Juana & Hector Trip Report WP/4/DEC/2008 with LOTS of pictures (updated 14/06)

[LittleBlue22]

I love your trip report, muy bueno (that's as far as my Spanish goes).

 

[ITmickey]

Thanks everybody for the patiance (sp?) and continued attention
So, let's go on!

 

[ITmickey]

So, after all the planning and excitement and previous mishaps, we were finally all set for the wedding!

Our guest count was now just reduced to three: Mi mother, a very close friend of Juana and I, and a colleague from a previous work project, originally from Seattle, but was down here in Mexico for said project. All the others, either couldn't make it, couldn't beleive we were REALLY getting married @ Disney, or got scared after seeing that the Peso went down about 30% against the US Dollar Actually we even doubted to continue our plans, but after we realized that we would spend even more money on therapy if we cancelled , we decided to go on.

Anyway, back on track:
The flight was scheduled to leave at 11.40, and arrive in Orlando at 3.55
But... this meant we had to go to the airport right in the middle of rush hour. With several roadworks along the way. But most important, with a family that arrives to anyplace constantly late

The other guest was to meet us at the airport. And my colleague was to meet us at Orlando, on the wedding day.

Anyways, we decided to ask for a cab at 7 am, in order to get to the airport about hour and a half later, or so I thought.
Turns out, we were at the airport at 7:40 !!! However, we were able to check in, so we went for a yummi breakfast

While we were eating, our other Mexican guest arrived so we ended having lunch together.

The flight was uneventful, and, breakfast was served again Fortunately, we had a couple of spare clothing buttons in case one was shot away because of so much food

So we got to Orlando, went thru immigration, picked our luggage and went thru customs, without any problem. Then we placed the yellow tags in our lugagge and everybody placed the bags in the courtesy 'baggage transporter' (forgot the actual name of that) for it to be carried to the pickup conveyor in terminal B.

So we went happy shopping!
Visited the Nasa store, the Disney store (of course!) and then we decided we should go and pick up my mother's and guest luggage. (Remember? they were staying offsite). As we were leaving the nasa Store, our guest (Enriqueta) asked 'Why hurry with the shopping? I don't thing anything will happen to the luggage'? Well, when we arrived to terminal B, and looked in the arrivals conveyor, we found...

 

[ITmickey]

Sorry, duplicate post

 

[ITmickey]

We found... that none of the bags was at the conveyor!!! There were only a couple of bags still turning around... but not my mother’s and our guest! So we panicked for a little while, while we were looking for an airline rep. When we found her, we told her of our problem, and then we panicked a little more while she went somewhere to see where the missing bags went.
We started to look in all the conveyors, in all the piles of luggage… and finally my mother's, as they were being carried by… someone working for Disney’s ME
Turns out that when we checked in at the airline, all lugagge was put under my name... So even when my mother's bags had no yellow tags, they were still under my name, and Disney took them along with Juana's and mine...
So we just told them those bags were not going to a Disney owned and operated resort, and took them. That made us feel some relief... until we realized... there was still one bag missing! Our guest's!
So we went to the airline rep and panicked yet once more... To make this short, turns out the missing bag was at Virgin's conveyor

And... while we were waiting for the missing bag, my colleague, who was to escort Juana down the aisle... called to say he also was at the airport... only in Detroit! He was assigned last minute to a project over there, and had to leave in a hurry, so he wouldn't make it to the wedding. I can tell you Juana was not a happy camper. Because by this time we almost had a camp at the airport. Three hours had passed by, since the lost luggage issue. We were not having a very good start for this wedding trippy thingy... until...

Ok, this cliffhanging thing is not for me. Things got better from this point on, but not until we spent another hour and a half with DME, which now strangely enough, took that time to load the bus, wait... and wait... and wait... and finally depart towards our hotel!!! And that's where the pixie dust started, and wouldn't stop during the whole trip!
When we got to the Coronado Springs, the CM gave us a very warm welcome because of our upcoming wedding, and gave us a voucher for some free sparkling wine at the hotel's bar
We just found the Hotel to be very nice and romantic. All dark, with the lights reflecting on the lake… a chilling wind that invited to be close… even if it had been a very hard day, that moment made it all worth it… a feeling of coziness; of being tired, but happy; of awareness of our upcoming very special day… of realizing where were we, after a year of planning, economical and mood upheavals, of some laughter by people who don’t ‘get’ Disney or a wedding there… we were finally there. Less than 48 hours to our wedding.

Now time for some pictures:
A view from the plane

Christmas tree @ the airport

Being goofy @ Disney and universal stores

Nasa Store! We both seem to be coming out of the wall!

Just arrived to Coronado Springs (sorry about the dark picture)

 

[tiggersam00]

Isn't that the best feeling, when you get to your resort and you can finally relax about the stress of plannng and traveling and just have fun! ! I'm sorry you had a last minute cancelation to your guest list, but I'm sure you all had a blast anyways, and you finally got all your bags! Coronado Springs sounds like a great resort, I am hoping to try staying there soon myself, so I love the good review

 

[ITmickey]

Isn't that the best feeling, when you get to your resort and you can finally relax about the stress of plannng and traveling and just have fun! ! I'm sorry you had a last minute cancelation to your guest list, but I'm sure you all had a blast anyways, and you finally got all your bags! Coronado Springs sounds like a great resort, I am hoping to try staying there soon myself, so I love the good review

Thanx tiggersam, yes it was the best feeling!. I can't recommend enough about Coronado Springs. Yes it is big, yes it is spread out, yes it has a lot of conventioners... but is terrificly romantic. We even liked it more than the polynesian! I'll post some pictures on the next installment

 

[ITmickey]

I love your trip report, muy bueno (that's as far as my Spanish goes).

Muchas gracias!

Wonderful story.....enjoying it!

I'm glad you are enjoing, thank you for reading!

I absolutely LOVE your trip report. You are a great, entertaining writer and you and Juana are absolutely adorable. Can't wait to hear more!

Thank you very much for your encourangement

I have really enjoyed your trip report so far. I have several friends who have came to the US on visas, so I know how difficult the paperwork can sometimes be for everyone. Despite the setbacks it sounds like you did get some pixie dust along the way especially the extra vacation time I love the shot of your dog with the Mickey ears for your avatar; our dog has the same ones!

Aren't those ears fun?
Yes, we had a lot of pixiedust during the trip; all small details, but the kind of that make the experience magical.

 

[lizet313]

Just came back from my trip to WDW I had a blast I am trying to catch up with the thread.

 

[ITmickey]

Just came back from my trip to WDW I had a blast I am trying to catch up with the thread.

Welcome back! Hope you had a really great time!

 

[ITmickey]

So, after one night of comforting sleep (no, really!) we were up and ready at 6 am on Wednesday. For what we saw the night before, the Resort had beautiful grounds, where we wanted to walk in the morning. We were assigned Ranchos 7A, ground level, where we could see the all the beautiful sights and flashy light of… the parking lot.
This, however, proved to be good, since most of the time in the room we spent in the room we did it with closed curtains, and it was conveniently located just across from bus stop 3, very close to a quiet pool and the laundry.
Anyway, going back on track, we wanted to live the wonderful sunrise, feel how the rising sun began to warm or face, as we walked across the premises on our way to get breakfast. So we grabbed our sweater, out jacket, and stepped out of our room, and enjoyed… the ice! The grass and pathways surrounding the lake had ice, as had the wooden bridges. Actually, at first we didn’t notice it was ice, we just saw a funny color in the grass and cactus, until we slipped going across a small bridge. Then we realized the truth! Silly me, I always thought Florida was some kind of tropical paradise…
But going back on track (from which we slipped because of the ice) we ohhed and ahhed until we got the counter service where we had I don’t remember what for breakfast. It was some kind of breakfast sandwich with eggs, bacon and cheese. You couldn’t find one here in Mexico City, even if you wanted to. Where was the ‘whole enchilada’ that I have heard in the news? The chilaquiles with pollo? . After all, we decided that the sandwiches were good, and the chocolate was hot . So we walked back to our room, getting all kind of strange looks of all the ‘suites’ which apparently didn’t feel the same cold that we felt.
After having a bath and dress for the occasion, it was time to go get the marriage license. We grabbed a cab outside the hotel lobby, and asked the driver to take us to the Osceola courthouse. Where? Osceola courthouse. Where is that? We don’t know, you don’t know? Why should I know courthouse? Ok, let’s ask one of the CM. Please, directions to Osceola courthouse. (blank stare) To get the marriage license (blank stare) Another CM ‘Oh, you want to get married’ Me: I just want the license’ ‘Oh, you want to get the marriage license at Osceola Courthouse’. Happy faces from all the passengers in the cab (Juana and I)
Finally we got there, and asked for directions at the building entrance, to the security guards. The first officer ‘You want to get married? Why???... Look guys, he wants to get married’ Another guard: ‘Is he proposing to you?’ I guess you had to be there, but this was hilarious, and really made our day.
We finally got the the Marriage License in about 10 minutes, without a hassle, and back to what was beginning to look like a Magic Kingdom.
We spent the evening there, with my mother and a guest, since this was the only night with Wishes until Saturday, but we had other plans for that day. Turns out Wishes, was all that we could wish for. It really was a magnificent preamble for what was going to happen the next day. Oh, and for the wedding too.
So after that very good evening, we were ready for the 8 am appointment next day for the dress steaming. Or so we thought…

Now on for some pics... Since the last night was already late, we took pictures of this...
WDW Entrance!

And the resort entrance...

Some duckies..

Remeber, Tender Inside!

Do you think she is happy?

In this store, she was hinting for us to buy the bridal ears, but I already had other plans...

All ready for the great day!

 

[Mrsdisneyb2b]

Such FUN pictures! You look like you enjoyed yourself so so much! I can't wait to read te rest!
Pictures of disney at christmas are jsut stunning!

 

[lizet313]

Amazing I could imagine it but I did have to be there. I liket the castle pics and the bridal ears I was going to buy them even though I am not getting married I just liked them

 

[Vivianne]

I've been enjoying reading your report. Congratulations on your wedding. May you have many happy years together!

Time goes quickly..but the memories last a lifetime..

 

[samiet620]

Your report is fabulous!!!! I totally understand you on how romantic the atmosphere at the Coronado is.
I have to say...the pic of the entrance to Disney & to the Coronado is bitter sweet. I have the same one and it will be a long long LONG time before I can take another one in person
Anyway I live through trip reports and yours is great, keep it coming!!!

 

[ITmickey]

Hi everyone, thanks for bearing with me, we will continue with the report

 

[ITmickey]

So it was finally the day. Do you know that uneasy feeling, like butterflies in your stomach? General dizziness? Kind of a rush in the blood? And it doesn’t go away with Pepto? That’s how we were feeling. We even has a Bridezilla and Groomzilla moment. Like Godzilla vs. King Kong. It even happened late at night, like those movies used to be shown. I don’t even remember the reason, if any. We realized it was just better to go to bed and wait for the new morning.
So, the morning came. We were feeling all better. And the remaining butterflies in the stomach went away with breakfast. We had the appointment set for the dress steaming at 8, with Sue from Carolyn Allen’s, and for the makeup with Ana from Beauté Speciale, at 9 so I think we got up at about 6. For breakfast we had coffee and the leftovers from dinner. We showered, and began fooling around, as you can see in this pic

We actually managed to have fun before everything started.
So at 8 am sharp Sue and her husband arrived. They are a great couple, and had a lot of fun while Sue worked. Until she asked for the Dress lace. What do you mean we didn’t bring the lace to tie up the dress? Screaming. Anxiety. Relief, when it turned out Sue was looking for a white lace and the dress lace is red, so she didn’t see it at first. All calm again.
After the dress was done, this is what it looked like.

So we began to get ready, when Ana and her assistant showed at 9 am sharp, also. Both were also great and we really liked their job. Juana just told her she wanted kind of a natural look, and Ana started working. They were also very easy to get along with. This is them working

Since the limo was scheduled to pick me up I think 10.30 or something, my mother was going to come over to our room to help Juana finish preparing at about 10. Yeah, right. My mother is always late. Even for Mexican time. So she arrived at the exact same time the Limo was arriving, so Juana had to go meet my mom, at the Coronado Springs lobby. That’s when she realized maybe CSR was as big as some have complained on these boards.
So, I was on he limo on the way to pick up Enriqueta, our guest. So I took this pick uf myself. Can you tell the day started early?

The limo driver was also very nice, as was most of the people during this day. I started shooting video of the limo, since I didn’t know when I would be inside one again. And I still don’t.
The short trip was uneventful, and we quickly arrived to our guest hotel. When I stepped down the limo to pick her up at the lobby, all the looks and congratulations and smiles started.
Enriqueta was already waiting, so we quickly got again in the limo and departed to the WP. She was doing small talk, but all I could think about was the upcoming ceremony. All that anticipation, mishaps, trip planning, etc. was about to end to give place to the ceremony. It was almost like watch it happen on the tv, out of the scene.
Here is a pick of the limo on the inside, with Enriqueta in the rear seat

Again, we quickly arrived to the WP, and let me tell you, all the pics I had previously seen make absolutely no justice to the place. It is simply beautiful. A feeling of peace took over me. Then I saw the schedule of the day

There were our last names. Bautisia/Sosa wedding. I didn’t even noticed that my DF last name was spelled wrong. Actually, she didn’t realize either, when she arrived. Neither we noticed when we reviewed the pics. We came to realize it like 2 weeks after we returned from the trip. But to tell you the truth, we don’t care very much about that.
So the limo dropped us off and went back to pick up my mother and Juana at our resort. We looked around, taking the atmosphere in, and taking some pictures. I saw the walkway ready with surprise number 1 for Juana: The rose petals in the walkway. I had told her we didn’t have budget for that kind of stuff, so she was not expecting them.

Here’s the entrance for the bride’s vestibule

And here are some views of the Grand Floridian

I’ll save the description of the ceremony for the next part!

 

[ITmickey]

Amazing I could imagine it but I did have to be there. I liket the castle pics and the bridal ears I was going to buy them even though I am not getting married I just liked them

hey, who knows? You may get a surprise

 

[ITmickey]

I've been enjoying reading your report. Congratulations on your wedding. May you have many happy years together!

Time goes quickly..but the memories last a lifetime..

Many thaks for your nice wishes

Your report is fabulous!!!! I totally understand you on how romantic the atmosphere at the Coronado is.
I have to say...the pic of the entrance to Disney & to the Coronado is bitter sweet. I have the same one and it will be a long long LONG time before I can take another one in person
Anyway I live through trip reports and yours is great, keep it coming!!!

I'm sorry you won't be able to go back soon. We won't be able to go back soon enough as well. But hey, that's why we have the disboards

 

[tiggersam00]

Great update Hector! Both you and Juana look ready to get married, very relaxed with one another and in love. And the more I see that dress the more I love it, it is without a doubt one of the most gorgeous bridal gowns I have ever seen, and your bride looked wonderful in it