If the beginning of the reception was relatively relaxed, what with our nonchalant entrance into the pre-reception and two plates of food at the ready, the end of the reception was anything but. Misty needed to take a few more pictures, the cameraman wanted us to film a running into the sunset scene, and we had lots of people to say goodbye to. We somehow managed to get it all done, albeit with Misty and the camera guy staying overtime, and the bus leaving 15 minutes late. Angela and I regrouped back in the reception room, where the magical Disney folk were busy transforming our sunshiney rainbow bright paradise into someone elses (decidedly duller) dream. No sooner had we started to gather the leftover candy (some of which I still have, one whole month later), then we realized that Angelas mother had taken all our stuff back to the All Star.
I know she was trying to do us a favor, but she had taken everything we needed to check into the hotel: IDs, credit cards, reservation numbers. We frantically called her (thank heavens we still head a cell phone). Few minor, insignificant logistical problems: she was on a bus headed to the other side of the vast Disney property; the only person who had a car to drive was Angelas father (Angelas mom cant drive), and he had consumed no less than nine beers, and, oh yeah, did I mention, I was wilting, stuck in my dress in the 100 degree heat with a tiara on my head, dying to be freed?
Thankfully (I love you, bus driver!), the bus driver agreed to cart our stuff back with him. Turns out, somebody had also taken the boys tux bags, and they needed to return their rentals before they headed out to the airport. So I sat waiting in my hot dress, chatting with those friends of ours that were caravanning to the Orlando airport. They had apparently been talking with one of the bellboys, who had heard tale of a wedding toast involving a turkeybaster
. I guess weve become Disney legends already!
After an eternity of waiting, exhausted, disheveled, in the humid Florida heat, the bus came back with our bags. Another bellman grabbed all of our pre-checked bags, and we headed to reservations. No suite upgrade, but we did have an amazing view. We settled into our beautiful room in the Big Pine Key, and resisted, with as much strength as we could muster, the urge to nap. We both figured that we would not wake up from any nap within the time required to attend our Dessert Party, and we could hold out just a little longer at the prospect of so much yumminess.
So instead, we sifted through our gifts and all the notes in our box. Of course, no one followed the carefully written prompts. I didnt want mere congratulations, people! I wanted fun stories and pithy quotations. And none of the special people (read: bridal party, parents) had written anything. Granted, they were pretty busy doing our bidding (or dancing), but I would have liked something. I use the box for mementos now, though, so all is not lost.
Because we hadnt gotten into the room until after 4, and we had to be on the bus sometime after 7, we didnt really have that much time to veg. After showeringI hate the feeling of old hair spray on my headwe got dressed and ready to eat. I had figured wed order dinner into our room, but we werent that hungry, and crackers and pieces of leftover cake from the reception were more than enough to tide us over. (We werent supposed to have any leftover when we switched to the smaller cake, but we still had two or three slices left.)
I was a little confused when we got to the designated bus area. I didnt realize that the
Disney Cruise Line bus was doubling as our transport, but the fine Disney folks helped us out. We stopped off at ASM first and gathered almost everybody. It was nice to see my friends and family in a more casual setting (even though I was still wearing my tiara). My person of honor, Jess, was so trashed that she had to be carried off the bus coming from the reception, and she decided to sleep off her stupor rather than join us. Everyone else, though, had sobered up decently.
The bus driver asked us if we were waiting for anyone, and we did a quick look around, and thought we were good to go. So of course, as soon as drive off, someone asked, Wheres the rabbi? We had forgotten the rabbi and his wife. I called them; they had missed the bus by a minute or two, and figured theyd just hop on a bus to Epcot. What did I say in my welcome letter? Can you miss the bus and still go to the party? Thats a big N-O. But were good-hearted people, so we went back for them, meaning that we were late to the DP and missed out on a few extra minutes of food. I could have had so much more mousse if they had only called my cell phone when they saw the bus take off. Grr
We had one person to pick up at CBR (everyone else had already flown back), so we collected her and headed to the backstage of Epcot. The bus ride was pretty baudy, as is usual for my family. I dont remember specifics other than some dirty jokes and lots of laughs, and I think that the bus driver put on Enchanted at some point. I love that movie.
It was kind of cool to see the behind-the-scenes area of Epcot, even if it was a little dirty/non-magical. We met our tour guide, who walked us briskly to the American Adventure rotunda. Although it was no longer raining, I guess it had been a close enough call that they put our food inside. Im glad they did, because it meant we didnt have any bug issues.
The food was, to put it mildly, absolutely and amazingly delicious. I could just eat that mousse and whipped cream for the rest of my life, at least if they had those raspberries to go with it. (One of our guests ate a whole coneful of the whipped cream because he thought it was the vanilla mousse.) I didnt partake of the cheese, but I heard many a contented ooh and aah. They also had tons of cool syrups for the coffee and tea, but I was very happy with my swizzle stick. So good. All of our guests were also suitably impressed with the backstage access. If you can afford it, I heartily recommend having a Dessert Party. Our wedding was one-hundred percent perfect in every possible way, but the DP was just over-the-top Disney magical.
All too soon, we had to go outside for the fireworks. I think people were a little upset that they had to leave the food behind (I know I was, even though I was so stuffed I felt like I would never be hungry again), but they soon forgot their disappointment when we arrived (ten seconds later) at Italy Isola. Angelas tall enough that fireworks viewing is never a problem, but Im always stuck behind some freakishly huge person who is just a few inches away from blocking the sun, let alone fireworks. So I was very happy to have a private, unimpeded view.
I do not at all regret not having photography coverage of the Dessert PartyI was happy to watch the fireworks, and I was in no mood to get dolled up again. But it does mean that I dont have very many pictures to share.
You can see me in the left-background, in the green shirt, leaning on my new wife:
After the fireworks, we trudged back on the bus, most of us barely awake, although I think I took the prize for most exhausted. Im glad that the Grand Floridian was the last stop, because we had the opportunity to say goodbye to everyone individually. Almost all of our guests flew out on Monday morning, so the only people wed see again were Angelas parents. My parents were supposed to stay and have breakfast with us on Monday, but the Magical Express insisted they get on the bus at 10, and with Disney transport the way it is, they didnt think they could make a 9 AM reservation.
So goodbye and goodnight to all our guests. We drove back to the GF, catching the last few minutes of Magic Kingdoms fireworks. And the newlyweds began their happily ever after by falling fast asleep.
Up next: Faux Disneymoon, Day 1: Just because this meal cost $300 does not mean we shouldnt spill crumbs all over ourselves. 
The video with your brother was hilarious!!
Your reception really looked like a good time!!!
my poor dad!
I loved it and my DH hung around to see it and the video too 
Loved, loved, loved the dance video, how cute! You guys were jammin'...your reception seems like so much fun! wish I was there!! Can't wait for the next installment..no pressure. Hint, hint!!
Did you forget us??? Waiting for more....
What do you mean by "faux" honeymoon??
