Pandamonium, Pixie Dust, and Paraphenalia!... What was I thinking! updated 2/1!!

[mickeysmyboy]

I hope your having a good time!! Agitated does not sound good!

I love the pics! So beautiful!

 

[Lady Lallie]

Sorry, you had a bad day yesterday.

Your pictures are fabulous though! I love the Princess Tiana picture!

 

[Disneymoon09]

Wow! Those pictures make me so much more excited for our trip! I cannot wait to see the world decked out for christmas! Did you do MVMCP? Or will I have to wait until the "official" start of the TR to find out?

 

[MEK]

Beautiful pictures! Beautiful view! So sorry that you had to be awake at 2:30 am to post them. Sorry the family dynamics are obviously not going exactly as you had hopped.

Maybe you guys can split up and do your own things for a few hours or for an entire day. Sometimes I think a break helps!

Looking forward to more pics!

 

[KatMark]

The view from you room is the exact reason why I want to do a split stay at AKL next trip -- absolutely beautiful--and giraffes too.

Your kids are adorable and love the "Christmas" photos. One of these years we're going at Christmas time.

 

[jenjolt]

OOOH definitely sounds like a trying day!!! I hope you were able to get some sleep!!! 2 more days I hope they are wonderful!!!!!

Your pictures are amazing!! I love LOVE LOVE them...what a view!!! Awww I also love those ears....can't wait to see and hear more!!!

 

[Tickanee]

Thanks for the update! Are your daughter's new Mickey ears from an Ed Hardy design? The pattern looks exactly like my bottle of perfume! There has to be some connection there.

 

[faerieprincess]

Loving the live updates, Paula, but you really are driving us nuts with the teasers!! Your photos are spectacular as always - do you upload all 4,000 to photobucket or somewhere, and not just the ones you post here?

 

[ILuvCrush]

YAY for arriving early!!! You are up right now getting ready to start your day I hope you found those giraffes!!!!!!!

YAY for Wishes!!! I just adore that fireworks show...how were the crowds for you???

UhOh not what you expected...should be interesting to find out what you mean by that!!

This trip has been a bit more pandamonium than pixie dust.... but primarily due to only one member ofour party... and NOT the one I would have expected to raise the fuss!!

Glad you made it safely! Have a great day today!

Thank you!!

Glad you guys made it there safely. Excited to see the pics of the villa as we are staying in a 2 bdrm at Kidani next year.

Thanks!! I took quite a few pics of the room and the lodge.... but I barely kept everyone at bay for the 15min I took room pics before it was trashed! I know if I had taken themduring the day...rather than after dark they would have been MUCH better....

Can't wait to see pics and find out what the reactions to the rides were. Hope you're having a magical time!

well.... I expected varied reactions.... but BORING was not one of I expected for PIRATES!!

I told you the room was something you just had to see with your own eyes. Although if anyone's pics can capture the essence of the room, yours can!
uh oh.....this does NOT sound good!

hopefully my pics will be ok.... not award winning or anything, thats for sure!

Thanks for the update, Paula. Have a great time.

Thanks Kat!!

I'm in suspense now! I'm hoping everyone has enjoyed themselves so far!

Hi Rozz!!

I have to agree with everyone else Paula!! Now you have me worried! I hope they're having a good time and all is well!!

Good luck!! Thanks for the update!! Can't wait for more!

BTW, I hope your taking tons of pics of the room and view!! I'm sooooo excited to going home to AKV in Jan and be staying in a 2 bedroom savannah view!!!!

I certainally will have plenty of pics to share!
I don't want to worry anyone.... I've see 200% more ambulances on this trip than ever before.. but none were to pickup anyone I've damaged... yet.....

Great teasers!! Can't wait to hear more!
Oh dear. Four breakdowns-- four separate people or did the same person suffer all four? At least you got them out of the way early!

DVC add-on contract?? Maybe??

Have a magical day in the MK today!! Have a dole whip for me.... and a Pecos Bill burger... and an ice cream sandwich.... and a Mickey bar...

Lets see... 4 breakdowns... 1 person..... Oy Vey! I wish they were allout of the way early.... unfortunately it was more like the beginning of the end....

I wish it was a DVC contract add-on.... I NEED more points.... and more $$ to use them LOL!!

I didn't get my Dole Whip float..... *pout* but a Mickey Bar was had!!

1st, why the heck are you posting at almost 1 am!? shouldn't you be asleep!!!

2nd, your killing me with the teasers!!!

Hope everything is going great! Can't wait to read more!

Um yeah.... I don't sleep at WDW.... even though I really should!

Subbing....dying to hear more!

Hi Luisa!!! Thanks for joining in!!

 

[ILuvCrush]

OOOH Loving the teasers!! I definitely want to hear about the deal you took!!!! Well you enjoy your time there and I enjoy those character meets!!

The Character interaction has been great!!We have met quite a few characters that the girls hadn't before... and the had a rather extensive autograph collection to begin with!!

OOOOOHHHH

Great teasers P!!!!!! (I can't decide if I am excited for the details or annoyed that you didn't give us more )

Hope you are having an awesome time!

not trying to annoy.... LOL!!! I'm just hoping to intrigue a few folks to stick this out with me! hehehe! If I wanted to talk just to hear myself... I just talk to Tom LOL!!

Enjoying the updates. Can't wait to hear what these unexpected reactions are. Should be interesting.

thanks Meeko!! It's been wierd... so often, the reaction I'd anticipate...would be the exact opposite of what I get....

I'm loving the live updates!!

I really can't wait to hear all about the unexpected reactions.

A deal, eh?

yep!! A good one too.... so I switched a few gears

Yay for live updates! Thanks for the teasers

Waiting with baited breath for more!

Thanks tickanee!!

This teaser has me the most intrigued!

oh goodie.... but it's probably not nearly as thrilling to everone else as it is to me!

Sorry it was a rough day. Your pictures are glorious. What a view!! So glad you saw your giraffes! Maybe I haven't been paying attention rolleyes1) but I was surprised to see it is Christmas in the MK. For some reason Halloween in Sept didn't bother me but Christmas already is giving me anxiety. But the castle sure does look beautiful with the holiday lights, doesn't it??

Enjoy the rest of your trip!!

PS- it did not go un-noticed that you failed to give us any hints on our guesses about your teasers.

Nope no hints!! We did have a better day... althoughI was pretty tired! I'm glad we've gotten a chance todo some of the Christmas stuff....because it's been fabulous. But i think the next time I indulge in a Christmas party... it'll be in December!

I'm going to have to agree with Christine. I totally understand why Disney (and for that matter, most retail businesses) is already decked out for Christmas but seeing it all before Thanksgiving it is a big pet peeve of mine.

Regardless of the calendar date, it sure is lovely!

I love Princess Tiana already!

Disney has alot of Holiday merchandise to move.... so I can't blame them for starting early to do it!

Princess Tiana is wonderful! She's very pretty and super sweet! We were also able to get a coupon as a result of visiting the parks for a free child movie ticket for both girls

I hope your having a good time!! Agitated does not sound good!

I love the pics! So beautiful!

I can be easily agitated.... at times at least LOL!!

Sorry, you had a bad day yesterday.

Your pictures are fabulous though! I love the Princess Tiana picture!

Thanks LL!! There must be 100 different light fixtures here at Kidani! I snapped quite a few to add to your collection

Wow! Those pictures make me so much more excited for our trip! I cannot wait to see the world decked out for christmas! Did you do MVMCP? Or will I have to wait until the "official" start of the TR to find out?

The holiday decorations are gorgeous!! Epcot has alot up already including their tree..and DHS has their tree up too. MK and AK don't have their trees up yet. The Osborne Lights are lit up now too!

Yes...it's not a secret... we went to the 1st MVMCP of the season!

Beautiful pictures! Beautiful view! So sorry that you had to be awake at 2:30 am to post them. Sorry the family dynamics are obviously not going exactly as you had hopped.

Maybe you guys can split up and do your own things for a few hours or for an entire day. Sometimes I think a break helps!

Looking forward to more pics!

Thanks Mary Ellen! Well I have to say I'm REALLY glad that my SIL came. Although her tight pursestrings are a bit annoying. I'd have definately had some issues if I'd have had all 4 kids by myself.

we have split up for some rides... but the breaks have been more of a problem than a solution....

I'm glad u want more pics...I may have a hard time not posting at least a few hundred of them

The view from you room is the exact reason why I want to do a split stay at AKL next trip -- absolutely beautiful--and giraffes too.

Your kids are adorable and love the "Christmas" photos. One of these years we're going at Christmas time.

Thanks Kat!! I'll have a hard time staying in a standard room, rather than a Savanna!! The Christmas Party allowed me some awesome pics.... eventually!

OOOH definitely sounds like a trying day!!! I hope you were able to get some sleep!!! 2 more days I hope they are wonderful!!!!!

Your pictures are amazing!! I love LOVE LOVE them...what a view!!! Awww I also love those ears....can't wait to see and hear more!!!

Thanks Jen!!

Thanks for the update! Are your daughter's new Mickey ears from an Ed Hardy design? The pattern looks exactly like my bottle of perfume! There has to be some connection there.

I have no idea who Ed Hardy is So i guess I can't help you there! but they are pretty-ful...as Allison likes to say

Loving the live updates, Paula, but you really are driving us nuts with the teasers!! Your photos are spectacular as always - do you upload all 4,000 to photobucket or somewhere, and not just the ones you post here?

Thanks Sare!! I don't upload all of them(just the best ones), but I do usually upload alot that I don't put in the TR in my smugmug account. I have the album locked right now....til my TR is complete (cause I don't want to spoil the fun!) but when it's done, I'd be happy to post the link. I'll unlockit then
too. I usually upload all my pics to Creative Memories photocenter... but I doubt I will this time, because I'm making a digital scrapbook this time around and won't be having many pics printed.

 

[jenjolt]

I'm still intrigued by this deal of yours...am I allowed to continue guessing because if its not more points...hmmmm...did you get a bounceback you just couldn't refuse....LOL!!!! Hmmmm...now I'm trying to think of all the wonderful deals you could have gotten I guess I will just have to wait and see!!! Enjoy the rest of your vacation!!!!!


Okay BORING...definitely not the word I would have used to describe Pirates either....

 

[shezfrombermuda]

Looking forward to reading your report and seeing your pictures of Kidani. Your girls are beautiful!

 

[ILuvCrush]

I'm still intrigued by this deal of yours...am I allowed to continue guessing because if its not more points...hmmmm...did you get a bounceback you just couldn't refuse....LOL!!!! Hmmmm...now I'm trying to think of all the wonderful deals you could have gotten I guess I will just have to wait and see!!! Enjoy the rest of your vacation!!!!!


Okay BORING...definitely not the word I would have used to describe Pirates either....

Well.... if you remember, I had a bit of a suprise with a 'purchase' in September.... turns out that CM WAS wrong!! So instead of buying one more this trip, I bought TWO!! OK... now since you are the only one with me at that time, you MAY figure it out. However, I think this hint will probably just make everyone else completely crazy!!

You definately don't want to know what that same person thought of Haunted Mansion!! It'll break your heart

Looking forward to reading your report and seeing your pictures of Kidani. Your girls are beautiful!

Thanks Shez!!

 

[praisehisname]

You have a great view!

Your MK pics just put me over-the-top excited!!! I've never been at Christmas before, and I get to see it in 27 days!!!

 

[jenjolt]

Well.... if you remember, I had a bit of a suprise with a 'purchase' in September.... turns out that CM WAS wrong!! So instead of buying one more this trip, I bought TWO!! OK... now since you are the only one with me at that time, you MAY figure it out. However, I think this hint will probably just make everyone else completely crazy!!

You definately don't want to know what that same person thought of Haunted Mansion!! It'll break your heart



Thanks Shez!!

I KNOW I KNOW I KNOW!!! WOOT!!!! The Light bult went off LOL!!!It took me a minute to figure out what in the world you could have been talking about....but YES I always figured that the CM must have been "wrong." YAY!!! Okay now it will drive everyone really crazy that I figured it out and I'm not saying a word LOL!!!

 

[wigdoutdismom]

Just found you! Very anxious to see your 2br Kidani Villa, we will be right there in 37 days...
Sounds like you are going to have stories!

 

[kschafer]

If I wanted to talk just to hear myself... I just talk to Tom LOL!!

Last night we were out of town and I had some female-related "drama" When I returned to Greg and the boys I was telling him what all I had gone through and he turned to me and said "you know, it's OK for us to have some secrets from each other"

 

[ILuvCrush]

You have a great view!

Your MK pics just put me over-the-top excited!!! I've never been at Christmas before, and I get to see it in 27 days!!!

You will have a wonderful time!! Are you going to get to do the party???

Just found you! Very anxious to see your 2br Kidani Villa, we will be right there in 37 days...
Sounds like you are going to have stories!

Hey there Wigd!!
So glad you came over I loved Kidani... much more than AKL actually!!

Last night we were out of town and I had some female-related "drama" When I returned to Greg and the boys I was telling him what all I had gone through and he turned to me and said "you know, it's OK for us to have some secrets from each other"

Oh Boys!!

 

[ILuvCrush]

We're back!! From a wonderful, topsy turvy, fantastical, and frightful week at WDW!

I realllllllyyyyyy hope you all want to see some pics... because AFTER I deleted the duplicates (I often will take 2-3 of the same scene and keeping the best one) and a good portion of the ones the girls took with my little point and shoot camera (they try... and they both have a pretty good eye too...but that camera is just not good at taking much other than outdoor daytime shots!) I have a grand total of 1927 pictures!

I'm going to start this party with our travel day!! I know, not very exciting, but I gotta start SOMEWHERE!!

We were flying out of BWI in Baltimore at 2pm. I thought that I had made it in 3.5 hrs on my last venture out of there, but when I plugged the addys into my GPS 'Alice' it was coming up as a 4hr drive OK, maybe she knows something I don't.... So I called up Jen and told her that I must have been mistaken on the length of the drive,and could she meet us at McDonalds at 630 instead of 7?? Not a problem!!

We were running a smidge late in the morning,(Tom was to help me pack the car....but he wouldn't get outta bed ) Then I realized after I left that I had forgot my extra flash cards (again). I've had to go back for them each of my last 3 trips.... whats up with that?? You'd think they'd be at the top of my packing list by now!! We made it to MickeyD's at about 6:45. Funny... Alice was now saying that it was a 3.5 hr drive...hmmmmm Oh well!! Jen and the boys had already gotten breakfast. So Allison gave them each their gifts, then we went thru the drive thru for our breakfast! The girls got those cinnamelt thingys and milk....I got a large coke. I need the caffeine! After pulling onto the highway we discovered that the girl didn't give me a straw Well it made it more interesting trying to drink it thats for sure! I managed not to dump any on myself and off we went!

here's the girls in the car! (yes...these are with my carppy P&S camera... sorry for the distortions)

We made a quick stop for drinks and a bio-break after about 2 hrs.... but all in all it was a very uneventful drive. Allison got almost all of her homework done and Noelle made a big dent in hers on the way We made excellent time. Actually got to the Ramada where we were leaving our cars in less than 3.5hrs (even with the pitstop!) We picked up the shuttle and got to the airport by 11am Oops! There's not much to keep you busy at BWI... its very small...not really any shops to look around in like there is at MCO. Sowe had a leisurely hour long lunch at a little cafe there. The kiddos allhad chicken nuggets and fries. I was thinking how sick of them they'd be in a few days... but they enjoyed them then

After lunch we went to our gate and got comfy in some plushy chairs. The kids (aside from Warren) all worked on their homework. Allison and Wyatt got all theirs finished Warren left his at home.... apparently he was a bit overwhelmed with the idea of having to read MacBeth without the benefit of the rest of the class

A few random airport photos....

We were taking Southwest. I had Tom check us in exactly 24hrs ahead(I was at work) but we still ended up in 'B' group. it was early B... like 3-8, but we still ended up one of last groups on a sold out plane! Almost everyone had little kids... so they got to board between A and B groups, leaving less than half of the original B and C groups left We were able to get 2 sets of 3 seats in the last 2 rows of the plane I HATE sitting in the very back!! I don't mind anywhere else on the plane, but the noise and vibration from the engines back there always makes me more motion sick than anywhere else!

The boys were pretty nervous... it was their 1st flight. Allison had been fussing about flying leading up to the trip, but showed no signs of nerves today The flight was lovely! Very smooth (other than the aformentioned back seat annoyances) and everyone did well. Wyatt thought the whole thing was great fun while we were going up and while we were landing. He complained that his belly hurt while at cruising altitude, but it went away as soon as he knew we were starting our decent. So I guess it was just nerves knowing he was way up high in the air

We arrived at MCO exactly on schedule. I had chatted a bit with a lady and her daughter who were on their 1st WDW trip in 5 years and were unsure about the whole Magical Express process. So I invited her to walk with us and we made our way to the red carpet! We got on the bus almost immediately. The way the CMs were talking I thought we were all going to Kidani. Turns out.... we were the ONLY one's going to Kidani. Everyone else was dropped off at All Stars!!

We got in at Kidani about 530pm and quickly checked in. We were on our way to our room..... I couldn't WAIT to see it!!

but you will have to wait.... cause that will all be in the next update!!



Paula

 

[kschafer]

Woo Hoo!!!

Just back and already the start of your journey!! Sounds like with the exception of Wyatt's tummy, you had a relatively uneventful start which is always good on travel day (my Patrick threw up on the plane on the way to FL and in the car on the way to the airport to return home. I think his nerves got the best of him)