I was at WDW 12/10 to 12/19...see post #35 for the last update.

[Timon-n-Pumbaa Fan]

Doesn't you pin lanyard have a small folder at the bottom of it to hold your tickets/fastpasses?

Hmmm Seems like someone needs to do a little more shopping today!

Glad to see the weather has cleared today!

Yes, my lanyard does have one of those oh so handy pouches, but I was going without the lanyard yesterday. The big pin meet at POR last night was more important to me than having a pin filled lanyard yesterday, so I had thrown my ticket into the front pouch of my backpack. Bad decision. Now the ticket is in my wallet. I can't lose that!

We were supposed to go to DHS today. We decided to skip doing a park today. That means that I will have 3 more days of park admission leftover for my April trip. Basically, Corey and I have just hung out in our and MIL's rooms. We went to The Wave for lunch and brought MIL some soup and a salad back to her room. I think we are going to end up staying in MIL's room for awhile playing games and doing some silly craft stuff that we brought to kill time with. We may try to go to DTD later today, but for now, it's looking like a completely down day. MIL's legs and feet a hugely swollen. She hasn't been behaving with her diet, despite my efforts to make sure that she had healthier dietary options available.

We may go see Four Christmases at the AMC at PI later. I know that we all want to see it, it's just a matter of getting down there. Anyway, it's vacation. We have all been to WDW before. I will get to come back and do it my way in April. It's better than being at home or at work. But, we are both bummed about just how far off of our plans that we both thought were reasonable that things are going. It's sad that MIL's health is so crappy.

 

[TuckandStuiesMom]

You and Corey are wonderful daughters. Hugs for both of you.

Yes, my lanyard does have one of those oh so handy pouches, but I was going without the lanyard yesterday. The big pin meet at POR last night was more important to me than having a pin filled lanyard yesterday, so I had thrown my ticket into the front pouch of my backpack. Bad decision. Now the ticket is in my wallet. I can't lose that!

We were supposed to go to DHS today. We decided to skip doing a park today. That means that I will have 3 more days of park admission leftover for my April trip. Basically, Corey and I have just hung out in our and MIL's rooms. We went to The Wave for lunch and brought MIL some soup and a salad back to her room. I think we are going to end up staying in MIL's room for awhile playing games and doing some silly craft stuff that we brought to kill time with. We may try to go to DTD later today, but for now, it's looking like a completely down day. MIL's legs and feet a hugely swollen. She hasn't been behaving with her diet, despite my efforts to make sure that she had healthier dietary options available.

We may go see Four Christmases at the AMC at PI later. I know that we all want to see it, it's just a matter of getting down there. Anyway, it's vacation. We have all been to WDW before. I will get to come back and do it my way in April. It's better than being at home or at work. But, we are both bummed about just how far off of our plans that we both thought were reasonable that things are going. It's sad that MIL's health is so crappy.

 

[Timon-n-Pumbaa Fan]

Thanks for the hug Sue! We ended up staying in all night last night. I worked on reconciling our expenses and updating my pinpics.com needs/wants/collections data. Corey spent time with her mom and at about 9 pm came back to the room. We watched some tv and fell asleep.

This morning, Corey and I had a late breakfast at The Wave. We brought MIL back some breakfast. She was napping again. We discovered the new resort guests sale on T-shirts, mugs, and hats are on sale 40% off and Christmas stockings, tree skirts, and ornaments are all 1/2 off! Our discounted $1000 merchandise card became ours to use today because our free dining package kicked in, so Corey and I are going to go to WoD to do some damage. Shopping therapy is good. Afterwards, we are going to come back here and hopefully get MIL up and moving for MVMCP tonight. She has been sleeping a lot and her legs and feet still are very swollen. I hope she gets to enjoy herself some tonight.

Pray for us. Corey's two sisters, BIL, niece and nephew are all coming to join us at various times throughout the night. It's going to be like herding cats, as usual. I will be happy, if I get to see Mickey's Twas the Night Before Christmas and the Holiday Wishes presentation.

 

[Timon-n-Pumbaa Fan]

We survived the MVMCP. We had dinner at LTT. OMG, we were notorious there this evening. Let's just say that our trip mascot, a stuffed TY beanie baby beaver that we named Joey, was the entertainment topic of the night among the wait staff and cooks. There was a bit of "blue humor" based on the fact that we had a beaver on the table. It went totally downhill. The chef was a hoot. Basically, you know that you have been very bad when Goofy comes out of the kitchen shaking his finger at you for being naughty.

Thankfully, everyone seemed to have had a good night. MIL actually rode a few rides tonight. I wasn't around the family much tonight. I figured that with all of them around to deal with MIL, that I would take advantage of some time at the MK to do my own thing. I had a blast enjoying the parade, some of the fireworks, the Notorious Banjo Brothers & Bob and more. I went to Pixie Hollow and got to meet Tinker Bell! I traded a lot of pins and was just happy to be in my happy place.

A couple of Corey's friends from home surprised us and joined us tonight too. Overall, it was a successful night of entertainment. We are all pooped. I am going to bed here in a few. We have already blown through over $700 on the $1000 merchandise card. Our pin collection got a boost today.

 

[Timon-n-Pumbaa Fan]

Yesterday was a planned down day. We all slept in. MIL had a hard time falling asleep and then was awakened early by the Mousekeepers. She was kind of slow moving and a bit grumpy first thing.

The first thing that was on the agenda for the day for Corey and I was breakfast at The Wave. The food was pretty good. We did the Afternoon Tea at the Gardenview Lounge at the GF. We arrived early and were seated with no delay. MIL and Corey had the Buckingham Palace and I did the Gentleman's Tea and had the trifle at the end to finish off the wonderful experience. We were not hurried and the experience lasted about 2 hours. We all had a great time. We went to DTD Marketplace for some shopping and a late dinner afterwards. We ate at Cap'n Jack's. We all thought the food was really good, with the only exception being that the key lime pie was a bit too much on the sweet side. We came back here and were all tucked in and eligible for sleep before midnight.

Today, well, I got up at 7 to get showered and dressed so that I could be at DHS for rope drop. My mission, gather 3 FP's for TSM before they ran out using only my park admission ticket to do so, since Corey and her mom wouldn't be arriving until almost 1pm. I had a blast there today. I met a DIS'er and her son, James, at the CR bus stop this morning. We chatted all the way to TSM. I got to meet Stitch, Mike & Sully, Pluto & Goofy, and Chip & Dale before Corey & MIL arrived. I also managed a ride on ToT, which is my favorite ride out of all the ones that Disney offers. We had lunch at Backlot Express. We all got to meet Bolt, Mittens, & Rhino! We saw Beauty & the Beast and Voyage of the Little Mermaid. After 7pm, the FP window was finally open for all three of the FP's to TSM that I had collected by 11:50am. Corey got to ride ToT, but sadly there just wasn't enough time for her to get in a ride on RnR, even though I had a FP for her for that too. We did enough the Osborne Lights. Our dinner at ABC was ok, but the Curry Chicken was much too spicy for MIL.

Overall, it was a good day. I am tired. AK is our park for tomorrow. It's hard to believe that we leave on Friday, it seems like we just got here. Time flies when you are having fun!

 

[Timon-n-Pumbaa Fan]

MIL's curry chicken caused her to bail on coming out to the parks to play today. Corey texted me this information after I had gathered 3 FP's to KS. I was focusing on meeting characters this morning, since MIL doesn't like meeting them and getting silly photos taken. So, after I found a nice family of three to pass the FP's off to, cancelled our Tusker House ADR and made an ADR for Corey and I to use at MK tonight, I finally headed back to CR. Corey had fed MIL breakfast and set her up for lunch. Corey and I went over to MK alone.

Can I just say that this was my favorite part of our entire vacation? MK was not very busy at all. We rode Buzz, BTMRR, SplMnt, & JC. Corey and I took lots of nice PhotoPass pics. We had lunch at Pecos Bill's and used the quiet seating on the backside of the restaurant. We had a Dole Whip in memory of "Bawb" Varley. I took Corey through Pixie Hollow, so that she could meet Tinker Bell too, like I did at MVMCP. We had dinner at CP. And, we finally got to see Wishes again. The last time we got to see it all the way through was 2006! Basically, we took it easy and had a wonderful afternoon and evening.

Corey is with MIL now. She's having a late dinner while Corey gets her stuff ready to go to Epcot tomorrow to see the Santas and Storytellers around the WS. We have dinner reservations at 6pm at Le Cellier. I really hopeful that we get to do the whole day there as planned. MIL has been focusing on seeing the Santas and Storytellers since we first planned the trip. I am just hoping that she can hold out to enjoy them.

We are going to try to pack up the dirty clothes tonight, so that check out on Friday goes smoothly. We brought a lot of stuff, which thankfully, is gone now, like fluids and Christmas presents!

I can't wait to come back SOLO in April!

 

[OrlandoMike]

Glad to hear you had a good day! And the weather was nice!

On a side note, thanks for the text's, sorry I couldn't always respond, Mickey frowns on us texting at work!

 

[Timon-n-Pumbaa Fan]

No worries. But, as I said, the "by the seat of your pants" touring method is suckin. I am so not liking this at all.

Yesterday, MIL asked why we couldn't do TS for dinner at DHS. I told her because in order to have done that, I would have needed to have booked an ADR more than a month ago. She didn't understand why they wouldn't let us use the one that we cancelled from two days before when we were supposed to have gone to DHS and dined at the HBD.

I wanted to kiss the ground that the CM at guest relations at AK walked on today when I cancelled Tusker, since MIL bailed on the plans today, but I still needed to find something for us to eat at MK that was TS, so that we wouldn't waste the dining credits. I still think that it's awesome that Corey and I were able to get into CP.

We were blessed with some really great weather today. It was just beautiful. My biggest mistake of the day.....I forgot to sunscreen my knees. Both of them are glowing bright red from being on the scooter.

 

[OrlandoMike]

No worries. But, as I said, the "by the seat of your pants" touring method is suckin.

And you know, thats pretty much the only way I travel! I hate making plans! Oh well, to each their own!

 

[jackskellingtonsgirl]

I would die if I had to go to WDW without meticulous planning.

Lindy, I am glad you and Corey are still having fun! It doesn't sound like the trip you envisioned, but you are making the best of it!

 

[Timon-n-Pumbaa Fan]

Final park day today. I got up early and was at Epcot for rope drop. I bought the two pins that we wanted that came out today at Pin Central, even before the rope dropped. I followed a couple of families into the Character Connection instead of going with the masses to ride the rides. It was great! I got the Fab Five and a bonus of Belle at the end. I never have been one to get pics with the princesses, but today, I did. From there, I went over by the Seas and took some pictures and had intentions of going inside, but I really needed some coffee and breakfast, so I headed over to the coffee/danish hut over in FW near TT and Ellen's. I sat in a quiet shady spot and enjoyed my danish and coffee, watched some squirrels play and then headed over to see what the wait time was like at TT. Off to my left, I see the Dream Team! They were headed to TT. I asked, "Is this a good time to be riding TT?" I was told that for some, it was a very good time to be riding. So, I parked the scooter, left the coffee and the little cooler filled with other fluids for the day, grabbed the camera and my trip mascot, Joey, and headed into the 20 min wait line for single riders. I walked straight to the top. The Dream guy told me to hold, then he recognized me from outside and told me to come in. There were probably 40 of us that were given, Dream FP's!!! I just wished that Corey had been there with me. I rode TT and decided to hold onto the Dream FP for Corey to use while MIL and I took in the Santa's and Storytellers around the WS. So, I continued on my way out to the WS because it was nearing 11am and I wanted to catch a few characters out there. I was first in line for Snow White....yep, 2 princesses in one day...I must be slipping, but honestly, if I had to pick a favorite princess, Snow would be my gal. Anyway, um, I went on over to wait for Aladdin and I was first in line again. Aladdin came out with Jasmine. I swear, this was not intentional. Ok, that makes 3 princesses in one day. I can feel the butchness just oozing out of me at this point. I guess it was the HSM cheerleader pics I did for Corey as a silly goof at DHS that messed me up to start with. Yet another reason to hate HSM. Ok, back to my day, where was I, oh yeah, inadvertantly hunting princesses. So, by this time, I am get the message from Corey that they have arrived at Epcot. I tell them to come meet me in Mexico and I headed that way. They are taking forever and a day and want to start in France, so I met them at the Lights of Winter and we did go on over to France. (Please note that I was very close to France at the point that they arrived, it's important.) We started meeting Santas and Storytellers. While they watched Pere Noel, I met Aurora. Yes, that makes 4 princesses in one day. I guess it's almost time to completely resign my butch card, huh? Should I tell you that I also managed to meet Mary Poppins just after the Father Christmas meet?

Ok, it was at this point that we mapped out a plan for me to take MIL on a tour of 4 more Santas and Storyteller while Corey used the Dream FP and finally got to ride some of the stuff that she enjoys at Epcot without having to worry about her mom. She was reluctant to leave her to me at first, but in the end, she was glad that she was able to go ride TT, Soarin', The Land, and M:S with no waits. She returned to us as we waited to see Papa Noel in Canada. After he finished it was time for MIL's meds and a pre-dinner trip to the potty.....yea, it was scheduled. Anyway, we had a fanatastic dinner at Le Cellier. I adore their Mushroom Filet Mignon and the Maple Creme Brulee. I think that if I were asked for my final meal choice, this would have to be the last one that I enjoyed. I could die happy right now.

We decided to head back to the room instead of doing anything more. We managed to see every storyteller and Santa except for the American Santa & the German, Chinese, & Japanese storytellers. Overall, I think we got a lot done in one day. So much zig zagging to catch what we did though. I really wish that Disney would make their schedules a little more foot friendly. Corey's poor feet are killing her at this point. So, we head back to CR. My scooter has gone so many trips back and forth around the WS that poor Corey had to push me up the freakin ramps at the monorail. Corey is an

We officially blew through the entire $1000 merchandise card that we bought for $695 before we got here. So, we saved roughly 30% off the top on all that merchandise. Add to that the deals of 40% off t-shirts, hats, & mugs and the 50% off deals on the Christmas ornaments, well, let's just say that we have enjoyed some great savings this trip. The FD plan that we have had the last 5 days has been pretty darn great too. We will use our last credits tomorrow at Kona Cafe and Earl of Sandwich.

We will be driving home tomorrow. This trip was long enough to relax. I just wish that it was a day or two longer before reality has to set in, but at least we all had some great fun, despite the obvious challenges. We start loading the SUV with dirty laundry filled luggage tonight. I hate that we are at the end, but we are. At least I have April to look forward to!

 

[RAPstar]

I also ran into Belle in the Character Connection as we were exiting. It was also the first thing I did when I got to Epcot (not long after opening). It's a small world (no pun intended). Wonder if they have a different character near the ext randomly throughout the day. Anywho, sounds like a fun trip!!

 

[ConcKahuna]

It was great seeing you, even if it was only for 20 seconds because the lobby was busy for the first and only time so far today

 

[TuckandStuiesMom]

Sounds like a GREAT last day!!!

 

[Timon-n-Pumbaa Fan]

Our day started pretty much on time. MIL got up and moving pretty quickly this morning, which was a pleasant surprise. We had our breakfast at Kona. Afterwards, I headed off to DTD to buy our lunch for the road with our remaining CS and snack credits from Earl of Sandwich. I did see a very busy Conch working with another guest, so when it became very obvious that this wasn't the time for friendly chat, I briefly interupted, just long enough to give Conch a wave and a quick friendly greeting. MIL and Corey looked at the shops in the Poly and then returned to CR to drop off her scooter and get the SUV to come pick me up from DTD. While at DTD, I picked up one last thing for me, a frosted glass Timon. I also picked up the PJ set that Corey had seen and decided that she wanted before we left. To my surprise, the PJ's were $76. I did at the very least get the Disney Visa Discount at WOD, but damn. They are really cute though. It's flannel patchwork plaid and Mickey's on the pants and a thermal underwear type shirt with a vintage aged looking Mickey with a WDW logo underneath. Corey says that she will have to wear them for years before they get retired with that price tag. But, it's almost Christmas and we have been very good coming in underbudget in several areas.

We got home and have unpacked most of the souvinears and some of the luggage. We undecorated the SUV, it's no longer the Christmas Pixie Dust Mobile. The cats are all very happy to see us. I am glad to be home, but I do wish that Corey and I could have remained there just a bit longer.

We have so much to do tomorrow. We have to return the rental and then Corey's sister and BIL are coming through town and we will do lunch with them. We have some laundry to do and some clean up in the "dogs room" downstairs that we would like to tackle before we bring the dogs home on Sunday. We are possibly doing my job's Christmas party, but I think we are both going to be too pooped to go. I am also hoping to work in photos of Mama Jean's Christmas display. She has gone all out. We drove by on our way home just to see. I have no idea how she decorated one of the trees, but she managed to get the ornaments up pretty darn high.

Anyway, the trip is over. It's Photopass editing time! April 24th can't get here soon enough!