Plankton and the Mason's "Magic"-al vacation!

[Karen Mouse]

Hi there!

We just got back from our marvelous holiday - I'd like to share it with you all

Please be gentle on me - its only my second attempt at a trippie......ok here goes.....




I'll start by introducing myself - I'm Karen, just turned 40 but I act like a 6 year old . My hubby is Neil and we have a son, Ellis - age 7. We're from England, so if you dont understand any of my jokes just post a and I'll try to explain my sick sense of humour to you.

We've been to WDW several times but this year we were cruising too .



I found the "meet" thread for Oct 20th before I had even booked. I met a really great bunch of dissers on there and we chatted regularly....(ok, I admit it - I was on there all the time) - you'll see photos of most of the group later.

One couple whom I know you all know well from her brilliant trippies and food reports - Brenda and Jason (Oybolshoi) had to sadly pull out, so rather than not go at all I offered to take her mascot - the one and only Plankton!

Here we are....this is a photo from day 5 -me (Auntie Karen), Planky and Brenda(Planky's Mom).

Day 1 - Saturday 13th October

Ok, we arrived on the 13th October from Manchester, England with Virgin. A relatively painless experience and smooth flight. The double collection was a pain - waited over an hour for the suitcases at the second point but we were soon on our way to the first hotel - Holiday Inn I Drive. We've used it before, the rooms are big and theres a big enough fridge for beer, wine and cheesecake. It has an iron and ironing board and microwave too.

We didnt upgrade the car this time as it was going to be sitting in a carpark for most of the time so we just got a PT Cruiser which fitted all of us and our luggage perfectly.


We quickly unpacked and headed off to Bennigans for dinner.

Heres hubby Neil and my munchkin Ellis

Then it was back to the hotel and we got Ellis tucked into bed and we werent far behind him.

Snoring by 9pm! zzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzz











Not bored yet? - ok then - read on to day 2






Day 2 - Sunday 14th October

We woke at 5.15am and had tea and coffee in the room. Once we were all bathed or showered it was straight to Walmart for supplies.

We bought wine, beer, cheesecake, cornflakes and milk and a few other bits and pieces. Back to the hotel to offload the shopping then we were off to Animal Kingdom.

We did quite a few rides, ate at Rainforest cafe and watched the Lion King show. Heres some more photos!

On the way home we stopped off at Downtown Disney so I could get my annual "fix" of ornaments from the xmas shop. Quite a disapointing shop for me this year though - I usually spend about $400 in this shop - this year I could only manage to spend $75 - I either had the ornament already or didnt like the new stuff. I might add at this point that this made my hubby a very happy man for several reasons - 1. He didnt have to pay for them all, 2. He didnt have to carry them all, 3. He didnt have to throw away as many clothes to get them in the suitcase to go home.:

Heres some photos he took while I was shopping.

We went straight to TGI Front Row and had dinner and a well earned pitcher of beer. Geez - it was sooooo noisy in there - some game was on and from the sound of the crowd in the bar they were doing well - can you tell I dont know the rules for your games - heck! - I dont know the rules for our sports either

We were all tired at this point so it was back to the hotel for cheesecake and wine/beer/chocolate milk and we were asleep by 9pm - jet lag


Thats all for now folks..... tune in for the next intstallment soon.
Hope it hasnt been too boring

 

[disgrits]

Great start, Karen! Can't wait to see all of the pics.

 

[oybolshoi]

Karen ... love it so far (thanks for the kind words and next time could you please airbrush a paper bag in over my head when you post a photo of me? I scare myself ... ).

Can't wait to see pictures from the cruise and hear about all the stuff you KKers got up to!

 

[Karen Mouse]

Thanks Paige and thanks Brenda - and paper bag? - I dont think so you bewb flashing one legged girl

 

[Dyerneeds]

great start karen. we loved seeing you guys on the cruise.
we should get all the konked cruisers to do a trip report.

 

[millerpjm]

Love it Karen - keep going!

By the way...cute pics of Ellis!

 

[Karen Mouse]

Day 3 - Monday 15th

Once again we were up early - 5.45am. After a relaxing brekkie in the room we headed off to Blizzard Beach. We got there for opening. After riding the family raft ride about 5 times I settled down on a sunlounger while Neil took Ellis to the kiddie area, then we all drifted round the lazy river.

We left at 12.30 and headed to Premium Outlet mall.....I wont go into everything I bought, but lets just say I made up for the disapointing xmas ornament shop .

We went back to the hotel and rested. Today we had reservations for Le Cellier at 4.30pm, but no-one felt like going, so we didnt bother. I was miffed that I didnt get to try the cheese soup that I had heard so much about, but more on that later.

We ended up eating later at Black Angus steak house - I had my usual filet mignon - delicious! And their sweet bread - oh my god! - I could eat 100loaves of it. We headed home and had cheesecake and wine in bed. Luxury!







Day 4 - Tuesday 16th October

Ok, did I mention this report is more like a photo trippie? Not much typing just loads of photos? - No?...ok...I'll mention it now....prepare yourself for photos ...lots of photos ...

Today started off badly - Tonight we were going to MNSHHP for the very first time. We were all looking forward to it. Ellis was getting dressed up as a pirate and we all had our trick or treat bags waiting to be filled.

We were getting ready to head to Magic Kingdom when Neil asked me where the MNSHHP tickets were............................erm.................................






- Holy cow!.........they were back in England






Yep! - I'd forgot to pack them

As a desperate measure I decided to head to DTD to guest services to see if they could help me. I didnt hold up much hope - I didnt even have the serial number off the back of them or anything. I had bought them off the disney website months ago and had put them somewhere "safe".....they are so "safe" I still havent found them and we've been home 2 days

Anyway, a lovely lady at guest services simply printed me off new tickets once I had explained what I had done.

Isnt that brilliant! Just like that!...Hey presto! - new tickets! - to say I was chuffed would be a major understatement

Phew! - panic over....after all that stress I needed to shop so we did a bit in DTD and then went to LBV mall.

AFTER A FEW HOURS OF RETAIL THERAPY.... back to the hotel. I had a long bubble bath while Neil took Ellis to the hotel pool.

All ready for MNSHHP by 5pm so off we went - tickets safely in Neils wallet

 

[Karen Mouse]

Ok, here come the bombardment of photos I warned you about...

We hadnt done it before so I was rather "click happy"...like a mad woman ....gotta get photos of everything new

We had a great time. It wasnt too busy, the candy lines were short and I managed to get the cd's that 2 fellow cruisers wanted - (Hi Cheryl and Lindy Loo - hope you're not still humming that "Boo to you" tune )


We got a great spot for the parade. Right near the front behind a kid in a buggy...fab ...or it was until right before the parade started and the parents decided to buy the kid a huge balloon and tie it to the handle right in front of my face ...I sooooooo wished I had a pin that night

The parade was brilliant (what I saw of it) and then we made our way out of the park and back to the room for more cheesecake.

Tomorrow - an early start

 

[GOS]

OK Karen, enjoying it so far....but what gives with all the lifeguards?

 

[Karen Mouse]

I have so many photos they wont all fit on one post

Heres the rest

We did the Monsters Inc Laughter floor - really funny! Neil got picked out on the screen too!

Then we did

and then we met the real Buzz

Parade time!

Does anyone else out there in Dissland like that annoying blue train ride in tomorrowland???? - my son absolutely loves it

The blooming thing stopped for about 10 minutes while we were on it too - we got off just in time for the fireworks

Just to let you know - tomorrows episode - I get to finally meet Planky!

 

[Karen Mouse]

great start karen. we loved seeing you guys on the cruise.
we should get all the konked cruisers to do a trip report.

Hiya

You're all more than welcome to post photos on here if you'd like to once I get to that part of the trippie

Thanks for reading

 

[Karen Mouse]

Love it Karen - keep going!

By the way...cute pics of Ellis!

HI JEN! Thanks for popping in and reading...He is cute isnt he! so is your Thomas

OK Karen, enjoying it so far....but what gives with all the lifeguards?

I did look out for last years lifeguard Heather but he wasnt there - I had to make do with this one - dont worry I have nice pirates coming along later

 

[frdeb1999]

Wonderful report...can't wait to hear and see more!! Sounds like you had a wonderful time!

 

[JLDSMD]

Today started off badly - Tonight we were going to MNSHHP for the very first time. We were all looking forward to it. Ellis was getting dressed up as a pirate and we all had our trick or treat bags waiting to be filled.

We were getting ready to head to Magic Kingdom when Neil asked me where the MNSHHP tickets were............................erm.................................

- Holy cow!.........they were back in England

Yep! - I'd forgot to pack them

Karen,

Great report so far. Love all the pictures.

Gotta ask, what's with you guys misplacing your tickets all the time (sorry, just a little foreshadowing of things to come )

Jeff

 

[cntkg1]

SresiurK Deknok!!!

Fabulous start Karen. By the time I got to read this, you were on day 4 already.

Love all the pics.

One question though...Did you really have your cheesecake with beer??


Looking forward to more. We want updates, we want updates. (Brenda, sound familiar?)

 

[Karen Mouse]

Wonderful report...can't wait to hear and see more!! Sounds like you had a wonderful time!

Wow! - you're my first non-cruiser on the thread! - welcome! - everyone else felt obliged to read and comment cos they were with me - you are my first genuine reader/customer - so for that I thank you - keep reading PLEASE!

Karen,

Great report so far. Love all the pictures.

Gotta ask, what's with you guys misplacing your tickets all the time (sorry, just a little foreshadowing of things to come )

Jeff

Dont even go there mister

SresiurK Deknok!!!

Fabulous start Karen. By the time I got to read this, you were on day 4 already.

Love all the pics.

One question though...Did you really have your cheesecake with beer??


Looking forward to more. We want updates, we want updates. (Brenda, sound familiar?)

Nancy - Hiya! - thanks for coming over to read I have cheesecake with anything ...cheesecake is made for any meal and to go with any liquid - trust me - try it

Its a great start to the day for brekkie
a great mid morning snack,
works fab for lunch,
mid afternoon nibbles
dinner, or tea as we brits call it
or even supper

any liquid will do as long as it washes it off the roof of your mouth so you're free to take the next mouthful

Enjoy!

Tomorrow is the first Planky day

 

[Karen Mouse]

Well, whadda ya know! - I'm on page 2

is it an F.O. for my trippie?



For any non cruisers - and F.O. is a "fresh one" - ie fresh page - it was started by a fellow cruiser called Chris - he's still out there sailing the seas - he did the double dip while the rest of us got off on the 27th, so this f.o. is dedicated to AFEG - May your 2nd week be as much fun as my first

 

[cntkg1]

Hey young lady! Where do you think you are, in the States? Go to bed!! It's waaaaay past midnight in the UK, isn't it? I'll keep an eye on Plankton for you. Get some rest woman.

 

[minnieandmickey]

Great report so far Karen. That first pic of the castle is awesome.
By the way I enjoyed dancin next to you during the Pirate Party.

 

[.:)Tinker_Belle(:.]

We had a great time. It wasnt too busy, the candy lines were short and I managed to get the cd's that 2 fellow cruisers wanted - (Hi Cheryl and Lindy Loo - hope you're not still humming that "Boo to you" tune )

great start karen!

thats funny because my mom still is going around singing and humming it! thats what is in the car now and shell fight you if you try changing the cd