Daddy for a week, Emily's Special Trip to "Ally's Room"

[aaaateamsgrandma]

Joining in on the fun!!! Thanks to Lisa for letting us know about it! Can't wait to read more! Emily is SO cute! (We are thinking of naming our baby, if it's a girl, Emily!)

Not to interrupt Allan. But. Dee how are you? I've missed seeing your pretty face on the boards and on fb. Have you had your test yet? Hope everything is good with you.

Ok, Allan. Carry on.

Ginny

 

[KatMark]

Allan, I want to join the group too!

Emily is precious and glad you enjoyed your stay at CSR that you are considering it again.

 

[MadilynnsMomma]

Hi Allen, I followed you over from Lisa's TR! Emily is a doll!!! I am taking my 2 year old daughter in December and look forward to hearing all about your experiences!!!

 

[Cafeen]

Thank you for those updates. That Emily is so precious. I can see why you love her so. That is the easy part, right? I wish nothing but the best for you. You are so deserving.

We were in Cabanas 8B. Right across from the pyramid. The boys loved it. We had three rooms and Don and I were lucky to have the end one. The girls were on either side. Love the queen beds for sure. We had 3 people per room so none of us felt at all crowded. But those late nites tend to wear on you after a couple of days.

Thank you again for writing such a good report.

Ginny

Thanks again . I can't talk enough about how nice the rooms were there. Of course, being brand newly redone helps a lot (well, relatively brand newly...) I do know that the doors between areas helped a lot when I was up and getting ready early while the girls slept.

Joining in on the fun!!! Thanks to Lisa for letting us know about it! Can't wait to read more! Emily is SO cute! (We are thinking of naming our baby, if it's a girl, Emily!)

Welcome Dee and thanks . She is precious isn't she? More will be coming eventually. I also have some video that I have to edit together and format to post on here, luckily that doesn't come into play until Wednesday and Thursday of our trip.

Not to interrupt Allan. But. Dee how are you? I've missed seeing your pretty face on the boards and on fb. Have you had your test yet? Hope everything is good with you.

Ok, Allan. Carry on.

Ginny

Much like you guys on your TRs, never be sorry to interrupt .

Allan, I want to join the group too!

Emily is precious and glad you enjoyed your stay at CSR that you are considering it again.

I did really enjoy CSR, and I must thank you for the information provided ahead of time (regarding the big CSR thread). I originally picked it because I had simply never stayed there (the only mod we stayed at when I was younger was CBR, and that's when it was only a year or two old) and it just looked nice. Your big CSR thread assured me I made the right choice.

As for the next trip (which will start debuting here soon), I'm still torn. I think I'd love to do CSR again solo, as it seems like it would be a great fit, but I also want to experience other resorts. We'll see how things go over time, but the perk of being the first bus stop at all the parks may prove difficult to give up.

Hi Allen, I followed you over from Lisa's TR! Emily is a doll!!! I am taking my 2 year old daughter in December and look forward to hearing all about your experiences!!!

Welcome and thanks! There are quite a bit of experiences to be had for sure. Overall though, she was amazing and we didn't really have to deal with any meltdowns or anything of that nature, so that made things much easier.

For everyone, I want to let you know that I sincerely appreciate the comments. I also talked to Beth during my noon(ish) break and passed all the love shown to Emily on to Beth. She also really appreciates it.

I really should get back to working, but I simply don't feel like it today. It's Friday and it's after lunchtime, does anyone expect anything to get done now?

 

[Cafeen]

Ahh yes, I knew I wanted to post a little story, but I had forgotten which one.

This is a story that melted my heart about a month and a half ago. It really made my day and may shed some light onto just who the little princess is. (ok, it's actually two stories, but they happened close together enough).

As you know, I am her "Ally". Also, as you may know, I hadn't seen either of them for almost a year and a half before this trip. Since June of 2008 to be exact and one of my biggest fears was that she wouldn't remember who I was. I had actually expected it quite a bit, and would have totally understood if that had been the case. At anyrate, during my usual noonish phone call to them, I was talking to Emily and I had asked her if we were going to see Mickey soon. Of course, she said yes. I then asked who else we were going to see. (Beth had been getting her introduced to the classic characters for awhile, and she already knew a bit about the princesses). I fully expected to hear some character name come out of her mouth, but what did she say? "Ally".

On to story number two, that happened later in that week. Beth was going through old photos of when Emily was just born and the birthday party that had been the last time I had gotten to see them. As she was going through, Emily appearantly grabbed a photo of me holding her, pointed to it, and said "Ally!" (in a very excited voice).

So, those two happenings came days apart in late Aug, before I had seen them (of course, I talked to them almost every day, but still). As to the "did she REALLY remember me?" The look as her face lit up when she saw me waiting at the airport answered that.

Ok, now back to your regularly scheduled pretending to work.

 

[deedeew80]

Not to interrupt Allan. But. Dee how are you? I've missed seeing your pretty face on the boards and on fb. Have you had your test yet? Hope everything is good with you.

Ok, Allan. Carry on.

Ginny

Hi Ginny! I've been good. Kinda busy lately though and not much time for being on the Dis I go for me test on Thursday at 10am. SO dreading it! LOL! Like I said, things have been a bit crazy over here. I had two viewings/funerals to go to within a week of one another. Eye drs appt. Wedding photographer coming with our pictures (finally! a yr later! LOL!), shopping, cleaning, trying to clean out the extra bedroom so DH can finally begin changing it into the baby's room!! ETC, ETC, ETC.......I am pooped! Hopefully things will start slowing down now & I concentrate on all my DIS subscriptions and such! Hope all is well with you & the rest of my DIS friends!!! Have a great weekend!

 

[aaaateamsgrandma]

Ahh yes, I knew I wanted to post a little story, but I had forgotten which one.

This is a story that melted my heart about a month and a half ago. It really made my day and may shed some light onto just who the little princess is. (ok, it's actually two stories, but they happened close together enough).

As you know, I am her "Ally". Also, as you may know, I hadn't seen either of them for almost a year and a half before this trip. Since June of 2008 to be exact and one of my biggest fears was that she wouldn't remember who I was. I had actually expected it quite a bit, and would have totally understood if that had been the case. At anyrate, during my usual noonish phone call to them, I was talking to Emily and I had asked her if we were going to see Mickey soon. Of course, she said yes. I then asked who else we were going to see. (Beth had been getting her introduced to the classic characters for awhile, and she already knew a bit about the princesses). I fully expected to hear some character name come out of her mouth, but what did she say? "Ally".

On to story number two, that happened later in that week. Beth was going through old photos of when Emily was just born and the birthday party that had been the last time I had gotten to see them. As she was going through, Emily appearantly grabbed a photo of me holding her, pointed to it, and said "Ally!" (in a very excited voice).

So, those two happenings came days apart in late Aug, before I had seen them (of course, I talked to them almost every day, but still). As to the "did she REALLY remember me?" The look as her face lit up when she saw me waiting at the airport answered that.

Ok, now back to your regularly scheduled pretending to work.

Thanks for not scolding me for interupting. I tend to get something on my mind and have to say it before I forget. I think it is an aging thing.

Allan that is a beautiful story. It is obvious you mean as much to her as she does to you. Don't let that relationship slip away. You have made a good impression on her young life.

Hi Ginny! I've been good. Kinda busy lately though and not much time for being on the Dis I go for me test on Thursday at 10am. SO dreading it! LOL! Like I said, things have been a bit crazy over here. I had two viewings/funerals to go to within a week of one another. Eye drs appt. Wedding photographer coming with our pictures (finally! a yr later! LOL!), shopping, cleaning, trying to clean out the extra bedroom so DH can finally begin changing it into the baby's room!! ETC, ETC, ETC.......I am pooped! Hopefully things will start slowing down now & I concentrate on all my DIS subscriptions and such! Hope all is well with you & the rest of my DIS friends!!! Have a great weekend!

It is so good to hear from you. Sorry you have been so busy. It gets harder as you get closer. I saw on FB that you had been picking thru proofs. That is a hard job for sure. I see no reason to rush. Tell that wonderful DH he better get busy on that room. The time is going to start flying. It's like waiting for vacay. You wait and wonder forever and boom it's here. You will wait and wait for months and then all of a sudden that little precious thing will be joining your family. So exciting for you. Have a great weekend back.

 

[Cafeen]

When I last left off, we had just finished up at Chef Mickey's and were hopping on the Monorail to head to the Magic Kingdom. During breakfast, Emily had been intrigued by the "train" going through the place. When we told her that we'd be riding that train, she was understandably excited!

So, we head up the elevator and make our way to the line. Of course, the platform was empty, so we walk straight away from the elevator. Now, if anyone's been up that elevator to the platform, you know (as I do, now) that you're supposed to take a right and the loading area is right there. Yeah, well, we walked backwards down the queue until we got to the top of the stairs, and then turned around to see the sign. D'oh! (This will be the second, of many navigational errors that I made this week).

At anyrate, we get going the right way and go back the way we came (all the way right to the elevator, and then beyond it) and eventually get on the Monorail. Yay, finally going to Magic Kingdom! (Or are we?)

Of course, I mentioned that it was the second navigational error, but glanced over the first. Well, remember before breakfast when we took the path from MK to Contemporary? Yeah, that was the first. I had the resort loop backwards, which is what leads us to taking the monorail in this direction.

Well, we get going on the monorail and take the loop and eventually end up in Magic Kingdom. Finally! (I know you're all saying that too... seriously, can I drag this out any longer?) We get our bags checked (we brought a backpack with Beth's stuff, a few diapers, and a change of clothes for Emily as well as another bag with water, soda, and juice.) and our fingers scanned and in we are. Walking through the right hand tunnel we emerge into Town Square.

We're going to walk down Main St. together, since I know you all love this first walk as much as I do.

We did catch the "Dream Along with Mickey" show as it was going on, so we stopped and watched that for a little bit.

So, it was about 10am ish and it was already getting hot. The stroller my mom had picked up came in very handy with the cup holders...

Emily didn't seem too impressed by our distant view.

So, we continue on our way to Fantasyland going to the right side of the Castle

(Standard "post card" shot)

Now, we had been discussing rides before the trip even started. Beth didn't really know (or remember) the rides there. She had been once before, but it was when she was about 10 and doesn't remember much from back then. She was also basically there working as a babysitter and didn't get to have any of her own fun. So, this was really a first trip for both of them (and about my 10th...).

Neither of us were very sure how Emily would handle the lines, and then the rides themselves. We checked out Peter Pan and Dumbo, both had about 30-45 minute waits. That wasn't going to work for the first ride, so we decided on another classic...

 

[Cafeen]

Thanks for not scolding me for interupting. I tend to get something on my mind and have to say it before I forget. I think it is an aging thing.

Allan that is a beautiful story. It is obvious you mean as much to her as she does to you. Don't let that relationship slip away. You have made a good impression on her young life.

I have no plans to. Ever. No matter what happens between Beth and I, she will always have a huge part of my heart.

I have a very strong suspicion that the first few months of her life, when they both lived with me and I was there for the baths, the comforting, and all that stuff made a big impression on her. If she was crying, she would always calm down when I started talking to her and holding her. I may also have been responsible for her infatuation with mirrors (more on that later in the TR) as I would hold her when she was a baby and have her look into the mirror. She'd laugh and giggle as she saw herself.

This part of the relationship will really start to shine later on the first day, when we eat dinner at Crystal Palace. That's basically the start of being "daddy" for the week. (And just for reference and CMA (covering my...) she knows who I am and who her actual daddy is...) I'll get to that in a bit, as we're only at about 10 or 10:30 am so far .

Man, I'm usually pretty quiet, but get me going on either Disney or Beth and Emily, and I'll talk up a storm! (Or World of Warcraft, but we won't go there on this report, since only a few of you will even know what the heck that is, and even fewer know what the heck I'm talking about inside there!)

 

[aaaateamsgrandma]

Such good pictures. Emily does look like she is having a grand time thanks to you and Beth. She seems a happy child and good natured. How fortunate.

I love the castle shots. I think we only got 2 when we were there due to the rain. Oh to be there on a bright sunny day would be ideal.

I always say a person needs to be passionate about something. For me it is my grandchildren and my family. For you it is your 'family' and WOW. Lucky for you. Austin is pretty passionate about that one too. And the $350.00 he just won from his fantasy baseball league.

 

[MEK]

Great TR so far! Emily is very, very pretty. I hope she has a wonderful time on this trip! What a lovely start to your first day. I can't wait to hear how she handles the rides.

By the way - your standard post card shot of the castle is really beautiful. Good job!

 

[Cafeen]

Such good pictures. Emily does look like she is having a grand time thanks to you and Beth. She seems a happy child and good natured. How fortunate.

I love the castle shots. I think we only got 2 when we were there due to the rain. Oh to be there on a bright sunny day would be ideal.

I always say a person needs to be passionate about something. For me it is my grandchildren and my family. For you it is your 'family' and WOW. Lucky for you. Austin is pretty passionate about that one too. And the $350.00 he just won from his fantasy baseball league.

There are much better pictures where you can really see the fun she's having (and the exhaustion she's causing! hehe). She is very good natured, for the most part. She has her moments like any two year old, but overall, she was very good throughout the whole trip.

I'm happy with the shots overall, I was still getting used to the camera and really should have varied the settings a bit, but overall they came out pretty good (and, I sorted out the really bad ones already, those won't see the light of day as I'm a bit OCD about that ><).

Great TR so far! Emily is very, very pretty. I hope she has a wonderful time on this trip! What a lovely start to your first day. I can't wait to hear how she handles the rides.

By the way - your standard post card shot of the castle is really beautiful. Good job!

Thanks

She really is. The personality she has really shines through too and really fits well.

And thanks again . I used to be a bit of a photo nerd, but sadly I lost a lot of it over the years. Hoping to get it back though.

 

[longing2Batdisney]

Hello! Allan,
great shots of Emily and the characters; esp w/Minnie! gotta love those moments!!
the castle shot is a wonderful shot; I love the stream with the castle in the background...looking forward to more

 

[KatMark]

Love the MK pictures of that first walk down Main Street.

 

[MadilynnsMomma]

Oh Main Street USA! Thank you for feeding my addiction! I CAN NOT WAIT FOR DECEMBER!!!

 

[mousebymarriage]

Great trip report, can't wait to hear more.

It's obvious how much you love Emily, she is a very lucky little girl.

 

[Cafeen]

Hello! Allan,
great shots of Emily and the characters; esp w/Minnie! gotta love those moments!!
the castle shot is a wonderful shot; I love the stream with the castle in the background...looking forward to more

I surely do love those moments, we had a couple more as well (let's just say that Tigger later on was another great one, and Handy Manny, and some others!)

I do like that Castle shot quite a bit. I'm a little disappointed that I cut off the very tip of the tall spire, but oh well, more excuse to try it again in the future!

Love the MK pictures of that first walk down Main Street.

Oh Main Street USA! Thank you for feeding my addiction! I CAN NOT WAIT FOR DECEMBER!!!

I took those shots rather randomly, but I do like the way they turned out. Looking through them again I can even feel the excitement of approaching the castle. You guys will be happy to know that I was thinking of this TR and pretty much did that especially for the DISers

Great trip report, can't wait to hear more.

It's obvious how much you love Emily, she is a very lucky little girl.

Thanks and Welcome . I'm feel like the lucky one though, just to be able to take a little part in her life. (And you thought Ginny was sappy about her family! )

 

[Cafeen]

Ok, I'm using red. This signifies PTR stuff rather than the green that is TR stuff .

I did make mention of this, but I'm planning on a solo trip down to the world in February. When discussing the "next trip" with Beth near the end of this last one, she wanted to wait two years! I wanted to go again in one, so we settled on a year and a half (marking Feb 2011 as the probable month, which brings it inline with both my birthday (9th) and Emily's (26th)). Of course, I didn't want to wait that long either (heck, I'd like to be back there now), so I'm looking to go this Feb.

I do have a friend from WoW who's mother works at 1900 Park Fare and I may be able to get a good steep discount through her. Otherwise, the 4/3 deal makes it just as attractive.

Now, for the dates, I'm choosing Feb for a few reasons:
1 - My Birthday . It may be a solo trip, but what better present can I get myself? It'll probably give my family a chance to know what the heck to get me too. (Gift Cards and Cash!)

2 - Crowds. I'm aiming for the beginning of the month to stay away from President's Day/"Up North" winter break (many schools up there have one of the last two weeks of Feb off)

3 - Work. We develop for many school systems, as such, our business picks up in the late spring and summer. With my position, I am unable to take any time off between about late May and mid-August. I'm the QA lead for 3 different applications (as of now, who knows what else they'll put me on by then), and so I'm ultimately responsible for how those apps turn out.

Now, onto planning!

I haven't booked yet, still waiting on word about booking through my friend. I also haven't made up my mind as to where to stay yet. Still leaning heavily toward CSR again, but depending on the deal I get, I may be able to spring for Deluxe.

I HAVE been making food plans though! I'll most likely be picking up the DxDDP to make sure that I get to taste all the places I wanted to try on the last trip. The list so far (all for lunch or dinner, I'm flexible since I only have to worry about myself): Le Cellier (really liked this place on this last trip), Teppan Edo (wanted to try it, but felt Emily may be a bit young), Artist Point, Yachtsman, Brown Derby, Tony's (not a fan of the LTT menu, and wanted to stay away from Characters and Buffets), The Plaza, 50s Prime Time or Sci-Fi (not much choice in MGM/HS really), Boma (we skipped this place on our trip and it was the one I was really looking forward to), Biergarten, and Ralgan Road (though, this may change, I'm not that big of a fan of DtD, may head to San Angel instead).

The change to 180 days on Oct 27 covers all of the days in my trip though (Feb 4-11 is the plan), so I can make the plans without booking to get it for the whole trip. Of course, the phones and website will be mobbed that day, but we'll see what happens, the flexibility I have should help me get into where I want to go.

As far as park plans... we'll see how things go. The focus will likely be on Epcot and AK since I'm not a fan of MGM/HS. I also feel I really missed out on AK this trip, so would like to focus a bit there.

Well, that's about it for now.

 

[MadilynnsMomma]

marking Feb 2011 as the probable month, which brings it inline with both my birthday (9th) and Emily's (26th)).

I knew I liked Emily... we share a birthday

 

[KatMark]

I HAVE been making food plans though! I'll most likely be picking up the DxDDP to make sure that I get to taste all the places I wanted to try on the last trip. The list so far (all for lunch or dinner, I'm flexible since I only have to worry about myself): Le Cellier (really liked this place on this last trip), Teppan Edo (wanted to try it, but felt Emily may be a bit young), Artist Point, Yachtsman, Brown Derby, Tony's (not a fan of the LTT menu, and wanted to stay away from Characters and Buffets), The Plaza, 50s Prime Time or Sci-Fi (not much choice in MGM/HS really), Boma (we skipped this place on our trip and it was the one I was really looking forward to), Biergarten, and Ralgan Road (though, this may change, I'm not that big of a fan of DtD, may head to San Angel instead).

Love The Plaza (always our last meal of our trip--a nice change of pace from all the heavy meals we eat on the trip) and really enjoyed Sci-Fi which we did for the first time in about ten years when we were there two weeks ago (I did a trip report and dining review and there are pictures there). We also did Boma for breakfast--excellent--I could have drank a gallon of the juice (I don't think I'd like dinner--I'm not into spices/flavorings, etc.); Biergarten is also a favorite. We did not care for Brown Derby.