Liz's Whirwind Halloween Trip

[Traveliz]

Hi all

Just back from a wonderful whirlwind trip to Florida...and ready to start my report. But first a little pretrip information. This trip was inspired by two trips this summer and two very addicted Disneyites. I had been this summer with my daughter and niece and nephew and our family friend that used to travel with us when she was younger had taken her new family this summer as well. Around August Joanna (the friend) said she really wanted to go back to Disney for Halloween and I said "lets make it happen!"

The cast is as follows:
Liz (47) and could pretty much go for any weekend
Chloe (17) Liz's daughter and senior in high school with October filled with many band competitions

Joanna (26) Really wanted to go, is a physical therapist and has to work some weekends
Connie (62) Joanna's mom and could pretty much go any weekend
Brooke (9) Joanna's stepdaughter and could probably go any weekend.

Of course to begin with we thought this was a wild idea but we kept talking about it and I looked at my calendar and realized Chloe was done with band by the last weekend of the month and could go then. The big IF then was Joanna as she was scheduled to work that weekend...she called in and two others all ready had it off...but she made numerous phone calls with supervisors and others and arranged to get off the days she needed! So with only two months to plan we were going!

First off we got airfare at an ok price and a good time (Thursday at 6:20 pm) so Joanna could stilll work that whole day. Chloe and Brooke would just miss school on Friday.

Next up was the hotel. Joanna and Connie desperately wanted to stay at the Polynesian and this was the time of codes...we were able to get a garden view room there but after many days of checking the website we changed it to concierge garden view. Connie and Joanna REALLY wanted to do that.

Ordered our tickets for the party on the 29th and then went to work making our costumes. I all ready had a Fairy Godmother costume that we just wanted to fix up a bit to make more comfortable. Joanna wanted to be Cinderella and I found a Cinderella prom style dress marked down at the Deb shop for $25.00. We added sparkling tulle to that and a bow as well as the hair and neck thing and she was Cinderella!

Chloe wanted to be Tinkerbell and we found gorgeous material marked 1.00 a yard at Walmart combined with some green tulle and made a great Tink costume.

We looked at Connie and wondered who she could be and she said "I want to be Mary Poppins!: And that was perfect for her! She had an embellished blouse, we made the skirt adding bows and appliques. Several trips to department stores and we found a hat marked down to fix up. Lacy ties in her tennis shoes and she was practically perfect!

Brooke wanted to be Jasmine and {horrors) we bought that outfit from Disney!

We found shoes that matched our costumes at a variety of spots. Gloves for the women, it was an endless process but we HAD so much fun getting just ready to go. And when we were finished we realized we would have to go back next year with the guys as these costumes were too perfect to just use once.

We packed all the costumes and accessories a week ahead of time in a rolling garment bag and then just waited til it was time to go...

Liz

 

[Traveliz]

Thursday October 28

Today was a regular work and school day for everyone. Connie got off a bit early to pick up Brooke and we all met at Joanna's house around 4:30 to go to the airport. Ran through McDonalds to get dinner and then arrived at the airport where the sign said our flight was delayed

It had been raining all day but lightly but as we drove to the airport (all 15 minutes away) it got foggier and foggier. We checked in and they put us on standby for a later connecting flight in case we didn't make the one in Atlanta due to our flight being delayed. Depsite the fact many flights around us were being cancelled or diverted ours made it in late and then we got out late.

We got to Atlanta 12 minutes before our next flight was to leave. Now first let me say I typically fly airtran where I get off the plane at this gate and have just a few steps to my next gate....so I am not at all familiar with Atlanta nor is anyone in our party...so please read along as we laugh at ourselves here.

Ok we are landing at Atlanta and the flight attendant says they have no word of flights going to be delayed but there are alot of us so perhaps they will be and to go ahead and try to get to the next flight. As we are stepping off the plane she asked where we are headed...it was two terminals away...and she tells us to put on our running shoes...so off and running we go. Remember we do not know the Atlanta airport. So we are following the signs and we pass a train going to that terminal but it says the next train is a minute thirty away. When you have less than ten minutes that seems like a long time to stand so we keep going. Well it got to be pretty funny as we are running through the airport. Joanna and Brooke were leading the pack along with Chloe however Chloe slowed down a bit so she could see me at all times and Connie (who had a hip replacement less than a year ago) is further behind. So Joanna would point in a direction then Chloe would point it to me and then me to Connie. Our legs were killing us when we arrived at the gate to find the plane was still there!! Hurrah! And we were able to board and then of course sit there about another half hour because they were waiting for four planes!

So we caught our breath and were thankful to have gotten on the plane. We were originally scheduled to land at Orlando at 11:30 but arrived just before midnight. Cal from Tiffany Town Car was waiting for us and we promptly were on our way to the Polynesian. We arrived there just after 12:30 and checked in! Carl checked us in very quickly as he had a stack of about four portfolios for people they were still waiting on for the night. We asked if he would take our photo and he took it in front of the waterfall. We then headed over the Hawaii building. At this point we are all very hungry so we went to Captain Cooks and another great Cast member told us he could make us pizza so we got a few of those and got a table by the pool and just sat there and had "dinner" and chatted for a few minutes. We were there and so glad to be there!

Back to the room where Joanna and I unpacked the costumes so they could "fall out" and then we all fell into bed for a brief period of time!

Liz

 

[Traveliz]

Friday

This morning we set the alarm for around 8 and all got up and dressed and down to the concierge lounge for breakfast. It was a beautiful day!

Our plans this morning were Downtown Disney as I hadn't gotten there over the summer with the little ones and Joanna and Chloe also had some things they were looking for. We walked to the bus stop and then just around the bend we could see that our bus was there so we sprinted a bit to get it...stepped on the bus and headed Downtown. We did quite a bit of shopping there. My intent was to have it shipped home but we did more of a little here and a little there and before we knew it I had a huge bag! Oh well. For lunch we had Ghiradella's sundaes (dairy, protein in the nuts and of course fruit...the cherry!) Hey we are on vacation! And having fun. We did a little bit more shopping and then headed back to the bus stop where of course we saw the bus and the doors just shutting so we ran again! I was getting my exercise. But we were thrilled with the timing.

Took the bus back to the Polynesian and Connie took Brooke swimming while I showered and then Joanna and I worked on getting the costumes ready. Because only Chloe and I had APs we wanted to get to the party at 4 when they started letting people in with just the party ticket. We all got dressed and made up for the party and then went down to the concierge desk area where Jeffrey took pictures of us as a group.

Walked over to the monorail and onto the MK we went. Easily entered and went to the Castle front where Joanna wanted to do pictures while we still looked good. We did some individual ones and then got someone to take a group on of us! It is a great picture. I want to add here I HATE to have my picture taken and Joanna said too bad just deal with it (LOL is that how I raised that girl!). Anyway I kept telling people I was over my photo limit but all these pictures turned out so well (I wonder if it had anything to with the fact that my head was covered and all my fat was covered my sparkling lame).

Ok so after our photo shoot Chloe and Brooke went to Space Mtn and the rest of us went on the People Mover. We then walked over the the Castle about a half an hour early for our dinner PS. We got right in and it was the perfect setting for our table. Many people inside were dressed for Halloween and we got lots of compliments on our outfits. I will mention the dinner menu at Cinderella's has changed but it was very good.

After dinner...next post...the Halloween party.

Liz

 

[Traveliz]

Ok so we last were spotted at Cinderella's Royal Table where we had dinner and then did a "wedding type" bathroom run...you know with these costumes we needed an extra pair of hands holding the outfits...oh well TMI.

We did pictures in the lobby with me sitting in the throne as the Fairy Godmother and then Joanna and I together. We stepped outside and at this point it is about 6:30. No one told us where to go but it was obvious Fantasyland was not open so we walked over to Tomorrowland where I expected it to be wall to wall people but it really wasn't at all. There we first stopped for Halloween party pins (the girls are into that) and then went on Buzz (basically a couple of minute walk on), next a stop for candy near COP. As we exited that area a guest dressed in the "other" Mary Poppins costume with two chimney sweeps spotted our Mary and came running across the way shouting "Mary Poppins" The two Marys had their photos taken together and then we walked over to the Timekeeper to have our photo taken....too many people there so we turned around.

By now it is close to 7pm and we headed to Fantasyland where we wanted to see if Cinderella's Coach was out. Indeed it was so Joanna and I did some photos there when a CM came over and told me (Fairy Godmother) that I was early; I wasn't due out for fifteen minutes...we thanked him for the information and then went to Peter Pan (walk on) and back to the Carriage to wait for Fairy Godmother. She arrived shortly with the mice and we did several photos and then she suggested I just do a photo with the mice! Good idea!

Next we rode the Carousel and then Snow White. I sat that one out and noticed there were a few characters along the walkway. When they stepped up we went to the characters and Chloe had her picture taken with the Evil Snow Queen. Snow White was also there.

Meanwhile a CM had told us that Cinderella was at Toontown so we headed there. The princess room was probably our longest wait and it wasn't Cinderella...it was Sleeping Beauty and Prince Phillip. They told us Cindy would be there at 8:30. Joanna REALLY wanted to see Cinderella so we were going to get back into line but looking at the line we could tell that we would unlikely get back through before the characters changed again at 9. Darn.

Oh well so then we headed to The Castle Hub to await the fireworks and parade. We found a seat on the bench which was ideal for Mary Poppins and I...you know after caring for children all day and me granting all those wishes....well we wanted to sit! We sent Chloe across the "street" for water and popcorn and Joanna noticed Jafar was near the Castle so she took Brooke (Jasmine) for a photo. We met back up on the bench...no one dared mess with our seats! Can't mess with someone who cares for your kids and grants your wishes! The fireworks were okay but I wouldn't need to do them again next year.

We waited then for the parade (making phone calls home to pass the time). While waiting for the parade we saw the only other really good better than us (or rather as good as us costume...no offense to those of you who were there and as good as us but I apparently just didn't see.) Anyway there was a very tall guy dressed as Cruella DeVille. He was awesome. Its hard to describe but well it was very cool. His wife was dressed as a Dalmation. I really regret that we didn't ask to take his photo.

Ok so the parade came and we were very pleased with the parade. We had read comments that the parade was too short but I didn't feel that way at all.

Ok gosh now the parade is over and there are less than two hours left til Cinderella turns back into her ragged clothing and our carriage turns into a pumpkin! First we have pictures taken at HOP then we headed over to Aladdin's ride for our Jasmine and everyone rides but me. After Aladdin we get some more candy (and we had been doing that here and there through the night) and hop on the Jungle Cruise.

Off to Splash where we really wanted a boat to ourselves but we got some random guy in the last seat (sorry to the random guy if you are reading). Connie was very nervous about this as she had never done it before but we just insisted because we knew the photo would be something!. I went to buy the the photo while everyone else did BTMR and then we all met back up and did Haunted Mansion.

By now it it almost midnight and Joanna wanted to try and see Cinderella but alas it wasn't meant to be as we arrived at Toontown just as they were closing.

We walked back down toward Main Street where Joanna and Chloe and Brooke got in line at Exposition Hall for previous Halloween pins and Connie and I sat out front. While out there we saw some cute costumes going by.

We finally left MK about 12:40!

Wow what a night. We did alot but there is SO Much we did not do. I think its pretty much a sure thing that we will do it again next year.

Back to the hotel where we all got into bed sometime between right away and 2:30AM!

Liz

 

[Traveliz]

This morning the alarm was set for 7ish so Joanna and Chloe could go to MGM for Early Entry for RnR and then over to Epcot for TT and Mission Space (all walk ons twice each). We had an extra day on a ticket and since I don't do those rides I gave it to Joanna to go with Chloe. Brooke didn't know they went (she thinks they went shopping) as they were only devoting a couple of hours to this and Joanna didn' t want to purchase a ticket for Brooke.) Anyway it worked out well (as we suspected) because Brooke really needed to sleep in abit from the long evening previous.

While Joanna and Chloe were out Connie, Brooke and I eventually got up and were down the lounge for breakfast by 9ish. After that Connie and I took the time to pack back up the garment bag of costumes so we wouldn't have to take time later while Brooke watched cartoons.

Around 10 Connie took Brooke on a boat ride to the GF where they looked around. I went to the main building at the Poly and made a few purchases. I called Mark and while on the phone with him the girls called ....apparently we had a pin "emergency" on our hands. When I switched the phone back over to Mark he just heard me say something about an emergency and thought something had happened. Welll something had happened but it wasn't so dramatic....seems the girls caught wind of the fact special Halloween pins were being released that day. They had gotten MGM's and Epcots and wanted me to get the one at the Polynesian and head over to the MK because Tinkerbell! was on that one! So I did...meeting up with Chloe at MK. I will say that got a little weird as they were handling this in Exposition Hall at two registers with little organization. I got in line at one register and the guy there running the register was not selling most of his pins because he said they were scratched. The person in front of me he told them they got the last two...so I stood there a minute and then he said they were bringing more out but a woman behind the counter said there were no more...such confusion...so Chloe got into the other line and it appeared they had none there but she had another pin she wanted anyway. While we were waiting in line a man was causing quite a commotion because the pins he got were not in the plastic bags and others got those...and I donlt know - but he wasn't happy and demanding a manager....meanwhile this paragraph is getting too long....

Ok so Chloe gets up to the register and asks the cashier if they have the Halloween pin and it was like she started shaking her head no but meantime another woman appears out of nowhere with a box (of the pins but not in the bags) and starts handing them to the cashier! So long story short Chloe got the pins!

After all that confusion she and I went to Pinocchio's for lunch...she held our table by Small Wolrd (as if that makes a difference these days) while I ordered. When I reached the counter my phone rang and it was my sister-in-law (the little kids from this summer - their mom). She never ever asks if I can talk ... just launches into what she needs so she says, "Hi Liz are you in Springfield?" To which I answered no! LOL I had kept it quiet that we were doing this and the answer no was the truth and while waiting for food I wasn't going to go through the whole story. Anyway she was looking for my brother and thought I might have gone to a hockey game he was at....so when my dad told my brother at that same game we were in FL and he came home and told Angie the sisterinlaw she was quite surprised!

Ok so after lunch Chloe and I went to a couple of shops, saw Pocahontas (haven't seen her for awhile) and then headed back to the hotel.

Upon arriving at the hotel we immediately find our group that has been at the pool since they all reconvened. I sat a table with Connie while Brooke and Joanna swam and Chloe went back to the room for a shower and some homework.

Around 3 we all met back up as a group and took the monorail over to the GF for some shopping and atmosphere. On the way there we saw a bride/groom/the carriage and 8 horses loading up at the Wedding pavillion. We thought they might be coming to the GF so we staked a spot and stalked the bride...it wasn't so bad - we just were ready with the camera for some photos as they passed by....that whole experience got everyone planning Chloe's wedding (but more on that later)

We saw a total of three weddings at the GF while we were there. I didn't want to take the monorail back as that can be a long haul all the way around so I encouraged everyone to walk (Chloe and I love that walk) and everyone else agreed it was a nice walk.

Upstairs to get ready for "dinner time"

Liz

 

[Traveliz]

We arrived back at the hotel around 5ish and eveyone but me went to do some shopping in the Main Bldg. I went to the lounge and got a glass of wine and awaited our group. Connie came in next and then the others.

We all got food from the lounge offerings and sat around the table in there enjoying the atmosphere. While there we chatted about all the brides we had seen and everyone pretty much planned Chloe's wedding (not in the imminent future). We had alot of fun dreaming of what we could do at Disney for a wedding,

That was pretty much our plan for the evening... to just hang out. Connie realized (with just a few hours left in the trip) that she had disney reward money on her visa she wanted to use so while the girls played Scattergories she and I went back to the main building and bought Haunted Mansion Clue. We got it right out and sat in the lounge and played that waiting for the Water Parade and Wishes. Really a fun evening.

After Wishes Brooke and Joanna were going to go to the pool but the rest of us were tired and ready to call it a night. We were all actually in bed just a little after 10! Joanna and Brooke came in just after 11.

Tonight was turn back the clock night and we did that so we would get that extra hour of sleep in before our 6:50 am pick up! Ack!

Liz

 

[Traveliz]

This morning we awoke around 5:40 as we needed to be out front for a 6:50 town car pickup. We got to see the pumpkins on display in the lobby as we left and Cal arrive at about 6:45 to pick us up.

Joanna had bought all of us matching Old Navy Halloween long sleeve pullovers for the trip home and Cal took a photo of us all in those. Chloe promptly put a sweatshirt over her shirt after the obligatory photo because as you can imagine she will NEVER make her family dress alike. HEHEHEHE....wish I had a tape recorder.

Our trip to the airport went effortlessly and although I was panicked my suitcase would be over the weight limit we were able to curbside check in and nary a word was said about how heavy it was. We had breakfast at Burger King and then made our way to our gate. Our flight to Atlanta left on time and arrived in Atlanta with an hour and a half layover time so we decided to use the train and see how that goes...

Oh my gosh now once again remember we are not familiar with this airport and be nice when you think of us as you read this.

So we come down off an escalator and the train is there so without thinking Joanna steps on and we all follow...the doors shut with Connie on the other side! So in my dazed mindset I stand there and fall into this big tall but nice man as the train takes off. at 1000 miles an hour. Apparently Chloe and Brooke fell over by where they were standing too and Joanna was busy making the "C" sign to Connie so she would know where to go. Ok so the man next to me (actually I think I was in his arms) points me to a hand loop that I can barely reach but at least I have something to hold onto. We got to our terminal in record time and get off to wait Connie. Oh and she said a bad word as the doors shut! Ack

Ok Connie comes along shortly and the doors open and she says "thanks for waiting!" LOL So once we regroup we start laughing at ourselves so hard because we realize that it was just ridiculour that we didn't take the train last Thrusday night and ran that whole way instead! Oh my well it is good we can laugh! ANd to make matters worse the fact we had all this time and couldn't get the trip done right on the train this day either just made us laugh all the harder. Thank goodness we did not hurt ourselves or anyone else in this process. Lucy and Ethel have NOTHING on us! We kept waiting for people to recognize us form the escapade as we all had on those matching Halloween shirts but we made it out of the airport without hearing anything...that or people who recognized us just wanted to stay far far away.

Ok we had lunch at Wendy's and then another uneventful flight home (although I did tell Joanna we are taking Airtran next year so work it into her schedule...for Delta I didn't like the fact that we had to go outside to board in both Peoria and Atlanta, and I also didn't like the distance between the terminals)

Ok made it home and waited forever for the luggage to come down the belt...and then were on our way home!

Liz

 

[Traveliz]

I am so glad we made this trip. We had so much fun. I had traveled before with Joanna (many times) but never with Connie. It was absolutely fine. Its a weird relationship because I consider myself to be both of their friends yet Joanna started out being a child I took care of (from age 2) and of course Connie is her mom. Anyway I have absolutely no complaints...and we all shared one room with ease! I forgot to mention that we all had matching Tinkerbell pjs for the trip too (Chloe liked that one!) We did look really cute in them if I do say so myself.

It was whirlwind but we went with only one main goal and although we will approach the Halloween party different next time we were happy with what we accomplished.

The room was great...love that Poly concierge.

If anyone has any questions ask away..

Liz

 

[Angelrose]

Thanks for the report. It was fun reading.

 

[CadiesMom]

Wow--it sounds like you all had so much fun!!! Thanks for writing your report, it makes me even more excited for our upcoming trip!

 

[AngieBelle]

I about flipped when I read about the Poppins costume! I, too, was jolly holiday Poppins at one of the parties! I went on the 20th. I only saw one other Poppins that night- a little girls dressed in the the nanny costume. Man, I wish I had gotten a picture with her. I'd love to see a pic of your Poppins.

 

[eternaldisneyfan]

Thanks for sharing the fun you had on your lovely trip. BTW your costumes sound awesome!

Christamae

 

[Credit Man]

Great report! Thanks for posting.

 

[Traveliz]

I have never ever posted pictures before but I am so in awe of our costumes...I think we did a great job...that I vow I am going to learn how to use this scanner and do it...it probably won't be today but I have some 12 year olds coming over later in the week and they probably know how to do it so I will probably attempt it under the watchful eye of kids that know how to do this stuff!

Liz

 

[Kewz1]

Liz,

It sounds like your "last-minute"-whirlwind trip was great! Sometimes those are the best kind! Thanks for sharing your report with us!

Kristen

 

[Minniespal]

Great report ~ Thanx for sharing.