Inching My Way Closer to the Castle Final thoughts/future trips 4/2p90 The End 4/4p92

[MEK]

And by camera, she means calendar!


D4D

That will teach me to do replies after 11pm. I shudder think what other typos I made.

Mary Ellen knew all the right poses to ask for, I had no idea! I did like adding the borders afterwards but I have to apologize to MEK, I edited her out of a few so I could have some "just me" pics! (I did the same thing to my MIL with our MNSSHP pics. For some reason she had to be in all of them)

WHAT?????? You edited me out of pictures????? The Nerve!

I need to start talking about my Sept trip, maybe a pre-TR is in order? I might just have to do it!

D4D

Well, of course you do! Was there even a question about this?

Yes, I think a PTR is in order!

Ditto!

I didn't realize you have to ask for those special magic photopass shots. Good thing I'll have MEK along in May so we'll know what to ask for!!

See - I am good for something!

 

[Ducky4Disney]

*AHEM*

Check the new link in the signature.

D4D

 

[manntra]

LOVE the PP pictures!! There are so many great ones!! And MEK you have so many beads!!

I think you need a wagon, not a new bag!!

Tracy

 

[eandesmom]

Now, now...don't be too harsh on me. I think it looks worse than it really is. Camera...check. Back pack (usually with water - seriously, I think that's the only reason I bring it in)....check. refillable mug...check. Oh - that thing around my neck is where I keep my AP and Disney gift card and that type of stuff. That's so I always know where it is.

But I am thinking of moving my camera to the blue backpack because its really meant to carry a computer, so I think it should protect my camera. Then I can get a cute park bag.

Uh...well...that's still 2 bags. One of which is rather large (the backpack). If your backpack has pockets, wouldn't it be able to hold it all? Just sayin.... but not being harsh...heck, it's your back! This is why I'm a fan of cargo capri's and shorts with pockets. The KTTW and such goes there, along with a lip gloss for easy access. Phone and camera as well (but it's a small point and shoot so can't compare that one at all!) Then again, I use Jeff as my sherpa whenever I can. I will not be so lucky in May. The bigger the bag, the more I cram into it. Going small or non existent forces me to leave behind all the stuff I didn't really need with me anyway.

That said I really have no idea what I'm bringing for May. Knowing me, it will be more than one option...possibly more than two!

I'm gonna pick and choose some comments to comment on, there is no specific order or reason as to what I'm picking or why I am responding to only a few of them; bear with me.

And by camera, she means calendar!

thank you, I was VERY confused!

I'm with you on that! My "lumbar pack" has been the sinlge best purchase I've ever made for trekking thru WDW! And no, it's not a fanny pack! When I was in WDW and extremely pregnant, I wasn't sure if I was gonna wear my pack; well I wasn't sure if it was gonna fit my massive girth to begin with, but in the end it was a great thing! It counter-balanced my belly and added back support

Here is a pretty good pic demonstrating my bigness from that trip.

How in the heck did I carry that 2.5 year old??

There is a LOT to be said for counterbalance. That pic reminds me of one kid on each hip. A pose with the E's I maintained for years. Boy did my arms look great during those years. The rest of me...not so much.

LOVE the PP pictures!! There are so many great ones!! And MEK you have so many beads!!

I think you need a wagon, not a new bag!!

Tracy

I think we need to stage an intervention. MEK goes bagless.....is she up for the challenge?

 

[MEK]

LOVE the PP pictures!! There are so many great ones!! And MEK you have so many beads!!

Whaaaaaaa? You don't like mardi gra beads. I bought them at the dollar store. I couldn't resist. They were perfect for drinking around the world.

I think you need a wagon, not a new bag!!

Tracy

Touche! But I wagon I will not be bringing! Maybe a collapsible cooler on wheels. I will confess, I am a little freakish about always having something to drink with me. So I do cart water bottles into the park.

Look at it this way - give me a 25 ft lead so I can get through bag check before everyone else catches up.

Uh...well...that's still 2 bags. One of which is rather large (the backpack). If your backpack has pockets, wouldn't it be able to hold it all? Just sayin.... but not being harsh...heck, it's your back! This is why I'm a fan of cargo capri's and shorts with pockets. The KTTW and such goes there, along with a lip gloss for easy access. Phone and camera as well (but it's a small point and shoot so can't compare that one at all!) Then again, I use Jeff as my sherpa whenever I can. I will not be so lucky in May. The bigger the bag, the more I cram into it. Going small or non existent forces me to leave behind all the stuff I didn't really need with me anyway.

FWIW - I really only had the big blue back pack on the first day when we were transferring rooms. I quickly ditched that. After that it was just my camera and one of those thin backpacks (whatever they are called).

The only thing I really need is my camera and water. I guess I just haven't found an efficient way to carry my water. Sad, but true!

That said I really have no idea what I'm bringing for May. Knowing me, it will be more than one option...possibly more than two!

Maybe I can take lessons!

There is a LOT to be said for counterbalance. That pic reminds me of one kid on each hip. A pose with the E's I maintained for years. Boy did my arms look great during those years. The rest of me...not so much.

Isn't that the truth. I always felt like my arm strength had just caught up and then the kids grew again!

I think we need to stage an intervention. MEK goes bagless.....is she up for the challenge?

Cynthia - It's not ever going to happen. NEVER......EVER!

"INTERVENTION" Not!

 

[glennbo123]

That first Photopass pic, the one that's blurry...I tell ya, those Photopass photographers love to focus on the castle rather than the people.

I love the sherpa comment. Boy, you can see it in those pictures.

The other picture I like is the one on the bridge....the one without the rabbit ears behind your head. That's a nice picture.

 

[MEK]

That first Photopass pic, the one that's blurry...I tell ya, those Photopass photographers love to focus on the castle rather than the people.

They should not be allowed to focus on the castle. Darn PP photographers. No excuse for a blurry picture!

I love the sherpa comment. Boy, you can see it in those pictures.

Yeah, Yeah...I know

The other picture I like is the one on the bridge....the one without the rabbit ears behind your head. That's a nice picture.

sneaky Jen, trying to take advantage of my drunken state like that!~

 

[All7OfUs]

There's just nothing like a wonderful ladies' trip with good friends!! It really shows in the pictures how much fun you two had. Thanks for sharing all the fun times with us!

 

[MEK]

There's just nothing like a wonderful ladies' trip with good friends!! It really shows in the pictures how much fun you two had. Thanks for sharing all the fun times with us!

Awww....Thanks! We really did have a great trip. I would do it again in a nano second! It was so much fun!

 

[MEK]

One of the things I really like to do as I finish a TR is do a list of "Firsts". I am a firm believer that each trip to Disney World is filled with many "firsts", supporting my theory that there is always something new to see or do.

Let's Recap now, shall we......

Day 1:

First - I flew on 9/11. Remember how apprehensive I was. Well, really not apprehensive that anything "bad" was going to happen. More nervous about the environment in the airport and very introspective about the meaning of that day.

Travel was great. And in two hours from gate to gate we were here!

And then here.....

From our seats in the back of ME we saw this....

and then arrived here for a quick check-in at POFQ

We took one of these

to DTD where I had my
First Margarita from the Rita Stand at DTD

After dinner and an adult beverage we stopped in at another
First - The Basin.

Where I purchased my First Bar of Basin Mickey Soap

We spent some time in the World of Disney where I DIDNOT buy my first one of these (boo hoo)

As night fell we continued to peruse the other DTD shops.

In fact, tonight I had my First Visit To Trend-e

Here I pretended to be 20 years younger and 20 lbs lighter.

We returned to POFQ via bus (thank you thunderstorm) and took a walk to see my First Show by HeeHaw Bob!

Day 1 Firsts:

Flew on 9/11
Visited the Rita Stand in DTD
Shopped at Trend-e and the Basin
Bought my First Bar of Mickey Soap
Saw the Heehaw Bob Show


Moving on

Day 2

It was hard to say goodbye to POFQ. Such a pretty resort

But I could not tear myself away before having my First Beignet

Before we hopped the bus to the MK we checked our bags and I requested my First Luggage Transfer Crazy, Isn't it? I have never transferred luggage before - Always had a car.

Before long we were looking at this.......

We missed the opening show, but we still got to ride some of our favorite rides like this

where I took a really good picture of this

(thats for you JenJolt)




We enjoyed a look at all the great Halloween decorations.....

Of course, what's a trip to the MK without a hidden Mickey

Continued in Next Post

 

[MEK]

Around lunch time we left MK to check into our new digs.

Before we went to our studio we had our First Meal at the Contempo Cafe

Finally it was time to find our studio room

[

This was my First Stay at BLT and here is my first glance of the castle from my balcony....

Of course, we also had an up close view of this....

After we checked in at BLT we headed over to the Poly for my First DVC Pool Hop

We drank sangria and I played my First Game of Pool Bingo


After cleaning up, Jen and I went to the Wave where we had a wonderful dinner

After dinner I had my First visit to the Top of the World Lounge

where it promptly rained as soon as I got a few castle shots

We hung out as long as we could figuring that the fireworks were canceled for the evening.

But just as we got back to the room I saw my First Ever Fireworks from the BLT balcony

Day 2 Firsts:

First Beignet
First Luggage Transfer
First Meal at the Contempo Cafe
First Stay at BLT
First Pool Hop to the Poly
First Pool Bingo
First Trip to the TOW lounge
First Fireworks from the balcony



Up Next Day 3 and 4 Recap and FIRSTS!!!!!

 

[mickeystoontown]

Wow! You've had a lot of firsts and you're only on day 2!

 

[KatMark]

MaryEllen, the first two days of recaps and firsts is almost as impressive as your pictures. Great job...as always.

 

[dawnbu40]

I love your "firsts" recap! People who aren't "into" Disney don't get how much there is to see and do there. May will be my 15th trip cool1 and I still find new things each time

As always your pictures are amazing

 

[2xcited2sleep]

Great recap! You know my favorite first... that margarita in DTD! I'm not sure that they are really all that special but I just love them. Maybe it's the atmosphere.

I have been tempted to hop a bus over to POR just to try a beignet. That is my level of devotion to fried food.

I think I've said before that BLT has never really "called" to me but between your TR and Brook's and a few others I am now thinking I might want to give it a try.

Looking forward to more. And in just 6 weeks we'll be back. And I already know of a few firsts for that trip!

 

[SoonerGirl]

Wow, so many firsts and you're just through day 2!

Funny you should mention beignets, yesterday we went to the zoo with my SIL and they are considering their first trip to WDW. We were talking about resorts and Jared piped up and said that the best resort at WDW was POFQ because you could eat beignets everyday

 

[MEK]

Wow! You've had a lot of firsts and you're only on day 2!

They were a lot of little things, but still things that were on my Disney bucket list so I was happy to do them. I try to make sure I have new adventures each trip - new restaurants, new attractions. It just so fun!

MaryEllen, the first two days of recaps and firsts is almost as impressive as your pictures. Great job...as always.

Kathy - you are always so nice with the picture compliments. I actually didn't realize how many little things I had done that were firsts. It's actually fun to count them all up.

I love your "firsts" recap! People who aren't "into" Disney don't get how much there is to see and do there. May will be my 15th trip cool1 and I still find new things each time

:

15th trip - cool!!!!! I have to count up mine because I think I am somewhere near that number as well. And yet it doesn't feel like I've been there that many times.

And you are right - there is always something new to do.

As always your pictures are amazing

Thanks!


sorry - gotta run back to something. Be Back soon!

 

[All7OfUs]

Great re-cap of firsts! I can't believe how many things you got to do already!

 

[Mrs. Sojourner]

I really enjoyed your TR. It looks like you guys had a wonderful trip. I loved both of your amazing pictures!

 

[Stringbean&Wingnut]

Awesome recaps! How fun to get another highlight of your fun firsts! You did so many fun things, and got such beautiful pictures of it all! (but I must say, I'm particularly jealous of those benigets!)