Flowers, Segways & DIS Meets, Oh My! - Updated 10/26, Final Thoughts-FINALLY!

[SoonerGirl]

Day 8, Saturday May 8th

Today was the day we were to say goodbye to WDW. Our flight was scheduled to leave MCO at 3:30, so our ME pick-up time was around 12:30. I had requested late check out the day before so that we could leave our carry on luggage in the room until it was time to leave.

Initially we had thought that we would go to a park for a couple of hours this morning, I love to going to MK on the last day and just seeing Main Street one last time before I load up on the unmagical express bus back to reality, but that proverbial wall that we had hit the day before was still up and in the way. Instead our morning was quite boring and there won't be much to report.

We slept in that final morning and eventually got around to packing our things to go home. I wrapped Don's wine in several pieces of clothing and then packed it right in the middle of the suitcase surrounded by plenty of cushion - then I crossed my fingers! Once we were completely ready we took our suitcases down to airline check in. Of course mine was over the weight limit so we had to move some things around. With both suitcases under the limit and checked through to our final destination, Mom and I decided to take a stroll around the resort.

First we stopped and grabbed some pastries to snack on (had to use up those snack credits!). Then we went outside and found a table by the lake, we munched on our snack and just enjoyed the beautiful morning. It was now time to explore a little bit.

We said hi to the Three Caballeros

Before heading over to look around the Casitas section of the resort. I think of all three sections, this one is by far the prettiest

Looking back out across the water

I grabbed a picture of Kathy's (KatMark) hammock

Or is it this one???

Continued in the next post

 

[SoonerGirl]

Up next was Ranchos, where our room was located

We couldn't believe how huge this Yucca plant was! I have one by my pool, but it is no where near this size.

Our quiet pool

We stopped in our room to grab the rest of our belongings, it was getting close to our pick up time. Then we continued our walk around the lake.

The Cabanas section

Finally we ended up here

Why is Mickey so happy to be sending us home??? Soon enough we were on the bus headed to the airport - here I am, making my best "I don't wanna go home" face

We enjoyed the video during our ride and before I knew it we were at MCO. Getting through security was nuts! We were packed in there like sardines, people pushing and shoving, jockeying for position. I couldn't believe the way they had several lines merging into one - it was insane! We did eventually make it through and we grabbed a quick bite of lunch then waited for our flight to board. Our flight was uneventful, which is always a good thing. I stood at baggage claim when we got home and said a little prayer that my suitcase wouldn't be stained wine red when it came off the belt. It looked totally normal, and I took that as a good sign. The first thing I did when I got home was open the suitcase, and when I did I found this

fully in tact - woo hoo!

I had to wait a couple of hours to see my family, Jared was playing baseball and they were just starting the championship game when we landed. He was just as excited about the fact that they won the tournament as he was that I was home

So, that's it! Thanks so much to all of you who read along and commented. I'll be back with a final wrap up soon.

 

[RachelNinja]

Awww, so sad to be at the end of the trip report! Even though you didn't get to go to MK, it still seemed like a nice and relaxing morning at the resort. Woohoo for the wine!!!

 

[Charleston Princess]

I am so sad that your trip is over! What can we do to convince Don you need another trip very, very soon?

Your stroll around the grounds was lovely! I enjoyed all the photos you took!

Hurray for the wine making it home okay. My fingers were definitely crossed as I read about it.

 

[jenjolt]

I have so enjoyed all your beautiful pictures!! Thank you for sharing!

 

[Tracy161]

What a wonderful trip, thank you for sharing! I hope you're able to get back soon!!!

 

[kschafer]

Oh Michelle, I got so far behind I missed your entire last day!!

I was prepared to tell you that I too was in Epcot that day but then you reminded me that this was the day we saw each other on the bus Yes, it was CROWDED! I remember noticing lots of school groups that day (and a large number of buses in the lot)

I never made it over to garden town so thanks for your pics. Glad you got the gnome I've never heard anyone say he's creepy...I love him!

I didn't realize that girl chasing the bird(?) was a part of KP. We saw it when the glockenspiel went off and assumed it was a part of that

I have heard before about take-out at LeCellier but unless I can get the filet I'm gonna have to fight for an ADR!

Glad you got don the wine and it made it home safe

 

[wdwgirl03]

Awww, so sad it's over. Great last pictures of the resort though. I really should get over there to check it out.

Ugh, that is the same thing that happened to us at the airport coming home in April. There was no order whatsoever. We've never had that problem before so I wonder if it was because our flight was later in the day.

 

[KatMark]

that your trip report is over. Your pictures of your stroll around the CSR (and MY hammock) are great. I have to redo the "unofficial" thread when I get back; can I use some of your pictures in the thread? I'm so glad the wine came home without being broken...that is great. Jared sounds just like my kids.

I look forward to your wrap up.

 

[Disneygrl36]

CSR was really beautiful. I totally missed the casitas section when I did my walk around.

So glad your wine made it home safe.

Sad your trip report is almost over & even sadder that you can't get the Grump to agree to another trip soon.

 

[disneydusted]

Awww, it really is over... I really enjoyed your photos and following along with you and your mom on your adventures. So glad the wine made it home and you could surprise your Dh with it... maybe a good bribe for another trip??

 

[klacey1]

Aww :-( Thanks for the wonderful report!! I loved reading it!
I actually prefer not going to the parks in the morning. I get way too stressed about getting back to the resort on time. I think walking around and taking pictures was the perfect way to cap off your trip!

 

[manntra]

Oh noooooooooo it's over?
Whoa those crowds at Epcot are unbelievable!!! I would have been pushing them out of my way to get to LC!!! Yes, I think it is just the soup and bread that you can order for take-out.
It was so nice to meet you for our tequila tasting and it was great to bump into you again at AA
The security was like that for me at MCO too Very disorganized and a lot of shoving/cutting.
Thrilled that your wine made it home safely!!! Have you had any luck trying to find it online or anywhere near you? Someone I graduated with owns a liquor store so he is pretty good about locating stuff for me
Thank you for sharing your trip and all of your beautiful pictures!!

Tracy

 

[PrincessInOz]

WOW! I've missed heaps! Sorry for not being around sooner. I've loved your last 2 days at the World and it is sad to see the end of your TR.

Thanks for the final pics of CSR. The resort looks beautiful!

 

[SoonerGirl]

Awww, so sad to be at the end of the trip report! Even though you didn't get to go to MK, it still seemed like a nice and relaxing morning at the resort. Woohoo for the wine!!!

The packing to go home part wasn't too nice, but the rest of the morning was good It was sort of sad to not head to MK, I missed out on my MK time this trip since we spent so much time at Epcot.

I am so sad that your trip is over! What can we do to convince Don you need another trip very, very soon?

I wish there was something I could do, but I'm afraid it's a lost cause. I tried to talk to him again the other day about a quick F&W trip and the conversation got ugly almost immediately. He is DONE with Disney, has no desire to go back - ever....

I'm still holding out hope for the cruise though, I actually think he's open to that.

Your stroll around the grounds was lovely! I enjoyed all the photos you took!

The first time we stayed at CSR I didn't do much resort exploring, so I really had no idea how pretty the resort was. It really is lovely!

Hurray for the wine making it home okay. My fingers were definitely crossed as I read about it.

I was so relieved!

I have so enjoyed all your beautiful pictures!! Thank you for sharing!

Thanks so much for reading Jen!

What a wonderful trip, thank you for sharing! I hope you're able to get back soon!!!

Glad you joined in, thanks for reading!

I'm afraid another trip is pretty far off in the future for me.

 

[SoonerGirl]

Oh Michelle, I got so far behind I missed your entire last day!!

That's okay, I know you've started a new job and have been busy!

I was prepared to tell you that I too was in Epcot that day but then you reminded me that this was the day we saw each other on the bus Yes, it was CROWDED! I remember noticing lots of school groups that day (and a large number of buses in the lot)

Yes, there were alot of school groups around that day. Of course, they didn't account for all those people in WS that night - don't know what that was all about!

I never made it over to garden town so thanks for your pics. Glad you got the gnome I've never heard anyone say he's creepy...I love him!

I think he's super cute too

I didn't realize that girl chasing the bird(?) was a part of KP. We saw it when the glockenspiel went off and assumed it was a part of that

I thought it was part of the glockenspiel at first too, but since we were sitting there eating for awhile and it kept going off I knew it had to be something else.

I have heard before about take-out at LeCellier but unless I can get the filet I'm gonna have to fight for an ADR!

I can see myself getting some of that soup and bread for lunch though......

Glad you got don the wine and it made it home safe

I breathed a sigh of relief as soon as I saw it was still in tact!

Awww, so sad it's over. Great last pictures of the resort though. I really should get over there to check it out.

Ugh, that is the same thing that happened to us at the airport coming home in April. There was no order whatsoever. We've never had that problem before so I wonder if it was because our flight was later in the day.

CSR is really pretty, worth a stroll around to check it out for sure

I wonder why they do that in the security lines - just have organized lines and keep them! It was just nuts, and very frustrating!

that your trip report is over. Your pictures of your stroll around the CSR (and MY hammock) are great. I have to redo the "unofficial" thread when I get back; can I use some of your pictures in the thread? I'm so glad the wine came home without being broken...that is great. Jared sounds just like my kids.

I look forward to your wrap up.

I thought of you as soon as I saw that hammock! I'd be honored if you used some of my pics for your thread, feel free to take whatever you want.

CSR was really beautiful. I totally missed the casitas section when I did my walk around.

So glad your wine made it home safe.

Sad your trip report is almost over & even sadder that you can't get the Grump to agree to another trip soon.

The Casitas section was so pretty with all the fountains!

I was glad the wine made it too, but honestly after my conversation with Don the other day about a F&W trip, where he was so totally ugly about the whole thing, I was regreting getting him that gift. He's not only not willing to go back soon, he's not willing to go back at all.

 

[SoonerGirl]

Awww, it really is over... I really enjoyed your photos and following along with you and your mom on your adventures. So glad the wine made it home and you could surprise your Dh with it... maybe a good bribe for another trip??

I was hoping the wine would be a good bribe for another trip, but no such luck, I'm afraid.

Thanks so muck for reading along!

Are you doing a TR for your trip? I'd love to read about it

Aww :-( Thanks for the wonderful report!! I loved reading it!
I actually prefer not going to the parks in the morning. I get way too stressed about getting back to the resort on time. I think walking around and taking pictures was the perfect way to cap off your trip!

Thanks Kylie! Yeah, I will admit I cut it kind of close one time getting back to catch ME - it was a pretty early pick up time (about the same as Mom & I had) and it made me a little nervous!

We did have a nice relaxing morning.

Oh noooooooooo it's over?
Whoa those crowds at Epcot are unbelievable!!! I would have been pushing them out of my way to get to LC!!! Yes, I think it is just the soup and bread that you can order for take-out.
It was so nice to meet you for our tequila tasting and it was great to bump into you again at AA
The security was like that for me at MCO too Very disorganized and a lot of shoving/cutting.
Thrilled that your wine made it home safely!!! Have you had any luck trying to find it online or anywhere near you? Someone I graduated with owns a liquor store so he is pretty good about locating stuff for me
Thank you for sharing your trip and all of your beautiful pictures!!

Tracy

Well I certainly wasn't going to let all those people keep me from my filet! Even if it is just the soup and bread that you can get to go, that would still be nice for a quick lunch

I was great to meet you too, and fun that we bumped into each other again learning to draw Pluto!

I wonder why they funnel so many people down to one line getting through MCO security, then spread them back out again? Seems like it would be more efficient to just put people in a line and keep them there.

I haven't even looked elsewhere for the wine - honestly, the Grump doesn't deserve another bottle. If he wants more he'll have to go to Epcot to get it!

Thanks for reading along Tracy!

WOW! I've missed heaps! Sorry for not being around sooner. I've loved your last 2 days at the World and it is sad to see the end of your TR.

Thanks for the final pics of CSR. The resort looks beautiful!

No worries, it's a busy time of year for everyone!

Thanks for reading along, it was great getting to meet you at the tequila cave!

 

[Spartangirl]

So sad that your TR is over...thanks so much for sharing! Your stroll around the grounds was beautiful...it really looks like a nice resort! SO GLAD the wine made it home safely...my fingers were definitely crossed for you! I really hope that you can convince Don to book another trip...I'm without a ticker right now too and it stinks!

 

[cdotla]

I hate the last day. I have yet to find the best way to part ways with my favourite place.

Love those pictures around CSR. Those are some of the nicest I have seen!

So, so glad that you were able to get Don's wine home in one piece!!! That clearly showed how much you missed him when you were gone!

So, so sorry that your trip has come to an end. But look forward to your final thoughts!

 

[praisehisname]

Hey Michelle! I had fallen a bit behind, but I'm all caught up just in time to hear your wrap-up. I'm so, so sorry about Don being so resistant. When I feel depressed because I don't know when I'll be back, I'll try to remember that at least Tom wants to go with me.