Monorails and Memories- Nov. 7- Mary Lou & Rob WP/CG/Epcot DP

[LuluLovesDisney]

Originally Posted by pixie921

Wow! You got a lot of pixie dust sprinkled on you at dinner! Maybe it was the pixie dust that perked you up (and hopefully you kept feeling better afterward!).

I actually found out later that the flowers were from my husband. He kept it secret then, though! The other pixie dust was from Shutters

Originally Posted by smileycrissy

I love your monorail pics - they are beautiful! And the Welcome bags were adorable. I can't wait to read more and find out if your cold disappeared on your day.

Unfortunately not I was sick, but I managed to get through on adrenaline and "magic" lol. Thank you for the compliments!

Originally Posted by Racey

Subscribing for definite - am looking forward to hearing about California Grill as thats one location i'm thinking of using and i'm desperate to hear how it goes

Loving the teaser pictuers you put up

You will LOVE California Grill! It is awesome! Thank you for reading!

Originally Posted by Bethannk511

Oh i'm patiently waiting your next installment!! I love this and thank you so much for sharing!!

Thank you so much! Rob and I just got back from WDW, we took a little vacation to "take advantage" of our APs so now that we're back, I owe you all an update I really appreciate your reading along!

[Sassagoula Billy]

Lulu! I am LOVING the dress, the make-up, the styling... and those monorail photos look like they could be featured in Disney Wedding Planning videos. Seriously. Gorgeous.

And a California Grill wedding? Who knew?

[LuluLovesDisney]

Originally Posted by Sassagoula Billy

Lulu! I am LOVING the dress, the make-up, the styling... and those monorail photos look like they could be featured in Disney Wedding Planning videos. Seriously. Gorgeous.

And a California Grill wedding? Who knew?

I am LOVING the fact that you came over to the wedding board to check out my TR. With compliments! Thank you so much!!! I wish I could live that day over and over like Bill Murray in Groundhog Day!!

[LuluLovesDisney]

Caribbean Beach Resort Pool Meet Up!

After Shutters, we looked at the time, oh no, we were late for the meet up!

However, before I tell you about our little meet up, I'd like to share why we chose the Caribbean Beach Resort as one of our three hotels for our guests to receive the DFTW discount from as well as why we stayed there ourselves (split stay between CBR and Contemporary). Since I was 14, I have stayed at CBR 6 times, both with friends and family and I have great memories of lying in the hammock, getting coffee in refillable mugs with my dad, swimming in the pool for hours and running around with my little cousin calling it the "Fabulous Ali Baba Hotel and Casino" (of course we called every hotel that when we were young!) So, it felt sweet to come back as a bride and share another magical moment with several of the people who I had visited this resort with over my lifetime.

It was really important to me to spend as much time with guests who had sacrificed to make the trip as I possibly could. However, I didn't want to appear like a chipper Tour Guide Barbie directing their every turn. On the other hand, I didn't want my nearest and dearest waving as they flew by on the monorail without us! So, an evening of swimming, talking and fun at the pool sounded like a good informal meet up idea.

At first I was worried that since I was late, everyone had left and the event was DOA, but soon I spotted my bridesmaid E. and her beautiful little daughter. Then my friend from when I did the 1999 College Program strolled over! Oh my goodness, this was my first wedding "event". People were here! This was real!



That is definitely my excited face!



After a few minutes, my SIL, brother R. and my niece/flower girl J. and nephew/ring bearer M. came over. My niece was desperately clutching a Minnie and my nephew was wearing Mickey hands. They were squealing and I could only catch every few words "The real Mickey!! "Footprints" "Our room!" Finally, I learned that they had a magical visit from Mickey and Minnie in their resort room, and Mickey and Minnie had left them gifts! I was so happy for them, and I got a surprise when my fiance told me that he was the one who had "tipped" Mickey and Minnie off about where they would be! I was so happy he arranged such a special moment that made their faces light up and truly made them experience Disney magic. My niece still sleeps with that Minnie doll. And my brother even bought me a drink! lol This is why I love trip reports, it makes you remember and appreciate all the little details.



I had a great time playing Peter Pan with my niece and my bridesmaid's daughter.



Although, my niece did have an important "phone call" to take!











My husband took a few pictures of everyone socializing before he hit the hot tub!



A great picture of me and my friend who recently passed away. He brought out my fun side like no one else!



We said goodbye to some people who were leaving early and then a bunch of us went in the pool, even though it was pretty chilly. It was GREAT in the water, but late in the evening, getting out was FREEZING! And happily (for you, dear reader) there are NO pictures of any of us in bathing suits! lol Chattering as we dashed back to our resort rooms, I was finally relaxing! I don't know if it was the free champagne, the friends and family or the bits of ice falling off me, but I was feeling pretty exhilarated!

*Lesson learned- I definitely think it is a good idea to plan an event like this, no cost and helps everyone to know each other.

*2nd Lesson learned- do not facebook chat while typing a TR. If you get a message and then hit backspace, you will lose the page and delete everything you wrote!

[Disney9.9.10]

Great instalment!! We are also planning to do a relaxed pool night, so I am glad to read that you did that and it went really well! It looks like everyone had a great time, which is what it should be about. I also love that your DH added some pixie dust for the kids, they really love stuff like that, it will create some wonderful memories!

[brer rabbit 28]

Love the welcome bags you made Lulu, it looks like you really went out of your way to make sure everyone had a great time.

I can't wait to read more.

[LuluLovesDisney]

Originally Posted by Disney9.9.10

Great instalment!! We are also planning to do a relaxed pool night, so I am glad to read that you did that and it went really well! It looks like everyone had a great time, which is what it should be about. I also love that your DH added some pixie dust for the kids, they really love stuff like that, it will create some wonderful memories!

Thank you, Krysten! I am sure you are off for your magical memories right about now!! <3

Originally Posted by brer rabbit 28

Love the welcome bags you made Lulu, it looks like you really went out of your way to make sure everyone had a great time.

I can't wait to read more.

Thank you so much! I have to try to find a close up picture, but you get the idea I hope they all had a fabulous time!

[disfan melissa]

I absolutely love the pics on the monorail!
Can't wait to read more

[MiaBella05]

can't wait to see more pictures, everything looks and sounds beautiful

[LuluLovesDisney]

Originally Posted by disfan melissa

I absolutely love the pics on the monorail!
Can't wait to read more

Thank you! I was so happy to get some monorail pictures!

Originally Posted by MiaBella05

can't wait to see more pictures, everything looks and sounds beautiful

Thank you so much, I will be adding some more pictures this week!

[LuluLovesDisney]

Day 2- Breakfast at CRT and Family time at the Magic Kingdom

It was our second full day and we had early reservations at Cinderella's Royal Table. We wanted to take our flower girls to meet the princesses and I bought each of them a princess dress. When my ring bearer/nephew found out, he wanted to go, too! So, we ended up with 2 girls, 2 moms, 1 boy and the bride and groom for breakfast in the Castle!

I made a special invitation to give to each of the girls.





One got the Cinderella dress and one got Belle!

Here is my niece getting hers-



My brother made my family coordinating t shirts to wear for today as a surprise. Boys got blue, girls got red.





Early morning princess!



Walking over to the MK





I had to stop at Guest Relations with my fiance to exchange our wedding vouchers for our free Annual Passes!!

Soon we were inside, walking down Main Street!

I wanted to check out the castle to see if the lights were up yet and how they looked (since we were doing a MK shoot).



You can see them but Disney does a great job of making them blend in during day time hours!

We were on time for our reservation, but we had to wait for the other flower girl to arrive, so we had some fun with the kids while we waited!









We all picked out what we wanted to do with the rest of the day!



I loved the Fall decor! Pumpkins are so Cinderella!

Soon they let us through the doors to wait there.



Beautiful tree!



Jaq and Gus!!



Gorgeous gothic architecture!

We will get to our special Castle breakfast in our next episode!!

[Ann117]

I love your welcome bags so nice!

[LuluLovesDisney]

Originally Posted by Ann117

I love your welcome bags so nice!

Thank you so much. Your signature pic is gorgeous!!

[LuluLovesDisney]

Day 2 continued

Finally my other flower girl arrived with her mom! It turns out she wasn't feeling like wearing the dress today. Kids will be kids. I was just happy we were all here and ready to head up to a wonderful breakfast with the princesses!



The princesses were already in party mode, working the room!

We were led to our table and I noticed our table was full of pixie dust and wishing stars and a special gift for me! A single rose in a beautiful bright pink!



I was so surprised!




Then, I noticed there was a black jewelry box, attached to the stem! And another hidden Mickey crystal in there! Rob was excited for me to open it up!

There was a beautiful bracelet inside!

The server was great and explained our options- a healthy breakfast, which one of us got and a traditional bacon and stuffed french toast type breakfast which the rest of us had!

The princesses started to arrive at our table!















My niece asked me to be in this picture for some reason!



I love this pic. This is her favorite princess!

My niece's is Ariel, who was busy under the sea today!



So we turned our attention to breakfast instead! Mmm. Disney bacon!



and croissants!



My nephew did NOT want to take pictures with any princesses. He was more excited about being IN the castle. When we got up to leave, he was disappointed he couldn't explore the castle more, so we let him go over to the windows to get a better idea of where we were. He seemed to love that!

They were so happy to meet Cinderella!




Rob and I snuck in, too!

[LuluLovesDisney]

After breakfast, we met up with the rest of my family for some fun time in the Magic Kingdom!



Best Man and his family



My niece, aka the "line leader", marching with my aunt ahead of our pack.



Here you can see how my whole family is in red and blue shirts. My *brother* actually made these as a surprise for me. I had mentioned doing it, but didn't have the time, how sweet is that?? (And men don't usually think of things like that!) <3

The first thing we did as a family was to take a family picture in front of the Castle! (I have to scan it in as it wasn't on our camera)

After our picture, we headed over to our first attraction together. Since we were already close to Fantasyland, I thought PhilharMagic would be something that all ages would love.







The sunlight is not flattering, but I LOVE this picture of my niece and me in front of the castle anyway! She is so cute!

So, then we decided to head over to Adventureland and go to the Tiki Room!





My brother looks like he is calling security on the tikis or something here lol.





It was a HOT day; we all lotioned ourselves up!



Then, we did Pirates of the Caribbean! My niece and nephew LOVED Pirates, which is funny because when I was little, I hid in the bottom of the boat, I was so scared!



I LOVE this picture of my niece and nephew; brother and sister!!



These were real cast members! Everyone loved looking at them and wondering if they were real or not!

After Pirates, my nephews wanted to go do some coasters that the little ones couldn't do, so we all sort of split up around here.


The Haunted Mansion was next!






My nephew also did the Tomorrowland Speedway.

By then, my niece was sleepy and my parents weren't far behind!





My niece LOVED playing with the rose Rob got me that morning!

We stopped for a late lunch at Cosmic Ray's and my parents and fiance went back to their rooms. I stayed to do one more ride because my nephew wanted to do the Jungle Cruise. So, I figured I'd do that and then run back to get ready for my girls' night after that.

The line was super long and my niece wanted me to hold her, so I have no pics of that part. I was holding a sleeping three year old! lol It was a lot of fun. The best part of a Disney wedding is spending time in Disney with your family and friends, making memories!

I ended up running late (ask anyone who knows me I am Last Minute Lulu for a reason) and when I got home, (am I the only one who says "go home," when I mean "go back to the Disney resort"?) I already had my MOH and her BF (now fiance!) there. Thoughts were flying through my mind: This is it! This is my Disney wedding weekend! Time is flying so fast! It was like a whirlwind of happiness and anxiety. I don't think I have ever felt that strong of an adrenaline rush. My eyes were permanently open. I don't remember blinking! I struggled to get ready; I wanted to look "perfect" for pictures, but I didn't have the time. Now, I look back and I am pink and sweaty, but oh-so-happy! It is much better than any expensive liquid eyeliner that I bought but never applied that weekend



They chit chatted with Rob while I bolted around the room getting ready.



and assisted me as I chose what to toss in my purse for the evening

It is time to go and another BM who was staying at our same resort shows up, we are ready to roll out!

Finally, we called a cab. We stood there, waiting, waiting, waiting. After 20 minutes, I am freaking out. We are supposed to be at Epcot in 5 minutes! We called the cab company- our cab already left! Someone else took our cab! We didn't even see it?! I have no idea how it happened, but 10 minutes later, 5 minutes after we are supposed to be there, the cab shows up. I am now getting texts from people asking where we are. The stress monster rears its ugly head again. Last minute Lulu earns her name. Oh, well. Rob volunteers to pay the cabbie while the three girls RUN and I mean RUN, in the most terrible sense of the word, through Epcot to the bench in front of Canada where we were meeting our guests! It is actually a really fun memory now, of us uncontrollably giggling and complaining to each other as we ran through a theme park. Thank goodness it was not crowded! I love my girls.

Next up: Drinking around the World and Jellyrolls!