Dreams Do Come True (and we are not even there yet)!-Trip 4 Started-6/28

[jeremysdisneymom]

Well, we are 36 days away from arriving to our happy place! Let's dance! Can you tell I am getting excited! Jeremy has 1 week and 1 day left of school. Baseball wraps up in 3 weeks. Scout camp is in 3 weeks! Whew, we have a lot to do until we leave plus I need to make us some Disney shirts! The time should fly by.

I want to get Trip 3 wrapped up and post Trip 4 before we leave. Plus, I wanted to give you a recap of our Disney plans 1 month before they happen so look for that on June 1.

Trip 3-A Thankful Time at Disney-Day 4
Day 4 was Magic Kingdom Day. I don't have a lot of pictures from the morning. My camera often gives me fits with the battery so that could have been one of those moments.

I know we arrived shortly after the park opened as we missed the Opening Show once again. It was completely magical to walk down Main Street right after opening. The park was decorated for Christmas and all the cast members were lined down the street waving their Mickey hands. Jeremy wanted to hit Buzz Lightyear first so we headed to Tomorrow Land. He and Tom both love this ride. I have a tough time controlling the laser so it is not one of my favorites. The line was sooo short that I know we got off and on at least three times.

I know we headed into Fantasyland afterwards and then rode Big Thunder Mountain railroad and Pirates of the Caribbean. We had lunch at Peco's Bill in Frontierland.

That afternoon they were showing the Twas the Night Before Christmas Show that was going to be during MVMCP. Since it was such a beautiful day out, we decided to go see it so we would have more time during the party for other things.

It was in the theatre in Tomorrowland (I have no idea of the theater's name). We got there and it was not crowded at all. You could easily get a seat.

We all loved this show. The pictures don't do it justice. It was soo cute and really got you in the holiday spirit.

Chip and Dale and the Toy Soldiers:

Pluto and the reindeer:

I love the dancing hippos!

Santa Goofy!

At the end, Goofy pops up on the side. Sorry the picture is so blurry. I could barely get it before he was gone.

I am not sure if they still do this show or not. I think I read last year that there was a different show during the party. I know that this one was great!

Once the show was over, we headed back to the WL and rested. We were heading to DHS for the opening of the Osborne Lights.

Continued in the next post...

 

[jeremysdisneymom]

Day 4 Continued

After a short nap at Wilderness Lodge, we headed to DHS for the Opening night of the Osbourne Lights. I was really looking forward to this and was hoping that the crowds would be manageable. This was the year when Disney delayed the opening until after Thanksgiving. It was crowded but not as bad as I imagined. We weren't far from where they "flipped" the switch but could still not see it actually happen.

Can you see the excitement in Jeremy's face? He looks like he has been scared to death.

Once the switch was flipped, the lights came on and they were dancing! All of three of us were in awe! It was spectacular.

Everyone just stood there looking up in the air and all around. It even snowed which made it even more special.

Slowly, people started to move around and so we made our way down the street to see everything.

Along the way, we stopped and got some hot chocolate and carmel corn to share.

After our yummy snack, we headed to Fantasmic. We had never seen this show before and it was on our list of must do's. We didn't have to wait very long and were soon walking into the ampitheater. This show is amazing. We absolutely loved it! I cannot imagine how they put this on with all that water!

My favorite part was Steamboat Willie!--such a Disney classic.

After the show, we headed back to WL. We had a full day planned on Day 5.

Up Next:

-our first time at Epcot as a family
-two character meals in one day
-Candlelight Processional

 

[jenjolt]

Yes time is going to fly right by!!!!! It's amazing how fast the summer always goes by LOL!!! And it sounds like you guys are busy busy!!!!

Osbournes' Lights that is one thing I really really want to do someday!!!! Disney at Christmas time must be so amazing!!!

Can't wait for more about your previous trips!

 

[amandaluvsgoofy]

Hi there! I'm signing up! I just finished your PTR and am loving your past TRs! This makes me really want to visit during the holiday season!!! And it's nice to know that the decor is up during Thanksgiving!
Can't wait to read more!

 

[Sooze]

I'm loving these trip recaps... we are getting a bunch of TRs for the price of one!! Keep 'em coming!

 

[MommyMcQueen]

Hi Erika!

Great updates and pix from your trip! Love to see all of the Xmas decorations and those pictures of the lights are amazing! I can't imagine how great it would be to see in person! Please do share pix of your house at Xmas - we have bland, boring Xmas decorations and I need some inspiration!

Congrats on 36 days!!!!

Karen

 

[martinolichfamily]

Hi Erika!
Time is flying by! DS will be out of school next Wed..and bball will be wrapping up that same day.
The Christmas Show looks like it was so much fun and the Osbourne Lights...loving them!
I hope to see them one day!
Can't wait to read your recap for your upcoming trip!

 

[moparop]

Ok, all caught up now! Your Thanksgiving trip has me so excited for ours! I was starting to wonder what we were going to do on our nonpark day until I saw the pics of the GF lobby!! We HAVE to go see that!!! The Osborne lights have me totally psyched too.

I can't wait to read about the rest of your trips!

 

[jeremysdisneymom]

Yes time is going to fly right by!!!!! It's amazing how fast the summer always goes by LOL!!! And it sounds like you guys are busy busy!!!!

Osbournes' Lights that is one thing I really really want to do someday!!!! Disney at Christmas time must be so amazing!!!

Can't wait for more about your previous trips!

You must do Christmas at Disney at least once! It so beautiful. I really want to go back again some time.

 

[jeremysdisneymom]

Ok, all caught up now! Your Thanksgiving trip has me so excited for ours! I was starting to wonder what we were going to do on our nonpark day until I saw the pics of the GF lobby!! We HAVE to go see that!!! The Osborne lights have me totally psyched too.

I can't wait to read about the rest of your trips!

You are going to have so much fun over Thanksgiving. It is absolutely beautiful. Hearing all your plans has me wanting to go back sometime soon.

You will the GF at Christmas. You definitely need to make time to go there. It is stunning.

 

[jeremysdisneymom]

Hi Erika!
Time is flying by! DS will be out of school next Wed..and bball will be wrapping up that same day.
The Christmas Show looks like it was so much fun and the Osbourne Lights...loving them!
I hope to see them one day!
Can't wait to read your recap for your upcoming trip!

Recap starts today! Stay tuned......

Jeremy's last day is Friday! Time is flying by quickly. We still have ballgames for the next two weeks but then that will soon be over. So much to do these days with only 31 left until I am in my happy place!

 

[jeremysdisneymom]

Hi Erika!

Great updates and pix from your trip! Love to see all of the Xmas decorations and those pictures of the lights are amazing! I can't imagine how great it would be to see in person! Please do share pix of your house at Xmas - we have bland, boring Xmas decorations and I need some inspiration!

Congrats on 36 days!!!!

Karen

Thanks!

I will find those pixs tonight and post them this week. There is an interesting story to tell as well that goes along with them so I will post that too.

 

[jeremysdisneymom]

I'm loving these trip recaps... we are getting a bunch of TRs for the price of one!! Keep 'em coming!

Thanks, I am glad you are enjoying it. I am actually having fun reliving it. I wish I had done a trip now with each one. More to come today.

 

[jeremysdisneymom]

Hi there! I'm signing up! I just finished your PTR and am loving your past TRs! This makes me really want to visit during the holiday season!!! And it's nice to know that the decor is up during Thanksgiving!
Can't wait to read more!

Thanks for joining in! Disney is beautiful during the holiday season. It is definitely worth a trip at least once. Everything is up for Thanksgiving except for the MK's Christmas tree. I think it goes up after the parade taping.

 

[jeremysdisneymom]

One Month From Today-Day 1

Today officially starts my One Month From Today Posts! With that said, I am down to 31 days until I get to my happy place! Aaaah, I can hardly wait.

One month from today (July 1) will probably start out early for me. I am going to try and get up early and head to work by 6:30 a.m. It will be the day after the end of the quarter so quarterly payroll taxes will need to get filed as those cannot wait for 12 days. There are computer systems that will have to get closed with a new month. Board reports that will have to get finalized before that evenings board meeting. Plus, it is the first day of the month - the office will be super crazy with people paying their electric bills. I hope to leave by 3:00 so I can hurry home. I want to get my walk in at the park, finish any last minute packing that did not get done the night before, paint my toenails laughing:, I never wear sandals to work so I want them to look good before I leave), give the house one last good vacuum, and then get everything organized in the kitchen for DH to pack the car.

DH is off that day so I am sure he and DS will sleep in, mow the yard, give the pool one final cleaning and load it with chemicals, and then of course, spend an hour shooting the breeze with the neighbor to remind him that we will be gone . What is it with men---it takes one hour to remind someone you are leaving! I will drive his truck to work so he can give my vehicle one final cleaning in and out and load it up with gas. At some point, he is going back to bed so he can be well rested for the drive at night.

As for DS, he will probably be driving DH crazy all day and not letting him rest when needed. Note to self: Be sure to remind Jeremy to leave Daddy alone this day or we will have Grumpy on our hands the entire ride to Florida.

We will all shower and clean up and then I have to head back to work for my board meeting. It starts at 7:30. I always go first but it will be up to my boss as to whether I can leave early or not. Let's hope he is in a good mood and there is nothing major going on. If not, I could be out of there at 8:00 and back home at 8:30. Worse case, it would be 11:00 and I am back home at 11:30. No matter what, the boys will be waiting for me to pull in, hop in under the driver's seat and off we go. I will drive until I get sleepy which will be the Kentucky/Tennessee line --it never fails, I always hand over the driving to Tom at this point and get up in time for Atlanta. I love driving through Atlanta in the night with no traffic!

Tomorrow: Day 2-We finally arrive at Disney! Will we hit a park or crash in the room? Will Tom like dinner this evening? Stay tuned for all the details.

 

[moparop]

One Month From Today-Day 1

Today officially starts my One Month From Today Posts! With that said, I am down to 31 days until I get to my happy place! Aaaah, I can hardly wait.

One month from today (July 1) will probably start out early for me. I am going to try and get up early and head to work by 6:30 a.m. It will be the day after the end of the quarter so quarterly payroll taxes will need to get filed as those cannot wait for 12 days. There are computer systems that will have to get closed with a new month. Board reports that will have to get finalized before that evenings board meeting. Plus, it is the first day of the month - the office will be super crazy with people paying their electric bills. I hope to leave by 3:00 so I can hurry home. I want to get my walk in at the park, finish any last minute packing that did not get done the night before, paint my toenails laughing:, I never wear sandals to work so I want them to look good before I leave), give the house one last good vacuum, and then get everything organized in the kitchen for DH to pack the car.

DH is off that day so I am sure he and DS will sleep in, mow the yard, give the pool one final cleaning and load it with chemicals, and then of course, spend an hour shooting the breeze with the neighbor to remind him that we will be gone . What is it with men---it takes one hour to remind someone you are leaving! I will drive his truck to work so he can give my vehicle one final cleaning in and out and load it up with gas. At some point, he is going back to bed so he can be well rested for the drive at night.

As for DS, he will probably be driving DH crazy all day and not letting him rest when needed. Note to self: Be sure to remind Jeremy to leave Daddy alone this day or we will have Grumpy on our hands the entire ride to Florida.

We will all shower and clean up and then I have to head back to work for my board meeting. It starts at 7:30. I always go first but it will be up to my boss as to whether I can leave early or not. Let's hope he is in a good mood and there is nothing major going on. If not, I could be out of there at 8:00 and back home at 8:30. Worse case, it would be 11:00 and I am back home at 11:30. No matter what, the boys will be waiting for me to pull in, hop in under the driver's seat and off we go. I will drive until I get sleepy which will be the Kentucky/Tennessee line --it never fails, I always hand over the driving to Tom at this point and get up in time for Atlanta. I love driving through Atlanta in the night with no traffic!

Tomorrow: Day 2-We finally arrive at Disney! Will we hit a park or crash in the room? Will Tom like dinner this evening? Stay tuned for all the details.

Holy cow girl!! That is one busy day!! I can't believe all that running around. It's making my head spin!! I am keeping my fingers crossed for you that your boss is feeling nice so you can get on the road 8:30. Do you guys drive straight through? How many hours does that take?

We are driving for the first time from here and I am trying gauge things out.

 

[jeremysdisneymom]

A Thankful Time at Disney-Trip 3 Day 5 Started

Day 5 of our Thanksgiving Vacation was the Saturday after Thanksgiving. This was the morning Jeremy had been looking forward to the most. We were eating at Chef Mickey's and the monorail would be overhead! You couldn't ask for much more for a child that loves trains and monorails.

We had an early reservation and was seated rather quickly. We did buy the picture they take when you go in as it was one of the best we have taken as a family. However, I have no idea how to scan that into photobucket or if that is even possible! The food is pretty typical buffet food. It was nothing great to brag about but the atmosphere and characters really make the meal here. The characters started coming pretty quickly.

First up was Goofy.

Up Next was the big cheese himself, Mickey. Doesn't my baby look happy!

Donald Duck

Minnie Mouse--Look how she is hugging Jeremy--too cute!

Minnie wanted a picture with Tom. Jeremy got a big kick out of this!

Pluto

Jeremy really enjoyed eating here. He even participated when it came time to wave your napkins. Jeremy will tend to shy away sometimes from things like this but he was not doing it this day. He wanted in on the action and was having a ball. It would be a tone for the rest of the day!

After our wonderful time at Chef Mickey's, we went upstairs to board the monorail and head to the ticket counter so we could get the monorail to Epcot.

I love this picture. I think Jeremy would be happy watching the monorail all day long.

Continued in next post......

 

[moparop]

That looks like such a great breakfast at Chef Mickey's! When we were there for dinner, we were seated in a corner and I felt like we were totally out of "the action". Looks like you were in the thick of it! The picture of your hubby with Minnie is adorable! I, too, love the photo of Jeremy watching the train. :hearts:

 

[jeremysdisneymom]

When we got to the ticket counter, Jeremy asked the cast member if he could ride up front and they graciously said yes. This was our first time heading into Epcot as a family and there was no better way to do it then up front.

Passing another monorail on the Epcot line

Our first view of Spaceship Earth. I love how the monorail actually goes into the park before you get off.

We got off the monorail and we still had time to spare before the park opened.
There was a cute Christmas display in front.

Tom went up front of the rope to join the masses heading to Soarin when the rope dropped. Jeremy and I stayed back and were going to meet him at the Nemo ride. There were cast members out front with trash cans and balls entertaining the children by letting them play basketball. Jeremy wanted to join in the fun and had a blast.

He was having a great time this morning! We even missed the opening as I was having too much fun watching him.

When the rope dropped, Tom headed to Soarin'. Where did Jeremy and I go? Did we make it to Nemo to meet Tom or did we get sidetracked along the way? More in the next update......

 

[jeremysdisneymom]

Holy cow girl!! That is one busy day!! I can't believe all that running around. It's making my head spin!! I am keeping my fingers crossed for you that your boss is feeling nice so you can get on the road 8:30. Do you guys drive straight through? How many hours does that take?

We are driving for the first time from here and I am trying gauge things out.

It seems like anymore that is a norm in our lives. School is out Friday so things should slow down a little. Yes, we drive straight through thanks to my DH. He used to work nights years ago and is still pretty flexible with his sleeping. I think it takes about 14.5 hours. We make good time where we drive at night and avoid Atlanta during the day.

Erika