Happily Ever After Begins Here -- An Oct. 2012 TR Updated! 11/17!

[Missyrose]

Once upon a time, there was a Disney-loving princess who found a prince who put up with all her Disney craziness. Five Disney World trips, four trip reports and countless gorgeous Disney photos from the prince later, the charming prince decided it was time for the Disney-loving couple to begin their Happily Ever After. So while the Disney-loving princess planned an epic 10-day Food and Wine Festival-MNSSHP extravaganza, the prince himself was planning the biggest surprise event of all: A Disney proposal.

Spoiler alert! The Disney-loving princess said yes and this very trip report is where you will see all the fun and romance unfold.

But who is the Disney-loving princess and her charming prince? We’ll start with some introductions for those of you I haven’t met, or even for those who just plain don’t remember who I am.

That's me in the ears. I’m Missy, the 30-year-old Disney-aholic.

To fund my Disney habit, I work as an editor in the sports department of a newspaper in Washington D.C. I love all things sports, pop culture and, of course, The Mouse. My favorite Disney character is Minnie Mouse. My favorite Walt Disney World ride is Big Thunder Mountain. And my favorite Disney snack? Casey’s corndog nuggets.

My partner in crime (and now my fiance!) is Franklin, a.k.a. Pixel Dust here on the Dis.

He is also 30 and works for an architecture firm to pay the Disney bills. His passions are cars (both the lower-cased cars and the movie “Cars”) and photography (he is who we have to thank for all the beautiful photos in this TR).
Guido from “Cars” is his favorite Disney character. And he could ride Expedition Everest all day if given the chance.

We started going to Disney together in February 2009, can you believe that was Franklin’s first-ever Disney World trip? This trip marks our fifth together. And we’re the proud owners of two Disney Vacation Club contracts, one at Boardwalk Villas and one at Bay Lake Tower.

Now that you know the who, let’s give you the rest of the trip data:

When: October 3-12

Where: Three nights at Beach Club Villas and six nights at Animal Kingdom Villas-Jambo

Why: Because the prince and princess love fall in the World!

And like many of my previous trip reports, I’ll make you this promise: You’ll laugh, you’ll cry, but mainly, you’ll wish you were in Orlando RIGHT NOW! Let’s get this party started! Who’s in?​

 

[Missyrose]

Wednesday, October 3

And We're Off!
Checking In and Fueling Up
Just Bobbing Along
Food, Wine and Fun!
An Attack of Snacks
An Illuminating Night
Franklin's Solo Adventure!


Thursday, October 4

A Crazy, Mixed Up Kind of Rope Drop Morning
A Flight, F&W and Fun
Fueling Up on Tequila Before a Cruise
An Afternoon at DHS With Lots of Character
Under the Sea and Falling From the Sky
A Glamorous Hollywood Dinner



Friday, October 5

A New Kind of Disney Day
Dodging Rain Drops at MK
Enough Relaxation, Let's Ride!
A Monorail Kind of Evening -- Part 1, Part 2



Saturday, October 6

An Animal of a Morning -- Part 1, Part 2
Animals, Food & Shopping, Oh My! Part 1, Part 2, Part 3



Sunday, October 7

Good Morning Hollywood! Part 1, Part 2
MK is Open How Late?!?!?!
A Space Case and Circus Call
Final Push to 3 a.m., Part 1, Part 2, Part 3



Monday, October 8

Time to Get Our Party On!
Boom goes the Boo! Part 1, Part 2, Part 3



Tuesday, October 9
They Don't Call it the FOOD and Wine Festival for Nothing! Part 1, Part 2
... And All the Philly Steaks You Can Eat Part 1, Part 2
An Explosive End to the Evening





Wednesday, October 10

A Truly Magical Morning Part 1, Part 2, Part 3, Part 4
The Magic Continues Part 1, Part 2, Part 3
A West-Coast Dinner and an Explosive Evening Part 1, Part 2



Thursday, October 11

Another Kind of of Magic Part 1, Part 2, Part 3
From South of the Border to the Top of the World Part 1, Part 2, Part 3



Friday, October 12

A Last Day Filled With Pure Fantasy Part 1, Part 2, Part 3, Part 4, Part 5, Part 6



Off topic

The BIG Event
Follow Along With Our May Trip
Engagement photos!
One Month Out... January 26
One Month Out... January 27
One Month Out...January 28
One Month Out... January 29
One Month Out... January 30
One Month Out... January 31 and February 1
Favorite Disney Restaurants: No. 21
Favorite Disney Restaurants: Nos. 20-17
Favorite Disney Restaurants: No. 16
Favorite Disney Restaurants Nos. 15-13
Favorite Disney Restaurants: No. 12
Favorite Disney Restaurants: No. 11
Favorite Disney Restaurants: Nos. 10-7
Favorite Disney Restaurants: No. 6
Favorite Disney Restaurants: Nos. 5-1



​

 

[hulagirl87]

Congratulations on your engagement and can't wait to read all about your trip!!! DH and I got married in Disney World and that was his very first trip. Now he's hooked too and we go back in a few short months with DD. Looking forward to reading your trip report

 

[teekathepony]

I'm in! Can't wait to hear the whole story behind the proposal!!

 

[bellaally]

Oh my gosh congrats to both you guys a Disney proposal what a true prince charming. Wow might there be a Disney wedding in the works...lol. Looking forward to your TR

 

[IheartDDuck]

I'm here. I can't wait to hear about everything.

 

[Disneyluvr]

CONGRATS to you and Franklin!! Can't wait for all the details and Franklins's amazing pics!

 

[CandleontheWater]

Congrats on your engagement! I can't wait to hear all about it! My DH proposed at Disney too, and it has always been such an amazing memory. So glad you have such a special memory at such a magical place!

 

[natebenma]

Congratulations!

I can't wait for this one!!!

I know we are in for a lot of great stories, photos, food porn and a great ending somewhere in the middle.

 

[DisneyFanDC]

Yay! cannot wait to read about how this all unfolded.

 

[Icecoldpenguin]

CONGRATULATIONS! I too got engaged at disney! I can't wait to read more! I am in for the entire trip keep it coming

Teresa

 

[AlohaLucie99]

Congratulations on your engagement. I've lurked on your previous reports and can't wait to read about your latest adventures.

Lucie

 

[leshunlenese]

I just wanted to join in and tell you congrats of your engagement!

 

[marDgreen88]

Dang, you were sure quiet about the start of this TR, but I'm glad I found it! Congratulations once again on the engagement, I'm so happy for yall! Can't wait to hear all about it.

 

[Missyrose]

Congratulations on your engagement and can't wait to read all about your trip!!! DH and I got married in Disney World and that was his very first trip. Now he's hooked too and we go back in a few short months with DD. Looking forward to reading your trip report

Wow a Disney wedding on the groom's first trip to Disney, way to go! Luckily Franklin now loves going to Disney almost as much as me, though he'll never actually admit it!

I'm in! Can't wait to hear the whole story behind the proposal!!

Yay! Thanks for joining in Wendy, love having you along for this trip.

Oh my gosh congrats to both you guys a Disney proposal what a true prince charming. Wow might there be a Disney wedding in the works...lol. Looking forward to your TR

, thank you so much! He really is Prince Charming! Doesn't look like it will be a Disney wedding. But the wedding will have plenty of Disney touches and we'll spend the first part of our honeymoon in the World.

I'm here. I can't wait to hear about everything.

Hi Danielle! I'm so glad you joined us!

CONGRATS to you and Franklin!! Can't wait for all the details and Franklins's amazing pics!

Thank you so much! There are only about 4,000 photos about to come your way.

Congrats on your engagement! I can't wait to hear all about it! My DH proposed at Disney too, and it has always been such an amazing memory. So glad you have such a special memory at such a magical place!

Thanks Marissa! Awww, I didn't know you got engaged at Disney, I love it! How was your fall getaway to WDW?

Congratulations!

I can't wait for this one!!!

I know we are in for a lot of great stories, photos, food porn and a great ending somewhere in the middle.

Thanks Dee! This trip was so much fun and I can't wait to share it with you all.

I know I said it on Facebook, but I'm really sorry about your mom. I know how hard it is to lose your mom, I'm here if you need anything!

Yay! cannot wait to read about how this all unfolded.

I can't wait to share how everything happened, it was simply perfect.

CONGRATULATIONS! I too got engaged at disney! I can't wait to read more! I am in for the entire trip keep it coming

Teresa

Hi Teresa! Thanks for joining in, we should have lots of fun.

Congratulations on your engagement. I've lurked on your previous reports and can't wait to read about your latest adventures.

Lucie

Lucie! I'm so happy you came out of lurkdom. And anyone else out there reading along, feel free to hop in (we won't bite!).

I just wanted to join in and tell you congrats of your engagement!

Thank you so much! And thanks for joining.

Dang, you were sure quiet about the start of this TR, but I'm glad I found it! Congratulations once again on the engagement, I'm so happy for yall! Can't wait to hear all about it.

I tweeted out the link, but I think you were a little busy CELEBRATING YOUR BIRTHDAY!

But I am so glad you're here now! It wouldn't be the same without you!

​

 

[Missyrose]

Thank you to everyone for their good wishes and enthusiasm about our trip. It’s time to get this trip started!

Typically, my trips start with me getting little to no sleep because I work nights, sometimes until 2 a.m. But all that changed a couple of months ago when my department moved me to days, so I am done with work around 3 p.m. each day. So for the first time in my Disney-going adult life, I went to bed at reasonable hour the night before a trip!

Getting to bed at a reasonable hour didn’t make our uber-early wakeup call any better though. We had a cab picking us up at 6:00 for a 7:53 a.m. flight. The things we will do in the name of getting a full first day at Disney.

We got to the airport at 6:30 and there was absolutely no security line. We grabbed some breakfast at Jerry’s Subs.

And settled in to wait at the gate.

Who’s excited to be going to Disney World?

We are! A little bleary-eyed, however.

Soon it was time to board the flight.

Franklin fell asleep almost as soon as he sat down on the plane, I watched a few minutes of Dancing With the Stars on my iPad and then zonked out myself. We both awoke right around the time the pilot announced we were beginning our descent into the Orlando area! Sweet! We got off the plane pretty quickly.

I was a little excited, can you tell?

We made our way to the faux-norail.

We all know Missy is excited...

… but what about Franklin?

Yep, he was pretty excited too. Though I’m not sure if he was more excited about the 10-day trip that lay ahead, or the fact that my hair was curly (I wear my straight at home, so the only times I let it go curly is when we vacation anywhere warm and humid).

We made our way to the B terminal so we could get to Disney’s Magical Express.

Now, I was a little more excited than normal to board DME. You see, our last trip to Disney was an off-site stay (at a fabulous Windsor Hills townhouse that I highly recommend if you’re ever in the market for one), which meant we rented a car. When we arrived in March, I ended up staring longingly at the DME counter while we got our rental car. So on this trip, I was beyond excited to start our vacation on DME!

I love how Disney calls them motorcoaches instead of buses.

I also love how directions are given using Mickey heads!

Which way are we headed?

Ah, yes. Take us to the Epcot resorts, please!

There was a bit of a line, so we knew we definitely weren’t getting those golden front seats.

But we did get a seat with a good view of the screen.

Let’s head out, shall we?

The subtitle is talking about annual passes and as our first year as passholders comes to an end, we tallied that we got about 20 park days out of them.
Not bad for passholder newbies, right?

Soon, we were approaching that gorgeous Disney World arch. Since our vantage point wasn’t awesome in the motorcoach, you’ll have to settle for just a side view of the gate.

We were behind another DME, but the passengers on that motorcoach look WAY more fun than the ones on ours!

We made it to the Epcot resort area! We’re getting so close now...

But we’ll have to stop there and save our big Beach Club arrival for next time. Let me tell you, Franklin took some beautiful photos of that resort so stay tuned!​

 

[JanetMom]

Great start!

I'm in for hearing more. So happy I stumbled upon this at the beggining of your report.

 

[Disneyluvr]

We're on our way! But now I'm wanting to see you with straight hair as I think I've only seen you with curly hair.

 

[teekathepony]

Yayyyyy for ME!! You're almost there! I can't wait to see the resort!

 

[Pixel Dust]

Thanks, everyone for joining in! I hope you enjoy our trip as much as we did. There are plenty of pictures to go through. So, sit back and relax.

Oh, and she had no idea it was coming.