On the 1st Day of Christmas Walt Disney Gave to Me.....Final Chapter 5/14/10!

[Mysteria]

Finished up the last report and found myself behind on this one. All caught up now. Looking forward to more!

Totally agree with your DH about roller coasters and age. My mind still loves the thrill. My body is starting to ask me wth I'm thinking.

 

[englishrose47]

Happy New Year to my Favorite ITSK!!!!

 

[karajeboo]

Finished up the last report and found myself behind on this one. All caught up now. Looking forward to more!

Totally agree with your DH about roller coasters and age. My mind still loves the thrill. My body is starting to ask me wth I'm thinking.

I remember as a kid I thought the higher, faster, loopier, the better. Not so much anymore. I never thought I'd take the chicken way out on RnR which, when you think about it, is really a mild thrill coaster (compared to some out there!).

Happy New Year to my Favorite ITSK!!!!

Well since we have our DISmom's trip in April, you know you can count on Ellen to post more ITSK!!! I'm just too hot for my own good!!!

 

[shannn]

So, I'm a little late, but I'm in!

We just got back from our Christmas stay and enjoyed our many views of the Mahi-Mahi. I thought of you many times on our trip.

It's funny because the Brown Derby was my friend's favorite restaurant this trip. I liked it okay, but it didn't blow me away. To each their own, right?

Can't wait to hear what you thought about the Osborne lights. They blew me away!

 

[karajeboo]

On the 4th day of Christmas Walt Disney gave to me....

4 Parks, one world
3 Season passes
2 1/2 hrs drive time
And a room at the Wilderness Lodge

OK, so even though we only hit three parks this trip, I needed AK for my 4th day!!!

We arrived back at Studios right at dusk and although Jeff really wanted to see Fantasmic this night - he hasn't seen it since 1998 - we had planned to catch the Osborne lights instead. No doubt we'd be back again sometime to catch Fantasmic, right?

Well, not so sure now.

Jeff's company just offered him a relocation package to go BACK to SC. Now WDW is an easy 8 hr drive from where we used to live in SC, so we could still do one week long trip, and maybe a long weekend each year, but it just won't be the same. There are so many things I will miss about our home here in Florida, that I can't even bear to think about it until it's all a done deal. Right now they are in the house negotiating part. And for us there's really no negotiating. Either the company buys our house for what we paid 2 years ago and THEY take the hit when they sell it, or we can't go.

A promotion and transfer should BETTER you and your family, not make you take a step back, so we're waiting to see how this all comes together.

But I digress.....

I was having a very tough time this trip because I just wanted to SHOP! I mean, hello? Stocking stuffers? But I couldn't escape Ally at any point this day.

Not to mention Ally had $23 that was burning a hole in her pocket. We had to tell her "no" several times to keep her from wasting her money on the first, second, and 34th things she saw!!! She just wanted to SPEND it cause she had it!

Awww, shucks, just like her mama!

We really didn't plan on riding anything at this point, just came back for the lights. So as we passed by TSM we found a place selling all kinds of holiday "beverages." Hic!

So Jeff came back with a nice hot cider for himself, spiked of course! And eggnog for me and Ally - mine with a nice little kick! So we carried our drinks over to the STreets of New York and we entered from the end, down by the Lights, Motors show.....

There were a lot of people packed in, but not so bad that we couldn't make our way up the street easily.

Right as we got there we heard an announcement that the lights would be on in 1 minute. SCORE! We had arrived at THE perfect time!

But then, IT happened! It began to SNOW in Florida!

This wasn't bubbles being blown, it was SNOW!!!! Now I knew it was a bit chilly this day, and the sky WAS overcast and grey, so.......

Then the most amazing thing of all happened....

On the 5th Day of Christmas, Walt Disney gave to me......

5 million dancing lights!!!!!

The photos cannot even begin to do justice to this - all synced to music, repeated every 10 minutes or so? So once the music and dancing ends, the lights stay on an within minutes it all starts up again. INCREDIBLE!

I will figure out my new camcorder so I can post a short video burst to give a much better idea......

Until then, HAPPY NEW YEAR everyone!!!!

 

[Must C Mickey]

WOW is all I can say!!!

Do the lights come on all at once or is it a slow progression down the street?

 

[CRdisMom]

Jeff's company just offered him a relocation package to go BACK to SC. Now WDW is an easy 8 hr drive from where we used to live in SC, so we could still do one week long trip, and maybe a long weekend each year, but it just won't be the same. There are so many things I will miss about our home here in Florida, that I can't even bear to think about it until it's all a done deal. Right now they are in the house negotiating part. And for us there's really no negotiating. Either the company buys our house for what we paid 2 years ago and THEY take the hit when they sell it, or we can't go.

Really they presented the offer??!!??? They must really want him back. Keeping my fingers crossed that they cover you.

 

[nettii]

Great update. I too LOVE the Osborne lights! Happy New year!

 

[MEK]

Your drinks at BD look so yummy. I could use one of those right about now!

Sorry you didn't love the BD. I definately don't think its worth 2TS, but I have had two very good meals there. I think its great if you are on the DxDP.

It sounds like you had a great day at HS. I love the Osbourner lights. They are so amazing when you are standing right in the middle of them!

I hope things work out to your satisfaction with your DH's job. I have never had to relocate, but I'm sure its not that fun. For someone who lives 16plus hours from WDW, 8 hrs doesn't sound THAT terrible. But, then again, its all relative!

 

[dvc4life]

Wow! Those lights look absolutely amazing. We have always been there in the fall before they were lit so we have never seen them illuminated. Thank you for the wonderful photos. We hope to be able to see them some day.

As for Jeff's job relocating back to SC, Boooooooooooo. Sorry, but you seem so happy in Florida and I couln't imagine leaving all the short little Disney trips behind. I mean, what a dream. We are even looking, very seriously, at retiring to The Villages when DH gets old enough. And that is like 5 years away. That is our dream right now, so to see you possibly leaving Florida, it is sad. But I know you have to do what you have to do for your family - that is why we are staying here until both our girls are out of high school.

So, I wish you and yours a very Happy New Year!



P.S. I have to say go Iowa State Cyclones as they are playing in the Insight Bowl Right now and are ahead! Go Cylones! I hope I don't jinx them.

 

[CRdisMom]

Don't worry those awful gophers will find a way to give you the game.

 

[katierae81]

GO BUCKEYES!!!!

 

[englishrose47]

Happy New Year Kara !!!

I started out with a major stomach bug !!!

Loved the Lights !! Maybe one day!!!

Bummer about the relocation !!!

 

[luckylady]

Enjoying your trip so far. WL is a great place to stay., An upgrade in passes and you didn't pay. SCORE! Can't wait to hear about a possiable move back to Carolina(even if it's South LOL) Are you close to the NC border because I am only 9 hours from Disney? I'm popping popcorn and waiting for more TR.

 

[karajeboo]

WOW is all I can say!!!

Do the lights come on all at once or is it a slow progression down the street?

OK, now that you ask I can't remember!!! How sad am I??? I think they came on little by little but it was pretty quick.

Really they presented the offer??!!??? They must really want him back. Keeping my fingers crossed that they cover you.

Right now they have offered to pay us what we paid for our house (which in the Florida market is HUGE!) but they want us to sell it and then they would cover the difference in the loss we would take. Jeff told them the only way we'd do it is if they buy it outright AND they need to pay us for the outdoor kitchen and room we built on back. We didn't ask them for the fence, or any indoor improvements we made, but the outdoor room was a big addition. We're waiting to hear back on that. We are actually hoping they say no so we can stay here!

Great update. I too LOVE the Osborne lights! Happy New year!

Happy New Year to you too!!!

Your drinks at BD look so yummy. I could use one of those right about now!

Sorry you didn't love the BD. I definately don't think its worth 2TS, but I have had two very good meals there. I think its great if you are on the DxDP.

It sounds like you had a great day at HS. I love the Osbourner lights. They are so amazing when you are standing right in the middle of them!

I hope things work out to your satisfaction with your DH's job. I have never had to relocate, but I'm sure its not that fun. For someone who lives 16plus hours from WDW, 8 hrs doesn't sound THAT terrible. But, then again, its all relative!

I didn't dislike HBD, I would just prefer Flying Fish or CG if I was going for a 2TS restaurant.

Wow! Those lights look absolutely amazing. We have always been there in the fall before they were lit so we have never seen them illuminated. Thank you for the wonderful photos. We hope to be able to see them some day.

As for Jeff's job relocating back to SC, Boooooooooooo. Sorry, but you seem so happy in Florida and I couln't imagine leaving all the short little Disney trips behind. I mean, what a dream. We are even looking, very seriously, at retiring to The Villages when DH gets old enough. And that is like 5 years away. That is our dream right now, so to see you possibly leaving Florida, it is sad. But I know you have to do what you have to do for your family - that is why we are staying here until both our girls are out of high school.

So, I wish you and yours a very Happy New Year!

P.S. I have to say go Iowa State Cyclones as they are playing in the Insight Bowl Right now and are ahead! Go Cylones! I hope I don't jinx them.

Funny story about the Villages..... they have the highest rate of STDs of any community in the US!!! Guess those crazy retirees think since they can't get preggo they just go wild!

Don't worry those awful gophers will find a way to give you the game.

Poor widdle Gophers.....

GO BUCKEYES!!!!

Oh yeah baby!!!! The grandaddy of em all and we ROCKED!!!!

Happy New Year Kara !!!

I started out with a major stomach bug !!!

Loved the Lights !! Maybe one day!!!

Bummer about the relocation !!!

Hate that you started out 2010 sick, Rosie!!!! Hope you're feeling better now!

Enjoying your trip so far. WL is a great place to stay., An upgrade in passes and you didn't pay. SCORE! Can't wait to hear about a possiable move back to Carolina(even if it's South LOL) Are you close to the NC border because I am only 9 hours from Disney? I'm popping popcorn and waiting for more TR.

It's the Greenville/Spartanburg area. When we drove it about 4 years ago it was 8 hrs and 45 minutes. But that was with a big stop at the Florida welcome center. We could probably make it in close to 8 hours.... if I was driving....

 

[karajeboo]

OK, here is my first attempt at posting a video..... we got this little recorder that is great for short video bursts, it's smaller than my cell phone!!!

Drumroll please..........

This is when the lights first came on......

Osborne Lights 1

This is the lights "dancing!"

Dancing Osborne Lights

 

[englishrose47]

I see I was the second view were you the first !!! Great Job Kara !!!

 

[reelmom]

The link worked great. Awesome videos.

 

[podsnel]

Hey! I just texted you back to tell you what to do, LOL!! Glad you figured it out without me- the videos are great, those lights are just amazing. Being there is the best- it left us all completely speechless and awe-filled.

 

[CRdisMom]

fantastic!