2 For The Price of 1: One Trip Done; One More to Plan!

[Camster0307]

I know you blabbed....you are almost as bad as I am at keeping secrets.

Let's think of 13 little things that you could wrap that she could use on your trip and beyond

TeeHee!

Yes, please - I could use some help! We'll need to knock around some ideas on my pre-tr!

Ok, you evil maniac- I said I didn't know WHERE it was, not WHAT it was! And believe me...if you and I are WDW 2gether, there will be some OTHER poor, unsuspecting sap drinkin' that Beverly!

By the way...where's my DGF, Lonnie?

Darn! Foiled!

Guess we'll just have to find something else to drink then!

 

[Camster0307]

When we last left off, we had left Epcot and gone back to the BW for a breather. We had 4:30 ADRs at LTT and then MVMCP!

My girls and I were dressed in our holiday finest. Well, Lauren went to MK in her day clothes because she was riding Splash Mtn. after dinner; we figured she'd get soaked, so I pack her holiday clothes to change into.

We arrived at MK by 4:20 and rushed over to LTT. We really didn't have a wait; but because we were a large party they had to seat us at two separate tables - the kids at one table; adults at another. Oh Boo!

It wasn't long before the characters came around:

We finished with dinner by 6pm. The kids went over to Splash Mtn.; didn't get too wet, changed clothes, then it was over to the Galaxy Palace Theater in Tomorrowland for the Mickey's "Twas the Night Before Christmas" show. I LOVE this show. We had first seen it in 2004. I've tried to see it every year since for the past three years, and every year, I show up 20 minutes before show time and it's full! We never did seem to make it back for later shows because of other priorities. But this year.........I was determined to see it! We got to the theater at 6:35 for a 7pm show and -- it was already full! The CM told me if I really wanted to see it, I should show up at least 30-40 minutes before show time. I wasn't taking any chances with the 8pm show - we took a quick ride on BuzzLightyear and then hopped back over to the theater to wait in line. Word of advice for anyone who wants to see this - it is VERY POPULAR; if you really want to see it, plan to wait at leastt 30 minutes on line! We did and, by 7:40, we were shown to our seats - front row baby!

This show is so cute and so festive! Great music!

Mickey & Minnie in bed together - scandalous!

Continued in next post............

 

[IluvXU]

The girls shirts are so cute... you and your sister look so much alike- wow!

 

[Camster0307]

continued.......

MVMCP - "Twas the Night Before Christmas":

After the show, we decided to take advantage of the free hot chocolate and cookies that were being given out, and headed into Cosmic Ray's. There was a dance party going on with Chip and Dale; they were playing really cool music so we hung out for a while:

Chip came over to dance with me and Amanda:

Once finished with our snacks, we were headed out to do some more rides when we came upon the Donald on his Christmas tree lot:

It was here that I got my Tink "tip" from a CM. First of all, we just waited on line to get our picture taken; once we got up front the CM told me I should get a GAC for Amanda so I don't have to wait. I told him I already had one, but didn't mind waiting as long as it wasn't hot and sunny. He then suggested I head over to ToonTown to see Tinkerbell. Now, I had heard that Tink wasn't out during the party but he said she was; and also told me to show the GAC card to the CM at the door so I wouldn't have to wait on the long line. Oh yeah - this -- I wanted to do!

We got over to the ToonTown tent and the posted wait time for Tink and Friends was 50 minutes; but the minute I walked in, the CM asked me if I had a GAC card; when I showed it to him, he took us up through the back. We didn't really get to experience the whole "shrinking" experience, but we did get to see part of it. It was so pretty! The walls were painted like a big forest, with twinkling lights floating through it. The CM posted at the door explained that everytime you see the lights twinkle and hear a giggle, it means a new fairy has been born!

We waited a few minutes and then the doors opened! Can I just say I was such a babbling idiot! I don't know who was more excited about this - me or the kids. All I know is when they opened those doors and the three fairies were standning there, waving hello - I had the biggest smile on my face!

The first fairy we met was Silvermist, the fairy of water:

She was ok - a little subdued. But who cares? Tinkerbell was next and she DID NOT disappoint! This character was so cute -- and so spot on! She was giggly, sweet, and silly. At this point, we could hear the Holiday Wishes going off outside and she explained that she had just started the fireworks and flew in from the castle! She was great - I was just a little disappointed that Amanda was pretty sleepy at this point!

Tink admiring Amanda's stickers on her tray (she has alot of Tink stickers!):

Next up was Fawn, the fairy of animals(I think):

The fairies were all really good about telling stories about their adventures in the forest. They would also point out things around the room for you to look for. I know this is usually a really long wait, but I have to say, I don't think it should be missed!

We got together for a group shot:

After our visit with the fairies, we went to see Minnie:

We then grabbed some spots for the Christmas parade. They have two parades per party and the second one is usually less crowded - which proved to be the case tonite!

 

[Camster0307]

Continued from last post..........

MVMCP - parade:

The parade ended and it was now after 11pm - some of the kids were fading fast. They still wanted to ride BTMRR; I took Amanda over to the Pooh ride and then went off to purchase my special "MVMCP pins." By now, it was 11:30 and we were done. On the way towards Main St., the girls and I stopped at a photopass photographer to get some more pix of the beautiful castle:

Lovely Main Steet, on the way out:

And that was the end of our day! I was so happy to be able to see "Twas the Night Before...." show again - finally; and meeting Tinkerbell and friends was definitely a highlight also! I was disappointed Amanda was practically asleep though - which just means we'd have to go back again to see Tink during the day - which we were lucky enough to do! (but that's later on in the week!)

Next post: we say goodbye to our cousins; and DTD!

 

[punkin413]

Mickey & Minnie in bed together - scandalous!

wow.....tink is really pretty! i'm getting so excited to meet her!

thank you so much for posting this tonight....it may just get me through the next 2 days before we leave. i'm really getting excited and i just love all your pics!!!!

 

[alan_renfroe]

Hi Cammie! Awesome update and GREAT pictures!! I LOVED the picture with Mickey and Minnie in bed....wow! A little on the PG side for Disney!!

Too bad Amanda was fading during the fairies encounter. I know you and Lauren were digging it!!

We are enjoying your report very much!

Alan

 

[podsnel]

Your castle pics came out great!!! Ok, now I really want to go back at Christmastime and do the MVMCP! That show looked awesome. And I love those fairies- I wonder if Lonnie will want to wait in line when we go in May, Tink is her favorite.

Love all the pics- now I really feel like I was there!

 

[MAGICFOR2]

Cammie, your time at the party looks so fun! I'm glad you finally got in to the Night Before Christmas show. It looks really good! Your pics with the fairies are so cute! I still can't get over how much your niece looks like Lauren. AND, your castle pics are amazing! I love how they can make "ice" on the castle!

 

[Lady Lallie]

Your meeting with Tink and the other fairies sounds just perfect!!

I think MVMCP sounds like great fun and the parade looks awesome.

 

[babytrees]

Love the Christmas party pics. Poor Amanda sure did look tuckered at the end of the night.

Tink is awfully cute and the other fairies were obviously in character.

 

[mkluvsmickey]

Are you planning a Disney vacation with DISers you met on these boards? I'm trying to do that with a group I met here also - some people think we're crazy! But, I don't know - I've really connected with quite a few people here; I don't think it's crazy at all! And now that I've met a few DISers, my daughters no longer think I'm crazy either!

Hey Cammie! I actually just got back Sunday from a trip with two girls I met here on the DIS boards. We had such a great time! I never thought I'd make such great friends here but we hit it off so well. My daughter wasn't too happy I went without her though. We are going to try and plan a trip with all of our families next time.


Love your updates - all caught up again! Your DHS day looked great - don't you just love Toy Story Mania? I loved all your Beauty and the Beast pictures too - one of my favorites.

The Spectro pictures were great too! We didn't see that this past weekend but I listened to the music in the car all the way home - just love that parade!

We did the Norway breakfast in October and I totally agree that the princess interaction is great! I love your pictures from there - too funny about Mulan posing as a warrior with your nephew.

LTT sounds great also - I've never eaten there and I guess I won't ever get to go there with the characters anyway. Looks like you guys had a great time at MVMCP also. We went last Thursday and had a great time!

 

[Camster0307]

The girls shirts are so cute... you and your sister look so much alike- wow!

Thank you! And, I never realized how much my sis and I look alike until I see us in pix together - YIKES!

wow.....tink is really pretty! i'm getting so excited to meet her!

thank you so much for posting this tonight....it may just get me through the next 2 days before we leave. i'm really getting excited and i just love all your pics!!!!

Happy to oblige Dawn! I'm sure you're almost on your way this morning......hope you have a great trip and get to meet Tink too!

Hi Cammie! Awesome update and GREAT pictures!! I LOVED the picture with Mickey and Minnie in bed....wow! A little on the PG side for Disney!!

Too bad Amanda was fading during the fairies encounter. I know you and Lauren were digging it!!

We are enjoying your report very much!

Alan

Thanks Alan! Yeah, Amanda took a quick catnap for the fairies meet but was awake in time for the holiday parade. Don't worry, we visisted the fairies again later in the week - she got to see them!

Your castle pics came out great!!! Ok, now I really want to go back at Christmastime and do the MVMCP! That show looked awesome. And I love those fairies- I wonder if Lonnie will want to wait in line when we go in May, Tink is her favorite.

Love all the pics- now I really feel like I was there!

You shall make Lonnie wait in line with you! And you need to wear your light-up Tink clips!

Cammie, your time at the party looks so fun! I'm glad you finally got in to the Night Before Christmas show. It looks really good! Your pics with the fairies are so cute! I still can't get over how much your niece looks like Lauren. AND, your castle pics are amazing! I love how they can make "ice" on the castle!

Thanks Tammie! I love MVMCP! Every year I say I'm not going to lay out the money to go, but I just can't resist!

Your meeting with Tink and the other fairies sounds just perfect!!

I think MVMCP sounds like great fun and the parade looks awesome.

We had alot of fun that night. My sister and her family have never gone before so I was glad I was able to talk them into experiencing it at least once!

Love the Christmas party pics. Poor Amanda sure did look tuckered at the end of the night.

Tink is awfully cute and the other fairies were obviously in character.

Thanks Theresa! Amanda picks and chooses her things to stay awake for -- guess she knew the parade was coming up soon so she figured she'd rest up and just catch the fairies another time!

Hey Cammie! I actually just got back Sunday from a trip with two girls I met here on the DIS boards. We had such a great time! I never thought I'd make such great friends here but we hit it off so well. My daughter wasn't too happy I went without her though. We are going to try and plan a trip with all of our families next time.


Love your updates - all caught up again! Your DHS day looked great - don't you just love Toy Story Mania? I loved all your Beauty and the Beast pictures too - one of my favorites.

The Spectro pictures were great too! We didn't see that this past weekend but I listened to the music in the car all the way home - just love that parade!

We did the Norway breakfast in October and I totally agree that the princess interaction is great! I love your pictures from there - too funny about Mulan posing as a warrior with your nephew.

LTT sounds great also - I've never eaten there and I guess I won't ever get to go there with the characters anyway. Looks like you guys had a great time at MVMCP also. We went last Thursday and had a great time!

Welcome back Michelle! Are you starting a TR for this past trip also? Please post a link here if you do! Glad to hear you guys had such a great time. It's a magical place to be this time of year, isn't it?

 

[xoktenox]

What an amazing night at MVMCP! I keep subtly hinting to my BF that we should go next Christmas, hopefully it will work! I'll show him all the wonderful pictures you took and maybe that will lure him in

 

[podsnel]

I can't BELIEVE you remembered about the Tink clips!!! You're the best!!

 

[Camster0307]

What an amazing night at MVMCP! I keep subtly hinting to my BF that we should go next Christmas, hopefully it will work! I'll show him all the wonderful pictures you took and maybe that will lure him in

Oh you MUST experience WDW at Christmas time at least once! It's sooo pretty!

I can't BELIEVE you remembered about the Tink clips!!! You're the best!!

Of course I remembered! As a matter of fact, all of us girls wore the Tink clips in our hair throughout our whole trip. I have to tell ya - we were stopped a couple of times by people asking where we got them.

I think you and Lonnie may have started a new fashion trend, Ellen. Be on the lookout for it the next time you there!

 

[Camster0307]

After being up and out early our first few days, and not coming back to the room until after midnight, we were all looking forward to our pool day. I like to schedule at least one or two "down" days where we do nothing but lounge around the pool for a few hours and then just head out for a late dinner. Today was also the day my sister and her family were heading home to NJ. They checked out of their room early and headed over to DTD. The girls and I slept in a bit and got down to the pool by 10am.

The scary clown slide:

BW pool bar, Leaping Horse Libations:

My two bathing beauties:

It was a sunny day but still a little chilly. I attempted to take Amanda for a dip in the pool, but she was not too happy. Little Miss Particuliar requires her pool water to be heated to a certain temp. and, let's just say, this pool was just not cutting it!

My sister and kids came back for a quick good-bye and then they were off. The girls and I were now officially alone together! I was really glad we got to spend a few days with all of them and it was fun for Lauren to have other kids to enjoy the parks with. I hope I can convince her to do this again next year.

Anyway........we had bought down some snacks from our room to munch on but I knew we were going to need a little something more to hold us over until our 7:15 dinner ADRs at Fulton's. Now, this is the one problem I have with the BW - I sooooo wish they had some sort of CS place where you could get lunch (w/out having to walk out on to the BW!) The bar sells pre-made sandwiches - not a big selection; and for kids, they offer those Smuckers Crustables. Sorry, not a fan of those! So if I didn't want to get off my butt and walk out to the BW, my only other choice was to order from Room Service and have it delivered to the pool. The food is actually from Spoodles so it's pretty good, just expensive! Lauren had chicken fingers and fries; I ordered a chicken caeser salad:

We finished lunch and hung by the pool for another hour or so. We then went back to the room, showered, and headed out for DTD!

Waiting for the bus:

Always have to stop and get this picture:

Oh yes, we're coming, Fultons!

I was pretty psyched to see that some holiday decorations were already up, including the tree!

World of Disney window:

We did a little shopping before dinner. Headed into the 12 Days of Christmas store and bought our annual xmas ornament and also ordered one to have personalized. Being the beginning of Nov., I thought for sure they wouldn't be too backed up yet and that the personalization would be ready before our trip was over, but nope. It wouldn't be ready until the 17th - had to pay to have it shipped home. Oh well, probably for the best; now I didn't have to worry about packing it!

Next stop was the Pin Traders store. Minnie looks like she's about to pinch Amanda -

Now for those of you who've read my previous trip reports, you all know that Lauren likes to purchase a special pin for me each trip. I have a nice collection of "Best Mom" or "#1 Mom" pins; and last June, she got me a "BFF" pin. So sweet! So off she went through the store, giving me instructions to stay away from her. After about 15 minutes, she came back complaining that Disney really needs to come up with some new ideas for pins because she'd already seen most of these!(ummm........or maybe we should start spacing out our trips so they have TIME to come up with some new pins!) Anyway, she wound up buying me a Mickey ears pin with a diamond in the middle of it. She also bought be a lanyard so I can now proudly wear all of my pins. Yes, I guess it's official now - I'm a pin collector!

After Pin Traders, it was time to head over to Fulton's for dinner. The girls and I love this restaurant and it's a must-do every trip. I had played phone tag during the day with Kathy (TigerKat) and had learned that she had cancelled her other ADRs to have dinner hear tonite also! (I think we've got another Fulton's groupie!) Her ADR time was a little later than ours so I told her I'd call her during our dinner.

Usually I order the PopRocks martini here. It's really good and Lauren likes the fact that she gets to have the left-over PopRocks. But I had heard good things about the Fulton's Blast from the Past Mai Tai and wanted to try that. It did not disappoint! I had two of these babies:

Lauren ordered a kids frozen drink - the Cherry Bomb. Along with our drinks, the waiter bought out the comlimentary, and famous, Crab Boursin spread and crackers. I always take the recipe card but I have yet to make this myself!

We then ordered the Fried Calamari - I've never seen it made this way anywhere else; and quite frankly, I prefer it cut into rings, but this way is very good too! Very meaty!

Fulton's is the only place where Lauren will eat calamari!

For dinner, I ordered the Alaskan King Crab claws. Now, on the menu, this dish is $50. But I always get the half order and still think it's more than enough. They are sooooo good!

My daughter ordered PLAIN PASTA for dinner and, in protest, I refused to take a picture of it! (plain pasta at a seafood restaurant- )

For dessert, she ordered the kids "Make Your Own Sundae":

And this was my dessert, the Key Lime martini!

continued in next post...............

 

[Camster0307]

Continued from last post............

Now that we were done with dinner, I called Kathy(TigerKat) to see where she was seated and if we could stop by and see her on our way out. Well, imagine our surprise to learn, that not only were we on the same floor, but she was about four tables across from us. I turned to my left and could see her and her hubby! She came over to us for a quick chat and, of course, another picture - got to capture those DISmeet moments!

I'm so glad I got to see her again! Kathy - you and your husband are just so nice and I hope we get to meet down there again some day! Preferably, at the Fulton's bar, enjoying one of those Bloody Marys along with Ellen and Lauren! And, p.s. - my Lauren really liked your shirt!

After dinner, it was time to conquer the World of Disney store. Man, that place gives me a headache. Is it ever NOT crowded? Seriously, I'd spend more money in that store if I wasn't so darn lost and confused half the time. I think Disney really needs to re-think the layout of that place. We did manage to purchase a few things but not everything I would have like. Since we've been home, I've realized that I never purchased a 2008 photo album to hold my gazillion photos that I took this trip!

Next, and last stop, was:

Got some of our favorite treats:

Lauren's - pretzels rods, dipped in milk choc., rolled in m&ms, sprinkles, and drizzled with white choc.:

And mine: marshmallows dipped in dark choc. and rolled in chopped peanuts and rainbow sprinkles, then drizzled with white chocolate....all fat-free of course!

Why can't they sell this stuff back home?

And, because she has a problem, Lauren got ANOTHER frozen drink concoction - this time made with pink lemonade. And Goofy's puts them in these cute character cups. This drink was in a princess cup; I think we've got them all now! (oh look - she was in the middle of texting!)

It was almost 11pm and we were full and shopped out! Time to head back to the Boardwalk.

Up next - our Epcot day; Fantasmic AND Illuminations!

 

[Lady Lallie]

I love that you refused to take a picture of Lauren's plain pasta. Hehehe.

Sounds like a great down day for you gals!

 

[TigerKat]

What great memories this brings back!! I agree next time we meet at the bar. I so enjoyed the little time I got to spend with you and your precious girls Cam, you've got two to be proud of!