Day 2, really Day #1...it was originally supposed to be the first day of our trip...and the day our park tickets and meal plan started. So, we'll go with Day #1, December 7, 2008.
We got up around 6am...after 10 hours of sleep!!! Apparently, we had been a little tired from waking up so early the day before and from the start of all that walking. We were all showered and out of the room by 6:45am, to check out, send our big bags with bell services and transfer to the Grand Floridian. It was my decision to stop and take some pictures on the way out...mistake #1, of the morning. When we were done, we strolled over to the bus stop...as a bus was just pulling away...to wait for the MK bus. I was really sad to leave POR...I said to the family "I really hope that the GF lives up to POR...I'm really going to miss it here." Little did we know what was coming. Also, little did we know that we should have caught that first bus...the next bus did not come for 45 minutes!!!
Just as I called in to report that we had been waiting for as long as we had, the bus came. We knew we would be taking busses this week...but, not nearly as many as if we stayed at POR...I would have been furious with wait times like that all week. Once on the bus, we had to travel aaaaaaaall the way around POR to the other depots. It was now 7:40am...so, much for trying to get an early start.
Once we got to MK we transferred to the monorail...of course, the wrong one. We got on the express monorail (mistake #2.) As it took off, I thought "great the GF is the first stop." Well, we sailed right through!!!
Once, I realized what we had done...we got off at the TTC and ran around to the right one. which then took us back in the same direction. By now the whole family is laughing at the "know it all"...me...because they think I am the expert...and I literally had us going around in circles!!!
So, we FINALLY get off at the GF. We went to check in...and all started to go smoothly. I always hold me breath when we check in...thinking "please say...oh yes, we have you right here." And that is exactly what they said. Phew!!!
The CM proceeds to give me our folder and gets our cards ready...all is right...the tickets, the meal plan...the dates of our stay. Then she says..."You can go right over to your building...breakfast has just started." I said "breakfast?!?" "Which building would that be?!?" She says "The Sugarloaf building"....with a big smile. I know from all of my experience and knowledge from these boards that that building is concierge level only!!!
I am just about to explode with joy...my family wondering, what in the world is she so excited about. I collect the rest of our things, turn around...trying to stay calm...and say "Let's walk outside..." We needed to check our carry on bags with GF bell services. As we pass all the CMs on the way out, we are greeted with "Good morning" "Hello, princesses" My girls really did feel like princess!!! As we make our way to bell services...I turn to my family and say "WE'VE BEEN UPGRADED!!!" They of course, do not know what that means exactly but, I do and I can't believe that this trip could already be this GRAND!!!
It didn't take long to get over leaving POR and become hooked on the GF!!!
We did not go right over to the SugarLoaf building or take many picture that morning...we were trying to get to MK for ropedrop. We started our first day there, last year...I wanted to keep with tradition. However, our plan this year was a little different. Instead of running in crazy, to get on a ride, with the rest of the stampede...like we did last year. Our plan this year was to stroll in, take our time...take it all in and go to the bakery on Main St, for breakfast. It was a great decision.
I love this picture of the girls...waiting for the morning show to start. It was nice to take things slower, this year. I think we missed alot last year by rushing to get everything in. This year, I wanted to take it all in. So, glad...outside MK is beautiful...all the pointsettas and garland. When we got in line last year, we tried to get as close to the gate as we could. We weren't aware that there is a morning show...we didn't miss it. But, we couldn't see very well and I didn't think to take any pictures. This year, another goal was to be right up at the wall and to of course, TAKE LOTS OF PICTURES. So, that is exactly what we did...we got right up to wall, had a great view and took tons of pictures. I loved this show...makes the rope drop even more exciting. A woman comes out and makes an announcement, then some CMs come out and start singing...I thought "oh how sweet...isn't this nice." Then the train whistle blows and the train pulls into the station, with all the characters. They get out and start singing and dancing...makes things even MORE exciting. My 11yoDD loves trains...so, I was excited that she was excited. Definately don't want to miss the morning show!!!
I couldn't believe how great some of these pictures came out...it was hard to see the camera screen in the sun. Once, I put them on the computer I realized how great they came out. It paid off to be at the wall during the show.
As the show comes to an end, a family that is picked ahead of time comes out with Mickey and they all shoot pixie dust all over everyone. The girls were so excited to catch some pixie dust...the silver, square, sparkly things are the pixie dust...I was shocked that I got that picture. I just kept snapping pictures...and was pretty excited to get that one.
This year we strolled in and let everyone make a mad dash by us. We took lots more pictures...surprize, surprize...and headed for the Main St. Bakery. We were some of the first people in line. By the time we got to the counter, the line was out the door. We all got great breakfast...our first meal plan meals. I got the French Toast loaf, 11yoDD got a ham and cheese croissant...those were our favorites of that meal. As we were finishing up, we headed outside for the Main St parade. We had a video when my older two were little of
Disneyland...the song "Walking Right Down the Middle of Main St., USA" is in it. They used to sing it all the time...last year we didn't even realize they did that. This year, we walked out and there it was!!! I was so excited...we didn't even plan that!
We proceeded up Main St...still not believing that we were really here. We passed the castle and headed into Liberty Square. Last year, we started with Space Mountain...big mistake. Our youngest HATED it...never thought to consider that. She was tall enough and we had an agenda. I thought she'd be scarred for life, after that experience. This year we let her pick where'd we start. She picked The Haunted Mansion. Good pick...and no line!!!
We all decided that our next ride would be Splash Mountain...we all loved that but, we weren't too excited about getting wet. It was early and a little chilly. So, we got fastpasses for that. We let our youngest pick again and she pointed at Big Thunder Mountain...and said "I want to go on that!!!" We were all a litte shocked but, before she could change her mind. We jumped on. She loved it!!! I wasn't sure if she really did or she was trying to seem "big" but, she did it and we were so excited for her. She was so proud of herself. After splash mountain, we got her a BTM pressed penny.
Our favorite ride being Splash Mountain was made even better when ended up in our own log...just the five of us. We ended up buying the picture...first purchase sent back to our room...love that!!! I'd have to scan that, to include it here...haven't gotten that far. But, I did get a picture of all of us under the sign...a CM was nice enough to hold the line back and snap it for us.
We made our over to Adventureland...stopped and got corndogs on the way. They sound so gross but, I really wish I could have a corndog, right now...they were so good!!! But, not part of the mealplan...reason #1 why we would not do the mealplan again.
We did Pirates of the Caribbean...always great!!! That attraction really makes you really feel like your at Disney...a real favorite!!!
We did the Jungle Cruise...the captain was a girl...never had a girl captain...she was HILARIOUS!!! She picked my 7yoDD to "drive" the boat...which was a huge memory for her. I don't know if all the captains say the same things or not...maybe some just say things funnier than others...but, this girl was the best!!!
We headed over the Alladin's Magic Carpet Ride...that was cute. Tried to take some aerial shots...those did not come out so well. But, it was a great view from up there.
NEXT UP: Tomorrowland, Mickey's Toontown Fair and the Disney Dreams Come True Parade...
She wore it on the plane and then to the MVMCP...under a sweatshirt of course...it was cold!!! I think she also has it on in another picture here, too!!! She loves that shirt...thank you, again!!!
I even was on the phone with a friend who was there and still didn't think to check the webcam.
Having all of you along makes this all the more enjoyable. So, thanks for joining me and hello Mom and Dad!!!
What a great start and I love all of the pictures you took, you did great!!! The girls look sooo happy to be there and I can just "hear" the excitement as you write your TR! Looking forward to some more!!
...SHE WAS STILL NOT DOING SPACE MOUNTAIN!!! We listened to her tell us all the way across the park. So, while we waited for the fastpasses to come due...we did Buzz Lightyear...that is such a fun ride...we all loved that. Just a side note...I'm the reigning 2008 family champion...not to brag or anything.
She wanted to spin faster and faster...I felt like a bad mom...I wouldn't show how to get it going REALLY fast. 
But he still loved every minute of it...so maybe a couple of more years!!
We'll see what happens next time we go.....but I don't blame your DD....it's scarey for them!! Especially being in the dark.
Looking forward to more!!
