60 Candles, 30 Million Lights, Best Friends&Family at Disney--Priceless (New 5/23)

[KatMark]

Great wrap up, Kathy!

Thanks, Karin.

Let me tell you that I thoroughly enjoyed reading this TR (even though I did not have time to comment sometimes, but it makes my day to come home and read about your trips!)

I understand...I'm often behind myself.

Can't wait to subscribe to your new PTR!

And I see you have.

Enjoyed the TR Kathy!!

You have great Photopass pics!! Loved them all!

Looking forward to seeing the F&G pics when you get back.

Thanks, Doreen. I promise lots of F&G pics when I get back...I'm so excited to see it.

Great wrap-up!

What an amazing trip you had. The magic was sure there through it all. I can't wait to see the pictures of your upcoming day at Epcot.

Thank you, Tammy. It truly was a very magical trip.

Aw Kathy, fabulous wrap up! What a fun group you all looked like, your photopass pics are awesome! I agree with your trip highlights too...that video of Mark at the resort when he sees Nicki is just the sweetest thing! Almost brought a tear to my eye. As I said before, I'm highly impressed that you were able to keep it a surprise! I am so bad at that, I always give it away and yes, I'm the kid who always peeked at their Christmas presents too.

Thanks, Molly. It was difficult to keep it, but we managed. And Mark loves his Nicki. He now gets really angry if I've been on the phone with her and I don't at least let him say hello.

I'm looking forward to your Epcot Flower & Garden pics coming up too. And of course your PTR as well. Girl, you are going to be busy busy busy soon! And oh ya, your Mark is getting married too!

I am too busy now; I don't know how I'm going to do two trips and wedding stuff (I'm going with Alisha next Saturday to look for her head piece).

Thanks for taking the time to write up this special TR too, I know I was horrible about keeping up with it but I so enjoyed reading it.

Thank you for reading along, Molly. You weren't horrible...you did great when you got back to the DIS!

Kathy great wrap up! I know of no other TR where I get to see so many cool Disney hat - and even modeled on such adorable people! Your photopass photos were so cleverly posed and you have such awesome memories. Thank you so much for sharing it with all of us. You ROCK!

Thanks, Brenda. You are very sweet.

I'm looking forward to your PTR.

And if I remember correctly you are subscribed.

Coincidently, I have our girl trip in early December (5th-12th) booked before our August trip.

And I can't wait to talk to you about trying to hook up in August or December...or both!

Great wrap up Kathy. Sad to see this one end, but it's okay because I know another is right around the corner!

Thanks, Suzi. It is sad to end it, but fun to move on to the next one too.

Love the wrap up and I will be along for the next one.

It was great to "tag along" on this one. Such a great occasion.

Thank you, Pat, for "being there". I appreciate it more than you know.

 

[KatMark]

Loved your wrap up, Kathy! You truly shared the joy of the best moments - I think the love just shined through! I'm looking forward to your F&G pics

Tammie, thank you so much. It's not difficult with the way we feel about each other. Lots of pictures of F&G will be here.

Great wrap-up, I really enjoyed reading your TR.

Thanks, friend.

Forgot to mention before that I bought those same PJs except in the Mickey version!

Aren't those pajamas the cutest?

Off to check out your new PTR....

Thanks!

It is always sad when a trip comes to an end, but those have to be some of the saddest pics I think I have ever seen from your "leaving" day!!! (oh wait, that probably didn't sound quite right.........)

I knew what you meant; and it was one of the hardest trips that we had to leave.

Six days without Starbucks??? You???

It certainly was a challenge!

Sorry to hear about Cookie!

Thank you.

Nice upgrade to the Dolphin, and don't forget it is also a "short" walk to DHS and your beloved ToT!

We won't be doing DHS this trip since it's only one day (well, unless I convince Mark to go BEFORE we go to dinner ).

Loved the wrap up! Hard to capture all of the highs and lows of a trip so succinctly, but you did a pretty good job! I saw quite a few favorite pics from your trip too! Wish one or two of my other favorites had been in your wrap up, but I'm sure others who read along could say the same thing!

I could have gone on and on with the highlights, but I think I gave the gist of how special this trip was to us.

I enjoyed getting to tag along on this TR with you also!

Thanks for "being there", Marv.

Kathy, you did a great wrap-up and the pictures that you chose were great!

Thanks, Lisa. I'm glad you liked the pictures I chose for the wrap-up.

61 is an important birthday too.

Every birthday is important...as long as it's not my birthday and me getting older.

Well, that certainly was a lowlight, but at least you only had 1 to list.

Yes, it is good there was only one thing that put a slight mark on the trip.

Great pictures, and I'm glad the surprise was such a huge success. I'm sorry we didn't get to meet up, but at least we all had a great time!

I'm sorry we didn't get to meet either; perhaps another trip. And you are right...from both of our TR's, I thnk a good time was had by all.

Great wrap-up Kathy! I know it was great fun for you to plan this trip and surprise Mark.

Thank you for reading along, Glenn.

Kathy
What a wonderful wrap up…. Love seeing all your favorite pictures – they are all great…there’s something about the Epcot photo …taking looking at camera and then the next with your backs to the camera that I really like

That is probably one of my favorites...love that they got the back of the shirts.

Sorry about your sweet Cookie, hopefully she is feeling better after the weekend.

She's just old and struggling with seeing, etc. We should have her at the vet in a couple of weeks.

Congrats on your latest change to the Dolphin ...… you are right, Mark may never quite know 100% what's up after this past trip! And it does make perfect sense to switch to the Dolphin…. Lots of pluses…proximity to the Yachtsmen dinner and of course F&G…

Mark will probably never trust me again. It just made so much sense to me (and, of course, Nicki suggested it and she loves it at the Dolphin).

Excellent wrap-up and photos. Can't wait for the next trip!

Thanks for being here again, Mark...appreciate it.

good ending to a good trip, now onto the next report.

Thank you, Dan. Next one will take awhile, but at least I got the PTR up and running.

 

[MHTeacher]

Loved your wrap-up, Kathy! Enjoyed reading all about the magical surprise trip!

Now, moving on to check out your PTR!

 

[GoofyIsAsGoofyDoes]

Finally getting back on the boards and now you’re all done for this trip.

Nice wrap up and a particularly nice collection of “favorite” pics.
Looking forward to reading along with the next one and thanks for the head-up on the PTR (I’ll had over there in a bit).

Glad that y’all pulled off such a great surprise trip and that it went as well as it did.
Thanks for sharing!

 

[Poolrat]

Hope Cookie feels better.

I know what you are going through. My 16 1/2 year old cat is really struggling. We had to put the younger one down ( by far the hardest thing I have ever done) when got severely sick suddenly.
My crazy cat moves slow, I don't think he can see very well or hear and I have to "remind" him to eat often before he loses even more weight.

So far he is holding his own but I have no idea for how much longer. My hope that when it is time he just goes quickly and on his own. I am not sure if I can make that sad trip to the vet again.


On to happy things now - and off to the new PTR

 

[WDisneyMom]

How's Cookie?

You are very smart to avoid downtown during those times!!

So happy to see the new PTR!

 

[Moira222]

I just love how Des is enjoying Fantasmic!
You did get a few good pictures --I think that this is the hardest show to get decent photos of. its hard to zoom in the dark and not have fuzzy photos.

You scored on a quick ride to TSM. We learned that if we can wait to see the late show of Fantasmic, we can do pretty well on TSM and other rides while the majority of the crowd is as F!. Looks like it worked out that way for you too!


BTW if you have been holding out seeing Oz because you don't want to wreck the original Wizard of Oz, no fears. This movie is about the arrival of the Wizard, years before Dorothy gets there. Katie and I really liked it.

It had started to rain again and we were right near the new Pirate attraction, The Legend of Captain Jack Sparrow. It was just okay...nothing spectacular.

Is this in the space that used to have the Prince Caspian stuff? it is just like that but with Pirate stuff? just curious so I know where to put it on my priority list

[/quote/
ooh that is giving me a rumbly in my tumbly



OMG that is so funny about Andy diving over your bed and scaring Des. that is something my hubby would do.

Leaving is hard, but Mark's sad faces are just so fun!


Your wrap up was awesome...definitely the highs and low of the trip. Thanks for sharing so much of your family and your trip with us!

Not too long before you head out again. I hope that you have been able to get an appointment for Cookie before you go. Its rough to have to worry about your furry baby.

Heading over to sub to your PTR so I can be behind on that one too!

 

[Chicago Mo]

The ONLY thing to look forward to on a End Dis day is to relive it threw your trip reports! but when the TR is over I CRY!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

glad you are going again and i can live through you again and again!!!

 

[scottny]

Sounds like a good way to the end night.

LOL. Scaring her in the bed. Sounds like something I would do.
Great report and pics. It looked like a fun trip. Thanks for sharing.

 

[disneykiwi]

Really enjoyed following along on your trip report and heading off to your new one.

I hope Cookie is doing ok.

We stayed at the Dolphin 2 years ago and I loved it.

 

[pas130]

Sorry about Cookie Sad when we see our furbaby suffer

I missed a change??? Oh Kathy, so proud...love a change, and Dolphin for F&G is perfect!

 

[KatMark]

Loved your wrap-up, Kathy! Enjoyed reading all about the magical surprise trip!

Now, moving on to check out your PTR!

Thanks, Michelle...glad you enjoyed it.

Finally getting back on the boards and now you’re all done for this trip.

You were missed.

Nice wrap up and a particularly nice collection of “favorite” pics.
Looking forward to reading along with the next one and thanks for the head-up on the PTR (I’ll had over there in a bit).

Thanks Rob.

Glad that y’all pulled off such a great surprise trip and that it went as well as it did.
Thanks for sharing!

I'm glad we pulled it off too...it really was magical. And it was my pleasure to share; I appreciate your reading.

Hope Cookie feels better.

Thanks, Pat.

I know what you are going through. My 16 1/2 year old cat is really struggling. We had to put the younger one down ( by far the hardest thing I have ever done) when got severely sick suddenly.
My crazy cat moves slow, I don't think he can see very well or hear and I have to "remind" him to eat often before he loses even more weight.

It really has been an emotional couple of weeks.

So far he is holding his own but I have no idea for how much longer. My hope that when it is time he just goes quickly and on his own. I am not sure if I can make that sad trip to the vet again.

That is what I would like to happy for Cookie...although still difficult, I think it would be easier in the long run.

On to happy things now - and off to the new PTR

Thanks, Pat.

How's Cookie?

You are very smart to avoid downtown during those times!!

So happy to see the new PTR!

Cookie actually had a good weekend. I truly hate downtown during holidays. It's fun doing the PTR with Mary.

 

[KatMark]

I just love how Des is enjoying Fantasmic!
You did get a few good pictures --I think that this is the hardest show to get decent photos of. its hard to zoom in the dark and not have fuzzy photos.

I have a hard time with all the shows...they move too fast for me.

You scored on a quick ride to TSM. We learned that if we can wait to see the late show of Fantasmic, we can do pretty well on TSM and other rides while the majority of the crowd is as F!. Looks like it worked out that way for you too!

I'm thinking we should start doing DHS at night...less wait.

BTW if you have been holding out seeing Oz because you don't want to wreck the original Wizard of Oz, no fears. This movie is about the arrival of the Wizard, years before Dorothy gets there. Katie and I really liked it.

I'm still not sold on it. I have friends who have seen Wicked who hated it because it just ruined The Wizard of Oz for them. We'll see...maybe we will rent it when it comes out.

Is this in the space that used to have the Prince Caspian stuff? it is just like that but with Pirate stuff? just curious so I know where to put it on my priority list

I think so; we never saw the Prince Caspian thing.


ooh that is giving me a rumbly in my tumbly

It was good.

OMG that is so funny about Andy diving over your bed and scaring Des. that is something my hubby would do.

Men and their shenanigans!

Leaving is hard, but Mark's sad faces are just so fun!

And that is how truly he felt.

Your wrap up was awesome...definitely the highs and low of the trip. Thanks for sharing so much of your family and your trip with us!

Thanks for reading it, Mary Ellen...I appreciate it.

Not too long before you head out again. I hope that you have been able to get an appointment for Cookie before you go. Its rough to have to worry about your furry baby.

We leave in 11 days (not counting today because it is basically over). At this time next week, we will have left Epcot and driven to Daytona Beach.

Heading over to sub to your PTR so I can be behind on that one too!

Come on over.

The ONLY thing to look forward to on a End Dis day is to relive it threw your trip reports! but when the TR is over I CRY!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Oh don't cry...I'll have another one soon.

glad you are going again and i can live through you again and again!!!

Thanks for reading along, Mo.

Sounds like a good way to the end night.

LOL. Scaring her in the bed. Sounds like something I would do.
Great report and pics. It looked like a fun trip. Thanks for sharing.

Thank you so much for reading along. It was great having you with us.

Really enjoyed following along on your trip report and heading off to your new one.

I hope Cookie is doing ok.

We stayed at the Dolphin 2 years ago and I loved it.

Thank you so much. Cookie is better, but still not good (Saturday she sees the vet).

Nicki, my little sister that I met her on the DIS, loves the Dolphin. And although I think I'll prefer my OKW, you couldn't beat the location for one night.

Sorry about Cookie Sad when we see our furbaby suffer

I missed a change??? Oh Kathy, so proud...love a change, and Dolphin for F&G is perfect!

Thank you She seems not to be having as many accidents, but still not herself.

Yes, I made a change in resorts. I knew you'd be proud of me. It just made so much more sense for one day.

 

[KatMark]

Sorry I've been neglecting this. We went to see the kids this weekend and I had no DIS time, and I've been working on the PTR for the June girls trip.

I can't believe we'll be in Florida in 11 days. Despite the fact that we have had snow flurries for the last two days, we got lucky and did not get the 12 inches that they got about 3 hours south of us. But the wind is still fierce and it feels like 15 degrees. I am so over this weather.

I can't remember if I gave you all our agenda or not, but here's the first couple of days:

We arrive in Jacksonville, Florida on Saturday, April 6. We will pick up our rental car for the week and if weather permits, we will go to the Jacksonville Zoo. We are then driving to Valdosta, Georgia. We are staying at a Hampton Inn there and are going to have dinner at a place called Cheddars that sounds really good. We have an appointment at 8:30 a.m. with Mark's customer; we are usually done by 11:30 as he works quickly because he's been a long time customer. Then we will stop at the Florida Welcome Center for some fresh orange juice and then drive to Downtown Disney to do some shopping. We will then head to the Dolphin to check in around 5 p.m. and freshen up from the car ride for our 7:00 dinner at Yachtsman.

I'll come back later with the Monday plans.

 

[jedijill]

Sorry I've been neglecting this. We went to see the kids this weekend and I had no DIS time, and I've been working on the PTR for the June girls trip.

I can't believe we'll be in Florida in 11 days. Despite the fact that we have had snow flurries for the last two days, we got lucky and did not get the 12 inches that they got about 3 hours south of us. But the wind is still fierce and it feels like 15 degrees. I am so over this weather.

I can't remember if I gave you all our agenda or not, but here's the first couple of days:

We arrive in Jacksonville, Florida on Saturday, April 6. We will pick up our rental car for the week and if weather permits, we will go to the Jacksonville Zoo. We are then driving to Valdosta, Georgia. We are staying at a Hampton Inn there and are going to have dinner at a place called Cheddars that sounds really good. We have an appointment at 8:30 a.m. with Mark's customer; we are usually done by 11:30 as he works quickly because he's been a long time customer. Then we will stop at the Florida Welcome Center for some fresh orange juice and then drive to Downtown Disney to do some shopping. We will then head to the Dolphin to check in around 5 p.m. and freshen up from the car ride for our 7:00 dinner at Yachtsman.

I'll come back later with the Monday plans.

Cheddar's is AWESOME! I love their chicken pot pie...I can't order anything else! Yay for being in FL in 11 days! I'm so tired of this snow and cold! We got 10 inches on Saturday and its been in the teens for the last few days.

Have a great trip!

Jill in CO

 

[KatMark]

Cheddar's is AWESOME! I love their chicken pot pie...I can't order anything else! Yay for being in FL in 11 days! I'm so tired of this snow and cold! We got 10 inches on Saturday and its been in the teens for the last few days.

Have a great trip!

Jill in CO

Jill, I told Mark what you said and he got the biggest grin on his face. That man LOVES his chicken pot pie! I have a feeling that may just be what he orders.

I hope your snow is melting. We are finally seeing a warm up -- 42 today and mid 50's by the weekend.

 

[lovethattink]

Sorry I've been neglecting this. We went to see the kids this weekend and I had no DIS time, and I've been working on the PTR for the June girls trip.

I can't believe we'll be in Florida in 11 days. Despite the fact that we have had snow flurries for the last two days, we got lucky and did not get the 12 inches that they got about 3 hours south of us. But the wind is still fierce and it feels like 15 degrees. I am so over this weather.

I can't remember if I gave you all our agenda or not, but here's the first couple of days:

We arrive in Jacksonville, Florida on Saturday, April 6. We will pick up our rental car for the week and if weather permits, we will go to the Jacksonville Zoo. We are then driving to Valdosta, Georgia. We are staying at a Hampton Inn there and are going to have dinner at a place called Cheddars that sounds really good. We have an appointment at 8:30 a.m. with Mark's customer; we are usually done by 11:30 as he works quickly because he's been a long time customer. Then we will stop at the Florida Welcome Center for some fresh orange juice and then drive to Downtown Disney to do some shopping. We will then head to the Dolphin to check in around 5 p.m. and freshen up from the car ride for our 7:00 dinner at Yachtsman.

I'll come back later with the Monday plans.

Cheddars does sound good, so does the Yachtsman!

The Dolphin sounds great! Don't forget about the parking fee, remember Judy's Tr?

 

[KatMark]

We will be up very early on Monday as we have to drive over to our ADR for one of our favorite breakfasts at Disney.

We will be dining here:

I am sure I will be partaking in several of these:

And enjoying some of this:

I'm not sure if we are going to go back and park the car at the Dolphin and walk to Epcot or just drive and park at Epcot with our luggage already loaded.

We will probably do a few attraction...but not very many. Our main plan for the day is to see the Flower & Garden stuff (and maybe buy a thing or two for back home).

A few things I am sure we will do are:

I will have AT LEAST one of these:

And Mark will have ONLY one of these:

The plan is to be at Epcot by 8:45 after breakfast and then we will probably leave between 3 and 3:30. We then have to drive here:

It's about an hour and a half ride, and Mark wants to get there in enough time to check into our room, and go take a walk on the beach (his Mom and Dad used to go here twice a year and his mom's birthday was this past Sunday and I know it has been weighing on his mind...so we'll give him his beach time).

We will either go to a favorite restaurant of ours in Daytona Beach, Aunt Catfish or, if they are too crowded, we will go back to Down the Hatch where we went in 2011 and the food was very good.

Next up, Tuesday April 9 plans

 

[KatMark]

Cheddars does sound good, so does the Yachtsman!

The Dolphin sounds great! Don't forget about the parking fee, remember Judy's Tr?

Thanks, Tink. I think Cheddars sounds very good too. We ate at Yachtsman for our December surprise trip and it is now a must do (much prefer it over LeCellier).

And Nicki told me about the parking fee because they often stay at the Dolphin so I have that in my budget.

 

[jedijill]

Jill, I told Mark what you said and he got the biggest grin on his face. That man LOVES his chicken pot pie! I have a feeling that may just be what he orders.

I hope your snow is melting. We are finally seeing a warm up -- 42 today and mid 50's by the weekend.

It's such a good deal too. You get the pot pie, salad, and the croissant for like $7 or so.

The snow is melting and we should be in the 60's this weekend. 37 days until Florida!

Jill in CO