Pretrip for June: Spreading the Disney addiction.. The "cute" gear 4/25

[medicgirl911]

Lovingthe pre/post trip report.

I come from a long line of military men in my life, My Dad being a vietnam vet, I have so much pride in our soldiers and If I could hug and thank every soldier that has served his/her country I would. Thank your Tim for me. The wives and mothers, deserve Kudos too for their strength to keep their families going. Anyway, looking forward to the next installment.

Hugs to your dad too! It was a lot different when they came home. My dad had told us about having to change into civilian clothes and snuck through airports to avoid protesters... It was a vry hard time being seperated for so long, unfortunately I seen many families come apart and divorce in my husbands unit. I think with us, it made our marriage stronger and gave us a deeper appreciation of each other. Thank you for your kind words!!

Great update, I've never done any of those rides in the dark. Our evenings at MK always seem to consist of eating, then staking out a place for the parades, watching the parades and heading out. Maybe we'll try some of those rides this year in the dark too. Great pic's and update, can't wait for more, wondering why Epcot is a "scary day"
Lesley

Well there was no spectro parade that night, and I pretty much knew Wishes was outta the question, so while everyone else was "staked out" it let us get on rides with VERY minimal wait. I can't compare jungle cruise to riding it in the daytime since this was the only time we were on it, but I thought it was great in the dark!! I will try to update my scary day at Epcot today if I have time. Gotta get this house cleaned up and take a nap...work 12 hour nights tonight. Saturday nights in the ER are never pretty. We always get way too many drunk obnoxious people who have gotten into fights. I am sure since it is St. Patricks Day that tonight will be no different, if not worse. *sigh* I really do honestly love my job though!

Hey, Tiffany! I, too, followed you over from my pre-trip report after you replied! hee hee! I know what you mean about feeling all lonely in your report...but now I have about 4 new DIS friends on mine and I wanted to come see yours, too!

All I can say first is: WOW! God bless you and your family! Thank you to Tim for his service!

Now I have to say that I'm jealous...I haven't figured out the whole picture thing yet...I will make that my mission before we leave.

I'm loving reading the trip report and am now officially subscribing!

Ahh the picture thing is easy!!! I uploaded pics to photobucket, then I found the edit button that resizes them specifically for what you want, so I chose the message board option. Then it lists like 3 different "codes" and pick the one for you need. To post here it is the IMG code. Just right click on the box, it "copies" the code then "paste" it into your message..... I think there is a sticky post in the tech forum about it.
Anyway, glad to have you reading, I am enjoying your report as well!!!!

 

[2BusyPlanning]

Of course I had to "come on over", too! Great trip report!

That picture of Mackenzie and Eeyore made me melt! Awww!

I loved POP when I stayed there in Dec 05 with friends. Great atmosphere. I will be tuning in as well!

 

[Disneyolic]

Hey Tiffany. I decided to stalk you over here at your pre-trip report. I'm going to add a link at your name on my thread to come over here to view it.

I have to admit I was taken aback when I read about your husband's accident in Iraq. My heart did a little drop. So many of our "boys" are over there and, no matter what people may think of the war, we always, always, always must support our troops!

 

[medicgirl911]

Of course I had to "come on over", too! Great trip report!

That picture of Mackenzie and Eeyore made me melt! Awww!

I loved POP when I stayed there in Dec 05 with friends. Great atmosphere. I will be tuning in as well!

Thanks for reading, I love that pic of Kenzie also, tooo cute, she is my sweetie! We enjoyed POP and had a great room location. We wouldn't hesitate to stay there again. but this time are trying POR, it looks so peaceful and relaxing.

Hey Tiffany. I decided to stalk you over here at your pre-trip report. I'm going to add a link at your name on my thread to come over here to view it.

I have to admit I was taken aback when I read about your husband's accident in Iraq. My heart did a little drop. So many of our "boys" are over there and, no matter what people may think of the war, we always, always, always must support our troops!

Wow, THANKS!!!
I definetly agree, I have a lot of conflicting feelings on the war, but our guys are doing their job and deserve our support!!

 

[MomToAp1699]

Came over to read your Pre-Trip/Post Trip Report since you posted on mine I love your Post Trip Report sounds like you had a ton of fun.

I also want to echo the words of a few others and ask you to tell your husband Thank You for me and mine. My brother is a Marine Currently Serving in Iraq and each day is touched with fear and the hope that he will be home soon. I appreciate the struggles and sacrifices men like your husband and my brother and those like them make so that those of us at home can live each day safe and happy with the ability to do things like plan vacations and leave the house without fear.

 

[medicgirl911]

OK--Our EPCOT Day!!!

This day was just kind-of off for us.
We got their for rope drop, I LOVED this topiary!!

We rushed immediately to Soarin. Yes I was going to ride Soarin!!! I was a little nervous, but I was dead set on doing it. So we booked on over there, I don't really recall that the crowd was too crazy. Headed down the que and had about a 10 minute wait. We realized that we forgot to get fastpasses and just decided we would get tehm on our way out, because after all we were going to love this ride so much we would have to ride it again.
I was trying not to get nervous.
DD was being pretty quiet about the whole thing.
We get in....first row...didn't I read that was the highest viewpoint??? But it's ok no feet in our face.... wow there is really nothing for me to heroically try and grab for if I fall out though.
Snap DD's seatbelt.....
She starts bawling, don't make me ride this!
I love this kid, I will not die on soarin today
So we promptly alert the CM and he leads us out the exit, DH stays on for the ride.
I felt bad for Kenzie because she never once said a word about being afraid the whole time til I snapped her seatbelt. Turns out she thought she was really gonna take off outta the building and up into the sky for a flyover from California. She had seen the planning video and it is way more realistic on there and she was still crying but wanted to go out to look for Daddy in the sky
So I explained that whole thing to her she calmed down and we waited for DH to finish. He didn't really care for it and thought it was pretty lame

We then went to Living Seas because I couldn't wait to check out Turtle Talk with Crush. I had the whole TGM plan of attack down for these two rides.
We head that way and tehre is a rope about 50 feet in front of the building. CM's say that it is closed temporarily and will be opening shortly. Errrm ok A kink in my plans but oh well! So we wait.
And wait.
And wait.
DH takes DD walking around and they snap some really cute pics.

Now in this time a crowd really starts to grow behind me. People are cramming against everyone else, total invasion of personal space.
DD and DH make it back up to me and we wait in the crowd, we were the first ones on the rope and we were getting jostled all over the place. Dh was really not liking this AT ALL (remember the whole PTSD thing) I thought he was going to snap. So the CM's come up and start lining people up down further on the rope if they are in a WC or ECV. No prob, but people behind us start getting really angry and using some very inappropriate words in front of little ears about how "unfair" it was. So now the jostling is really getting bad as people are wanting to be the first ones through the rope. While we had been there 10-15 minutes waiting before anyone we were now about 5-6 people back. Then they opened the section of rope in front of where we had been. It was awful the way people were shoving through people, Tim almost dropped Mackenzie! You would have thought there was a fire or something and people were fighting for their lives! So we kind of fledge on and make it to the line for Turtle Talk and get into the first show. We loved this but after all the craziness, DD wouldn't leave our side to sit on the floor with the other kids, so she sat on my lap. She really got a kick out of it though and all of us were cracking up through the whole thing.
When we were finished and came out, we couldn't believe the line for Turtle Talk ....it was HUGE! I am glad we got that first show!!!
We explored the aquariums, canught part of the show about the manatees and Kenzie did the Kidcot station.

The CM's there didn't even talk to the kids
After that we changed DD into her Minnie dress. (She had saved her own money to buy it, I was trying to guide her to a princess one, but she was insistent on Minnie. She said "Mom all the girls here are dressed like princesses" which was very true!)
We then went to Garden Grill for lunch. We were sat at one of the outside booths. The entire time we had noone sitting on either side of us, the restaraunt seemed very uncrowded. We had a lot of character interaction, and seen all the characters twice. We thought the food was very good!!!

Mickey made a big production about Kenzie being dressed as Minnie. made motions that his heart was beating for her and such, it was adorable!!! I am really glad she had picked the Minnie dress, Mackenzie still talks about Mickey loving her because he thought she was Minnie.
After lunch, Tim was saying he really needed to be away from people for a while. So we went back to POP. I was hoping to make it a short break so we could see more of Future World and then check out World Showcase and HOPEFULLY Illuminations!

Up next...do we make it back to EPCOT???

 

[medicgirl911]

Came over to read your Pre-Trip/Post Trip Report since you posted on mine I love your Post Trip Report sounds like you had a ton of fun.

I also want to echo the words of a few others and ask you to tell your husband Thank You for me and mine. My brother is a Marine Currently Serving in Iraq and each day is touched with fear and the hope that he will be home soon. I appreciate the struggles and sacrifices men like your husband and my brother and those like them make so that those of us at home can live each day safe and happy with the ability to do things like plan vacations and leave the house without fear.

I wish your brother a safe return and I hope you send him lots of mail!! Even a quick note, or a pic or a drawing brightens their day soooo much!!
Those are beautiful words you posted, I totally agree!

 

[medicgirl911]

I decided I should probably give a glimpse of our upcoming Itinerary for June. I don't want kicked off the board LOL, this whole "review of last year" is taking much longer than I thought!

And maybe I am procastinating on cleaning So here goes!

June 14-June 25 2006
June 14th Thursday
Drive from Illinois as soon as friend gets off work, drive STRAIGHT THRU all night to Florida--WDW!!!!
June 15th Friday
sometime late afternoon
After arriving and getting checked into Port of Orleans Riverside, chill out, rest eat at Boatwrights or Riverside Food Court.

June 16th Saturday
MK Morning/ Harbour House or Cosmic Rays for Lunch
Break
6:35 Liberty Tree Tavern
Spectro/Wishes

June 17th Sunday (Fathers Day)
AK/ Tusker house for lunch
Try to stay through the parade at 4pm then go to room to freshen up
7:20 Whispering Canyon Cafe

June 18th Monday
Epcot Morning (FW)/ Sunshine Seasons for lunch
break
Coral Reef 5pm
WS/ Illuminations

June 19th Tuesday
MGM prob. no break here, but if we need to we will
1100am SCI-FI
6:00pm Mama Melroses for Fantasmic Dinner Package

June 20th Wednesday
730am Guys to Richard Petty for 8lap driving package (Fathers Day Present)
Downtown Disney/ Earl of Sandwhich for Lunch
130pm Bibbidy Bobbidy Boutique for girls
6:30pm 1900 Park Fare

June 21st Thursday
MK morning
Break
5:00 pm for Hoop Dee Doo

June 22nd Friday
??? Depends if kids qualify for National Tumbling Competition in April
If so go to Daytona for that, if not park of choice for the morning
then....
onto TREASURE ISLAND FLORIDA!! It is in the Clearwater area. We will be staying there until 6/25 before driving back to Illinois (at a much leisurely pace staying overnight somewhere along the way)
Here is a link to the resort http://www.sunsetvistas.com/overview.php
And some pics....

I have never been to the beach before and I know we are going to have a great time!!!
Oh and you may be wondering why I mentioned Guys, girls, friends....etc
well yes there are some additions to our trip....to find out the who and how, you'll just have to keep reading, I will get there I promise!!!

 

[NMAmy]

Hiya, Tiffany! See, posting (and being so darn nice!) on other people's TR's really pays off. We all scoot over here to see what that nice Tiffany has to say in her trip report.

And, I'm loving it! I must say, when I read the part about your DH being in the hospital, I just teared up. I'm so glad he's back home and you're getting to enjoy not just one trip but an upcoming trip as well. (You'll be coming home on my birthday. No gift is necessary but I just wanted to share!) Your dd is adorable and I'm sure Mickey will be very happy to see her again. Tell her that I'm going to let him know she'll be there soon when I see him next week.

 

[MomToAp1699]

I wish your brother a safe return and I hope you send him lots of mail!! Even a quick note, or a pic or a drawing brightens their day soooo much!!
Those are beautiful words you posted, I totally agree!

Thank You, We are only 25% into Deployment.. So we still have a good amount of time left to go... Yep.. Lots of snail mail, packages, email and moto mail go over to him. Thank You for the Goodvibes they are VERY appreciated

 

[medicgirl911]

Well in short, I will say that we did not make it back to EPCOT that night. No illuminations, no World Showcase, no pastries in France....sigh DD wanted badly to go back to MK. Bad enough that she did not mind missing dinner with princesses in Norway. Really this vacation was all about her anyway, so we gladly obliged and she did everything in Fantasyland again. We ate at Crystal Palace again (at DH's request) Watched Spectro again and left before Wishes started to avoid traumatizing DD any further.
Now somewhere in this mix, and I can not remeber for the life of me what day it was, we had scheduled Mackenzie in for the Wonderland Tea Party. I would have thought it would have been after Epcot, but I know thats not right because I remember changing her clothes in the Grand Floridian bathroom.
Here is the AllEars description of it:
Wonderland Tea Party - A tea party (lasting one hour) for children, hosted by characters from Alice in Wonderland. Children will make and eat cupcakes, enjoy a story, eat lunch, and have tea with the characters, and make flower bouquets. Lunch includes turkey and cheese or berry sandwich, chicken nuggets, fruit, dessert, and apple tea (apple juice). (Menu subject to change.) Children who are potty trained and ages 4-10 may attend.
Monday through Friday from 1:30 p.m. - 2:30 p.m.
Available to all guests, Cost is $28.17 plus tax

Mackenzie LOVED this . I followed some TGM advice and knew right where to sit her and she ended up sitting right next to the Mad Hatter. She still talks about being able to eat dessert first and playing hide and seek. It was really adorable. Tim and I walked aorund a bit at teh Grand Floridian and were soooo impressed with how glamorous it all appeared. There was a wedding and we seen everyone getting there pictures taken. We had some dessert at the Grand Floridian Cafe. It was really nice being able to spend some time alone and enjoy each other.

Here is a pic of Mackenzie in the buggy outside of the GF. She was convinced that it was Cinderellas.

So even though I don't remember the when, it was defiently a memorable experience, and I thought the price was great!!

 

[timandlesley]

Absolutely love the tea party, great pics. I was considering this for Lauren but I was waiting until she was older, looks like she had an outstanding time.
Your plans for the upcoming trip seem great too!
Enjoying reading everything!
Lesley

 

[medicgirl911]

Ok a couple of things have come up here at home that I thought I would share.
Situation #1.....
I make a CASUAL mention of wanting to pull off a surprise trip for DD's 8th Birthday next March......"Hot tub /fence" was his immediate reply...
HUH??
"We are not going to Disney next year we are putting in a hot tub and a fence." Pointing out the window--"right next to the pool we are putting in a hot tub, and putting a fence up around the back yard."
"But honey, really it won't cost that much"
For some reason I was met with immediate laughter....I tried explaining the annual pass and how we could buy that when we go in June, It would save money on me and Mackenzies October trip and then we could go again in March, see our tickets would already be paid for because of our annual pass. His reply..."What about the hotel" I said " Well if you would let me sign us up for the DVC tour and we bought that...."

I didn't know my DH's face could get so red so quickly
And apparently there is some mutiny afoot because he says to DD "Which would you rather have next year another trip to Disney or a hot tub that you could use every single day of the year."
Let me just say that DD thinks Hot Tubs are the greatest thing ever.
So you can guess what she said.
I brought up Dec 2008 and Mickeys Very Merry Christmas Party though and he didn't say no, but he defiently didn't say yes....I think I am going to really have to Wow him in June so he will say yes though!!!

Ok Situation #2....
For our Oct trip it is me and my mom and Mackenzie. We are planning 9/28 to 10/2. Well with the free dining rumor ending 9/22 or 9/23, I wonder if we should change our plans?? Really my intention was going for MNSSHP though. I could catch some dates in September but the whole "love bug" thing has me waaaay freaked out, so I was thinking we could go in August and catch the Pirate and Princess party instead......or should I keep original dates and hope to catch a code instead?? Or should I quit stressing until Disney releases when and if they will offer free dining LOL! But then again I do have to be prepared!!

 

[Cinderella16]

Hey there! I am still on page 1 of your report, but I love it so far! I thought I would return the favor since you have so graciously posted on my pretrippie. We are driving straight through from IL starting the 15th too, we usually stop in Georgia but DBF is feeling ambitious! We will be leaving after the dreaded rush hour traffic, probably around 8:00 PM is my guess. Okay I must go finish this wonderful report!

 

[twob4him]

My hubby did the same thing when I mentioned DVC and For some reason he isnt completely in awe of the place like me

??? So should you go in August or October???? .....hmmmmmm, decisions, decisions. Its probably cooler in October and less crowded. I was there at the end of August briefly and it wasnt tooooo crowded but it did get hot. A lot of people were there then for the free dining. If you like the dressing up Halloween type of thing, you would also like Oct better. Gosh what will you do??

 

[timandlesley]

Ok a couple of things have come up here at home that I thought I would share.
Situation #1.....
I make a CASUAL mention of wanting to pull off a surprise trip for DD's 8th Birthday next March......"Hot tub /fence" was his immediate reply...
HUH??
"We are not going to Disney next year we are putting in a hot tub and a fence." Pointing out the window--"right next to the pool we are putting in a hot tub, and putting a fence up around the back yard."
"But honey, really it won't cost that much"
For some reason I was met with immediate laughter....I tried explaining the annual pass and how we could buy that when we go in June, It would save money on me and Mackenzies October trip and then we could go again in March, see our tickets would already be paid for because of our annual pass. His reply..."What about the hotel" I said " Well if you would let me sign us up for the DVC tour and we bought that...."

I didn't know my DH's face could get so red so quickly
And apparently there is some mutiny afoot because he says to DD "Which would you rather have next year another trip to Disney or a hot tub that you could use every single day of the year."
Let me just say that DD thinks Hot Tubs are the greatest thing ever.
So you can guess what she said.
I brought up Dec 2008 and Mickeys Very Merry Christmas Party though and he didn't say no, but he defiently didn't say yes....I think I am going to really have to Wow him in June so he will say yes though!!!

Ok Situation #2....
For our Oct trip it is me and my mom and Mackenzie. We are planning 9/28 to 10/2. Well with the free dining rumor ending 9/22 or 9/23, I wonder if we should change our plans?? Really my intention was going for MNSSHP though. I could catch some dates in September but the whole "love bug" thing has me waaaay freaked out, so I was thinking we could go in August and catch the Pirate and Princess party instead......or should I keep original dates and hope to catch a code instead?? Or should I quit stressing until Disney releases when and if they will offer free dining LOL! But then again I do have to be prepared!!

Wow, you have had a lot going on. It's funny, on our end Tim wants to do DVC really badly, we talk about it all of the time, we just don't have the income to justify it I say all of the time, the monthly fees and dues, etc. would be hard to keep up with financially- right now trips are usually paid with tax refunds yearly,it is soooo tempting though. You know, when I think about it, the money we've paid on trips we could have easily paid of a DVC in full by now. I know we will go that route some day. I understand your DH's point of view though. Every year we are like "should we put in new windows", etc. but we always end up going to Disney and putting off home projects. I am proud of us this year though, we finished the basement this year AND are going to Disney so that is a GREAT thing!!!
As for the trip, you are so looking forward to the Mickey Halloween party, I would stick with that, there will probably be discount codes for that time of year too, I know I've always wanted togo that time of year. I don't know. If free dining DOES come out, then you could change plans if you really wanted to, but I wouldn't change based on a rumor- JMO.
Lesley

 

[medicgirl911]

Hey there! I am still on page 1 of your report, but I love it so far! I thought I would return the favor since you have so graciously posted on my pretrippie. We are driving straight through from IL starting the 15th too, we usually stop in Georgia but DBF is feeling ambitious! We will be leaving after the dreaded rush hour traffic, probably around 8:00 PM is my guess. Okay I must go finish this wonderful report!

Thanks for posting! I enjoyed your pretrip report as well!! It's great to hear of others plans who will be there the same time as us!!

My hubby did the same thing when I mentioned DVC and For some reason he isnt completely in awe of the place like me

??? So should you go in August or October???? .....hmmmmmm, decisions, decisions. Its probably cooler in October and less crowded. I was there at the end of August briefly and it wasnt tooooo crowded but it did get hot. A lot of people were there then for the free dining. If you like the dressing up Halloween type of thing, you would also like Oct better. Gosh what will you do??

I am thinking I will hold out for a code, I really do want to do MNSSHP really bad! I wish DH would go for DVC, but that is sooo much money that I really don't want to part with every month.

 

[medicgirl911]

Wow, you have had a lot going on. It's funny, on our end Tim wants to do DVC really badly, we talk about it all of the time, we just don't have the income to justify it I say all of the time, the monthly fees and dues, etc. would be hard to keep up with financially- right now trips are usually paid with tax refunds yearly,it is soooo tempting though. You know, when I think about it, the money we've paid on trips we could have easily paid of a DVC in full by now. I know we will go that route some day. I understand your DH's point of view though. Every year we are like "should we put in new windows", etc. but we always end up going to Disney and putting off home projects. I am proud of us this year though, we finished the basement this year AND are going to Disney so that is a GREAT thing!!!
As for the trip, you are so looking forward to the Mickey Halloween party, I would stick with that, there will probably be discount codes for that time of year too, I know I've always wanted togo that time of year. I don't know. If free dining DOES come out, then you could change plans if you really wanted to, but I wouldn't change based on a rumor- JMO.
Lesley

I know what you mean, our refund is going to be paying for our trip as well. DH and I both make decent money but in all honesty have poor budgeting skills, and a lot of the time, I feel as if I have no idea where our money goes We did a ton of home improvements last year, sided our house, new windows, new driveway, deck and above ground pool, we still need to do our basement though and am not looking forward to it. We are lucky that Tim can do all of that kind of work himself (well except the driveway) which saves a TON of money. Anyhow, I am like you in a way, I think I would love DVC, but to have to pay for it every single month while I was NOT there may be a different story lol!
I think what I am going to do is keep my original Sept/Oct dates even if free dining is not going on and watch for a code if need be, It won't make or break the vacation if I am unable to snag one but the extra savings would always be very welcome of course. My mom is paying for Mackenzie for our girls trip so thats why we are able to have this extra getaway. I am lucky in my job; overtime is ALWAYS available so I will just pick up some extra shifts to cover my portion and make sure I set that money aside for its intended purpose. I normally rarely work overtime just because my time at home with my family is way more important to me. Overtie is a tough pill to swallow right now though after just getting off my work stretch the past week was just awful!!! But I have 5 glorious days off!!!

 

[dddisrunner]

Hi! I just found your trip/pre-trip report. I have seen your posts on other TR's but just found yours. Reading your report I have welled with tears several times. I am so happy for you that your DH is okay and was able to come home to you. I, like the previous posters would like to say how thankful I am for the men who like your husband sacrifice themselves everyday for our freedoms and way of life. You both have overcome so much in your lives, your daughter is very lucky to have you both as parents. She is a cutie by the way My DS will be 7 tomorrow.
Your plans so far seem great. We ate at the Crystal Palace for the 1st time last year and absolutely loved it too. Isn't it funny how reasonable with finances we can be when it comes to everyday things but not with Disney It really and truly is an addiction! Keep up the good work, I am looking forward to reading more
Diane

 

[disneyaddicted]

The tea party sounds like it was fun, I loved the pictures. I think Kenzie is cool for not doing what the majority does, her minnie mouse dress was awesome.