3rd Times a Charm! Mar. 8-14..lots of pics

[jenseib]

After Claire’s talk with Cinderella I asked her what they talked about. She told me school and different things like that. But the most memorable thing to her was the mice up on a rafter. I really had to look to find them.

Cinderella told her that they were frozen up there by the fairy godmother because they kept eating all the food. LOL

She also said that Cinderella told her she would have a wonderful time at dinner, but she didn’t want to spoil the surprise for her. AW!


The other family waiting asked if I would take a picture of them, so I did. They then offered to take one of Claire and I, (DH was in the bathroom)

Skip came out while we were getting it done, so the lady then took a family picture.

And a few other random shots while waiting. I had to make sure this suit of armor didn’t get jealous of the other one, so we took one next to him too.

After a little wait, our name was finally called. We were the second to last to be seated for the night. It was full when we went in, but by the time we left the place was pretty empty.

Our march up the royal stairs.

 

[DisneyFaeriePrincess]

Hi, I read your pretrip report but kinda kept in the background. I love reading your trip report, it helps the time pass until my own trip which is still too far away. I'm so glad you all had a good time. Your daughter is absolutely beautiful and the pictures of her are wonderful. It's so great she got to spend so much time with Cinderella, she will always cherish that experience. How did you like POP? My DBF and I are staying there for the first time this August. I've heard such good things about it. I've also done CRT with my family last summer for my mom's birthday, we had such a good time and none of us are little kids! It's magical eating in the Castle and the atmosphere can't be beat. Again I love your trip report and thanks for writing it, it's so much fun reading others experiences at Disney. Can't wait for the next installment!

P.S. I love those little mice too!!

 

[jenseib]

Thanks!
This was our third time to Pop. We love it. I would like to try others out, but don't know if I could ever stand not being at pop! LOL!

 

[debit34]

Great trip report! Is this photo from your point and shoot or your SLR? Great pictures!

 

[jenseib]

Great trip report! Is this photo from your point and shoot or your SLR? Great pictures!

Thats my point and shoot. I took a few with the SLR at the resort (like the life guard), but only brought the point and shoot with me that day to MK. My next day (monday) are all pretty much with my SLR. We did BBB that day, so I wanted the good camera for that. My P & S does take great pics, but it takes a long time to charge between flash pictures and using the manual setting at 800 ISO turns the pictures very grainy. It's a few years old now, and they have newer models and I think I read the charge time is much faster now.

 

[brookelizabeth]

HEY! Welcome!

I used two cameras throguh out the trip. A Canon A540 Point and shoot, which most of the first day ones are shot with, and a Canon Rebel XTi. Love the Rebel ,but didn't want to lug it EVERYDAY, though it wasn't as bad as I thought it was going to be when I did take it.

But my point and shoot can take some awesome pictures too. The only bad thing about it is, if I shoot with the flash it takes a long time to recharge before you can shoot again, and if I shoot in manual, and need a ISO of 800 to get the darker shots better, it gets pretty grainy.
It takes great daytime shots though for the most part.

We have the Canon Rebel SLR too-I can't ever remember if it's the XSI or XTI though - one or the other! We love it too!! Such a great camera.

CRT is sooooooooo pretty. Someday I'm gonna do a girlfriends trip with a very close friend from college and we WILL EAT WITH THE PRINCESSES!

I teared up at the part with Claire and Cindy and chatting...so sweet!! I also love the pic of her and you-her expression is priceless!

 

[joy13]

How fun that she got to chat with Cinderella like that!

 

[seadd67]

March 8th
The big day!!!!

My basic plans were to fly to Sandford, pick up rental car,
check in at Pop Century,
drop off bags in room,
stop off in gift shop to get an autograph book,
head off to MK right away,
watch spectro magic,
eat at CRT at 9:35,
and get in what rides we could and stay as late as we could handle. (the park had EMH closing at 1.

Here’s how our day went.

I think I got up around 6:30. I got showered and ready. I packed the last minute stuff into the luggage and then loaded the car up. DH had gotten up to do some last minute work, and make sure the farm would be running smoothly while we were gone.
I think I woke Claire up a little before 9.

She was so excited. I got her dressed and showed her that a little note and present had been left on the counter for her. It was from Nemo.

She wasn’t to open the gift till the airport, so we packed it in her carryon. She kept asking how Nemo got to our house. Did he swim here? And how did he open the door?
It was so cute.

My dad arrived a little after 9 and was prepared to load the car, but I told him it was done. DH came in to shower, and I told him I was going to go put gas in the car to be sure we had no problems, since it was less than a quarter tank.
(we have some gas pumps on the farm)
It was pouring so I put on a hooded coat and drove out to the pump and filled it. Of course there is a big puddle in front of the pump.....
We then piled into the car, and I was elected to drive. Toledo airport is only about 10 minutes from our house.

My dad and Skip kept cutting up my driving, I was going too fast, then too slow, waiting to long, etc. I was getting ticked off. I swear sometimes it’s so scary how much my DH is like my dad. What did I do!!!!
I also reminded DH that this trip is supposed to be celebrating my 40th birthday, and he’s supposed to be nice to me. (he totally forgot that part, of course)

We got to the airport about 9:45 and took our luggage in, and dad drove off in the car to take it back home.
The line for Allegiant was very long. So we waited our turn. Very hard for an excited 4 your old, but she did fine.

We headed through security and Claire’s bag had to be ran through several times. They pulled out her leapster and her gift, and wanted to know what was in it. Luckily she wasn’t paying attention when I told them it was a game for her leapster.

We headed upstairs and got a seat. DH laid down immediately.

Claire and I went and got a cinnamon bun and she chose a chocolate muffin. We got a couple of drinks to take on board with us too. We sat down and I ate the cinnamon bun and Claire didn’t want any, and she gave DH the chocolate muffin. LOL! What a nut!

She then opened her gift from Nemo, which was a Nemo game for her leapster. So that kept her busy for awhile.

I guess I am glad our airport(Seattle,Sea tac) do not have those kind of chairs or I would lie down to!!

 

[kaysmommie]

Great update and your pics are great too. I'm with you on Spectromagic, it's my favorite too. I hate having to get a spot so early and then to be squished by last minute people trying to cram in there . Claire must have loved having Cinderella spend a bit more time with her. Looking forward to the rest.

 

[jenseib]

We have the Canon Rebel SLR too-I can't ever remember if it's the XSI or XTI though - one or the other! We love it too!! Such a great camera.

CRT is sooooooooo pretty. Someday I'm gonna do a girlfriends trip with a very close friend from college and we WILL EAT WITH THE PRINCESSES!

I teared up at the part with Claire and Cindy and chatting...so sweet!! I also love the pic of her and you-her expression is priceless!

If I remember from your trip report, I think you have the XSi, which is the newer one (I'm so jealous. LOL)
Claire loves to make faces. All good balck mail when she gets older. LOL! If you saw the ones from last year in my pre trip report, she has some of the nastiest faces ever. But we laugh about them now.

I guess I am glad our airport(Seattle,Sea tac) do not have those kind of chairs or I would lie down to!!

LOL! DH laid down anywhere he could, I swear.

 

[jenseib]

We are going to be busy today. Claire has a practice for her school Musicale, and I'm not sure if I have to stay or if I can leave for an hour (I hope I can leave) and then we go to the Circus tonight. We are meeting at my sisters around 4:30, and I am also trying to work on my photopass book, but the site is soooo slow. I want to at least get two more pages done on it today.
So I'll try to get another installment in too. I haven't even started it yet though.
I'm pretty sure I can get some done though. If all goes well, (and if I can come home for that hour )

 

[lizet313]

What a wonderful time at the castle and to think it is only the beginning. lol can't wait to hear more.

 

[MyMuse]

Hi there! Oh my gosh, there was 8 pages!

I liked reading your trip so far. I'm only on Day 1 as well. Though, I just kept on going from the PTR. I thought the mods change it over. Oh well.

I love your pics and Claire is the cutest! I never ate at the Castle and now I may have to.

I have never seen Spectromagic, since it was not appearing when I was at MK. I didn't go on Splash since I'm too much of a chicken. I guess if Claire can, I can.

I love that you have so many photos. I can't figure out where the link is for my photos on photoworks.com. Very frustrating! It was alot easier before AOL bailed and threw me over to PhotoWorks.

I don't get into Photopass until next Tuesday. I can't wait to see what the pics look like. I also tried to get my free one to post on the board and no go as well. I'll figure it out laters.

Looking forward to more of your story!

 

[jenseib]

Did you get alot of photopass? I kept looking for them. I got around 220 before editing I think, maybe more. But alot were taken at BBB and the photoshoot after. I kept looking for the one near the pirates ride that puts you "fighting" with Captian hook, but never saw a person around there. I might not've looked in the right place though. But that was one I really wanted.

Try photobucket for you pictures. It usually works pretty good. Also imageshack.us is another site I use to host my pictures.

 

[jenseib]

Now for dinner at…..

We got seated. Claire checked out her menu, which you could color on as well.

Our waiter came out and introduced himself (I think it was Gustuvo?). He was funny and he opened up his coat to reveal a bunch of toy swords. He gave one to DH and I could see Claire eyeing quickly. Then he acknowledged my birthday and gave me a magic wand. Again Claire was eyeing. LOL! He then gave Claire a magic wand and she was happy.

Here is the menu, a crappy picture again.

Claire ordered the chicken noodle soup, Hotdog with green beans, and the Royal Sundae.
I got the corn and crab chowder (MMM good!) Prime Rib with little potatoes and Asparagus.
Skip ordered the BLT salad, and the pork chop with mash potatoes, and I think mushrooms. I can’t tell by the picture, and I didn’t write it down. (Not good for someone who plans on doing a dining review. LOL)
Skip and I got the Chocolate Buckle for dessert. The food was great too. I’ll go more into it in the dining review. But I could eat Chocolate Buckle EVERYDAY!!!

I gotta run for today. I’ll work on more tomorrow.

 

[kathymc]

sounds like a great day - your little princess is adorable
looking forward to more

 

[MaryAz]

Great report. The pics of ur DD with Cinderella are precsious. We are taking our first trip in May and cannot wait!

 

[jenseib]

After ordering our waiter came back with the appetizers. He told us that he told the Fairy Godmother that I was celebrating my birthday and she would acknowledge me. LOL! He also brought back a birthday card signed by Belle, Snow White and Cinderella. (I assume the other 2 princesses are there n the daytime.)
He said that he put in an order for a cake for me too. He said this several times, but he never did bring it. I think he forgot towards the end, but that was OK, because there was no way we would have ever been able to eat it, and to lug it around would’ve been a pain too. (even though it is just a small thing)

Claire’s soup had carrots and celery in it, so I had to pick all that out for her. She won’t eat it if one of those accidentally slip in her mouth.

About the same time, the fairy godmother, Susie and Perla came out to do the show. (I don’t know which mouse is which. LOL)

Claire was pretty much turned around in her seat watching. They sang and flew around the room. The 2 mice stopped by for a picture, but they were so fast I could barely get my camera up and they were gone.

Fairy Godmother was moving even faster, so it was really hard to get a picture of her, and she never stopped at the table. She just kept singing and running around. She did acknowledge my birthday and pointed at me. I think Claire was a little jealous of that, because she gave me an evil eye!.

Claire basically picked at her soup. She was too interested in the show. She did eat a little though. When the show got over, she kept asking when they would be out again. I told her I don’t think they will, because I think it was the last one of the night. She said maybe if she ate, they would come out again…AH, sure, if that gets you to eat.

Then her hot dog came out and she said she wasn’t hungry. I told her if she didn’t eat it, there would be no more rides, so she ate it, but not the green beans.

Finally the best part came. DESSERT!

I have to say it was just wonderful.

Claire’s sundae came with a chocolate crown on it. She basically dipped the crown in the ice-cream and then licked it off the crown. When she had enough of the ice-cream, she ate the crown. She was a bit chocolaty after that. Thanks goodness I brought along wipes. I think she did then eat some of the ice-cream with her spoon, but only about half, and Skip finished it off. LOL!

 

[jenseib]

I also took various pictures of the inside of the restaurant. None came out all that great. I wish I had brought my SLR to the dinner!

We didn’t have a window seat, but the place was clearing out, so I walked over to the window and took this picture of the view. How pretty is that?

These pictures don’t even come close to doing it justice. It was beautiful!

As we were leaving, I tried to take a shot of Claire and Skip (who were in the lobby) from the spiral steps. Didn’t come out all that great either. LOL!

When we walked outside, I had to take pictures of where we just were. LOL! Those lighted windows are where we just ate!

And then I had to take a few of the mosaics in the walkway through the castle.

 

[jenseib]

One cute thing Claire kept saying all through dinner was “I’ve seen so many characters today.” It was so cute, because she really only saw a handful, but was excited about all she saw.

After we walked out of the castle, we spotted Mickey and Minnie right by Sir Mickey’s.

I didn’t think characters were out during EMH’s. But I was wrong. We actually saw several out during the night, and heard of others. We only stopped for Mickey and Minnie. The CM told me the line was about 15 minutes where we were at, including the 2 minute cheesecake break the Mouse’s were taking. Skip walked off to smoke.

I took some pictures of the windows of Sir Mickey’s.

Skip came back to stay with Claire in line.

I went off to take a picture of this statue nearby.
I did one with flash and one without. I thought both were kind of neat.