HELLO ? MICKEY? ARE YOU THERE?It's me again, and again, and again.....TR STARTED 6/3

[MHTeacher]

Sorry I've been MIA but with the move and all things have been crazy here!!

That's ok, Becky. I read all about everything on your PTR. You've had a crazy month! Glad you're back DISing with us now!

I LOVE the pic of the girls with the hymnal!! That's hilarious!!

Yeah, we have a warped sense of humor at our house!

Ok--caught up some more!! LOVE the countdown calendar and WOW on the $4.99 graphic tees!! And YAY for the Mickey Mail!!

And did I read that you went to the A-Day game?! Brent's sister went and I heard there was quite a comeback from the rookie QB at the end!! Roll tide!!

Thanks, Becky!

No, Kevin and I didn't make it to the A-Day game this year. Elizabeth went with a friend and her family. The friend's brother is in college there, so they went Friday night and spent the night, and then to the game on Saturday. She had fun. We had to stay in town---something was going on, but I can't remember what!

We did pay for our season tickets yesterday, so we are set for football season! ROLL TIDE !

 

[MHTeacher]

Looks like TP updated their crowd calendar, and some of my days went up crowd-wise.

Here's the current numbers---


Sat 5/22--7 (previously a 6)

Sun 5/23--7 (previously a 6)

Mon 5/24--6

Tues 5/25--4

Wed 5/26--4

Thurs 5/27--7 (previously a 5)

Fri 5/28--4


Still hoping any crowds there are easily managed!

 

[mickeystoontown]

What another great flashback! I wish I had the time to go through all of my old pictures and scan some for ya'll to see. I have an entire trunk of pictures from all of our Disney trips and I haven't made one scrapbook yet.

Your pictures bring back so many memories for me.

 

[MHTeacher]

What another great flashback! I wish I had the time to go through all of my old pictures and scan some for ya'll to see. I have an entire trunk of pictures from all of our Disney trips and I haven't made one scrapbook yet.

Your pictures bring back so many memories for me.

Thanks, Lisa. I felt like I was running out of things to talk about for this PTR, so I thought why not look back at all the previous trips we've made. I have to do something to keep ya'll reading for the next 19 days!

 

[MHTeacher]

After our second trip to Disney World in July 2003, we decided right then and there, that our next trip would be during cooler temperatures! Everything (websites and books) at that time, had the week after Thanksgiving as being one of the best times to visit---cooler temps, low crowds, and the Christmas decorations. Kevin was set to turn 40 that year, and his birthday would fall during that week following Thanksgiving. So it was decided----We would leave Alabama the Sunday after Thanksgiving (Nov. 27), drive to Tallahassee and spend the night. We would finish the drive to Disney and check in the next day, Monday, November 28.

Once it was decided when we would go, we had to decide on where to stay. During this time, I had discovered the DIS, and had really learned a lot about Disney and discounts. We finally chose the Wilderness Lodge, and I booked my first “room only” package. Ultimately, I changed this to a package, because Disney released a package discount, which included a room discount, and it saved me money.

We checked into the WL on Monday morning, November 28, 2005.

We had a courtyard view room booked, and we were in room 5029. This was the view from our balcony.

We had a Candlelight dinner package reserved for that evening, so we headed to EPCOT. We rode Test Track and I went solo on Mission: Space. Too bad I didn’t include the picture of me after I came off this ride. The girls and Kevin still joke about how green I looked when I came out!

We had a dinner reservation at Garden Grill around 5 that evening, because we had reserved seating for the 6:45 CP. This was a fun character meal---The characters all looked so cute dressed in their overalls and bandanas!

I remember how Rachel was given the child’s “create your own cupcake” for dessert, while the adult plate contained a sampling of desserts. Elizabeth was only 11, a Disney “ADULT”, but she was still a kid, and she was so disappointed that her sister was frosting a cupcake and putting Mickey sprinkles on top. The server was so good—she noticed Elizabeth looking wistfully at her sister’s dessert, and brought her one too. That made Liz so happy!

We headed to the theater for the CP show. Phil Donahue was the guest narrator.

Unfortunately, it began to rain, not sprinkle rain, but a hard, cold , straight down on you, sort of rain. We had not brought umbrellas or ponchos with us. Eventually we had to jump up and run for cover. We tried standing under the umbrellas on the tables outside the American CS restaurant. We couldn’t even hear much for the rainfall, and we were forced to take cover somewhere else. (For years, I was so sad that I missed the CP, so I was glad to get to catch it during Elizabeth’s 16th birthday trip this past December 2009.)

Just to give you an idea of how much it rained that night---- (Make sure to look at the bottom of the girls’ pants!)

Of course it eventually stopped raining, and we were able to enjoy the holiday version of Illuminations.

When we returned to the WL that night, this beautiful sight awaited us-

We’ve been to Disney World ten times, and two times while Christmas decorations were up, and I can’t imagine that there could be a prettier resort than the WL at Christmas time.

continued in next post

 

[MHTeacher]

The next morning, Tuesday, was Kevin’s big 40th birthday. We started the day with presents. He got a Christmas ornament that’s a replica of a show car that he restored and owns. (That would be a ’69 Firebird convertible.)

He also got an ALABAMA wind pullover.

Because he was the birthday boy, he got to choose the park for the day. He chose Disney Hollywood Studios.

From the look at my picture album, it looks like we saw Beauty and the Beast. (I can’t believe he would have chosen this willingly, so he must have chosen it just because he knows that it makes me happy.)

In all the times that I’ve seen B and the B, I swear, that I think I have seen this same Belle every time!

We visited with characters—

We watched Lights! Motors! Action! And rode Kevin’s favorite-

By then, it was time to leave to return to WL. We had a birthday lunch planned at Whispering Canyon. Here’s the birthday boy with his two girls after we returned to the Lodge.

This was the first time for us to eat here, and we had a server who really played his role well. Elizabeth kept asking for refills on her drink, so he eventually brought her a drink in this tiny, little cup!

I had preordered a cake for Kevin, and when the server brought it out, he whooped and yelled, “Kevvvvvin, Oh, Kevvvvvin…..Everybody, Kevin’s turning 40 today!” It was really funny.

After taking our cake leftovers to the room, the girls swam in the pool.

Then it was time to get dried off, and cleaned up. We were going to MVMCP.

continued in next post

 

[MHTeacher]

We took the boat from the WL to the MK for MVMCP.

We rode some rides,

And saw some characters.

We posed for some photo pass pictures,with one that we eventually chose and used as our Christmas card for that year.

We watched Holiday Wishes-

Then it was time for Mickey’s Very Merry Christmas Parade.

Belle leaned forward in her carriage, and mouthed, “Happy Birthday” to Kevin when she passed. When Santa came by, he called it through his microphone! It was a great way to finish out Kevin’s 40th birthday.

When we returned to the WL that night, Kevin had a surprise that had been left by a friend-

continued in next post

 

[MHTeacher]

The next day, Wednesday, Nov. 30, we headed to a park loved by so many of you---Disney’s Animal Kingdom.

We watched FOTLK,

Went on a safari,

And walked a trail.

We caught the show, “Tarzan Rocks” for the first, and last, time! It was being replaced by a show we all love about a little fish named Nemo.

We also saw ITTBAB, and true to form, my girls got off their seats before the cockroaches could exit the theater.

We headed over to Boardwalk to eat at ESPN Club for dinner that night, before returning to MK for EMH.

Thursday, December 1 was a day to head back to EPCOT. It was a little sunnier and drier than it had been the previous Monday night.

One of the first things we did was the Jr. Chef. I don’t think it’s around anymore. It was downstairs in the Land pavilion.

It was a cute idea----Make kids Jr. Chefs, and teach them about baking. All the kids got chef hats, and everyone got a turn at doing some job during the mixing, rolling out process. Then the cookies went into the “magic oven” and DA-DA………chocolate chip cookies! Everyone got samples to take.

Kevin and I decided that it was a good thing that the batch that came out of the oven wasn’t the same batch the kids all worked on……………………………………………especially since we watched one kid pick his nose before taking his turn stirring the dough!

That night we headed back over to DHS to see the Osborne Lights. We loved drinking our hot chocolate, and enjoying the “snow” as we strolled down the streets.

Friday, December 2 was a last day for the parks. We were headed home that night. We decided to hit up some favorites at DHS-

Before hopping over to MK, to catch a sight of this one last time.

The parade was being taped that day, so the Christmas tree was moved to make way for Regis and Kelly’s stand.

Time for one last family photo at the WL-

We would drive to Tallahassee and stop to spend the night, before heading home the next day. It had been a wonderful, magical trip, which still to this day, remains one of our favorite trips to WDW.

 

[Charleston Princess]

Woo hoo for 19 days!!! (And two more Mondays!!! )

Great pics from 2005!!! Christmas is such a great time to visit!

 

[ladybugmom]

I really enjoyed reading about your 2005 trip!! Especially since that's the same week we plan on going this year and the same resort we'll be staying at!! Thanks for sharing, Michelle!!

 

[racefanof88]

First things first


19 DAYS

Now on to the rest. Your pictures from your trip are great . 2005 was the year Dale and I went twice by ourselves. Kevin's cake looks sooooooooo good. I would seriously love a piece of chocolate cake right about now . We are eating at WCC for the first time this trip, and I'm not going to warn Dale or Dallas about it.....

 

[leamom2princesses]

Love the 2005 pics. It's been fun to watch your girls grow through your updates. I hope we get to see all of the Christmas decor during our Thanksgiving week trip.

The Jr Chef sounds fun but the part about the kid and his extra special addition to the magical recipe...yuck!

 

[swwake]

Wow less than 3 weeks! You must be excited!

I love the Holiday pictures. We have never been during the holidays and I hope to go one day. We'll do MNSSHP this year and maybe we can do MVMCP next year.

So sad that your CP was rained out And that kills me that the kid picked his nose while making cookies!

 

[MHTeacher]

Woo hoo for 19 days!!! (And two more Mondays!!! )

Great pics from 2005!!! Christmas is such a great time to visit!

Right on, Teacher friend!

Thanks, Jackie---Of course, anytime is a great time to go to Disney World, but Christmas is the most beautiful time to me!

I really enjoyed reading about your 2005 trip!! Especially since that's the same week we plan on going this year and the same resort we'll be staying at!! Thanks for sharing, Michelle!!

You're so welcome, Becky. I was actually thinking about your trip while I was scanning those pictures. Believe it or not, you will be more in love with Disney after you see it all dressed up for the holidays!

 

[MHTeacher]

First things first


19 DAYS

Now on to the rest. Your pictures from your trip are great . 2005 was the year Dale and I went twice by ourselves. Kevin's cake looks sooooooooo good. I would seriously love a piece of chocolate cake right about now . We are eating at WCC for the first time this trip, and I'm not going to warn Dale or Dallas about it.....

NOW IT'S 18 DAYS!!! I looked at the calendar and realized that this weekend, we can say 2 weeks!

The cake was yummy good, very rich, though---But that's ok, because I'm very poor!

I would love to see Dale after he asks for some ketchep!

 

[MHTeacher]

Love the 2005 pics. It's been fun to watch your girls grow through your updates. I hope we get to see all of the Christmas decor during our Thanksgiving week trip.

The Jr Chef sounds fun but the part about the kid and his extra special addition to the magical recipe...yuck!

Thanks, Leanne!

You should get to see all the Christmas decorations during your trip. I think they decorate the first or second week of November. It is just amazing---so beautiful!

Uh, yeah, no one wanted those "secret recipe" cookies!

I love the Holiday pictures. We have never been during the holidays and I hope to go one day. We'll do MNSSHP this year and maybe we can do MVMCP next year.

So sad that your CP was rained out And that kills me that the kid picked his nose while making cookies!

Thanks, Susan! I've said before that if you really love Disney, then you will be amazed (in a good way) with it at Christmas!

I was sad about not getting to hear all the CP for 4 entire years! I made sure I got to hear it all this past December. Of course, it was past Christmas, almost New Years, but I didn't care.

Oh, yeah, the nose picking was pretty gross! I'll take my cookies plain, please!

 

[MaryAz]

Love all the flashbacks! Jealous of all of you who have been so many times! Thats ok, now that I have DVC I am going to be making up for lost time LOL
I am going to try and do TOT this year
18 days!!

 

[racefanof88]

NOW IT'S 18 DAYS!!! I looked at the calendar and realized that this weekend, we can say 2 weeks!

The cake was yummy good, very rich, though---But that's ok, because I'm very poor!

I would love to see Dale after he asks for some ketchep!

We are getting to the point of time slowing down now . The next 18 days are going to creep by and that is going to drive me crazy .

I will make sure I get pictures when Dale or Dallas ask for something; I think it is going to be too funny

 

[KatMark]

Okay...I'm here until it is time for the trip report. I can't believe this trip is here so fast.

 

[KathyRN137]

I loved reading about your past trips and seeing all the photos...
I'm sure re-living them is getting you really excited!!



Only 18 more days to go!!


Kathy