*David & Jenifer's Just Engaged Escape to the World, 12.5.10-12.11.10*

[lilsqueakrr]

Day 1: December 5, 2010​

Well, the day started out with me BARELY getting any sleep cause I was just sooo excited and I knew that we had to get up early! We got up probably around 5am, if not earlier. Don’t remember exactly. But anyway, so I was up and roaring to go! Woke Dave up and then made sure my parents were up and ready to take us to the airport. Our bags had been packed and were sitting at the door, WDW Express tags attached and READY!

We made a stop for some caffeine and nourishment at Dunkin Donuts and then were on our way to the Newark airport! On our way there my father kept reminding Dave, listen.. this is her element, she really knows what she’s talking about so just go along with it and let her do her thing if you want to make it home alive. Ha. My daddy knows his little girl! I kept hearing him say this will really be the test of our relationship, as to whether or not we will make it back as a happy couple hand in hand, still ready to get married! Hah.
My parents dropped us off and my mother kept telling me as to how jealous she was that we were going, hah. Her and I always go to Disney together, so this trip it’s kinda official that I’m growing up and that she’s loosing her little girl, lol. Poor Mommy. I loves her though!

Security was a breeze. Then I definitely needed the restroom! We got to our gate and I went to the little girls room. Hehe. We then sat down and kinda just hung out anxiously awaiting to board the plane. Plane boarded and we were on our way! Was so funny, while we were boarding the plane I noticed that there was a couple on their way to their honeymoon! I pointed it out to Dave and told him that I wanna get married IN Disney, but he just laughed at me as we sat in our seats.

2 hours later…
We landed in Orlando and you couldn’t get me off of the plane fast enough! Haha. I told Dave to just follow me, I knew where we were going! Ha. We had to go to the Magical Express check in, which I knew where it was but Dave insisted that we followed the signs! Typical man. I was going to the right instead of the left. But he insisted we HAD to follow where the sign said. I told him no just trust me! Well avoiding an argument and just shutting up and following him, we went to the left. Which the ladies then pointed us to the aisle in which I was heading to in the first place.. but I didn’t know what I was talking about! Rawr. Men. Ha.
I got so excited, we had the smallest line. But were amidst a lot of cheerleaders, shoulda checked the Pop Warner schedule first. Duh! But our bus was definitely the bus I wanted! It was the Magical Express bus with the little windows and Mickey and all that jazz! I was so excited we got the one I wanted. This was Dave’s first time on the Magical Express and FIRST REAL Disney Vacation! So I wanted to do everything and do everything big!!

While we were on our way, I double checked our reservation times and such:
Sunday, December 5-
Hollywood Studios 9am-8pm *magic hours 8pm-11pm
dinner @ 7:05 Prime Time Café
Monday, December 6-
Epcot Future land 9am-7pm… World showcase -9:30pm
Magic Kingdom *magic hours 8pm-11pm
dinner @ 6:50 Teppen Edo (Japan)
Tuesday, December 7-
Grand Floridian 9:15am Portraits
Hollywood Studios 9am-8pm
dinner/lunch @ 1:40 Mama Melrose
Wednesday, December 8-
Animal Kingdom 9am-5pm *magic hours 5-8pm
lunch @ 12 Yak & Yeti
Magic Kingdom 9am-8pm
dinner @ 10:15 Planet Hollywood
Thursday, December 9-
Magic Kingdom 9am-7pm
lunch @ 12:25 Tony’s Town Square
Mickey’s Very Merry Christmas Party 7pm-12am
Friday, December 10-
Breakfast @ Chef Mickey’s 9:35am
Epcot 9am-9:30pm *magic hours 9:30pm-12:30pm
dinner @ 8:30 Coral Reef Restaurant
Saturday, December 11-
Hollywood Studios 9am-
lunch @ 1:10pm Sci-Fi Café

Yeah, I’m a little crazy when it comes to planning. But hey! I get what I want and there is a reason why a lot of people now want me to plan their vacations!

We arrive at our hotel and we go to the express check in! Woo! We got a first level room by the POOL. Perfecto. Was sooo excited. And they also gave Dave his Happy Birthday button and we got 2 Happily Ever After buttons! Because on our reservations I made sure to tell them we were celebrating our engagement. I was a little bummed we didn’t get the ‘Just Engaged’ buttons, but I had 7 days to track them babies down! We headed back to the room and got freshened up to put our keys to the world to use! Off to Hollywood Studios for dinner at 50s Prime Time Café! We definitely needed something to snack on before going to the Studios, so we stopped at the café and got some yummy foods! I LOVED the chocolate cake!

Dave was amazed with the WDW transportation system. He couldn’t believe it. I told him, it’s got it’s ups and downs.. but it’s great! I was just so excited to be there with the love of my life and to finally see WDW at Christmas time!

We got to HS and I just wanted to jump for joy! Ha. We fit in a few rides before dinner, went to see Indiana Jones and walked through a few stores, then went to dinner! Dave LOVED it. He couldn’t believe how homey it felt and as if we weren’t even in WDW. The food was delish, unfortunately I have no food porn for this day. I slacked on the food porn pictures throughout the entire trip. =[ Boo. But here are some fun shots from the night..

 

[lilsqueakrr]

Day 2: December 6, 2010​

Today is Dave’s birthday! Woo! I made sure that birthday boy had his buttons on and couldn’t wait to spend the day in Epcot with him! I asked him when we first started planning as to what park he wanted to do on his birthday and there was no doubt in his mind that he definitely wanted to do Epcot! Ha.

We got breakfast in our tummies and then headed to the lobby to check out a few things. We ended up talking to a woman at the Disney Vacation Club booth and decided we wanted to get a tour and were definitely thinking about looking into the DVC. She was a doll! I loved her! So sweet. Plus she even found me some Just Engaged buttons! I was soooo excited I coulda kissed her! Ha. Plus she was from NJ! So we headed over to the little tour in our VIP little red van! Ha.

Our consultant was Tony and he was awesome! Didn’t feel any pressure at all. He fully explained everything and if I had the money I would have totally enrolled then and there! But money was a bit tight from my Christmas shopping so I couldn’t do it. Ha. Dave is definitely all for it too! I mean how could you not be? A definite vacation for the next 50 years? Woohoo! So we didn’t have the money to do it and we wanted to get to Epcot as soon as possible. Lol. We ate our free ice cream, which was delish, and hopped in the van back to ASM.
We were in the van talking with our driver and he said he was from Staten Island, we were neighbors! Ha. But he had grandkids in Monroe. He told us their street but nothing was clicking. Wah. I know I knew this guy from somewhere, long story short, it’s my best friends grandfather!!! Crazy! Haha. SO I HAD to get a picture with him!

The world truly is too small..

We headed to Epcot and did everything that we possibly could! We tried to have lunch in Mexico but they were booked up! =[ Bummer. So we went to China instead! Ha. We ate at Nine Dragons Restaurant, was soooo delish! I can’t remember exactly everything we did that day?? Sorry. It’s cause I’m doing the trip report so late. But we did take one of those fun pictures at the Imagination Pavillion! And one with Goofy and Minnie Mouse!!

But isn’t my birthday boy a babe??

 

[lilsqueakrr]

Day 3: December 7, 2010​

We had pictures at the Grand Floridian at 8:30am so we had to be on the buses at least an hour before. I hate being up early on vacation. =[ ha.
The Grand Floridian really is gorgeous. I kept pointing out the Wedding Pavilion to Dave and all kinds of stuff for the Disney Wedding. He just laughed at me and said yeah, you talk to your parents. Lol. While at the Grand Floridian we grabbed some delicious breakfast at 1900 Park Fair. I HIGHLY recommend their breakfast. It was delicious! And service was excellent. The people there were probably my favorite out of the whole trip! Plus we got free congratulation mimosa’s! YUMMY! I love them buttons of ours!

Oh by the way, this was the COLDEST day in Florida history! Yep. We broke the record! =[ Crazyness. We were not prepared. I was out in flip flops, capris and a tshirt taking pictures on the GF’s lawn! And Dave was in jeans and a tshirt! We’re smarties aren’t we! After pictures we originally planned on heading back to HS for our lunch at Mama Melrose, but it was waaaay too cold and we definitely needed to get some warmer clothing! We went back to our room and got jackets and shoes. Ha. Then back off to HS! When we got there we got ourselves some sweet santa hats!

Yay! They were super warm too! We had plenty of time before our reservations so we decided to do as much as we could before lunch! We hit up the backlot tour and got to see the parade all before lunch! Then we had lunch at Mama Melrose. Gosh their food is just sooooo delicious! Dave couldn’t believe it! Ha. Plus we got SOOO much! After lunch, we did the Voyage of the Little Mermaid, Muppets 3d, and everything else you could think of! Ha. We were meeting my cousin later on that night for dinner at DownTown, but we HAD to see the Osborne lights! And Dave wanted to go see Beauty and the Beast. Hehe.

So we caught the show, which was amazing of course. We were really, really cold at this point though. So we definitely grabbed a bit of hot chocolate for our walk over to the Osborne lights. As soon as I could see the lights, I literally gasped.. and this was just a little part that I could see! I couldn’t imagine what the rest of them looked like. Dave just laughed at me and continued to tell me I’m seriously like a toddler stuck in an adult’s body. Hehe. ;D

The Osborne Family Light Spectacular is seriously breathtaking! The snow. The lights. The music. OMG. I can’t even explain it! I couldn’t get over it. And of course.. we had to find some hidden Mickey’s in there too!! Haha. We wanted to stop and get some pictures taken with our photopass, but the lines were ridiculous anddd I was WAY too cold. Haha.

So then we headed to DownTown to meet up with my cousins for dinner. We went to Earl of Sandwiches, sooo yummy! And caught up for a few hours, it’s crazy we hadn’t seen each other in at least 4 years, but yet it felt like just yesterday!!

 

[lilsqueakrr]

Day 4: December 8, 2010​

We were up a bit early today because I wanted to get to Animal Kingdom for the opening so that there wasn’t a ridiculous wait for Kilimanjaro Safari. Once we got into the parks we definitely had to stop and get some photopass pictures done with the Tree of Life (which Dave was AMAZED with btw). We got some of my favorite pictures of the trip this day. But here’s some of our Tree of Life pics and a magic picture too! ;D
The guy who took our photopass pictures was fabulous! Ha. He showed me his Tink watch, I showed him my Mickey tattoos and told him of my Tink planned one, and he told me he had Tink hidden on him! Lol. LOVED him! =]

We then hightailed it to the back of the park! Dave was trying to tell me where to go but I kept telling him.. just follow me! Hehe. I found my way. And we literally walked right onto the Safari! It was awesome. Our guide was so cool. And I got the front row! =] My favorite. He kept laughing at all of my little side comments. At one point he had to turn his mic off! Hah. He was laughing too much. My bad?! When we saw the elephants he told us something about the elephant being pregnant for 18 months or some sort.. and I was just like holy **** that sucks! He was hysterical. WOOPS!
We saw a LOT of animals on the safari. Honestly, more than any other time that I had been on it! So cool! Dave loved it.

We then went to Expedition Everest, the walking trails, and the Finding Nemo show… which is fab. Ha. We had lots of fun, but decided to go back to the resort after lunch to hang out for a bit and get a little rest before heading to MK.

While we were at the room, I received a call that my packages arrived and as I was walking towards the lobby I passed by Dave who also had a bag? Hmm. He said it was a surprise? So I literally ran to the Maestro Mickey’s and booked it back to the room! Hehe. I love surprises! I get back and he tells me he bought our first Christmas tree and first ornaments! He’s seriously the best! I had been eyeing up that little tree since we had gotten there! Loves him!

We then headed to Magic Kingdom for the first time! Oh I couldn’t contain my excitement. I LOVE MK. Seriously my fav park. It’s just got a whole different feel to it. It’s so magical. Amazing. Breathtaking. Plus I had never seen it decorated for Christmas! =] I told Dave that he HAD to see the Wishes Spectacular. It’s my favorite part of the parks. =] When we got there we kinda just walked around and took some stuff in. Did a few little rides and then waited for the light parade, which Dave had also never seen. =] I HAD to make sure he got in the SIGNATURE Disney experiences on the first trip.
I didn’t even know they did a special lighting of Cinderella’s Castle.. we HAD to stop and watch.. and of course.. I had tears in my eyes like a little baby. Hehe. It’s seriously BREATHTAKING with all those gorgeous twinkling lights.

I got so emotional with Wishes. Heh. It was the first time I got to share my favorite part of the parks with the man I’m going to spend the rest of my life with. I had DREAMED of sharing this experience with someone. Standing there, surrounded my thousands of people, his arms around me and looking up at the magic in the sky. I’m getting teary eyed just thinking about it. So here are a few pictures of the fireworks..

I have hundreds of pictures from the fireworks and of the castle. I’m obsessed. I had to get the castle in every color of course!

 

[lilsqueakrr]

Day 5: December 9, 2010​

Today was the day that I had been waiting for.. a WHOLE DAY IN MAGIC KINGDOM! Followed by Mickey’s Very Merry Christmas Party!! Wooooohoooo!
I got myself ready in the morning.. equipped with my awesome Disney Christmas shirt I had purchased the night before and Dave had on his shirt too! Ha. It was a lot nicer out today.. probably the warmest it had been so far! Felt so nice to leave my jacket in the room! Ha. =] First we had lunch at Tony’s Town Square.. in which I had amazing mint cheesecake dessert! It was so pretty I had to take a picture!

We then took full advantage throughout the day of the photopass photographers! But they loved us and our engagement buttons! We did everything we could.. but I think I’ll let the pictures talk for themselves! Hehe. =] We both got our faces painted once we got back to Toon Town! So fun! So happy he wanted to do it too! Haha. ;D
It started to get cool out as the sun went down too.. sooo I HAD to purchase a nice new sweatshirt and Mickey scarf! ;D

We were waiting to go meet Mickey in the Judge’s Tent until the Very Merry Christmas Party because I figured the line would be shorter.. once it was time to get back there we literally waited about 10 minutes! Woohoo! And they were in their Christmas outfits! Sweet! Ha. Mickey had to look at my ring and Minnie too.. Minnie kept showing it to Mickey too! Haha. Was too funny! I was a bit upset though.. they didn’t have anybody there for photopass! And of course the picture that the guy had taken.. Dave’s eyes are somewhat shut. I was so bummed I wanted to go and wait on line again! Ha. ;P But Dave wouldn’t let me.

We then got some free hot chocolate and enjoyed the lessened crowd in the park, the Christmas music, and the sights until it was Holiday Wishes time. Which was AMAZING, of course. =] We stayed for the last parade too, which was smart, there was barely anybody there! =] Which again.. was AWESOME.

 

[lilsqueakrr]

 

[lilsqueakrr]

Day 6: December 10, 2010​

This was our LAST full day in Disney so I wanted to be SURE that we enjoyed it. I definitely didn’t take as many pictures as we had on days prior. Because I just wanted to enjoy being there and being with Dave. It’s seriously such an amazing place. Hehe. And honestly not being all huffle buffled and running around to get stuff done is sooo nice. =]

I was really bummed we were leaving the next day.. I didn’t want too. Neither did Dave. I turned him into a Disney Geek! Woo! ;D I’ll never forget what he had said to me that morning… he thanked me for taking him here and giving him the experience of the lifetime and sharing it with him. He couldn’t believe how much I had done and planned out for this trip and he thanked me for helping him to feel like a little kid again. I get tears just thinking about what he had said. It was sooo sweet. And I was sooo happy to share that experience with him.
He told me, don’t worry we’ll be back again before we get married! Ha. ;D

We went to DownTown that morning to get my shopping done. I went to World Of Disney and just wreaked havoc on that store.. ha. I LOVE it there. And I lost Dave of course.. or he lost me? I don’t know. It always happens. I always get separated from people in that store cause there is just SO much to look at! Ha. We got lots of goodies for ourselves and our family.
We went into Once Upon a Toy and got ourselves bride and groom Potato Heads! Ha. They’re AWESOME. I found lots of goodies I wanted in a bunch of stores.. but had to be money conscious! Haha.

We had dinner that night in Coral Reef so we eventually headed over to Epcot to wander around the countries again and enjoy ourselves. Coral Reef was probably our favorite restaurant of the trip. =] Dave and I had great conversation while we were there. Our waiter was AWESOME. The drinks were delicious and so was the food! Plus how cool is it eating inside of an aquarium?! Lol. We will totally be going back!!

Oh and look who we met before dinner……

Day 7: December 11, 2010​

Now it’s time to say goodbye…….
Ohhh the leaving day.. how I dread you. =[ We packed most of our stuff before we went to bed last night. We showered, got ready, checked our luggage for the flight.. checked our carry ons so we didn’t have to carry them around the parks.

We went to Hollywood Studios to do a couple of things we hadn’t gotten a chance to the days prior.. and then went to MK to say goodbye. =[ Oh boo. I hate leaving. We were both so sad to leave.. but Dave had promised we’d be back! ;D

 

[lilsqueakrr]

Conclusion​

This trip was by far my favorite trip I’ve taken yet. To share with the person I’m going to spend the REST of my life with. To show him one of my passions and loves. Was amazing and no words can ever explain it. I had never smiled so much or felt that feeling before. To share the magic of Disney with him was amazing. And to see how much he loved it and appreciated it, was even better. =] It’s definitely the first of many trips.

And those buttons… woo! Gotta love the perks of buttons!

And here are just a bunch of our PhotoPass photos for your viewing pleasure…. =]

 

[CandyHead09]

Agh so cute! Congrats on the engagement. Are you two going to get married in Disney?

 

[Bickimook2]

Such cute photos girlie! You both look like you had so much fun, this makes me super excited for our trip I have to definitely get down there at Christmas time sometime, it looks amazing! So you said you had pictures done at the GF was that a special portrait session with photopass?

 

[lilsqueakrr]

Agh so cute! Congrats on the engagement. Are you two going to get married in Disney?

Thanks so much!

Unfortunately we won't be getting married down in Disney.. but we're planning a 1 year vow renewal down there in 2013! <3

Such cute photos girlie! You both look like you had so much fun, this makes me super excited for our trip I have to definitely get down there at Christmas time sometime, it looks amazing! So you said you had pictures done at the GF was that a special portrait session with photopass?

Thanks love!!! I can't wait to go back. Looking at the pictures is such a TEASE!

It wasn't with photopass.. but they did put it on a photopass card for us. I just called the number and you can choose which resort it is. I got it in the pamphlet WDW mailed me when I had booked the vacation. It was on the last page and it was a coupon for a portrait session with 20% off I believe. If you got that little travel booklet that comes in the monorail wrapping/envelope it's in there somewhere. I don't have the coupon anymore.. otherwise I'd give you the number. If I find it I will PM you it!

 

[Bickimook2]

Thanks so much!

Unfortunately we won't be getting married down in Disney.. but we're planning a 1 year vow renewal down there in 2013! <3



Thanks love!!! I can't wait to go back. Looking at the pictures is such a TEASE!

It wasn't with photopass.. but they did put it on a photopass card for us. I just called the number and you can choose which resort it is. I got it in the pamphlet WDW mailed me when I had booked the vacation. It was on the last page and it was a coupon for a portrait session with 20% off I believe. If you got that little travel booklet that comes in the monorail wrapping/envelope it's in there somewhere. I don't have the coupon anymore.. otherwise I'd give you the number. If I find it I will PM you it!

Ah ok, sounds good let me know

 

[KristiLyn]

Cute pics!! Looks like you guys had a wonderful time!! I NEED to go back LIKE NOW!! haha!!!

 

[sw33t_angel]

Loving all the pictures and the commentary!! Glad you both had such a wonderful time and got to celebrate your engagement in style!! Nice to see you have converted Dave to a Disney Geek!!

I can't wait to go for my honeymoon!!!! I have never seen Disney at Christmas!!!

 

[librarygeek]

Your pictures make me excited to go even more!! It looks like such a fun trip. Someday I will definitely have to go around Christmas time, it's beautiful.

So sweet of him to buy you that Christmas tree, it's adorable!

 

[lilsqueakrr]

Ah ok, sounds good let me know

I'm working on it.. but so far I'm not having any luck. Did you get your little confirmation thing in the mail yet??

Cute pics!! Looks like you guys had a wonderful time!! I NEED to go back LIKE NOW!! haha!!!

Thanks mama! Me too! Everytime I look at them I get homesick.. haha.

Loving all the pictures and the commentary!! Glad you both had such a wonderful time and got to celebrate your engagement in style!! Nice to see you have converted Dave to a Disney Geek!!

I can't wait to go for my honeymoon!!!! I have never seen Disney at Christmas!!!

Yes, yes I did! haha. But the honeymoon will BE AWESOME for you. I told my dad about the trip for my mother and I.. but he didn't seem so sold on it? So we'll see. I have plenty of time to work on him.

Your pictures make me excited to go even more!! It looks like such a fun trip. Someday I will definitely have to go around Christmas time, it's beautiful.

So sweet of him to buy you that Christmas tree, it's adorable!

It really is gorgeous. I want to go back again. Really badly. Like NOW. This Christmas pleaaase. haha. Who wants to donate to my Christmas fund?

 

[J.ThaddeusToad]

So I just got started reading your TR and had to stop to reply because I'm laughing so hard! My DF did the same thing as yours when we were heading to the Magical Express! Thought he was going the right way instead of following me, the Disney maniac! Too funny!!! Also, good luck with you ring girlie - what a nightmare!

 

[lilsqueakrr]

So I just got started reading your TR and had to stop to reply because I'm laughing so hard! My DF did the same thing as yours when we were heading to the Magical Express! Thought he was going the right way instead of following me, the Disney maniac! Too funny!!! Also, good luck with you ring girlie - what a nightmare!

Haha, yeah. It was pretty funny.. we were a smidgen cranky too because of the early flight when we were waiting in line.. but of course I had to say told you so!

Thanks! I need as much Pixie Dust as possible right now.. I'm waiting patiently for DF to get out of work so that we can go to the jewelers. I'm sick to my stomach just thinking about it. I feel so naked without it.

 

[J.ThaddeusToad]

Thanks! I need as much Pixie Dust as possible right now.. I'm waiting patiently for DF to get out of work so that we can go to the jewelers. I'm sick to my stomach just thinking about it. I feel so naked without it.