Our "Grand" Portofino" Trip of a Lifetime -August 2010 (TR Link added)

[disneybarbie]

Nice that you both got an enjoyable weekend out of it! We didn't get a chance to go on Hex. We did the new Thi3teen which I liked. My favourite was Oblivion! I don't know how I got myself on it!!

How are the wedding plans coming along?? You have got New York first!!

Wedding plans are going well.. now it's a year away (!!) we are starting to think about a lot more things.. Save the Date cards are nearly ready to go, meeting a photographer on Sunday.. and next Saturday we're taking my parents & Steve's to the venue for afternoon tea.. they've not really met each other before - I'm excited, and a little nervous!

And just making ADRs for December trip! there's so much we want to do in NYC too.. can't wait!

x

 

[Sweet Pea UK]

Wedding plans are going well.. now it's a year away (!!) we are starting to think about a lot more things.. Save the Date cards are nearly ready to go, meeting a photographer on Sunday.. and next Saturday we're taking my parents & Steve's to the venue for afternoon tea.. they've not really met each other before - I'm excited, and a little nervous!

And just making ADRs for December trip! there's so much we want to do in NYC too.. can't wait!

x

The parents meeting is always nerve wracking!!! It will be fine! Let me know how it goes. I love Afternoon Tea!!! Me and Amber have the tea booked at the GF while we are there!

Did you get your ADR's for your December trip sorted? You must go to the Magnolia Bakery while you are there - apparently they do fantastic cakes!!

 

[Sweet Pea UK]

Just to let you all know that I think I have finally finalised my ADR's!!! Had to move a few what with moving the Busch Gardens Day!!! My Dad then also decided that he would like to give California Grill a try! We had considered it but for some reason never got further than that.

I phoned yesterday but must be honest didn't expect to get in. I asked for something around 8pm as this is the Busch Gardens day and we didn't want to be worrying about rushing back for an early reservation. The telephonist offered me 7:35 and said there was nothing nearer 8pm. She then went to put it all through and the system crashed!! When she then went to get it back it was gone!!! So she got me 9pm. I was a bit worried about telling everyone we were eating at that time (it is also the night before we leave to travel up to St Augustine) but everyone said it was a really good time. We wouldn't have to rush back, we would get to see the fireworks and sit up there at night so we could see all the lights of the other hotels etc. Now there is something else to get excited about!!!

It's less than 10 weeks now!!! Out countdown paperchain is getting smaller and smaller.

We put a load of stuff on Ebay last night so that will hopefully be extra spending money - going to need it with the exchange rate at present

Its starting to get busy in the shop now - I ended up making coffee creams, caramels, marshmallows, ginger and about 3kg chocolate dipped strawberrys today - a productive day!!!

 

[klacey1]

Did you get Amber's birthday cake sorted?? You guys will absolutely love CG-- the view is just incredible. I agree with your family, too, you won't want to be rushing through Busch Gardens. You can just have a later lunch there/snacks. We've never been to the one in Tampa, but the one in Virginia actually had fabulous counter service food. I had this amazing corn bread and beef brisket-- not too unreasonably priced, either!

 

[Sweet Pea UK]

Did you get Amber's birthday cake sorted?? You guys will absolutely love CG-- the view is just incredible. I agree with your family, too, you won't want to be rushing through Busch Gardens. You can just have a later lunch there/snacks. We've never been to the one in Tampa, but the one in Virginia actually had fabulous counter service food. I had this amazing corn bread and beef brisket-- not too unreasonably priced, either!

Hi Kylie. I finally got Ambers birthday cake sorted today. Now going to post about it.

We are really looking forward to Busch Gardens - last time I went it was 2003 and I wasn't feeling particularly well that day so didn't go on much. Going to be really brave next time!!

By the way .... Did you see the queues over the weekend for the WWOHP??!!! Hope they have died down bu the time we both go in August!!!

Sara x

 

[Sweet Pea UK]

Quick round up of the week.

Been making loads of chocolates this week!! Why is it you run out of everything at once. We make 10 different sorts of fondant creams and I ran out of every centre this week!!! Typical! I have spend the whole weekend organising my area and anything that stands still I have labelled!!! I tend to work better if I am organised??!

Anyway ... More exciting things! I have finally paid for the holiday!!! Woo Hoo

Also this morning the Contemporary finally got back to me about my Custom Cake. I am now getting an 8" Mad Hatter Style cake in red velvet with cream cheese frosting filling decorated with a 2d image of Thumper and Miss Bunny! All I had to do was telephone the Contemporary Private Dining and get them to amend my order so did that today. Hopefully that is all the birthday plans put in place.

Amber has had a busy week. She has her Dancing Show on 3rd and 4th July so has been rehearsing for that. She has a Michael Jackson finale and I have to decorate a white glove with sequins, diamantes etc! Must do that tomorrow.

She has rehearsals all next weekend and then the show the week after. It was another of our markers when we were counting down to the holiday! Another clue that it is coming around so quickly!!

I'm starting to get my clothes organised now - packing for 3 weeks is not going to be easy - I would rather not have to do laundry while we are there. I have bought Amber some really sweet little outfits so hopefully will take some pictures of those tomorrow and post.

Sara xx

 

[klacey1]

Good luck to Amber at her dance show!! I would love to see pics of the MJ glove, haha
Glad you got the cake sorted-- a Mad Hatter cake will be cute! And oo, can't wait to see some of the outfits you bought for the trip for Amber! I'm with you-- I do laundry at home, I don't need to be doing it on vacay!
Are you on FB?? I think I saw you on Becky's page-- I'll friend you!
And yes, I heard the reports of WWoHP . I'm assuming that was just opening weekend stuff!! I know our lines will be a bit long, but not like that!! I plan to ride FJ once, first thing in the morning, explore the area a bit, and then enjoy the rest of the parks. I'll wait up to 2 hours for FJ since I really will only go on once-- I heard the queue is decorated amazingly! I don't want to be in that madness all day, though!

 

[flamestarrdust]

Joining in!

 

[Sweet Pea UK]

Joining in!

Hi and

 

[Sweet Pea UK]

Where does the time go - the last time I posted I promised to upload pictures of some of the outfits I had bought for Amber - now over a week has past!!

I now have them to post so will do so ...

I haven't decided yet where she is wearing any of them. I would think she will wear the purple one on her Birthday at Chef Mickeys as that is her favourite and possible the spotty blue one to the California Grill.

Mum and I finally found a pattern to make a simple sun dress for her so we are starting it tomorrow night. I got some red and white spotted material and going to tie the top with black ribbon - going for a Minnie Mouse theme. I am also going to try and get some giraffe patterned fabric to make one for Animal Kingdom.

I have had a really busy weekend. My parents were away so I was left in charge of the shop We had the disaster of the World Cup - no need to say anymore about that! goodness knows what we will do with all the England Rock that we have left over!!! Amber had her first dress rehearsal yesterday. I managed to sneak one photo of her High School Musical number which you can see below. Hope to have pictures of her other numbers after next weekend when she has the 3 official shows. I also just got a call from her Dance Teacher to say that she wants to move her up to the Age 10-12 group which I am thrilled about - seeing as she is only 8!!!

I have also managed to spend a bit of time doing some work on Photoshop and getting my binder and Ambers Journal started.

Here is the cover of the binder (My first attempt at something myself!!)

Here are the dividers - these were done for me by a selection of Disers on the Creative Disign Board (they do fantastic work over there which I am in awe of!!

Here is the cover of Ambers Journal which I am in the process of making. I am really excited about it as basically she will just need to write in answers to questions but will be a fantastic memory book of her trip. It will also focus her mind to take it all in as we fill our days.

Finally I have made us each a Journal notebook to keep in our bags to make notes throughout the day. It will help me with my scrapbooking when I get back and Amber with her Journal.

 

[Sweet Pea UK]

Jonathan is now off on a golfing trip for a few days so hopefully I will have more time to catch up on DIS stuff and make Ambers Journal. Although I don't know who will print everything - Jonathan is a signwriter so has been printing all my covers etc in Vinyl!!! I will have to make do with plain old paper!!!

That is all for now - I hope you are still enjoying reading along.

Sara x

 

[Sweet Pea UK]

I need to post an update tonight - does anybody know how I update my Title?

 

[Pooh's-Honey-Pot]

I need to post an update tonight - does anybody know how I update my Title?

You need to go into "edit" at the bottom of your first post, then go "advanced" - you can change the title from there!

 

[Sweet Pea UK]

Right ... Another couple of weeks have gone past! In fact it is only 6 weeks on Saturday until we leave!!! I can't believe it is coming around so quickly!

The last 2 weeks have gone by in a blur!!! Amber had her dancing show all weekend so leading up to that it was rehearsal after rehearsal, culminating in 3 shows Saturday and Sunday. And what a fantastic show it was. Amber did brilliant - in fact she has been moved up to the 10-12 year olds of which I am really proud - bearing in mind she is only 8.

Here are a couple of pictures of her in her costumes. Ambers little friends took them so they are not the best quality.

Amber just before we left the house:

Amber in her High School Musical Costume (minus the pom poms!!)

Amber in her JLS costume:

Amber in her finale costume - it was a Michael Jackson medley and seeing 160 students all in the sparkly jackets and gloves was really great!

As for holiday planning - it is taking pace now! I worked all the clothes out I was taking in a spreadsheet and Jonathan thought it was so good - he is now doing his like that!

I had to do a little re-jigging of the Itinerary as Amber decided that she wants to do the Pirate Cruise which departs from the Grand Floridian so I managed to book it for a morning DH, DM and DF are at golf. It must meant cancelling the Chef Mickey Breakfast but we are having dinner there so I am not too worried. We have a few other character breakfasts arranged. It will be weird with Amber and Jonathan both doing something and me being on my own!

I've had a bit of time this week so have been reading up on other peoples trip reports. It is great *** you pick up so many tips! I hope once I have been and do my trip report I can do the same for others!!

 

[disneybarbie]

can't believe it's just 6 weeks to go now for you! I can't wait to see what you think of Grand Floridian
I read a TR when they went on a Pirates Cruise (think it was 'RinkyTinkyTinky's!) and it looked like so much fun for the kids.. sure DD will love it!

oh and the High School Musical dance outfits are so cute! .. I adore the HSM movies, often listen to the soundtracks when i'm at the gym hehe

Emma x

ps - I have a spreadsheet for packing too, colour-coded and everything!

 

[Charlefours]

Hi - Thanks for stopping by - I've been really slack updating again. I have Amber off school for a week at the moment - it is half term here in the UK. She then goes back for about 7 weeks and then it will be the start of the summer holiday which is about 6 weeks long. Amber will be getting 7 this year though as we will be at Disney when the schools start back in September

You would love England - we have so much history here. We always find it amusing when we come to the US as your history is so much newer. My parents were in Savannah a few years back and went on a tour and were shown the oldest house in the town - my parents house that they live in was only a few years newer!!! We don't have very good weather here - although saying that it has been very warm and sunny today. Just never seems to last for long

I have been to France and Belgium, it truly is much different than here in the States. My DH has never been able to visit Europe so it is a big thing on our list to visit someday together.

Catching up as usual too.

Looks like you had a great time at the Alton Towers.I'm glad it went better than expected.

Brian makes wonderful cakes from what I have seen on the cake threads. I have read so many remarks from DISers who have the same issue with the initial ordering. I am glad you were able to get it sorted out.

I hope you are going to do a TR because I am really hoping to hear about all the fun things on your trip.

Great journals and binder sheets!

 

[Sweet Pea UK]

can't believe it's just 6 weeks to go now for you! I can't wait to see what you think of Grand Floridian
I read a TR when they went on a Pirates Cruise (think it was 'RinkyTinkyTinky's!) and it looked like so much fun for the kids.. sure DD will love it!

oh and the High School Musical dance outfits are so cute! .. I adore the HSM movies, often listen to the soundtracks when i'm at the gym hehe

Emma x

ps - I have a spreadsheet for packing too, colour-coded and everything!

I know - 6 weeks!! Can't believe we have been talking about it for 3 years and now we are only 6 weeks away!

I think the Pirate Cruise looks cute - I'm also looking forward to a couple of hours peace by the pool

The HSM dance was good - I really love the movies!!! I have all the music on my iPod and always try and persuade Amber to have the CD on in the car!

You are one better than me then and colour coding! I will have to give mine an overhaul! I must be honest though it really keeps your mind focussed on what you need to take. i was going to hit the Next Sale next Saturday when it starts but to be honest I've realised I don't really need anything?? how annoying is that!!!

 

[Sweet Pea UK]

I have been to France and Belgium, it truly is much different than here in the States. My DH has never been able to visit Europe so it is a big thing on our list to visit someday together.

Catching up as usual too.

Looks like you had a great time at the Alton Towers.I'm glad it went better than expected.

Brian makes wonderful cakes from what I have seen on the cake threads. I have read so many remarks from DISers who have the same issue with the initial ordering. I am glad you were able to get it sorted out.

I hope you are going to do a TR because I am really hoping to hear about all the fun things on your trip.

Great journals and binder sheets!

Hi, thanks for checking back in. I hope the cake works out fine too. I am looking forward to seeing it. I am tempted to ring again to check on it and also to see if I can pay for it before we go. I am on a mission at the moment to pay as much as I can BEFORE we go.

I will definately be doing a TR - hope to get it started as soon as I get back - I want to relive the magic!!

Alton Towers was much better than expected. It made us feel happier about the decision to go on holiday with the in-laws next year - everything went very well!

Sara x

 

[klacey1]

Sara, you're so close!! We would be, too, except we decided to push our trip back to November. I'm NOT happy about it, but we figured WWoHP would be much less crowded. Plus, it's easier for us to get time off then. Next year will definitely still be in August!! I'm excited to see all of your WWoHP pictures/reviews, though!!
Amber looked adorable in her dance outfits-- you must be so proud that she's dancing with girls 2-3 years older than her. That's amazing!! Love the MJ outfit--must have been a cool dance!

 

[Sweet Pea UK]

Oh no Kylie! I was hoping that I might bump into you in WWoHP!! Perhaps next year.

I understand your logic. The queues are starting to worry me slightly - we are hoping to get in super early - I think we can staying at a Universal hotel and rushsing straight onto FJ.

The Michael Jackson medley was cool - there were 160 of the students in jackets like that in pink, blue, gold and silver - looked amazing.

Hope to update soon as Mum has made me a couple of dresses for Amber that I wanted to post. I have cross-stiched a Minnie Mouse onto one and hope to get it finished tonight. DisneyBarbie gave me the idea!

Sara xx