Party of 28, your table is ready!!! ***Update 10/11/08-- chapter 6 beginning**

[Shane6294]

I just wanted to say that I am thoroughly enjoying your TR. I actually leave tomorrow for 8 days at OKW and I feel so ready for the World now.

My family went a couple of years back. We were 14 in total and your Epcot day was nothing compared to our Animal Kingdom day. But anyway, thanks for sharing your memories!

Oh and it must be a huge relief that after 45 years of marriage your mother admits to you that she is not "gay for Minnie Mouse." I don't think I've ever laughed out loud while reading a TR. Thanks

 

[Imisseddisney08]

What a beautiful sunset picture.

Thank you for keeping me entertained at work. he he he

Are you going to be able to finish this TR before you leave next week??

 

[ceemys]

You got great pictures! Disney is beautiful at night. But really? 2 hours is all you spent in that store? lol

 

[cdotla]

Thanks for another great update!

 

[IATink]

Great pictures of DTD! I love the picture at sunset, awesome camera work! I am so enjoying your report, I can't wait for more!

 

[mommyofthreeboys]

Before I go on, let me tell you that the other family members had a great time at DHS yesterday. I can’t give you details but I can show you a few photopass pictures….

My sister had some pics taken but didn't listen AND didn't read the newsletter part that said "do not view your photopass pictures online".

Yep, she looked at them so I couldn't add them to my CD.

 

[mommyofthreeboys]

Great trip report! I've read it all today while at work, I had nothing else to do and I have no power at home so I needed my fix.

Can't wait for the next update.

Oh no!!!! Hope you get power soon! Glad you stopped by here!

You are still making me laugh out loud!

Maybe you should head to DTD to do some shopping before hubby arrives...

Yeah, I am thinking AK in AM, then DTD and then maybe MK for EHM PM.

And now that I know World of Disney will ship back to my house, DH won't see my purchases!

This continues to be the most entertaining trip report!!!!! And wow, another trip yet this week. May I ask how many days in total are you planning on using your annual passes? I'm just thinking.................if the husband and I got them for next year's anniversary trip we could plan another trip in the summer with our son or sons! They seem expensive. I'm not sure how many days you need to use it to pay for itself. Do you know what I mean???? Also, isn't that the way it goes, mom's are never in the pictures. Its always the family w/o us. Nice to have so many extra people with on a trip. At least you can have someone take photos of your family with YOU in it. ENJOY your trip!!!! A day by yourself and then a trip w/o the kids. WOW WOW WOW. I'm jealous!!!!!

Lynn

I used my AP for 7 days on this trip in June and I'm guessing 4 days next week. I think anytime you go past 10 days in 1 year, the AP is worth it. One of the reasons I bought it was for the DDE. I did all the math and they way we like to drink, saving 20% was worth it!

DH is not looking forward to this trip without the kids. He said he is going to be looking around, seeing other kids and will miss ours. I hope he'll be able to relax and have fun!

Thanks for reading and posting!!!!

I just wanted to say that I am thoroughly enjoying your TR. I actually leave tomorrow for 8 days at OKW and I feel so ready for the World now.

My family went a couple of years back. We were 14 in total and your Epcot day was nothing compared to our Animal Kingdom day. But anyway, thanks for sharing your memories!

Oh and it must be a huge relief that after 45 years of marriage your mother admits to you that she is not "gay for Minnie Mouse." I don't think I've ever laughed out loud while reading a TR. Thanks

Hope you have a safe and fun trip! COme back and let me know how much fun you have!

What a beautiful sunset picture.

Thank you for keeping me entertained at work. he he he

Are you going to be able to finish this TR before you leave next week??

At this rate, probably not. Darn it. I'll see what I can do!!!!

You got great pictures! Disney is beautiful at night. But really? 2 hours is all you spent in that store? lol

Oh, I could have spent a about another 2 hours. It was soooo crowd in there that night-- I just wanted to get out of there!

Thanks for another great update!

Great pictures of DTD! I love the picture at sunset, awesome camera work! I am so enjoying your report, I can't wait for more!

 

[island cricket]

ahhh, i always feel so much better when i see that you posted. seriously, your TR is like an addiction! so you like gummi bears, wow, then i'm gonna have to turn you on to some hawaiian ones, they are the best! I had gummi bears as my wedding favors cuz i loved them so much, that was way back in the day 1986... since i've had the island "flavah" kind, i don't even care for the regular ones... i still say you have the best TR and need an award for it, i have never been more entertained by a TR. Hoping you can post more before you leave but if not, that's ok too... i gotta get my life back

 

[Villainess]

ahhh, i always feel so much better when i see that you posted. seriously, your TR is like an addiction! so you like gummi bears, wow, then i'm gonna have to turn you on to some hawaiian ones, they are the best! I had gummi bears as my wedding favors cuz i loved them so much, that was way back in the day 1986... since i've had the island "flavah" kind, i don't even care for the regular ones... i still say you have the best TR and need an award for it, i have never been more entertained by a TR. Hoping you can post more before you leave but if not, that's ok too... i gotta get my life back

Hawaiian gummi bears? Sound yummy!!!!!

 

[mommyofthreeboys]

ahhh, i always feel so much better when i see that you posted. seriously, your TR is like an addiction! so you like gummi bears, wow, then i'm gonna have to turn you on to some hawaiian ones, they are the best! I had gummi bears as my wedding favors cuz i loved them so much, that was way back in the day 1986... since i've had the island "flavah" kind, i don't even care for the regular ones... i still say you have the best TR and need an award for it, i have never been more entertained by a TR. Hoping you can post more before you leave but if not, that's ok too... i gotta get my life back

Hawaiian gummi bears? Sound yummy!!!!!

Seriously!!! They sound delicious!! Do I have to come to Hawaii to get some? Or do you think the Poly will have them next week?

 

[mommyofthreeboys]

Chapter 6

After laying in bed last night for awhile thinking about my big World of Disney purchase, I started feeling guilty….thinking I did spend too much.

But then I remembered this sign on our way down here.

Yeah, it was the one right after the “We bare all” signs.

Coincidence???

Maybe.

I was just glad I had a few to sell. I was in the money baby!!!

After letting go of any guilt I had left, I finally went to sleep.


I woke up to the sound of the phone ringing.

Hoping.

Praying.

I’d give anything to hear Mickey on the other line!

Heck, at this point, I’ll take SpongeBob!!!!

And I’ve never been to Universal.

I picked up the phone to hear……

Nothing.

That’s right people.

Nothing.

I want my money back!!!!

Gotta say that in a whiny voice too!

I want my money back!!!!

I get back at Disney by immediately going to the housekeeping cart and grabbing an extra soap and an extra shampoo.

Now I feel better.

Besides, I still didn’t get another towel animal.

But I still leave another tip on the ironing board in my nice and cute little envelope I made for them before the trip that says “thank you mousekeeping”

Wait.

Maybe THAT is the problem!!!

Maybe they are offended I’m calling them mousekeeping instead of housekeeping.

Not sure why.

It’s not like this is a house or anything.

But again, they’re not mice.

A mouse is sneaky.

And they weren’t sneaky enough to take my pins.

Hmmmm…..

I think I’m on to something.

Tomorrow, I think I’m going to leave them nothing and see what I get.

Believe it or not, everyone was waking up on time and getting ready. No issues at all this morning. Randy and family were leaving today. They were going to go spend a day at the beach before heading home. So we all say goodbye…

Check that.

My mom hates good byes.

….we all say “see ya later” and wish them a safe trip back home. He thanks me for everything!

Today was our matching shirt day. This time it was everyone. Not just my family. Yes, today everyone had on matching shirts. I made 17 of them. My SIL made the rest- for her family.

Everyone but Crystal and family makes it to the bus stop at 7:15am. Since we waited several minutes for the bus, she catches up with us. When she gets there, she seems a little frazzled. I think this might have been a little too early for them.

I can hear her saying it now…

“Ya think?"

Why so early?

We had an 8am ADR for Crystal Palace and I wanted to (hopefully) get our picture taken in front of the castle without a lot of people in the background.

I was actually excited to walk down Main Street first thing in the morning without the Dumbo Dash. You know- the mad dash of people, fighting their way to be the first one on the ride. Like they win a special prize for plowing over the most people? Or riding the first ride?

Please!
It’s not worth it people!

Not that I’ve never done it before.

Not that I’m getting ready to do it after breakfast.

Or am I?

Time will tell.

So we are all on the bus together, on our way to the most magical place on Earth when I hear chatter that everyone is forgetting something. My ears perk up because we have no time to go back.

None.
None I tell ya!

Then I realize they are saying that they are missing something. Not forgetting.

Missing!

They are missing their cell phones.

Of all things!

There’s like 12 cell phones missing.

A few of them were upset. I can’t blame them—I know how it feels. I was missing my pins for 3 days.

Darn housekeeping.

Mousekeeping.

Noanimaltowelskeeping.

That’s right. When something is missing blame the whateverkeeping.



We get to the MK, and I immediately notice things I have never seen before. WOW!!!! I’m sure it’s several different reasons I have never noticed them before. It’s either….

1. too crowded
2. too busy doing the Dumbo Dash, I mean….not that I would know or anything
3. too concentrated on the castle

So for whatever reason, there were details I didn’t notice until that morning. For example….this guy!

Or this sign….

Or the beauty of this…

As we continued down Main Street, about half way down, I was surprised to find a Photopass person there all ready to take pictures. We only had about 10 minutes so we had to hurry. Here are the results. Do you like the shirts?

Brother Rick and family…

My family…

Sister Mindy and family. Missing one in the picture below. My sister said her daughter was too tired to get up. I must say, I was pretty upset….inside only. Couldn’t let emotions show.

My sister Crystal and family...

My mom and dad

And finally our group....

I should have walked up to the next photopass person….a little closer to the castle. Darn it. I’m just not having good photopass person luck on this trip.
I think I’m being too picky. I know.
But pictures are my thing.

After our pics, I checked in at 8am for our 8:05 ADR. They handed us a buzzer and told us it would be a few minutes.

So what do I do?

Take more pictures of course!!!

Did you really have to think about that one?

If so, you don’t know me that well.

Matter of fact, you haven’t been reading my TR have you?

Huh?

Huh?

Guilty of just looking at the pictures???

That’s okay—here’s more for you!

I’m starting to think I need some pictures of myself! Finally I passed the camera…

A little closer. (Man I look tired)

Darn it. I cut off dad's shoes/socks combo.

Just like the CM said…a few minutes later, the buzzer went off indicating

Party of 22, your table is ready!

 

[island cricket]

Seriously!!! They sound delicious!! Do I have to come to Hawaii to get some? Or do you think the Poly will have them next week?

I'll be surprised if they have them at the poly, there isn't one person that i shared them with that hasn't gotten addicted, hoping you won't be the first. check your pm, i'll send ya some, why?? you need ask?? cuz you got the award sistah...best TR so far! p.s. the comment on the noanimaltowelskeeping? HEE LARE EE US!!

 

[Ellester]

Those Photopass pix are great! I love the shirts. There is no way in a million and a half years I could ever get my DH to wear one. Not even worth the battle to ask... Still loving the report! Keep it comin'!

 

[cdotla]

Wow! That 1st picture of all of you on Main Street is amazing!!!

You will be looking at this 50 years from now!

 

[lynn46356]

Love your shirts and the photopass photos you had taken at the park. I think they turned out great. Your the lucky one. We were in a photopass share thing and I paid my money. We took tons of photos with the photopass people and guess what.....................no cd. Never got one. It was a joke. Lesson learned............purchase your own cd and forget the share idea to save $$. Quite a few people in our group never received their cd. Everytime I'm looking at photos here on the Dis our son is asking are those are photos? No son we weren't lucky this time. Loving yours though. Are you packed yet????? Enjoy your trip.

Lynn

 

[mommyofthreeboys]

Party of 22, your table is ready!

22 because my brother was headed to the beach. (Hope they made it there safely!)
And niece Erika was too tired so stayed back to sleep.

Seriously…who would rather sleep in than spend a day at Disney with our family?

Bitter, party of one—you can seat me now!

Instead the greeter sat all 22 of us at our tables. 5 of them.

Yes. Five separate tables.

I’m not sure what I expected but I didn’t expect to be spread out at 5 different tables.

Maybe I’m just a difficult person.

Maybe.

But last night at Chef Mickey’s with 2 tables was perfect!

Not today.

The server came and took our drink order.

Along with my drink order, I also asked her if she could go ahead and bring my check.

She looked at me with a puzzled look so I calmly told her….

“Listen lady. I didn’t wake up at 6am for nuttin. Yeah, Pooh is cute and all but I’m here to do the Dumbo Dash so get me my check now!”

After getting our drink order, we try and get everyone seated.

“I wanna sit by her!”
"Where are you sitting?"
“I don’t want to sit at the round table”
“Mom, can I sit my Bryce?”

Geez Louise! Finally everyone gets a seat.

Then finally the server brings our drinks.

Is there a camel in the Winnie the Pooh cartoons?

I’m guessing the server though we were playing the part of the camels and didn’t need our drinks.

Again, maybe I’m just a difficult person.
Maybe.

I’m sure it does take 15 minutes for 22 drinks.

I’ll be sure to tip extra for taking the extra time to squeeze the OJ by hand. I’m sure that’s what it was.

He head to the buffet. It was wonderful!

Wait.

I think it was wonderful.

The food I did grab was inhaled because I had other things I needed to get to.

Like take pictures.
Get my redneck autograph clipboard ready.
Try to make a towel animal out of a napkin.

So I don’t think I tasted much.

Now my family was a different story. They ate like they just got out of prison.

Speaking of pigs….here comes Piglet!!!!

Look in the background….

Here comes Tigger all ready!!!

Man it was hard to be at 2 places at one time!!!

Are you sitting down?

No?

Go ahead. Take a seat.

You better swallow any food in your mouth too.

When your jaw drops, I don’t want anything to fall out.

Here it is…..

TWO SMILING TEENAGERS!!!!!

THANK YOU TIGGER!!!!

Whatever he did, it made them smile….TWICE!

Pick me off the floor. I still can’t believe it.


Back to Piglet….

Back to Tigger.

When do I get to eat?

My brother Rick really liked these characters. He wanted a picture with them all. He told one of the characters that we grew up with Winnie the Pooh and he liked watching them on TV.

I still have my Winnie the Pooh baby blanket.

Shhh….don’t tell anyone I still use it.

Here comes Pooh!

Gasp!!!!!!!!!!

Say it ain’t so?

More smiles!

Simply amazing…..this place really is magical isn’t it? The teenagers WANTED to get up to get their picture taken. I didn’t even have to bribe them!!!

My Pooh!!!

Finally I can sit down and enjoy some food.

Maybe.

Maybe that’s why I think the food is wonderful. I didn’t get much to eat today.

And I forgot my redneck to go bag. Darn it.

Just as we were finishing our last plate, here come the checks.

Perfect timing.

Just like I had asked.

Geez.

If it really took her that long, I’m glad I asked for them 45 minutes ago.

I love character meals, but they seemed so rushed. With autographs, pictures, drinking and eating…..it’s a lot and one area is always compromised. At least for me.

So once again, I end up leaving not stuffed. Wish I guess isn’t a bad thing.

This is the only place all week that I thought the server did not deserve her automatic 18%.

Automatic 18% tip.

A downfall of a large group.

Well, only when the server doesn’t deserve it.

I told the group I wanted to still make rope drop and head to Dumbo first. Then I said that they can stay behind and take their time but I was on a mission!!!



Up next: So will they wait for the last character? Will I make rope drop? Will they believe I was on a mission? Will they like it? What is our first ride?

 

[Cory's Gal]

Isn't being in the MK before it opens the best? We had early ADRs at CP too and nothing beats walking down a quiet Main Street! That was a bummer that you all couldn't be at a table together or at least 2 tables. One of my favorite things about Pooh and Friends are how soft and cuddly they are, it was fun to see the teens pose for pics too!!

 

[TopazGirl]

I've loved reading your TR so far! Hope you have a wonderful anniversary trip w/your DH next week.

 

[island cricket]

This is PRECIOUS! how cute is she with her little arm on piglet? remember she was hesitant before, she must love the pooh characters! PRICELESS!

 

[ceemys]

I personally think the Pooh breakfast is the best of all of them. Last time both my daughter and I danced with Tigger. So much fun!

I just love all the smiles!! From everyone! And you finally got into some of the pictures. You need to let go sometimes and give the camera control to someone else. Keep the trip report coming!