When: May 1 May 10
Where: Disneys Polynesian Resort
Cast: Too numerous to list over 70 total with the starring roles going to:
DD Fairy Tale Princess
FSIL her Prince
Me Queen Mother to FT Princess, sometimes called MOB (mother of bride or she who writes the checks)
Mom my mother and roommate for part of our stay
Gracely Hectors Mom
Lisa Wedding Event Manager
Wednesday, May 2
Lucy had requested a 7:30 am wake-up call. We all went out on the lanai to soak up the atmosphere and take in our wonderful view there were rowers on the lagoon. Lucy and Hector got ready for their 9:00 am Tiffany Towncar ride to the Kissimmee courthouse to get their wedding license. I updated my trip notes and called Carolyn Allens to confirm our dress steaming and Hectors tuxedo fitting. Lucy and Hector returned at about 10:30 and we went to pick up a few items at News from Civilization in the GCH. Then they went for a walk over to the Wedding Pavilion (they found it beautiful but didnt like it as much as Sunset Pointe) and I stayed behind and took lots of pictures of the new pool. We met at the Kona Cafe at 11:20 for a late breakfast Hector had a ham and cheese omelet, Lucy had French toast, and I had blueberry pancakes and a yummy café latte. We got back to our room just as housekeeping arrived, so we went for a walk up to Sunset Pointe, then headed back just in time for Lucys trial run with her hairdresser, Lisa.
Hector headed to the pool, and Lisa tried two hairstyles until Lucy was happy (for today anyway). The Disney photographer, Toni, called while Lucy was getting her hair done. We spoke me relaying information to Lucy and Hector for a few minutes about what special shots they might like at the wedding. After the hairdresser left, Lucy headed for the pool and I updated my notes. They both returned from the pool shortly after a little girl (around 5-6 years old) had nearly drowned so they emptied the pool. They said she was under water for a while, and emergency medical technicians had been called in and they were reviving her. There were three very alert lifeguards at the pool, but the pool is filled with kids parents, watch your children especially the little ones! (When taking pictures that morning, I had seen a young boy around the same age, trying to use the pool shower. He had stripped naked, and had to climb on the Tiki statue to reach the spigot pull. He was at it for more than five minutes, climbing up and down on the concrete and no parent in sight.)
It was time to meet with Lisa so at 2:30 we headed up to the second floor concierge lounge and I filled a plate with macadamia, chocolate chip and peanut butter cookies. Lisa arrived soon after carrying the large box which held our place card frames. We reviewed the itinerary for the next four days, and then Lisa stopped by our room to take the welcome gift bags for resort delivery. Lucy gave her the small thank you gift we had for her, as well as the one for her assistant Candice. Lisa couldnt take the gift for Lucys sales manager, Warren, however, because he left Disneys Fairy Tale Weddings. (Lisa told Lucy later that Warren had transferred to Disney Institute sales, and then left the company.) One neat thing Lisa told us Disney has their own weather tracking system so we didnt need to depend on the Weather Channel or the local paper for an inside / outside decision Saturday.
When we finished, Lucy and I joined Hector who was waiting for his mom to arrive at the GCH. (They were both wearing the Mickey wedding ears Lisa had delivered to them.) Hectors mom Gracely and sister Grace arrived some time later not with Tiffany Towncar, but on the Mears bus. Somehow their Tiffany reservation got messed up or they missed their driver, so they finally just took Mears. Lucy and I waited with Gracely and Grace in the check-in line, while Hector continued waiting for his aunt and uncle to bring his grandmom from their room at the All Star Movies to the Polynesian. Gracely finished checking in just as Hectors grandmom arrived, so they left for their room and we headed back to our room to wait for them to leave for Epcot. Then we did the unforgivable when we called and found out they had just ordered room service, we had them cancel the order, and we snuck them into the concierge lounge for appetizers.
Lucy and I had a PS for Le Cellier at 7:20, but Gracely thought it would be nice if we all ate together (I told you that, Hector) so we tried to change the PS to a party of six. Nothing was available until 8:30 at Le Cellier, and since it was getting too late to catch the first Tapestry of Nations, we changed our plans and made 9:30 PS at Ohana. (Where a magical moment happened stay tuned!)
Hector went to guest services to pick up the wheelchair reserved for his grandmom, and we all headed to the GCH for the two monorail ride to Epcot. We arrived there and used the wheelchair entrance for our traditional first ride in Spaceship Earth. I think Gracely and Grace enjoyed it, and Hectors grandmom seemed to enjoy most of it, but said the lights at the end made her a little dizzy. Next we went over to the Land for safe slow quiet ride Living with the Land. The ride was uneventful and everyone seemed to enjoy it. After a cold drink break, we had to hustle over to Mexico to catch the last Tapestry of Nations for the evening. It was crowded all along the parade route, but the wheelchair section was empty, so we took advantage and staked out some prime (or so we thought) viewing space. It would have been an excellent spot to view the parade, except that it was ending there, and the Sage of Time positioned himself right in front of Lucy, Grace and myself. We repositioned ourselves, and everyone loved the music, the colors and the great interaction of this parade. It was especially moving as each of the puppets paid homage to the Sage of Time as they exited the parade route. One of the puppets gave Hectors grandmom a hug (a magical moment) and everyone agreed the parade was wonderful. After Tapestry ended, we headed back to the Polynesian (seeing some of the Illuminations fireworks from the monorail) and checked in a few minutes early at Ohana.
We were only seated for a few minutes when we noticed a female ukulele player was entertaining tonight and Lucy and Hector have scheduled a female ukulele player for their ceremony and cocktail hour on Saturday. She was in the middle of a set, but after hearing her speak, Lucy was sure that it was Tracey Lipoa. When she took a break, Lucy went over and introduced herself, and Tracey came over to our table to meet Hector. She told us how excited she was to be doing traditional Hawaiian music for a wedding. It turned out that she was only working that evening because she had traded with someone so she would be available to play at the wedding what luck! She told Lucy and Hector she would play something special for them during dinner, then went back to set up a hula hoop contest for the kids.
Hector had told his mom about the melon coladas, so we started off with a round of drinks, and then stuffed ourselves with Ohanas skewered pork, shrimp, steak and turkey. We were just finishing up when Tracey headed over to our table, and said she wanted to dedicate a special song to a special couple. She introduced Lucy and Hector to the crowded restaurant, told everyone that they were going to be married Saturday, and asked if everyone thought they should do a special rehearsal dance for us. She then sang a beautiful version of the Hawaiian Wedding Song, asking that Lucy and Hector kiss every time the restaurant patrons clinked their glasses with silverware. The Fairy Tale Couple obliged and had a beautiful romantic dance in the middle of the crowded restaurant - and they looked as if there was no one else but them in the room. It was pure Disney magic pixie dust made us change our reservations on a night Tracey wasnt usually scheduled to work. So the FTC was able to meet (and really like) an important performer for their wedding, and also to share an unexpected romantic moment on the dance floor. By this time we were all pretty tired, so after our pineapple with caramel sauce, we all headed back to our rooms. Hector had messages from his dad and his cousin Brian more guests are arriving each day! I quickly updated my notes, then it was lights out.
Where: Disneys Polynesian Resort
Cast: Too numerous to list over 70 total with the starring roles going to:
DD Fairy Tale Princess
FSIL her Prince
Me Queen Mother to FT Princess, sometimes called MOB (mother of bride or she who writes the checks)
Mom my mother and roommate for part of our stay
Gracely Hectors Mom
Lisa Wedding Event Manager
Wednesday, May 2
Lucy had requested a 7:30 am wake-up call. We all went out on the lanai to soak up the atmosphere and take in our wonderful view there were rowers on the lagoon. Lucy and Hector got ready for their 9:00 am Tiffany Towncar ride to the Kissimmee courthouse to get their wedding license. I updated my trip notes and called Carolyn Allens to confirm our dress steaming and Hectors tuxedo fitting. Lucy and Hector returned at about 10:30 and we went to pick up a few items at News from Civilization in the GCH. Then they went for a walk over to the Wedding Pavilion (they found it beautiful but didnt like it as much as Sunset Pointe) and I stayed behind and took lots of pictures of the new pool. We met at the Kona Cafe at 11:20 for a late breakfast Hector had a ham and cheese omelet, Lucy had French toast, and I had blueberry pancakes and a yummy café latte. We got back to our room just as housekeeping arrived, so we went for a walk up to Sunset Pointe, then headed back just in time for Lucys trial run with her hairdresser, Lisa.
Hector headed to the pool, and Lisa tried two hairstyles until Lucy was happy (for today anyway). The Disney photographer, Toni, called while Lucy was getting her hair done. We spoke me relaying information to Lucy and Hector for a few minutes about what special shots they might like at the wedding. After the hairdresser left, Lucy headed for the pool and I updated my notes. They both returned from the pool shortly after a little girl (around 5-6 years old) had nearly drowned so they emptied the pool. They said she was under water for a while, and emergency medical technicians had been called in and they were reviving her. There were three very alert lifeguards at the pool, but the pool is filled with kids parents, watch your children especially the little ones! (When taking pictures that morning, I had seen a young boy around the same age, trying to use the pool shower. He had stripped naked, and had to climb on the Tiki statue to reach the spigot pull. He was at it for more than five minutes, climbing up and down on the concrete and no parent in sight.)
It was time to meet with Lisa so at 2:30 we headed up to the second floor concierge lounge and I filled a plate with macadamia, chocolate chip and peanut butter cookies. Lisa arrived soon after carrying the large box which held our place card frames. We reviewed the itinerary for the next four days, and then Lisa stopped by our room to take the welcome gift bags for resort delivery. Lucy gave her the small thank you gift we had for her, as well as the one for her assistant Candice. Lisa couldnt take the gift for Lucys sales manager, Warren, however, because he left Disneys Fairy Tale Weddings. (Lisa told Lucy later that Warren had transferred to Disney Institute sales, and then left the company.) One neat thing Lisa told us Disney has their own weather tracking system so we didnt need to depend on the Weather Channel or the local paper for an inside / outside decision Saturday.
When we finished, Lucy and I joined Hector who was waiting for his mom to arrive at the GCH. (They were both wearing the Mickey wedding ears Lisa had delivered to them.) Hectors mom Gracely and sister Grace arrived some time later not with Tiffany Towncar, but on the Mears bus. Somehow their Tiffany reservation got messed up or they missed their driver, so they finally just took Mears. Lucy and I waited with Gracely and Grace in the check-in line, while Hector continued waiting for his aunt and uncle to bring his grandmom from their room at the All Star Movies to the Polynesian. Gracely finished checking in just as Hectors grandmom arrived, so they left for their room and we headed back to our room to wait for them to leave for Epcot. Then we did the unforgivable when we called and found out they had just ordered room service, we had them cancel the order, and we snuck them into the concierge lounge for appetizers.
Lucy and I had a PS for Le Cellier at 7:20, but Gracely thought it would be nice if we all ate together (I told you that, Hector) so we tried to change the PS to a party of six. Nothing was available until 8:30 at Le Cellier, and since it was getting too late to catch the first Tapestry of Nations, we changed our plans and made 9:30 PS at Ohana. (Where a magical moment happened stay tuned!)
Hector went to guest services to pick up the wheelchair reserved for his grandmom, and we all headed to the GCH for the two monorail ride to Epcot. We arrived there and used the wheelchair entrance for our traditional first ride in Spaceship Earth. I think Gracely and Grace enjoyed it, and Hectors grandmom seemed to enjoy most of it, but said the lights at the end made her a little dizzy. Next we went over to the Land for safe slow quiet ride Living with the Land. The ride was uneventful and everyone seemed to enjoy it. After a cold drink break, we had to hustle over to Mexico to catch the last Tapestry of Nations for the evening. It was crowded all along the parade route, but the wheelchair section was empty, so we took advantage and staked out some prime (or so we thought) viewing space. It would have been an excellent spot to view the parade, except that it was ending there, and the Sage of Time positioned himself right in front of Lucy, Grace and myself. We repositioned ourselves, and everyone loved the music, the colors and the great interaction of this parade. It was especially moving as each of the puppets paid homage to the Sage of Time as they exited the parade route. One of the puppets gave Hectors grandmom a hug (a magical moment) and everyone agreed the parade was wonderful. After Tapestry ended, we headed back to the Polynesian (seeing some of the Illuminations fireworks from the monorail) and checked in a few minutes early at Ohana.
We were only seated for a few minutes when we noticed a female ukulele player was entertaining tonight and Lucy and Hector have scheduled a female ukulele player for their ceremony and cocktail hour on Saturday. She was in the middle of a set, but after hearing her speak, Lucy was sure that it was Tracey Lipoa. When she took a break, Lucy went over and introduced herself, and Tracey came over to our table to meet Hector. She told us how excited she was to be doing traditional Hawaiian music for a wedding. It turned out that she was only working that evening because she had traded with someone so she would be available to play at the wedding what luck! She told Lucy and Hector she would play something special for them during dinner, then went back to set up a hula hoop contest for the kids.
Hector had told his mom about the melon coladas, so we started off with a round of drinks, and then stuffed ourselves with Ohanas skewered pork, shrimp, steak and turkey. We were just finishing up when Tracey headed over to our table, and said she wanted to dedicate a special song to a special couple. She introduced Lucy and Hector to the crowded restaurant, told everyone that they were going to be married Saturday, and asked if everyone thought they should do a special rehearsal dance for us. She then sang a beautiful version of the Hawaiian Wedding Song, asking that Lucy and Hector kiss every time the restaurant patrons clinked their glasses with silverware. The Fairy Tale Couple obliged and had a beautiful romantic dance in the middle of the crowded restaurant - and they looked as if there was no one else but them in the room. It was pure Disney magic pixie dust made us change our reservations on a night Tracey wasnt usually scheduled to work. So the FTC was able to meet (and really like) an important performer for their wedding, and also to share an unexpected romantic moment on the dance floor. By this time we were all pretty tired, so after our pineapple with caramel sauce, we all headed back to our rooms. Hector had messages from his dad and his cousin Brian more guests are arriving each day! I quickly updated my notes, then it was lights out.
