A Doll & an Old Crone Discover Disney Magic!Picture added post 14

[Piper]

Cast: Piper--a 62 yr old differently-abled female with 6 Disney trips under her belt (last one in 2003)
2 unnamed friends (who are now out of the picture!)


A couple of months ago, two of my friends began talking about the three of us going to Disney World together this summer. After a few weeks of talking, they both said, "Let's do it!" So I booked a room at the Swan for seven nights (using the teacher's rate.)

Then 2 weeks ago, one of them dropped out. She decided to go to Hawaii with a "gentleman friend." And last week the other received out of town invitations to a niece's wedding and her grandson's wedding. The extra expense of those two affairs this summer made her drop out of the plans since we were now splitting expenses 2 ways instead of 3.

What to do---what to do---I pondered--examined my options--reexamined my options--researched--pondered some more. I finally decided. I cancelled the reservation at the Swan.

Then I had second, third and fourth thoughts. So yesterday I called CRO and made ressies for me at the All Star Music for five nights with the dining plan. It is for 2 fewer nights and I'll be solo, but I'm going to go for it! This will probably be my last trip to WDW and I'm going to do all the things I always wanted to do on previous trips, but couldn't because other's had different plans.

I have my Unofficial Guide for 2007, my Passporter 2007 and the Passporter for Disabilities. I am getting ready to call Disney Dining -- so let the real planning begin!

 

[Piper]

In real life, I am a teacher. I teach in a district with children from all over the world. I teach ESL PreKindergarten. This year my students speak Vietnamese, Chinese, Mandarin, Ibo, Tagalag, Spanish, Hindi, Gurjarati, Creole, and Arabic. Their common language is now English.

I feel rather like a dog trainer at the first of the year because the students don't really understand anything I am trying to say (try lining up 20 four year olds who don't understand you and have never walked in a line before ) It's like trying to herd a bunch of kittens!

Anyway, I decided to take a 10" doll named Ann Estelle with me and take her picture with lots of characters and lots of places at WDW. Then I will make a scrapbook telling her story. I think this might be a good way to get the students talking and interested. I will bring Ann Estelle to school with me for the first few weeks. (I even made her a "princess dress" and just ordered her a crown on Ebay for one of the days at the parks.)

I just called dining to make reservations and decided that even if it were hopeless, I would ask if a ressi were available for breakfast at the castle. It was! I have an 8:15 reservation on Sat. July 14th!!! So for anyone who wanted a reservation and it wasn't available, keep checking back!

I'm doing one other Character dinner at the Liberty Tree. Then Mama Melrose for a fantasmic package, Le Cellier and the Rose & Crown. I have one TS left and I'll probably make up my mind about that one soon.

So I'm off to a great start--a magic start, actually!

 

[praisehisname]

This will probably be my last trip to WDW and I'm going to do all the things I always wanted to do on previous trips, but couldn't because other's had different plans.

I hope you get to do everything you have planned.

That's a great idea about using the doll for your students! I can't wait to see the pictures (if you post them).

Denise

 

[tiggerbell]

This sounds like it's going to be very interesting! Good for you to go it alone! I really wish I could manage it, but no one will leave me alone for a week!!!

 

[Piper]

This sounds like it's going to be very interesting! Good for you to go it alone! I really wish I could manage it, but no one will leave me alone for a week!!!

I toyed with the idea of inviting my sister or a friend, but I always feel like I am holding people back when I am with others. Of course, I will be bringing my ECV, but I still can't do a lot of the rides I used to enjoy so much. Sometimes people feel like they can't do the rides they want because I am not doing them or they don't want to ride alone. This just makes me feel like I am holding them back. I don't even plan on telling anyone I am going until a couple of days before I leave.

I made another ADR--this time for the supercalifragilisticexpialidocious breakfast. Since the Park Fare is being rehabbed, it will be in the Grand Floridian Cafe and the food will be preplated. I can just relax and not worry about getting the food from a buffet to the table!

That makes three character meals. I feel a little odd about doing them alone, but I really want the pictures of the characters and Ann Estelle. One of my difficulties is that being in the sun can make me break out in a rash and feel really exhausted--so waiting in long lines in the sun is out!


I just love planning!!! I can't wait for this school year to be over and the magic to begin!!!!

 

[Piper]

I just made reservations to spend the night before I leave at a hotel near the Houston airport. None of the long term parking lots have lift busses. They want me to check in, let them drive me in my car to the terminal, give them my keys and then they go back and park--and do the reverse on my return. Nope...not for me.

The hotel has a lift bus and will take me to the airport and let me leave my car. My flight home returns late afternoon, so I am staying there the night of my return also. I'll have a nice sleep and breakfast the next morning. That way I will be rested for my drive through Houston traffic. It's a good thing I can pay for the hotel with Starpoints!

I paid my balance and now I am reading everything I can and planning, planning, planning!

 

[Piper]

Thought I'd let you put a face to the name. This, of course is me....you'll understand the lack of quality when I tell you it is a "school picture!"


And here is Ann Estelle ready to go to the beach!

A couple of my friends have asked me if I'll feel silly carrying a doll around WDW at my age. Uh, NO! It's WDW and everyone is a kid there--haven't they seen the commercials!

I haven't told them that I have a friend for Ann Estelle. I'll be bringing Pal Mickey, too!

 

[Piper]

I have made a couple of changes to the original plan. i changed to PO-FQ because it is smaller and I will hopefully have a shorter wait time to load on a bus (only 2 WC's per bus.)

I also used points to upgrade my flight to first class.

I have been working on Ann Estelle's wardrobe (want her to look good in her pictures!) I made her a red and white polkadotted skirt for pictures with Minnie (and to go with her mouse ears)

She now has a pink princess dress with crown for our Cinderella's castle breakfast

I also found an Alice in wonderland dress for that breakfast!

I have rigged up a white fairy costume for a possible photo in front of the castle with Tinkerbell in the picture. (I hope we can make that one work)

I am really enjoying planning the book and all the pictures. It has helped relieve the stress of the last few weeks of school.

 

[tiggerbell]

It sounds like so much fun! Watch those 2 dolls when they're together - we don't want Minnie getting jealous!

 

[Piper]

School is finished for the year! I cannot tell you how glad I am to have the summer free! I have always taught summer school so this is a new experience for me!

If you are an obsessive planner like me, then you will understand what I've been doing----making the scrapbook pages for the trip I haven't made yet! Since I am going to need to have everything ready for the first day of school, I have been designing each page. That way I will be sure to get the pictures I need--read "making a list and checking it twice"---oh wait, that is for another (much cooler) season!

Since this will be for 4 year olds who don't understand much of what I say for the first few weeks of school, I am making it very visual. Lots of embellishments, stickers, and pictures (as well as room for journalling the "story.") It will be on 12 X 12 paper.

Ann Estelle is the central character, so I am planning her wardrobe, too. Read: costumes.. I just know people are going to think I'm out of my mind--but that's okay with me (I very probably am! )

I also bought a new camera -- a Samsung 10.1 megapixel. It takes great pictures.

I'm expecting to receive my papers from Disney any day now! I absolutely can't wait to get them. It makes everything seem more real. I'll post again when they come.

Thanks to anyone who is reading!

 

[threekidsandasheltie]

Hope you have a wonderful trip!

Your screen name caught my eye as my youngest is named Piper how many Piper's did you run across in your life so far? Just wondering as most people look at like I have three heads when I tell them my daughter's name.

 

[Piper]

Hope you have a wonderful trip!

Your screen name caught my eye as my youngest is named Piper how many Piper's did you run across in your life so far? Just wondering as most people look at like I have three heads when I tell them my daughter's name.

None--there used to be a singer named Piper Laurie and of course, now there is a character in Charmed. That's' it!

 

[Piper]

Okay--it's starting to feel real! I got my yellow luggage tags for the Magical Express yesterday I plan to make some little ones out of yellow scrapbooking paper to put on Ann Estelle's "luggage" (a dollhouse miniature rolling suitcase) I'll take her picture with it at the airport--then if I see a little girl with a Barbie, I'll ask her parent if Ann Estelle can give it to her!

I also booked breakfast at the Crystal Palace so we could get pictures with the Pooh gang. And I made Ann Estelle a skirt with Pooh, Piglet, Eyore and Tigger on it. I can't do the wait in line for the character thing because of sun sinsitivity. But then, staying out of the sun prevents wrinkles, right!

I also took pink ribbon and made a sash that says Bibbidi Bobbidi Boutique on it. I plan on using 2 dolls and doing a "before" and "after" shot as if Ann Estelle actually got fixed up. I plan on calling the boutique and asking if I can just take a couple of pictures there.

As you can tell, I'm trying to do this as if Ann Estelle were real (I just realized that this sounds a little like Pinocchio ) That's my update--can't wait for the other papers to arrive!

 

[Piper]

OK guys, I made a luggage tag for Ann Estelle's luggage. What do you think?

 

[tiggerbell]

That has got to be the cutest thing!!! I just know Captain Jack is gpoing to be jealous!!!

 

[Piper]

That has got to be the cutest thing!!! I just know Captain Jack is gpoing to be jealous!!!

Thanks. I tried to make it look reasonably authentic. The whole suitcase is less than 3 inches high!