March 2012: The Year I Almost Survived Spring Break

[Lidian]

I'm excited to see the magic shots !!

i agree with you, it is kind of hard to find the Monsters Inc area. But its good because that way the line is always reasonable!

I'm so excited to have James see Lightning at LMA! we skipped it last year, so the whole thing will be new for him. i doubt he remembers much of it as he was just 9 months last time he saw it.

that fairy area at the F&G was really cool! i remember seeing some fairy area off from the Meet & greet last year, but didn't pay much attention to it. i wish i had now!

i'm really not liking your comments about the new fastpass lines. seems to go against the point of being fast.

My mom looked for the Monsters in 2009 and never found them. She was very excited to see pics of us finding them!

James will LOVE LMA!!!!!!!! Oh, I can't wait to hear how excited he is to see Lightning McQueen!!!!

The fairy area was so beautiful! They do such an amazing job creating the gardens!

Well, it was still faster than standby ... But it did go from practically walking onto a ride to waiting for 20+ minutes. So it's still "faster", but with the enforcement, it's slower than 100% of all of our previous FP experiences. I'm sure they have kinks to work out, and with time, they'll get it all resolved.

 

[oopsiDAISY]

Man, I feel like I have been gone forever!!! You have done so many updates recently. I love the stories of all the time you guys spent with D~ and her girls and Corri! Those great stories WILL include my family one of these days!

I love DD's little jar from P-a-P. I didn't even see those. Of course, my DD and I had already decided what we wanted to do with ours before we even got there.

That story about SW and your purse and the apple comment? Priceless!

Soooo, when are you gonna show your PP pics?!? And if I am not mistaken you will be meeting up with some pretty cool folks soon in your story...

 

[Lidian]

Sorry I've been a bit MIA ... I've been dealing with some stuff around the house, and then I've been sick for almost a week now. Feeling MUCH better today though, maybe I can eat solid food for dinner! Huzzah!

With bellies full, we continued our way around WSC.

We stopped by the American pavilion for a picture.

I think all the boys were oblivious to my picture taking. lol

We went inside (a first for us, as we've never explored the pavilion) for more pictures! It was HAT TIME! (For Kathy and Mark!)

There's my little colonists!

I think Akki had the most fun in here. He oooohed and aaaaahed over all the toy guns and hats. Even DH played with Akki's purchases! (Pics coming soon.)

Kouga even got into the spirit and posed!

Afterwards, we went back over to Japan for a picture!

This is when DH was bragging about how he could twirl a rifle. I told him that I was better at it. We were both in ROTC in high school, and we both were on the drill team. So yes, it was expected of us to know how to twirl a rifle (back in the day). I told DH he was too old to still do it, but would gladly teach him. He wanted to prove us all wrong.

Such determination! rofl I told him he was rusty and needed lots of practice (he was and he did), but he said he was just as good as he was back in high school. Then I had to tease him over that ("Oh your poor team!"). Akki was getting nervous about his new toy and took it away.

We went into the Japan pavilion and looked at the pretty fans!

DD ended up buying one. If you can see, it's #39 in the picture, which is the dark pink fan with the bunnies. It's directly under the black fan on the wall. I don't have a clue where the fan is today, but she made it out of the park with it.

It was after 7pm now, our next stop was Morocco. It was dark, so it was getting hard to get pictures.

Akki had to pose for one wearing a hat. He was guarding the pavilion, I believe!

Then the kids!

Then it was over to France! It was so pretty at night! I had never seen it lit up before. Stunning!!

The kids had a hard time standing still, so it was rough to get a decent picture. Most of them had a blurred child in it ... usually DS.

Then I changed the settings on my camera and took pictures of the topiaries!

Beauty and the Beast!

Cinderella and Prince Charming

Pooh and Friends

The kids at the UK pavilion!

And then the kids at Canada's pavilion!

This is when we split up again. DH and DD went to ride Mission Space (whichever had the shortest line). The official app said 10 minute wait. DS and I went to ride Spaceship Earth. But on our way, we stopped and looked at the F&G merchandise. I stopped at a booth and found several items I wanted to purchase. But they were no price tags on any of it. I know general rule of thumb is if you have to ask how much, you probably don't want to know ... but I really did want to know. It it wasn't too expensive, I was going to splurge for a flamingo and/or a gnome. So I approached the counter. And waited, and waited, and waited, and waited. The CM was having a nice social conversation with some other guests. They even went so far as to pull out their phone and start showing the CM pictures. I waited for probably 10 minutes. The CM didn't seem at all interested in breaking up their conversation (or pausing it), so I walked off. She could have had a sale that night, but not we'll never know (and I never did find out how much those items were).

We headed on to SE. As we were on the ride, I got a text from DH saying the wait was nearly an hour long. I checked the app again. 10 minutes for MS. I told him to check both lines. He said one was 40 minutes, the other was an hour. Yay for the app being WRONG. The official one at that. I told him we were on the ride. (I didn't take any pictures, as I just enjoyed riding with DS and letting him tell me about the scenes.)

Afterwards, we tried to meet up, but we were all confused. I finally found Kouga, who had seen DD, which meant that DH was nearby. But Akki was still lost. So we found DD and DH, and in the meantime Akki found us. We stopped for several PP pictures on the way out.

I invited Akki and Kouga to the DISmeet (as I figured if nothing else, the boys would keep DH company while us girls got to chat). So they agreed to meet us over there.

One last picture on our way out....

We took the bus back to the resort and hopped in our car. I got several texts asking if I was coming. I can't help it that I'm always late. lol

We finally arrived and found D and Corrine in the lobby! I asked if they had seen or heard from oopsi. So we just hung out for a bit. Corrine had brought me a wonderful lime green Mickey and heart keychain! (Thank you again!!!) I let DD hang out with D's girls (she was over the moon!). The boys ended up heading into the lounge to watch the show. It wasn't much longer when oopsi made her way out of the lounge and found us all hanging out!

YAY FOR A DISMEET! For those who have followed D, Corrine, and oopsi's TRs, you will notice all the wonderful photobombed pictures. I am pleased to announce ... I have the REAL DISmeet photo. It has zero photobombing in it. lol!!

We all talked for a bit. Oopsi's kids were exhausted, and they had just arrived and ready for bed. So we sadly parted ways, wishing we all had more time together!

In the parking lot, as I was saying goodbye to Kouga and Akki (as it would be the last time we saw them until our next trip), I got a text from one of our other guildies. It was roughly 9:30 and it read to hug Kouga and punch Akki for him. I showed the text to the boys, so they wanted me to send a reply.

Kouga punched Akki in my place. Apparently the guild was really missing us. I let our guildie know that we'd be driving back home in the morning and could expect to see us online over the weekend -- they just had to hold the fort down a bit longer.

I think I cried saying goodbye to Kouga and Akki. They're my long lost brothers, so it was hard to part ways. But we know there's always next year to create new adventures.

We arrived back at CBR and got cleaned up for bed. While everyone was showering, I started packing up what I could and made a pile of things that could be taken down first in the AM. We all went to sleep.

Coming up, our final morning at WDW and our PP pictures!

 

[Lidian]

Man, I feel like I have been gone forever!!! You have done so many updates recently. I love the stories of all the time you guys spent with D~ and her girls and Corri! Those great stories WILL include my family one of these days!

I love DD's little jar from P-a-P. I didn't even see those. Of course, my DD and I had already decided what we wanted to do with ours before we even got there.

That story about SW and your purse and the apple comment? Priceless!

Soooo, when are you gonna show your PP pics?!? And if I am not mistaken you will be meeting up with some pretty cool folks soon in your story...

Oopsi! I have missed you girl!

I can't wait until we can get to have adventures together! That will be epic!

I didn't see the jars either. DD found them and pointed them out. It was really a great idea!

I'm hoping to get PP pics soon. One final update before I start on the PP pics! Gotta wrap up our morning and our drive home. And then the next update will start with the PP pics!!!

 

[oopsiDAISY]

Your dismeet picture is definitely the "purtiest"! DH must have used your camera first...before all the shenanigans insued! Hmmmm...I need to get myself a Kouga and Akki, they seem like so much fun! Anxiosly waiting to see your PP pics.

 

[Lidian]

Your dismeet picture is definitely the "purtiest"! DH must have used your camera first...before all the shenanigans insued! Hmmmm...I need to get myself a Kouga and Akki, they seem like so much fun! Anxiosly waiting to see your PP pics.

Feel free to steal my purdy DISmeet pic! I can email it to you if you'd like (that goes for D and Corrine as well)!

I definitely think everyone should have their own personal Kouga and Akki!

I loved all the photobombing! We should totally do a "slide show" or something with the pictures.

 

[MHTeacher]

I loved your kids pics all "around the world"! One year, I marched all mine around the world, making them pose in front of each landmark. By the end of the loop, they were pretty much finished with it (and finished with me!)

YAY for your DIS-meet!

 

[DMGeurts]

Awww... Just seeing all these pictures makes me miss you all so much!!! We really did have a blast that day!!

The kids are adorable as usual... I still think we need to meet half way between TN and MN so the kids can see eachother again.

So glad to hear you are feeling better again... We've missed you around here. (((Hugs)))

D~

 

[Lidian]

I loved your kids pics all "around the world"! One year, I marched all mine around the world, making them pose in front of each landmark. By the end of the loop, they were pretty much finished with it (and finished with me!)

YAY for your DIS-meet!

Oh, my kids were the same way. "Another one? Please tell me this is the last country mom... do we really have to go into the shop now?"

Awww... Just seeing all these pictures makes me miss you all so much!!! We really did have a blast that day!!

The kids are adorable as usual... I still think we need to meet half way between TN and MN so the kids can see eachother again.

So glad to hear you are feeling better again... We've missed you around here. (((Hugs)))

D~

We totally had a blast that day. Do you mind if I throw up the PP pics that included you when I get to them? You have plenty of time to consider it.

I'm totally up for meeting halfway! Just tell me when and where.

I'm so glad to be feeling better myself! I was worried I'd never get to eat solid food again. One thing I did realize this week is how much I hate tracking. I haven't tracked all week since I was mostly focused on hydration ... but it made me realize how much it stinks. Ugh. Oh well. I'll continue to do it if it helps me meet my goals!

Miss you girls!

 

[kittylady1972]

Awesome update and photos as always! Love that you have so many poses with hats! Glad I don't have the only kids who complain about photos. Well 2 out of 3 at least. My daughter is happy to ask me take tons and tons of photos of her, as you'll see when I get around to posting photos for our most recent trip. I've got a link and a 1st post up...but need to get some photos and videos uploaded to really get it going. I want to do my videos especially if possible, so you can see reactions at each park surprise!

Can't wait to read more, although those last day updates are always such a bummer!

 

[Lidian]

Awesome update and photos as always! Love that you have so many poses with hats! Glad I don't have the only kids who complain about photos. Well 2 out of 3 at least. My daughter is happy to ask me take tons and tons of photos of her, as you'll see when I get around to posting photos for our most recent trip. I've got a link and a 1st post up...but need to get some photos and videos uploaded to really get it going. I want to do my videos especially if possible, so you can see reactions at each park surprise!

Can't wait to read more, although those last day updates are always such a bummer!

Thanks! I'm glad you made it home safely from your non-Disney-Disney-with-a-flair trip!

My DD doesn't mind the photos, but DS was over it pretty quick. DD got irritated a few times, but she loves to be in front of a camera!

Anxious to see pics and videos!

I really don't want to post my last few updates .... as it means I'm done here. But I am anxious to start my new PTR. I found out some news today and I'm anxious to share it. However, it has to wait for the PTR.

Hoping to get the next update soon. I've misplaced my camera and the remaining pictures are still on it. Once I find it, I'll be ready to do another update and then move on to PP pictures (which are ready).

 

[Lidian]

I just booked our 2013 trip and put down the room-only deposit. Feels good to know I'm definitely going back! I'll have an update here soon, then PP pictures, then done here and moving on to the new PTR.

 

[DMGeurts]

Oh, my kids were the same way. "Another one? Please tell me this is the last country mom... do we really have to go into the shop now?"



We totally had a blast that day. Do you mind if I throw up the PP pics that included you when I get to them? You have plenty of time to consider it.

I'm totally up for meeting halfway! Just tell me when and where.

I'm so glad to be feeling better myself! I was worried I'd never get to eat solid food again. One thing I did realize this week is how much I hate tracking. I haven't tracked all week since I was mostly focused on hydration ... but it made me realize how much it stinks. Ugh. Oh well. I'll continue to do it if it helps me meet my goals!

Miss you girls!

Totally miss you too!!

Feel free to use any of the PP photos that include us.

D~

 

[sjs314]

I fell so far behind in reading all the TRs but I have to say I enjoyed reading the Epcot updates!

Congrates on booking your next trip! When are you going?

Still waiting for a GP FD or Room discount offer for our trip to come out.

 

[Lidian]

We woke up early ... too early if you ask us. We got ready and began loading the SUV slowly and sadly. Yes, the sadness was in the air, as we were bounded to return home.

We piled into the car and drove over to OPR for breakfast. I don't recall what we had (I'm pretty sure it was the same thing we had earlier that week, since I didn't take any pictures). We all filled up my mugs for the final time.

Our next stop ... DTD. It was slightly before 9AM when we left CBR for some final shopping. There were several items I saw that I just had to have. We arrived and found a parking spot. We browsed around the deserted area, since there were no guests and hardly any stores open. We hit Goofy's Candy Company first to use up remaining snack credits. We let the kids spend a certain amount (on whatever they wanted), DH offered to let me spend all of his credits, and I had my credits. Honestly, I don't recall 100% on what we got, but the kids each got a few packs of candies to take home.

I recall getting a sugar cookie Mickey and a butterfinger pretzel rod:

Yes, they tasted just as good as they looked!!!

I also picked up some rice crispy treats, some chocolates, and some Pez for my nieces:

Yes, that's two treats, two boxes of Evil Queen chocolates, and a Daisy and a Minnie Pez for the nieces!

I think DH got something he paid OOP for, but I don't recall what it was ... (it wasn't covered on the DDP). Once we finished, it was nearly time for the WWoD store to open. So we walked over that way and took up residence on a wall.

Once the store was open, we went in and browsed around. DS had already spent his money, but DH wanted to look for a bit. I still needed a gift for Mom (did I mention I had already got Dad's gift? ~ yes, I did mention it in my DHS 8 post -- Dad got a Braves Vinylmation Mickey). Plus, I wanted to get some stuff for myself and I wanted something special for my #1 Buddy (my Granny).

I found just what I thought Mom would enjoy ... as we can never remember our measurement equivalents (and she was in need of a nice keychain).

It's a fridge magnet that shows the equivalents (so easy glancing!) and a keychain that says "Best Mom" with a mom wearing Mickey ears hat and holding a Mickey balloon with a Mickey shirt.

Then I found what to give my nieces and nephews! The two boys got a blue Mickey "sipper cup".

Since there was two, I could easily show both sides! The girls got pink Minnie ones!

This is when I finally found all the treats I wanted....

Cups! A four pack, assorted colors (blue, green, yellow, pink).

A car kit (includes: license plate frame, keychain, air freshner, window decal, re-usable case).

It's still in it's packaging, as I've yet to put the stuff on my car.

I also wanted some new pens (a six-pack of assorted colors/patterns with black ink, a Minnie Mouse, and two Donald pens) :

Here's the Donald pen with his body extended (on my massive Accounting book, sorry) :

I also got two "mood magnet" sets (on the left), an Evil Queen pin to put on my bag, and a lime green Mickey magnetic car decal (with assorted colored Mickey heads). We love the mood magnet, and the kids are constantly changing it. One is for my #1 Buddy Granny, as she has one that one of her healthcare providers gave her for being a loyal client -- but it's nearly 10 years old, and this one is more fun!!!

The car decal paired amazing with the keychain Corrine gave me! Here's a pic of the decal with the keychain! (Also, you get to see the keychain, now!)

Last, but not least ....

Wait, this is the last item you purchased?

Ayup!

I thought you were going to go back for that awesome EQ ceramic mug you found on your arrival day. You know the one.

You found it on a random store and considered getting it. We've been waiting all this time to find out if that mug goes home with you. You talked about it here, it's the first thing in the post!

Oh ... I guess I did. You've really been waiting all this time just to see if I bought it?

Yes.

Well ....


I DID!

I am so glad I did. I wasn't crazy with the price, but it was SO WORTH IT! How could I not make it home without that mug? It would be a crying shame. I didn't dare tell DH how much I spent ... and he didn't ask, as he didn't want to know. lol

After our purchases, we found a restroom and headed back to the car for our long drive to TN. DH promised he wouldn't take any crazy routes home and I didn't have to navigate (thank goodness!).

Our drive home was pretty peaceful. I know we stopped a few times for breaks and lunch and dinner ... but I honestly don't recall where.

The only notes I have are as follows:

Arrived in GA @ 1:32pm
Made it home asfely @ 11:07pm

After talking to DH, he refreshed my memory. It wasn't a peaceful drive home at all. Definitely not. DS, who has not had an accident in YEARS, had several. The first time he told us he needed to pee, so we started looking for a place. By the time we pulled into the closest gas station, he had already went. I changed him into clean shorts, tried to dry his booster seat the best I could, and put a towel under him so any residual pee wouldn't soak into his fresh shorts. Then we pulled into an IHOP for dinner and when I went to help him out of the car, he had peed his pants again. It was his last clean pair of shorts (thankfully I packed extra for everyone in case we got rained on and needed dry clothes). I cleaned his seat the best I could and put a fresh towel down before he got back in. Dinner wasn't anything spectacular ... our server was ... odd. As we were leaving, she pulled me aside and thanked me for being a good parent. I'm not sure how she'd know if I was good or not since she was barely near our table (service was slacking a bit), but even if she was paying attention to us, one meal doesn't make or break a home situation (in most cases). I dunno. It was weird. She was a nice lady, but a bit odd.

When we got home, I made the necessary phone calls and we only unloaded what was vital for the night. We got the rest the next AM and I traded vehicles back with my Dad (after filling up his tank, of course!).

And that concludes the narrative and personal photos of the trip. Coming up are our PP pictures, followed by the closing of the TR and opening of the PTR! Huzzah!

 

[Lidian]

Totally miss you too!!

Feel free to use any of the PP photos that include us.

D~

Awesome! I'll totally let everyone see how much more photogenic you are than I am!

I fell so far behind in reading all the TRs but I have to say I enjoyed reading the Epcot updates!

Congrates on booking your next trip! When are you going?

Still waiting for a GP FD or Room discount offer for our trip to come out.

Sheila! So good to see you! I'm glad you enjoyed the EPCOT updates!

We're going May 2013. Official details will be saved for the PTR, so I can at least have something to talk about for the next year.

Fingers are crossed that discounts will be announced soon for you!!! Which would be better for you? FD or RO discount?

 

[sjs314]

Awesome! I'll totally let everyone see how much more photogenic you are than I am!



Sheila! So good to see you! I'm glad you enjoyed the EPCOT updates!

We're going May 2013. Official details will be saved for the PTR, so I can at least have something to talk about for the next year.

Fingers are crossed that discounts will be announced soon for you!!! Which would be better for you? FD or RO discount?

Next May will get here before you know it. A Room discount would be better if it is 25 or 30 % by about $200 more than FD.

 

[Lidian]

Next May will get here before you know it. A Room discount would be better if it is 25 or 30 % by about $200 more than FD.

I'm sure a RO discount will be released soon. My fingers are crossed for FD!!!! With 1 junior and 2 kids next year, we really need FD.

 

[DMGeurts]

First - Waving to Sheila!!! Glad to see you!

Awww... Liddy - I am so sad to see your last update... Tears are trickling down my face. I am so glad you got the EQ mug... Love the Donald pens - I am sure you knew that though. And your EQ cup matches my Donald cup from Stephanie (the other one)... See...

I can't wait until your start another PTR (you better txt me for that one too)... I hope to be right behind you. For me, it's going to totally depend on FD or not, but the girls and I want to go again so badly - we had so much fun!

D~

 

[DMGeurts]

Oh - and one more thing... I was looking at those cups - but I could have sworn they weren't dishwasher safe? I know I looked at a bunch of cups - but maybe I just assumed they were all the same? Can you confirm or deny?

D~