A Smile in my Heart–Magical Week of Friends,Fun & Freezing-10/28-COMPLETE!

Day 6 - February 12, 2010
Magic Kingdom
Part 8


Final installment for this day (then just one more day left and I will be done – kind of happy, kind of sad about that)!

After finishing up with some shopping and picture-taking, we discussed if we should go back to the MK and go on a few more rides before Wishes, and then see Wishes from inside the park. We had yet to see it from the hub/Main St area on this trip -only from the Poly beach and from Thunder Mtn! Plus we had fastpasses for Buzz and for Thunder to use up!! OR we could call it a night!

The cold temps and the high winds eventually led us to think we should call it a night! My parents were taking the kids that night to sleep in their room and the kids were very excited about renting a movie from the CL lounge and watching it in Grandmommy and Pop Pop’s room, so Shawn and I decided we would try to catch Wishes from the beach and FINALLY allow Shawn to get some coveted “tri-pod esque” pictures of the fireworks, while the kids snuggled in with the grandparents. (phew - sorry about that run-on sentence, LOL) Then we would head back to the room for the very sad task of packing up to leave tomorrow.

We had about ½ hour to kill beforehand so Shawn and I went back to the room to start the packing process. It was then that Shawn said those words every Disney-obsessed wife longs to hear….:rolleyes1



”I’m gonna call and see if we can stay another night”!!



I just about fainted. :faint:



So when we got back to the room, I waited in anticipation while Shawn called to see about availability. He was on hold for a while, but eventually the CM came back on and said that the Poly was completely occupied the next night, but we could switch resorts for tomorrow night if we wanted. Ugh – no thanks.

Oh well – the important thing was that Shawn had been having such a good time this week that he felt the need to extend our vacation one more night and for that, I was grateful! :love2:

Reluctantly, I started to pack up.

Why is it that packing to leave is so much easier than packing to go? I guess because for me there is no rhyme or reason to what is in what bag – I just throw it all in there. The only thing I did try and keep separate were the dirty clothes. Don't want those things contaminating the clean ones, right? LOL! I packed all of those in one bag and then everything else was just “wherever”! I did pack up the overnight bag separately as we would be stopping in Jacksonville tomorrow night to sleep. I grabbed the clothes for the kids for tomorrow night as well as their pjs and stuffed them in a bag, and then Shawn and I (armed with tripod) made our way out to the VERY COLD beach for Wishes. :cold:

There was NOBODY out there – that’s how cold it was. By the time it started, we were joined (way down the beach from us) by another family and then at some point, some dressed up teenagers that looked like they were there for prom night dinner, came out right in front of the pool to watch.

I don’t know if I mentioned this or not, but it was COLD!!! :rotfl: This was one of the few days in history that Floridians saw snow. Not in Orlando, but on the panhandle and in the eastern sections around the Jacksonville area I believe. According to weather underground, tonight we were in the low 40’s but the winds were 20 mph steady with gusts of 30 mph. There was a pretty big storm blanketing the southeast section of the United States that night and we were feeling it. We had a couple of blankets to wrap up in and Shawn set up his camera on the tripod with his remote in hand, and held it under the blanket.

It was cold, but kind of nice to be snuggling with my hubby all alone on the beach with the beautiful castle shining out in front of us reflecting on the Seven Seas Lagoon! :cloud9:

If only I could have felt my toes!

First he did some test shots.

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(Hawaii Club Lounge)

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(I love the blue lights on the resort boat – don’t know why, just do)

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Then the show began. :love:

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(Sing it with me...."star light....star bright....first star I see tonight...I wish I may....I wish I might....")


Unfortunately, the storm had also brought quite a bit of wind and cloud cover to our little Magic Kingdom, so half of the fireworks were covered up by clouds, and the other half were pushed off center due to the wind. The wind was so fierce that there were even white caps on the Seven Seas Lagoon at times! :eek:

Shawn was disappointed as he really wanted to grab some nice shots, but honestly, I think quite a few of them turned out really good. The fact that the clouds envelop the castle at times, gives the whole appearance a kind of "surreal" "fantasy" look, I think.

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(At times it looked like we were being invaded by spaceships from outerspace)


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With the lovely fireworks complete, we made our way back to my parents room (they had given us one of their room keys so that we would be able to get inside Hawaii) to drop off the kids jammies and clothes for the next day and to say good night.

Mom had taken this picture of Katie when they got back to their room with their pretty swan towel animals. So cute!
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By some miracle, Mom had managed to get all of the goo out of the girls hair and they were both "un-bibbidi-bobbidied" by the time we arrived. (Running around in their underwear no less, since they didn’t have their pjs from us yet, but still….) I don’t know HOW she got all of that goo and the pixie dust out of their heads/hair! The other times we have done the BBB, we have had pixie dust in their hair for days afterwards. Grandmommy can work some magic with the shampoo apparently!

They got snuggled in with their jammies and movie, and we made our way back to Samoa to finish up all the packing. We made plans to meet up in the morning after we got all of our stuff loaded into the car and head over to Epcot for our last day. :sad2:

A shot of the steamy volcano pool on our way back:
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Up next…a late start and boy, did we pick a bad day to be late!! Where the heck did all these people come from?? :crowded:

Sara
 
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(At times it looked like we were being invaded by spaceships from outerspace)


This is such a neat picture - it does look like an alien invasion!

That's a bummer that the Poly was booked the next night. But so cool that Shawn suggested staying an extra night!
 
WOW those fireworks pictures, while not "ideal", are amazing! I pointed them out to DH since he's the photographer, now he's coming over to check your report out! It seems so strange that it could get that cold down there...then again that was a bad winter. I had never seen 3 20"+ snowstorms in one winter before!

I managed to snag an 'Ohana ressie today! We had been checking a few times a day for a while, and I got so used to seeing "no times are available" that I didn't know what to do when a time actually appeared!! :laughing: Now I need to revisit your 'Ohana review...I'm sure it will read differently now that I'm not longing and jealous! :laughing:
 
This is such a neat picture - it does look like an alien invasion!

That's a bummer that the Poly was booked the next night. But so cool that Shawn suggested staying an extra night!
Yeah, even though we weren't able to stay the extra night, I still felt like I was on cloud 9 since Shawn suggested it! :cloud9:

WOW those fireworks pictures, while not "ideal", are amazing! I pointed them out to DH since he's the photographer, now he's coming over to check your report out! It seems so strange that it could get that cold down there...then again that was a bad winter. I had never seen 3 20"+ snowstorms in one winter before!

I managed to snag an 'Ohana ressie today! We had been checking a few times a day for a while, and I got so used to seeing "no times are available" that I didn't know what to do when a time actually appeared!! :laughing: Now I need to revisit your 'Ohana review...I'm sure it will read differently now that I'm not longing and jealous! :laughing:
Yeah, our Epcot day (Day 2) was really our only day where we were able to go down to just our long sleeve shirts! :laughing: It was a lot colder than we expected. Normally I think February would be a good time to go!

So glad you got an ADR for 'Ohana! I hope you love it as much as we do!! So much fun and just a festive and entertaining atmosphere! :thumbsup2

Sara
 

I love that Shawn tried to get another night for you guys. It's the thought that counts, right? :cloud9:

I love all of Shawn's pictures from the beach. Sorry it was so cold though - ick!

Great move in sending the kids to your parents room and the magical de-BBBing job! That is some talent for sure! :)

Aw, I'm sad you are on your last day too. Must be a sign that it's time to book a trip! ;)
 
I love that Shawn tried to get another night for you guys. It's the thought that counts, right? :cloud9:

I love all of Shawn's pictures from the beach. Sorry it was so cold though - ick!

Great move in sending the kids to your parents room and the magical de-BBBing job! That is some talent for sure! :)

Aw, I'm sad you are on your last day too. Must be a sign that it's time to book a trip! ;)


Definitely the thought that counts, Michelle! I guess he had been dusted with a little pixie dust on that trip too! Either that or he was making up for his rogue behavior on DHS day! :lmao:

Seriously, I don't know how she did it - I didn't see ANY glitter in either one of their heads that night. It was weird. :confused3

Aww...another trip....oh, how I wish. I really would love to take advantage of the kids spring break not being Easter week this year and go down, but I think April is still considered pretty busy, even with Easter being towards the end of the month. (Their break is April 4 -8 this year and Easter isn't until the 24th) I don't know.....I've got that AP and it's killing me not to use it!! :headache:

Sara
 
the pics of the three kiddies at the tiki in O'hana are fab
 
I think Shawn pictures are fabulous!

I still can't get over how cold it was in Feb.

I hate packing to leave. I'm sorry you didn't get another night.:sad2: It does sound like the Disney Magic has taken over your husband.:wizard:
 
I fell in love with Ohana when we were there last December. The food is SO good. I dare say it is my favorite meal in Disney! We'll be going back there again... but not until next May. :sad1:

*side note* We just changed our dates from our very early spring break (2nd week of March) to the last week of May right when our school year ends. Believe it or not, the UG lists that week as quite a bit less crowded than the March week.

That was nice of your parents to take the kids for the night. I was sad for you that you had to pack up though. Yay Shawn for wanting another night ~ that would have been wonderful, I am sure! :cloud9:
 
the pics of the three kiddies at the tiki in O'hana are fab

Thanks! Wow - you only have 6 days left! That calls for a happy banana dance!! :banana::banana::banana:

I think Shawn pictures are fabulous!

I still can't get over how cold it was in Feb.

I hate packing to leave. I'm sorry you didn't get another night.:sad2: It does sound like the Disney Magic has taken over your husband.:wizard:
I know, right?? It was frigid!

I was glad that he seemed to have been sprinkled with some PD! I wish I could get him to remember that feeling so we could get another trip in the works...:rolleyes1


I fell in love with Ohana when we were there last December. The food is SO good. I dare say it is my favorite meal in Disney! We'll be going back there again... but not until next May. :sad1:

*side note* We just changed our dates from our very early spring break (2nd week of March) to the last week of May right when our school year ends. Believe it or not, the UG lists that week as quite a bit less crowded than the March week.

That was nice of your parents to take the kids for the night. I was sad for you that you had to pack up though. Yay Shawn for wanting another night ~ that would have been wonderful, I am sure! :cloud9:

Love 'Ohana!!! :love: Our favorite too!

May was a nice time to go - a little hot, but not unbearable for sure. Crowds were manageable for sure! :goodvibes Why'd you switch though? :confused3

Sara
 
May was a nice time to go - a little hot, but not unbearable for sure. Crowds were manageable for sure! :goodvibes Why'd you switch though? :confused3

Sara


Wellll.... *someone* was worried about the crowds in March. Turns out he was a little right (:headache:). The 2nd week of March has higher crowd levels than the last week of May. Then I checked and the condo rates were just a little bit cheaper (:headache: again!). (How can this man who does not help plan our trips at all and doesn't even get excited until we step into a park have even the slightest clue about these things???)

So our new dates are May 20-28! :laughing:

By waiting we can enjoy fewer people, still have the F & G show and also get a Star Wars Weekend (or 2!). I have a couple of VERY excited 9 year olds!!! We know that part will be ridiculously busy but I think we can handle it.

We are also planning to check out Harry Potter at Uni! Very excited about that as well!

Gosh, I may have to finally do another trippie! :laughing:
 
Aww man...I would LOVE to be at 'Ohana on New Years Eve! How perfect! :love: Will you watch the fireworks from the beach afterwards? We have loved the food and the atmosphere both times we have had the pleasure of dining at 'Ohana! It's ranked #1 on our lists right now!!

Sara

Our plan is to eat a late dinner at 'Ohana (our ADR is around 9-ish) and then hang out and have some drinks, and then hopefully watch the fireworks on the beach! I am SO excited! :goodvibes I'm so glad that you like it...that makes me even more excited to try it out!

By the way...what are your favorite adult beverages at the Poly? I want to try something really yummy since it's New Years Eve!! :)


Now in response to your update:

That is so sweet that Shawn tried to book an extra night! What an awesome hubby! :goodvibes And I think his fireworks pics are awesome! They look really cool the way the wind is moving them.

I'm dreading the end of your TR! I have loved reading about your family trip so much! I feel like I was there with you the whole time! Oh well, at least we still have one more day to look forward to!
 
Loved the shots at O'Hana for your last nite!:)

And what a sweetie that Shawn was for trying to get another nite. Maybe he was hoping for round 2 with the tripod.:rotfl: Actually, I see what you mean about the cloud cover, but like you, I think it adds to the shots. He got some great ones. But I suppose if he took all the time to set up the tripod and wanted clear shots, that wld be disappointing. Oh well...all the more reason to get him anxious to return, right?;)

What a wonderful way to spend your last evening, just the two of you on the beach for Wishes.:goodvibes

And, I completely agree with you about how hard it is to de-pixie dust after BBB....those metalic little specks were haunting me for days and days afterwards.:laughing:
 
Wellll.... *someone* was worried about the crowds in March. Turns out he was a little right (:headache:). The 2nd week of March has higher crowd levels than the last week of May. Then I checked and the condo rates were just a little bit cheaper (:headache: again!). (How can this man who does not help plan our trips at all and doesn't even get excited until we step into a park have even the slightest clue about these things???)

So our new dates are May 20-28! :laughing:

By waiting we can enjoy fewer people, still have the F & G show and also get a Star Wars Weekend (or 2!). I have a couple of VERY excited 9 year olds!!! We know that part will be ridiculously busy but I think we can handle it.

We are also planning to check out Harry Potter at Uni! Very excited about that as well!

Gosh, I may have to finally do another trippie! :laughing:
Woo-hoo!! Well, first of all, yes you will have to do another TR!!! That sounds like a fabulous trip packed with tons of fun stuff for everyone!
Yeah, I was kind of bummed when I thought about the crowds and higher costs of a possible April trip. I thought we would luck out not having spring break over Easter week this year and that maybe a trip would be possible, but I don't think so now. It's getting harder with the kids getting older and I don't want to go in the summer if I can help it!

Michael really wants to do Harry Potter as well the next time we go down. Can't wait to hear how you guys like it and how you find doing it with staying offsite. I have a feeling offsite will be back into play whenever we do go down as staying at the Poly is going to have to be a once-in-a-while type thing. :sad1:

I Know can't wait :) Only 3 more days in work :banana::banana::banana:

Woo-hoo!!! :woohoo:

Our plan is to eat a late dinner at 'Ohana (our ADR is around 9-ish) and then hang out and have some drinks, and then hopefully watch the fireworks on the beach! I am SO excited! :goodvibes I'm so glad that you like it...that makes me even more excited to try it out!

By the way...what are your favorite adult beverages at the Poly? I want to try something really yummy since it's New Years Eve!! :)
Well, the lapu lapu is so fun and festive - I would love to be drinking one of those while ringing in the new year!! (It's the one in the giant pineapple) My favorite frozen drink is the pina colava though - so delicious! The Captain's mai tai is delicious too, as is the Backscratcher.

Now in response to your update:

That is so sweet that Shawn tried to book an extra night! What an awesome hubby! :goodvibes And I think his fireworks pics are awesome! They look really cool the way the wind is moving them.

I'm dreading the end of your TR! I have loved reading about your family trip so much! I feel like I was there with you the whole time! Oh well, at least we still have one more day to look forward to!
THanks so much! Yeah, one more day in Sara's TR-land equals at least another month or so of TR!!! :lmao:

Loved the shots at O'Hana for your last nite!:)

And what a sweetie that Shawn was for trying to get another nite. Maybe he was hoping for round 2 with the tripod.:rotfl: Actually, I see what you mean about the cloud cover, but like you, I think it adds to the shots. He got some great ones. But I suppose if he took all the time to set up the tripod and wanted clear shots, that wld be disappointing. Oh well...all the more reason to get him anxious to return, right?;)

What a wonderful way to spend your last evening, just the two of you on the beach for Wishes.:goodvibes

And, I completely agree with you about how hard it is to de-pixie dust after BBB....those metalic little specks were haunting me for days and days afterwards.:laughing:
Thanks Trish! Yeah, I wish I could get Shawn to remember how he felt that night he wanted to stay another day, because now he isn't really talking much about a return trip anytime soon. Gotta catch him at the right time, I suppose....like when we aren't trying to buy a new car, fix our A/C, and fix our water heater! :rolleyes:

Sara
 
This is my first ever post on the DISboards - do you feel special? LOL

Thanks so much for sharing your trip, your kids look so much like my cousins' kids I had to stop and look again a few times! No family in South West Australia by any chance? LOL
 
This is my first ever post on the DISboards - do you feel special? LOL

Thanks so much for sharing your trip, your kids look so much like my cousins' kids I had to stop and look again a few times! No family in South West Australia by any chance? LOL

Wow! I'm honored!! :flower3: Thanks for posting, Penelope!!

No Australian family members that I'm aware of - that is too funny! :laughing:


Sara
 
Hi Sara,
I can't believe you only have 1 more day of this TR to write about :sad2: you need a ticker! I loved your last two updates. The girls looked beautiful with their Princess makeovers! SOrry you had such crummy weather :guilty: and the rude people didn't let you get on the monorail :mad: I would have been aggravated at that too. I loved your 'Ohana update and great pics from around the Poly too! It looks like you had a great night. :yay: for Shawn trying to book another night, that stinks they booked up. Sad to read about you packing up already. Wonderful Fireworks pics, even in the cold! Your making me miss Disney. I need to book something very soon too :)
 
Hi Sara,
I can't believe you only have 1 more day of this TR to write about :sad2: you need a ticker! I loved your last two updates. The girls looked beautiful with their Princess makeovers! SOrry you had such crummy weather :guilty: and the rude people didn't let you get on the monorail :mad: I would have been aggravated at that too. I loved your 'Ohana update and great pics from around the Poly too! It looks like you had a great night. :yay: for Shawn trying to book another night, that stinks they booked up. Sad to read about you packing up already. Wonderful Fireworks pics, even in the cold! Your making me miss Disney. I need to book something very soon too :)

Seriously, Nichole? You can't believe I only have 1 more day to write about? :rotfl: LOL! You're so nice! This has been the longest I have ever taken to write a trip report!! :confused: I'm already past 7 months in writing this thing. I will definitely need a new ticker by the time I'm done though! ;)

Sara
 












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