Not Rain Nor Sleight Nor Snow Will Keep Mickey From Taking My Dough: UPDATE 01/04

[Princess.Neve]

Welcome One and All!

If a trip report filled with over 3,964 photos (not included PhotoPass), food porn, the musings of a grumpy old Scrooge, and those of a witty yet pretty Princess Cinderella is not up your alley, turn back now.

In fact, you may just want to hit that little X button on the top of your browser as I’m not sure the DIS is for you either…

Anyway, as those in show business would say, (or the presenters of that lengthy ride know as the ride with the lights in the Chinese building), on with the show!

This trip took place from December 12 through December 22. It included 10-day park hoppers, the Deluxe Disney Dining Plan, and Concierge Accommodations at the Grand Floridian. While it was originally intended to be a Christmas present, it also ended up being a sympathy gift of sorts. On December 03, 2009 I lost my baby dog Sophie, age 14, to cancer. I had raised her from a pup and she had been a loyal dog to me since 1995. Needless to say, occurring just a week before our trip, it did put a slight damper on things, but nonetheless, we pushed on.

But enough with the background already. It is time to meet the stars of our show…And yet first, we must position a placeholder of sorts for links to future individualized chapter updates. (That is if I can figure out how to post them…)

Linkage:​

And The Academy Award Goes To...
Chapter 01: If Half The Fun Is In Getting There…We Are In For a Horrid Ride

 

[Princess.Neve]

And now, as posted straight from my tried by failed PTR, due in part to a little weeny bit of laziness is the stars of the show.

Cast of Characters​

Me – DD (19)

I will be your narrator through this journey as I guide you through the Cave of Agrabah, otherwise known as a teenager’s closet, describe the fundamental uses of a dinglehopper, and finally take you back mentally to place of dreams; Walt Disney World.

A little background, you say? My favorite character is Sorcerer Mickey; my favorite movie is Aladdin; and the character I most represent is Tinkerbell. I can be the nicest person on the planet, but every fairy is allotted their occasion temper tantrum, right? But hey, at least I never made anyone walk the plank!

As you will quickly come aware, my favorite color is pink as it holds a special meaning to me personally. When not completing junior level coursework at Rice University, I am working at a Breast Cancer Center conducting research and shadowing medical physicians studying to become an oncologist. This is the first meaning of my favorite color; pink for breast cancer. The second, and more personal reason for the favoritism, comes with a bit of a back story. Let me introduce you to my baby, Sophie.

This year has been one of the hardest thus far in my life. A few months back it was discovered that Sophie, my fourteen year old Sheltie, has bladder cancer. I should mention now, that I have grown up with Sophie and have had her since she was just a pup and I was but five years old. Needless to say, there were quite a few nights spent in tears trying to come to terms with what this means for her life. The color representative of canine bladder cancer is pink, and hence it quickly took hold of my favorite color for reasons near and dear to my heart.

Before this gets too sad, as this is supposed to be a trip report of joyous occasions; I should mention that despite two major crashes, Sophie is still with us and doing well. I can tell she fighting her hardest against the disease and the light still shines bright in her eyes. I have vowed to her that every day she fights I will be by her side fighting with her and when that horrid day comes that we all must face; I will also be by her side. I will post updates on her status as they come as she is the most important thing in my life. And yes, I am tearing up as I write this.

And now on to happier topics. The next subject of our journey and my partner in crime.

DDad - (Age Unposted on Threat of Death)

His favorite character is Donald Duck and his favorite movie is National Treasure. Yes, not Disney in the typical sense, but still plastered with Disney’s name all the same. While Disney might not be his first choice of vacation destination, he will choose it every time for the bonding experience it provides and the joy of dreams coming true that only Disney can give.

And lastly, a player not participating on this particular journey.

DMom - (Age Unposted on Polite Request)

She is not a movie fan in general, and hence has no favorite character or movie. While my mother means the world to me, she is not a theme park aficionado, and hence will not be joining us this trip. She will be holding down the fort instead. And yes, I am refraining from posting an image of her on her request.

 

[Princess.Neve]

It was the morning of December 12, or more importantly, the morning our trip was set to begin. Our flight time was for 9:00AM CST which was scheduled to get into Orlando at 12:00PM. I figured this would give us plenty of time to get there and get settled before our ADR at Ragland Road at 3:00PM; little did I know just how wrong I was…

I had set my iPhone the night before for a wake up time of 5:30AM. I know I wanted to get showered and all cleaned up since we would be headed straight to DTD upon arrival and most likely our room would not be ready before then. After the morning routine of double and triple checking everything was done, I whispered a quick goodbye to Sophie, housed in a little velvet box now, and walked out the door.

The trip to the airport was anything but uneventful. It encompassed getting lost, even with a GPS navigator system mind you, nearly running out of toll money after entering and exiting the same toll road a total of three times, and a question of whether or not we would even make our flight. I should never have worried about this last problem however, as it was quickly noted that our plan was delayed because it had not even arrived from Baltimore yet! I could see my plans quickly disintegrating right before my very eyes. If looks could kill, and departure boards had any life to them at all, those bearers of bad news would be buried deep in a grave somewhere in Baltimore!

Luckily I had a camera to distract myself somewhat.

Picture 01

Let us try again; perhaps a shot where we do not look like possessed shiny zombies this time?

Much better!

Eventually, 1 HOUR later eventually, we were told our plan had arrived and the now fully packed gate erupted in cheers. Hopefully these crowd levels would not be an indicator of things to come because I guarantee to you that at least ¾ of that plane was headed to the World.

In quick fashion the flight attendants had us all locked and loaded and the plane took off a total of 1.5 HOURS late. Not the greatest of starts to this trip by any means.

The plane right luckily, was the complete opposite of the morning thus far. It was a smooth and quiet journey despite the massive amount of children onboard. No movies were shown but I had both a camera and a puzzle book full of crosswords and kriss-krosses (my favorite) to complete.

I shall leave you now with my pictures from the plane taken of course only during the period upon which select portable electronic devices were allowed. Well, and maybe a couple taken a few moments after the stowing of said items was mentioned.

Sitting on the ground waiting to take off.

Still waiting.

We're Flying! We're Flying!

All I see is a mass of white.

Starting to break up slightly.

Mickey here I come!

 

[TokyoDina]

Can't wait to read some more!

 

[MrsSpratt]

As a fellow Htown girl, please, more!

 

[OhMari]

I love it when the clouds part, and you start to see Florida.

Hope you return and update your TR.