1 yr Anniv.@ the Land of Make Believe! May09! PTR-UPDATE-We're Home =( 5/27

[JenAusty]

March 18-May 31, 2009 "The garden festival is 75 days long"


I found out not to long ago that we will be there during Epcot Flower & Garden Festival.. and I just received some information on the 2009 festival from a newsletter from allears.net. So.. here are some facts for anyone else who will be there..

"This year, the festival's theme is "Celebrations," which coincidentally meshes with Disney Parks' "What Will You Celebrate?" campaign. To "tell the story," the festival exhibits will interpret various classic Disney tales using more than 50 Disney character topiaries and 300,000 bedding plants."

""This is the most topiaries we've used since 2001," Darden notes." Which these are..

Thats awesome.. I love those soo much!!!

"The opening display that guests entering Epcot will encounter portrays "Cinderellabration," the coronation of Cinderella on the dais with her Prince Charming. Other guests featured in this exhibit will be Belle and Beast, Snow White and the Seven Dwarfs, and brand new topiaries of Sleeping Beauty (Aurora) and her prince Philip in an "organic" carriage. Elsewhere in the park, there will be an array of topiaries, ranging from characters like Aladdin and Lady and the Tramp, to butterflies and perfume bottles (in the France pavilion in World Showcase)." YAY for princess themes!

Tinkgirl will like this..
"One of the new gardens, the Pixie Hollow area, located near the Butterfly Garden, is going to be a standout, Darden claims, with topiaries of Tinker Bell and her friends."


"More than 500 native butterflies representing up to 10 species reside in Minnie's Magnificent Butterfly Garden." Yay.. I'm excited!! I love butterflies

Tips for the festival-->

--Be sure to pick up a special Flower and Garden guide when you enter Epcot so you know where the special seminars and exhibts are.
-- Go to the butterfly garden early in the morning. It gets crowded later in the day.
-- Learn how to use the Macro setting on your camera for closeup photos of the flowers:
http://land.allears.net/blogs/photoblog/2009/03/he_can_call_me_a_flower_if_he.html

-- Topiary Photography Tips:
http://land.allears.net/blogs/photoblog/2008/06/ready_llvl_at_fg_livin_la_vida_1.html

-- Remember the Flower and Garden festival is not just about flowers and blooms, but also about landscapes!
http://land.allears.net/blogs/photoblog/2008/11/japanese_garden_1.html

Star Wars"
May 22 through June 14

http://allears.net/tp/mgm/m_starwars.htm

 

[JenAusty]

OMG I LOVEEEE your wallpaper! So cute, how did you get it?!

You guys look so great in the pics from your SIL's wedding, you're so pretty with your blonde hair! (and the brown hair too but like i said, I'm partial to blondes ) You and Austin make such a good couple.

awww.. thank you!! I knew that you would be happy about my blinde hair. Everyone loves it.. my mom said "I'm glad you went back to blonde.. now you need to stay there" I wanted to say something.. but kept my mouth shut. hehe Austin said that he likes me both ways, he said he like me brown a lot and thinks it goes good with my skin, plus he's always liked brown haired girls..hehe but he said that he likes me blonde but it brings out my eyes and fits me. So whatever.. hehe I tease him all the time and say "Well I like blonde haired guys better- so there" hehe

For the wallpaper thingy- I got it from disney.go.com. I'll try and figure out where it was. I was actually looking at disneyworld.com (my vacation) and ended up there... so let me see.. Its called "Wallpaper Magic".

Ok, if you go to disneyworld.com, sign in and go to "my disney vacation" and then scroll down to near the bottom and a box will say "Backstage Passes". you can click on "Whats happening", "More to explore", "Magical of the month", and "Magical offers". Thats where all the videos, downloadable things are usually..

Click on any of those and then on the main page in a box type thing it will say "Archive"..click there and then at the bottom of the box. .it will say "wallpaper magic".

I'll give you the link.. but for future reference.. you have all that info for other downloads.

http://disneyworld.disney.go.com/wdw/myVacation/newsletter/download?id=BackstagePassMMPage&module=BSP200810TeaserWallpaperMagic

You might have to login to download it..idk..

Plus, idk if I am automatically signed up because I'm have a disneyworld.com log in name but I get emails from disny.go.com. It gives you videos, free wallpapers, backstage info and so forth. I don't remember signing up specifically for it.. but I think it goes with disneyworld.com.

Hope all this helps!

Hi Jen! Love you in red and the new blonde you, too! What made you decide to go back to blonde? Austin looks like a fun guy to be around in the wedding pics, you guys are too cute!!

Well idk what exactly made me decide to go back to blonde. I actually wanted just some blonde highlights but then when the stylist asked me what I wanted or how much I said do whatever.. hehe and she decided lots of blonde highlights.. But before that I was debating it because I truly love blonde hair- not just on me.. but the color in general.. whenever I see pretty blonde I people I love it. Plus, I'm a natural blonde and have been blonde for most of my life.. so its hard to stay away for to long.
Yeah, Austin is funny.. he always says "I know you love me because you laugh at everything I say.. even if its not funny" hehe But I just think he is a naturally funny guy. He's really sarcastic..but not in a mean way. Plus, hes a big jokester.. so he's fun.

Oh no! That's a shame POP won't deliver the cake to the room! You're right, that's not very romantic to go to Everything Pop to enjoy it!! LOL!! Isn't there an off sight company that delivers things to the rooms? I forget the name, but remember seeing something on DIS that a woman does it for her job now and makes up baskets, that sort of thing you can have delivered and she will bring it to your room for you. Something worth exploring....if I can remember the name, I will let you know. Have you checked out Disney florist to see what they could make up for you?

Love the wallpaper, how'd you do that? Very cute!!

I know- a CM called me and left a message for me to call back.. so maybe just maybe they will.. or the florist will. I know that the florist deliver to rooms and will deliver like chocolates and stuff.. so I'm sure they will. I guess I won't know until I try.. and no I haven't heard of the "lady" hehe who does that but I'll try googling it. If you hear anything- please let me know!

As for the wallpaper- I explained where to get it in the comment above.. for future reference.. here is the link.. you might have to sign in..idk.

http://disneyworld.disney.go.com/wdw/myVacation/newsletter/download?id=BackstagePassMMPage&module=BSP200810TeaserWallpaperMagic

Aw you looked gorgeous at the wedding! Red looks good on you!

That wallpaper for the computer is so cute!

Thank you!! I heard that a lot that night.. The funny thing is is that when I first found out I was wearing red.. I was kind of disappointed just because I don't exactly "love" red.. and I didn't think it would look good on me.. but once I got the dress on with my tan and stuff.. I loved it on me. So I'm sorry I ever doubted red.

If you want to download the wallpaper thing.. I put a link in the comment above!

 

[tinkgurl]

Tinkgirl will like this..
"One of the new gardens, the Pixie Hollow area, located near the Butterfly Garden, is going to be a standout, Darden claims, with topiaries of Tinker Bell and her friends."

I'm mentioned in your post?! I feel loved!

Oh you know I'd love to see that!!!!!

 

[xoktenox]

Thank you for the info on that wallpaper! I'm going to have to go on a little later and try and get one. I have a username on disneyworld.com too but I never get emails from disney.go so hopefully it will work!

We're going to be there during the Flower and Garden festival too and I can't wait!! Everything looks so gorgeous! I wish we had more then one day to spend in Epcot to be able to really take it all in. Do you guys have hopper passes?

 

[HeatherBelle614]

Ok, subbied and caught up!

We got married a week after you two, so we'll be celebrating one year around the same time! Except, we're actually celebrating at WDW in September! Make sure you get your anniversary buttons when you check-in!

We're staying at POP for the first time, too. I can't WAIT to hear what you think about it!

I love your ADR choices, too! Flame Tree BBQ and Sunshine Seasons are two of my MUST do places!

The shower and wedding pics are great. I lol'd at the picture of your DH dollar dancing with the groom; fantastic!

 

[JenAusty]

Ok, subbied and caught up!

We got married a week after you two, so we'll be celebrating one year around the same time! Except, we're actually celebrating at WDW in September! Make sure you get your anniversary buttons when you check-in!

We're staying at POP for the first time, too. I can't WAIT to hear what you think about it!

I love your ADR choices, too! Flame Tree BBQ and Sunshine Seasons are two of my MUST do places!

The shower and wedding pics are great. I lol'd at the picture of your DH dollar dancing with the groom; fantastic!

YAY! I'm glad you joined! Thats awesome that we got married so close! It's the most popular month to get married.. so I shouldn't be surprised. Although, I didn't know that when we chose it. I'll make sure I take lots of pictures of POP so you can get a detailed view of it! I'm sure it will be great- I've heard so many good things about it!

Yeah.. my dh is random and goofy like that. But he always makes me laugh.. so thats good!

 

[HeatherBelle614]

I'm holding you to that - lots of pictures! I can't wait to hear what you think!!

Yeah, I didn't know June was so popular, either. We were originally looking at the day you got married, but a lot of the vendors we wanted were already booked because of the 6/7/8 date, so that's why we're a week later!

 

[JenAusty]

Ok.. I have a few updates things to post.. some good.. maybe some bad.. we will see.

First off, the other day I was shopping around and just happened to go in to Spencer's.. idk if you all know that store is.. its usually in malls and it has random crap in it. Anyways, I rarely go in there.. but I was with my DH's cousin and he went in there looking for a hat- so I went and I happen to glance down and seen a Mickey bag.. I was like WTHeck?! When I went to pick it up I noticed it was in a 75% off box.. so I picked it up.. look at it.. loved it.. and got it for only $7.. deal huh?!! Turns out Spencer's carries Disney's new brand "Disney Couture". Most of it is pretty cute.. especially the jewelry.. but it also very expensive.. like any other name brand item.. The jewelry is very pretty, creative, has sayings or key things to do with disney movies.. you should check it out. My DH doesn't understand why its so cool thats its disney brand.. because when I told him.. it was "Disney Couture" he was like "cool?..." like who cares, what does it matter.. it has mickey on it.. he had a point.. hehe oh well. BUT I am excited because I have a new Disney bag for our trip.. which wasn't expected at all. I'm trying not to use it til the trip. which is very hard to do! So here it is..

Ok.. the first irritating news is I received an email from NWA a couple days ago saying my flight time has been changed.. and it went from 7pm at night to leaving at 3:15pm.. of course this won't work because my DH gets out of work at 3 and then we have to drive and hour to the airport. Soo.. I decided without panicking.. to look up other flights.. I did and seen a flight that was leaving at 6:30pm instead.. soo I call NWA.. tell them my problem.. they say we can either switch your flight to a different time that day, the day before or day after. So I tell them I found flight on the website that is leaving at 6:30pm the same day for the same price as my flight... he looks it up.. and then informs me it was through Delta. (now those of you that don't know like I didn't- delta and NW are merging together but the merge isn't final). He then told me that he couldn't switch it to Delta flight because my flight was through NW and the merge isn't final, and the only avail time they had for that day was earlier.. now honestly does that make any sense at all? You are merging.. I search on YOUR website and a Delta flight comes up.. thats not my problem!! So.. he then tells me that he can either book it the day before or the day after, or cancel the flight with no fees.. so I had to choose the cancel because changing the days would screw up everything.. the whole "get 7 days of dining" and be there for 7 days.." and everything else.. ughh.. So then he informs me that it could take up to 15 days to refund my money.. Does he realize that in 15 days.. thats half a month- the prices on flight could be outragious.. because it will be soo close to my departing date. GRR.. soo everyday I've been checking to see.. and no such luck. But on a good note to that.. it might just help out that we got refunded with no fees.. just read the next bit of info.. it gets better..

The maybe bad news is.. its kind of good kind of bad.. we will see how it turns out. My DH got accepted into this program for training and its also a job.. which means.. yeah- we won't be moving to Florida soo soon if he does accept. I guess I'm ok with it because I still have schooling.. soo it keeps him closer to me until I'm done, and he will make more money.. so we can save for a move in the future. The other bad news or good news whatever way you look at it is that he will start it in April, which is next month.. normally that would be good right?! Except.. if he starts his training in April- it lasts about 3 weeks- and then he starts working.. soo that means he would have to leave his job he is at now.. not using his vaca pay. and idk how we would go to disney world.. if it collided with his job. Thats the really bad part. We talked about moving the trip up.. before he starts the training.. which would be awesome except I have school- so somewhere I would be missing a day or 2.. not the end of the world.. but we also would have to go for a shorter time.. instead of going for 7 nights.. (which is really like 7 days for us because we are getting there late the first night), we would only beable to go for 6 days.. thats like 2 nights less.. but still a full 6 days. This also messes up our plans, our dining plan, our ADRS, and idk if he would be able to use his vaca days for work or not.. he would have to use them within a month I would think.

If we did move it up.. we have to HOPE we can find a room available at POP or any value avail for that time.. ekk.. I searched a random date last night and there was only POR rooms.. and then I search another date and there was availability.. soo.. I guess it all depends when we are going to go.
He said he was going to try and work it so he could leave his job- do his training, go on vaca, and then start work.. but that's a week with no pay.. sucky.

We then considered moving it forward.. but the problem with that is, usually when you start a new job you have to be there for a year before you get vaca days and stuff.. plus, idk if he could get a week off of a new job so soon.. you know?!

The other MAIN problem with changing is that we booked the "Buy 4 nights get 3 deal".. and if we go back.. then we can't book this deal.. i don't think.. unless disney will let us but I doubt it. So we will lose money- we won't owe money because we are going for shorter days.. but its sucks because the price is pretty close to our price now.. and we are staying longer and stuff..

So, if we move it forward and go this summer- we can still book the deal- but idk if we would be able to go with his new job.

So having the flight departing cancel isn't the end of the world just in case we have to find new flight dates.. because the returning flight is still booked.. which cost me a lot because its on memorial day.. we prob. wouldn't owe anything because our new flight would most likely be cheaper- but we lose money because its a $75 fee to change or cancel flight per passenger. I did find flight in April for $69 web special.. so we will see how long that sticks..

So we have discussed a few things.. I guess he is waiting to talk to his new job and get the exact starting date and then go from there. But who knows.. this is all crazy.. I guess wish me luck. I just don't want to cancel and NOT be able to go.. or have to replan the entire trip.

He said if I really wanted to I could just take someone else.. but its OUR anniversary trip.. I don't want to.. I said if we have to cancel it for whatever reason.. I am just going to go alone to Florida and stay with my best friend for a few nights.. He then said.. we will figure out a way to go.. because he wants to go really bad and doesn't want me to go alone.. so we will see.

 

[xoktenox]

Awwww Jen I'm sorry about all the mess with your trip! I know what its like to have to change around a trip that you've been planning for so long and it stinks! I'm sure your DH will figure something out though that will make you both happy. Good luck girl!

 

[princess&her4princes]

Aww, Jen, this is a mess!!!! I'm so sorry everything is up in the air right now...I mean you've got some good with the bad, so you have to run with that, right? Try and stay positive girlie, it will work out one way or another. Keeping my fingers crossed it works out how you want it to!!

On the flip side, adorable new Mickey bag! And what a great tip to find Disney courture stuff!! I've seen some pieces online and it's cute!!! But you're right..very pricey!!

 

[JenAusty]

I'm holding you to that - lots of pictures! I can't wait to hear what you think!!

Yeah, I didn't know June was so popular, either. We were originally looking at the day you got married, but a lot of the vendors we wanted were already booked because of the 6/7/8 date, so that's why we're a week later!

Omgoodness... I NEVER even noticed the 6/7/8 thing.. Now I'm excited.. We actually chose a different date- but a hall opened up that was bigger so we switched! hehe I can't want to tell my DH about it.. thats funny!

Awwww Jen I'm sorry about all the mess with your trip! I know what its like to have to change around a trip that you've been planning for so long and it stinks! I'm sure your DH will figure something out though that will make you both happy. Good luck girl!

Thanks.. i'm stressed right now.. but will figure out something soon!

Aww, Jen, this is a mess!!!! I'm so sorry everything is up in the air right now...I mean you've got some good with the bad, so you have to run with that, right? Try and stay positive girlie, it will work out one way or another. Keeping my fingers crossed it works out how you want it to!!

On the flip side, adorable new Mickey bag! And what a great tip to find Disney courture stuff!! I've seen some pieces online and it's cute!!! But you're right..very pricey!!

Thanks.. I'm pretty stressed right now. I'm almost feel obligated to cancel it- I feel like I'm being selfish for trying to keep it.. but i really want to go, its so close, and I've put like 6 months into planning this darn thing! It just seems likes omething happens everytime we plan a trip. But We are trying to figure out something.. I think I might move it up.. but i want to wait and get our income tax refund back.. and it says by April 7th.. but who knows. We had a lot of problems filling for the first time being married and we had to paper mail it in.. ugh!

 

[JenAusty]

I got my refund today from NWA! YAY! Now I just need to figure out what were doing.. so I can rebook it before the prices go up! ekk

 

[princess&her4princes]

Good luck with you decision!!!!!

 

[tinkgurl]

Oh my gosh! That Mickey bag is adorable. You said you got it at Spencers?!

 

[HeatherBelle614]

I love your bag! Awesome find!

We had to push our trip back from January to September, so I understand what you're feeling! I finally had to admit myself that timing would work out when it was meant to work out; WDW would always be there, and we had to get some us things taken care of, first.

I know the 4/3 deal ends in August, but I have a feeling Disney is going to be offering more deals after free dining. Their park levels are going to keep dropping until the economy gets better, so I wouldn't worry about not seeing another deal!

Keep your info on the website updated; I updated mine and got a free dining pin the very next day!

Good luck, lady! I know it'll all work out perfectly!

 

[lizet313]

Im on board sorry if am late joining in.

 

[JenAusty]

Good luck with you decision!!!!!

Thanks! I need it!

Oh my gosh! That Mickey bag is adorable. You said you got it at Spencers?!

Thank you!

I love your bag! Awesome find!

We had to push our trip back from January to September, so I understand what you're feeling! I finally had to admit myself that timing would work out when it was meant to work out; WDW would always be there, and we had to get some us things taken care of, first.

I know the 4/3 deal ends in August, but I have a feeling Disney is going to be offering more deals after free dining. Their park levels are going to keep dropping until the economy gets better, so I wouldn't worry about not seeing another deal!

Keep your info on the website updated; I updated mine and got a free dining pin the very next day!

Good luck, lady! I know it'll all work out perfectly!

That is true.. and thats what I keep trying to tell myself. My mom and dad told me today they want to try and plan a family vaca next year- so if something does happen.. its only another year until the new plan.. hmm

Im on board sorry if am late joining in.

YAY! It's ok! I'm glad you joined! I just hope I don't have to cancel the trip and end this PTR! ekk!

 

[JenAusty]

Hey guys- Sorry I haven't updated lately.. I plan to update later today!

 

[Charleston Princess]

Looking forward to it!!!

 

[tinkgurl]

Just jumping in to say hi!