A very merry unbirthday to you! It's my unbirthday trip! It's Mom's unbirthday too!

[Cin]

I finally made my way over to your report

Such great photos of All Star Music. I stayed there one time when I went on my girls weekend to Disney and loved it! I actually thought it was fresher and cleaner and more sparkly than the Poly.

Your trip is right around the corner! Man, I wanted a scooter by day 5 or our trip. Soooooo much walking. I hope you can keep your mom convinced that's the way to go!

keep it up!

LOL, my DH said to rent the scooter and ride it myself too. We'll be there 9 days so it does sound tempting.

 

[Cin]

Does everyone do this? Get new clothes for vacation? OR is it just me?

Eek! Yes, my trip is right around the corner. I am both ready and yet so not ready as well.

I decided I need some new trip clothes and of course, the last thing I want to be doing right now is go clothes shopping in Christmas crowds. You think I would have thought of this a long long time ago, huh. But I was kind of hoping to lose about 10 to 15 lbs. too and that hasn't worked out like I planned yet, so I'm just thinking I could slip into Ross or somewhere and grab a couple of scarves and a new pair of shoes/booties and I'm good. And then zip in to Macy's and check out their scarves and see what they have as far as hats and gloves to keep my ears and fingers warm while on vacay. As much as I really don't want to be out and about in the shopping mess, I also know that my best choices and selections are available now and it's going to become more and more limited by January's travel date on those items.

So yeah, I have been looking in my closet to see what I need to pack and kind of assemble outfits and figure out what I need to get to complete an outfit. So far only a pair of ankle boots, some basic flats, a couple of solid tops and a couple of new scarves and I'm good. Oh and some inexpensive gloves too as I don't need to take my really good leather ones, I just need some thin ones to stuff in my pocket for those chilly mornings or evenings, just in case. That's all I need, I don't need nuthin' else, well that and my dog, sh..head...and I don't need nuthin' else. DH and I say that line by Steve Martin from The Jerk all the time. I may not be quoting it exact, oh well.

At least it's a weekday, so I can get it over with now. I have a love/hate relationship with shopping. I am not much of a shopper, I always have an exact item or list of items in mind and I look only for those things and I don't really "shop" or look at much else, I stay focused on my goal. Unless it's fabric, I have to stay away from sewing items and fabrics, it's too easy to buy it now for later use, and later does not seem to happen often so I have growing stacks of folded fabrics grouped by color. It's pretty but not useful. Oh then I have on days and off days. On my on days, I can walk in to a store, find armloads of great stuff, and it all fits, and then I have to decide what to not purchase. On my off days, well, it is a struggle to find even 1 item on my list and I hate that. I hope today is an "on" day.

 

[Cin]

It was a very productive day for shopping! Oh yeah, it's on baby!

So, I came home with 3 new sweaters/tops, 5 scarves, and a lightweight sweater/jacket and had lunch at Freebird's World Burrito - carnitas on soft corn tortillas with cilantro lime rice and some fresh lime wedges, Mmmm, my favorite. I ran out of cash in the first store I entered, (YAY for Marshall's!) before I found shoes and gloves and came home to get more money, and have decided to stay put. I love it when I am having an "ON" shopping day. YAY me!

 

[oopsiDAISY]

Yay for a great shopping day!!!! I have a shopping dilemma. My DD's are going to need new swimsuits for our March trip. There are none to be found rignt now at all. I am hoping they begin stocking them in January or February in anticipation of Spring Breaks... and YES, must have new clothes for vacations!!!!

 

[Cin]

Oh what a great day. I went back out to get some gloves and found not 1 but 4 adorable pair, and then had the hard task of choosing only 1 pair. I did come home with 4 new sweaters and another 3 scarves. I was on a roll, what can I say? So, I cut into my souvenir money, but that's okay, I don't really need more stuff to dust off anyway.

 

[Cin]

Yay for a great shopping day!!!! I have a shopping dilemma. My DD's are going to need new swimsuits for our March trip. There are none to be found rignt now at all. I am hoping they begin stocking them in January or February in anticipation of Spring Breaks... and YES, must have new clothes for vacations!!!!

Oh you will have perfect timing for swimsuits as they will be hitting the stores in Feb. I think though that the gift shops at WDW sell them too if I remember right.

Ok, so I am done shopping for a while. I got everything except shoes. I can get those next month though. No rush on those like the gloves were. I did find some cute hats but I have a small skull as they were all too big. I might go back and get one though as I looked really really cute in it. It was a floppy hat like Christina Aguilera wears in the "Moves Like Jagger" video. Only it looked way cuter on me.

 

[FosterA]

Your description of how you normally shop sounds like me. I have a particular item that I focus in on. I hate to shop and want to do it quickly! That's why I can't do Ross and those places, too much digging through stuff.

Your trip is soooo close

 

[Cin]

Your description of how you normally shop sounds like me. I have a particular item that I focus in on. I hate to shop and want to do it quickly! That's why I can't do Ross and those places, too much digging through stuff.

Your trip is soooo close

Ross is not one of my favorites, I don't care to dig through the stuff either, but I am really fast at scanning a store and racks. I think that is because I am focused on 1 particular item though and not really looking at the items. I hate paying full retail price, so I hit the discount stores first and then if I can't find what I want I go to Macy's or Penney's.

Now you get me in Sally's Beauty Supply or Ulta and I turn in to a shopping fool. I have a thing for nail polish especially. I try to stay out of there, it's just too dangerous for my pocketbook for stuff I don't really need.

 

[Cin]

Well, I haven't seen it officially announced yet but according to Josh at easywdw, they will not be running the parade during our visit after all. Sad face here

We had an entire day planned specifically around it and now that has fallen through, so I am feeling a little bummed, especially since we won't get to see Fantasmic either. And Mom's favorite, as she calls it "the Runaway Mine Train" is down for refurbishment too.

All I have to say is they better not cancel Wishes too, or I will demand a Grand Floridian upgrade!!! (Lol, I learned that one from Josh)

 

[Cin]

Just a few pics of my beloved Tigger decked out for Christmas. Tiggers love Christmas.

 

[FosterA]

awwwww. Love the Tigger display!!

I also heard that about the parade. bummer!! Keep your eye on Easywdw and Josh because he really knows what's up!

 

[Cin]

Well, it appears to be official that Main Street Electrical Parade will not be showing the week we are there.

Considering that our last Saturday was to be a Magic Kingdom day ONLY because the parade was showing, We still have our Grand Floridian afternoon tea, and that is the only thing scheduled for now. I'm glad now I didn't have any ADR's for the MK that day.

We will view Wishes then Weds after our dinner which is scheduled at our resort, meaning we'll have to return to the park after our meal just for the viewing. I will have to look at our ADR time and figure out if we will have time to dine and make it back for Wishes before 2000, or if I should cancel it to schedule Wishes in.

I really thought I finished planning, us type A's don't like changes, so I have been grumbling since I heard about this newest refurbishment.

On the bright side, this gives us a whole day of "free time". Yay for having two open days now to revisit favorites and take it easy. I wasn't really looking forward to spending a day in MK on it's busiest and most crowded day of our visit, and now this actually gives us an "out" on that. We'll probably spend Sat in EPCOT and then for Sunday (our last full day) if Mom doesn't have a choice of parks to revisit then we may just play bus roulette - which actually sounds like fun. I like surprises.

 

[Cin]

So exciting, a new ADR. After reading Aimee's trip report and how much they enjoyed Rose & Crown and the Illuminations viewing and her beautiful pics...

Well, I was feeling bummed from MSEP being cancelled during our visit, but true foodie I am, I turned to food for consolation and booked Mom and I at Rose & Crown for dinner. I am hoping we can get a patio table with a great view. I have good vibes about this as I was able to score a 7:40 pm ADR with only a month's notice. In fact I had a choice of 3 times to choose from. Now I don't know if that is good or bad. Does that mean I am onto a hidden gem possibly? I have read some poor reviews and it seems to be hit and miss with the food quality. Hmmm. But yeah, being seated and at a table for Illuminations would be awesome and Mom would love it.

Raglan Road will be moved to Saturday. No ADR though, since we are having tea at 2, we will just do a walk in when we get hungry that night. The dancing and bands don't play until 7 anyway so that should be fine for a walk in considering it isn't a Disney restaurant. I hope.

Boatwright's will be arrival day instead and Weds evening will be free for Wishes viewing.

 

[Cin]

I'm so happy I could burst. Is that possible? To be so full of joy? I feel so happy and I love this time of year. I love the holidays and the music, the decorations, the food, the festivities, the traditions, and all the generosity that comes out in people this time of year.

I'm excited that Christmas is next weekend. And I am off work too!!! I love the Christmas songs and the festivities at mass and I am so happy that hubby is going with me. I got him 2 Jerry Garcia ties for Christmas and am going to have to give him one early on Christmas Eve, so he can wear it. I am going to try to remember the Kleenex this time because it makes me cry. It's so beautiful and so moving and I can't help it.

I'm excited that my Christmas shopping and gift giving and baking is all finished and I can relax now and take it easy and enjoy the festivities more. I'm also excited that my trip to WDW is a few short weeks away.

I'm excited that I have heard from/talked to all my kids and everyone is doing well. They all live in different states and none of them can be here for Christmas but we will all be together in the heart.

 

[Cin]

Is it just me, or does everyone else get teary eyed watching the Disney Parks Christmas Parade? I am glad DH went to do his own thing and wasn't watching it with me because my eyes just kept leaking and my nose got the sniffles. (Darned pixy dust.) Even though I know it really isn't live and was recorded weeks ago, it still feels really special and I felt like I was almost there in the parks on Christmas seeing it too.

Okay, so we are less than 30 days to go!!!! 26 to be precise. After reading a lot, and I mean a lot of poor reviews on both Chefs de France and 'Ohana, so now I am starting to rethink my ADR's. Dangerous, I know. So now I am on the search for some good reviews to reassure me and keep me from changing my ADR's again.

Rose & Crown has been added and cancelled too many times to remember and so has 'Ohana and Chefs. Now down to the wire, and my poor type A brain is in overdrive trying to figure out whether to keep or toss. Yes, we've got free dining which includes 1 sit down meal a day, but I have scheduled a couple of others OOP and well, I would rather not pay for mediocre food. Even for free I would rather pass on the mediocrity.


Seeing as I am planning this whole thing I feel responsible somehow for making sure Mom has the best food and fun available with minimal hassle. I tried to plan an itinerary that isn't too exhausting and have lots of free time as well as try to see and do everything. Trying to get a balance of fun, rest, shopping, shows, plus a variety of food experiences as well. I wonder if this is how a cruise director feels?

After all the Christmas hustle and bustle now that the day is here and we have stuffed ourselves with wonderful food and sent Christmas joy to our loved ones, now I am finally chilling out listening to Los Lonely Boys and Del Castillo. Both Texas bands, gotta love those Texans. Chick music my hubby would call it, but I love the guitars and guitarists in general (proof of that is even my hubby is a guitarist and songwriter) It doesn't hurt that Alex Ruiz of Del Castillo has some mighty fine moves and is some nice eye candy. As is Henry Garza of Los Lonely Boys, but well Alex just has those moves

Ummm, I was talking about Disney originally wasn't I? Sorry, I got off track but well just watch Alex dance, you'll understand.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=KdPKHbKbyjk



Merry Christmas Everyone!!!

 

[Cin]

25 more days!
Oh yeah, and more ADR changes! Well...? It was better for our schedule. Ummm yeah, that's what it was. Okay so now Raglan Road on arrival night as originally scheduled. Boatwright's moved back again to Weds.

So what is your favorite park?
Mine has to be the Magic Kingdom. That to me, and many others IS Disneyworld.

So here are some random pics of my favorite place:
Blurry pic, but it's still the entrance gate for Magic Kingdom.

The Contemporary Resort in view on the right and just around the bend from here is the Magic Kingdom!

If anything about MK says Disney, it is without a doubt Cinderella's castle.
Here it is - Cinderella's Castle!

Mosaic tilework inside.

Isn't it beautiful craftsmanship?

Back out on main Street USA. Beautiful horse. Beautiful people.

You know you're in Disneyworld when...

Sadly Toontown is now a Disney archive. See the lady on the phone in the back? She does not look like she is at the most magical place on earth does she? It's probably those heels and the grey suit and the business call she seems to be taking. Bummer for her.

As pretty as a postcard! So relaxing, you can almost hear the banjos dueling.

Just scenes from the Magic Kingdom.

 

[Cin]

Random pics of my favorite place:

Look how empty it is. The advantage of arriving at rope drop!

I really want to be here --->

Love this place! Best burger topping bar.

I saw some pirates.

They went thataway!

Pretty signage.

More pretty signage.

Used to be the skyride. Also a Disney archive now.

What a team!

Eek!

I love this message. Oh yes, you will, in 26 days.

 

[oopsiDAISY]

Oh you will have perfect timing for swimsuits as they will be hitting the stores in Feb. I think though that the gift shops at WDW sell them too if I remember right.

We found swimsuits yesterday!!!! My sweet girls and I were having a day of shopping the after Christmas sales yesterday when I spied swimsuits for sale in their favorite little girls store, Justice! I couldn't tell them they would be needing them in a little over two months (our trip is a surprise), but I told them we could go ahead and get them for use this summer.

Loved your MK pictures! We watched the parade too. While I did not cry, DH and I kept mouthing things to each other behind the kids. We kept commenting on all all the things we will get to see again. Such a great feeling to watch it and know you will be there soon!!!

 

[Cin]

awwwww. Love the Tigger display!!

I also heard that about the parade. bummer!! Keep your eye on Easywdw and Josh because he really knows what's up!

Tigger drives my hubs crazy, but what's not to love?

I love easywdw! He does updates several times a week and I think the most current and accurate source of info I have found yet. Disboards is great too, but I use Josh for a single reference source. I wonder if he gets paid for what he does, or is it just a "hobby"? He taken it way beyond hobby level though, whatever you call it (Disney obsession/passion/addiction?) I am sure glad he chose to do his blog page!

 

[Cin]

We found swimsuits yesterday!!!! My sweet girls and I were having a day of shopping the after Christmas sales yesterday when I spied swimsuits for sale in their favorite little girls store, Justice! I couldn't tell them they would be needing them in a little over two months (our trip is a surprise), but I told them we could go ahead and get them for use this summer.

Loved your MK pictures! We watched the parade too. While I did not cry, DH and I kept mouthing things to each other behind the kids. We kept commenting on all all the things we will get to see again. Such a great feeling to watch it and know you will be there soon!!!

I don't know how you could keep this a secret!!! You're good. You're really good. I would have spilled the beans in excitement by now. I mean, how can you excitedly talk about your upcoming plans and all when you have to be hush-hush?