for GBN, both placed including runner ups his junior year.


At the collegiate level Mark wrestled at Dubuque for Coach Jon McGovern. Although troubled by serious injuries throughout his college career one highlight was when Mark defeated the defending NCAA national champion 15-3 his junior season. Returning concussion ended Mark's best season.

Following graduation in 2011, Mark coached three years at Wahlert Catholic High School in Dubuque before moving on to his new position for the DuHawks. Loras is an NCAA DIII school, founded in 1838 and competes in the tough Iowa Intercollegiate Athletics Conference.....

Mark is engaged to Alisha Weber and they will be married June 14, 2013.

 

[Tiggerrn2]

Very nice write up in the paper for Mark!
I can't believe there was noone in line at TSM. Guess an end of night ride may be a good option.
Getting awesome photos at Fantasmic has always been difficult for me. Got a new camera from DH for Christmas this year. Sure hope to get some nice photos this summer.
What are your August dates? After getting my vacation request slips back from work, looks like I will be there with DS July 25th-August 1st (or the 30th to the 6th) and again with DD August 25-31 (that date is for sure). Would love to "run into" you!

 

[jenseib]

This was one of Claire's new favorites. We only rode it one other time a few years ago, but I think we got 3 or 4 rides this year and she LOVED it. It was one ride she would even wait in a long line for.

 

[Minnie&Nana]

Kathy, Whar a great article about Mark! Love the photos!

 

[englishrose47]

Great pix of Des and Fantasmic !!! Way to go Des beating them all!! The write up for Marks new position was Fantastic or Fantasmic !!!!

 

[mickeystoontown]

First, what a wonderful write-up on Mark. I know that you are a very very proud parent as well you should be.

I'm so glad that Des enjoyed Fantasmic and I bet Andy was too because he got a smooch out of it.

 

[CtinaDitty]

All caught up!

Congrats to Mark! What a great opportunity for him and his bride must be so excited!!

Fantasmic is amazing and I'm glad Des enjoyed it so much!

 

[disneyfan61]

Des came in first & it was her first time??? You go girl!!

What a great article on Mark. So great!!

 

[Millie12591]

So happy Des liked Fantasmic! It's something Mackie and I neither one have seen, we think we'll try to squeeze in this trip.

I'm so happy for Mark!! He must be flying high right about now with his new bride to be and this new job!! God is good.

Hope you aren't mad that I haven't been getting over here as often as I could have. It's been a rough couple of weeks. Yesterday I sat down for the first time in three weeks and just cried because I haven't really allowed myself to do that. I think part of why I cried was due to not having to go anywhere for a while. Well, I lied.... I had a physical therapy appt. yesterday and then tomorrow I have a haircut appt., but those are appts. I want to go to.
I had to start the p.t. again for tennis elbow and knee issues again.
I was starting to feel a little discouraged about returning to p.t. again and my p.t. said..."No, you're an athlete now, it's what athletes do. They do their thing and get hurt in the process, you have to start thinking like one and taking care of yourself like one."
Who knew?!? I neeeever would have thought of myself as an athlete, EVER! But it makes sense for as much as I've been doing over the last two years to get in shape.

Hope your new trip planning is coming along nicely! Ours will be here before you know it!!! Doing the photopass, you convinced me after this TR.

 

[PhoenixStrength]

Yay for Des loving Fantasmic! And doing the best on TSM, on her first try!

The article on Mark is very nice. Nice of your friend to write it up.

 

[MEK]

That's a great article. Very nice! Congrats again.

So Des was the high scorer? That's pretty cool! Beginner's luck? Whatever it was I'm sure it will keep her coming back!

So glad everyone enjoyed Fantasmic.

 

[GrammyJudy]

What a great article about Mark. You must be so proud of him and it feels so good when aour kids are on a positive track and we don't have to worry so much about them. I don't know about you but I always worry a bit anyway.

I have no good pictures of fantasmic either but glad you all enjoyed it. It is not my favorite as I love wishes and like illuminations.

 

[shan23877]

I'm so glad that Des enjoyed Fantasmic! We've never done it either, by that time of night we're usually not in the mood to stand in line to see a show. This time I've wised up and booked the F! lunch package. At least we know we'll have a place to sit. Maddie watched a video of it and declared that we "need to see that show EVERY SINGLE NIGHT!" Needless to say she's excited.

Yay Des! I can't believe she'd never done TSMM either!

Great article about Mark. Sounds like everything is really coming together for him

 

[MAGICFOR2]

Hi Kathy! All caught up after yet another move! Please keep writing, I'm actually almost keeping up this time!

Loved the DTD pics! We own at SSR and love taking that walk to DTD - I would like to find the boat dock and get a ride sometimes, but we still haven't found it. Loved the feathered Minnie ears!

I'm glad Dez loved Fantasmic - she is so cute!

Congrats to Mark! What a great article, too!

 

[disneykiwi]

Hi Kathy

I'm reading along as well - but don't comment much sorry. Loving your trip reports so please keep going.

You guys crack me up with the hats etc - you have so much fun.

Take care

 

[MeMom]

That big white boat full of characters makes me so happy! On this coming trip, we have only one day planned for Hollywood Studios. (My friend will probably not be getting the hopper, so it will be one park per day.) The only thing that will alter the schedule that I have planned will be if the weather looks like it will keep Fantasmic from showing. If that happens, I will be replanning, because we have to see Fantasmic!

 

[elaine1109]

Hi Kathy, Not sure if I congratulated Mark on facebook but figured I would do it again here. That is a terrific opportunity for one so young. Loving the updates also! Elaine

 

[Captain_Oblivious]

Really glad to see that Des enjoyed Fantasmic so much. And she crushed it on TSM!

Nice article on Mark! So great that he got the opportunity.

 

[Pluto0809]

Yay for Fantasmic. I love Des' princess crown. It's so hard to get good photos of Fantasmic since the stage is so far away. You got some good ones.

That's funny that Des got the highest score on TSM.