All I Want For Christmas Is an Okapi, a Dinosaur, a Herd of Elephants and ...

[CanadianWDWfan]

The view of the fireworks from the beach on NYE was amazing!
I am glad I went and got to meet all of you but wish I felt better.
Most of the evening felt like the world was spinning round and round...

I'm so glad that's the only pic of me...wouldn't have been my best day for a group photo.

Thank you again for inviting us!

Thanks to MsWig'd for giving out the glow rings and Poolrat for the glow necklaces.

Thanks Dave & Cathy for sharing your grass and view with us!

I was so glad we had rented a car that day...we were back at POP fairly quickly.
I can't imagine trying to make my way through those crowds feeling the way I did.

I hope one day we can have another meet.

I love the girls pink 2012 tees! Very cute!
I think the 2012 tees and NYE Mickey ears were the first purchases we made on arrival day.

WOW! I've never seen WoD that empty...great shopping pics!

I see some things that came home with me last week.
The red colander and Mickey pasta.
The black & white Mickey, Minnie, Donald and Goofy plushies.

I have a trip update:
I altered our reservation for August and booked a split stay at POP (7 nights) and Caribbean Beach (6 nights).
Seeing your pics the other day got my wheels turning...and it should be fun.
This will be our first split so I hope the move will be as smooth as others say it is.
Disney is so awesome to move all of our luggage.

 

[punkin413]

Hey, girls! Peeping in to say I'm here and trying to catch up when I can. Of course I'm reading backwards. Just made it through NYE at the Poly. I'm almost done with my TR from October, and I'll be so glad when I am so when I come to the disboards I can just read with no obligations! Just wanted to say hi.

 

[uncw89]

While most of the World was asleep - we both were up and getting ready.

Love the shopping in WoD- I see several pieces of jewelry that are catching my eye.

That very morning Marc and I were segwaying around World Showcase, before the park opened.

I don't think anyone got much sleep that night!! It was worth it though!! Unfortunately, I had to get up and go home that day!!!
I think I did sleep a little later than you guys though!

 

[MeMom]

I know there is no prize but I'm going to guess zebra domes.

Correct! You win the prize - the satisfaction of being a winner.
I would send you a pack of zebra domes by mail, but that would be a disaster.

That is so great that you are going to get to stay at BC!!! I am so thrilled for you. Anita & Mark are the best!!

I think your plan to stay at POR is a great one. That will be a great combination to stay at the BC & then POR. You can always look forward to CB another stay. I think you are making a great choice.

We have enjoyed the beautiful weather here in NH this weekend. Sunshine all weekend. Although they are saying rain later but we have been enjoying the outdoors & our back deck.

Hope you had a great weekend as well.

I think that will work out best, too. That way, I can look forward to adding CBR to the end of a Pop trip sometime within the next year or two. I will probably book our POR days when we get back from the summer trip. Anita has already booked the Beach Club part, and yes, she and Marc are pretty awesome people.

It's been in the 90's here and sunny. Definitely feeling like summer.

Oh how I love shopping with MeMom before work! I can't wait to fill up a basket at World Of Disney! I want a bunch of new kitchen stuff and some t-shirts and all of the jewellery!

You better have a big basket....

and a big jar of money you have saved!

That is so cute and funny! My best friend went to college in Virginia, graduated over a year ago, and sometimes still lets out a "y'all." She doesn't really have a Boston accent, which is funny. I, on the other hand, apparently sound distinctly Bostonian.

Great shopping pictures, as always. And, I have to admit, the sight of that envelope always makes me sad, even if it's not for me.

I'm not a y'all person. I am a you guys person. I might come out with a y'all one in every thousand times, but I think the you guys is more ingrained in me from my Florida days, where everyone in St. Pete was from the north. This area is mostly made up of y'all people, but out in the country, some people say you'uns. I am definitely not a you'uns person.

I feel sad when I see people open their doors to the dreaded envelopes, too. I feel even worse when they are hauling their luggage away from their rooms. I try not to make eye contact.

I love the Disney shopping without the crowds. Just think if you stay at POR you can just catch the boat to DTD. All the little girl things were so cutie. I wish their was a little girl in my family to dress. DH and I have 4 nephews and only one niece and she is in her 20's now. Now that they are older and having kids, you guessed it so far two great nephews. I guess I will still need to shop in the little boy section of DTD.

They have a lot of cute boy things, too. I see things I know our little boy cousins love. I will probably be bringing back some little boy stuff for them this summer.

I like your plans for DIS town square. Mickey is smiling on that envelope but receiving it is never fun. we should offer them some suggestions on easing the pain...although short of saying, "you get to stay!" I'm not sure what they could do to make it better.

Just think... You will be back there soon!!!

I think DIStown Square would be a beautiful place to meet and talk in the mornings. We'll have some nice covered swings and picnic tables. And we'll have good coffee for all the coffee drinkers.

We will be back very soon!

Wow! I have never seen World of Disney that uncrowded before. I could spend hours in the jewelry section. I love looking at all the earrings, bracelets and watches. Maybe I need to try an early morning shopping trip this time.

I loved looking at all your pictures in there. I thought I had seen all the decorations in the store, but you have some pictures of things I don't ever remember seeing. I can see I'm going to need a good long shopping trip this time. haha Won't my DH just love that!

An early morning visit to World of Disney allows you to really look without having to wait your turn and move on quickly when you are in the jewelry department.

Maybe leave your husband in bed and just show him the fruits of your labor later???

Ahhhh! Those NYE fireworks! They are so amazing.

Great shopping trip through the World of Disney. I spotted a few things I'd love to bring home too. Not surprising. Henry is equally as fascinated with the trams. We set up WDW sometimes, with the monorail, Contemporary, Epcot is built out of Legos, a parking lot and tram. Good fun!

I really looked at the park icons several times, but I fought off buying them. I wanted a monorail and a Contemporary for it to go through, and I wanted an Epcot 'ball' and a hat and a castle and ......

I didn't have the money, so the choice was easy. I got none of it.

The fireworks are something you have to see in person to really appreciate.

I saw a few things that I NEED in your shopping photos!
If they still have Pascal that little rascal will be coming back to Kansas with us! I'm also looking for Maximus. Wouldn't you know they don't have either at Disney Shopping....

Jen was here visiting this weekend and she headed back to Texas this morning, can you believe she has to be a work tomorrow for a breakfast? Staff only and then a work day. No students just teachers....
Crazy!

We went to Kansas City and hit the Disney Store, a few items were purchased but since we had just been a few weeks ago, it wasn't a huge haul!

Hey guess what, we don't have to go to school tomorrow!!!!!

Brooklynn had a Maximus. Not sure is she still does, or if it is one of the many animals that Jill has managed to sneak out to a consignment sale. You could ask Brooklynn is she'll sell it to you for a dollar. A dollar thrills her these days. Note that it's up from the quarter that worked a couple of years ago, so go ahead and get your bid in now before things change!

Yay for a visit with Jen!

No school again today? Well, then !!!
I have to go work in my room, but after today, I am really, truly finished.

The NYE fireworks from the Poly look so fun! I definitely like getting to DTD earlier in the day, the stores get so crowded later on in the afternoon. It's much easier to shop sans crowds!

Poly is our favorite viewing spot now.

World of Disney in the evening is too crowded to be enjoyable to me. I usually end up taking one or more girl out, and we'll listen to music out at the stage or roam around where there is more space.

Loved shopping with you in DTD today.

So many cute things. I could spend so much!

I know what you mean. Unlimited funds would be a nice way to shop there.

Just saw the rest of your shopping pictures. It must have been so nice shopping without all the crazy crowds, especially after the night before!

Looks like most of the night before crowd was still asleep.

While most of the World was asleep - we both were up and getting ready.

Love the shopping in WoD- I see several pieces of jewelry that are catching my eye.

I wear gold earrings, but it seems like they have a lot of silver. I see a lot of things I like, but most is in silver, and I don't look right in silver.

Where were you headed on New Year's Day?

That very morning Marc and I were segwaying around World Showcase, before the park opened.

Yeah, I remember you talking about that. Wanna share a picture?

I can't believe how uncrowded the WOD store was!!! We usually go at night when it is wall to wall people. Might be worth making an early am trip just to avoid the crowds. So happy for you that you get to stay at the BC.

Hope everyone has a great week. At least it is a short one.

I am pretty excited about Beach Club! My friend may never want to go back to a value.

This is a very short work week for me - one day!

The view of the fireworks from the beach on NYE was amazing!
I am glad I went and got to meet all of you but wish I felt better.
Most of the evening felt like the world was spinning round and round...

I'm so glad that's the only pic of me...wouldn't have been my best day for a group photo.

Thank you again for inviting us!

Thanks to MsWig'd for giving out the glow rings and Poolrat for the glow necklaces.

Thanks Dave & Cathy for sharing your grass and view with us!

I was so glad we had rented a car that day...we were back at POP fairly quickly.
I can't imagine trying to make my way through those crowds feeling the way I did.

I hope one day we can have another meet.

I love the girls pink 2012 tees! Very cute!
I think the 2012 tees and NYE Mickey ears were the first purchases we made on arrival day.

WOW! I've never seen WoD that empty...great shopping pics!

I see some things that came home with me last week.
The red colander and Mickey pasta.
The black & white Mickey, Minnie, Donald and Goofy plushies.

I have a trip update:
I altered our reservation for August and booked a split stay at POP (7 nights) and Caribbean Beach (6 nights).
Seeing your pics the other day got my wheels turning...and it should be fun.
This will be our first split so I hope the move will be as smooth as others say it is.
Disney is so awesome to move all of our luggage.

There will be more meets in the future, Im sure.

Your trip plans sound great. Send me lots of pictures, because I will be in school.

Your move should be a breeze. You are just moving to the resort right next door. You could pack up and take everything in a cab yourself, if you wanted to. Check it in at luggage services, if the room isn't ready, and head out for some fun. Or just enjoy the resort until your room is ready.

Hey, girls! Peeping in to say I'm here and trying to catch up when I can. Of course I'm reading backwards. Just made it through NYE at the Poly. I'm almost done with my TR from October, and I'll be so glad when I am so when I come to the disboards I can just read with no obligations! Just wanted to say hi.

Hi there, Dawn! It is work to keep up with trip reports, but it's fun to hang out with DIS friends through them.

I don't think anyone got much sleep that night!! It was worth it though!! Unfortunately, I had to get up and go home that day!!!
I think I did sleep a little later than you guys though!

Noooooo - don't go home!!!

We had to go home the next day, and then back to work the next.

 

[wigdoutdismom]

I could post a picture of us on our Segway adventure, but first I need to get Marc to load it into photo bucket.
That's his job.

He is outside installing our new pool slide. So I'll let him finish that first. The kids are chomping at the bit to use it!!!

 

[hollisterluva92]

-I have yet to watch the fireworks from the Poly beach, but I definitely want to do that!
-I love sassy Bella is! I love her and Brooklyn's matching shirts too
-I always try to take a picture with the snow characters at Downtown Disney!
-I could spend a lot more than anyone should at OUAT!
-I love the Disney Library part of WOD!
-That multicolored tutu skirt is adorable!
-I've always loved the light up castle!
-It's so cute that Brooklyn was helping Bella up onto the Alligator
-One day, I will get one of those Dooney and Bourke park bags!
Hope your having a good day at work!

 

[MeMom]

I could post a picture of us on our Segway adventure, but first I need to get Marc to load it into photo bucket.
That's his job.

He is outside installing our new pool slide. So I'll let him finish that first. The kids are chomping at the bit to use it!!!

When he's finished, we're all coming over and playing like your backyard is Typhoon Lagoon.

-I have yet to watch the fireworks from the Poly beach, but I definitely want to do that!
-I love sassy Bella is! I love her and Brooklyn's matching shirts too
-I always try to take a picture with the snow characters at Downtown Disney!
-I could spend a lot more than anyone should at OUAT!
-I love the Disney Library part of WOD!
-That multicolored tutu skirt is adorable!
-I've always loved the light up castle!
-It's so cute that Brooklyn was helping Bella up onto the Alligator
-One day, I will get one of those Dooney and Bourke park bags!
Hope your having a good day at work!

I am all finished working in the room now. That's it for good for about eight weeks. It will be a short and busy summer, so I got everything done as fast as I could so that I could get started on it.

Once Upon a Toy is a kid's dream store, I think. I missed the game tree out between there and Earl's this year. They opted for a more traditional tree, but I hope they will see fit to bring the game tree back in the future.

I hope you get to watch fireworks from the beach sometime. I think you will enjoy it.

 

[jenjolt]

I had a great visit up with Anita and her crew!! One of these days I'll remember to bring my swimsuit with me!!!

YAY for your last day!!! Mine too...now let summer begin!!!

 

[wigdoutdismom]

My backyard and pool is a great spot to hang out. Several of my teacher friends will be "keeping an eye" on it and then there's my grown up kids that will be here while we are gone. I don't think the pool will be a bit lonely.

The water won't be warm enough for me to get in until July anyway, so they might as well enjoy it.

Come on over, the slide is ready!!!

 

[Megablocks]

I'm not a y'all person. I am a you guys person. I might come out with a y'all one in every thousand times, but I think the you guys is more ingrained in me from my Florida days, where everyone in St. Pete was from the north. This area is mostly made up of y'all people, but out in the country, some people say you'uns. I am definitely not a you'uns person.

I feel sad when I see people open their doors to the dreaded envelopes, too. I feel even worse when they are hauling their luggage away from their rooms. I try not to make eye contact.

I really have no idea how my BFF picked up "y'all," considering she spent over a year abroad instead of in Virginia, and basically taught herself to not speak with a Boston accent. Her friends at school were amazed when I came down to visit for a weekend!

Oh, I hate seeing people hauling their luggage away!! Or waiting for the Un-Magical Express to pick them up...I also try really, really hard not to make eye contact!

 

[CanadianWDWfan]

I think it's so funny that none of us make eye contact with the Un-Magical people...guess we don't want to be reminded our turn will come up too.

I'm not a fan of the envelope on the door! I wish my trips never have to end.

It would be a dream come true to have a backyard pool...and a house in Orlando to go with it...

Thanks for the tip about using the cab, don't know why I didn't think of it.

 

[marDgreen88]

I posted a comment yesterday that I think you accidentally missed! It was right before you posted with your Downtown Disney pictures, so that's probably why. I always really enjoy your shopping pictures! It's nice to see that World of Disney wasn't insanely crowded that day!

 

[punkin413]

Checking in again (and marking my spot on page 124) - I think I said this on FB but just in case....

BELATED CONGRATS TO BROOKLYNN! Such a beautiful ballerina and super smart kindergarten graduate!

 

[MeMom]

I had a great visit up with Anita and her crew!! One of these days I'll remember to bring my swimsuit with me!!!

YAY for your last day!!! Mine too...now let summer begin!!!

Or you could just buy one while you are there. I have a feeling you girls do some shopping when you are together.

Yep - I only had to work one day this week. Next week I have three days of workshops.

My backyard and pool is a great spot to hang out. Several of my teacher friends will be "keeping an eye" on it and then there's my grown up kids that will be here while we are gone. I don't think the pool will be a bit lonely.

The water won't be warm enough for me to get in until July anyway, so they might as well enjoy it.

Come on over, the slide is ready!!!

Do you have a poolside concession stand?

I'm sure your teacher friends will enjoy watching the pool for you.

I really have no idea how my BFF picked up "y'all," considering she spent over a year abroad instead of in Virginia, and basically taught herself to not speak with a Boston accent. Her friends at school were amazed when I came down to visit for a weekend!

Oh, I hate seeing people hauling their luggage away!! Or waiting for the Un-Magical Express to pick them up...I also try really, really hard not to make eye contact!

One of my least favorite southern things a few people do, and really it is mostly older people, is to put an 'r' in things like wash. They will say warsh the clothes. I have no idea where that comes from. Luckily, it is not too common.

I think it's so funny that none of us make eye contact with the Un-Magical people...guess we don't want to be reminded our turn will come up too.

I'm not a fan of the envelope on the door! I wish my trips never have to end.

It would be a dream come true to have a backyard pool...and a house in Orlando to go with it...

Thanks for the tip about using the cab, don't know why I didn't think of it.

We're a polite bunch of Disney people. We don't want to make the departure any harder than it already is for people.

I want a pool and a privacy fence, but I think mine is going to be in either Tennessee or Alabama.

I posted a comment yesterday that I think you accidentally missed! It was right before you posted with your Downtown Disney pictures, so that's probably why. I always really enjoy your shopping pictures! It's nice to see that World of Disney wasn't insanely crowded that day!

I am so sorry! I hate it when I do that! Jackie and I often type over the top of each other during the school year as we are starting our days off with some Disney happiness. Stringbean & Wingnut, too. I know I've missed people's posts and had mine missed, as well.

I hope everyone does always bring it to my attention, rather than just feel ignored.

Now you know the secret as to when you can shop without being ankle bumped by strollers or squeezed in by a thousand other shoppers.

Checking in again (and marking my spot on page 124) - I think I said this on FB but just in case....

BELATED CONGRATS TO BROOKLYNN! Such a beautiful ballerina and super smart kindergarten graduate!

Brooklynn is getting to be such a big girl these days. Today, she is going on a field trip to go bowling. She will enjoy that.

 

[wigdoutdismom]

Hahahaha! A concession stand. Oh goodness, I hope Marc doesn't see this. He will have the pop-up lemonade pulled out and another summer job will be launched.

We typically have a school pool day over here weekly and everyone brings snacks to share. It's fun to visit with our school friends and see the kids swim!

I can't believe we will be gone for almost a month, June 11 through July 8. That's a long time for my pool to be lonely, the pets to be in the kennel, and most of all for a new grandbaby to be without his Mimi.
I told Marc that it wouldn't be such a long trip next summer.

 

[CanadianWDWfan]

I feel like I'm one of y'all today...I have the day off in the middle of the week!

I only have three more shifts at my location and then come Monday I move to my new store.
I'm gonna miss my staff, I have built a good little team.
When I was at WDW I bought them all Mickey key chains to remember me by and say thank you.
I know they will all smile at the gesture cause they all think I'm a little nuts for loving Disney so much.
Some of them think I need rehab.

I kinda feel like you must feel when you get a new bunch of students every year...it's the same job but different personalities to work with.
It will be great to have a commute that is half the time.

Well I guess I'm off for a day trip to the States with my DMom. She just came into my room and said "why don't we go" .... and the shopper in me can't possibly turn her down.

I was gonna post some trip pics for you, but I'll do it later.
Enjoy your day all!
It's gonna be a lovely 75 degrees here.

PS...I would gladly run your lemonade stand MsWig'd if we all had a DISmeet at your pool.
I'll bring the ketchup chips cause you can't get those in the US.

 

[wigdoutdismom]

I feel like I'm one of y'all today...I have the day off in the middle of the week!



PS...I would gladly run your lemonade stand MsWig'd if we all had a DISmeet at your pool.
I'll bring the ketchup chips cause you can't get those in the US.

I'm so relieved that I have someone to run the lemonade stand. I would love a DISmeet at my pool!
Ketchup chips? Sounds interesting! I think that would be a great snack to bring!
I know Lexie would have fun swimming with all of the DIS kids!

 

[MeMom]

Hahahaha! A concession stand. Oh goodness, I hope Marc doesn't see this. He will have the pop-up lemonade pulled out and another summer job will be launched.

We typically have a school pool day over here weekly and everyone brings snacks to share. It's fun to visit with our school friends and see the kids swim!

I can't believe we will be gone for almost a month, June 11 through July 8. That's a long time for my pool to be lonely, the pets to be in the kennel, and most of all for a new grandbaby to be without his Mimi.
I told Marc that it wouldn't be such a long trip next summer.

Frozen lemonade and a burger piled high with tomatoes sounds like a good lunch by the pool.

You are going to be gone a very long time. My two weeks feels long now, but when it's time to leave, I will probably feel differently.

I feel like I'm one of y'all today...I have the day off in the middle of the week!

I only have three more shifts at my location and then come Monday I move to my new store.
I'm gonna miss my staff, I have built a good little team.
When I was at WDW I bought them all Mickey key chains to remember me by and say thank you.
I know they will all smile at the gesture cause they all think I'm a little nuts for loving Disney so much.
Some of them think I need rehab.

I kinda feel like you must feel when you get a new bunch of students every year...it's the same job but different personalities to work with.
It will be great to have a commute that is half the time.

Well I guess I'm off for a day trip to the States with my DMom. She just came into my room and said "why don't we go" .... and the shopper in me can't possibly turn her down.

I was gonna post some trip pics for you, but I'll do it later.
Enjoy your day all!
It's gonna be a lovely 75 degrees here.

PS...I would gladly run your lemonade stand MsWig'd if we all had a DISmeet at your pool.
I'll bring the ketchup chips cause you can't get those in the US.

Enjoy your shopping trip!

I like fries with ketchep, but I'm not so sure about potato chips. That would be a new one for me, although Drew has eaten chip with ketchup on them before.

75 is a wonderful temperature.

I'm so relieved that I have someone to run the lemonade stand. I would love a DISmeet at my pool!
Ketchup chips? Sounds interesting! I think that would be a great snack to bring!
I know Lexie would have fun swimming with all of the DIS kids!

Is your pool big enough for all these DIS kids? We're probably going to need to bring some extra lounge chairs. And I am going to have to have an umbrella.

 

[MeMom]

Let's check out Team Mickey.

The good thing about this store is that not everything says Disney on it, so I can find my guys some stuff that they will wear.

I didn't find anything that day, though, I don't think.

For little boys and big ones.

Moving on to Once Upon a Toy.

Store decor.

Muppet stuff.

Methinks the family is about to expand.

 

[MeMom]

Bringing Disney home.

A hippo or a dino?

Disney reading time!

Always look up and down in Disney stores. There are so many interesting details.

See, I told you the family was going to get bigger!

There's the Contemporary I want my monorail to run through.

I just don't have the monorail, yet.