A Pirate and a Princess Go to the World......Updated Ch. 12/pics/COMPLETE

[serendipity]

This was the trip we weren't going to take. We just went to the world in November. We had a wonderful adventure going through man-sized gingerbread homes, letting snow fall on us in Main Street, and drinking (much to my happy soon to be hubby's delight) free hot chocolate.

We were absolutely, positively, no way possible going to Disney again, anytime soon. This was crunch time. Saving for the wedding, the honeymoon, and the house all happening this May.

We dove into our work like squirrels putting away little bits at a time. Things were going great.....

Then I got the phone call....

"Hi honey....now I don't want you to get too excited but they're opening a division of my office in Lake Mary, Florida and they've offered to fly me out for a few days"
"DISNEY!!!!!"
"No, no, don't get excited now"
Like a crazed dog after a bone, "DISNEY! DISNEY DISNEY DISNEY DISNEY DISNEY!!!!!"

That's all it took. We were set. While I knew this wouldn't exactly be the trip of dreams, hey, a trip to florida includes Disney.

Then it happened. They changed their mind. Changed their mind?!!?!? What? Apparentely hubby's too important to leave the Manhattan division. Sigh. We weren't ACTUALLY considering moving to Lake Mary! We just wanted the free trip!

So I was down.....

Our delightful plans of pirates and princesses floating around our heads we looked at each other with such longing we knew it was too late

"Kate, just 3 nights....."
"4.....it has to be 4"
"I don't know about this...."
"You already promised!"
"Promised??? What?!?!"

And so it began..........

 

[tubachick]

can't believe he didn't remember his promise

great start

 

[serendipity]

So let it be written, so let it be done.

We kept going back and forth toying around with the idea of going to Disney. Could we really justify this expense?

Finally, the straw that broke the camel's back. We received notification of what our tax return was going to be this year. Sizable it was indeed. YES! Let the planning begin!

Frenzied, knowing I was only two weeks out I ran to the computer. Please, please let them have a value available!! Anxious I waited for the search result and gasped....Best Match, Fort Wilderness Campground Cabins

I knew this was not going to go over well. The cabins with park tickets/hopper and dining for four nights was $2,000! Even at my craziest moments in life (think a crazy woman bulldozing over everyone in her path to mexico because I just found out the margarita stand closed in 5 minutes) I knew this would be too much.

The next morning I woke up as early as possible and scrambled to the computer hoping that something had opened up. As luck would have it there was a room available at Port Orleans Riverside. While it certainly wasn't value, it wasn't a $2,000 cabin that makes me think of the Texas Chainsaw Massacre (sorry, I really love the outdoors but camping out is not my thing, I'm a city girl).

Happily I booked us all up. And dining reservations this far out? How would I do it?? Ha, now you don't know me? I had those suckers booked the first time hubby even mentioned Lake Mary

I also must note we are big on the restaurant portion of the trip. We'll be eating at Crystal Palace, Garden Grill, Les Chefs de France, Le Cellier, Kona and Artist Point and will share every agonizing detail with you, most with pictures of half eaten food.


Meet The Cast:

Me: Katherine, Kate, and AKA the financial irresponsible one of the group. My fiancee jokes that whenever we start building up too much I start hemorrhaging money "here, please take it! cotton tee shirt for $600, yes please just take my money!!"

Jay: My wonderful fiancee who I always call hubby. We've been living together for years so really, it's like we've been married. The wedding is this May, Cinco de Mayo actually What can I say? We like to drink. The date is just a coincedence. Jay works in the finance industry and is the most frugal person I've ever met. We make a good combo. He saves, I spend Just kidding....really....love ya honey

And really what kind of Mom would I be without throwing a picture in of the kid for good measure?

Valentine, AKA Tiny. A valentine's day present from Jay when we first moved in together. Hey Blayne, sound familiar??? We'll miss her. I wanted to bring her. Jay said no. I had visions of howling Marley from Marley and me. I was convinced. So we say our sad goodbyes to our pup and send her off to our beloved Hay Hill Kennels. The only kennel I entrust my dog to, regardless of the fact that since we've moved it's now an hour and a half away.


We are going in 1 week! There will be Pirates and Princesses galore! Treasure Maps to explore! Countless viewings of Phillharmagic for not so adoring hubby to endure! We are on our way!!!

 

[serendipity]

tuba chick- thanks for your response! My first!

 

[doombuggy]

What a sweet face! I mean the adorable dog.....she's a cutie pookie!

We went to teh P&P party Monday night and had a great time. Be sure to head over to Adventureland to see if Capt Jack Sparrow is around to have your photo taken...hubby will be jealous!

Have fun!

 

[Blaynexox]

Oh no!! I wanted to be the first one! Darnit! Just kidding- im happy enough to be 3rd! Omgosh you are so much like me. Todd thinks that this trip is like a one time thing. Im already planning the next! Last night as we were laying in bed I roll over and say in my most childlike whiny voice "Toodddddddyyyy, can we go back to Disney in January" "What! No!" "But Tooooddddddddd!" "Okay, fine! But we have to start saving now. And Blayne you have to save more then $100 in a whole year." "okay yay!" So needless to say I am doubly excited and very excited that you get to go back so soon and I get to vicariously live through you! That is so funny about our dogs!! I got Krull for Valentine's 2005. Omg. They should doggie date. Tiny is SO CUTE! Tiny and Krull Thats precious! Oh and I cannot believe I got a cameo in someones trip report! I feel HONORED! Cant wait to read more and more and more!

 

[serendipity]

Doomboogy- Thanks, I love her to death Just after writing I went into my bedroom and she was lying on the bed like a princess and just gave me a face like "what? what'd I do?" (she isn't allowed on the furniture). She's a devil dog but an angel all at the same time! Also I'm so glad to hear you liked the party! I've heard great things about it

Blayne- aka my missing half. You're me to a T. Start the planning early, before the next trip even starts, that way when you come back home you can't be sad about being home! Very funny about Krull...definitely need to set up a doggie date! They're the perfect match.

 

[natale1980]

Sounds like fun!!! All you have to do is mention Florida / Disney to me and I have a trip planned to... none of this taking it back stuff!

Once my husband got laid off and we were on our way to Disney the next weekend on a spur of the moment trip cause we just needed some time to regroup. Plus it's not like he had to ask off work

I guess that's why we are clawing our way out of debt... oh well it was worth it!

-nat

 

[JohnsonsRUs]

Whew, I'm glad to see that we're not the only ones. We are going in Feb for 4 days on the trip we said we weren't going to do this year because we are saving money to go next year and this will be the 3rd year in a row. Oh well, DD will only be young for so long and want to still hang out with Mom and Dad. It's only money right, and you can't take it with you!!

 

[serendipity]

Sounds like fun!!! All you have to do is mention Florida / Disney to me and I have a trip planned to... none of this taking it back stuff!

Once my husband got laid off and we were on our way to Disney the next weekend on a spur of the moment trip cause we just needed some time to regroup. Plus it's not like he had to ask off work

I guess that's why we are clawing our way out of debt... oh well it was worth it!

-nat

Haha that definitely sounds familiar. Thankfully, I have Jay to balance me out, otherwise I'd be living on the street right about now. Thanks for your response, and I'm looking foward to reading more on your report!

 

[Blaynexox]

YOU ONLY HAVE 2 DAYS!!!! Hurry up and come post before you go! OH BOY IM SO EXCITED FOR YOU!!!

 

[serendipity]

Hi everyone,

Just back. We had a great time at the world, as always.

I still have much to do before I can write a real first day, however I do have a few things to note

-The Pirate and Princess Party was amazing. The fireworks were wonderful! It was the highlight of our trip. A must do!

-Le Cellier was TOP NOTCH! We enjoyed it more than any of our dinners, including Artist's Point

-It was cold! Bring your winter jacket when traveling in January/February.

I'll be updating quickly so, see ya "real soon".

 

[jaycns]

WOO WEE!! Another Serendipity trip report! I am so up for this! I cannot wait to hear more. What a sweet little doggy you all have there! He should be in commercials! Maybe for Hay Hills Kennels!

P.S. I think if you PM a moderator they will move your now trip report over to the actual trip report board. *I think*

 

[mlill]

No Way! You went back to WDW already!?!? I'm soooo jealous! I wish we could have found a way to go to the P&P Party this year. I've heard so many good things about the fireworks and parade! I can't wait to read your review!!!

-Michelle

 

[tubachick]

Hi everyone,

Just back. We had a great time at the world, as always.

I still have much to do before I can write a real first day, however I do have a few things to note

-The Pirate and Princess Party was amazing. The fireworks were wonderful! It was the highlight of our trip. A must do!

-Le Cellier was TOP NOTCH! We enjoyed it more than any of our dinners, including Artist's Point

-It was cold! Bring your winter jacket when traveling in January/February.

I'll be updating quickly so, see ya "real soon".

glad to hear that the & party was great.

Can't wait to hear about the FOOD!!!

 

[Blaynexox]

I AM SOOOOOOOO GLAD YOUR HOME! GIVE ME A WDW FIX BEFORE I LEAVE!!! I need to hear about this P&PP pronto! Step on it!

 

[serendipity]

cc

 

[serendipity]

WOO WEE!! Another Serendipity trip report! I am so up for this! I cannot wait to hear more. What a sweet little doggy you all have there! He should be in commercials! Maybe for Hay Hills Kennels!

P.S. I think if you PM a moderator they will move your now trip report over to the actual trip report board. *I think*

Hey Jaycns how have you been??? How are Aladdin, Stitch and Goofy? Bursting to go back to the world I hear!

 

[serendipity]

Michelle- thanks for your response. We really, really shouldn't have as you can see! However, we had a great time and kept our budget in order! The Pirate and Princess Party was wonderful and can't wait to tell you all about it!

TubaChick- thanks! The food was wonderful! We ate at Le Cellier, Artist Point, Chefs de France, Kona and Garden Grill. Everything was great! And the Pirate and Princess Party was amazing.

Blayne- I've been really caught up but I'm working as fast as possible my love! 4 more days till you're experiencing it all yourself

 

[KimAshton]

OMG I shouldn't laugh at the shot but I am. Karmac is a pain in the butt. Poor guy. I guess he will do anything for the Mouse.