Lizzie&Mike'sP.J.+T.R.~YCG&Ariel's~07/15 update on life :)

[disneygal922]

YAY you're back! I can't wait to read all about your trip! Glad to hear you made it to Fulton's on time! I love King Crab but Mike hates seafood so we don't go to seafood places! maybe someday we'll go there.

Oh and as for the expired license thing, I totally understand. This year my license expired on my bday and we were in disney for my bday. Luckily, IL has a renew by mail for drivers in good standing. I was able to get a sticker to renew my license for 4 years (you put it on the back of your license) ANYWAY, when we were on our way back to IL from FL the lady at the airport was like, 'um, hunny, your license expired 4 days ago!' i initially went WHAT?!?!?!!? then remembered oh yeah, check the back. it's renewed. she laughed, checked and let me through. I thought for a minute that I'd be stranded in Florida... not that that would be a problem for me!!! So what i'm trying to say is... I completely understand!

Can't wait to hear more about you PS!

 

[WDWBride04/19/2010]

Hello again! So the World Showcase.... We started off in Canada because originally we were gonna go left to Mexico, but then I realized if we continued that way, we probably wouldn't make it to Canada (especially w/dinner in Morocco), and Mike's mom was Canadien, so we had to make it! So we did Canada first, where we met up w/my parents, then went to Mexico. I had a churro there, and got to speak to my churro lady in Spanish, and then we went to find the "new" tequila bar. Mike&I thought we were just gonna stop in for him to get a shot, but my parents ended up wanting to try the floats, and then Mike's brother and I wanted chips, so we ended up sitting down and getting all that plus Margaritas for Mike and his brother and taquitos for Mike. Towards the end of that, Mike's dad headed outside checkin' out ponchos, and then I did, and he ended up buying one for all of his family and soon-to-be-family. I've already worn mine twice here in MA. After that, we all went on the Mexico ride. definitely skipping that one next time
It was like *lalala* crazy action, *lalala* crazy action, w/like no real history like before. I admit it was kind of boring before, but they went a little overboard in appealing to little kids now. O yea, and before we even went into the building, we got to listen to the mariachi band. That was cool, because I had wanted to, but you know when you look at that times sheet when you enter the park @ 8am, you have no idea if you'll make it to Mexico when they come out, lol.
So after Mexico was...Norway! where I had the brilliant idea to get FastPasses. Of course my mom was like, "Noo, we'll never have time to get back", not looking at the FastPass END time, lol. So I was about to give up when she noticed and I grabbed everyone's park tickets and got them. After that, we went to see the China film. Of course there was a wait until the next showing, so we listened to the lady play the music, and I showed Mike and his fam' the warrior or w/e room, and then we headed in. Mike really liked that one, and it made me want to go to China w/my M.o.H. when she goes. Afterwards, we went to shop. I think that was our biggest shopping period. Then we headed back to go on the Norway ride! Mike was so funny about Norway because he was like, "It's scary!" cuz of how the ride is like, "Ahh! Trolls!, Ahh! Polar bears attacking!", lol, and then how the video is like, "Oh, look at the cute little kid...AHH SCARY VIKINGS!", lol. It was pretty funny w/him trying to explain to my parents (see: mom) about how he actually liked it despite him making fun of it.
Next was Germany, which we walked past [sorry, Mike! you will get your brotwurst(sp?), and stein(sp?) of beer in April!], and then Italy, which we also walked past (thank gawd), and then the American Adventure! There was a really cool guy in the rotunda who gave cool facts I had never known about the paintings in the rotunda. Like did you know that in the one in the upper left-hand corner from where you come in, there is a woman reading a book, and that book is also an attraction in Disney World? Mike loved the American Adventure too, except for the cheesy America song (which, of course, I love ). Next was Japan, which we had to pass through because we had dinner at Marrakesh(sp?). After dinner, we watched Illuminations from Japan (thank gawd...my favorite place in the World Showcase to watch them from ). From there, we went to the store at the International Gateway to pick up our packages, and then Mike's dad and brother went back towards Future World to their car, and the rest of us headed to the Boardwalk for ours.

Now I'm takin' another break, haha. Being sick wears me out easily. Next up: uh...Hollywood Studios/Magic Kindom park hopper day!

 

[WDWBride04/19/2010]

So our 2nd full day we started off in Hollywood Studios. Once again, we tried for the rope drop, but were just a little late. No big deal tho', a Disney lady gave us FastPasses for the 11am car stunt show the second we walked in, so that was cool, and then we pretty much walked right on the Rockin' Rollercoaster, which was AWESOME since Mike&I will NEVER stand in that line again listening to that Aerosmith music, lol. I actually brought my i-Pod w/me that day just in case that happened, hahaha. After that, we did the Toy Story ride, which we also practically walked onto. The wait said 40 I believe, but we def. had just enough time to appreciate the line design before goin' up the stairs, down the stairs, and heading on. Mike&I actually grabbed the "PARTY OF 2?" call because I noticed how the seating was split up anyway, so I figured if we did that, and they did that, we'd all get on sooner...and it worked! After that we saw the car stunt show, which was AWESOME! It was all of our first times for that (did I mention Mike&I were w/his fam' again?), and I taped the whole thing. I loved all the fire toward the end. I honestly can't remember what we did next. Muppets? or did we do Muppets before the car show? lol
Well, I know we had lunch at Sci-Fi. We had a 2something reservation, but we were all hungry before then, and while we were gonna grab a snack, there was nothing good around snack-wise, so we just went to Sci-Fi early and were seated like less than 10minutes later. I had the BLT soup (of course), but w/pom. lemonade instead of the Oreo Cookie Blast alcoholic beverage I had in '08, lol. Mike's dad and brother liked it a lot, which was good. I think we met up w/my parents after that? I know we all did the Backlot Tour together. A Disney guy there was nice enough to give Mike's dad a towel to wipe his part of the seat, so if any of you sit over to the left and see that area's wet, be sure to ask! O yea, duh. When we were looking for our snack we were toward the Tower of Terror, and did that before lunch, lol. The wait for that wasn't that bad either. We got the picture for that one, and they zoomed in on just Mike, his brother, and I (Mike's dad didn't go on that one). I also showed them Prime Time before we met up w/my parents. O yea, and where we met up w/my parents was at the Great Movie Ride. We were gonna do The Little Mermaid all together as well, but everytime we all went to get in line, it was a 45min. wait, and Mike's fam' and I honestly couldn't wait that long when that day was a Hollywood Studios AND Magic Kingdom day...so off to the Magic Kingdom we went!

We actually got there pretty early considering we had basically just finished Hollywood. It was about 3 I think? definitely a good amount of time before sunset
The first thing we did was Pirates. Next we got FPs for Thunder. We passed Splash because we thought by the time we got through the line or FP time came up, it would be cold. Once again, I don't remember the order we did things, but I know we did the Haunted Mansion and the Hall of Presidents. OMG, the Hall of Presidents is so much BETTER!...and I'm not just talking about the switch to Obama, hahaha The opening video is so nice and BEAUTIFUL! I really enjoyed it. What else did we do...hmmm...o! PhilharMagic, and It's a Small World, and the carousel. We also did Stitch's Great Escape before the fireworks, and then I rushed to Space Mountain the second they were done. O yea! and we had turkey legs right before Spectromagic started, which was nice, cuz I am all Spectromagiked out from last...er...2008, so this way Mike's dad could see but we were sitting inside at Peco's Pete or Bill or w/e, so I didn't have to stand and fully hear the music, lol.

FULL DAY 3: ANIMAL KINGDOM

So our next full day, we went to Animal Kingdom. You know the next part. We tried for rope drop, but were late, lol. This time we were about an hr. late because we ALL OVERSLEPT, lol. It was pretty funny, because my alarm had gone off, and I literally rolled over to hold Mike for a SECOND...and then fell back to sleep only to see the time as when we were supposed to BE at A.K. and sit straight up. Mike called his brother tho', and found out his dad was still sleeping. Thank gawd! So we all got ready as fast as we could, and were only about an hr. behind schedule. We did...Expedition Everest first I believe? I was really smart, and had them get in line while I checked the FP times. I think the wait was an hr. and FP was less, but there was a line for FPs up to the stairs going down to the shop. Luckily, they passed by me in their line, so I grabbed their park tickets and had them continue waiting in their line, just in case my line took a while. It didn't tho', and I actually gave my tip to someone else who used it, and I got our FPs and got them out of line and we headed to the safari line. Once I got them in line THERE, Mike's dad and I got out to get snacks. I got a cookies n cream Mickey ice-cream bar. The wait for that wasn't that bad, and we got the most AWESOME driver. He was so into it, it was hilarious! He was like, "AhHHHhHH! The POACHERS!" Mike&I were dying! After that...I got us FPs for Dinosaur while they went to get food at Restaurantosaurus. Then I joined them, we ate, and then headed to Everest. We did Dinosaur after that, and we also did the trail w/the tigers, and the other with the gorillas. Then we did the bug before our 1st time on Primeval Whirl. That was our easy A.K. day! We had dinner at Jiko that night. Before dinner, we (my parents, Mike&I) showed Mike's fam' around the lodge, and then my mom and I went to get Mike's fam' presents. We got Mike's dad a big hand-painted plate (I figured would be good for Thanksgiving, and really whenever Mike cooks dinner for them), and Mike's brother a cool 2010 A.K. mug w/the tree on the outside and all these animals, and the tree on the INSIDE on the bottom too. Dinner at Jiko was AWESOME of course. I had the shortribs, and stole some of my dad's mac+cheese (they really need to serve those together too ). Beforehand, we shared the cheese plate, and I had the ostrich. Afterwards, we sat around one side of the fire inside.

FULL DAY 4: MAKEUP TRIAL, ENGAGEMENT PHOTO SHOOT, KOUZZINA

So our fourth full day, Mike's fam' left. We actually said goodbye to them the night before. Our fourth full day, Mike&I got to sleep late and go to the buffet breakfast before getting ready. so good
After that, we got ready for my makeup trial. I ironed both our things (my undershirt, dress, and Mike's shirt I had no idea I would have to iron, lol) with just enough time to get the board out of the way before Patricia showed up. We also had housekeeping take care of our room while I was in the shower. Well, Patricia was GREAT! There's only one picture up right now, but here it is: http://www.facebook.com/album.php?aid=2110994&id=34507361&l=3f73e936e2
O yea, and here are pictures from the safari: http://www.facebook.com/album.php?aid=2111709&id=34507361&l=9bd4489346
Mike was so funny. He couldn't take his eyes off of me for most of the rest of the day once the makeup was done. Once she was done, Mike&I cleaned up a little, and then headed to the YC to meet up w/Randy. We were a little early, but just hung around the lobby. O, and the captain guy was there when we came in, and said "Welcome home!" when we came in, which was so funny to me, because the YC really is my 3rd home. Randy was there right about @ 4 like we had planned, and we chatted and headed out. We took pictures ALL AROUND THE BOARDWALK! SO COOL! He started us near the lighthouse, and then took us toward the gazebo, then up over the bridge, some pics at a table, some at the photo booth, some at the tree on the green near the hotel (w/Mike picking me up "over the treshold" style), uh...some at SBP, some on the bridge, some under the bridge, some on the beach w/Mike getting WAY too close to the water (like he stepped in the water at one point), some w/me writing our names+wedding date in the sand in a heart, and then back toward the lighthouse. It was a lot of fun. Afterwards, Mike&I were hungry, so we tried to get in early at Kouzzina, but we would've had to wait 40min. I think, we so just got pizza at the Boardwalk walk-up which was SO GOOD! def. gettin' some there during our honeymoon! After that, it was time for dinner! Kouzzina was sooooooooooooooo good! and sooooo much fun! O! and for that res. I had put down that I had allergies (I'm allergic to melons, yogurt, lemons, etc.etc.), and the chef came over! She was so helpful because Mike&I ordered the grape leaves but it turns out there was lemon in that, so she saved me! I had the Greek lasagna for dinner (can't remember the Greek name, but SO GOOD!), and Mike had the flank steak I think...or strip steak...I can't remember, but he really liked it. My parents joined us during out dessert (baklava, of course), and they had coffee w/Mike. After that, we headed out.

Next up: Hollywood Studios turned free day! = M.K. and H.S. w/hotel hopping!

 

[WDWBride04/19/2010]

So our 5th full day we were originally scheduled to have "dinner" at The Brown Derby at like 2 or 3ish cuz it was w/the Fantasmic package. Mike&I knew we had some time tho', so a couple days before I made a breakfast res. for us at Kona Cafe (yea, Tonga Toast, that's right!). We had never had it before, and it was on my list of food to try, so yea. So our plan was to have breakfast, have some time in the MK, then meet up w/my parents for "dinner" at The Brown Derby. Mike had the Big Kahuna breakfast, and 100% Kona coffee, and I had Lilikoi juice which I was sooooooo excited to see on the menu cuz the last time I had had it was in Hawaii. Here are pics from breakfast: http://www.facebook.com/album.php?aid=2111722&id=34507361&l=9fefa98981
The breakfast pics start w/the pic of the menu. Mike loved the Polynesian, which makes me want to stay there when we have the money. After breakfast we took a look in the shops, and then got on the monorail. Before the MK, we ended-up getting off at the GF cuz I wanted to check out Franck's before our P.S. the next day. Before we even checked that out we checked out the gingerbread house, and I bought some shingles and an dark chocolate covered Oreo pop for my dad (and since it was 2-for-1, got a white-chocolate covered one for myself!). We ended-up seeing the end of the tea too, so we heard this lady sing "When You Wish Upon a Star" I believe, really beautifully, as well as Sleeping Beauty and her prince. Pretty cool. After that, we headed to Franck's and I took some pics: http://www.facebook.com/album.php?aid=2112258&id=34507361&l=945075fb01
After that, we got back on the monorail and went to the MK. We got a locker cuz it was actually hot out that day , and then got in line for Tom Sawyer Island. While waiting, the Princess Tiana Showboat jubilee(sp?) was going on: http://www.facebook.com/album.php?aid=2112259&id=34507361&l=0e666cbc26 (3rd pic on) We did Tom Sawyer island, which was a lot of fun. It made me REALLY feel like a kid again, and it was kind of a nice get away from the usual Disney stuff (like the CROWDS!). On our way back, my dad called to see if we were set on The Brown Derby. All of us (including my parents) had had a big breakfast, and theirs was even later (close to an hr. later I think), and I guess w/the Fantasmic package, everyone HAS to pay $50, and that's not including alcohol, and Mike&I were already thinking of just having apps....so yea. We scratched that "dinner". It kinda' stunk because Mike&I would've gotten FPs for Splash that would've been before "too cold time", and by the time we got back on the mainland (haha) it would've been too cold time. O, and the Thunder FP guy wouldn't take our FPs from Sunday even tho' the ride had broken down Sunday. Booo! We had our Just Engaged pins on at this moment too (I crossed out the Just and put +getting married here! underneath, lol)! So yea, after T.S.I. we went on the railroad. We went alllllll around, and talked to the other people on the train, and then got off at Toontown Fair. We saw Mickey's house, and the make-your-own-Potato Head area I had NEVER known about, and then headed into Tomorrowland. We ended-up getting FPs for Buzz for later (like 9:30) cuz we figured we'd head out, then head back in, and while getting those, we got special FPs for the C.o.P. So we went on that, and then headed out. We were gonna go to Downtown Disney from there cuz I wanted to make a "I'm getting married this year" t-shirt, but found out that there aren't any buses directly there, so I figured, "Hey, let's go check out a hotel!" since we had to go to a hotel to switch anyway. I took us to All-Star Movies. I think Mike got a picture of me in the bridal ears at the gift shop there, and then we actually went to the arcade and played Guitar Hero (which I had actually never played before). I also did basketball where I got some tickets, and Mike played a flying game where the seat moved, and then Space Invaders. In the end we had 6 tickets which we traded in for 2 pieces of candy, lol. It was pretty cute. After that, we took some pics around the hotel before heading out. We ended up going to Hollywood Studios from there cuz we were getting hungry and had planned on trying to get in to Prime Time even tho' when I had called when we were in line for the train, everything was booked (everything like there, and EVERYWHERE in E.P.C.O.T.). However, when we got to Prime Time, even w/our buttons on, we were turned away. I guess they really do stick to their reservations! We checked Mama Melrose too, but same thing, so we ate at Pizza Planet. They have my salad there now tho' (caprese), so I was pretty happy. Plus, the food there isn't that bad! After, we went to see what we could do in the Studios. We checked the board, and I remembered about Fantasmic, and it said there was an 8 (I believe) show, and I said, "We could do Fantasmic" when the board guy was like, "If you hurry, you could still make it!"...so we hurried, lol. We not only hurried to the entrance, but we then ran past people all the way to our seats, haha. We ended up towards the left, which people seem to think is bad cuz it's the last seated, but it was great! We were RIGHT NEAR the fireworks! I think people think it's bad cuz it's the last to exit, but we ducked under ropes at one point and then got out pretty quickly. Mike really liked Fantasmic too. After that we headed out and back to the M.K. We ended up taking a bus to a hotel first again cuz the line to the M.K. was too long. This time I figured we'd check out the campgrounds cuz we plan on staying there next after our Disneymoon. It was funny once we got off and switched to the bus that takes people w/in the campgrounds, because the guy was like, "Where to?", and of course I had no idea about site #s, so I just said, "...the Hoop-de-Doo Revue area!", lol. So we got off there, peeked into Hoop-de-Doo which was actually just starting, and then headed toward the water transportation. The water show I had TOTALLY forgotten about was just starting! O, and Mike was totally excited when he found out we'd get to drive golf carts if we stayed there, haha. I loved our boat ride to the M.K. too. We had no idea if we would make it there in time for our FPs while waiting because there was an extra wait for the boat to get there due to the fireworks, but we didn't care. It was just so nice and quiet and dark out there, and there were some fun kids we were talking to who were trying to guess our ages, lol. The boat ride was so nice because it's even darker and quieter once you get out in the water. When we got to the M.K. they had us go a "special" way...exiting the park through a gate to a parking lot I had never seen before! LOL. At that point we saw "celebrate" or something in lights on another gate/fence thing, and I was like, "Hmm". Then we heard people talking about special fireworks! I looked at the times guide I had gotten our first trip in, and found out the preview N.Y.E. fireworks were that night! So after Buzz, in which Mike beat me (so now we're tied ), we hung around for the fireworks. We ended-up heading toward the front of the castle, and stood by the popcorn stand diagonally across from the times board. It was so much fun! They had music, and Disney people dancing right until things started, and Mike&I were right along w/'em! The fireworks were AMAZING! At one point there were fireworks both in front and behind us, and then later there were fireworks ALL AROUND US! I tried to tape it, but my tape was full and my battery died, lol (figures). I got some on my dig. cam., but have yet to check that out since, lol.
and that was our day!

Next up: menu tasting and P.S. day! FInally!

 

[WDWBride04/19/2010]

The morning of New Year's Eve I woke up w/my throat not feeling that well. I got up anyway and got ready for our menu tasting. For some reason my mom thought it was @ 10 and woke me up before my alarm was set to go off, but it was @ 10:30. We went into the convention center at The Yacht Club and waited for Meri. While waiting, we noticed the electronic sign board thingy and I waited to see if we were up there, and we were! Right about then was when Meri came in. It was so nice to finally meet her! She took us down to a different room than was listed on the board because the carpets were being redone. It was so pretty in the entire convention center tho'! When we got into our room, I had NO IDEA it would be like that. High ceilings, table all done, servers and chefs...wow...so formal! Right away we picked our napkin fold which is called the Texas star I think (although I call it the Sydney opera house, lol). After that, we met our chefs and server. One of the chefs was actually from Dorchester (a part of MA if you don't know, lol), where my dad grew up! That was pretty cool, and he liked my BoSox cell phone charm. We're gonna have the other chef tho', who was really cool cuz he remembered my allergies. Everytime we talked to him, he was like, "No melons!", lol. For food, we started w/a red pepper tomato soup which was SO GOOD. Mike's actually gonna have his spicier, and they're gonna leave stuff to make it spicier next to it for other people. Here are some pics from the day: http://www.facebook.com/album.php?aid=2112261&id=34507361&l=5b7a0621f0 After the soup, we had a reg. salad, which was still so good (the dressings)! Next was a seafood salad, which was still so good despite the name. Then we had the lamb and mahi mahi w/veggies. Everything was SO GOOD!
After that, we had some time before our P.S. @ 1 (I believe). Although Meri said to take a cab, which I wanted to do because she said to take a car because taking Disney transportation might be close...we took Disney transportation. I think we took a bus to the M.K., then headed over to the monorail. Of course my mom was being ridiculous and thought she would need her pass for some reason to get on the monorail (I have no idea), but I guided them to where we needed to get on, and we had no problem. Then we got off at the G.F. and Mike&I headed ahead to Franck's, and right there was Meri. We headed in and looked around, and my mom actually said, "Do you really need a cake?" I couldn't believe it. Of all things, I think I want a cake the most. Luckily my dad and I quieted her. After that, we headed into the P.S. room I had no idea about. It was so nice! Then we started talking about all the wedding stuff: the ceremony, the reception, the music, etc.etc.etc. She got that I didn't want the private fireworks (which I found out cost $4,000), or major Domo, and that I wanted my i-Pod like EVERYwhere, lol. I honestly can't remember what non-flower stuff we got down, except that my parents talked to her about the alcohol stuff (DF&I honestly didn't care if there was no booze at all, except that I wanted something to toast w/, lol). I feel like that packet we had to fill out and send in before the P.S. really took care of all the non-floral stuff. I feel like we just went over and made sure that was all we wanted. Once floral came in, we decided on a lot of stuff that hadn't really been decided on. Everyone's having calla lillies except for the single red rose on a chair in memory of Mike's mom. My calla lillies will be red with a red wrap and a white Swarvarski(sp?) crystal hidden Mickey. All my girls will have ivory calla lillies w/an ivory wrap and red w/e (lol) crystal hidden Mickeys. The women (my mom and aunts and grandmother) will have similar ones, but corsages. Mike is gonna have a red buttonaire(sp?) I think, w/an ivory (I think) hidden Mickey. I think the dads are gonna have ivory buttonaires(sp?). For the gazebo, we're just having a flowy piece of material strewn across the top that falls at the sides. We nixed the unity candle because Disney can't guarantee they'll all stay lit (and no memory candle for the same reason), so right now it looks like we're going w/the sand ceremony (WHICH I STILL NEED TO TELL OUR OFFICIANT - caps and large so I remember). Ummm...yea, so if we stick w/the sand, we're using Disney's stuff cuz 1) why not, and 2) it'll stay sealed on the plane. O! and our bridal party is gonna be standing inside the gazebo, like around the inside. Umm...o yea! We got our favors/place cards taken care of too! We're goin' w/the Mickey head luggage tags (red w/black writing in the Disney font) w/our names, Disney Fairytale Weddings, and our wedding date on the front, and then the back we'll put the guest's name and table # (but they'll be able to put their name and address there later like a reg. luggage tag). For the table #s, we're just going w/the Disney stands and #s. O, and for the table "decor" we're not going as over-the-top w/the Lady&The Tramp thing as originally planned. All the tables are gonna have plain ivory tablecloths and we're going w/the reg. chairs. For the centerpieces we're doing the Lady&The Tramp pasta ones tho'. and for our sweetheart chairs, we're having red sashes We're also having our sweetheart table more in w/the guests' tables, opp. the dance floor. O, we also moved the start of our reception closer to the end of our ceremony since Meri didn't think we needed that much time in-between since the locations are as close to each other as I think they can be, lol. O! and we're having bubbles for our exit at the ceremony, and we're having Fluffetti or w/e (confetti shooters) at the end of our reception for our guests O gawd, and the cake! I honestly forgot about the cake, hahahahahaha. We're doing the chocolate strawberry swirl one we've wanted since I saw the cake pictures on here. It's not going to be as many tiers tho', and we're doing red velvet w/buttercream filling. There are pictures of the cake tasting tray on the last link I left on here too. I think that's it! I honestly feel like we have nothing left to do but programs (enlarged again so I remember, cuz I was honestly feeling like we were all set 'til I thought about typing that sentence, lol ).

So the rest of the day.... After the P.S., we headed to E.P.C.O.T. We made it through the crowds and went to Norway so I could buy my brother a birthday present (his birthday was the day before), and then we got a snack (which an actual Norweigan ordered for me!). After that we just headed out cuz it was really crowded and we had dinner reservations at The Flying Fish at like 7:50 I think (and by this time it was dark). Of course we ended up on the Boardwalk like 1/2 an hr. early, and by this time I think 2 surrey bikes had already passed us, so I asked Mike if he wanted to go on one w/me. My legs were blah from walking, and I felt like moving them in a different way would help, so off we went on our bike! The surrey guy was like, "You're gonna be the driver, is that okay w/you?" when I got in on the driver's side, and I honestly wasn't sure at first because the last time I was on one I just peddled, hahaha. I just went w/it tho', cuz I figured, what the hell, lol. I think we did pretty well too. Mike could've rung the bell more, but o well...we didn't run over anyone. It was a lot of fun too. O yea! and before we went into E.P.C.O.T. we stopped at the Beach Club cuz that's where we had left our car, and DF&I went into the giftshop cuz I needed cough drops by then, and we ended-up talking to the cashier there. We were still wearing our pins, so she congratulated us and asked about our wedding, and we told her so much, lol. She was so nice and wished us the best wedding ever, and then when we were on our surrey bike later, we passed her (she was going to sell lighted things at a cart), and so Mike rang the bell and was like, "Hi again!" and she was like, "They're just the cutest couple ever!" to the other cart lady, lol. So yea...we rode our surrey, and ended-up seeing the early fireworks too! We caught them from both bridges. Once we returned, it was time to check-in for dinner. While waiting, we listened to the music that was going on at the lawn at the hotel. Then we saw my parents! They waited inside, so then we went inside, and ended-up at the bar opposite them. It was there where I remembered to try the Fairy Tale cuvee I thought I might want at the wedding. It was sooo good! Mike&I shared a glass. Once seated, we had the cheese plate and mussels (so good!). I also had my caprese salad. Mike&I left a lot to dance on the lawn too, hahaha. After dinner, we decided not to go into E.P.C.O.T., and Mike&I headed over to ADH once the music was done on the lawn cuz that's where the DJ at the lawn said was best to see the fireworks. I got kind of bored tho', so we headed to the bridge next to ADH where there was a better view. Then I got bored again just before midnight, lol, and we tried to get into ADH. Turned out there was a $35 cover for a ticket. Um...no? Why would we pay $35 each JUST BEFORE MIDNIGHT when @ midnight there would be music on the lawn again?? So we stood outside ADH by the tv showing the ball drop and the countdown, and waited 'til midnight. I actually liked our spot...even more than the yr. before (prob' cuz the yr. before we were w/my parents). We kissed at midnight, and then were immediately like, "We're getting married this year!" I love this yr. I honestly don't think I need to write about our last day. None of it was in Disney for me, lol. Mike left so he wouldn't have been able to make our Swan breakfast anyway, and I was sick, so I didn't make it, lol. So I'll write more later! Hopefully the next update will be programs!

 

[disneygal922]

Lizzie! Your trip sounds like it was awesome! Sorry your throat wasn't feeling well on NYE. the pic you have of the castle fireworks is amazing. Your planning session seems like it was a lot of fun. Everything sounds great. Your cake will be awesome. how many tiers are you having?

 

[WDWBride04/19/2010]

Well, we sent the big check today!

Theresa- Our trip WAS awesome! Thanks. I'm actually still kinda' sick, and still on meds, lol. It was all worth it tho'! Mike took that picture! I was amazed when I saw it! It reminded me of the fireworks pics in one of my family's old Disney books. The P.S. was def. fun. Thanks! I think it's gonna end up being 2 tiers because we're not gonna take the top "home" since the thought of eating it for breakfast the next morning actually isn't that appealing to me (plus we're planning on doing a goodbye breakfast), and I don't think it would make it home home well.

 

[WDWBride04/19/2010]

Well I haven't updated in like a month, but I am DYYYYYYYIN' for it to be the night of April 16th. That'll be our first night in Disney for our wedding trip. As much as I'm excited about our bachelorette/bachelor party the next day (we want to go to Islands of Adventure/Universal/CityWalk now and 2 of my girls know already), I'm excited for the night of the 16th cuz Mike gets in after me and after all the restaurants stop serving, so he gets to have a room service meal, and I think it'll just be cute/romantic w/us in our room havin' room service at the table, lol. We do still have a lot to do tho'. We still have to go over the B.E.O. We're going to do that today and/or tomorrow. The reason we haven't gotten to that yet is that my grandmother got worse since we got back from our P.S. trip. I don't think I ever mentioned it on here, but she had cancer. When we got back, I think starting in the middle or towards the end of Jan., she just started to get worse and worse. She passed away last Thursday. The wake was Monday (my dad's birthday), and the funeral was Tuesday, so now that that's all over, it's time to get back to wedding stuff. The thing that sucks is that we'll be going over the B.E.O. between services. My cousin's father's memorial service is Saturday. He passed away from cancer too...and on the same day as my grandmother. So yea, that's pretty much why I haven't updated lately. They're both not suffering now tho', and my grandmother gave me a necklace that my grandfather gave her to wear the day of, so I have that. Umm...we're also doing the invitations Friday. I know, we're so behind on those! We really aren't tho' cuz we weren't planning on sending them out 'til this week anyway...but I mean we haven't even gotten the free mock-up(sp?). I think we could still get 'em out Sat. tho' if we get the mock-up(sp?) Friday as well as go back and get them printed up. I mean it wouldn't be that bad to get 'em out Sat. when we originally planned on Tues. Besides those things, I still have to get the music set. We have all the songs set for the ceremony, so that's just a matter of getting them on my i-Pod, but I still need to go over the reception music. That's all I can think of/want to write for now. I'll hopefully update more after we go over the B.E.O. and/or take care of the invitations.

 

[WDWBride04/19/2010]

Let me just start off by writing, WE'RE GETTING MARRIED A MONTH FROM TODAY!

Okay, now that I got that out of my system P), on to what's been accomplished since my last post.
The invitations got done and were sent out and we've gotten back a few response cards. Sadly, the first one we got back was a no because it was from one of my cousins and his family and they can't go because his wife is having a baby 11days before the wedding. The funny thing is, we already knew that, so I honestly don't even know why my mom sent a response card w/theirs. O well. I thought of a really good post-wedding project for those too. I'm gonna stick all of them (minus the no, the one of someone I don't want there, and the one of someone who's been driving me crazy) on a matte board or something and frame it to put up in my&DF's place.
So besides that, my girls finally booked their hotel and they all have their flights now. One of Mike's groomsmen booked his room before them, as did some of our guests, but we still have Mike's best man, other groomsman, and uncle who still need to book their room. Mike's best man is gonna book that later today.
Ummm...what else. My mom sent out our check yesterday for what we owe over the minimum. We did pretty well...only about $1,000 over.
One of my girls was talking about how she wanted to go into one of the parks before our rehearsal earlier, and then one of Mike's groomsmen was, so he, Mike&I, and Mike's brother are gonna go into E.P.C.O.T. beforehand, and hopefully my girl'll join me (I sent her a message on FB about it cuz she had already signed off AIM, lol).
O yea! I also have 2 bridal luncheon's scheduled! The first one's gonna be the 27th and it's for my guests. The second one's gonna be April 3rd (my brother's adoption day, but he's cool w/it, it wasn't my idea) for DF's guests. I'm wicked excited about those.
O yea, we met our minimum room night # too.
I think that's it for now. I'm just so excited now that we've met our minimum room night #. That was a big stressor for me, so now I'm just looking forward to everything. I know I still have to get the music together on my iPod, but I know I can do that in the time I have left. Besides that, I'm just so ready to get down there! O yea, I had my final fitting too! I FIInally got to see what I'll look like in my dress AND veil. Of course now I can't wait to see what I look like in all that w/my hair and makeup done. The 16th-18th have to happen first tho', and I'm looking forward to those days too.
Okay, so NOW I think that's it. So excited!

EDIT: OMG, I just posted this and looked at it and realized how many smileys I have! Can you tell I'm excited? LOL.

 

[disneygal922]

YAY FOR ONE MONTH!!!!! I can't believe how close we are!! Have you mailed away for your license yet? We just put our notarized application in the mail on Wednesday.

 

[WDWBride04/19/2010]

I know! Yup! That's one thing I forgot to write about. We put our notarized stuff in the mail Wednesday too! LMAO! right before the 8am pickup! We seriously are wedding date twins, lmao. In less than a month we will both be married to our Mikes, haha.

 

[WDWBride04/19/2010]

Well the first post-engagement present has officially been purchased! Someone got us our luggage! Now I'm so excited to see who got it for us! Maybe we'll find out on Saturday!

In other news, I forgot to mention I had met Mike's mom's best friend, her husband, and his sister before the last post. For some reason I hadn't met them before, and Mike only started saying I needed to meet them when we knew we were going to invite them (when of course I wanted to meet them anyway, lol). So yea, I met them before the last post, and I met their daughter (well...DF's mom's best friend's and best friend's husband's daughter), and her daughters last night, along w/her husband who I had already met probably in 2006 or '07 by chance (DF&I were in the town center by my old college and he pulled up). I'm so glad I got to meet them before the wedding, and before the luncheons as well. They're all so excited to go to Disney, and DF's mom's best friend's daughter told me how excited her daughters are to go to a Disney wedding. That made me realize how cool that is. I was only lucky enough to see Disney weddings from my balcony at the YC when I was around their ages, and they get to BE at one! I remember when I saw the ones I saw how much I wished I could go to the receptions, and they GET to go to one! LOL.

O yea, and one more of our guests supposedly booked on Friday. I'll see that in the room block report tomorrow.

TTYL later!
~Lizzie

 

[amyy]

I would love to have the link to your wedding sneakers. What a great idea!!

Have a wonderful wedding.

 

[WDWBride04/19/2010]

I just PMd it to you. (DF has our P.J. link so I don't post stuff like that on here, haha.) Thanks! I got it from Father of the Bride and then just had to do some online searching.

Thanks!

 

[WDWBride04/19/2010]

Okay, so besides the luggage, on that saame day, I saw we got a nonstick popover pan, calzone mold, Chef’n Salad Dressing Emulsifier, chocolate-chocolate chip pancake+waffle mix, Sprinkles red velvet mix, insulated cookie sheet, Persian lime candle, countertop spray, dish soap, hand lotion, and hand soap; wood servers, Ninja food processor, hand towels, and our microwave. Monday I found out one of my girls got us our present. She wasn't going to tell me, except that the one we had registered for was discontinued where she went, so she had to get another brand, so she wanted me to know so that I could take the one we had registered for off our registry. Soo...she got us our chocolate fountain! I told her we'd invite her over the first time we used it. Besides that, yesterday I noticed someone got us some of our bath towels!
Since the last post, we've gotten more response cards too. I dunno if I've said this, but I dunno what I'm gonna do once they all come in. Hearing the mail come every day has definitely been exciting, and that's gonna end once we get them all. I say disneygal922 and I become penpals after we get back from Disney, haha.
Other news: I got our 4week room block update. We're way over the minimum. Also, the person who said they booked did, it just didn't show up in the original 4week room block update we received because she didn't book through the room block (*sigh*). It still counted towards our minimum tho'. This just made me think of something to add to my list of things to do. That's at the bottom. Underneath that is a list of things I want to do during our Disneymoon.
I also got a dress for Cali. Grill. I'll post a picture of that later. I want to post a picture of our invitations too.
O yea, we got a call yesterday saying my dress is ready (dunno if I mentioned this, but we had gotten it pressed). We're (my mom and I) picking it up Thurs. Next step: bring it back to the woman who altered it to hold 'til we ship it.
In other news, wicked excited for my first bridal luncheon Sat. I feel like it's never gonna get here, although it's Wed. already (and only 23days until we leave).
That's it for now!

THINGS I STILL NEED TO DO:
-make sure all guests that need to have booked their Magical Express rides (see if you can find out who hasn't via Kristen)
-tell Ron we're eliminating the unity candle finally
-find out if Ron wants the marriage license at the rehearsal or wedding
-programs
-place cards
-music (start today?)
-buy lingerie
-buy 2more dresses for the bridal luncheons (1 before Sat....*sigh*)
-buy another dress for Bistro de Paris
-ask Mom where she put my Colombian anklet
-ask Mom how we're getting the dress BACK here (Yea...didn't think of that 'til last night. )
-buy matte board [and pen(s)?]
-get a poncho for Mike at the camping area of Wal*Mart
-tell Mike to bring his camera to bridal luncheon Sat.
-buy disposable underwater cam. for Blizzard Beach (Do those even exist anymore?)
-buy present for Meri
-call MW about pick up dates and who's getting what
-look into presents for parents
-copy this list onto paper and stick on desk

THINGS I WANT TO DO DURING OUR DISNEYMOON:
-Fantasia Gardens
-hang at the pool
-breakfast at Kouzzina?
-pizza on the Boardwalk
-searaycers or w/e
-GET GRAND MARNIER DRINK IN FRANCE FINALLY
-DisneyQuest?
-copy this list into calendar

 

[disneygal922]

I say disneygal922 and I become penpals after we get back from Disney, haha.

I used to love having a penpal! Then that pesky thing called email came around and ruined the love of snail mail for everyone!

In regards to the underwater disposable camera, they do still make them. I don't know if you have Walgreens in your area but they sell them. and i think CVS does too, not sure though.

Have fun at your bridal luncheon on Saturday!

 

[WDWBride04/19/2010]

Me too! Becoming penpals is actually how my MoH and I remained friends (she moved away in the 4th or 5th grade, and that's how we kept in contact for the most part 'til she came back in the 7th).

O good. We have both actually! I'll check the CVS in the mall today (going lingerie shopping w/one of my bride's ladies for the wedding night ).

Thanks!

 

[WDWBride04/19/2010]

Well my first bridal luncheon was yesterday! It was a lot of fun. My mom did everything so nice. At one point my mom's friend Susan who was there asked if another toast should be made, so I told Mike he should make a toast to my mom to thank her for everything. I dunno if I mentioned it, but this first one was for my guests (next one's for Mike's guests). When I was sprinkling colored stars around the table (my mom got 'em cuz of "When You Wish Upon a Star", lol), I was thinking of how nice it would've been if my grandmother was coming. I knew she was there in spirit tho'.
Ummm...so we got a lotta' presents. Of course the first present was for Mike from one of my girls, and it was the chocolate body paint from Vicki's. I was trying to show it to him w/o anyone seeing it, but of course since he was supposed to read everything, he read it, lol. Everyone got a kick out of that, and I caught my older cousin Jen laughing, lol. Mike of course was like, "Body paint...for the body of food, of course", lol. We also got a toaster from my neighbors who couldn't make it, a bubble foot spa from my cousin Erin, luggage from my two aunts Betty-Ann and Terry, Jen, and my cousin-in-law Colleen who couldn't make it; graham cracker pankcake/waffle mix and a pan to make 'em in from my brother's g/f Ilana, uhh...a Macy*s gift card from one of my girls, a chocolate fountain from my other girl, a Target gift card from my great aunt, a check for $60 from one of my cousins who spent a lot of time w/my grandmother, a cheese set and a really nice glass plate for it from my mom's friend, sheets from another cousin, and my mom got me a really nice engraved jewelry box. That one meant a lot.
O yea, and I think since the last post we got our turkey roast from my M.o.H.
My girls (my M.o.H. obviously couldn't be there cuz she lives in CA) were so good at the luncheon too. Casey grabbed all the ribbons and bows from me, and got presents ready for Mike&I to open, and Meg grabbed all the cards from Mike to write them down.

So the annoying thing...after a lovely bridal luncheon, I came home to find the mail. We got our Magical Express stuff (YAY!), but before I saw that, I saw an envelope from the marriage license people. I was so excited, thinking our marriage license had arrived, but when I opened it, it was all the stuff we had sent them. I was really confused until I looked through it and saw something highlighted. The %)#(%()#* notary forgot to sign a spot. It's so dumb that the people didn't accept it too because she had signed not only another spot on that form, but on the other form. I was just so annoyed (and still am pretty annoyed) that we basically did all the work of getting driven to lawyer's office, starving on the way back, when now something's missing. We better get it back in time.

*Sigh*, in other news, I got some stuff done, so here are the updated lists:
THINGS I STILL NEED TO DO:
-make sure all guests that need to have booked their Magical Express rides (see if you can find out who hasn't via Kristen)
-programs
-FINISH music (make sure there's enough dinner music, reg. dance music, get record music on CD and then onto iPod)
-make sure Laura got last e-mail
-buy matte board [and pen(s)?]
-get a poncho for Mike at the camping area of Wal*Mart
-tell Mike to bring his camera again to the other bridal luncheon Sat.
-buy disposable underwater cam. for Blizzard Beach from Walgreens (Thanks, Theresa!)
-buy present for Meri
-call MW about pick up dates and who's getting what
-look into presents for parents
-copy this list onto paper and stick on desk

THINGS I WANT TO DO DURING OUR DISNEYMOON:
-Fantasia Gardens
-hang at the pool
-breakfast at Kouzzina?
-pizza on the Boardwalk
-searaycers or w/e
-GET GRAND MARNIER DRINK IN FRANCE FINALLY
-DisneyQuest?
-Beaches&Cream
-arcade
-copy this list into calendar

Did I mention DF&I are excited to hear non-X-mas Disney ONLY music? He's only heard the X-mas music, and I haven't heard non-X-mas Disney music I think since the LAST time I went in April!

 

[WDWBride04/19/2010]

Well, we arrived! We arrived on Friday actually! I guess I'll have to update what happened between my last post and our arriving when I get home, haha :is a bad P.J.er ). Anyway, we arrived and uh...I dunno, I wanna talk about our first full day, haha! It was our bachelorette/bachelor party and we went to Universal! We ended up arriving a little later than planned (almost noon instead of 9 when they opened), and I.M.H.O. I think Universal Studios is kind of outdated, so we just got a 1 day, 1 park ticket for Islands of Adventure. It was mostly cuz it saved money, plus M.H.O. It was a good thing too, because when my M.o.H. and one of my girls arrived a little after we did (they're staying at P.O.F.Q. and we're at the Y.C.), my girl was like, "Lizzie, I dunno if I can spend [the $107 or w/e it was], I just spent [$100?] on my Disney ticket", and then she realized the 1 day, ONE park ticket was cheaper. They actually ended up finding someone w/discounted tickets who asked if they wanted them so they got I think 3 for the price of one! (Figures...this is the 2nd time friends of mine have gotten cheaper tickets than me cuz I got them a little ahead of time...last time was at Six Flags New England . O well tho'! It was worth the $77 or w/e! ) Sooo...yea, they met us in line at Hulk. My M.o.H. didn't go on, but she did wait in line w/us. Hulk was even better than I remembered it. I knew I LIKED it, but I honestly didn't remember exactly how it was, haha. By the time we got on (which was only supposedly a 50min. wait, although I think it was shorter than that), I forgot that it launched you, so when it did, I was like, "WHOAAA!", lol. After that, we got a bite to eat at Comic Strip Cafe (where I went last time, haha). Then we backtracked and did Spider-Man. D.F. was like a little kid in the line and on the ride. It was so cute! When we were first in line Marvel characters came by on their little off-roading vehicles (can't remember what they're called right now), and when I pointed them out to D.F., he rushed to get his camera ready. They went a little past the line tho', so that their backs were turned to us, and my girl was like, "Go get it! Hurry!" to him, so he hurried over all cute like an excited little kid to get pictures of them. The ride was REALLY GOOD too. I can't remember the order of what we did next, but we also did Jurassic Park...love that ride. It was so fun to take D.F. on it too cuz he loves J.P. as well. and our picture was hilARRRious cuz I was the only one w/my arms up and everyone else looked pretty scared, lmao.

Well, I gtg cuz it's time to get ready for the rehearsal dinner, but I'll update more when I can!

 

[Pirate's Princess]

Wow you are so close!!!!! Have fun at the rehearsal dinner!! You are going to have a wonderful time tomorrow!