I didn't forget about you!! - Day IV - Candlelight Processional

NYPDwife

DIS Veteran
Joined
Jan 10, 2008
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988
For those of you who did not read my PTR, my name is ShaeLee and I’m a 34 year old Disney fan. I am married to an awesome man named Miguel:lovestruc and we have two beautiful children, Bobbi & Michael, ages 9 and 7 respectively:cloud9: .

Here’s me:
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Here’s Miguel (have to block the face for occupational reasons):
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Here are Bobbi & Michael on our last trip:
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This is a story about our Christmas vacation. It occured from December 21-December 26, 2008.

Here’s a little story of how we got here.

The last time we were at Disney was in August of 2006. While we were there, it was sooo hot:cool2: and we thought how nice it would be to spend Christmas with the mouse, during a cooler time of year. We planned on doing it in two years and boy did those years just fly!! Before we knew it, January 2008 came along and I started asking DH if we were still going to Disney for Christmas. He asked me to price out all three levels of hotels and we finally decided on Disney’s Caribbean Beach Resort for our stay. For all four of us to stay 12/22-12/26, with 5-day park hoppers and the Disney Dining plan, it was going to cost $2,333.34. Well, after a few months, DH decided it would be nice to add another day, so the price jumped to around $2,668.42:scared: . We decided to keep the park passes at 5 days so we’d have one day to do DTD. Good for us that I pay attention to the Disboards, because in September, I found the 30% off code and brought our price down to $2,310.70!!:thumbsup2 That price was cheaper than our original 4 night stay! When our tax rebate came, we put that money towards our trip along with some of our income tax refund and a little here and there from each paycheck. Finally in October, we were done paying for the trip and we had a little extra for spending in the parks!!

Our trip down…

Since we were driving, we were a little nervous because on the day we were leaving (12/19), it had been snowing all day:scared1: . We originally planned to be on the road by 8 PM, but didn’t leave until 11. The snow was bad but we slowly got through Long Island. We were taking the Staten Island route to Jersey and thankfully, the traffic wasn’t that bad. Once we reached mid-Jersey, the snow went away and the roads opened so we were good. Miguel drove most of the way (he never lets me drive…) and with potty breaks, eating and gas stops, we arrived on I-Drive around 9 PM on the 20th:cool1: . Since we weren’t checking in until the next morning, we pulled into a Howard Johnson (next to the Steakey Shake:rotfl2: , as said to me by the operator). I found a great rate in one of those motel guides so with tax, the room cost $45.00 for the night. It was good to just get a good nights sleep and a bath since I knew we needed to get up early and we were going to be doing lots of stuff the next day.

Next Installment....Day 1, Part 1 - A Musty Room & Some Cool Creatures


Here are the links to the TR posts...

Day 1 Part 1 - A Musty Room & Some Cool Creatures.

Day 1, Part 2 - A SWEET meal (literally) and a Cricket

Day 1, Part 2 - Continued with Lilo, A Lion & A Dinosaur
 
Hey!! Looks like I'm the first subbie ... :woohoo: :rotfl2:

Now to start reading ... :rotfl:
 
Day 1

Miguel & I woke up around 5 and started to shower and get ready. We woke the kids around 6 and had them do the same. Once I picked up the dirty laundry, we were on our way to the Caribbean Beach Resort:cool1: !

We got to the CBR gate around 7:15 AM and the security woman at the door informed me that it was too early to check in and none of the parks would be open:headache: . Well, we got a little worried because on our last trip, we were able to check in and get our cards around the same time. No worries, we drive up to the custom house and WE CHECK IN:laughing: ! Unfortunately, I had requested a room in Jamaica, building 45, and they were putting us in Trinidad South, building 37, but I didn’t want to complain or ask for another room because this one was ready for us. They hand us our key cards, make a few pleasantries, ask us for a credit card for the spending account and once we’ve signed our lives away, we’re checked in.

Well, we all got back into the car and headed to Trinidad South, building 37, room 3754; our home for a week. I saw that the bus stop was right down the stairs from our room, so that was a plus. We opened the door and were greeted by a musty smell. No worries, it didn’t bother me too much. I turned on all the fans, we dropped off our luggage, and I took a few pics of the room.

Looking out towards the door.
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Looking in from the door. I loved the privacy curtain. It was very useful!
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Our mousekeeper Sharon already had a towel animal waiting for us. It was a very cute dog by the phone. She left a new one every other day and did a great job on the room. I’ve heard so many bad things about mousekeeping at CBR, but I’m glad we didn’t experience anything like that at all. Sharon kept everything neat and tidy and even positioned our stuffed animals around the room for us:lovestruc , but more on that later. I digress…

Anyway, after letting the kids look around their temporary home for a bit, we decided to jump on the bus to get to Animal Kingdom. The bus came within 10 minutes and while we waited, I snapped some more pictures.

Can you see how excited Michael is to be at Disney?
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We get to Animal Kingdom around 8:30 and while I start a running list of what I want to do and what I want to see, Miguel so kindly reminds me that this trip is for the kids (what?? I’m not a kid??:confused3 ) and he doesn’t want to run around the parks this time around. He says, let’s take it bit by bit and make it a relaxing trip. Um, ooooohkay, since when has Disney been relaxing, but I’ll try.

Here’s Michael trying to act like a monkey…
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We also took a picture in front of the tree.
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Well, we whip out our brand, spanking new Keys to the World and insert them in the ticket takers. After providing Disney with our fingerprints, we’re off!

We stop, not to smell the roses, but to see the geckos. I know, everyone says these things are a trap, but we ARE here to look at animals. I didn’t take any pictures of the tourist traps, sorry. I did learn that the gecko has a HUGE AND FAT tail because that’s where it stores its fat, just in case it doesn’t eat. See, that’s my excuse too, except, I keep eating! Damn, I’ll have to fix that.

Moving on, we see the biggest tarantula ever! We were informed that there are no documented deaths due to tarantula bites. Hmmm, maybe the people that did die couldn’t find anyone to tell??? Just a thought…

One of the cast members tells us that the safari is the best thing to ride at this point because the weather is cool and the animals are out and about, so after getting the times guide and park map, we head right over.

The line was short and while walking through the queue, a CM tells me “Maam, be careful, there’s a mouse on your shirt:scared1: ”(I was wearing a Mickey Mouse tee). Gotta love that Disney humor!!:rolleyes:

Two trucks were filled ahead of us and in no time, we’re headed to catch us some poachers!

Next – Day I, Part II – A Safari, A Petting Zoo & A Festival
 

I'm on board- I have kids the same age and I am very interested in a Holiday trip.

The kids are adorable:lovestruc
 
I'm in!! Hope you got to see lots of animals.
 
Love your report so far. We were at Disney for Christmas too and we loved it...but then we knew we would. CBR is our fav moderate...hope you liked it there. Can't wait to hear everything! :goodvibes
 
Love your report so far. We were at Disney for Christmas too and we loved it...but then we knew we would. CBR is our fav moderate...hope you liked it there. Can't wait to hear everything! :goodvibes

Aw, I looked at your ticker and saw that you were going back!!! You're sooo lucky!!!!!:worship:

I'm upset, because we saw that bounceback thing in our room and we totally forgot to ask about it. :sad2:
 
We load the safari jeep and head off into the savannah. The CM was right, alot of the animals were out due to the cooler weather, but it seems they all had their backs to us!

Here's that zebra mix animal:
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We saw alot of animal butts...and birds in my favorite color:
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I did get a semi-quasi good pic of a lion :rolleyes1 :
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Once we heard the poachers were in the area, the jeep sped up and the kids were looking forward to getting the criminals...

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Once out of the safari, we were a little hungry so we went to one of the CS places for something quick.

Bobbi enjoyed her cinnamon bun
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But I have to say, my sticky bun was waaaay better:woohoo:
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After a quick bite, we took the train to the Conservation Station and immediately saw Jimminy Cricket
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and Rafiki
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We saw a duck get a check up
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and got to pet and brush some barnyard animals
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Don't they look nice and neat after the kids brushed them for like 10 minutes:headache: ? I kept saying, okay, let's go, you can see animals like this at home. Put the brush down, let's go. Okay, now, let's go!!!:lmao:
 
After playing the music in the instrument section and walking through the park, we decided to try and catch the next show of Festival of the Lion King. On our way, we saw some the 100 Acre characters were out so we headed towards them for some pictures.

Pooh...
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Eeyore...
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Tigger...
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Then we saw Lilo & Stitch!! Stitch is my favorite character!!
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FINALLY!!! We get around to seeing the Lion King...since it's a long show, I'll only post one picture. This one's my favorite.
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After the festival, we grabbed some pizza and salads and headed to Dinoland. Michael was too short to ride the good roller coaster and the kids didn't want to go in the Dino attraction so found Pluto, waited on line for a picture and an autograph...
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and then rode the kiddie ride:rolleyes:. Here's the view from up top.
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Afterwards, we skipped the parade since we didn't get a good viewing spot and headed over to Asia. Since Michael was tall enough this year, we wanted to go over to Expedition Everest. Michael was really excited to get on as you can see here...
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Unfortunately, he didn't like the ride, watch the video and you'll see his reaction towards the end...


Up next - Expedition Everest Video - Photobucket is acting up so I'll post it later....
 
Great start! I love the Animal Kingdom. Looking forward to more!
 
Hi there, I'm really enjoying your report so far! We are going about the same time as you did this year (I can officially say "this year" as of today! :woohoo: ) and I'm really looking forward to hearing how your trip went!
 
Great start! I love the Animal Kingdom. Looking forward to more!

Thanks! They say it's the hottest park and we learned that by being there in August of 2006. It really is nice to visit on a day where the temps are in the low 70's.

Hi there, I'm really enjoying your report so far! We are going about the same time as you did this year (I can officially say "this year" as of today! :woohoo: ) and I'm really looking forward to hearing how your trip went!

Congrats! Christmastime is a great time to be at Disney. Well, I won't ;) lie, anytime is a great time to be at Disney, but Christmas is really special.

Love your update- can't wait to see the EE clip!

Thanks! I'll try to get it up today.
 
Yaay! I was able to upload the Expedition Everest clip and here it is! I'll admit, it's a bit shakey. It's REALLY hard to hold a camera while you're on a roller coaster!:rotfl2:

Watch towards the end, I ask Michael to turn around and you HAVE TO see the look on his face. FYI - He wouldn't go on another roller coaster after that!!:lmao: (I'm SUCH a bad Mommy, I know!!:laughing: )

 
Michael's expression is priceless. I recall a similar look on DS's face when I took him on ToT for the first time years ago...11 years later he is still afraid! :rotfl:
 
Michael's expression is priceless. I recall a similar look on DS's face when I took him on ToT for the first time years ago...11 years later he is still afraid! :rotfl:

He wasn't so bad after ToT! He rode it two years ago and he was fine! We had to force him to get on it, but then afterwards, he said he liked it. This time around, he was EXCITED to get on EE, but after, he didn't fee the same:guilty: . DH says it was the going backwards in the dark part that got him.:scared:
 
Darn, I can't see that part! I've watched the clip 3 times and everytime it cuts off when there is about 31 seconds left to go :confused3

I'm sorry your DS didn't like EE. I don't have that problem with mine, the younger one especially is a big time thrill seeker - makes me nervous! :scared:
 








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