Our Magical WDW Adventure ~ 23 Days of Fun, Food, Cocktails... London Trip 2/8

[ariel2007]

After we got back Mum, Dad and Sophie came to stay and I had great fun giving them their gifts
Sophie's

Mum and Dad's

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JUNE​

June was a quiet month after our amazing holiday, I guess we needed the rest. But we did go down to Mum's at the end of the month for my Grandma's Birthday. We had a big BBQ at our house and it was so much fun. We made cocktails and everyone got so merry and had such a laugh. Sorry I can't find the pictures.

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JULY​

My friend Kimmy's birthday is just before mine so we celebrated hers by going to London. My other friend Sian and I surprised her with a picnic lunch in Queens park before heading off to the Dungeons. Unfortunately the queue was huge so we went to watch Mamma Mia in Leicester Square instead, it was so good and so much fun. We had a lovely meal in La Tasca, a tapas restaurant too. A few days later Kimmy and I had a meal with 20 of our friends from work at a Mexican Restaurant, again another great night.

My birthday is at the end of the month so we celebrated by going to Mum's. We had a nice day at the moors followed by a meal at my favorite Mexican restaurant followed by cocktails. Again I can't find the photo's.

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AUGUST​

One of my other favorite months of this year.
First off was Sophie's 12th birthday. I arranged a surprise trip to Longleat for her which is a great safari park. Mum, Dad, Kate, Sophie, Honey, Grandma and Grandad, Nick and I all went and we stayed over for 2 nights in tents. It was great fun and such a great surprise for Sophie she loved it. I went all out and themed everything with safari balloons and decorations. We spent her birthday at the park which was so much fun and the safari was great. Then we had a really nice BBQ in the evening.

Our gazebo

The safari themed party table, it was so Sophie

Her cake

The baby giraffe who came to our car to wish Sophie a Happy Birthday

And the wolf

Feeding the deer was great and they are so beautiful

Since it was raining we were a bit gutted but it meant all the animals were really active and playful

Then towards the end of the month was our second big holiday, and Mum's big Birthday. It was quite an unexpected holiday as we had planned for the last year to go to New York but at the beginning of July we finally made the decision to change our plans and decided on the Smoky Mountains, and it turned out to be a perfect choice. We had an amazing time and did so many great things, coupled with amazing scenery and views, a great theme park, great food and great company. I cannot wait to go back. Here are some of our top bits, although there were far too many again to cover them all.

Treating Mum to lots of surprises

Our little traveler

Having fun with sisters

Chattanooga river lunch cruise, a great way to start the holiday

Our beautiful cabin and its amazing views

Mum's birthday, with her color-themed presents

Dressed for Dixie Stampede, it was so fun watching it in this setting

Ending with our very own Western themed party

The great Dollywood, so much fun and such a beautiful setting

Relaxing in the hot tub after a long day

 

[ariel2007]

Helicopter tour over the Smokys

Rock City, it was so beautiful there and you can see across 7 States

Sophie and I had a great time at Georgia Aquarium. It is such a great place and we did a great backstage tour that was lots of fun and very imformative.

And the others had great fun doing the City segway tour

Hard Rock on game day, so buzzing with atmosphere it was like nothing we had experienced before

Stone Mountain park, a mix of natural beauty and great attractions

The amazing lazer show, it was so packed, every single part of the lawn was packed with people as it was Labor Day. The show was great and it was a perfect way to end our final night of the holiday

Ending our amazing trip with an amazing dinner at the Sun Dial restaurant in Atlanta, with great food and great views over the city

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SEPTEMBER​

Nick had to go away on business so my older sister Kate came to stay. It was the first time she had visited my house and the first time we have spent time just the 2 of us in forever. We had so much fun and I took her to London as she hadn't been since we were little. We started at the Natural History Museum, then on to see Covent Garden and Trafalger Square before going to Wagamama's for dinner. It was a great day but I only have one photo that we took in Trafalger Square, I will try and get some more off her later as she took quite a few.

Kate and I

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OCTOBER / NOVEMBER​

At the end of October we took our second Disney trip of the year, this time to Disneyland Paris. We were there for Halloween which was amazing, everything was decorated so well and we had such a good night at the Halloween party. On the 1st November Nick and I celebrated our 5 year dating anniversary, it was a great place to be for 2 Disney lovers. And we also did a great tour of Paris.

We started the trip by going to Bluewater Mall to watch HSM3 as a surprise for Sophie

We all got into the spirit and dressed up for the party

The park looked so good all decorated with pumpkin men

The fireworks were amazing, the castle looked so good with all the villians on

Outside the beautiful Disneyland Hotel

 

[ariel2007]

At The Steakhouse on our 5 year anniversary

Cafe Mickey, another surprise for Sophie

Our first ride on the TOT here, and Sophie and Mum's first ever ride on it

The amazing Buffalo Bills Wild West dinner show

The Paris tour which included a River Seine boat cruise and a trip up to the first floor of the Eiffel Tower

At the Louvre

Notre Dam, I wonder where Quasimodo is?

Some of the view from the tower

Ice-skating at the New York Hotel

Seeing the Moulin Rouge up close

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DECEMBER​

Well we all know what a whirlwind December has been. Its been so busy the holidays have literally flown by. Along with a really nice girls Christmas meal at a nearby Italian, Nick and I and 2 of our friends went to Winter Wonderland in London to go ice-skating and walk around the German Christmas Village. We also went to HRC, we love that place. And then it was Christmas, which I have posted my photos of, but just for another visual here is our tree again

And our fireplace

So that brings us back to now, and the start of 2009. I really hope that this year is as good as the last, but then it has a lot to live up to . Let the good times begin....

 

[ariel1025]

Hello, I haven't posted in a while because I have been super busy with the holidays. But, I just wanted to say that I have enjoyed your updates very much. It looks like you had a wonderful holiday season! I also thought it was such a neat idea to look back on 2008 (I might have to steal that idea for my pre-TR too ). Also, this will sound a little cheesy, but I just wanted to say that I love how close you and Sophie are and how well you get along with one another. My sister and I are very close as well and it makes me so sad to see all the siblings that fight all the time, so it's really nice to hear about other siblings that get along so well. Looking forward to more updates!

 

[retiredkid]

thanks for sharing your holidays with us. great pictures
and thanks for recapping a terrific year. I had forgotten about your Dad dressed as Hook. He looked great ! LOL

wishing you all the best for the new year.

 

[ariel2007]

Ok I left something important out from September and have to add it is it was another great part of my year. I was going to add it in above but it will take to long so will just put it here.

SEPTEMBER​

For my birthday in July Nick presented me with an itinerary for a trip to London as part of my present. Now we go to London quite a lot but Nick had booked lots of things I really wanted to do, and had planned it all on his own, I was so impressed, as I said before I think my planning is beginning to rub off on him

Here was the itinerary (although the actual thing was presented really nicely with pictures)

Day One:
12am: Afternoon tea at the Ritz
3pm: Check in to Junior Suite of the 5* Royal Garden Hotel
7.30pm: Royal Circle Tickets for Grease starring Ray Quinn

Day Two:
12.45pm: Lunch at Jamie Olivers 15
Visit Hamleys for a soft toy
7-8pm: Night Flight on the London Eye

Ok so we got to London, managed to check in to the hotel early and it was lovely. The location was perfect, right near Kensington and our room was lovely with a great view over the park. Afternoon tea at the Ritz was something I have wanted to do for ages and it was lovely. The place was so beautiful and the cakes were really good. No pictures from there though I'm afraid as they are not allowed. I have wanted to see Grease for ages and when I heard Ray was in it I just had to see it. It was amazing, so good, its just a shame Ray is not in it any more as he was so good.

Pictures from day one, not many I'm afraid. Our room

The view of the park

Day two we had lunch in the dining room of 15. The restaurant is really nicely decorated and the food was really good. Nick always buys me a soft toy whenever we go to Hamleys so this was a tradition for us, I have so many though I should really stop . Then we went on a champagne night flight on the eye. We have done the day one but it was lovely seeing London all lit up at night.

Jamie Oliver's 15

The London Eye at sunset, this would be a great time to go

So there you have it, our mini trip to London. We had a great time and I was so impressed with Nick for organising it all.

 

[ariel2007]

Hello, I haven't posted in a while because I have been super busy with the holidays. But, I just wanted to say that I have enjoyed your updates very much. It looks like you had a wonderful holiday season! I also thought it was such a neat idea to look back on 2008 (I might have to steal that idea for my pre-TR too ). Also, this will sound a little cheesy, but I just wanted to say that I love how close you and Sophie are and how well you get along with one another. My sister and I are very close as well and it makes me so sad to see all the siblings that fight all the time, so it's really nice to hear about other siblings that get along so well. Looking forward to more updates!

Hello . I know the holidays are like, ours were non-stop, did you have a good time over them though?

Yes its a really neat idea to do a recap isn't it? I would love to say it was my idea but I stole it as I thought it was a great way to look back at all the great things I did. So whoever the idea originally came from, Thanks, it was great

I am so glad that I am close to both my sisters, and in completely different ways. Kate and I are great friends, we talk about everything and anything and go out together. And then Sophie is my baby. From the day she was born we were always together and I love spending time and doing things with her. Kate and Sophie on the other hand are always fighting, its like having 2 little sisters when they are together

thanks for sharing your holidays with us. great pictures
and thanks for recapping a terrific year. I had forgotten about your Dad dressed as Hook. He looked great ! LOL

wishing you all the best for the new year.

He he the Hook picture is so funny. You should have seen him in person, we were dying of laughter, lets just say it was a little tight . And thank you, I hope this year is great for you too.

 

[ariel2007]

3 Quick Steps to Get Over Christmas...
Plan, Plan, and Plan some more​

Finally I have a proper holiday update. There isn't actually anything new to report as of yet, but hopefully there will be soon. But we did go shopping today, it was suppose to be to get some things for our house but we only managed to get a few things off a big list. But on the plus side I finally managed to remember to pick up a new box file to keep all our planning things in. I find box files the easiest things to use whilst I am planning as I can just chuck everything in them, and then I use an organiser folder closer to the time. Well I have never seen a Disney box file so I brought a black shiny one and then searched everywhere for some Disney stickers to jazz it up. Would you believe it I looked in practically every shop including book shops, Smith's, Tesco's, even looking for sticker books but all I could find was one lot of princess, HSM or Winnie the Pooh. So I brought the princess ones and when I got home I searched through my supply drawer and found some from our 2006 holiday, and then found a load more I had brought on our last holiday, and subsequently forgotten all about . Anyway I wasn't in a very creative mood tonight so I just stuck them on, it doesn't look the best but better than a plain folder.

The folder before shot (just like in Blue Peter )

The princess stickers that I actually didn't end up using

The front of the folder, I am going to get some silver letter stickers to stick the date of the holiday on the front too

The back. There is more stickers on the sides but my camera battery ran out

Well since I was very sad that we have yet to visit the Disney Store to check out their sales, and since Nick is so great, he brought me a little something from H Samuel's. Now I did say that I was not going to collect Disney Traditions as I already collect the Walt Disney Classic Collections that cost a fortune, and various other things like shot glasses, pins, fridge magnets, beanies and millions of other things that have taken over our house. My Grandad has been buying them for me for birthdays and Christmas but the plan was I would just have the ones he buys me, but I just think they are so cute and can't resist looking at them. So Nick said I could choose one, so I choose this one as I think it is so cute.

 

[disneydusted]

Oh my goodness! When you write, you write A LOT!!! I needed to catch up and it has taken me forever but it was all so nice!
I wanted to comment again on your parents, they are adorable! They look so cute together, your mom is so pretty!
Ok, now I loved seeing Honey in on the action but a SNAKE??!! That totally caught me by surprise!! I practically jumped back from the computer screen! They completely unnerve me!
You will laugh at my idea of what boxing day was. I thought it was a national day where there was a major boxing event and the whole country was into it! I need help, I know...
You guys really do up Christmas and gifts and dinners (teas) and visiting... very nice.
I love you recap of "The Year According to Ariel". Sophie is really growing up.

 

[ariel2007]

Oh my goodness! When you write, you write A LOT!!! I needed to catch up and it has taken me forever but it was all so nice!
I wanted to comment again on your parents, they are adorable! They look so cute together, your mom is so pretty!
Ok, now I loved seeing Honey in on the action but a SNAKE??!! That totally caught me by surprise!! I practically jumped back from the computer screen! They completely unnerve me!
You will laugh at my idea of what boxing day was. I thought it was a national day where there was a major boxing event and the whole country was into it! I need help, I know...
You guys really do up Christmas and gifts and dinners (teas) and visiting... very nice.
I love you recap of "The Year According to Ariel". Sophie is really growing up.

Thank you, my Mum would be so glad to hear you said that

The snake does freak me out a bit, especially when they lost it a month or so a go . But it is really pretty colors and quite nice to touch. Honey is just a cutey, she is so dopey but we love her so.

Your idea of boxing day is funny . Then again I probably have the same funny thought on some of the American holidays too. We did have a lovely Christmas with so many lovely things, did you have a nice holidays too?

 

[lmillercrew]

Thank you for explaining Boxing Day to me/us. I'm glad that you were able to enjoy both holidays. Your year looked great!!! I hope that 2009 brings just as much happiness.

 

[ariel2007]

Thank you for explaining Boxing Day to me/us. I'm glad that you were able to enjoy both holidays. Your year looked great!!! I hope that 2009 brings just as much happiness.

Thank you so much . I hope it is a very good year for you too.

 

[CoP Luv]

Love all of the pictures and updates from your Christmas!!! Glad you had such a wonderful time. I still have yet to find some time to blog about the last month...so instead of doing that, my friend and I (who I go to WDW with) starting thinking about planning our next trip to the World!!! Can't wait!

 

[Villainess]

I loved your 2008 recap - thank you for sharing. I may have to borrow the idea for my PTR - oh and stop on by it if you get a chance!

I am going to second how lovely your family is! Sophie is just a doll and your parents sound wonderful.

 

[troobabiee7]

I WANNA GO TO LONDON!!!! I loved your year in review! You did so much fun stuff this past year, it must have been awesome looking back at everything. And London looks just as gorgeous as I'd imagine. I'm hoping to get over there in the next three years, fingers crossed!

And you got the book! Where was Nick able to find it? Isn't it th best, with all those gorgeous pictures and fun facts? Looking at it always gets me pumped for our trip. I loved all your Christmas and New Years pictures, I'm glad you had a good time! Sophie looked thrilled with all her gifts And we're both going to Disney World this year!!!!!

 

[ariel2007]

Love all of the pictures and updates from your Christmas!!! Glad you had such a wonderful time. I still have yet to find some time to blog about the last month...so instead of doing that, my friend and I (who I go to WDW with) starting thinking about planning our next trip to the World!!! Can't wait!

Thanks hun, did you have a nice Christmas too? Where was it you went again?

Aw so you have another trip to Disney in the works do you? How exciting. I would love to do a girly trip but none of my close friends are in to Disney so can't imagine them shelling out a fortune to come over

 

[ariel2007]

I loved your 2008 recap - thank you for sharing. I may have to borrow the idea for my PTR - oh and stop on by it if you get a chance!

I am going to second how lovely your family is! Sophie is just a doll and your parents sound wonderful.

Thanks. I stole it from Melissa and I think she stole it from someone else. But yes it is a great idea and a good way for you to look back at the year for yourself too. I will definitely check out your report

I WANNA GO TO LONDON!!!! I loved your year in review! You did so much fun stuff this past year, it must have been awesome looking back at everything. And London looks just as gorgeous as I'd imagine. I'm hoping to get over there in the next three years, fingers crossed!

And you got the book! Where was Nick able to find it? Isn't it th best, with all those gorgeous pictures and fun facts? Looking at it always gets me pumped for our trip. I loved all your Christmas and New Years pictures, I'm glad you had a good time! Sophie looked thrilled with all her gifts And we're both going to Disney World this year!!!!!

I was so glad I got the book, it is so great. I love all the pictures and all the extra info about Walt and the park etc . He found it on Amazon in the end. It was weird because when I typed it in it said it couldn't find it, but then I typed it in to Google and it brought up the results including Amazon. Weird

Yes London is great, there is so much to see and do. However we have done most of the main attractions etc and are trying to think of things to do on our next visits

And I am so excited to be able to say I am going this year . Yours isn't that long off either now

 

[wdwgirl03]

Ohh yay, another PTR! That is so cool you are going back again and I am very jealous you get to stay at the Polynesian for part of your trip. I really enjoyed your last TR so I am looking forward to this one.

 

[ariel2007]

Ohh yay, another PTR! That is so cool you are going back again and I am very jealous you get to stay at the Polynesian for part of your trip. I really enjoyed your last TR so I am looking forward to this one.

Heya, I'm glad you joined me again, I was missing you

 

[disneydusted]

Have you started an official count down yet? It will come fast!