Mickey here we come!

[minnie2]

Let me introduce my self my name In Marlo aka minnie2. I LOVe Disney and adore WDW it is my happy place. Something about it just makes me loose all my troubles and be happy and care free. I guess Walt's vision came true with me huh?
Anyway. This trip was a long time coming! It all started last January DH and realized we had never taken a family vacation that didn't include family. We usually go to Nj to see family and friends or to GA to see my parent. As much as I love them all that ISN"T vacation! So we decided Disney would be the place. Ok I decided and thankfully he went along with it!

Let me introduce my family George my DH of 14 yrs, Nicole (9) who thinks se is too big for princesses and way too cool but when push comes to shove she really dose still love them, and my son Kyle(6) he is like mommy he loves everything Disney.

This trip our best friends from NJ ended up meeting us there with their 3 boys. I am not posting pics of her and her family I figured if she wants to do a TR she can

So once we decided to go we had a long wait! I think the counter George put on my computer said 250 days by the time we actually booked the trip!

We originally decided to stay at POR since they were the only moderate hotel that could accommodate my friends family of 5 in one room. So we booked there.

then in early June DH and were walking around our local mall and he saw this Doorway to Dreams store. He new what a Disney person I was and said we could check it out to kill time if I wanted to. So of course I did! The rooms where stunning George had wanted to stay at AKL since it opened but we never could afford it. After looking at the rooms we talked to our guide and at 1st George was just sitting back being polite but all of the sudden I looked at him and he was really intereted We went home and I thought that was it a nice afternoon at the mall with a little Disney thrown in. Then I noticed George doing all this research about the DVC for days he did research. I never pushed him because this had to be his choice because if he didn't like it I didn't want him to be mad at me for pushing him. Long story short we did it! Now we had looked at the DVC back in 2004 when we went to WDW whit George's 3 sisters but there was NO way we could have done it back then. They were beautiful but we had no money so it was out. This time we were really doing it

We bought enough points to have a 2 bedroom for the week we wanted to go so we invited out friends to stay with us. They were thrilled and shocked. Truth be told they are amazing friends and we were so happy they could go with us and we could do this!

On to the funs stuff our trip!

Friday 11/14 me and the kids were leaving early to stay at my cousins house for a few days before we headed to WDW on sunday with them. George was flying in on Monday and would meet us Monday night at Chef Mickey's with our friends.We had a nice visit with them and before we knew it is was Sunday and time to drive to WDW!!! I think I may have been more excited then the kids!

Se we all pile into my cousins minivan and we are off. About an hour later I see this

I love this sign!!!

Then we saw this one

Ten the sign for Nikki's fav ride!

that meant we were here. I was so excited. We find out resort SSR. We had developer points so we stayed there this trip. Check in was easy and they gave us all my requests. I wanted to be close to the buss stop and carriage house! The room was very nice. Not as nice as AKLV but still VERY nice The kids were excited and seemed to be happy.

We had decided that Sunday we would kind of take it easy and just go to downtown Disney and walk around and go to dinner. Then Monday we could hit the parks!

So we packed up and took the ferry from SSR to DTD.

Look how excited Nikki is!

Kyle's nervous excitement.
We had dinner ressies at Rainforest Cafe.

Look we ran into a new friend!

Se eI promised my niece she would see a giraffe apparently and see Aunt Marlo delivers! So after playing with our new friend for a bit we went inside. Food was good the kids had fun. My niece and nephew were a bit scared in there since they are only 92.5 and 1.5) My kids had fun though.
After dinner we got some candy and my Cousin and the kids went back to the room since it was VERY cold. Kyle wanted to go to the lego store so I took him and then we went back to the room to rest for the next day!

 

[minnie2]

Day 1 MK day!
Kyle woke up at 3:30 am asking if he could get dress and we could go I had to explain it was still very early and why doesn't he come sleep with me and I will wake him up when it is time. Frankly I was with him I could have got up and went to the park!

Early morning rolled around and we got up and got ready only to find out my cousin had a rough night with the babies. So she told me to go on ahead with my kids she would meet me later since we had a Bibbiddi Bobbiddi Boutique appointment for Nik at 11:30am. I was kind of sad because I was really looking forward to seeing my nieces face when she saw the castle for the 1st time. Oh well. The kids and I left and headed to MK.

Truth be told as upset as I was that they would meet us looking back I treasure the few hours I got to be alone in the parks with just my kids!
We hopped on the bus for the MK and it was packed! A nice woman with a cute little girl all dressed as Cinderella made room for my kids while I stood. Some how we got to talking and it turns out she graduated from HS with George and remembered him!!!!!!! Talk about a small world! It also turns out she was now living in the same town George and I did in NJ when we 1st got married. Talk about a small world! George didn't remember her. I thought about texting him telling him I ran into an old girlfriend but I didn't.

We arrive at MK and head to the will call window to pick up our annual passes. They were very nice and it was simple to do. My only complaint is the annual passes are SO flimsy! Oh well we still had annual passes!

The kids and I then head right inside!

Look there is Pluto!

We decided not to wait because the line was too long.

I adore the castle! My 1st shot of it this trip!
Look there is a show going on!

Once the show was over we decided to head to Space Mountain since last trip all the fast passes where sold out and I never got to ride it. It was great but it did a number o my back. After Space mountain we headed to Buzz!

not sure what Nik was doing in this picture!

After Buzz look who we ran into!

He was so fun!

Now it is time to head to Nikki's BBB appointment!
That will have to be the ex installment!

 

[eeyore3847]

I love all the closeups of mickey.. oh and I love that mickey fleece jacket. it looks nice and warm!

Lori

 

[minnie2]

I love all the closeups of mickey.. oh and I love that mickey fleece jacket. it looks nice and warm!

Lori

Yeah one reader !

I loved that jacket too but you'll see if you stick around I got sick of looking at it because he couldn't wear any other customs because it was too cold!!!!

 

[Tnkrbelle565]

Now you have two!!!

Is it okay if I PM you and ask how you handled the APs? I'm getting my first one this year and I still have questions

 

[gcast1]

What a great start to your trip report - love the pictures! More, more!

 

[minnie2]

Now you have two!!!

Is it okay if I PM you and ask how you handled the APs? I'm getting my first one this year and I still have questions

Of course it is!
Pretty simple though. I ordered them over the phone through member services since we own a DVC. they gave me a confirmation number that I brought with me. When I got to the park I just went to the will call window(when facing the park all the way to the right ) then when I got there I gave it to them and with in minutes we had our passes in hand and where skipping happily in the park Yes I was actually skipping with my kids!

gcast1: glad you are reading too!

I will try to finish day one off on Monday!

 

[Dreamer & Wisher]

So Far so good! I would love to hear more about your trip. Your kids look like they are having lots of fun.

Great pictures too!

 

[teresajoy]

Thanks for the link!!! I found you!!! Love the report so far!!! I can't wait to hear more!!

 

[minnie2]

It is time for Nikki's bday gift a trip to the BBB! She was VERY excited about doing this but I was a bit nervous because a 'friend' on my sewing board had a bad experience with some less than magical FGITS.
Kyle was not exactly happy about having to wait for Nik to do this he wanted to hit the rides!
My cousin was on her way to MK but some how she ended up on the buss to EPCOT I was really hoping my niece could come watch and maybe get some pixie dust.
We got there a few minutes early so I took the kids ptty so I wouldn't miss any of Nik getting princessed up.
The ladies who checked us in where so nice and friendly! So my fears where easing up a bit.
Look how excited Nikki is. Isn't Kyle cute when he is mad?

When they finally called us back I was relieved because our fgit seemed very sweet and really into it. We had a photpass card so the photographer wrote her name on the card which later in the trip came in VERY handy because my girlfriend and I put alot of the same pics on our card and we were able to tell our cards apart because of the Photopass guy at the castle He was so knowledgeable and nice! He chatted with us giving us so many tips on things to see and do. The one I wish we did was the Pirate thing like the Jedi Training. Oh well Next trip.
back to the BBB.
Nikki's fgit was a doll! She even tried to get Kyle involved in the whole thing which was great!
I think her name was Jenny. She told Nik about what it was like to get those Princesses ready in the morning and a few other fun things about life in the castle. I loved it!

Now it is time for Pixie dust! I don't have the photopass Cd yet so I will have to post these pics later but the photo pass guy got the greatest picture of Kyle at this point.
While she was sprinkling Nikki with Pixie dust the Wand got out of control and sprinkled Kyle with some Pixie dust! It was hysterical! Kyle being the typical boy he throws his body on the floor at this point trying to escape it! Every one in the place was laughing at his reaction! It was great!
Her is Nikki for now.

Here she is all done! she looks so HAPPY!

Needless to say all my nervousness about the BBB was uncalled for. Every one was so sweet! My cousin hadn't made it yet and I was sad because I really wanted my niece to get some pixie dust and some one heard Nikki and I talking about how sad we were that she missed it and they told us just bring her by and they would be more then happy to sprinkle some pixie dust on her! I was so happy! Every little girl needs some pixie dust!
We never ended up going back because my niece and nephew were in no mood for it. Unfortunately I don't think they were ready for WDW yet.

Off to find my cousin now!

 

[minnie2]

So we are done with my little princess so what do we do? Oh there is the Sward in the stone!

We finally meet up with my cousin and her mom with the kids. I adore my niece and nephew so much! Unfortunately they weren't full of the wonderment and excitement I dreamed about them having at MK! I think it was just a it to busy for them. They have been to Bush gardens a lot and my cousin said they are great there so she wants sure why they weren't over the moon about being at WDW. I was a bit heartbroken but at least I spent a few days with them before we headed to WDW. There is always next yr!

So we meet up with them and we HAVE to take my niece on Cindy's carousel because she LOVES carousels.
Kyle was happy we were back to rides! I love the carousel it is so pretty!

We had to ride it twice because my niece didn't want to get off. It was really cute!
Then we decided we had to go to ride Dumbo! I was shocked that was the only line we waited on the whole trip! unfortunately my nephew wasn't up for waiting on lines we were actually next up to ride and he just couldn't take it so my cousin gave him to her mom because he was hysterical crying by this time. My niece kept saying she wanted grandma but we convinced her it was worth the wait so she waited. I rode with Nik and Kyle went with my cousin and my niece.
look how pretty it is

I told you I loved the castle!

Once we were off the ride the babies had to eat. My cousin knew I had feed my kids while I was waiting for her ad they where itching for rides! So she told us to go on to a few rides and we would meet up once they finished eating. I felt bad about splitting up after we just meet them but iI knew she understood that my kids would have gone crazy sitting around. Before we split up I we went on the Haunted Mansion with my cousins mom and my cousin stayed wit the kids. It was fun! My kids LOVE that ride! I think they went on it about 5 times this trip.
Here are some pics I took once we split up.

I think this is one of my all time fav pictures of the castle!

Here is a picture of my fav statue!

Not sure what else we did when we split up. I just know we got back together to head to dinner at Chef Mickey's and meet George and my best friend and her family. I think we just wandered and enjoyed being together.

 

[minnie2]

It is time to head to mine and Kyle's FAVORITe place to eat! Chef Mickey's! Not sure why I like it so much there is just this feel to it that I love.
I was nervous about the dinning and Nik since she has Celiac's. i had known they were really good with allergies but as a mom I was still scared because the last thing I wanted was my little princess to be sick on vacation!
We arrive early for our 5:30 ressies so we look around for a bit. George hadn't arrived yet and neither have our friends. So the kids and I look at some of the shops. Then we spot George! Yeah our whole family was together again! Vacation could really start now! My cousin had taken my niece to go potty and her mom was walking my nephew around so George and I shopped some more while we waited for our friends.
As we were walking around one of the CM noticed Nikki had her bday pin on and went to answer the phone and told her she had a call. It was Goofy! Of course Kyle was sad so he said what about me! LOL got to love a boy! So the guy had Goofy call him too. The magic was alive and kicking at WDW that night! the kids were so happy! We thanked the Cm and went outside to see our friends had arrived. so we could check in and start eating now that every one was here and accounted for.
We sat in the back wit a wonderful view of the castle! the chef came out and talked to us about Nik and he said he would bring her her own special plate. I was so happy.
This is an awful picture of Kyle but I was so shocked he picked out some fruit to eat! You see noting healthy ever passes his lip! Not that I don't try!

Kyle was so happy to see Pluto!

Now we all had ful bellies and were off to Spectro magic and the fireworks! I have never seen either so I was excited.
We were running late so I thought we missed the parade but once again the magic was on our side! We saw most of it! We didn't have a great spot but so what we were at WDW with family and good friends!

Parade was over we were off to get a spot for wishes. My niece and nephew where not having it so my cousin decided to leave and go to their hotel and we said we would see them tomorrow. the fireworks were amazing! I didn't get pictures.... But I did get some pictures of the Castle!

If only this persons head wasn't there! Oh well

George and I with you guessed it!.... The castle!

I love the reflection in these.

After the fireworks we where planning on going back to the hotel and rest for tomorrow but we found out MK had extra magic hours!!!! So of course we had to stay! the kids were all game!
the 1st ride we went on was Buzz then Space mountain. the kids actually did it a few times since there was NO wait at all! My back started hurting from that ride so I sat out and so did George. Then we went to the Haunted Mansion. My best friends 6 yr old freaked at the though but we convinced him he had to go and he tucked his head in his dad shoulder and went but by the end of the trip he loved that ride! LOL
Sorry no more pictures of this day! WE closed the park down and went back to the hotel to rest up for the next day!

Thanks for reading so far!!!!!

 

[The Moonk's Mom]

I made it over! Great pics of the kids! She looks so grown up after leaving
BBB. VERY PRETTY!!! Kyle lloks like he was having fun watching...

I love Chef Mickey's! It is really such fun there and looks like you guys had a great time.

 

[minnie2]

I made it over! Great pics of the kids! She looks so grown up after leaving
BBB. VERY PRETTY!!! Kyle lloks like he was having fun watching...

I love Chef Mickey's! It is really such fun there and looks like you guys had a great time.

Glad you made it! Nikki does look too grown up! She loved it though.

I adore chef Mickey's We went there for breakfast too a few days later!
thanks for reading!

 

[teresajoy]

Hey! What's the deal putting friend in little quote marks?????

I'm so glad you had such a wonderful experience at BBB!!!! Jenny looks like she was a terrific FGIT!! Just like they should be!!

Nikki looks gorgeous!! I love her smile!

Chef Mickey is our favorite place too! I just love it there!

The castle covered in the lights is so pretty!!!!

It looks like you are having so much fun!!! I can't wait to go back!!!

 

[minnie2]

Hey! What's the deal putting friend in little quote marks?????

I'm so glad you had such a wonderful experience at BBB!!!! Jenny looks like she was a terrific FGIT!! Just like they should be!!

Nikki looks gorgeous!! I love her smile!

Chef Mickey is our favorite place too! I just love it there!

The castle covered in the lights is so pretty!!!!

It looks like you are having so much fun!!! I can't wait to go back!!!

Can't remember where I did that but I am sure it wasn't meant to be snotty!

Jenny was great ! I was so nervous after your experience there! I wish your girls had the same experience we did. Maybe next time!

Didn't the castle look amazing? The picture just don't do it justice!

I can't wait to go back either! I have until next November! You are going to the Feb meet right?

 

[Tnkrbelle565]

Fun update. I'm so glad you had a positive experience at BBB.