Birthday Cakes, Trip on a Lake, DIS Meets&More-Christmas Time 09 TR! UPDATE 12/20!

[MeMom]

I'm not disappointed though because we don't want to get engaged yet...that's a story for another trip. HaHa!

After talking to lots of CMs, I really want to work for Disney!!! I've been looking online since we got home last night and so has Chris, looking for a cable job in the Orlando area. It would be a dream come true if I could work for Disney and it's really exciting to think about. Chris's brother wants to move to FL too so we might all live together! We have to see but I'll keep you all updated!

Well, we have something to look forward to on a future trip, then. We're all romantic and nosy like that!

I wish you the best of everything as you make your life-changing decisions. I lived in Florida as a teenager - over in St. Pete. Every time I go to WDW and see the palm trees, a part of me does want to go back. But I am all settled in here, and that works for me. If you're going to make a move, go ahead and make it while you are young. That would be nice if you had another person contributing to the expenses, too, as you get settled. Good luck.

 

[joy13]

I'm in! I'm so glad you had a wonderful trip. Can't wait to read all about it! Going to Disney to see the Christmas decorations is my new obsession!

 

[BrooklynnsMommy]

Somehow I missed that you had started this. Going back to read now!

 

[wdwgirl03]

Welcome home! Glad you had a great trip. Can't wait to hear all about it.

 

[xoktenox]

Welcome home!!!! Can't wait to hear all about your trip! Sounds wonderful!!! And your plans to move South sound wonderful, how wonderful would it be to work for Disney! Some day I hope to do the same thing!!!! Can't wait to hear more!!!!

Thank you!! It was a wonderful trip and I can't wait to tell everyone about it. I hope with all my heart that I can get a position with Disney and move to FL. It's a lofty goal but I'm willing to work for it

Glad you're home my dear. As you already know, I loved getting pics/texts from you every day!

Hello deary, I loved keeping you updated with my texts/pics

omg i can't wait to hear about it!!!

Heyy!! Hopefully I'll be able to start tonight

Welcome home!!! I'm so excited for you guys!! Moving to FL will be great!!! I can't wait to hear all about your trip!!

Thanks Melissa! I really hope we can move, we want to get out of here asap!

Welcome home, Kristen!!!

Thanks Jackie I have to go over to your TR and see what I've missed!

Well, we have something to look forward to on a future trip, then. We're all romantic and nosy like that!

haha you're not nosy!! i consider everyone on here my friends and i am excited for the day (in like 3 years) when i can tell you that he did propose lol

I wish you the best of everything as you make your life-changing decisions. I lived in Florida as a teenager - over in St. Pete. Every time I go to WDW and see the palm trees, a part of me does want to go back. But I am all settled in here, and that works for me. If you're going to make a move, go ahead and make it while you are young. That would be nice if you had another person contributing to the expenses, too, as you get settled. Good luck.

Thank you so much MeMom. I never thought I'd want to live in FL but this last trip has really made me want to work for Disney. I think it was because of the KTTK tour. Seeing all the behind the scenes stuff made me want it even more. I'll need prayers and luck for this all to go through as I plan it to!!

I'm in! I'm so glad you had a wonderful trip. Can't wait to read all about it! Going to Disney to see the Christmas decorations is my new obsession!

The Christmas decorations are beautifulllll! You need to go see them sometime!

Somehow I missed that you had started this. Going back to read now!

Hey Jill! Glad you came over. Hopefully I'll start the real trip stuff tonight.

Welcome home! Glad you had a great trip. Can't wait to hear all about it.

Thanks Sarah! Hate to be home but love to share all the details with you guys

 

[BrooklynnsMommy]

All caught up. Can't wait to hear more.

 

[klacey1]

Joining in! I followed your April TR and have been very excited for this one!!

 

[Lynn5700]

Hey everyone!!! Thanks for reading along while I was gone and thank you sooooooo much to tinkgurl and Dawn for giving you guys the updates! Sorry to disappoint about the proposal! I'm not disappointed though because we don't want to get engaged yet...that's a story for another trip. HaHa! Anyway, our trip was amazing...more than amazing...better than our April trip...times 100...perfect in everyway (well almost...you'll hear about that in time!) I can't describe how great it was. In fact, Chris and I made a decision while we were there...we want to move there! After talking to lots of CMs, I really want to work for Disney!!! I've been looking online since we got home last night and so has Chris, looking for a cable job in the Orlando area. It would be a dream come true if I could work for Disney and it's really exciting to think about. Chris's brother wants to move to FL too so we might all live together! We have to see but I'll keep you all updated!

It was wonderful to get to meet lots of DISers down there too!!! I'll get into all the meets during the TR but to anyone who we got to meet up with...you guys were awesome!!!!! There's lots of surprises and super excellent things to tell you all about and I can't wait to share it all. I uploaded the pictures from my camera just before and now I have to wait to get Chris's from his camera later. Hope you'll all stick around for the journey which I hope to start later!!!

Hi Kristen!!! Welcome back girl! I totally agree with you about wanting to move to FL. After Tim and I talk to the CMs, we always wish we can just move down there and work for Disney. I say go for it if it's what you guys want to do. Good for you!!

I can't wait to hear about all your meets and your surprises this trip. YAY!!!

Ooh and I'm glad your Giants won today! They helped the Eagles out, LOL!! Next week Giants and Eagles. UH OH!

 

[Disneychix]

So glad you had a wonderful vacation! It was nice meeting you 2. I'm only sorry it was so brief!

I can't wait to read your TR. I'm thinking of starting one but who knows when I'll actually upload my pics! I'm dying to know what you thought of AKV!

I have a friend who moved to FL in his mid 20's. Let's just say he hasn't come back and it's been 10 years!

 

[xoktenox]

All caught up. Can't wait to hear more.

Thanks Jill, I'm going to start now

Joining in! I followed your April TR and have been very excited for this one!!

Hey! Thanks for joining in and I hope you enjoy the ride

Hi Kristen!!! Welcome back girl! I totally agree with you about wanting to move to FL. After Tim and I talk to the CMs, we always wish we can just move down there and work for Disney. I say go for it if it's what you guys want to do. Good for you!!

I can't wait to hear about all your meets and your surprises this trip. YAY!!!

Ooh and I'm glad your Giants won today! They helped the Eagles out, LOL!! Next week Giants and Eagles. UH OH!

Hey Lynn! We are soooo ready to move down there. Its pretty much all contingent on us getting jobs, me getting one with Disney. I'm calling the jobline today so wish me luck! I'm going to start the TR now so get ready!

I was shockedddd the Giants won today! LOL Happy, but shocked! I'm sure they'll lose next week! Bad fan, I know but unless they play like they did yesterday, we have no chance! idk what happened to them

So glad you had a wonderful vacation! It was nice meeting you 2. I'm only sorry it was so brief!

I can't wait to read your TR. I'm thinking of starting one but who knows when I'll actually upload my pics! I'm dying to know what you thought of AKV!

I have a friend who moved to FL in his mid 20's. Let's just say he hasn't come back and it's been 10 years!

Hey Rosie! It was great meeting you too. We didn't even get a picture of the meet for proof!! You should start one too when you get the chance. Let me know if you do! And as a teaser, we LOVED AKV soooo much!! I hope we can move down to FL like your friend! Where does he live?

 

[xoktenox]

Is everyone ready? Ready to hear about our AWESOME 7 days at Walt Disney World? Walt Disney World, the happiest place on Earth and, more importantly, our happy place, the place we go to make memories with our families and friends that will last a lifetime...the place we go to leave our troubles behind and become a kid again...the place we have withdrawals from and dream about when we're not there. Ahhhhh Without further interruption, let's get this show on the road, literally!

Let's begin with a short little intro of my days before we left. Thursday the 27th was Thanksgiving and that night my cousins, aunt, mom and I went black Friday shopping...we met up at 2:30 am!! Needless to say, I'd gotten about 3 hours of sleep. We shopped and shopped and then at 12pm we had an appointment to try on dresses for my cousin Shannon's wedding next September. After trying dresses on for 2.5 hrs we had ANOTHER appointment at 3pm. Finally around 4:45, we all headed home. My mom and I had to drop one of my cousins off at her house since she didn't have her car so by the time we got home it was around 5:45! I still needed to shower, get my nails done and most of all, PACK! I still hadn't even started! And at 6:20, I needed to check us in for our flight with Southwest the following day. I began packing and at 6:20 did the check in and jumped in the shower. After a speedy shower I ran out to get my nails done and when I got home, I finished packing. Saturday morning came far too quickly and Chris and I both had to work, me until 2:15 and him until 3...good news was he called me while I was driving home and he was on his way home too, early! I got home and had to type up a short 2 page assignment for school and then threw the rest of my things into my suitcase. Around 4:30, Chris and his dad were at my door to pick me up! My suitcase was super heavy so I got out the scale and had Chris carry it up the stairs from my room. We tried to weigh it but the scale kept just saying Error. Oh well, I figured it should be fine....

So finally at 4:35 we were on our way to the airport. We flew out of a smaller local airport that SWA flies out of. It's soooo convenient and really beats having to drive into NYC to fly out of JFK or LaGuardia. We got to the airport really quickly, before 5pm. We found the SW area and went to check our bags. Guess how much mine weighed? 56.2 lbs!! Noooo! There was no way I was paying $50 because it was too heavy so I opened my suitcase and Chris's and threw some of my stuff into his. I put mine on the scale again and still it was 2 lbs to heavy! We rearranged more stuff and finally got my bag down to 48 lbs. All Chris kept saying was "KRisten, we're only going away for a week!!" Woops! Finally we were good so we checked out one of the shops before security and I bought 2 magazines for the plane ride. Gotta love my tabloid trash! We said goodbye to Chris's dad and got through security easily. We were both getting so excited at this point! We were finally on our way to a much needed vacation and what better place to be headed than Disney World!!!! Of course, my camera came out immediately. HAHA

Shop at MacArthur

Restaurant

We were flight 1317...we were on time!

Chris from afar, reading one of my tabloid mags lol

Chris giving me the "you're already taking 834037438947 pictures?" face

Our gate

Excited to be leaving NY!

We've boarded!

Yayyyy we're on the plane ready to go!

Flying over Long Island and NYC

The flight was smooth and uneventful. Chris and I read the magazines and talked about what we were going to do in WDW. Little back story, a few weeks ago I asked Chris what restaurants he was most excited to eat at. Well he says "Minnie's Mineral Cafe, the organic place and Pluto's Pie Palace for his delicious pies." I was crackingggg up!!! He just made them up spur of the moment. So on the plane we kept talking about eating at the made up places he thought of LOL We both slept a little bit too. Finally, we landed in Orlando!! Early! I think it was 8:55 when we landed. Great timing. We jumped on the fake monorail and saw these signs...

We knew we would be there in a few days!!

Chris trying to look muscular

Me being way too excited and tired at the same time

Crappy picture but the tree in MCO was pretty

When we got to baggage claim Chris went to use the bathroom and I called our hotel we were staying at that night to tell them we were there and to come pick us up. They told me go outside to the numbered parking spots and find spot A3. Simple enough right? Chris got back and I ran and used the bathroom and when I got back, the luggage was already coming through. We quickly grabbed the hernia causing suitcases and were off to find parking spot A3. Well we followed the wrong signs and got so lost! We ended up in the parking garage!! OMG we were annoyed at ourselves but headed back where we started and found the numbered parking spots...only thing was, they started at spot # A50 or something! We had to walk alllll the way down to A3! Luckily it was really nice out that night. We waited about 10 mins and our little put put van came to pick us up and take us to our hotel for the night.

Continued in next post....

 

[tinkgurl]

Of course I'm ready!

I still can't believe how early you were up on that Friday after Thanksgiving!

LOL Your suitcase was too heavy. Yeah, I'd have that problem too. You never know what you might need once you get there! Geeze Chris.

His face really does say that - "Geeze Kristen, you're already taking tons of pics of me?!"

Woo! You're in Florida!!!

 

[xoktenox]

We got to the hotel around 9:30. The lady who drove us was nice but couldn't hear so we were trying to have a conversation with her but she could never hear us lol We checked into the hotel with a not-so-Disney-like employee and found our room. Let's just say we were glad we were only staying there for one night. The room wasn't too pleasing. The only thing that actually looked clean was the bed. You could tell the sheets were new and clean. I immediately (after taking pictures) ripped the bedspread off of the bed. We were hungry since we didn't eat any dinner and our hotel was right next to a McDonald's so we walked over there after we put our luggage in our room. Our door to the room didn't shut right and we had to slam it shut. Again, happy we were only there for one night. We walked next door to the McDonald's and ordered some dinner. A guy in front of us all decked out in Florida University gear gave us a buy one get one free coupon he got from the game for those Angus burgers. I don't eat them but we got 2 anyway since it was free. I ordered chicken nuggets and fries. Holy moley it took FOREVER!!! There was like 2 people in line in front of us and 4 people working and it took like 20 mins to get our food! Nothing fast about that. Then I check the bag and there's only one burger in it! So another 5 mins later we finally leave. idk if it's because we're from NY where everything's fast or what but that was the slowest service!! Anyway, we walked back to our room and ate our gross dinner. I really don't like McDonald's lol When I finished eating I took some pictures of our accomodations for the night....

That's all I took because nothing else was worthy lol the carpets were ripping in a few spots and the shower, well I'm sure the bottom was white at one point...now it was brown. When Chris finished his dinner we just changed into our pajamas and hopped in bed. Like I said, it looked clean. By 11 or so, we were asleep, dreaming Disney dreams!!

The next morning we woke up around 8:15. We went down to the continental breakfast. Chris was excited because we'd stayed at a LaQuinta Inn and Suites up here about 2 years ago and it was really nice. He was looking forward to the make your own waffles they had at the one by us. Well, he was disappointed to find the continental breakfast here consisted of pre-toasted Eggo waffles in a Tupperware container, Lender's bagels and packaged muffins along with some mud-like coffee and orange juice which shot out of the dispenser and got all over us. I guess you get what you pay for right? For $32 a night, we shouldn't have expected much more! I wasn't too hungry so I grabbed a few muffins for later and some mud coffee. Chris had a few Eggos. We went back to the room and relaxed a little since our pickup for the airport wasn't until 10. Soon we got cleaned up and put everything into our suitcases that we used. We opted NOT to shower in the skeezy shower and wait until we got to Disney.

We went up to the front at 9:45 and jumped into a van to take us back to MCO for Magical Express. There were 2 other couples in the van, one also going to Disney and another going on a cruise. The driver was a younger lady who was trying to give us tips for WDW. She was wrong about 75% of the stuff we was saying but I just kept my mouth shut haha It was only about a 10 min ride to the airport and we quickly ran over to the Magical Express area! Finally, Disney service! We knew we didn't have to wait on the line since I had our voucher from the mail so we got right onto our line to wait for our bus.

Chris waiting in line

It was hot and we were waiting for a while so he wasn't too happy, but I was...

HAHA!

After like 20 mins, we got called onto a bus! Unfortunately, it was a Mears bus but here's the DME bus next to us...

Oh and I forgot to mention that even though we weren't the first to board, we got the front seat right behind the driver! Perfect to take pictures of the WDW gates! A few mins later, we were on our way and Chris was much happier...

As we were driving I was texting tinkgurl about how excited we were!! I also saw that stupid balloon that gave her family so much trouble and her mom said we should shoot it down Finally we saw this up ahead...

See it?

How about now?

Finally we were on Disney property!! Woooo!! Purple street signs...

We were there, on Disney property finally!!! I felt like I was dreaming!! Chris and I were sooo happy and couldn't wait to finally get to AKV and check in!!

Next time:
Our gorgeous room
Upgrade?
Our first Disney day!

 

[tinkgurl]

I have to say, after staying at Disney hotels, I realize that we are spoiled. So when we go to regular hotels, we aren't as happy. But, some hotels are just disgusting. Icky about the shower!

Woo! I remember you texting me in line for ME. I was getting excited for you!

LOL, I remember my mom telling you to shoot down the balloon too! It's so cool seeing pics of things from when I was talking to you.

 

[stacikristine]

YAY!!!! I'm so excited that you've started your report!

Wow--You were up even earlier than us! Where did you go that opened so early? We were at our first store a little before 4:00 and I thought that was early!

Yuck. I'm glad you opted out of showering at that hotel. I just don't get it. LaQuintas are usually really nice, but then every once in a while you get some really trashy ones. Oh well... At least it was only one night!!

YAY for sitting in the front and for finally being on Disney Property! I'm so anxious to hear about your room!

 

[manntra]

What a great start to your TR!
I was thinking of staying at the LaQuinta when I go in May.....hmmmmm maybe not! I too am flying in a day early so it would only be one night but maybe I can find a cheap AP room at Pop. Then again it's only one night!
LOVE the Welcome to Disney sign...I have a framed picture at home
Very excited to see what you thought of AKV.
Love all of your pictures documenting your night!

Tracy

 

[lauren_elizabeth]

Ahhh, the pictures of that lovely hotel room I heard all about... where you couldn't even shower! Luckily yall were only there for one night!

Woooo hooo! Driving through the Disney gates for the first time is the BEST feeling in the world.

Can't wait to read more...

even though I know part of your night!

 

[wdwgirl03]

The only time I like the Mears bus is going home...then I don't have to watch that depressing video. LOL. But onto more happier things...

Great start, can't wait for more! I'm excited to hear about Kidani.

 

[BrooklynnsMommy]

You've arrived!!!!! Can't wait to hear more. Especially the part where you don't get engaged on the Poly beach!

 

[princess_momma]

Aw YAY!! You started!! I love your enthusiasm!! I really feel like I just got on Disney property! Lol!! Can't wait for more!