Back From My Trip of a Million Dreams (tons of pics)

[njdisneyfreak]

Hang on folks. . .this trip report will definitely be a fun ride. We took over 500 of our own photos, and over 200 on Photopass, so there will definitely be a lot of pics! I promise to post as many of them all along the way. You’ll hear about celebrity sightings, food reports (of many, but not all of our meals), tours we went on, pixie dust that came our way, and . . . oh, I don’t wan to ruin all the fun for you! So, let’s get started.

CAST OF CHARACTERS: DH and me (both in our early thirties with no kids, unless you count our dog)

DATES: December 21, 2007 - January 1, 2008

For those of you just joining me on my journey, let me fill you in on the basics. The planning for this trip began during the summer of 2006. We had gone to WDW that July and couldn’t wait to begin planning our next trip. My DH surprised me with the idea of a trip to WDW during the holidays. I was so excited. We had gotten married during Christmas week, so it was a perfect time to celebrate our 8th anniversary, Christmas and New Year’s in our favorite place on Earth. To top it all off, WDW had plans to celebrate a Year of a Million Dreams, so we were psyched.

We changed resort choices a bunch of times. Originally, we booked the AKL. Then, we switched to POR. At some point, we switched back to AKL and ultimately, we booked CSR. We made so many changes to our itinerary, that the dining reservation CMs were getting quite amused and I even got some of the same CMs on the phone, more than once! I felt like I knew them!!! I logged as much as I could into a journal, so I wouldn’t forget too many details.

So, that’s how this journey began. Ready? Make sure you get a good seat, pull firmly on your seat belt and let’s go!

WANT TO READ ABOUT HOW THIS TRIP ALL STARTED? (Check out my PTR, by clicking here!)

 

[njdisneyfreak]

I went into work on the day of our trip, for half a day, and kept busy the entire time. I didn’t want to give myself too much time to think about how close we were to leaving. I’m a teacher, so I had my morning prep period, but got absolutely no work done. I was just too excited about the trip. As soon as my time came, I couldn’t leave fast enough. I arrived home, where my DH had stayed that day, to get last minute things done around here, before we left.

For those of you who asked for this on my pre-trippie, here I am with my fresh hair cut (in the outfit I flew in) and these are the snowflake nails I had done for the trip:

In twenty minutes, I had changed and we were all ready to go! My loving DH had already loaded the car, so we were off. It took an hour to get to the dog kennel where we always leave our baby (our adorable Shih Tzu), when we go away.

Knowing he was in good hands (it’s the best kennel we’ve ever used!), we continued on to the airport. It still felt surreal to be driving to the airport. Living in NJ, we have always flown from here, but this time, we had booked a flight out of Philadelphia, for the lower cost. It was a little nerve wracking, hoping we’d get there okay. We did miss one sign, but got back on track, soon enough.

We arrived at the airport at 3:45, for our 5:55 flight, so we were happy. We just hoped we’d find our car in one piece when we returned. It’s a secure parking garage, but we’ve always gotten driven to the airport. We checked our luggage and went through security, and then headed straight to Burger King. We were hungry!

When we went to our departure gate, we noticed that there weren’t a ton of people. Soon, we learned that the airplane was only going to be half full. Yes!

Our 5:55 flight didn’t leave till 6:30, but we didn’t worry too much. We were heading to Disney World!!!

By ten at night, we arrived at CSR.

We were impressed with the holiday decorations that began with the walkway to the entrance and continued throughout the lobby, but we were just as impressed that there was no line to check in.

(This picture was taken later on, when there were people.)

After our quick check-in, we went to check out the resort store, something we always like to do when we arrive.

It was practically deserted. The CSR now has a quick food area that just opened a week prior, so we got a hot cocoa for me and a latte for my DH, before heading up to our room. The outside, as we walked along the lake, was absolutely gorgeous. We couldn’t wait to see it in daylight.

When we got closer to our room, we couldn’t believe it.

We had been upgraded to a water view! Our room actually overlooked the lake.

Our Year of a Million Dreams trip had definitely started on the right track. We liked the room and immediately took pictures. That’s one thing I always forget to do, till our stuff is already all sprawled out, so we got those out of the way.

(bed area)

(vanity area)

(desk area)

(bathroom area)

(dresser & fridge)

At almost three hours after we had arrived in Orlando, I said to my DH, “Well, it’s almost been three hours, so our luggage should be here soon.” His response was, “When they say three hours, it doesn’t necessarily mean three hours exactly. We may have to wait longer.” I was hoping that wouldn’t be the case, because the sooner they arrived, the sooner we could go to sleep, wake up and start going to the parks. About two or three minutes later, we hear, “KNOCK! KNOCK! KNOCK!” I had to crack up. It was exactly three hours from our arrival, and our luggage had arrived. My DH gave me sheepish grin and I said to him, “See? When Disney says three hours, they are here in three hours,” with the biggest grin on my face.

We unpacked and I set up the Christmas tree we had brought for the table. I couldn’t wait to start buying ornaments for it. Then, we decided that we would eat breakfast at the Pepper Mill Market before heading to the MK. Not a bad way to end our official anniversary day. Stay tuned for the first full day of our magical journey.

AHEAD: The MK, Downtown and the Studios, as well as a special phone call.

 

[tinawv]

Jumping on board.

 

[njdisneyfreak]

Jumping on board.

Great to have you! I am working on my other parts of the report. Stay tuned.

 

[2BusyPlanning]

Thanks for the little reminder. We've been back for a while now, and I have not been on the boards like I used to. I guess it's due to "home" sickness. I am looking forward to more!!!

 

[njdisneyfreak]

Thanks for the little reminder. We've been back for a while now, and I have not been on the boards like I used to. I guess it's due to "home" sickness. I am looking forward to more!!!

I can understand that! Thanks for coming onto the boards again for my sake. That means a lot.

 

[KimAshton]

I am here and reading. Cannot wait to read more. And Yeahooo for NJers.

 

[luvmy3ms]

enjoying it so far, can't wait to read more!

 

[mickiecake]

What a great start to your trip!!! Great pics, and the haircut looks awesome!! Can't wait to hear more..

 

[mickiecake]

What a great start to your trip!!! Great pics, and the haircut looks awesome!! Can't wait to hear more..

 

[twob4him]

Yaaaaaaaaaaa! I'm in!!! Can't wait to read it!

 

[luvmy3ms]

enjoying it so far, can't wait to read more!

 

[disneyaddicted]

I am so ready for your trip report, as detailed as your pre trip report was I know this will be full of fun.

 

[Applemomma]

I'm in! Love the nails.....

 

[Avivasmom]

Hey there...we just missed you. We are back from Aviva's birthday trip...it was so cold the first 3 days and warmed a little the day we left. Stay tuned for my trip report.

 

[oliviansmom17]

Me too...super-cute nails....

 

[DISNEY4XMAS]

I'm Here .... Let the story telling begin... I really really want to know the Celeberties that you guys saw since I was there the SAME exact time and didn't see ANYONE! Although my DM did see one person at universal but she can't for the life of her remeber who it is!

 

[njdisneyfreak]

I am here and reading. Cannot wait to read more. And Yeahooo for NJers.

Hang on. . .I'm about to post some more. Where in NJ are you from? We're Central.

enjoying it so far, can't wait to read more!

Glad to see a happy reader!

What a great start to your trip!!! Great pics, and the haircut looks awesome!! Can't wait to hear more..

Hey, there! Thanks for the compliment, and I'm glad you like it so far. I'll post another segment shortly.

Yaaaaaaaaaaa! I'm in!!! Can't wait to read it!

I love how excited you get reading my posts!

I am so ready for your trip report, as detailed as your pre trip report was I know this will be full of fun.

Me, detailed? You ain't seen nothing yet.

I'm in! Love the nails.....

Welcome! Thanks. It's a tradition I started several years ago. As close to Christmas as possible, I get all my nails done up with snowflakes. I just had to do it for our trip to my favorite place on Earth.

Hey there...we just missed you. We are back from Aviva's birthday trip...it was so cold the first 3 days and warmed a little the day we left. Stay tuned for my trip report.

How did Aviva enjoy the trip? It got cold the day after we left. We had temps in the 80s practically every day. I can't wait to hear how your latest trip over to WDW turned out. A lot of pictures, right?

Me too...super-cute nails....

You just got back also? When? Share details. Thanks for the compliment on the nails.

I'm Here .... Let the story telling begin... I really really want to know the Celeberties that you guys saw since I was there the SAME exact time and didn't see ANYONE! Although my DM did see one person at universal but she can't for the life of her remeber who it is!

Oh, have I got stories! Just wait. You'll have to wait a bit for the celebrities parts. Alrighty. . .I'm off to start my next installment.

 

[sharonW]

I can tell I'm really gona enjoy this TR
Can't wait to hear it ALL..I wanna know which celebs
you saw too!!

 

[hlrababy]

I am excited to read your report!!! I love the nails by the way!!!