Andreah and Brian - Dec 8th, 2009 (Reception Photos Posted)

[acwinsett]

Second order of business . . . procure some essential wedding / Disney-moon gear. For those of you who were worried that the "old style" bride and groom mouse ears are being discontinued, we had no trouble at all finding them. The Chapeau as well as the Emporium in Main Street USA had plenty of each in stock.

Okay, so by now I was ready for "real" lunch and, being the creatures of habit that we are, we decided to go to Pecos Bill's for burgers and fries. This is the place where we shared our first meal as an engaged couple. I think we "floated" over there in a cloud of complete and total shock. Anyway, as a silly little tradition, we decided we needed to eat there on each trip!

And after lunch, it's time for dessert (naturally) and Brian had just one thing on his mind - a Mickey Premium Ice Cream Bar!!!

After food, we went to a few attractions. First, Brian's favorite - the Haunted Mansion:

Then the "WILDEST RIDE IN THE WILDERNESS!!!"

Yo-Ho-Ho-Ho . . .

 

[acwinsett]

And this was my first time seeing the Tiki Room:

We didn't have much of a wait for any of the attractions. We did Fastpass Big Thunder Mountain, but the other attractions were practically walk-on. By now our tiredness was beginning to catch up with us, so we decided to take a leisurely ride on the train - it was Brian's first ride on the Magic Kingdom train.

We decided that we'd say goodbye to Magic Kingdom for the evening and find someplace to "couch and slouch" as Gavin would say.

Next . . . Evening at Polynesian and Grand Floridian

 

[29apr00]

WOW Andrea, your slideshow is AWESOME! So cute i bet your planner was so pleased to see you so organized!!!

Can't wait to hear about the PS!

 

[acwinsett]

Our dinner reservation wasn't until 9:30, but we decided that we'd like to go over to that little lounge next to Ohana and have a drink and "chill".

While we were on the monorail we sat next to a nice family that was dressed to the nines. We asked if they were going to a wedding, by chance. They said "no", but they were having a reception for their wedding at - of all places - the Napa Room at California Grill! They are from Orlando, but had been married in Tennessee about a month ago. That's soooo funny! We're from Tennessee and getting married in Orlando. We though it was so cool that, of all the people at Walt Disney World, we ran into the one family that was hosting a dinner in the Napa Room that day! I wanted to hit them up for their email address to get photos, but decided against it. I didn't want to creep them out or anything But what a CRAZY coincidence!

So we got off the monorail at the Poly and went to the restroom. I finished up before Brian and ran over to the gift shop for a minute. When I went back over by the restrooms I saw Brian talking to a man, a lady and their little boy. It was a good friend of his from high school! It was someone that I knew of from Brian and had seen some comments he had left on Brian's Facebook. The day just gets crazier and crazier!

It's cocktail time!

I had something called a "Puretini", which is similar to a Cosmopolitan. Delicious!

After our drinks we took the monorail over to the Grand Floridian. It still wasn't quite time for us to go to dinner, so we decided to snoop a little:

Finally, it was time to check-in for our dinner at Narcoossee's. We waited on the patio for our table as the Electric Water Pageant was going by:

The dinner was amazing. Brian had Surf and Turf and I had Shrimp and Crab Bisque and Crab Cakes. I was so tired, though, I nearly passed out face-forward in my bowl of delicious soup. So tired, in fact, that we couldn't manage to order dessert. And we had a great view of Wishes from our table, so we just watched from inside instead of going out on the deck.

All in all it was an amazing first day!

 

[pinkcow]

Catching up, everything looks wonderful! It sounds like you had a great trip, can't wait to hear more!

 

[beatlesblonde]

Hey date twin! Great trip report so far, love the pics I can't believe we only have 18 weeks to go....

 

[pinkcow]

Hey date twin! Great trip report so far, love the pics I can't believe we only have 18 weeks to go....

18 weeks! OMG don't say that! It is getting really close!

 

[Pirate's Princess]

Love the slideslow and the Trip Report so far! Looks like you had a great time and I can't wait to actually read about the PS!

Side note: I just love your dress. Every since you found your dress on ebay, I keep scoping it our for Kristie Kelly dresses. Well today they had yours for the low low price of $1500!!! You got a steal!!

 

[MainStMandy]

Everything sounds great!! You guys look like had a lot fun! Can't wait to read more!

 

[GoonieBride]

I love the water pageant parade! did you know that it is the longest running parade in Disney history? Im still seasonal with Disney, and from time to time i take out fireworks cruises for Wishes. The parade is my favorite part. it is soo much better up close on the water!

Im glad you had a great time! looking forward to more!

 

[acwinsett]

18 weeks! OMG don't say that! It is getting really close!

Hey date twin! Great trip report so far, love the pics I can't believe we only have 18 weeks to go....

I know! It will be here before we know it!

 

[acwinsett]

Love the slideslow and the Trip Report so far! Looks like you had a great time and I can't wait to actually read about the PS!

Side note: I just love your dress. Every since you found your dress on ebay, I keep scoping it our for Kristie Kelly dresses. Well today they had yours for the low low price of $1500!!! You got a steal!!

Thank you! I'm definitely very pleased with my purchase!

You should keep looking, though. A bunch of KK dresses came online today with fairly high starting bid prices, but I have seen some that are very reasonable recently, like $100 to $200.

Just imagine my surprise when we were walking through the lobby of the Grand Floridian with my sweetie and walk right past THIS window display:

There are at least a hundred dresses in that collection and they have MINE on display! I played it cool, though. Caught myself before I let out a very LARGE gasp right there in front of Brian. I pretended to not even notice . . .

 

[Chilly]

Can't wait to read more.

 

[Carye]

I just stumbled across your pj and it is awesome. I absolutely love all the projects you have come up with, I might have to steal you menu design I love the little mickey bride and groom at the top. Can't wait to hear how the rest of your ps went and what all else you come up with in the next 18 weeks.

 

[acwinsett]

We got up bright and early Sunday morning for our "play day". Before hitting the parks, we decided to go exploring the Pop Century resort, since it's one of the places we selected for our guests.

Photo op with the Potato Heads:

1980's and 1990's buildings:

Walking down "Memory Lane":

Disney has it well hidden, but we tried to sneak a peek of the partially completed "Legendary Years" portion of Pop Century. I guess they'll finish it . . . eventually:

1960's and 1970's buildings:

We stopped for a quick breakfast at Everything Pop Food Court . . . Brian had the Adult Breakfast platter and I had a Croissant Sandwich. Nothing too exciting, but tasty nonetheless.

And now it's time to catch a bus over to Disney's Hollywood Studios:

Next up . . . Morning at Disney's Hollywood Studios:

 

[acwinsett]

Arriving at the park:

Rock 'n Roller Coaster . . . my FAVORITE!!!!

Brian took a ride on the Tower of Terror while I browsed the gift shop.

After a couple we rides, we decided to go over to the Magic of Disney Animation for some character photos . . . first Mickey:

Our interaction with Mickey was fun. Brian asked Mickey how he was doing and Mickey started rubbing his tummy like he was hungry. Brian said that he was too and wanted to eat a Mickey Premium Ice Cream Bar. Mickey just started shaking his head like he did NOT think that was a good idea.

Then we met the characters from UP. I just LOVE Carl Frederickson. At one point I told Brian that I thought it would be fun to have Carl come to our wedding reception and give everyone balloons. Obviously that isn't going to happen, but I thought it was a nice idea. The only problem is that I start to sniffle and cry whenever I hear any little bit of the music from UP. It's such a SWEET movie!

About that time, Brian starts scavenging for an ice cream cart, and I decided I wanted a sweet treat as well, but not ice cream, so I ducked into the "Villians" candy store and picked out a decadent cupcake. Then we got Brian (what else?) a Mickey Premium Ice Cream Bar:

We just grabbed a table at the Sunset Ranch and enjoyed our treats. I had fun dropping cupcake crumbs and watching the little birdies have a feast.

About that time, crowds had started to arrive and the lines for attractions were getting longer. We decided it would be a good time to go back to the hotel for showers and rest so that we could have a legitimate lunch at Epcot. (I prefer counter service at Epcot over anything they have at the Studios).

As we arrived back at our room, a critter was waiting in our window:

Next up . . . Afternoon and Evening at Epcot!

 

[Pirate's Princess]

Yay, your planning trip sounds like so much fun. And that cupcake looks delicious!

 

[HeatherNJNC]

I am loving your mini trip report, it is getting me so excited for my trip! I have to say all the creations you have made for your wedding are incredible! I'm so jealous of your creativity!

 

[GoonieBride]

you didnt ride ToT?? that is my All-Time Favorite ride!!

 

[acwinsett]

you didnt ride ToT?? that is my All-Time Favorite ride!!

I like everything about Tower of Terror except the drops. I'll usually do it once per trip, but that's all. My tummy wasn't feeling adventurous this time, I guess!