Disney Bells and Pixie Dust! Our Practically Perfect Vacation!*Thanks for reading!

[xbwkq1v]

Hi, I just read through your tr and love it! Hunter and Megan are so cute!
We will be going to Disney on May 30th for the first time and you have given me so many great tips on what to see while we are there. Thanks! Sharon

 

[princessjv]

What a fun DIS meet! Michelle and Sam are like long lost family friends. Michelle really is a warm, kind soul!

I hate endings... I know that they always come.

 

[xbwkq1v]

We headed over to the characters and I have to admit, I was getting excited! Not only was I excited to meet the characters, but I was excited for my kids. Megan had become very interested in Donald before the trip. So it was time. First up:
Santa Goofy

Megan was apprehensive. He is very tall! She just wasn't sure about him!


Your photopass pictures are wonderful. Could you explain more on how this works with the CD. I would preorder the CD for 99.00 then when I get the CD iin the mail am I able to add all the borders and such myself or are they already on the pictures from the CD?
Sharon

 

[Poohtigeey]

Hi, I just read through your tr and love it! Hunter and Megan are so cute!
We will be going to Disney on May 30th for the first time and you have given me so many great tips on what to see while we are there. Thanks! Sharon

Hi Sharon! How exciting for you! You will have the time of your life!! Thanks for reading! I'm glad I could help!

What a fun DIS meet! Michelle and Sam are like long lost family friends. Michelle really is a warm, kind soul!

I hate endings... I know that they always come.

I know! Did you meet Sam too? I can't remember. It was a great meet and a wonderful way to spend our last day. I'm so excited to meet more DISers in December!

Your photopass pictures are wonderful. Could you explain more on how this works with the CD. I would preorder the CD for 99.00 then when I get the CD iin the mail am I able to add all the borders and such myself or are they already on the pictures from the CD?
Sharon

I'd love to! I could be the Photopass spokesperson I loved it so much! Pre order the CD on the Photopass website. Do it soon since you'll be leaving. If you can't find where to do it on the website just google "Pre order Disney Photopass". I had trouble navigating their website. They will email you a confimation with your code on it. PRINT IT OUT AND DO NOT DELETE!!! You must have this to finalize your order when you return. When you get your 1st Photopass pic taken they will give you a "credit card" type card and all of your pictures will go on that. Take tons and have fun. When you return you will log onto the Photopass website, put in your code, and the number off of the back(s) of the card(s) with the pictures on them. (**HINT: As soon as you are given a Photopass card take a picture of the back just in case you lose it!) After you've logged the info in it will bring up all of your Photopass pictures. That's when you add your boarders, crop, etc. You have 30 days to do this. When you are finished you check out and that's when they send you your CD. You cannot edit after the CD is mailed. On the CD is the copyright so you can order pictures from anywhere. Also on the CD are the originals. So if it's a picture of you with Goofy and you add a boarder then you will get both. If you had 200 pics taken, and you add boarders to all of them there will be 400 pictures on your CD. It's wonderful. If you have anymore questions feel free to ask!

 

[mkluvsmickey]

What a fun DIS meet! Michelle and Sam are like long lost family friends. Michelle really is a warm, kind soul!

I hate endings... I know that they always come.

Awww - thanks Jen! I really hope we get to meet up in December.


Monica - I can't believe you are almost done.

 

[Poohtigeey]

We waved goodbye to Meeko and went off to find our bus. How convenient it is to be able to take a bus directly from AK to Epcot! As we drove along it looked a little dark in Epcot’s direction. As we exited the bus the skies opened up! Our first rain. Mom pulled out her poncho, we gave Hunter his, we covered up the stroller with the new stroller cover which Megan liked for the first minute! I chose not to put one on because the rain felt good. I was burning up at this point! Then, it stopped! Rained for 2 minutes! (I think Michelle said it didn’t even rain at AK!) We split up a bit as we go through security and meet back up after we all go through. Monica, check. Megan, check. Dave, check. Mom, check. Um, where’s Hunter? My mom didn’t know she was on Hunter duty. We start looking, not even knowing if he had made it through security. He had on his poncho which blended him in with everyone else. That panic feeling started to sink in and then my mom walks up with him. He didn’t even know he was lost!

We went into the park and headed over to Coral Reef. It now felt like a sauna outside. I was happy to be in the air conditioning! Dave distracted my mom while I checked in and checked on the surprise. Everything was ready. There weren’t many people in there waiting at the time. We soon were headed to our seats. A booth on the floor level, facing the aquarium! It is beautiful in there. You feel like you are under the sea. Beautiful tile work. I love it in there! The table across from us was 3 people sitting with a Disney VIP tour guide in his red and black plaid vest. I never would have guessed that they eat with the guests. I’m thinking that’s the job for me! The hostess gave everyone their menus, and the kids got special ones!

I had called ahead and had these made. My mom was impressed, Hunter kind of, Megan not so much! I thought it was a pretty cool, special souvenir that most people don’t have! Hunter enjoyed the activities they give the kids. There is a fish identifier paper which he loved looking for the different fish and coloring them in. Our waiter was great. He brought Hunter a special strawberry drink for his birthday. They brought us some super yummy bread. For appetizer I ordered the land and sea because that was the only thing that offered something other than seafood. The beef skewers were so good with the best bbq sauce I’ve ever had. I even tasted the grilled shrimp!!! I didn’t hate it. I didn’t eat it, but I didn’t hate it! I gave it to Dave. I’m not sure what everyone else got, but I think Dave got the lobster soup.

While we waited for our entrees I saw him. Here comes the diver. I’m so excited, I get the kids attention. “Look there’s the di…” and then the other tables waitress comes over and blocks our view. Oh no! We’re going to miss it!! “MOVE!! MA’AM MOVE!!” I finally get her attention as the diver holds up the sign. “Happy Birthday Hunter and Megan!” Then he scoops up the rocks and tosses them and it looks like confetti! So cool! Well, I’m giving myself a big pat on the back by now and my mom is really impressed now! She thinks I’m the best Disney planner ever!! This story is the first one she tells people when she’s talking about our trip! This was the perfect ending to a magical trip!

Our food came and I think everyone got steak which was delicious. I declared this my favorite Disney restaurant. For dessert I got the crème brulee, Dave got the chocolate wave, and mom got the key lime pie. The crème brulee wasn’t as good as Le Cellier’s. Dave swapped with me and the chocolate wave was so yummy! The kids got birthday sundaes which they loved. We loved Coral Reef!

Megan was so facinated with her dessert that she wouldn't look at me!

Not a great picture, but you can see the tile work

As we left the lobby was packed! We got in just in time. We stopped in the bathroom so I could put on a tee shirt and change Megan. (I don’t remember why!) It was not a super clean bathroom, there was water covering the counter. I called Michelle and they were coming out of Nemo. Perfect timing! We met up as we walked out of Coral Reef. We decided to hit the Showcase so we headed towards Mexico. On our way we stopped for a Photopass picture.

We looked around Mexico then hopped on the boat. We always enjoy this ride. The addition of the Three Cabaros, Cabiaros, DUCKS! Is cute. Loved the Donald Duck pinata.

As we left Mexico Donald Duck was leaving. We just missed him! Next up, is Norway. I park the stroller and we get in line. Now, most of you know that once you're in line you’re kind of stuck. Well, Megan was very tired by now and wanted her blanket and binkie. Do you think I had thought to get them? Of course not! So she cried through the whole line. I’m sure people thought we were making this poor scared two year old get on the scarey troll ride! We finally get on a boat and she settles down a bit, but not much. Our boat pulls up and I leave Michelle, Sam and my family in the dust. I’m carrying a crying toddler and I’m on a mission! I zoom through the theater and sadly past the big troll that we always get our picture taken with. Not this time big ugly guy. I get Megan to the stroller, plugged up and she’s out before the others catch up! And look what Dave got!

We toured around the world and had a great time with Michelle and Sam. She slowly warmed up to Hunter cause he talked her arm off. Like mother like son, huh Michelle?!! It was so great to be with friends! The kids wanted to meet Mulan and she was great. Hunter handed her his and Megan’s autograph books. She asked where Megan was and we pointed to the stroller. She left the line to get pictures with our sleeping girl! It was so sweet and one of my favorite Photopass pictures!

This would have been a nice picture if that dumb girl hadn't walked in front of the camera! Oh wait! That's me!

As we got to America it was looking very dark and we saw a little lightening which is one of my fears so I was trying to book it to safety, but it blew over. By this time the picture taking was done. I was so tired! Michelle got a good picture of Hunter and Sam in France, but I can’t find it. Maybe she can post it. At some point we got fast passes for Test Track so we headed that way. We also got child swap passes. First up was Dave, me, Hunter, Michelle and Sam. We had a fun ride. I forgot about the truck!! We had another fast pass and 3 child swaps passes so we had to decide who was going. Sam agreed to ride with my mom, Dave and Hunter which I think surprised Michelle. Hunter had won Sam over! They also had fun playing in the puddles together.

After Test Track it was time to go. We said our goodbyes, but then ended up eating at the same place! It was funny. We ate at Electric Umbrella which is very average. I think we all got chicken fingers and got Megan a turkey pinwheel sandwich since we had a CS credit left. Afterwards we really said goodbye. What a wonderful day with a new friend!

We headed back to the resort, took a last walk through the gift shop, and loaded into the van. I think it was 10:00! We were in for a long night. We thought we might stop at a hotel around 2:00 or so. Well, long story short, we got lost. You’re shocked right?! It was pretty bad and we decided not to stop. We didn’t get home until 7:00pm the next night. When we got home all of the smoke detectors were going off! They are hard wired into the house and I guess there had been a power outage. WELCOME HOME!!

Next up: My final thoughts. (On the edge of your seat aren’t ya?!)

 

[mkluvsmickey]

I can't believe you are finished with your report - except for the final thoughts of course!

It didn't rain in AK from what I remember - unless it happend while we were eating at Pizzafari.

The Coral Reef looks really pretty inside! And the menus turned out great. I'm glad you could at least impress your mom witht he menus and diver. I think that is so cool. The picture of you, Dave and the kids in Coral Reef is great!

Love the Mulan pictures - they did turn out fabulous!

Samantha totally surprised me by riding Test Track without me! I was so happy she did it though - she still talks about that!

And yes, Samantha did warm up to Hunter. They were walking and talking through World Showcase about how when they are teenagers they'll be able to walk around the parks by themselves while the parents sit on a bench!

Here is the picture Monica was talking about - I think they both look so grown up here:

Monica - didn't you go on SSE on the way out? I know we did and I'm pretty sure you called me to tell me you were able to get on too.

 

[Poohtigeey]

I completely forgot about that!

Update! They were letting people ride Space Ship Earth as we were leaving. We were so excited since it wasn't supposed to be open yet. I didn't see much difference and enjoyed as usual. I called Michelle to tell her to get in line and they were riding too. When we got off the CM told us we were lucky because they were already shutting it back down. Another magical moment for us! (Even if I forgot about it!)

Michelle, Sam and Hunter have been sending eachother letters on Webkinz! I love that picture! Can you email it to me again? I think it got lost in the computer fiasco!

 

[scottny]

Great update and pics.

I cannot believe it is just about over. how sad.

 

[roxannensteve]

What a great report Monica - so hard that its ending though. But we will all have another one up in no time. Coral Reef looks nice. I am debating on there & another place for for Anniversary this year. The menu kinda scares me. I don't see a whole lot I like. But your experience is winning me over.

It has been so wonderful getting to know you & your family through this report. I only hope I get to meet you in person. Thanks for having us all along & sharing your beautiful family & stories with us.

 

[kaysmommie]

Great ending! The pics of all of you are great. Love the ones on Test Track and in WS. I agree I love Coral reef too, thought I was the only one who went to Coral reef and ordered Steak. But it really was good, chocolate wave is yummy too. Loved the menu's and the diver!! Funny that you forgto about SE, in my trippie I forgot when we were in MK that we went on COP for the frist time. It was kind of boring I guess that is why I forgot. Sorry about your awful long ride home and the fire alarms . I really enjoyed getting to know your family through your trippie. Can't wait for final thoughts.

 

[stagemomx3]

Great update. I think the menus at Coral Reef turned out great.

 

[mom2mek]

Monica, I can't believe you beat me to the end! Drat! Well, you still have your final thoughts to go, so maybe if I really hustle I can catch up! Really quite sad, isn't it? I mean, your trip was after mine, plus you were without a computer for forever and a day, and yet here we are - reading your last installment! I am such a slacker!

Anyways, loved your last day! I can't believe I totally forgot about the Coral Reef. I've been racking my brain since you mentioned your favorite restaurant (but I didn't want to cheat and look back at your pre-trip), and I can't believe I didn't remember about the menus and the diver! I loved it! So fun! I love the Coral Reef too. It's so mesmorizing and soothing "under there". I still can't believe we didn't make our ADR for the Coral Reef and instead ate with all the birds at the CS restaurant in Mexico- blech! That's what I get for trying to be accomodating to a certain sister of mine, right? Regret.

They must have like one Mulan, because I swear in everyone's pictures of her, it's the same girl. Cute one of her "with" Megan! Too bad you didn't get your picture with the infamous troll, but glad Dave came through for you with the one of Hunter!

Love the pictures of you and Michelle. The Test Track ones are great, and I'll say it again, Hunter and Sam look adorable! Glad they had fun together! I would love all our kids to meet someday too!

WOW! What a trip home? Yikes! Nothing says "vacation is officially over" than an insanely long drive home, followed with loud piercing noises going off all over your house!

Thanks for sharing your wonderful trip with us! I look forward to reading about your next one.

Sara

 

[ChelleinNC]

Mulan coming over to pose with sleeping Megan is themagical moment for me

I can't believe it's over! Since you can't hear the "tone" that was not sarcasm, but disbelief and sadness Sounds like a wonderful trip filled with great memories. Thanks for sharing

 

[KimmyDisneyNerd]

Tell me it's not over!
Great last moment pictures. The Mulan and "Sleeping Beauty" picture was my favorite.
I really liked the Coral Reef too. I loved how rested I felt in the middle of a crazy day.

I want more!

 

[mom2mek]

I want more!

Yeah, me too! Just make stuff up, Monica! We'll still read!

Sara

 

[Poohtigeey]

Great update and pics.

I cannot believe it is just about over. how sad.

Hey Scott! Thank you so much for sticking with me and reading. It's been great getting to know you!

What a great report Monica - so hard that its ending though. But we will all have another one up in no time. Coral Reef looks nice. I am debating on there & another place for for Anniversary this year. The menu kinda scares me. I don't see a whole lot I like. But your experience is winning me over.

It has been so wonderful getting to know you & your family through this report. I only hope I get to meet you in person. Thanks for having us all along & sharing your beautiful family & stories with us.

Aw, Roxanne you're gonna make my cry! You've been with me since the beginning of my pre trippie. We will definitely make sure we meet in December! FYI, I'm as picky as they come and Coral Reef is very good! The steak is great. Thanks for reading!

Great ending! The pics of all of you are great. Love the ones on Test Track and in WS. I agree I love Coral reef too, thought I was the only one who went to Coral reef and ordered Steak. But it really was good, chocolate wave is yummy too. Loved the menu's and the diver!! Funny that you forgto about SE, in my trippie I forgot when we were in MK that we went on COP for the frist time. It was kind of boring I guess that is why I forgot. Sorry about your awful long ride home and the fire alarms . I really enjoyed getting to know your family through your trippie. Can't wait for final thoughts.

Hey Nichole! Thank you so much for reading along. It was a great trip. I can't believe that I forgot about riding SSE! I was so excited that we got to ride it!

Great update. I think the menus at Coral Reef turned out great.

Hi Michelle! Thanks for reading. I was so happy with the menus and diver.

Too bad you didn't get your picture with the infamous troll, but glad Dave came through for you with the one of Hunter!

Love the pictures of you and Michelle. The Test Track ones are great, and I'll say it again, Hunter and Sam look adorable! Glad they had fun together! I would love all our kids to meet someday too!

Thanks for sharing your wonderful trip with us! I look forward to reading about your next one.

Sara

We'll have to make sure we get the troll pic in December! You can hang from his nose! San and Hunter were very cute together. He loved having a friend there! We'll all get together someday.

Thank you so much for reading along. I've made some great friends writing this report!

Mulan coming over to pose with sleeping Megan is themagical moment for me

I can't believe it's over! Since you can't hear the "tone" that was not sarcasm, but disbelief and sadness Sounds like a wonderful trip filled with great memories. Thanks for sharing

Hey! I'm so glad you found my report! I meant to tell you I finished yours, but when I went to post I couldn't. Not sure why. We did alot of the same things it seems. The Mulan meet ranks right up there for me too! Thank you so much for reading!

Tell me it's not over!
Great last moment pictures. The Mulan and "Sleeping Beauty" picture was my favorite.
I really liked the Coral Reef too. I loved how rested I felt in the middle of a crazy day.
I want more!

Kimmy, writing this report has turned out to be such a wonderful experience because I've met great people like you! I remember our first "conversation" on here! I never would have thought that I would make good friends on here, let alone go on vacation with them!

Yeah, me too! Just make stuff up, Monica! We'll still read!

Sara

Thank you!

 

[Pakey]

Monica, I can't believe you are at the end. Now I'm going to have to hurry up. Ooops, I mean FlatSharon is going to have to hurry up.

The pic with Megan and Mulan is darling but of course my fav has to be my man, Hunter, in the Viking horns. Leave it to him to find a pair of horns bigger than then ones Vik and I found when we were there.

And Coral Reef. Way to go, stepping out of your comfort zone. Not much on the menu there for the non seafood eaters. We try to eat lunch here every trip and how great for you that you got the booths facing the tank on the 1st tier; I think those are the best seats.

But boy oh boy does that drive home sound terrible.

And I second and third what Kimmy and Sara said. Just make stuff up now. As long as you don't put stuff that Michelle could verify, we won't know the difference.

 

[Poohtigeey]

The pic with Megan and Mulan is darling but of course my fav has to be my man, Hunter, in the Viking horns. Leave it to him to find a pair of horns bigger than then ones Vik and I found when we were there.

And Coral Reef. Way to go, stepping out of your comfort zone. Not much on the menu there for the non seafood eaters. We try to eat lunch here every trip and how great for you that you got the booths facing the tank on the 1st tier; I think those are the best seats.

I love the faces Hunter makes with the hats on!

That booth is a perk with having the diver coming. They make sure you get a good seat to see your sign! We were so lucky. Plus the big sting ray kept hanging out right in front of our window. LOVE THAT PLACE!!

Thanks for reading Faith!

 

[lam712]

Monica, I don't want this report to end! Can't you fill up a few more pages with every detail of the horrid trip home? Sounds like that was almost as long as the time spent at WDW

I love the photo with Mulan and Hunter next to Megan in the stroller. I have one of my youngest DS in a stroller at WDW I plan to use in a high school graduation video next year (if he doesn't catch me).

We have never eaten at the Coral Reef even though most of us love seafood. Oh well, DD (the vegetarian) would probably be creeped out by the fish swimming by as the rest of us were eating some.

I feel like I know you and your family so well even though we have never met. Thanks for sharing your trip and your family with complete strangers!