My 1st PTR/TR: An unexpected trip, Disney in December 4 *Day 3 6/5 Illuminations!*

[Roxychica7]

Here comes Our December 2007 Trip!

So, this was the 1st trip (last year) that Dbf and I took by ourselves. We had went 12/15-12/21/07. The biggest problem overall on this trip was that our finals were supposed to be split up, having our Pollution Bio the week before we left, and our other final the week that we left, BUT we had a small blizzard come through and our 1st final got postponed to the same week as our 2nd final. So, instead of being done on Tuesday, leaving Wednesday to drive down to Dbf's house in Virginia and having 2 days to relax, before we started our drive to Florida on Friday, we ended up having a final END at 9pm that Thursday, had to drive DIRECTLY down to Virginia after taking our final (and staying up studying for the past 2 nights) and driving directly to Florida that next morning.
Here's our exhausted faces (literally just got done taking our last final, 9pm, downing Red Bull and preparing for the 4 hour drive ahead of us)

We were absolutely exhausted. In turn, we didn't get to catch up on sleep that week and were running on low some of the days.

So, the plan ended up being, we left Thursday 12/13, drove to Virginia to spend the night at Dbf's brother's house, then woke up Friday 12/14 and started our drive. We had planned ahead of time to spend the night in Rincon, Georgia. If you ever need some place to stay, look into a Microtel. I've stayed in one many MANY times when I went to visit Dbf when he was at Virginia Tech and they are SO affordable, only $54 a night, plus they give you breakfast in the morning. You can't beat that price.

Here's friday morning, after leaving Dbf's brothers house, stopping at the reststops for some pics (for the scrapbook)

On the road

This little old lady saw us struggling to take a self picture of this one so she offered to take one for us. Little did we know we'd see her and her husband in a gas station somewhere in lower South Carolina and AGAIN passing her in the bathroom at the reststop the NEXT MORNING in Florida. How in the world did we do that?

Rincon, GA was a nice little town. They had the Microtel all decked out in X-Mas decorations and had a huge breakfast for us in the morning, complete with make your own belgian waffles and pancakes wrapped in sausage. We were still tired, but trucked on.

We missed the Florida sign in 2006 when we drove thru. We knew it was getting close and drove right by the darn thing! So this year, we stopped to take a picture in front of it. And here's where the SAME little old lady
from our South Carolina picture took another picture for us.

And about 5 hours later after leaving the Microtel in Rincon.
Da da da daaaa!

Dbf checking us in at All Star Music

And our cute little room! We were at the VERY last door at the end in the Cowboy section, close to the boots. So, we were the farthest from the food court as possible, but it was ok, the property isn't that big compared to CBR

So, we cleaned up really quick. Changed our clothes and we were off to Epcot! I think it was around 4:30. We had an 8:40 dinner reservation at Tutto Italia.

Christmas Topiaries

I was sad, because I forgot that they had closed Spaceship Earth this whole week for refurbishment (will definitely be hitting that first this year!) so we rode our first ride of the trip, any guesses??
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...............The Seas with Nemo and Friends!

Nobody was on this ride! The wait area, love it in here. Haven't been on since they changed it.

On our clam

I love this one from inside the aquarium exhibits

And outside the ride

Next up....ADR's at Tutto!

 

[Lady Lallie]

Great Updates!! You are so close to your trip. I think you could photoshop that guy out of that picture of the castle and fireworks, that is really a beautiful photo!

 

[Roxychica7]

I tell ya, I will miss having dinner reservations all planned out this year, but with saving up for the trip, we don't really think it's worth it this year to pay all that money when they don't include tip or appetizers anymore. Maybe if they included tip, we'd seriously consider it. But just being able to GO on the trip this year, we're not complaining and will gladly do all counter services this year (aside from 1 meal in Downtown Disney and 1 at Beaches and Cream).

So, our ADR's at Tutto, we were STARVING. It was nice coming in and seeing that we had reservations as they were turning everyone else away who didn't have any. I don't have any pics of the food, except my desert, but I pretty much know what all we got.

Inside Tutto, this place is beautiful!

I had gotten the Insalata (which had a lot of cabbage in it) for my app, the bolognese (pretty darn good) and the absolutely delicious tiramisu!

Dbf and the pretty painting in the background.

He got the sweet and sour meatballs (amazing!), the lasagna (also amazing!) and a slice of tiramisu.
This meal was fantastic, we will be going here again the next time we have the dining plan.

As we were "paying" for the bill (very cool the first few times you pay with your dining plan), Illuminations was starting up. So I pulled Dbf along and we caught most of it. Here's a pic, you can see the outline of the Epcot tree

On our way back to the resort, we snagged a few pics.
Here's one of the Music Resort's tree

And the gift shop

And Ariel, rockin out with gang by the pool

We were absolutely pooped. We went to bed shortly after we got back.
Next up....MGM!!

 

[Roxychica7]

Great Updates!! You are so close to your trip. I think you could photoshop that guy out of that picture of the castle and fireworks, that is really a beautiful photo!

Thanks LL! I think you just like it because there's a light fixture in the picture next to the castle! (I just noticed that was there!) I tell ya, I think you really have influenced a lot of us to pay more attention to our light fixtures

 

[FauntleroyFAN07]

wow, that was a ton of updates to come back to after the weekend, all the pics are getting me pumped for our trip coming up.

only20days left.

 

[disneydusted]

Yay!! New pictures!! Don't you just love the food in Italy, it was Alfredos when we were there. Looks like they kept the same decor, very pretty. Was that photo of your DBF with the chandelier overhead for Lady Lallie?
I can't believe you guys saw the little old lady at the different stops! Maybe she was going to Disney too??

 

[Roxychica7]

wow, that was a ton of updates to come back to after the weekend, all the pics are getting me pumped for our trip coming up.

only20days left.

Oh yes, I sped through 2006, wanted to get done 2007 before I left next month! Yessss! They're getting me pumped too! You're getting so close now to your trip!

Yay!! New pictures!! Don't you just love the food in Italy, it was Alfredos when we were there. Looks like they kept the same decor, very pretty. Was that photo of your DBF with the chandelier overhead for Lady Lallie?
I can't believe you guys saw the little old lady at the different stops! Maybe she was going to Disney too??

I believe that I have subcontiously taken light fixture pictures over the years because of LL But yes, the little old lady was wonderful. Now I can see how we'd catch up with her if we drove straight through to Florida, but spending the night somewhere and somehow leaving at the same time in the morning and literally coming into the restroom of the reststop in Florida as she's coming out is just freaky!

 

[Lady Lallie]

Yay!! New pictures!! Don't you just love the food in Italy, it was Alfredos when we were there. Looks like they kept the same decor, very pretty. Was that photo of your DBF with the chandelier overhead for Lady Lallie?
I can't believe you guys saw the little old lady at the different stops! Maybe she was going to Disney too??

I thought it would be sad if I pointed that out.

I believe that I have subcontiously taken light fixture pictures over the years because of LL

Hehehe. Just think of all the ones you will take this trip!

 

[Roxychica7]

I thought it would be sad if I pointed that out.

Hehehe. Just think of all the ones you will take this trip!

Oh gosh! We'll get home next month and as we start looking through the trip photos, Dbf will say "hey! you cut the top of my head off in this one!" And I'll reply "oh no, that's how it was supposed to be, you were just in the way of the light fixture!"

 

[Lady Lallie]

Oh gosh! We'll get home next month and as we start looking through the trip photos, Dbf will say "hey! you cut the top of my head off in this one!" And I'll reply "oh no, that's how it was supposed to be, you were just in the way of the light fixture!"

Hehehe. That happened a few times when I was trying to take pictures of them, I had to make sure Marc got out of the way.

 

[Roxychica7]

Hehehe. That happened a few times when I was trying to take pictures of them, I had to make sure Marc got out of the way.

I am so excited to get there and take some light pictures! Maybe we should start an LL thread about what light fixtures you DON'T have a picture of yet (i.e. inside which rides, inside which restaurants and inside which resorts) that way you can cross off the ones you need and you'll have all of the Disney property covered! I'll have to thumb through your light fixture report before I leave and see if I can get ya some new ones

 

[Roxychica7]

Hey guys! Ok, back to Disney..where did we leave off?
Ah, Day 2, MGM...

So, this is before they changed the name over to HS. It's going to be weird seeing the huge sign at the park entrance when you walk in, but we got up at a reasonable time this morning. We stopped at the resort for some breakfast (Dbf is in love with the breakfast platters) and you just HAVE to have mickey shaped waffles at least once on your trip right? But we got to the park around...9:45ish and saw the welcome sign

The streets of Hollywood were all decked out in Christmas decorations too

And the walk to toward Mickey's hat

I love all the palm trees around, it really gives you that feel of being in Hollywood

And me cheesin with the landmark in the background (we need to watch the lack of pictures with BOTH of us)

First stop? The Great Movie Ride of course!

But not before checking out the wall of fame

Next, was the Little Mermaid and we walked around the backlots to try and find some characters. I love love all the poinsettas here, so Dbf had me pose

Then we found Mike and Sulley! They're very hard, it was our first time posing with them!

All of a sudden, there was a huge downpour! Thankfully, we were under cover between the Muppets 3D and Pizza Planet (which we will be eating at this year). I love this fountain, I always thought Miss Piggy was so ridiculous

We were trying to kill some time before our ADR at Sci-Fi diner at 12:30.
My favorite, Hibiscus!

And our favorite green dino! (does he have a name?)

I've eaten at Sci-Fi before, back in..I wanna 2000 with my mom and the food has definitely gotten better since then. They play the same clips, but we have a drive-in movies around here in Baltimore that is still in operation and I love it and I just love the atmosphere and the black light feel.
In our car. The family in front of us were so nice. They took a picture of us and we returned the favor

Dbf got the burger and I got the turkey sandwich and onion rings.

I wasn't feelin the burger since I knew we'd get one at Animal Kingdom and a nice sandwich was wonderful.
For desert, I had the chocolate tart and Dbf had the apple crisp

The chocolate dish was a little sweet, but quite tasty and Dbf LOVES anything apple so he gobbled his up.

Next up...the remainder of MGM, then Day 3 at Magic Kingdom and ADR's at the Grand Floridian Cafe!

 

[Lady Lallie]

I am so excited to get there and take some light pictures! Maybe we should start an LL thread about what light fixtures you DON'T have a picture of yet (i.e. inside which rides, inside which restaurants and inside which resorts) that way you can cross off the ones you need and you'll have all of the Disney property covered! I'll have to thumb through your light fixture report before I leave and see if I can get ya some new ones

I don't think I have even scratched the surface with the light fixture pictures. I love all the pictures even if they are duplicates because people always get different things and different angles in their pictures. I will love any that you take!!


I love the feel of DHS, I can't imagine how awesome it is with all of the Christmas Decorations.

 

[SwansLoveDisney]

I think I'm going to have to try Toy Story Pizza Planet this time. I never like any of the food I get at DHS. But it seems like Pizza Planet is a safe bet!

 

[disneydusted]

You guys are making me laugh with the lighting ideas!
I really like the Sic-Fi, I know it's kind of cheesy and sometimes the food could be better but it is so cool in there! The atmosphere, the A/C in the summer, the light up icecubes in your drinks, the black and white movie monster clips .... I'm glad you like it too!

 

[Roxychica7]

I don't think I have even scratched the surface with the light fixture pictures. I love all the pictures even if they are duplicates because people always get different things and different angles in their pictures. I will love any that you take!!


I love the feel of DHS, I can't imagine how awesome it is with all of the Christmas Decorations.

I'm just curious myself about how many rides/resorts/restaurants that you HAVE gotten so far. Maybe for Christmas, or a day where I feel like procrastinating at work (which is like every other day!), I'll get a list together for you

I think I'm going to have to try Toy Story Pizza Planet this time. I never like any of the food I get at DHS. But it seems like Pizza Planet is a safe bet!

I've heard the pizza is pretty good. I've had Pizzafari before at AK and I do really like their pizza, but haven't tried PP yet. I'm not too crazy about DHS food either. Although, we did try the Studio Catering Company the year before last, it's located next to the Honey I Shrunk the Kids set. I had a Greek Salad and Dbf had either the Pulled Pork sandwich or the Chicken with black beans and rice and I remember it being really good. I guess we'll have to see if it still is!

You guys are making me laugh with the lighting ideas!
I really like the Sic-Fi, I know it's kind of cheesy and sometimes the food could be better but it is so cool in there! The atmosphere, the A/C in the summer, the light up icecubes in your drinks, the black and white movie monster clips .... I'm glad you like it too!

haha, I love Sci-Fi too. I was always worried about going to Prime Time because I didn't want to get "yelled at" for doing something wrong in there.

 

[Roxychica7]

Guess what guys!!!!
Remember me saying that when I booked our plane tickets for Southwest, they had the best deal because they were both non-stop and about $500 for the two of us. Well I was browsing through LL's friend's TR, another Diser's known on the boards as "TK" and saw that she had looked back at her flight to see if anything changed with the price. Well, on Saturday, I looked at our flight and within 2 weeks, it went DOWN $146!!!
So, I called Southwest to see what I could do and I checked the little box that said we'd take the lower priced flight and if possible, we'd like to have a refund on whatever was refundable. Well, today I look at my bank account online and there's a credit in there for the TOTAL of $146!!
That means our flight between the two of us, only cost $336!!!!!

Holy cow, so now that money we saved is going right into our Disney food fund, which gives us a running total of $311 that we've made between ebay/southwest. And with 3 weeks to go, we haven't pulled any money out of our pockets for our food yet, Woo hooo

 

[Lady Lallie]

I'm just curious myself about how many rides/resorts/restaurants that you HAVE gotten so far. Maybe for Christmas, or a day where I feel like procrastinating at work (which is like every other day!), I'll get a list together for you

Hehehe. That wold be awesome, you know how I like lists!

Guess what guys!!!!
Remember me saying that when I booked our plane tickets for Southwest, they had the best deal because they were both non-stop and about $500 for the two of us. Well I was browsing through LL's friend's TR, another Diser's known on the boards as "TK" and saw that she had looked back at her flight to see if anything changed with the price. Well, on Saturday, I looked at our flight and within 2 weeks, it went DOWN $146!!!
So, I called Southwest to see what I could do and I checked the little box that said we'd take the lower priced flight and if possible, we'd like to have a refund on whatever was refundable. Well, today I look at my bank account online and there's a credit in there for the TOTAL of $146!!
That means our flight between the two of us, only cost $336!!!!!

Holy cow, so now that money we saved is going right into our Disney food fund, which gives us a running total of $311 that we've made between ebay/southwest. And with 3 weeks to go, we haven't pulled any money out of our pockets for our food yet, Woo hooo

That is so great!!! I am glad you were able to get that refund, how awesome.

 

[SwansLoveDisney]

Wow! Your food fund is growing by leaps and bounds! That's awesome!

I love Southwest!

 

[disneydusted]

Wow, with all of your new found food money you guys are going to be eating really well at Disney!!!