A Different kind of Trip Report -- My DD's wedding (More Pix added Post #152)

[mac_tlc]

Well, its amazing how fast time goes by, but we are at BLT for my DD's wedding. I am a couple of days behind, but I'll try to catch up . Pix will come later.

There will eventually be 31 people here for the wedding, spread over 8 resorts. BLT, AKV, VWL, BCV, OKW, POR, ASM, Marriott off-site.

Day 1 - My DW, DS and I began the drive south from CT on Saturday. A rather uneventful drive, although it did rain through both North and South Carolina. We had the valuable cargo with us -- the dress, along with a couple of the bridesmaids dresses. About 14.5 hours later, we arrived in Hardeevilee SC, our usual stopover spot.

Day 2- Got a relatively late start at 7:30AM. My wife was addressing our Christmas cards in the car on the way through Georgia. I got an idea to go to Christams Florida onthe way to mail them -- seemed like a neat idea. It was about a 40 minute detour, but not bad. Found the post office. Weather was good - about 75 degrees -- then the rain started and 15 minutes later it was 57. Cloudy the rest of the day.

We arrived at BLT about 1 PM, checked in and requested a high floor (we have a 1 bdr MK view) PLayed the "wedding" card -- lets see what happens. The room was not ready and the lobby was as busy as I have ever seen it.
We headed off to lunch and Publix to stock up. A number of people are flying in today, and we were having them all over to BLT to watch Holiday wishes from the room at 9:30.

About 4:05PM -- the text message appeared --- would the room number start with an 8? (10th floor and higher begins with an 8). ------------- 7826 it is. A little aprehensive, we headed up ---- not bad, a little to the Contemporary side of center but OK -- The bride was OK, so all is well.

Bride and groom's flight is late - rain and wind up north. I drove to the airport to get them - about 6:50PM. By then 7 others had arrived safely.

Everyone arrived for Holiday Wishes -- it was a great way to start the celebration week. Everyone is tired - and its great to have no walk after Wishes to my bed -- other than about 8 steps -- More later.

mac_tlc

 

[nunzia]

looking forward to more installments

 

[dianeschlicht]

OOOO, this will be an interesting report! Thanks for sharing!

 

[SusieBea]

more please...

 

[mac_tlc]

Day 3 - Monday 12/13

Oh boy, is it cold. I thought I left this behind in New England. High today is expected to be about 45 -- with a 20-30 mph north wind. Coldest I have ever been in Florida. As an aside, we were here in the beginning of August and it was record hest -- heat index over 110 -- now wind chills in the 20s. Who says there is no change of seasons down here.

No wedding-events today, but a bunch more people are arriving today, about 12 or so. We headed to Hollywood Studios. Bride, groom and my DS left about 9AM, my DW and I about 10AM. The cold made it difficult to stay very long. We met my sister and a couple of other guests at the Studios. Fantasmic is at 6 and 8:30 today, but not sure how many will stay to sit on those metal bench seats with wind chills in the 20s.

The groom's parents arrived safely this afternoon, they are at OKW. We have dinner tonight with the bride, groom, both sets of parents and my DS at Raglan Road. What a pleasant surprise. Had never eaten there and everything was excellent. From the mussels, to the salmon, shepard's pie, fish and chips and short ribs... of, and the beer flights were great too!!!!
After dinner we drove the groom's parents back to OKW. Long travel day, so we said good-bye and headed back to BLT to watch WISHES from our room. For some unknown resaon, my son and I headed over to the Magic Kingdom at 8:30 -- it was extra magic hours until 11:00. It was a long cold 5 minute walk!!!! We hit a couple of rides -- Space Mountain, Carousel of Progress, etc. Not very crowded. Grabbed a couple of gingerbread mickeys at the Candy Store on the way out.

Tomorrow starts the "real" festivities. Rehersal, tux fittings, Illuminations dessert party.

More later.

 

[mac_tlc]

OOOO, this will be an interesting report! Thanks for sharing!

BTW Diane, the groom's parents are in building 12 -- a renovated 2 bdr. Saw it "live" for the first time yesterday. Here is my stream of initial impressions:

1) Floors better than I thought. Liked the matte finish -- no gloss.
2) Dark table tops are mis-placed, so are the dark headboards
3) Second bedroom looks like the Beach Club
4) Granite looks OK, especially if you never had the tile island-top.
5) Still can't beat the size of OKW units.

The occupants had never stayed there so they were quite impressed with the size.Everytinh looked "fresh" and clean.

mac_tlc

 

[dianeschlicht]

Hope your weather improves soon! I assume the "Big day" is on the weekend, so hopefully it warms up by then. If it's any consolation, we are having -17 actual temperature here in Minnesota this morning!

 

[nolanboys]

What an exciting time for you and your family. Can't wait to read more and see pictures. Hope it warms up for you.

 

[jamie@dvcstore]

Hi mac_tlc,
Great report! Looking forward to reading more as well as seeing pictures. Stay warm

 

[OurDogCisco]

How exciting a wedding.... Can't wait to read the rest!

 

[Greyhound22]

Good luck, my 2 DD's are 9 & 11 and I am savoring every day. I'm NOT looking forward to this event. With that being said --- I really wish you the best!

 

[palhockeymomof2]

enjoying your reports ....my 20 yr old daughter has been saying for years she is going to get married in disneyworld....so i'm really interested in your experience....congrats to all and i hope it warms up

 

[barbnbrian]

Congratulations. Hope the weather warms up for the big event.

Hubby and I just returned to CT on Monday 12/13 after a weekend trip to SSR for my birthday. Boy did we freeze waiting for the ME at 8:30 am that day! CT is not much better weather. It was 22 degrees tonight at 6:00 p.m.

Enjoy your time with your family and send pictures. I hop that some day one of my DD's (now 16 and 14) will decide to get married at WDW!

 

[culli]

I'm with Greyhound22....excited for you but CAN WAIT for the day I will be in your shoes. I'm very interested to see your reports, I have an 8 yr old and 6 month daughters. The 8 yr old just loves weddings already and wants to get married at Disney. Last time we where there a wedding party was taking pictures at the pavilion on the boardwalk......thought my daughter was going to jump out of her skin in excitement.

Please POST PICS my daughter will be so excited to see them.

Congrats congrats congrats ENJOY and hope the weather turns for you.

 

[Cee]

My DD is engaged and I can't wait to hear all about this wedding. Especially the pictures. Have a wonderful, unforgettable experience.

 

[AnnaS]

Also tuning in and can't wait for more. Looking forward to the wedding details and pictures. I hope it warms up a bit too. Low 20s here (feels like it's in the teens though).

I hope out of my three children, one of them would want a disney wedding. My daughter does if she does not change her mind. I do have two disneynuts out of three so maybe it will happen.

 

[mac_tlc]

Thanks to everyone for their best wishes...

Today is WEDDING DAY -- but first a recap of yesterday

Day 4 - Tuesday 12/14

A couple of wedding activities today. First, rehersal at the Wedding Pavillion at 10AM. With people coming from all corners of the World, we got a little late start. There was a wedding at noon, so we had to move along. Uneventful rehersal -- I hope everyone remembers what they are suppose to do tomorrow.

Next, was the tux fitting for the guys. The tux rental people came to BLT with all 6 tux's. Very convenient. Other than a couple of shoe sizes, all went well -- and all the measurements were faxed or e-mailed --- imagine.

The weather is very very cold again, but a little less wind than Monday night. A number of the hearty New Englanders retired a little earlier than planned on Monday night due to the wind and cold. Today its only going to be a high of 45 or so. At night they have so many weather warnings that the weather channel guys can't get them all into the time they have for the local forecast. Suffice to say, lo of 25 tonight. I watched the Candlelight Processional -- a family tradition for these past 15 years.

The highlight of the day was the Illuminations dessert party. We had reserved one of the terraces near France, just across the bridge for the party and Illuminations viewing. They had a sundae bar, unlimited churros, coffee, tea, hot chocolate, fruit, etc. Very nice. Since it was so cold, we were moved inside, to the East Hall -- a large building accessible between Canada and UK. It was nicely decorated, music playing -- and we had the entire room to ourselves. At about 9:25pm, they escorted us to the viewing area -- just follow the cast member with the light saber. Illuminations, with the holiday ending was fantastic. It was a memorable night.

Weather is slated to get about 10 degrees warmer every day -- 58 on Wednesday, 67 on Thursday, 77 on Friday....

The wedding is Wednesday at 5PM, reception in the Napa Room at the top of the Contemporary (overlooks the MK) at 6PM. Lots of hair and make-up and dresses (oh, my) scheduled for Wed. morning starting at 11.

Hmmmm -- maybe some time tio hit a park before the festivities!!!!

more later, pix probably later in the week ...

mac_tlc

 

[cseca]

Have a magical wedding!!!
Try not to cry...
I know ours were absolutely breathtaking almost 3 years ago...

 

[mimmiepnp]

So exciting!! I can't wait to see the pictures.

It is my dream that one of my children will have a disney wedding!! One can only hope!

Congratulations

 

[katmittens]

Hope the wedding is magical. I can't wait for the pictures. DD has talked about getting married at Disney. I think it would be wonderful. She is 23 and has grown up with Disney.