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

[Roxychica7]

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

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

Oh, I am too. I got so mad thinking I wouldn't be able to get it, but I guess the Disney magic was on our side!

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

I love Southwest!

I think I love Southwest now too!

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

You should SEE the list, I have it all planned out by meal, where we're eating and how much each item costs. Now, we can splurge a little and get a few extra desserts or adult beverages

 

[Roxychica7]

So, the rest of MGM we just wandered around and hit the usual rides, did the Backlot Tour and Dbf did RnR.

I always love seeing Disney's old plane

I don't think I'll ever get ON TOT, but I do love the outside of it

We literally RAN to get to the Beauty and the Beast show, since we're never seen it before and as we got past the rope, the CM closed it behind us. I really enjoyed it and so did Dbf!

Then the black clouds started to roll through while we were at the Indiana Jones stunt show. I wanted to leave early cause we were afraid we'd get a downpour on us. We decided we'd get a quick picture of the lights this year (to which there was lots of added blue for some reason compared to last year) and we'd instead eat dinner back at the resort and skip Fantasmic this year. We figured it would get cancelled anyway

Me with the MGM Tree

It figures that once we got got on the bus and got back to ASMu, the rain disappeared, but we had a nice dinner. We really love the Alfredo with Parmesan chicken, it comes with a salad, so it was nice and filling. I think I got the cheesecake and Dbf the chocolate cake. Both were yum.
When we got back to the room, we had a welcomed guest (not sure what animal it is), but welcomed non the less

 

[Roxychica7]

Day 3...Magic Kingdom and ADR's at Grand Floridian Cafe. I had originally had Kona Cafe scheduled for this day (which I will definitely do next time we go) and wanted to do a half day at MK, go to Kona, then go back to MK, but we decided to sleep in and I got an early lunch reservation (I think 11:30) at GFC. I had never seen any reviews on the boards about this one, but thought the menu looked good and I REALLY wanted to see the inside of the GF and the gingerbread house, so we gave it a go.

Making sure we take the right one

Going through the CR

Dbf and I got to sit up front with the driver since we'd never done it before. It was a beautiful day so I took the opportunity to take some pics of the resorts

The beautiful wedding chapel pavilion

And our arrival at the beautiful GF

Here's Dbf on the staircase

And what you've all been waiting for....
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The GF Christmas tree and its magnificant lobby

Me in front of the tree

And the lifesized gingerbread house

In front of the house for size comparison

So incredibly beautiful. Next up, we were getting hungry already since we didn't feel the need to eat breakfast and waste all the yummy that could be given to us at GFC.

We were seated early and enjoyed our table for 2

Dbf got the crab cakes for his app., a steak for his entry and opted for a capp for his dessert.

As you can see in the next pic, he hated it

I had a salad, which I don't see on allears anymore, but it was fabulous! There were pears and it has this amazing pear vinegrette, so yummy! I had the chicken ciabatta sandwich and since the deserts are considered "mini's" here, you're allowed to have 2 of them! We got the chocolate tart and the tiramisu

And our yummy desserts

Such a good meal! Gosh we loved it. Next up...the day at Magic Kingdom!

 

[njdisneyfreak]

Thank you so much! Congrats on your trip being so close too! Do you have a PTR going too? If so, I'll definitely slide on over! Thanks again for the nice comments!

Yup! I have a PTR, too!!! Check it out, when you can. It's the last link in my signature. Come on over!

Ok, I've come to realize that I've been away for way too long and it's time to post again. But, sorry guys, I had a HUGE midterm and a project due in Statistics (rather, it's called "Research Design and Analysis") Now when I say huge, my midterm was take home, only 8 problems but took me 24 pages of handwritten work to complete and my project was 68 pages all typed and output from a statistical program, again only another 8 problems

But..good news...I got a 95% on my midterm and a 98% on my project!
Yessss...but all in all, I guess I can say that it "payed off" to leave the boards, so a while, but I'm back and ready to post again.

CONGRATS!!!

How are you containing your excitement, this close to your trip?

 

[SwansLoveDisney]

The Grand Floridian is SO pretty at Christmas time! I must go over there on my trip!

 

[Roxychica7]

Yup! I have a PTR, too!!! Check it out, when you can. It's the last link in my signature. Come on over!



CONGRATS!!!

How are you containing your excitement, this close to your trip?

Aw, no I am excited, I just think once december gets here, the semester will be coming to a close (I've been working on my thesis and teaching this semester) so all the school stuff will be done and the disney magic can hit me all at once!
But your trip seems absolutely amazing! I subscribed to it and will definitely start reading it tomorrow. I can't believe how many restaurants/tours you're doing AND staying at AKL AND staying there for Christmas. That's so amazing!!

The Grand Floridian is SO pretty at Christmas time! I must go over there on my trip!

Oh it is a MUST see. The lobby ALONE is so beautiful, but when you add all the trees and garland, it's just that more amazing! I hope you get to see it for yourself!

 

[FauntleroyFAN07]

wow that tree looks really pretty

 

[Lady Lallie]

Grand Floridian Cafe looks very yummy. I think I might have to see if I can read more about it, looks like a good option for a yummy lunch.

I love looking at Disney's plane too! It's weird but I look forward to that in the tour the most.

 

[Roxychica7]

wow that tree looks really pretty

Oh it is! The pictures certainly do not do it justice, since it's too tall to get the whole tree in a picture!

Grand Floridian Cafe looks very yummy. I think I might have to see if I can read more about it, looks like a good option for a yummy lunch.

I love looking at Disney's plane too! It's weird but I look forward to that in the tour the most.

Oh, GFC WAS yummy. We wanted to experience something at the GF, knowing that most of them are 2 TS credits and since we had were eating at the Poly for breakfast, we figured it would be a good option for us. But it really is good!!

 

[Roxychica7]

wow that tree looks really pretty

Ah ha! I finally figured out the signature link, thanks again for your help!

 

[disneydusted]

I think we might have to try the GFC the next time we go down, not sure when that will be but doesn't hurt to start my list early!
OK, you seriously need to get brave and try TOT. It's really not bad. The interior is amazing. If you go in and then decide that you want to bail you can. The bail out is right before you get on the elevator. It is worth going in just to see the interior. The dropping is so random that you don't quite get the time to panic, it's just fun.

 

[FauntleroyFAN07]

your welcome, once you figure it out it is fun to use and easy

 

[Roxychica7]

I think we might have to try the GFC the next time we go down, not sure when that will be but doesn't hurt to start my list early!
OK, you seriously need to get brave and try TOT. It's really not bad. The interior is amazing. If you go in and then decide that you want to bail you can. The bail out is right before you get on the elevator. It is worth going in just to see the interior. The dropping is so random that you don't quite get the time to panic, it's just fun.

Oh you definitely should try it! It's very cozy in there. It's NEVER too early to start your list
I may have to try to get through there to get the pics. I HATE surprises, the anxiety would kill me just waiting for the drops, but maybe I'll get brave one day

your welcome, once you figure it out it is fun to use and easy

I'm still working on changing the color of the link, but I'm learnin

 

[Roxychica7]

I just had a CRAPPY long day. We had to present our thesis projects so far for my research design and analysis class. I FINALLY got my experimental design going and I froze during the question portion of my presentation with being so tired (I literally worked on my powerpoint from 10am-6:30pm until class started) and ended up crying at the end. Oy, but anyway, the day is OVER and I'm back on the board, so....

Hi guys!!

Ok, just in case you didn't get enough GF tree pics. Here's another angle for you as we exited the GFC. This ALMOST gets it all in the pic

So, we took the monorail back and hit Main Street.
The MK tree! I love the oversized gingerbread ornaments!

Check out those decorations!

And da da da daaaaaa!

First stop?? Tomorrowland of course!

1st ride? TTA! I freakin LOVE this ride

Buzz Lightyear!

And we found some friends

Then we passed Indy and the Teacups and headed to IASW
Crazy eyed Hippo

Gotta love all the bright colors

We ALWAYS end up with the wait time cards. Here's the 2nd one of the trip (while waiting for Pirates)

Who DOESN'T love this scene?

BTMR. Love this backdrop

So, this night we decided to skip Wishes (I KNOW!) and head to Downtown Disney this night. We shopped around, love that painting shop and got a drink at Rainforest.

One of these things is not like the other...
Can you find the one that Doesn't belong?

We decided to save our money and use a CS credit each at the resort. I think I had the hotdog and fries and carrotcake and Dbf had the penne pasta and chocolate cake. Everyone must have been still out and about. The dining room was pretty empty

Next up, a very VERY cold Day 3 at Animal Kingdom

 

[SwansLoveDisney]

Oh, I'm sorry about your bad day.

I totally understand stress-induced crying. Happens to me all the time at the WORST times!

You must be very relieved to be done with it, though.

I love all the Christmas decoration pics...it's getting me so excited.

Don't feel bad about skipping Wishes...I've never seen it. It's on my MUST do list this time.

 

[disneydusted]

I'm glad for you that you are done with your thesis project. That is a huge load off!
You love the TTA!!! Me too! The first time we discovered it we were all amazed that there was hardly anyone on it, even though the park was pretty busy. It is such a relaxing ride, good place to go while waiting for a fast pass time. I can't believe more people don't ride it.
Fun to see your official Buzz picture from your signature!

 

[Roxychica7]

Oh, I'm sorry about your bad day.

I totally understand stress-induced crying. Happens to me all the time at the WORST times!

You must be very relieved to be done with it, though.

I love all the Christmas decoration pics...it's getting me so excited.

Don't feel bad about skipping Wishes...I've never seen it. It's on my MUST do list this time.

Oh my gosh, you've NEVER seen wishes? Get your camera ready for those! Thank you so much, I totally hate when the stress takes over. Always bad times for me too! But I'm so excited for you!!! 6 days to go girl!!

I'm glad for you that you are done with your thesis project. That is a huge load off!
You love the TTA!!! Me too! The first time we discovered it we were all amazed that there was hardly anyone on it, even though the park was pretty busy. It is such a relaxing ride, good place to go while waiting for a fast pass time. I can't believe more people don't ride it.
Fun to see your official Buzz picture from your signature!

Well, unfortunately, my thesis isn't over until May! That was just to present what my plans for my thesis will be But, it's ok, because this is my last semester coming up in the spring and I don't teach and I don't have any classes, so the stress should mellow out a little.
But YESSS I love TTA! It's usually always our first ride, because it ALWAYS puts me in the Disney mood since you get to visit sooo many rides on your 1st ride! Hail to a fellow TTA lover

 

[Roxychica7]

Day 4! Animal Kingdom
This was the absolute COLDEST day I've ever felt in Florida before. A freak cold front came through and when we woke up it was 35 degrees and didn't get much warmer above 45 degrees. As you can see, I had pants, tennis shoes, a tshirt, a hoodie, a jacket and not too much later on hot chocolate

And my good buddy Ann! We spent the whole day together!! We were so excited to get to see each other again!

With the TOL

Entering Asia with our hot chocolates in hand

And again, sooo cold!

First stop? The Finding Nemo musical! This was our first time seeing this one..totally worth it!

Then I got even colder and put Dbf's jacket on too! Here we are standing in line for Primeval Whirl!

Going up the incline!

On the ride

And in mid spin Such a fun ride!!

Then we hit dinosaur, which I didn't do pics of this year, but Ann is a seasonal disney CM so we got a huge discount on our Dinosaur pic!

Pics of the beautiful TOL

Closeup of an owl

Then it was time for Dbf to get his traditional pic with the monkey before heading into Bugs life!

Me and Ann with our bug glasses

And me and Dbf...bzzzz

Then our lunch stop at:

The first time we ever went here in 2005, it says McDonalds, now I'm lucky if I eat McDonalds once a year and isn't normally on 4th of July since we have to get early for the parade. These were totally NOT McDonalds burgers, but very very juicy and meaty yummy burgers! Probably my fav CS burger in the parks

Then Dbf and Ann got on Everest. I like some roller coasters, but I'm so afraid that the backwards part in there wouldn't agree with me and I'd freak out (I've watched a movie before and I think it's like some 15 seconds backwards, I don't think I could do that) Maybe one day

Continued on next post since I reached my picture max

 

[Roxychica7]

Then we hightailed it over to Rafiki's plant watch. Never been here before either, decided to give it a whirl. If ANYTHING you have to see the animal murals and listen to the Rainforest sounds in the soundproof rooms, totally gets you in the relaxed state.
The mural is one HUGE mural but I had to take it in sections.
Here's Ann with one part

And Dbf listening to the sounds of the Rainforest. Can you tell he's relaxed?

Then we found some friends! Rafiki himself

And I have NEVER seen Jiminy Cricket before, we definitely had to get one with him!

And the other cool thing about Rafiki's planet watch..the talking recycling can!!

ok! Next up, the rest of Day 4: Kilamanjaro, The Lion King, Christmas decorations and saying goodbye to Ann!

 

[Lady Lallie]

More great updates. I can't believe how cold it was on your AK day. That makes me stress out about what to pack next December.