Adventures of a DisneyWORLDholic! Updated1/24 I was an unofficial WDW tour guide.

[jmskinner]

Putting myself in your shoes, that had to be tough leaving knowing he would be gone for 45 days! Even if you had been down that road before!

The view from your room is nice! Good pictures/videos!!

Kona! Can't wait to hear about that!! I forgot about that in my planning and plotting....oh, off topic for this TR (anyway) but guess what I am planning....

It was tough, but it was also good for Jacob and his Dad to have some man time.

The room did have a great view and it was a value. Thank you Duck for letting me stay with you!

Not long before your next trip. We may just see ya there. I'm thinking that maybe Jacob and I will head over Thanksgiving Day.

 

[jmskinner]

Once Rebecca and the Duck arrived, we got ready for our night. Another Dis'er, Sha, was nice and made us all matching shirts. And Rebecca ordered something special for everyone. A friend of hers had started catering or opened a bakery (obviously too much alcohol that weekend ) and Rebecca hasd ordered cookies and cupcakes for us all.

Here is Rebecca handing them out on the bus to the kids, "Grandma" next to her enjoyed one also:


It was a nice ride to MK. We had to stop to wait for a couple to purchase their MNSSHP ticket, and while we waited we got such a kick out of how many people were drooling over those cupcakes. Especially the Dads.

Then we were off to the Poly by Monorail. The wait wasn't long for such a large group.


Here are all the crazy people I was spending the evening with:






Once we arrived, I was really starting to feel down. I decided to drink my blues away, I normally do not do this and try not to drink when Jonas is away.

I don't remember what this was. But I was wishing I had ordered this one:



Before long they brought out the bread. We devoured it.


Our chef:


Food Porn:
Pan Asian Noodles


Sticky Wings


I ordered a second drink, but don't remember what it was and don't have a pic of it. But I was feeling better!

And it was time for cupcakes




Candy Corn


Awww, the Duck got pinned


I thought the waitress was good, but a little slow, especially when it came to the checks. We were getting a little upset because the party had already begun at MK and we were ready to go. But eventually we made our way out to the Monorail:


Next up, party time!!!!

 

[heaven2dc]

Yummy cupcakes!! Yummy drinks!! Loved the candy corn

 

[dismagiclover]

Those cupcakes look great! Sounds like a fun dinner at Kona, but I want to get to the party

 

[TinksThree]

Oops...confusing tickers! We go back to WDW in May!!

The Thanksgiving Trip is to Gatlinburg, TN. We go there every year for Thanksgiving and it has become our tradition. I put the ticker on because I desperately need a vacation right now and I like watching the days mark down! I hope you guys make it for a day! I am still so jealous you can just "drop-by" if you feel like it!!

Those cupcakes look so yummy!! And how sweet about the matching shirts!! It looks like a fun DisMeet so far!! Kona is making my lunch fail in comparison....looks like some good eats!!

 

[rebecca06261]

WEEEE!!!!!! That was a fun dinner and I really enjoyed giving out the cupcakes. We still had too many left over!

I had a great time with you, melissa and wish we could spend more time together before Jonas takes you away from me permanently

 

[jmskinner]

Yummy cupcakes!! Yummy drinks!! Loved the candy corn

It was all yummy!!!

Those cupcakes look great! Sounds like a fun dinner at Kona, but I want to get to the party

We did have a lot of fun. Party coming soon.

Oops...confusing tickers! We go back to WDW in May!!

The Thanksgiving Trip is to Gatlinburg, TN. We go there every year for Thanksgiving and it has become our tradition. I put the ticker on because I desperately need a vacation right now and I like watching the days mark down! I hope you guys make it for a day! I am still so jealous you can just "drop-by" if you feel like it!!

Those cupcakes look so yummy!! And how sweet about the matching shirts!! It looks like a fun DisMeet so far!! Kona is making my lunch fail in comparison....looks like some good eats!!

Oh, I have always wanted to go to Gatlinburg. Driven through Tennesse a few times, it is so pretty.

Believe me, I feel very fortunate to live so close. It's been an amazing two years!

WEEEE!!!!!! That was a fun dinner and I really enjoyed giving out the cupcakes. We still had too many left over!

I had a great time with you, melissa and wish we could spend more time together before Jonas takes you away from me permanently

I had a blast with you too and hope we do get to spend more time together. I was trying to remember what happened to the cupcakes, did you leave them for the staff at the restaurant?

 

[natebenma]

Hi- I am way behind in my DISsing! I chaired a mother-son dance last week (2010: A Space Odyssey, some great costumes just like SWW) and tonight is opening night for the boys play, Schoolhouse Rock.

First off, a belated Veteran's Day thank you to Jonas and to you and your family for your sacrifices.

Really enjoyed your updates! So nice to be able to meet friends who share a love of Disney!

Wow, what amazing photos of AKL!

Sounds like the long-awaited football jersey was a big hit. Nice!!!

Looks like a fantastic time at Kona. It really is a nice atmosphere for a get together. Food looked awesome.

LOVE the picture of the monorail with the flag and the moon!

Have a super weekend.

 

[SimmerBaggins]

Even though I know it was tough not to think about Jonas being gone during your Dis Meet, I'm really glad they were there for you to be with. What a big, fun group it looked like!!

And, I cracked up at Jacob's question about the Mustang picking him up -- he's your boy!! Have you seen that commercial about the kid hiding out behind the bushes at school, because his dad showed up in a station wagon? Hilarious!

...I want one of those cupcakes!!! I can imagine being one of the passengers on that bus, looking longingly at them -- I'm glad no one has ever tempted me like that!

Great update, Melissa...hope you're hanging in there!

 

[jmskinner]

Hi- I am way behind in my DISsing! I chaired a mother-son dance last week (2010: A Space Odyssey, some great costumes just like SWW) and tonight is opening night for the boys play, Schoolhouse Rock.

First off, a belated Veteran's Day thank you to Jonas and to you and your family for your sacrifices.

Really enjoyed your updates! So nice to be able to meet friends who share a love of Disney!

Wow, what amazing photos of AKL!

Sounds like the long-awaited football jersey was a big hit. Nice!!!

Looks like a fantastic time at Kona. It really is a nice atmosphere for a get together. Food looked awesome.

LOVE the picture of the monorail with the flag and the moon!

Have a super weekend.

Thank you.

Wow, you have been busy, but sounds like a lot of fun.

It is nice to meet others that love Disney and Kona was wonderful. Got breakfast booked for the big anniversary trip.

And thank you about the photo. Thought the monorail and flag would be a great pic and noticed the moon afterwards.

Even though I know it was tough not to think about Jonas being gone during your Dis Meet, I'm really glad they were there for you to be with. What a big, fun group it looked like!!

And, I cracked up at Jacob's question about the Mustang picking him up -- he's your boy!! Have you seen that commercial about the kid hiding out behind the bushes at school, because his dad showed up in a station wagon? Hilarious!

...I want one of those cupcakes!!! I can imagine being one of the passengers on that bus, looking longingly at them -- I'm glad no one has ever tempted me like that!

Great update, Melissa...hope you're hanging in there!

I love that commercial!!! Little snot. (Does anyone else forget about the smilies and type in things like LOL or ROTFL.)

I'm dragging this evening. Took Jacob and a friend to Orlando for a place called Fun Spot for go-karts, amusement park rides and video games. It really was fun and I highly recommend it. That first go-kart ride had me a little scared though. You dropped down and I about freaked when Jacob was in front of me and I saw that kart fly. Seriously, all four wheels were off the ground for a second or two.

Hope everyone is having a great weekend. One more week and my kiddo will be out of school for a week. Not sure if I am happy or sad about that. No homework at least.

 

[jmskinner]

We made it!!!





Can't you tell these are fun people.

Had to get a pic of this group:


Can't really tell from the pic, but those orange strands hanging down light up. I didn't realize until later that they could be purchased there in the park.

Love these balloons


The light up ones crack me up because they look like ghost faces, perfect for Halloween, but they aren't specific to Halloween. We also figured out on a bus later they do have on/off switches. Or that was going to be an annoying bus ride.

We decided to skip the first parade and do some Trick-or-Treating. CANDY!!!! Headed toward Tomorrowland:



We decided to take a spin with Buzz:






After Buzz, we found the candy line by it, then the one by the Speedway, then it was time for the big candy line from Toontown to Space Mountain. Once through that line, we waited up for the others. Forgot to mention we split up before the Speedway candy stop so a few could ride Space Mountain. Once they were done, we headed over for the fireworks.

I took a video of the whole thing, but where I was standing I got the whole castle, but not that much of the fireworks. I have since learned there is a switch for closeups and landscapes, so I am wondering if it was on closeup?

But, you know me, the crazy camera person. One hand help up the video camera and the other the Canon:






I am still amazed the castle looks so great when this occurs every night:


I think I took some decent one handed shots...I had nothing to do with it, it is all the camera.

Next up, the parade!!!

 

[TinksThree]

Magnificent pictures! I do the video/camera in each hand also! I have become quite the master at it most times but the pictures sometimes do not come out to great...of course I do not have a fabulous camera like you either!

 

[jmskinner]

Magnificent pictures! I do the video/camera in each hand also! I have become quite the master at it most times but the pictures sometimes do not come out to great...of course I do not have a fabulous camera like you either!

So I'm not the only one that attempts these things. Sadly, it didn't work so well when I also tried to steady a drink in my lap...but more on that one later.

 

[dismagiclover]

You got some pretty decent fireworks shots! Especially for them being one handed

 

[jmskinner]

You got some pretty decent fireworks shots! Especially for them being one handed

Thank you, I try. We will see if I can continue those two camera shots.

 

[jmskinner]

We debated after the fireworks if we should try to ride HM or find a parade spot. Now, when the family attended just a month earlier we learned that wasn't a good idea, so parade spot it was.

We were so early the ropes weren't even out yet, but being an experienced WDW person, I realized where the little holes for the poles were and found a spot. We were close enough when the ropes did appear, we had to move back just an inch or two.

So, did my one handed camera shots work,





Not the best, but here is what the left hand was doing (click on the pic for video)


I'll stop talking...typing I mean and let you enjoy the parade












And a few videos (remember to click on the pics)


This video has my favorites...pirates and the gravediggers with the dancers!


I remember reading how the shovels have to be filed down after each performance because they get so sharp during the parade.

And that folks is




Not the TR, just the parade. More to come!!!

 

[dismagiclover]

Great parade pictures! Especially the headless horseman ones.

 

[natebenma]

Wow! AWESOME pictures, one-handed or not. The fireworks pictures and parade photos are amazing! Sounds like a wonderful night so far, one you definitely deserve!

I look forward to continuing to read about more fun.

 

[jmskinner]

Great parade pictures! Especially the headless horseman ones.

Thanks!

Wow! AWESOME pictures, one-handed or not. The fireworks pictures and parade photos are amazing! Sounds like a wonderful night so far, one you definitely deserve!

I look forward to continuing to read about more fun.

Thanks! It was a wonderful night!

 

[jmskinner]

Sorry I haven't updated. Been trying to catch up on other TR's. I usually do that on Jonas' laptop, but he has it with him. Been sort of crazy around here, Bubblegum had surgery for a mass yesterday and she kept me awake all night. Poor dog didn't want to lay down. Plus, I have started my Christmas decorating. I love to decorate for Christmas. I know Jonas is afraid I'll turn into one of those people with so much it takes months to put up. Not that bad...yet!!!!

On with the TR.


I previously ended with the end of the Boo To You! parade. I believe (my memory isn't work too well this morning), we decided to ride BTMRR. Always a great ride in the dark. People were starting to drop out at this point, but a few of us wanted to go on Splash Mountain. Those that wanted to stay dry did not and they were smart.



And here are the few that rode:


Would you believe one of the guys with us had a heart attack just a couple of weeks before this night. He had the GAC card, so we didn't have to walk the whole line. Everyone was asking him if he was sure. I tell ya, that was Disney dedication. All was well once we were off and went to meet up with all that was left of our group.

Then we saw these guys, who I had never seen before:


And video (remember to click on the pic)


The guy dancing is Gary. Can't remember if I have mentioned this before, but he loves to pop up in people's pictures. That is why I was laughing. I've toured the world a couple of times with him, and he is always sneaking off to get in a pic. So, if you have any of these pics with the guy in them, now you know who he is.

And here is another attempt at photography

I love pics of reflections in water.

From here, it was Haunted Mansion. First we got our pic together. I need to see if that is around somewhere. I would love to have it.

Then we rode the ride. Again, using the GAC area to load. I remember there was family ahead of us that we ended up passing. Don't know why they wouldn't just load up on the ride. It was very interesting to enter on the exit and ride through looking at all the people waiting to ride.

And that was it for the party. It was almost Midnight and we were all tired. Plus, we had an 8:00am rope drop the next morning. But once we got to our room, I learned there was a surprise for the next day. Part of it was a belated birthday party for me. The Duck is so sweet.

She had purchased gifts for me and a couple for Jacob and had everyone send me card.



I joined a thread over a year ago and all of us have become good friends. Hopefully one day we can all meet up at WDW.

Next up, will we make rope drop?