Birthdays, surprises, Magic & Merriment *3/25 New PTR Link We leave in 47 days*

[mrsksomeday]

Alrighty, I headed over to TnT's report. But I won't abandon this one!

YAY!! Thank you .

 

[mrsksomeday]

OOPS double post!!

 

[mrsksomeday]

The Mad Hatter: I'm investigating things that begin with the letter M.
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~`
(TnT weren’t the only DISers I hoped to meet during this trip. Many I didn’t get to see, but there were a few I was lucky enough to encounter, including TinkerTam. She and I had been texting back and forth and we couldn’t wait to meet and give them the MVMCP tickets.)

Nov. 30th, 2010

The goal was to meet TnT at Magic Kingdom before the Christmas party, have dinner with them and go from there. I seriously can’t even tell you what time we woke up, I know we ate something in the room then walked toward the main building:

We stopped in at Everything Pop, looked around but didn’t buy anything and got on a bus to Magic Kingdom. I was still messing with the new camera trying things out:

As you can see the sun was shining and it was low 80’s, the perfect Florida weather, so sad that this was the only day it was that way. I love how the parks are transformed for the seasons:

There is nothing like walking into Magic Kingdom for the first time on your trip. So cheerful, the music is peppy, the CM’s are smiling, it is great. I didn’t like seeing this:

Yes, I know there has to be refurbishments, but come on the Christmas party taping was fast approaching, they needed to get that tarp taken OFF on Main Street. We had never been here:

They had some great tee shirts, but too big for Bill so we kept going. We went through many shops just taking our time looking around. Then we texted with Toni and Terry, they were on their way to MK and would meet us by the hub. Bill and I got our MVMCP wristbands and were looking for them in the crowd. I couldn’t believe they wanted to spend another day with us LOL. After we met up, Terry wanted to get some fastpasses for later, I gave him our AP’s too so they could have extra ones.

Toni stayed with us, we had decided months beforehand that we were eating at Cosmic Ray’s. Right before we ordered Toni remembered that Terry had her key card so she couldn’t order anything yet. She told us to go ahead so we did. We snagged a table and waited for them to join us. One thing Bill is usually concerned with is eating in front of other people. He can be messy but it had went ok in front of them the night before so he was more relaxed. They found us sitting by Sonny Eclipse and said something happened to Toni while they were in line, but you will have to read her TR to find out what it was. We talked while we ate and it felt like we had known them forever, it was really nice to be with people that “get Disney” for a change instead of our previous trip companions. They got a kick out of Bill laughing at me because for some reason I was having trouble not spilling stuff on myself.

Now I want Toni to correct me here since I will probably be wrong, but I think after dinner we made our way over to Pirates. I had to transfer Bill to a manual wheelchair and we went through the queue, there wasn’t a wait and Terry was nice enough to let me get in the boat first, lift Bill up, and hand him off to me. Bill and I were in the front row and got a little wet on the drop. Bill just laughed and laughed. I think we headed up to the hub to see the Castle lighting.

Then they went to go do some rides and Bill and I went to see the Celebrate the Seasons show. Since we hadn’t camped out early we were off to the side but could both still see fairly well. I fiddled with the camera and got this shot

I will say I am still a little freaked out with the characters in this show and their eyes opening and closing. I seemed to always get pictures with their eyes closed:

While we were watching the show a light caught my eye, I couldn’t believe what I saw. Someone was taking in the party atmosphere from the top of the Castle:

After the show we decided to try something we had read about on the DIS, the Sleepy Hollow chocolate chip ice cream sandwich. On the way to our destination I captured this:

Once I got our tasty treat, I had to take a picture. This angle is distorted but it was huge, just not this huge:

We had decided on the second parade, but could hear it as we were eating the huge cookie ice cream sandwich. I had been texting with TnT and we had decided we better get a spot for the fireworks. We caught up with them right by Casey’s, well caught up with Toni, Terry was off somewhere on the phone firming up his surprise plans for her birthday. He came back, set up his tripod and got ready for the show. I snapped this shot as I waited for the show to start:

I was so hoping they would pull that balloon down before the fireworks started and they did when someone asked them too, hooray!!

I will show one PITIFUL fireworks shot I took, I actually WATCHED the show.

I knew if I wanted a good fireworks picture I could get one from Terry, he is fantastic with the camera, so I relaxed and watched.

The night was going by extremely fast. Bill and I decided we better get to the accessible area at the hub so he could see the parade and TnT came with us. It is amazing at WDW how people aren’t strangers, while we waited for the parade to start we met a very sweet couple Kelly and ?? so sorry I can't remember her name, but neither can Toni . They were so nice and just great to talk to. Poor Toni’s feet were bothering her so she sat down. Mine were too but I figured if I sat down I wouldn’t get back up .

The parade started and again not being used to the camera (or I would say it was operator error) I got crappy shots:

Terry got down by Bill to take some pictures:

This is one of our favorite things at the parade, the toy soldiers:

We just love them. After the parade TnT decided to ride some more stuff and Bill and I decided to go back to Pop. It was great hanging out with them.

Next installment… a change in plans, but for a great reason

 

[MRYPPNS]

I need to go at Christmas time just so I can see this!

WOW!!!

 

[mrsksomeday]

Heidi, it is gorgeous. Every time we are there for the Castle lighting my eyes well up with tears, it is just beautiful.

When we got our photopass it included some "extra pictures", I guess this is new since we didn't have "extras" from the last trip. One was their version of the Castle, much clearer than mine:

 

[emilodious]

Great update! Can't wait to read the rest!!

 

[Tinkermom76]

great update! I still hven't seen any of the shows at the Christmas party... oh well for another trip

I am so gld you guys nd TnT were having such great time!!!

 

[brookelizabeth]

Wonderful update! I LOVE those Christmas fireworks and that parade. And the Castle lighting always makes me cry too. I want to go back this December sooooooo bad!

How very awesome that someone was up there watching from the Castle! I'm totally jealous.....!

Beautiful, beautiful shot of the Castle!

We've gotten that chocolate chip ice cream sandwich from the Main Street Bakery as well. I didn't realize they were also available at Sleepy Hollow, good to know! Aren't they divine? YUM!

 

[All7OfUs]

Tracy, that picture of the castle is just beautiful!! Really, and for them to have "cleaned it up" was so neat!! I wonder if you "agreed" that they could use it- and if so, I'm sure they will!!

I am just tickled that you 2 couples are having so much fun together! It was fun watching you get to "know each other" before you all went; so this makes it more neat to see how it all unfolded.

I love to see how comfortable TnT seem to be with helping Bill and just being around his disability as well. From lifting and eating and all, it's just great to see that you all are so comfortable in all those areas that vacationing together seem to bring.

 

[oregonmommyof2]

Awesome update!!

I better get my butt in gear, you are ahead of me by a few days...

 

[mrsksomeday]

Great update! Can't wait to read the rest!!

Thanks!!

great update! I still hven't seen any of the shows at the Christmas party... oh well for another trip

I am so gld you guys nd TnT were having such great time!!!

The shows were fun, TnT are da bomb!

Wonderful update! I LOVE those Christmas fireworks and that parade. And the Castle lighting always makes me cry too. I want to go back this December sooooooo bad!

How very awesome that someone was up there watching from the Castle! I'm totally jealous.....!

Beautiful, beautiful shot of the Castle!

We've gotten that chocolate chip ice cream sandwich from the Main Street Bakery as well. I didn't realize they were also available at Sleepy Hollow, good to know! Aren't they divine? YUM!

The Christmas party is one of our favorite things ever. It shocked me that I saw someone up there in the Castle. Yes, those are yummy.

Tracy, that picture of the castle is just beautiful!! Really, and for them to have "cleaned it up" was so neat!! I wonder if you "agreed" that they could use it- and if so, I'm sure they will!!

I am just tickled that you 2 couples are having so much fun together! It was fun watching you get to "know each other" before you all went; so this makes it more neat to see how it all unfolded.

I love to see how comfortable TnT seem to be with helping Bill and just being around his disability as well. From lifting and eating and all, it's just great to see that you all are so comfortable in all those areas that vacationing together seem to bring.

Oh I am so sorry, I must not have explained right. What I meant by the great picture of the Castle was that Disney now sends some stock photos with the photopass CD so no they didn't clean up mine, I was showing my fuzzy picture then their fantastic picture.

I am so happy to have TnT in our lives and thank the DIS for it happening. They were really great in regards to his disability. Later on I will relay a story about Toni becoming a mama bear where Bill is concerned.

 

[ddstratton]

Wonderful update! Sounds like it was a great evening. Even with learning a new camera, you got some really nice shots in there.

 

[disneyeeyorefan]

Love the update Headed over to TnT trip report now!!
And we have a Major Winter Storm in the forecast for Mon,Tues,Wed I am hoping it stays away...lol

 

[jenseib]

That castle shot is gorgeous! And that cookie!!! Huge! and looks yummy.
Sounds like a wonderful evening.

 

[SueM in MN]

I need to go at Christmas time just so I can see this!

WOW!!!

Yes, that is beautiful.

 

[mrsksomeday]

Wonderful update! Sounds like it was a great evening. Even with learning a new camera, you got some really nice shots in there.

Thanks!

Love the update Headed over to TnT trip report now!!
And we have a Major Winter Storm in the forecast for Mon,Tues,Wed I am hoping it stays away...lol

Thanks for being here and going there . Oh no no no!! The storms need to leave you alone!!

That castle shot is gorgeous! And that cookie!!! Huge! and looks yummy.
Sounds like a wonderful evening.

It was a great evening, there is nothing like seeing the Castle all lit up like that, it is amazing.

Yes, that is beautiful.

Hi Sue!!

 

[jcc0621]

I'm late I'm sorry. Forgive me

I read everything, let's see what I remember since I didn't quote...

1 - Awesome about the Skycap not making you wait in line
2 - Way to spread the pixie dust for the newbies
3 - How did you wind up liking the '80's. 2 of the 3 times we stayed at Pop that's where we stayed. I liked it better than the 50's
4 - So glad you had such a great DisMeet
5 - Bill has awesome taste, those flowers were beautiful!
6 - You have done so much in 1 1/2 days

Can't wait to read more and I promise to be on time for the next installment

 

[KathyRN137]

I had a similar cookie sandwich from the Main St. Bakery and ate the entire thing myself!! Yummy!

The Castle picture at night is stunning!

Seeing the toy soldiers is one of my favorite parts of the parade, too!
As you can see from my NEW ticker (below) I'm planning to see the parade this December with my Billy!!


Kathy

 

[englishrose47]

That reflection pix of the Castle is Postcard worthy !!Just AWESOME!!!!

 

[DisMomAmy]

I need to go at Christmas time just so I can see this!

WOW!!!

I feel the same way Heidi!! Reading about everyone's holiday trips has really got me trying to figure out how to pull off a Nov/Dec trip sometime in the near future! I just have to figure out how...