My Self Obsessive Princess-Birthday Trip - Completed 4/30/07

[disneyfav4ever]

I'm back, and I'll be writing my trip report soon. Could one of the mods move this off the pre-trip board, and move it down to the TR board. I'd appreciate it. I'm just going to continue on this thread.

 

[disneyfav4ever]

Day 1

I got up really early. Usually I "try" to get up at 3:30. I was up at 3:30, no problem. I left my house at 4:15, and was at the airport around 5:00. I was through security, and at my gate at 5:35.

I was a little worried about security with my pins, and since I had my special birthday-princess pins, that usually stay at home, I didn't want to lose them. But, I had nothing to worry about.

At 6:00 I walked up a few gates to the McDonald's. Breakfast of champions, I know. But, I don't know how much I trust airport food, and I knew I could have something I'm used to at Mc D's, so I went there. I had the steak-egg and cheese bagel, which is what I almost always get when I eat breakfast there, which is about two or three times a year.

At 6:30 I started wondering if BF was coming, our flight was scheduled for 8:00, and he said he was going to try and be at the airport by 5:30.

I'm going to stop, and explain what happened with BF. He overslept, and assumed he missed the flight. He went to the airport at 9:00, to try and get on a different flight. Our flight ended up getting delayed until about 10:30, which he could of made, but whoever was at the ticket-baggage counter didn't bother to tell him that. There was also a 11:15 flight, that they didn't bother to tell him about either. So needless, to say, he didn't get out that day. And, not only did he not get to Disney, he left his cell at the airport. Then, the next day, (my birthday,) there was a snowstorm, and he wasn't able to get back to the airport to get his phone. It wasn't until day three that I finally talked to him. All of the flights were cancelled or delayed leaving out of our airport, so by then it was pretty pointless for him to come out, since I was coming home the next day anyway.

So BF never came. It was okay, it wasn't the end of the world. I was still going to Disney.

Yeah, so anyway, my flight was delayed until 10:30. Which, considering I'd been at the airport since 5:00, was no fun. Plus, the whole time, I was thinking I was going to miss the 3:00 parade, since this put me behind schedule.

When we finally did take off, the flight went by pretty fast, and we were in Orlando by 12:30, which is about twenty minutes faster then usaul.

Me being me, knew exactly where to go for DME. Even though I'd entered my flight info online, they apparently didn't have it. But I had my departure info with me, so the CM entered it into the computer there.

I got on a bus right away, but then there was awhile to wait, since I was one of the first ones on the bus, and they waited for it to fill up before leaving the airport. Understandable of course, since why would they leave with a half empty bus. And it wasn't really that long a wait, maybe fifteen minutes. We were on our way to All Stars, less then half an hour after landing, I consider that good timing.

This was the third time I was using DME, but this was the first time I saw the video of Mickey and everyone using DME, and then going to the resort. Even though I know exactly what to do when checking-in and all that I paid very close attention to the video, mostly because I thought it was cute.

When I got to All Star Movies, I was the first one off the bus, and was first in line to check in. Check-in went very fast. The CM also saw that I had it was my birthday during my trip noted on my reservation, asked me when it was, and who my favorite character is, but nothing ever happened.

I had requested a room in 101 Dalmations, Toy Story, or Mighty Ducks, due to their locations, and had recieved a reply saying that Toy Story and 101 Dalmations were now preferred rooms, and they put in a request for Mighty Ducks, (I figured I could walk to the closed bus stop at AS Music from there.) I was plesantly suprised when I recieved a room in 101 Dalmations. Room 3908 the only way I would of been closer to the main building is if I'd been in room 3910. So I was very pleased with my room assignment.

 

[Jubilee]

I don't think you're nuts at all... if I wasn't married/a mom, I would go to Disney alone if I couldn't find anyone fun enough to come

Have a blast and KUP!

*eta* can't wait to hear more

 

[disneyfav4ever]

Day One - All Star Movies

I loved the theming of my room. I'm a big fan of dogs. I had a room in the Lady and the Tramp building for my last trip, so apparently, I've had luck getting the rooms I've requested. There were lots of cute little touches to the room to make it special.

I unpacked. Wierd thing is, when I was at Disney for twelve days in December, I never bothered to unpack, and lived out of my suitcase. Now I was here for four days, and it's the first thing I do. I confuse my self sometimes, LOL.

As I was unpacking, I realized I had forgotten to pack a toothbrush, so I headed down to the gift shop to get one.

At the gift shop, I got a toothbrush, then at the register, I decided I had to get a Pal Mickey. It was, is, so cute. And I was just playing with it again this morning. I am entertained way too easily. I love the one game, This Isn't Here.

Anyway, I also stopped in the food court to pick up a refillable mug. I had debated buying one this trip, since I only had a few days. But, I've bought one every trip, and wanted one for this resort. I did end up getting my money's worth, since I drank at least two sodas a day. It just wasn't a great a value as having twelve days, and being able to get a few dozen sodas.

So, instead of spending $2.50 on the toothbrush I went down for, I ended up spending more then $80. Whatever, it's Disney, and I'm on vacation. I just won't go pin crazy.

After I'd dropped everything off in my room, and got Mickey out of his box, I headed to Magic Kingdom with Mickey in tow.

Magic Kingdom

When I got to MK it was ten of 4:00. I had dinner at 4:30, so not a lot of time to dwadle around. I was able to get in using just my Pirate and Princess Party ticket, even though I did have my AP with me.

My first stop was City Hall to get a birthday button. I then went to the Expo Hall, where Tony's Town Square is, to see if they had the Princess and Pirate Party pins out for sale yet. The lady told me 7:30, so I decided just to get back there before I left the park.

I then started to head over to Liberty Tree Tavern, walking through Adventure and Frontierland. Just as I was walking into Adventureland, Rafiki, Timon, and King Louie all came out, so I was able to get pictures with all of them.

I arrived at LTT at 4:15, even though my ADR wasn't until 4:30. I was seated immediatly. Since, the only thing I had eaten that day was a McDonald's breakfast, I was pretty hungry.

I had a great meal, (my full reviews are on the restaurant reviews board,) and was able to see Minnie, Goofy, Pluto, Chip, and Dale. (Who, btw, my dad, does not know how to tell apart. What a moron, LOL.)

I ate quickly, and was back out in the park a little after 5:00. Since I still had about two hours before the party started, I headed over to Fantasyland, which is my favorite "land" in MK.

The first attraction I saw, was Mickey's Phillarmagic, which is my favorite MK attraction. I see it mutiple times every trip.

There was a 5:40 showing of Dream Along with Mickey, which I saw the first few minutes of, but it was then cancelled. But, I did get to see the characters with their new moving faces. They are wonderful.

So I walked back into Adventureland, since I wanted to ride Pirates, and, lucky me, there was no wait.

After riding Pirates, which I love even more since they added Captain Jack Sparrow to it, I ended up in the gift shop. (Whoever had the idea to put a gift shop at the end of every ride is a genius.) I saw the coolest Pirate-Princess earrings, with all this dangly things. I love earrings with dangly things! I end up with at least one pair of new earrings every time I go to Disney.

I went into the bathroom to switch my earrings, since it only made sense to wear my new Pirate-Princess earrings for the Pirate and Princess Party. Then, I walked through gift shops on Main Street, since it was getting closer to time for Wishes, and I wanted to have a good viewing location.

I had a great view of Wishes, and was finally able to get a few good pictures of the fireworks. Apparently, the regular setting on my camera, is better at taking pictures of fireworks then the fireworks setting on my camera. WTH?

As soon as Wishes ended, I walked quickly to Aloha Isle, to get in line to see Sparrow. I had watched Wishes from right near Crystal Palace, which was a good idea, since every one else seemed to know to head there too.

A lot of people were getting in line, and a lot of people were suprised to see how long, and how fast, the line grew. Everyone had to see Sparrow.

They did start letting people in at 7:00 though instead of 7:30, which I thought was nice, since the party hadn't officially started yet. They were also checking everyone's wristbands. Twice. Once when you got in line, and once when you got in the room with the jungle.

Even though I had gotten in line quickly, and had been halfway through the room right away, it was a slow moving line. But, it wasn't too bad, since I only had a wait of about twenty minutes, during which the park was technically closed.

Jack was so great! He asked me if I'd ridden Pirates, which I was able to say yes to, and he asked me what my favorite part was, and I said him. Then, and I swear this was one of the greatest moments of my life, he said I was smart, and that he loved me. Okay, he said "I love this girl," but, he did say loved me. Yeah, that didn't go straight to my head. It's a good thing BF wasn't there, since he would've ended up hearing about it all night.

Unfortunatly, the picture on my camera didn't turn out so great, but the Photo Pass pictures did, so now I'm going to order the cd. (So I'm not even in Disney, and I'm still spending $100+ on vacation souviners.)

After seeing Jack it was then 7:30 and the party had officially started!

 

[disneyfav4ever]

Pirate and Princess Party

Since I was able to see Sparrow, my main priority for the night, before the party even started, I decided it probably wouldn't take me the entire night to see all the characters I wanted.

I had previously decided to skip all the treasure-loot spots, since I thought they'd just be a waste of time. But, I was at the one right in Adventureland after seeing Sparrow, and seeing there was almost no line, and the line that was there, moving quickly, I went for it. I got a string of black beads.

Okay, if all the lines were this non-existent or fast moving, I was going to take advantage of them.

I walked toward Liberty Square, to see if I could find Pocahontas, or any of the characters from that movie. I stopped at another treasure spot along the way, and got some candy this time. Good candy too, Hershey's kisses and nuggets, and Nestle treasures. Also, some generic gold coins. So the candy went well with the themeing.

Pocahontas's greeting spot was easy enough to find, since I knew where to look. She, and John Smith were behind the Christmas shop. I hadn't met either of them before, so I was excited to see them.

I then walked back to Adventureland to see if I could find Jasmine. I walked right up to the camel, (who was being completely ignored by everyone else,) and got a picture with her. I did see Jasmine, with Aladdin, but they had a long line, so I skipped them, since they're so easy to find on regular park days. I also saw pirate Goofy and Pluto, but skipped them too, again, due to long lines.

It was a little after 8:00 then, and I didn't want to not have a good spot for the parade, so I got a drink, found a spot, and called my parents, while waiting for the parade to start.

Unlike the MNSSHP and MVMCP parades, which are always crowded, there was almost no one else near me. I think there were three other families within fifty feet of me. Honestly there was almost no one there. I did watch from Liberty Square, I'm sure Main Street had some small crowds.

The parade was very good, better then they day parade. I liked the music, and loved all of the floats, especially the pirates and Tinker Bell one. I thought the pirates part was excellant, though the princess part seemd recycled from previous parades.

As soon as the parade ended I head straight to Fantasyland, hoping I could get into a shorter line for Ariel when the parade was still going down Main Street. My stragedy didn't work too well, I still had to wait half an hour, but it was worth it since I got to meet Eric as well.

By then, it was after 9:00, and I wanted a good spot for the fireworks. Knowing that there'd be special effects on the castle, I sat right near the Mickey and Walt statue, so I'd have a great view of them.

What fantastic fireworks! I really liked the "make it pink, make it blue," part, but I especially loved when the pirates took over the castle. Quite a finale as well. It was more loud and show-stopping then Wishes.

After the fireworks, I went back to Fantasyland to try and find Lady Tremaine, the step-sisters, and Belle, all of who a CM said would be out after the fireworks. I stayed in the area for awhile, going between the castle, and Pooh's Playful Spot, before giving up, and heading to Toon Town. There were other characters I wanted to see.

I went through Minnie's House, to get to the treasure spot there, and then through Mickey's House, so I could see pirate Mickey, who, just as I got in line, went on a break, so I had about a ten minute wait before I saw him.

Then a spent awhile at the Toon Town Hall of Fame, going to two of the three rooms. I saw Minnie and Daisy dressed as princesses, and Aurora and Phillip in one room, and in the second room I went to, I saw Snow White and her prince, (who really needs a name,) and Dopey, (who'd I never been able to get an autograph from before.) I would've gone in the third room, which was Cinderella's, but the line seemed considerably longer then the other two, and I knew I'd see her and the mice the next day, so I skipped it.

I was going to try and make it to the end of the party, but after being up since 3:00 AM that morning, knew I should go while I was still awake enough to walk. So I walked back to Main Street, going through Tomorrowland, stopping at Exposition Hall to get pins. I ended up purchasing each one of the party pins, except for the jumbo one.

I made it back to All Star Movies, and was in my room at 12:06 AM, and realized that it was, technically my birthday, which had started six minutes ago. I set my alarm for 5:30, (I don't sleep-in while at Disney,) and fell asleep immediatly.

 

[OhMari]

Bumped and got you moved. Looking forward to reading the rest.

 

[disneyfav4ever]

Bumped and got you moved. Looking forward to reading the rest.

Thank you.

 

[tubachick]

You have made me excited about our upcoming trip and our & party!!!

Thanks!!


and I look forward to reading more!!!!

 

[disneyfav4ever]

Day Two

My alarm went off at 5:30. I reset it for 6:00, and fell back asleep. At 6:00 it went off again, I reset it again, this time for 6:30, and fell back asleep. At 6:30 when it went off, I argued with myself to get up, and didn't uctually get up-up until close to 7:00.

I got ready quickly, and made it down to the food court for a diet coke. Ahh, caffiene, that's what I needed.

By 8:00, when I made it down to the buses, I was myslef again, and ready to take on Animal Kingdom. Of course, I was at the park half an hour early, like I always am, so had awhile to wait.

When AK did open, I was able to see the opening show, which I'd never seen before. MK has the best opening in my opinion, though AK's is cute. Though some guy jumped in front of me when I was taking a picture.

Most of the crowd, which at that time, wasn't really a crowd, headed for EE. I rode EE once last trip, (in Dec,) and while I liked it, I didn't feel like a thrill ride this morning, so I headed over to Africa to ride Kilamanjaro Safari.

I was able to get on the first safari vehicle, well second, since the "family of the day" had the first one all to themselves, (I hope sooner or later I have a Magical Moment, or win one of the Dream Fast Passes or something, (though what I want the most would be the night in Cinderella Castle.)

I think this was the best safari I've ever been on. A lot of animals were out, and since I was on the end of the row, I was able to get some great shots. I remember seeing; zebra, giraffe, elephants, the lions, warthog, hippo, rhino, those little deer animal, (impala?) gators, and flamingos, off the top of my head. The baby elephant were so cute! (I'll post pics later.)

After the safari was over it was 9:30. There was a showing of Festival of the Lion King at 9:40, and I was determined to make it. I think it helps that I no longer need a map, and know exactly where everythings located. The theater, was pretty empty. There were people spread out all over the four sections, but everyone could of easily fit in one section, and still had plenty of room. I should have sat in the giraffe section, since, out of the five times I've seen FOTLK that's the only section I've never been in, but I ended up sitting it the warthog section.

I sat next to a couple of older ladies, who asked me if I'd ever seen the show before, and I said it was one of my favorites. They agreed with me before the end of Hakuna Matata.

After FOTLK let out, I went to see who was on the Camp Minnie-Mickey character trails. I went to see Minnie, who had basically no line, and got a picture with her. Unfortunatly I think a lot of people had the same idea as me, and went to see characters right after the show, so all the characters got longer lines right then, Mickey, Donald, and Goofy, so I skipped them.

 

[Tinkerbell's Mom]

I am loving your trip report, but upset for you that dbf was unable to join you, as I'm sure that would have made your birthday ever so slightly better, but hey being in Disney is still a wonderful birthday!! Like you, my dbf just does NOT get my obsession with Disney . . . so this year I'm leaving his butt home!

 

[disneyfav4ever]

I am loving your trip report, but upset for you that dbf was unable to join you, as I'm sure that would have made your birthday ever so slightly better, but hey being in Disney is still a wonderful birthday!! Like you, my dbf just does NOT get my obsession with Disney . . . so this year I'm leaving his butt home!

It was originally going to be a solo trip anyway. I missed BF while I was gone, but I did do a lot of things he would've not been to happy with. He definatly has his Disney (princess) limits, and since I had made plans to my liking, he probably would of gone crazy after a day or two.

The first day, he would of eaten dinner, put up with the characters, for my sake only, and enjoyed the fireworks, and maybe the parade at the Pirate and Princess Party.

The second day, he would of been all right with everything at Animal Kingdom, I think, since it's live entertainment. MK he wouldn't really like that much. Or so he says. I think he'd enjoy it more then he realizes. Especially since I would of made sure to do more boyish things.

Epcot, he would of liked, (except for the princess breakfast, well, maybe Jasmine, LOL,) and MGM he would've liked, and I could of done more boyish things there too had he been with me. Since the two things I had to see were Beauty and the Beast and the Little Mermaid.

So, it would have been nice to have him there. But, I would've missed a lot of my favorites, to see more things I think would've been to his liking.

 

[disneyfav4ever]

Day Two - Animal Kingdom Continued

It was after 10:00, almost 10:30. Nemo was showing at 11:30, and I wanted, (knowing how mobbed that show can become,) to be in line no later then 11:00.

It was then, that I realized I hadn't eaten yet today, and I was getting a little hungry. So I decided to stop at Flame Tree BBQ, since I knew that was on the way to Nemo, (I was walking from Camp Minnie-Mickey to Dinoland.)

So I got there at about 10:20. It was closed. I looked at my times guide, which, even though I don't bother with a park map, I still heavily use the times guide. I think the opposite is true of most people, they rely on the maps, and don't really bother with the times guide.

Of course, since it was 10:20, Flame Tree didn't open until 10:30. Whatever, I'm sure there's something I could do in the area. Oh! Pooh Bear, Eeyore, and Tigger are greeting right near by, and I'd never seen them in AK before, since I've always just bothered with them at Crystal Palace.

So, I was able to see the three of them in about fifteen minutes, they had just gone for a "honey break," when I got down there and when I got back up, Flame Tree was open.

I didn't want a meal. I wasn't that hungry. So, I got fries. Oridinary, boring, plain fries. And there were birds. Birds that wanted my fries. Birds that were not going to get my fries.

Of course, these two kids, (who weren't that young,) had decided to feed the birds, and the birds must of thought that I'd do the same. Um, yeah, no way birds, these are my fries. I had a stare-down with one of the birds, they were not getting the point.

So, that lasted another ten minutes, before I finally was done eating, praised myself for protecting my fries, and headed on my way to Nemo.

I got in line right at 11:00, so was right on time according to my schedule. They guy at the podium thing kept on making announcements that there would be no saving seats inside the theater, and of course, seats became an issue.

I like to sit in the center, above the ramp. Apparently, so do a lot of other people. As much as they, (the CMs,) were telling people not to save seats, you think they could of managed to tell people to move all the way down a row.

I was able to get a seat right where I like being, and the end of the row. There was a small space in the row in front of me. A lady sat down, and a guy, (who I'm assuming was her DH,) was left standing in the aisle. He made some smart comment about standing, and the lady said, well I thought this guy, (guy next to her,) would move over some. So they got huffy and left. She never even asked the guy to move!

So, a few minutes later, another couple comes up. This time they ask the guy to move down some. (I'm all for first come - first serve, but this guy had plenty of room to move down a little, and obviously, there were lots of people looking for seats.) So now, the guy gets huffy, and moves like an inch. Which I thought was rude, since it seems like he was just moving a very very small amount just to say he did.

So this couple, sat down, and squeezed togther, and just fit in the space.

I don't know who should be more annoyed at who, but luckily, the show's about to start, and I have better things to pay attention to.

 

[disneyfav4ever]

Day Two

After Nemo, which I still love, I was ready to leave AK. Okay, I wasn't really "ready" ready, but I had to get to MK before 4:00 to make my dinner reservation, and I wanted to see the 3:00 parade, (what time is that, LOL,) since I hadn't seen it the day before.

Four days is not a long enough trip!

I made it to MK in less then an hour after Nemo ended, which I considered good timing, since I had to get a bus from AK to the TTC instead of straight to MK, but then I got to ride the monorail, which I thought I wouldn't be doing this trip, so I was happy about that.

I was hungry again. Apparently those fries I'd had a couple hours ago didn't hold me over for very long. So, knowing my snack options, I decided I wanted one of my favorite MK snacks, Figaro fries, (my other favorite MK snack being Dole whips.)

Instead of walking to Fantasyland, I took the train from Main Street to Toon Town Fair, so I could also check on the characters at the Hall of Fame. There was no one I really needed to see there. I did consider going into the princess room, but since I knew I'd be having a princess breakfast the next day, and seeing Cinderella tonight, I decided to save myself the hour wait that was listed, and instead, go and get my fries.

I walked to Fantasyland, and headed straight to Pinocchio Village Haus, which, was pretty much mobbed at the time. (Note to self - always eat at non-meal times.) I got my fries, which the lady screwed up. I said I wanted no lettuce or tomatoes, and I got that, except she forgot the sauce, (which I think is ranch,) too.

After that I had to find a table, which since it had started raining, did not seem possible. But, I saw that they were letting people go upstairs, (I didn't even know they had second-level seating at Pinocchio's, I thought the only MK CS with that was CHH.) And there were a few empty tables up there, so I was able to get a seat.

A lot of people seemed to figure that out at the same time that there were tables upstairs, as it quickly filled up. Stupidly, I had forgotten to grab a fork, and Figaro fries really require one.

After eating, it had gone from raining to pouring, and made it to Liberty Square going under buildings, and through shops. I thought about buying a poncho, but for $7 decided not to. Disney knows how to make money, charging $7 for a piece of plastic.

I wanted to be indoors, and Hall of Presidents was right there, and starting in like two minutes. I'd never seen it before, and it's always been on my list of to-do attractions, since I want to see every attraction at least once. (That list is now down to two or three things in each park.)

I understood what this was before I saw it, a run down of all the presidents, and a couple of them made speeches. I found it rather boring. I'm not un-patriotic or anything, and celebrate Memorial Day and the 4th and everything, but this was a big yawn, and probably not something I'll see again. But, now I can say I've seen it, and, I stayed dry during it.

The rain had let up a little bit, but not really. I walked through a few shops, and then it started pouring again. Worse then before. Luckily, I was in the Christmas shop when it was really bad, and had plenty to look at, especially since I want to do an all Disney tree this year. There is just too much I want from this shop. They now have cat and dog ornament sets, I'm going to need both of those, but didn't buy either. I also want like all the other storybook sets, another princess set, a set with all the park icons, some balls / bells in the shape of Mickey, and a bunch of other ornaments that all have a small Mickey icon. Lots and lots of ornaments I want.

Even after going through that whole shop, twice, I still had enough time to go through all my pictures, and change the batteries in my camera before the rain let up enough for me to feel like walking outside again.

I walked by a produce market, which is the best way to describe it, and bananas cost a dollar. Who pays $1 for a banana? That is such a rip off. Like the ponchos. Disney does know how to make money. As a stockholder, that should make me really happy.

 

[Tinkerbell's Mom]

Day Two



The rain had let up a little bit, but not really. I walked through a few shops, and then it started pouring again. Worse then before. Luckily, I was in the Christmas shop when it was really bad, and had plenty to look at, especially since I want to do an all Disney tree this year. There is just too much I want from this shop. They now have cat and dog ornament sets, I'm going to need both of those, but didn't buy either. I also want like all the other storybook sets, another princess set, a set with all the park icons, some balls / bells in the shape of Mickey, and a bunch of other ornaments that all have a small Mickey icon. Lots and lots of ornaments I want.

I was able to do my first ALL Disney tree this past Christmas, it was great, I loved it, I'd still like to add a few more ornaments, but now I need decorations to put out to compliment it.

 

[disneyfav4ever]

I was able to do my first ALL Disney tree this past Christmas, it was great, I loved it, I'd still like to add a few more ornaments, but now I need decorations to put out to compliment it.

Luckily I have another trip before Christmas, so I'll probably be getting some more ornaments then.

 

[disneyfav4ever]

Day Two

It was of course, still raining, but it had slowed down. I walked back to Fantasyland, and still had my Pal Mickey with me. He'd been going off all day, and I'd been listening to his jokes.

I'd been in Fantasyland mutiple times though now with him, and he felt the need, bless his heart, to repeat the same jokes as every other time when we walked past certain attractions.

In particular, there was one Pinocchio joke he liked to repeat over and over and over. So, for the duration of my time in Fantasyland, he was shut off. Which luckily can be done. Apparently there's only so many jokes I can take.

His jokes are cute, for so long though. And not after the tenth time I've heard it. Though, at the same time I enjoyed playing his game. Mainly because I kept playing This Isn't Here, and he kept telling me how smart I am for knowing It's a Small World, is not in Epcot.

Since I was back in Fantasyland, and it was apparent that the parade had been cancelled, unless I was completely out of it, I went to see Mickey's Phillarmagic. Which, if I haven't mentioned before, is my favorite MK attraction, and I see it mutiple times each trip. Usually at least once each day I'm at MK.

I didn't really do anything for the next hour. It was after 3:00 then, and I had a 4:10 ADR at Cinderella's Royal Table. And, since I was already in Fantasyland, I didn't want to go to the other side of the park for any attractions. All of the Fantasyland attractions had waits of more the thirty minutes, and I didn't want to wait that long for anything, especially since I didn't want to be stuck in a line when my ADR time came around.

I spent some time in the shops in Fantasyland, quite a bit in Tinker Bell's Treasures, which I've decided is one of my favorite MK stores. They have this My Disney dolls, that look to be about the same size as the American Girl dolls. I considred buying a couple of the outifits, since I have American Girl dolls, and then could dress them up like princesses, but decided against it, since I wasn't 100% sure they would fit, and knew I'd end up spending at least $100 on them.

I did but some pretty princess note paper and gel pens though. Not that I need gel pens, I have dozens laying around the house from when I was in school, and that was all me and my friends were using. But these were pretty princess ones, that have purple and pink ink. Who could resist them? And the note paper is so pretty too, with like 24 differet designs. I think there's like four sheets of each design. And some official Disney princess cards, for when I send out notes.

See, this is why I shouldn't be allowed to shop.

There was a showing of Let's Have a Ball at 3:50, which I was going to watch, and try to get some better pictures then the last time I had seen it. But of course, that's when my camera's batteries died, so I didn't bother.

 

[disneyfav4ever]

Day Two - Dinner at Cinderella's Royal Table

I had booked the castle for dinner since it was my birthday. I had gotten an ADR 180 days out, (actually 181 because of the 180 + 10 rule,) for this specific date, since this was my actual birthday. I am pleased to say, I wasn't dissapointed.

The CM at the check-in counter was a little snappy, and I though oh-no, fearing that was a bad sign, but that was the only ill-tempered encounter all night. Somehow, the people behind me to check-in didn't have an ADR, but they were able to get in, even with the snappy check-in man.

I had my picture taken with Cinderella, who was acting like a true princess, and just like Cinderella should, and then immediatly got to go upstairs. I got a wand since it was my birthday, and my table was decorated with confetti. I ended up at a table by the window with a great view of Fantasyland.

Since I've already posted a full review of my dinner on the Dining Reviews board, I'll just put a quick rehashing of my meal here. I had the corn and crab soup, prime rib, and chocolate mousse cake for my meal. All of the food was good, but I've had better. Though I was mainly here for the atmosphere and the experience, which did not dissapoint.

The show with the Fairy Godmother and mice was cute, and didn't happen until dessert so it didn't interupt my meal. And when I say interupt, I mean distract me from eating, which only happens because when a character appears, my mind stops focusing on the food.

See now, if everytime I ate there were characters around I would not have to worry about my weight.

When the Fairy Godmother got around to the "Happy Celebration to You," song I recieved a small, cupcake sized, chocolate cake. Which was cute, but really not that great taste-wise. Luckily I had my actual dessert, the chocolate mousse cake. And I really wasn't that hungry then still anyway, so I could of cared less about it at that point.

After I had finished eating I realized I was not going to be able to carry around my wand and pictures with me all night. I was either going to lose the wand, (which I would of gotten over, though I wanted to keep it for sentimental reasons,) damage a.k.a. crease the pictures, or both. So, I stopped in Sir Mickey's to ask for a bag.

The cashier was kind of rude about it. She asked me if the items were paid for, and I explained that they were from the castle, and I had gotten them at dinenr. (You think the wand, with the words CRT, and the pictures would of giving that away.) But I swear, she acted like I was trying to shoplift or something.

There was a showing of Dream Along with Mickey, and since I hadn't seen it yet, I really wanted to see it this time. I got there fifteen minutes early. There were a few people spread out. I stood about twenty - thirty feet away from the castle, standing behind people who were sitting, with no one behind me. Of course, right when the show is starting, people started standing, a few, (who arrived at the last minute,) started trying to get in front of me, get their strollers in front of me, etc. It is my biggest pet peeve in the parks when people wait until the last second, and then expect me to move, when I get there more then an hour early for some events, and then get mad at me.

Of course, I hadn't arrived an hour early for Dream Along with Mickey, but after the show ended, (which was great with the new faces BTW,) it was almost 6:00, and Spectro Magic was at 7:00, so I sat down on the curb near the castle, so I could wait for the parade for an hour.

 

[disneyfav4ever]

Waiting for Spectro Magic

So I had an hour to wait after Dream Along with Mickey until Spectro Magic started. I made a few phone calls, getting in touch with my parents, etc. Then I started to people-watch.

There was a lady, a few feet down from me, saving spots with an empty stroller. She was joined at least half an hour from the start of the parade by her DH and some young kids. I don't mind parents taking kids to get a snack, instead of sitting for an hour, and they had still come back plenty ealry.

There was a family on the other side of me, with kids, who waited the entire time I did. The kids were being entertained by a CM for awhile, like a really long while, at least half an hour. The one thing I didn't get is that when the little girl rushed across the street, and the mom called her back, and she didn't come right back, the CM went to grab her. Why didn't the DM? Whatever.

About half an hour before the parade, and Main Street was starting to fill up with people, another family came by. They asked if their daughters could sit next to me, so they could be in the front. Fine by me, they were still early, and it's not like they were trying to take my spot, and there was plenty of room for the two girls, but no one else was going to fit after that.

So Main Street naturally began to get more and more crowded. Some lady pulled up a stroller right behind me. I wouldn't have minded if it had been behind me, but it was too close. Close enough that the kid's feet were touching me.

One of the little girls who'd been sitting beside me got up, and went to her parents, who were like two feet away, to tell them something or other. This was maybe ten minutes before the parade started.

Just then a mom shoved her daughter up front since a spot was "now open." The other girl's sister, said to her, "that's my sister's spot, she's coming right back." So the girl goes back to her DM. Who then says, can't you move and let the children sit in the front.

Um, no. I've been here for an hour. DM tells her daughter she could squeeze in between me and the two other girl's, (the girl had come back, was talking to her parents for maybe two minutes.) There was like maybe six inches between me and the girls, and she was not going to fit, and I was next to a pole, so there was going to be no moving down on my side.

Okay, at this point I had my purse on my lap, and I had the bag with my pictures on my side. The bag was upright and took about 1 cm of space. Of course the lady figured if I had room for that, her daughter should fit. Whatever, she isn't going to fit.

Every time I see Spectro it's always crowded. But I always go and get a spot early, at times more then an hour early. If you want to do attractions instead of wait, fine, but don't expect me to move, because I forfieted attraction time to get a good spot. So of course, the kid ended up having to stand, behind me, and the lady with the too close stroller.

The parade itself was great, except the batteries in my camera died near the end, when the Fantasia float was passing. So I couldn't get any pictures of the last float, and I never seem to get any decent pictures of that one.

After Spectro I decided to go and have my CRT pictures added to my Photo Pass card. I went to where they do the Photo Pass, and the CM there was very rude. He said hadn't he already helped me, and why was I coming back since I was already helped? This was the first time I'd been in the Expo Hall all day, (I would say all trip, but I did buy some pins there the night before.)

So my MK night ended with a rude CM. I went back to AS Movies instead of staying to see Wishes. I was kind of hungry again, (the portions at CRT are small,) and wanted a snack, so I had a chicken quesadilla and diet coke, and spent the rest of the evening watching tv in my room.

 

[disneyfav4ever]

So I haven't worked on my TR for awhile, I've been pretty busy for the last couple of weeks. I had family visiting. . . I'm still trying to decide if that was a good or bad thing, am not so sure sometimes. LOL. And my hours at work have increased, also not so sure if that's a good or bad thing, but more work does mean more money, and I've completely paid off the last of my trip. Now I just need to pay off my upcoming Sep trip.

Anyway, so I should have time to work, maybe finish, (keeping my fingers crossed here,) this TR, and my still unfinished Dec TR. I think I may definatly be able to finish this one, since I only have two more days to write about. So here goes. . .

Day Three - Epcot

I woke up too early this morning at 5:30, and Epcot didn't open until 9:00. I got dressed, and watched bits and pieces of the news, got bored with the news, and put it on the Disney top seven, which hadn't changed from Dec, and I already knew what the top seven were.

At 6:30, I went down to the food court to get a diet Coke. I drank most of it there, then refilled, (I can't believe I even had to think about buying a mug, I use them so much, it is a really great deal for me,) then went back to my room.

I went down to the bus stations before 8:00, and an Epcot bus came right away. Some guy said he could tell it was the Epcot bus as soon as it pulled in, since that is the only bus that doesn't have a huge name. He's right I mean, they don't abbreviate anything on those letter-boards on the buses, and Epcot is only five letters, where some use more words then that.

Anyway, I was at Epcot before 8:30, and walked over to an empty turnstile, where there was only one other family, since everyone else there was basically making a mob scene at the three turnstiles where there were already lines.

It was a nice family there. Apparently it was their first time at Disney. A couple, and there two kids. They seemed to have a pretty good idea of what they were doing, though they were asking my opinions on rides, which I of course was happy to give. Anyway, that family was chosen to "open" the park that day, and had a private audience with Mickey, Minnie, Goofy, Chip, Dale, Pluto, and Mary Poppins, all in their Year of a Million Dreams gear, (well, not Mary.) I would of liked a group picture like that, (though Mary would of seen slightly out of place with the rest of that group,) but I was happy for them.

I was still wearing my birthday button and pins, and they were still getting attention. I didn't feel bad or guilty about continuing to wear them since this whole trip was for my birthday, and it was only the day after.

When Epcot opened I went to Soarin right away, and was able to get on the first ride of the day. Soarin is my favorite attraction at Epcot, and one of my favorites in the whole World. I would of gotten a FP for another ride, but the FPs were already for 9:45, and I had breakfast at 10:10, so that would have been cutting it too close for me.

After Soarin I walked to Character Connection, and none of the characters had any lines. I saw everyone that had been out opening before except that Mary Poppins was no longer with them.

I had some time before my ADR, so I stopped at Mouse Gears before making my way over to Norway.

 

[KatGarcia]

Great TR! I constantly contemplate taking a long weekend solo trip since DH cant always get off work... but it always seems to fall thru. How long do u think is a good minimum to at least get a good portion of stuff done? Looking fwd to the rest!