POP and MNSSHP Oct 08 + BONUS Weekend at WL in Dec -*2/20 Update - The End!*

[cdotla]

Another great update Michelle!

And I am so, so, sorry every time I am reminded about that camera of yours! The fact that it is visible in one of the Photopass photos is just adding insult to injury, isn't it? To have taken all those pictures all thru the trip and to have lost them! You know from my TR last year that I know exactly how that feels!

Oh well, at least you still have some from your parents, and I must say, your photopass pictures turned out exceptionally well!!!

And can you please fill all of us in who aren't familiar with the BOG podcast? Or maybe I don't want to hear details about another podcast - currently it takes everything I have just to stay on top of the Dis, WDW and WDW Today podcasts!

 

[wdwgirl03]

Great update! The photopass pictures are cute. I like Sam's HSM ones.

 

[vermontgirl]

Michelle, Michelle, Michelle, well another super dooper update! Sounds like you had a great day with the fam, minus the bus thing!? So did you end up buying the paper towel holder? I love all of the pics Don't you hate that "We're going home tommorow feeling" and the Disney withdrawl begins to set in not too long after you realize your going home soon?.

Did you have a good holiday?

Jeanette

 

[kaysmommie]

Great update! I love the HSM photopass pics of Samantha they're so cute! I see yet another picture of the lost camera . Sounds like you all needed a break from the parks tonight. Looking forward to your last day at MK.

 

[Poohtigeey]

Yay! Love the update. Sam is so pretty. You really got some great Photopass pictures. That's nice that your mom and dad got to spend the day together and take in some shows. Yuck on the wasted afternoon though. One late bus can really mess up your plans. Don't forget you promised us a bonus report from your December weekend!

 

[mom2mek]

Great update Michelle! Those photopass pics are really cute! I love Sam's crooked part in the HSM ones! Did you do that, or did she? Or was it just totally random? I could never master the crooked part!

I love the ToT pics too - you are such an actress!

That DTD flub sounds like something I would do! Ugh - don't ya hate when something that sounds so simple turns into something so complicated and aggravating?

I can't believe you are to your last day almost! I have got to get going on the rest of my report! Maybe I will still beat you!

Sara

 

[julezdisney]

So I got to see the pictures, finally! Did they have those props, then? Neat! Very cute!

 

[mkluvsmickey]

OOoh- I love a Michelle update! I'm at work though so I read what you did and later I'll look at the pix!
Great tip about the busses, though!

Thanks Julia! Yeah - the buses that afternoon were a mess. We've never had any problems before so hopefully it was just a glitch in their system!

Another great update Michelle!
And I am so, so, sorry every time I am reminded about that camera of yours! The fact that it is visible in one of the Photopass photos is just adding insult to injury, isn't it? To have taken all those pictures all thru the trip and to have lost them! You know from my TR last year that I know exactly how that feels!
Oh well, at least you still have some from your parents, and I must say, your photopass pictures turned out exceptionally well!!!
And can you please fill all of us in who aren't familiar with the BOG podcast? Or maybe I don't want to hear details about another podcast - currently it takes everything I have just to stay on top of the Dis, WDW and WDW Today podcasts!

Aw thanks! I hate that you lost your camera! I know you know exactly how I felt. I am so glad we did the photopass this trip - we never really took advantage of that in the past.

I hear you on keeping up with all the Disney community websites! It can be a full time job! You'll have to check out beourguestpodcast.com if you get a chance though - it is a really fun podcast and I even got to meet some of the hosts and listeners at a Mousefest meet earlier this month. I listen right from my computer while I'm working.

Great update! The photopass pictures are cute. I like Sam's HSM ones.

Thank you!

Michelle, Michelle, Michelle, well another super dooper update! Sounds like you had a great day with the fam, minus the bus thing!? So did you end up buying the paper towel holder? I love all of the pics Don't you hate that "We're going home tommorow feeling" and the Disney withdrawl begins to set in not too long after you realize your going home soon?.
Did you have a good holiday?
Jeanette

Hi Jeanette! No, I never got the paper towel holder - the one I wanted has been discontinued. I did find one on ebay a while back but thought it was too much money so I didn't bid on it - now I'm wishing I did! I'll have to keep looking.

We had a great Christmas - thanks for asking! I hope you did also!

Great update! I love the HSM photopass pics of Samantha they're so cute! I see yet another picture of the lost camera . Sounds like you all needed a break from the parks tonight. Looking forward to your last day at MK.

Thanks Nichole! I've definitely come to realize when we need a break and am not afraid to take it! It makes the rest of the day better for everyone involved! Have you booked that May trip yet?

Yay! Love the update. Sam is so pretty. You really got some great Photopass pictures. That's nice that your mom and dad got to spend the day together and take in some shows. Yuck on the wasted afternoon though. One late bus can really mess up your plans. Don't forget you promised us a bonus report from your December weekend!

Aw thanks Monica - you are so sweet! I'm glad my parents don't mind doing their own thing. Sometimes its hard to make sure everyone gets to see their favorites. I knew Sam wasn't interested in those shows this trip and just wasn't worth dragging her there.
Don't worry - I'm excited to share our December weekend at WL with you all. It was a lot of fun!

Great update Michelle! Those photopass pics are really cute! I love Sam's crooked part in the HSM ones! Did you do that, or did she? Or was it just totally random? I could never master the crooked part!
I love the ToT pics too - you are such an actress!
That DTD flub sounds like something I would do! Ugh - don't ya hate when something that sounds so simple turns into something so complicated and aggravating?
I can't believe you are to your last day almost! I have got to get going on the rest of my report! Maybe I will still beat you!
Sara

Thanks Sara! I certainly did not make the crooked part - on purpose at least! I could never get that down either but you are right, it sure looks like I did!
Yeah - the DTD bust reminds me of our attempt to get there on our girls trip...
Get going on your report girl!!!

So I got to see the pictures, finally! Did they have those props, then? Neat! Very cute!

Thanks Julia! Yes, they had the props right there. We just happened upon that photopass guy when we were coming back in the park. It was nice to find something different to add to our photopass collection!

 

[mansionterror]

Another great update Michelle! I love the photopass pics with the HSM props!

 

[scottny]

I thought I commented but I guess not. I cannot find it.

Great update. looks like you all had fun at DHS. I loved TSM. what a fantastic ride.

Nice photopass pics. I totally forgot to get any of those done while we were there. We just got normal ones with the castle, tree, etc....

 

[mkluvsmickey]

Another great update Michelle! I love the photopass pics with the HSM props!

Thanks! That was the first time I had seen the HSM props!

I thought I commented but I guess not. I cannot find it.
Great update. looks like you all had fun at DHS. I loved TSM. what a fantastic ride.
Nice photopass pics. I totally forgot to get any of those done while we were there. We just got normal ones with the castle, tree, etc....

Hey Scott! I'm glad you are reading.
I wasn't sure if TSM would live up to the hype for me but it sure did! So much fun!
I'm so glad I got all of those photopass pictures done this trip!

 

[mkluvsmickey]

Sadly, we were leaving today. But, we still had the Magic Kingdom to conquer. Sam and I have made it a tradition to visit a park, usually Magic Kingdom, on our last day before the drive home. We used to just get a nice breakfast somewhere and leave but have since realized we could get in an almost full day at a park before leaving which would minimize, or at least delay, the Disney depression.

We were up early that day. My parents had their own car and were planning to have breakfast at Kona Café and then head home. Sam and I had breakfast in the room and then my dad helped to load my car. We drove to the TTC and took a monorail over to Magic Kingdom.

These are the only non-photopass pictures I have from this day as my parents weren't with us except for in the morning at the resort:

We hadn’t planned for this, but we ended up getting through the turnstiles right about 8:45 and were able to catch the opening show. We had never seen this before! I got teary eyed watching it – just loved it!

I had always heard people talk about getting to MK at rope drop and being able to hit almost all the rides they wanted with little to no wait. Well, we were about to find out how true that is. Wow! We got to walk on everything! I will always try to make Magic Kingdom rope drop in the future. It is amazing what a difference that hour makes. By 10:00 the park was starting to get busier.

A few not so great pictures on the way in:

The first thing we did was the Indy Speedway. Sam loves this ride as I suppose most kids do. I like it too. I remember riding with my dad when I was a kid. A lot of people complain of the fume smell but I kind of like it! We walked right on this ride and had a great time.

Next up were the following rides – all with no wait! Teacups, Peter Pan, Small World and Mickey’s Philharmagic.

If you remember, Sam was ready to try Space Mountain while we were at MNSSHP and it broke down while we were in line. So, we were headed there next. She has done every thrill ride at WDW except for this. She was nervous about not sitting together but I told her she could sit in front of me and I’d hold her shoulders. We were able to walk right on. Sam loved it! Phew! It was a little uncomfortable for me to lean forward holding her shoulders but still a fun ride. When we got off the ride we got fast passes for later as Sam wanted to ride again to try the other side.

Next of were two more of our favorites – TTA (or People Mover as I still call it) and Carousel of Progress. Then it was our return time for Space Mountain. We really didn’t need the fast pass as it was virtually still a walk on but we used them anyway since we weren’t planning to come back to this side of the park.

As we were walking through the queue for Space Mountain, Sam told me I didn’t need to hold her shoulders this time. But, as soon as we loaded in our rocket she changed her mind. So, another uncomfortable but fine ride for me! I’m glad Sam got the chance to ride it before any rehab is done – if it is ever done.

We stopped in front of the castle for some photopass pictures:

We crossed over to Adventureland to check out the wait time for Jungle Cruise. It was 25 minutes so we decided to get a fast pass for after lunch. Sam had only ridden this once when she was three and didn’t remember at all. I was curious to see if she would get any of the jokes this time around.

We stopped for to fight a

Splash Mountain was calling us but we both had jeans on since it was a little cool that morning and we didn’t want to ride home in wet jeans. Too bad – we both love that ride and didn’t get on it this trip. So, we went on over to Big Thunder Mountain Railroad.

BTMRR was a walk on. Sam was feeling brave and told me she was going to raise her hands and not hold on during the ride. I thought I’d join her so I held my camera between my knees and we had a grand old time waving our hands throughout the ride. Towards the end of the ride I felt for my camera and it was gone. It was a dark part of the ride so I started feeling all along the bottom of our cart but nothing. When we got back to the station we looked all around and there was no sign of my camera. I alerted a CM and he told me that they do a walk-through every night and if they found it they would turn it in to lost and found.

I tried to stay calm because I could tell Sam was upset. I had taken a ton of pictures on this trip (something new for me) and I was devastated! I held it together best I could for Sam but was trying to find a bathroom where I could let out my tears without Sam seeing. We were headed to The Plaza for lunch so we stopped in the restrooms by Casey’s Corner. I had myself a good cry in there and then decided to look on the bright side. I was thankful that we are able to visit Disney often and that this wasn’t my one and only trip. I actually thought about another DISer’s report I had read (cdotla) where she lost her camera at the end of her kid’s first trip to WDW. I was also thankful that I had many photopass pictures taken during this trip, something I normally didn’t do.

Our final photopass picture with not so natural smiles:

We decided to make the best of it and enjoy our last few hours at WDW. We stopped for a few more photopass pictures and went to check in at The Plaza. While we were waiting I was talking to Sam about the camera and told her that I should have brought my laptop so I could have uploaded the pictures each night. Then she says, “We should have stayed at the Contemporary because there are computers right in the room and you could have saved your pictures there!”

We were excited to try The Plaza. I had heard good reports here on the DIS and was looking forward to sitting down for a nice lunch. While we waited outside, a CM came out with a big beach ball and was playing with the kids waiting outside. I thought that was a nice touch.

We both really enjoyed The Plaza. I had a turkey and bacon sandwich with homemade potato chips. Sam had a grilled cheese with fries and grapes. For dessert she got the kids choice of cookies and milk and I had a banana split (that we shared). It was yummy!

The tables were really close together where we sat but we got to talk to a really nice couple next to us. They were from Pennsylvania and had just arrived for a week’s vacation that morning. It was nice to talk to them at the start of their trip with all the excitement that lay ahead for them. It is always weird to find someone who is arriving on the day you are leaving.

We were right near a window that faced near a doorway to one of the backstage areas. There were a couple of photopass guys who passed by coming on or off duty and they both would come up to the window and make funny faces at everyone in the restaurant. Another nice touch I thought!

Then, one of the Main Street “residents” came in the restaurant and made her way to all the tables. I’m not sure who this person is supposed to be but it was a woman in a purple dress. She was really funny. She came to Samantha and made a comment about her purple nail polish matching her dress. She then gave Samantha a pin that said something like “Honorary Main Street Resident” or something like that. I can’t find it now to see exactly what it said but Sam was thrilled to have received it.

After our enjoyable lunch it was time to use our fast passes for Jungle Cruise. We had a really funny skipper and Sam caught on right away. It was a fun ride and now something she wants to do each trip. The skipper asked a family near the front of the boat where they were from and it turns out they were from the same town as us! Small World!

After Jungle Cruise we knew we should start making our way out. We stopped to do a little shopping on the way. Probably too much shopping. I think I was consoling myself about the loss of my camera with a little retail therapy. I got some more pins, a book for our pins, some kitchen utensils, a CD and Sam got a Webkinz.

We stopped at Guest Services on the way out to file a claim for the lost camera. The CM in there was very sympathetic and told me to call Lost & Found first thing the next day and that hopefully they would have it. (Obviously they didn’t.)

Our last stop was to pick up our new annual passes at the ticket window. That helped a bit – we knew for sure we’d be back!

Our drive home was uneventful. It was nice to see our animals and it was time to get back to reality. At least until the next trip.

Speaking of which – next up with be a bonus TR of our weekend at Wilderness Lodge in December. I also went on a girls weekend trip with friends I met right here on the DIS. The link to that fun report can be found in my signature also.

Next up – Wilderness Lodge and my first Mousefest!

 

[OneTreeHillAddict]

I love all the new pics! I had camera issues this time myself. Not fun. I'm going to go check out the girls trip....

 

[scottny]

great update and pics.

that stinks they could not find the camera.

remember next trip always around the neck or wrist.

sounds like a fun trip though.

 

[julezdisney]

Great update, Michelle! Though I got sad that you cried.

And now I'm excited to read the next TR! Yay!

 

[wdwgirl03]

Great update! I'm glad you were able to do so many things at the MK for EMH. It really does make a difference, even during the really busy times. I'm sad that it's your last day but getting your APs does make it better! You're lucky you live so close. Can't wait to hear about the Wilderness Lodge!

 

[kaysmommie]

Loved your last day update. The matching Tshirts are cute! You got so much done in MK this day. Glad you liked tha Plaza, my Dh loves it.

 

[cdotla]

Michelle - where to start!

First off - as for MK at rope drop, isn't it the best?! I just can't tour the parks anymore without being at rope drop!

Love the pics of you & Sam in the "O" at Pop. Very cute!

Remind me overall about your feelings for Pop. And how does it compare to other resorts you have stayed at?

Oh, I thought you were done pulling on my heart strings about the camera - LOL! Your description of sitting there in the BTM car reaching furiously inside the car trying to find it just made my heart sink again for both of us. But I am so impressed you had the ability to hold it together for Sam! I still remember sitting on the airplane about to take off from MCO when I thought I lost my camera for the 2nd time and not being able to hold it together despite the fact that I had DD sitting beside me! Ugh! That is a feeling I never want to have again!!!

I am so happy that you had so many great pictures this time from both your Mom and photopass. And obviously, you and Sam are getting to be Park regulars, so hopefully your new camera has already been filled up with plenty of new WDW memories!

BTW - Sam is totally a girl after my own heart. Nothing like justifying a bump up from POP to CR on the basis of being able to download photos using the hotel computers! And man, is she up on the various resort amenities or what?! At 8 yrs old to boot!

Anyway, loved your last day recap and can't wait to read your "bonus" Christmas stay at WL and hear all about that and Mousefest!

 

[mom2mek]

Loved hearing about your last day Michelle! Well, except for the losing your camera thing and the crying in the bathroom thing!

I loved the opening show at the MK too (saw it on the T-giving trip). It brought tears to my eyes as well!

Your shirts are too cute!

Can't wait to hear about your girls trip! How'd it go meeting up with strangers anyway?

Sara

 

[mkluvsmickey]

I love all the new pics! I had camera issues this time myself. Not fun. I'm going to go check out the girls trip....

Hi Tammy! So sorry you had camera troubles - no fun! I need to get caught up on your TR - I am so far behind on my DISing!

great update and pics.
that stinks they could not find the camera.
remember next trip always around the neck or wrist.
sounds like a fun trip though.

Thanks Scott! Samantha is always reminding me to wrap the camera strap around my wrist whenever we get on a ride now!

Great update, Michelle! Though I got sad that you cried.
And now I'm excited to read the next TR! Yay!

Aw thanks Julia! Update coming up soon....

Great update! I'm glad you were able to do so many things at the MK for EMH. It really does make a difference, even during the really busy times. I'm sad that it's your last day but getting your APs does make it better! You're lucky you live so close. Can't wait to hear about the Wilderness Lodge!

Yes - that extra hour in the morning really makes a difference. I am now a believer! I need to get caught up on your TR also!

Loved your last day update. The matching Tshirts are cute! You got so much done in MK this day. Glad you liked tha Plaza, my Dh loves it.

Hi Nichole! Yes, we had a very productive day and I think we were out of the park by 2:00 or so. We really enjoyed the Plaza and have it booked again in February for lunch.

Michelle - where to start!
First off - as for MK at rope drop, isn't it the best?! I just can't tour the parks anymore without being at rope drop!
Love the pics of you & Sam in the "O" at Pop. Very cute!
Remind me overall about your feelings for Pop. And how does it compare to other resorts you have stayed at?
Oh, I thought you were done pulling on my heart strings about the camera - LOL! Your description of sitting there in the BTM car reaching furiously inside the car trying to find it just made my heart sink again for both of us. But I am so impressed you had the ability to hold it together for Sam! I still remember sitting on the airplane about to take off from MCO when I thought I lost my camera for the 2nd time and not being able to hold it together despite the fact that I had DD sitting beside me! Ugh! That is a feeling I never want to have again!!!
I am so happy that you had so many great pictures this time from both your Mom and photopass. And obviously, you and Sam are getting to be Park regulars, so hopefully your new camera has already been filled up with plenty of new WDW memories!
BTW - Sam is totally a girl after my own heart. Nothing like justifying a bump up from POP to CR on the basis of being able to download photos using the hotel computers! And man, is she up on the various resort amenities or what?! At 8 yrs old to boot!
Anyway, loved your last day recap and can't wait to read your "bonus" Christmas stay at WL and hear all about that and Mousefest!

Thanks for all the nice comments!

As for POP - I love this resort even though it is a value! I will often prefer this to a moderate. Something about it is just so Disney to me. I really have enjoyed all of Disney's resorts but have to say that Contemporary and POP just feel the most like "Disney" for some reason.

Loved hearing about your last day Michelle! Well, except for the losing your camera thing and the crying in the bathroom thing!
I loved the opening show at the MK too (saw it on the T-giving trip). It brought tears to my eyes as well!
Your shirts are too cute!
Can't wait to hear about your girls trip! How'd it go meeting up with strangers anyway?
Sara

Thanks Sara!
I met up with the best strangers ever in December! You'll have to read our trip report!