Chris & Patrick's VWL 7/5/13 Floral Update!!! 1/18/13

[Backstage_Gal]

Congratulations, those rings are beautiful. And yes, I could see Mickey (not all that hidded, LOL)

 

[Shell54]

Your rings are gorgeous I really love the hidden Mickey inside the band..fun!!!

 

[sleepydog25]

prettiest. ring. ever. OMG - I love it! Well worth that ever-so-slight wait. Although knowing that it was literally right in front of me would have killed me!

Her reaction was such that I wasn't sure whether to laugh or run! Mostly I laughed. And. Thanks for the comments on the ring--this woman deserves it. She is an amazing person.

Just joining in and you guys are fantastic! Hilarious and witty and i'm glad i found you! I am partial to AKL and you tempt me to VWL.... I am currently waiting on my wedding ring and ask my DF if there is any news daily as well so I completely felt your pain during the wait process.... This is 2 months for my "fairytale band"... its really called that i swear! Your story is precious. NICELY DONE! and your plans look great!

Listen to the siren call of VWL. . .it's whispering in your ear to come stay there. . .crickets chirping. . .lanterns blinking. . .majestic architecture. . . Thanks for stopping by and for the wonderful comments!

Joining in on the fun again! I'm buying DVC points at BWV (just passed ROFR on tuesday) and have been hanging out on those boards more lately. I'm happy I stumbled upon your update link from your cruise trip report. You make such a lovely couple and I enjoy your banter back and forth.

Thanks! Our personalities mesh so well, the banter just comes naturally. I think we're just so thankful to have found the other person that we get all bubbly and such. Well, she's bubbly like a fine Moscato di Asti; I'm more like Alka Seltzer. . .

Shell and Backstage: Thank you! At my age, I needed reading glasses to see that sucker! The engraving, including the hidden Mickey, was luv's idea, and she managed to keep it a secret. . .for awhile. She just couldn't stay mum on the topic until we actually had possession of the rings. Nope, she spilled the beans a couple of weeks early. I told her, no way the government would ever give her a TS-SCI clearance. . .

 

[tinydancr06]

Wow! Gorgeous rings! I loooove the hidden Mickey!

 

[Muushka]

Love the bands! And the hidden Mickey

 

[sleepydog25]

Wow! Gorgeous rings! I loooove the hidden Mickey!

It was totally her idea. . .the hidden Mickey. . . The getting married? I contributed to that idea. Thanks!

Love the bands! And the hidden Mickey

Thanks, Muushka! Always nice to see you here. At first, we weren't going to do a band for Chris, but we found one that nestled nicely with her engagement ring, so we went ahead. As for mine, Chris and I share an Irish heritage (she's traveled there a few times, too), so it seemed a natural and unique fit. Ah, but we've tucked both bands away until next year. . .

 

[virtuous girl]

I LOVE THE HIDDEN MICKEY!!! Beautiful rings

 

[virtuous girl]

Oh & I didn't comment on everything else! Your dress, shoes, hair, make up, the whole look- LOVE! Cute couple The picture u took with the castle & swan boat boat landing just literally took my breath AWAY! it brought back so many memories of my magic kingdom ceremony 2wks ago.. Beautiful grand daughter

 

[kellyb2000]

Thanks for the comments on the ring--this woman deserves it. She is an amazing person.

How sweet - I'm sure you're not too bad yourself!

And just when I thought the ring couldn't get any prettier....it did!

 

[sleepydog25]

Oh & I didn't comment on everything else! Your dress, shoes, hair, make up, the whole look- LOVE! Cute couple The picture u took with the castle & swan boat boat landing just literally took my breath AWAY! it brought back so many memories of my magic kingdom ceremony 2wks ago.. Beautiful grand daughter

Thanks for the compliments on the dress, shoes, etc. Yeah, I know I'm not Chris, but I know she appreciates the comments, too--I just happened to be on the DIS tonight! I went back and looked at your magical ceremony on your PJ, and the pics are gorgeous. More importantly, you both look happy. Again, thanks for your thoughts. We'll be posting more soon!

How sweet - I'm sure you're not too bad yourself!

And just when I thought the ring couldn't get any prettier....it did!

I'll say it again--she deserves the very best. . .she is that special. As for me? I suppose it depends upon whom you ask. As I like to say, "I have my moments," or "That's part of impish my anti-charm." Your choice.

 

[sleepydog25]

4 Parks, 1 Day, and Thee. . .

Due to luv’s long hours at work lately, I’ve decided to pen the next bit of this PJ lest the next installment not arrive until two days prior to the wedding. Besides, she likes it when I take over. Right, babe? As Chris mentioned, our main purpose for traveling to Florida was to see my new granddaughter (any cute resemblance between the granddaughter and me is entirely coincidental), but while so close, we thought it a perfect excus—reason to go visit where our ceremony would take place next year. (See? Told ya it was PJ installment!)

When last we left off with our intrepid PJer (that’d be Chris), we had just visited MK during a quick day trip over to the World. However, first let me set the stage a little more. You should know that our attempt to do all four parks in one day was complicated by the fact we had a 5:30 reservation at CG. Thus, we had to keep track of time throughout the day in order to make that meal. Second, let me say re: Buzz Lightyear that Disney needs to do some serious rehab with that attraction. Every. . .single. . .time we ride Buzz, luv’s laser gun doesn’t work. What are the odds?! An occasional non-functioning laser is one thing, but every single time? Incomprehensible. Finally, we determined the night before that since we would be hustling through four parks, we didn’t need any extraneous gear outside of a camera. That turned out to be a most prescient decision. Now, back to our 4-in-1 day at the parks. . .

Our brief time in MK found the light crowds the first hour, but exponentially expanding numbers of people the last 30 minutes. We hopped on the monorail just as the hordes arrived which gave us some inkling of what was to come, and off we zipped to EPCOT. When we rolled into the station at the ‘COT shortly after 10 a.m., we could tell the place was hopping. As we walked up to the entrance, there was a crush of bodies struggling to get in through the bag check-in gates. The lines more closely resembled a mob, a throbbing, congested mass of humanity that stretched back 60-70 feet, and our choice to gear down wound up saving us much wailing and gnashing of teeth—we had no bag to check! (Now, LOML is a self-admitted girly-girl which I love about her, so not carrying an extra bag was no small feat.) However, the crowd blocked access to the lone entry gate for us and others who were sans bags. Employing some mad spelunking skills, we scrambled over planters, walls, and benches to reach the gate. It was a madhouse.

Once inside, we checked the tote board for wait times at the major attractions, and it clearly was a day for the masses as the Soarin’ standby wait was 90 minutes, while both Test Track and Mission Space were over an hour. Since it was still shy of 10:30, the World Showcase was not yet open, so our most logical course of action was to grab an FP for Soarin’. . .which we did. The return time was already 3:15! From there, we strolled to the back entrance of EPCOT where we intended to catch a boat to DHS. Instead, we disembarked at the Boardwalk and sauntered over to the model BWV room since neither of us had been in one of their suites. Our review? In short, we still prefer our beloved VWL better.

For some still unknown reason, we opted to walk over to DHS from the Boardwalk. . .in the sun. . .and the heat. . .otherwise known as the Diet Trek since we both lost a few pounds on that walk. Seemingly hours later, we trudged through the gate, once again thankful we had no bag to check as those lines were also very long. As with EPCOT, the major attractions had long standby waits (an hour and fifteen or longer) and late afternoon FP return times (Toy Story was “sold” out already), except for Star Tours. That FP time was a mere 45 minutes away, so we grabbed ours and settled down for lunch at the Backlot Express. Time: 11:45

At 12:30, ST beckoned and we thoroughly enjoyed the episode we experienced. Our first time on the new ST last year had been “meh,” but this version was livelier and faster-paced. After ST, and gauging our time, we decided to bus over to AK rather than hit the park after dinner as had been our original plan. We once rode EE five times in a row in the dark during the last 20 minutes before the park closed, so we initially had visions of repeating that magical experience; however, by this time in our journey through the World, we knew visiting AK before dinner was a wiser course of action. We walked the two miles required to catch the bus to over to AK, then once there, hiked three miles from the bus stop to the entrance. But, at least it was a “no bag, no wait” breeze through the gate. By then, the time was closing in on 1:30, so we bee-lined for EE where, to our delight, the standby wait was only 40 minutes. Perfect!

It’s good to note here that every step along the way through these parks, we reveled in the knowledge that the World was the big venue for our wedding, that we were extremely fortunate to have met each other and that we shared a love for the Mouse. Where better to share our lives than place that brought us together?

Next up: More from the 4-in-1 Day at the World!

 

[luvvwl]

When last we left off with our intrepid PJer (that’d be Chris), we had just visited MK during a quick day trip over to the World. However, first let me set the stage a little more. You should know that our attempt to do all four parks in one day was complicated by the fact we had a 5:30 reservation at CG. Thus, we had to keep track of time throughout the day in order to make that meal. Second, let me say re: Buzz Lightyear that Disney needs to do some serious rehab with that attraction. Every. . .single. . .time we ride Buzz, luv’s laser gun doesn’t work. What are the odds?! An occasional non-functioning laser is one thing, but every single time? Incomprehensible. Finally, we determined the night before that since we would be hustling through four parks, we didn’t need any extraneous gear outside of a camera. That turned out to be a most prescient decision. Now, back to our 4-in-1 day at the parks. .

My gun doesn't ever work!!!! And. You know it!

Our brief time in MK found the light crowds the first hour, but exponentially expanding numbers of people the last 30 minutes. We hopped on the monorail just as the hordes arrived which gave us some inkling of what was to come, and off we zipped to EPCOT. When we rolled into the station at the ‘COT shortly after 10 a.m., we could tell the place was hopping. As we walked up to the entrance, there was a crush of bodies struggling to get in through the bag check-in gates. The lines more closely resembled a mob, a throbbing, congested mass of humanity that stretched back 60-70 feet, and our choice to gear down wound up saving us much wailing and gnashing of teeth—we had no bag to check! (Now, LOML is a self-admitted girly-girl which I love about her, so not carrying an extra bag was no small feat.) However, the crowd blocked access to the lone entry gate for us and others who were sans bags. Employing some mad spelunking skills, we scrambled over planters, walls, and benches to reach the gate. It was a madhouse.

I NEVER go to a park without a bag. But. I thought next year for the wedding it would be super crowded, so I decided to do a trial run, so to speak. Boy, am I glad I did! We literally had to climb thru the landscaping to get to the no bag line. I've never seen so many people in such a little space!

Once inside, we checked the tote board for wait times at the major attractions, and it clearly was a day for the masses as the Soarin’ standby wait was 90 minutes, while both Test Track and Mission Space were over an hour. Since it was still shy of 10:30, the World Showcase was not yet open, so our most logical course of action was to grab an FP for Soarin’. . .which we did. The return time was already 3:15! From there, we strolled to the back entrance of EPCOT where we intended to catch a boat to DHS. Instead, we disembarked at the Boardwalk and sauntered over to the model BWV room since neither of us had been in one of their suites. Our review? In short, we still prefer our beloved VWL better.

Along the way, nearly everyone was congratulating us. It made a perfect day even more so. The water taxi driver regaled us with the story of his grandson, who later that week was going to propose to his GF during a Segway stop at Italy. The driver himself had been married for 49 years! That’s more years than I’ve been alive!! (just barely, lolol!!) Anyhoo…when we pulled up to the dock at the Boardwalk, I remembered the open house at the villa there. P had never been, so I suggested getting off there so he could see it. Which we did. I know there are a ton of BW lovers out there, but other than its location, the BW room décor really doesn’t do much for me. Neither did it do much for P. Sorry BWV lovers!!

For some still unknown reason, we opted to walk over to DHS from the Boardwalk. . .in the sun. . .and the heat. . .otherwise known as the Diet Trek since we both lost a few pounds on that walk. Seemingly hours later, we trudged through the gate, once again thankful we had no bag to check as those lines were also very long. As with EPCOT, the major attractions had long standby waits (an hour and fifteen or longer) and late afternoon FP return times (Toy Story was “sold” out already), except for Star Tours. That FP time was a mere 45 minutes away, so we grabbed ours and settled down for lunch at the Backlot Express. Time: 11:45

At 12:30, ST beckoned and we thoroughly enjoyed the episode we experienced. Our first time on the new ST last year had been “meh,” but this version was livelier and faster-paced.

I love the 3D remake!

After ST, and gauging our time, we decided to bus over to AK rather than hit the park after dinner as had been our original plan. We once rode EE five times in a row in the dark during the last 20 minutes before the park closed, so we initially had visions of repeating that magical experience; however, by this time in our journey through the World, we knew visiting AK before dinner was a wiser course of action. We walked the two miles required to catch the bus to over to AK, then once there, hiked three miles from the bus stop to the entrance. But, at least it was a “no bag, no wait” breeze through the gate.

Why is it that the bus stop of the bus that you’re currently riding stops at THE furthest stop AWAY from the entrance at Animal Kingdom??? Always!
We made the looong walk to the front gate and just then my little eye spied this!

This may be the one and only photo of me in these ears, it’s hard to tell. My 27 year old inner self is currently warring with my 47 year old outer self and I’m not yet sure who’s going to win!

By then, the time was closing in on 1:30, so we bee-lined for EE where, to our delight, the standby wait was only 40 minutes. Perfect! It’s good to note here that every step along the way through these parks, we reveled in the knowledge that the World was the big venue for our wedding, that we were extremely fortunate to have met each other and that we shared a love for the Mouse. Where better to share our lives than place that brought us together?

 

[sleepydog25]

My gun doesn't ever work!!!! And. You know it!
150,000 to 17 every single time. . .just sayin'. . .



Along the way, nearly everyone was congratulating us. It made a perfect day even more so. The water taxi driver regaled us with the story of his grandson, who later that week was going to propose to his GF during a Segway stop at Italy. The driver himself had been married for 49 years! That’s more years than I’ve been alive!! (just barely, lolol!!) Anyhoo…when we pulled up to the dock at the Boardwalk, I remembered the open house at the villa there. P had never been, so I suggested getting off there so he could see it. Which we did. I know there are a ton of BW lovers out there, but other than its location, the BW room décor really doesn’t do much for me. Neither did it do much for P. Sorry BWV lovers!!
To be fair, it was set up to allow peeps to sign contracts, so it wasn't terribly inviting, but still, it just wasn't our cup of tea. I am sure it would be fun to stay there during F & W, though!

Why is it that the bus stop of the bus that you’re currently riding stops at THE furthest stop AWAY from the entrance at Animal Kingdom??? Always!
We made the looong walk to the front gate and just then my little eye spied this!

This may be the one and only photo of me in these ears, it’s hard to tell. My 27 year old inner self is currently warring with my 47 year old outer self and I’m not yet sure who’s going to win!
I know.

My only question is, will you wear those ears during the ceremony?

 

[NoOrdinaryPrincess]

Love the ears! own them!

 

[fireofmarajade]

Chris - Younger seems to win out at Disney! Yea!!! i turned 30 at disney and felt like it could have been my 9th b-day for all anyone cared and how i was acting. It was great! go with it if you are having fun and everyone else will smile along with you! The ears look great i own them all well - and I'm an original ear kinda girl!

 

[anewmac]

found your cruise report which led me to this report, which translates into im not getting anything done today LOL. You guys are just too adorable. Cant wait to rear more!

 

[luvvwl]

Love the ears! own them!

Chris - Younger seems to win out at Disney! Yea!!! i turned 30 at disney and felt like it could have been my 9th b-day for all anyone cared and how i was acting. It was great! go with it if you are having fun and everyone else will smile along with you! The ears look great i own them all well - and I'm an original ear kinda girl!

Thanks, girls! I always do say you're only as old as you feel, so we'll see!

 

[luvvwl]

found your cruise report which led me to this report, which translates into im not getting anything done today LOL. You guys are just too adorable. Cant wait to rear more!

We really had a great time on our first cruise and we're happy eveyone enjoyed reading about it. We're taking our second cruise (again on the Dream) after the wedding so stay tuned!

 

[sleepydog25]

More from Our 4-in-1 Day (the engagement trip continues)

Now, EE has one of the best queues in any park, so we enjoyed shuffling through the artifacts until we literally were five people from going out the door to the loading dock. At that point, the line came to a standstill, and it stood still for 10 minutes before we noticed CMs scampering around outside with serious looks on their faces with a couple even walking down the line toward the first curve where they disappeared out of sight. Then came the dreaded announcement: "We are sorry to announce that all expeditions have been cancelled until further notice. We will attempt to restart the ride, but until then, please follow the directions of the CMs and exit the facility." I guess the silver lining here is that we could have been stuck on the ride.

As there was no other ride we wanted to do, plus with long standby times, we didn't want to miss our FP at Soarin'. Back we slogged to the bus stop (I think it was five miles walking back out) and caught a bus to EPCOT where our energy finally began to wane. When we arrived, the bag check line had disappeared, but the crowds inside had not. We were a bit early for Soarin', so I suggested a retro visit to. . .Captain EO!!

"You think?" answered my fiancée. "You think?" is her vernacular for "that's not what I had in mind." Still, I foolishly persisted.

"Sure, it'll be fun, and there is no wait." Silence ensued.

"Or," luv continued after a two-count, "we could do Living with the Land!" She named the ride with a bright, chirpy finish: upbeat, energetic, even peppy. "You don't like that idea?" Obviously, she could read my face which must have sagged like baggy pants on a hip-hop artist.

"Living with the Land. . .isn't that some stupid, boring, and utterly forgettable lame-o of a ride?" I had the good sense to not say that aloud, instead muttering the abbreviated version, "Hmmm, I don't know. . ." She made salient points about having to walk over to Captain EO (we were currently at the Soarin' pavilion), walk back (we had walked something like 100 miles so far this day), and given that I had never been on LwL, I should give it a try. Further, the wait for LwL was listed at 10 minutes, but we could tell it was essentially a walk right up and get right on.

Recognizing the unassailable nature of her argument, I reluctantly agreed to go on this new "adventure." I may rue doing so, but in retrospect, I must agree that she was. . .whisper with me. . ."right." Though placid in pace, LwL was fun and informative. Who knew so many things could be grown in sand? And I had never seen pumpkins (and other produce) suspended in the air by nets!

We finished LwL precisely at 3:13 and hopped over to make our Soarin' FP time. The standby wait at this time was a staggering 2 hours , so we were thrilled to sail through in less than 15 minutes. We snagged a coveted Row 1 slot, and soon we were smelling the pines and oranges we so freely associate with that ride. It was the perfect end to our park marathon. (Editor's note: At this time, we still had pretty much decided that we wouldn't backtrack to AK after dinner. No, we technically didn't ride anything there, but we still counted it as hitting the park since we were in line and only gave up when it shut down on us. According to Rule 17E, sub-paragraph 5, line 9, "whereas, subject to all appurtenances and guarantees, any attempt to get on a ride or attraction, or even sit down to a table service restaurant in a given park shall constitute an official visit to said park." [SleepyMoose's Official Rules and Bylaws for Park Visitation, 19th Edition]). Thus, it's official.

Next up: Why We Love Us Some California Grill

 

[luvvwl]

Now, EE has one of the best queues in any park, so we enjoyed shuffling through the artifacts until we literally were five people from going out the door to the loading dock. At that point, the line came to a standstill, and it stood still for 10 minutes before we noticed CMs scampering around outside with serious looks on their faces with a couple even walking down the line toward the first curve where they disappeared out of sight. Then came the dreaded announcement: "We are sorry to announce that all expeditions have been cancelled until further notice. We will attempt to restart the ride, but until then, please follow the directions of the CMs and exit the facility." I guess the silver lining here is that we could have been stuck on the ride.

Can you BELIEVE it????????? 45 minutes in line AND NO RIDE!!!! However. We do enjoy the queue and we always seem to find something new. Plus. It actually gives us some quality time together. And. I'll admit it. We're people watchers. So...if you were that middle-aged woman in the purple crocs and day-glo orange socks, or the Santa-esque gentleman in the wifebeater and knee-high black socks with sandals, I'll apologize here for any thoughts we might have shared with one another about you.

As there was no other ride we wanted to do, plus with long standby times, we didn't want to miss our FP at Soarin'. Back we slogged to the bus stop (I think it was five miles walking back out) and caught a bus to EPCOT where our energy finally began to wane. When we arrived, the bag check line had disappeared, but the crowds inside had not. We were a bit early for Soarin', so I suggested a retro visit to. . .Captain EO "You think?" answered my fiancée. "You think?" is her vernacular for "that's not what I had in mind." Still, I foolishly persisted. "Sure, it'll be fun, and there is no wait." Silence ensued. "Or," luv continued after a two-count, "we could do Living with the Land!" She named the ride with a bright, chirpy finish: upbeat, energetic, even peppy. "You don't like that idea?" Obviously, she could read my face which must have sagged like baggy pants on a hip-hop artist. "Living with the Land. . .isn't that some stupid, boring, and utterly forgettable lame-o of a ride?" I had the good sense to not say that aloud, instead muttering the abbreviated version, "Hmmm, I don't know. . ." She made salient points about having to walk over to Captain EO (we were currently at the Soarin' pavilion), walk back (we had walked something like 100 miles so far this day), and given that I had never been on LwL, I should give it a try. Further, the wait for LwL was listed at 10 minutes, but we could tell it was essentially a walk right up and get right on. Recognizing the unassailable nature of her argument, I reluctantly agreed to go on this new "adventure." I may rue doing so, but in retrospect, I must agree that she was. . .whisper with me. . ."right." Though placid in pace, LwL was fun and informative. Who knew so many things could be grown in sand? And I had never seen pumpkins (and other produce) suspended in the air by nets!

SEE??!! I TOLD YOU SO!!!!!!!! I really like that ride. Not in the have-to-do-each-and-every-time-we’re-at-Disney kind of way, but every now and again it’s nice to do the oldies, but still goodies. One of these days I may talk P into the Behind the Seeds Tour....

We finished LwL precisely at 3:13 and hopped over to make our Soarin' FP time. The standby wait at this time was a staggering 2 hours , so we were thrilled to sail through in less than 15 minutes. We snagged a coveted Row 1 slot, and soon we were smelling the pines and oranges we so freely associate with that ride. It was the perfect end to our park marathon. (Editor's note: At this time, we still had pretty much decided that we wouldn't backtrack to AK after dinner. No, we technically didn't ride anything there, but we still counted it as hitting the park since we were in line and only gave up when it shut down on us. According to Rule 17E, sub-paragraph 5, line 9, "whereas, subject to all appurtenances and guarantees, any attempt to get on a ride or attraction, or even sit down to a table service restaurant in a given park shall constitute an official visit to said park." [SleepyMoose's Official Rules and Bylaws for Park Visitation, 19th Edition]). Thus, it's official.

Gotta love the fastpass!! Soarin’ is one of my most favorite rides. For whatever reason, it gives me one of THOSE Disney moments. Like, when you first see the Walt Disney World sign. Or your first glimpse of Main Street after coming out of the tunnel. Don’t get me wrong, I’m a thrill ride girl right up there with the best of them, but there’s just something about the Main Street train ride, or Carousel of Progress, or the People Mover that just is so nostalgic. No commercialism, just straight up Disney the way I like to think Walt intended it to be.

Now, here's a funny thing. Believe it or not, I had no idea it was Flower and Garden Festival time. I’ve always wanted to see it and now I could! Surprise!! We wandered around Future World for a bit, taking in the sights. Everything looked sooo pretty! LOVE the Butterfly Garden!!!!