I have been trying to keep up with dis while using my phone... so I saw that you had started, but I wasn't sure how to subscribe by using my phone. I told myself I would pop over here once I was to my computer... and BAM you are how many pages in?
So I am here...but have to go back and read.
:welcome Ann Marie! So glad you were are joining in!
Ok, all caught up and Love the start!
It is so great that you and Cynthia have met despite living on opposite sides of the country.
It is pretty cool that we were able to meet here on the DIS. It makes me realize that there are so many people all over the country that would be fun to connect with, but it rarely happens. I am thankful to the DIS boards for creating that opportunity.
Sorry you had to be in the back of the DME bus. I actually use to prefer that. However, now (now that I know that being a good diser means getting that "we are here shot") I always try to sit up closer to the front.
I love being up front. I am such a goober when it comes to stuff like that. Spoiler alert - I did get the front seat on the way home.
Your pictures have me excited! They are awesome shots and make me want to return... today!
Any pictures of WDW make me want to return. It doesn't take much, does it?
That's why I love the TR boards so much!
I am with Cynthia on it not being fair about the entire day you East Coasters get in WDW on your travel day. We are lucky to be able to have some dinner before crashing. Unless we do a red eye the night before.
I guess that does stink, but what can you do. AT least when you go home you get a few extra hours to ease back into it. That must help with going back to work the next day.
Love the pics of the archway that Cynthia got!
She got a perfect, unobstructed view. I'm jealous!
The laptop sleeve is super cute! I often have suggested to my dh that he use the flight as a work day, but he has never done it. I have a hard time understanding why. All that time... just sitting. Working from home...or in flight...what is the difference? He feels guilty though...so always takes it as a vacation day.
I have to go back and look at her sleeve. I should post a picture of my new one. It is so darn cute. They had tons of reasonably prices Disney sleeves on
Amazon.
I am so sorry to hear about your loss. It is amazing how our connections on the dis are so strong...and even though I personally never met her or came across her her on dis, I can feel how much of an impact her passing has had on everyone here. My heart goes out to all of you... and to her family.
Thank you! My heart really goes out to her family. She was obviously very close with them and they were very, very supportive of each other. And I do think there is a certain bond that we all form here because we are all passionate about the same thing.
All caught up! Looks like you had quite an eventful trip Cynthia! Turbulence, ME wait, seatbelts, busy MCO
wow.
But she got to Epcot right on time - right on time, that is, for a rita before dinner. Priorities you know.
I am so sorry to read about Tracy. Sending lots of thoughts and prayers to her family.
Thank you. It's so great that so many people are thinking of her family during this difficult time. I can't imagine what they are going through.
Yay, Cynthia has arrived at WDW! You got some nice shots from the front of that new bus!
Time to get this party started. Yeah!
So sad for Tracy's family to lose her so young. I felt, as I do about many of my DISfriends, that I "knew" her through our mutual love for Disney. I did get the pleasure of meeting her in person briefly at our meet in October, and am so glad she was able to enjoy that last trip. I remember her posts on so many TRs I've read and she was always one with some funny comments. She will be sorely missed.
She really did have a wonderful last trip. And even though I knew her prognosis couldn't be very good, I never expected her to be gone two months later. So surreal.
She really did always have the best comments - the kind that make you spit your coffee on the computer screen.
Mary Ellen & Cynthia, I was so surprised to see that Tracy had passed away yesterday. I didn't know her but had seen her on the boards. How wonderful that you all had the chance to get to know each other in person as well as virtually. Those photos are wonderful, and are truly the memories worth keeping.
She got sick in May and her disease obviously progressed very quickly despite ungoing very aggressive treatment. I really wish she had had more time on this Earth and her passing gives new meaning to "only the good die young".
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How did you both manage to get great new bags for this trip. ME _ that Mickey bag is wonderful. Was that an Etsy purchase? C - I saw those laptop sleeves last year too. very tempting. Great that your new addition lessened your travel gear. I feel like a bag lady when I go to the airport!
I got that Mickey bag in June at the Walmart near Disney World. Originally I picked it up for Nick, thinking he might want to give it to his GF since everything IN Disney is pretty expensive for his pocket book. Obviously, he wanted to pick something out himself. So I ended up with the bag. I loved it.
Love the side by side travel stories! This is going to be another fun TR!
Despite the fact that it may get confusing from time to time, there should be no shortness of fun.
Christine! So glad you are joining in for this TR! It was such a great time.
Thank you SO much for posting the pictures of our friend Tracy.
It is so tough acknowledging that she's gone but I am so extraordinarily grateful that we got one last amazing trip in October. Such a blast!! Love that photo of her from the Wild Africa Trek. I agree... a great way to remember her.
I feel very grateful, too, that I got to spend some time with her. I knew it wouldn't be much, but I felt such strength and acceptance in her presence. I felt envious of her ability to carry herself with such poise and grace.
Cynthia - I love the idea she's having a slushie with Walt. She probably is!! And she DID see the photopass pictures somehow. Maybe just in proof form online but I know she looked at them and loved them.
My GF's mom died recently and she was a big Disney fan. During the funeral the pastor reminded us that she was surely meeting Walt for the first time. Such a great thought, because I know Tracy already has.
It was a very special trip for her - I wonder if she knew it would be the last? She had a great time and commented often over the last couple of months how much fun she'd had and how glad she was that we'd done it. Very special memories indeed.
I am still shocked that it was her last. I mean, I know she had a poor prognosis just from what I know about metastatic cancer, but I never expected her to leave this world two months later. I wish I had gotten to see her more, but I know she had a fabulous time . Such a blessing that she had that visit.
I've been thinking alot about the best way to honor her memory and honestly I think what she'd like best is if you raise a glass (slushie, champagne, margarita, water) to her the next time you are there and continue to BELIEVE in the magic.
I will definitely be raising a glass to Tracy the next time I am there. I know she will be walking the world showcase with me. I hope she gives me a sign.
She loved Disney and this nutty Disney community we've built so much and was SO sincerely grateful for all of the good thoughts and prayers over the course of her illness.
She was obviously loved and cared about by so many people. I remember after our girls trip thinking she was so great. I remember thinking if I was younger and we lived in the same community or went to the same college, we definitely would have become friends. We would have synched long before the DIS boards. But I am so appreciative of the DIS boards for bringing us all together.
Thank you for honoring her in your TR. I'm really looking forward to seeing what else you guys were up to over the course of the week.
It was for sure a trip I will never ever forget!
I would like to do something for her on youtube. I working on some ideas.
Cynthia and I had a great time this trip. I had no idea that F&W would be as fun as it was. It really was awesome and I can't wait to go back.
I know that the guy over at easywdw had a field day with the the Main Street bakey closing thread.
I had to just throw this in here, because its relevant and it was funny... I was in line with my little group waiting for the MK rope drop show to start and I was standing next to a woman who was solo and looked like it maybe, kinda, coulda been you and since I've followed your trip reports intermittently (sorry), it was possible my image of you could be off.
Well, at least I tried, right?
Too funny about that. I assure you I would not have given the "look"
You are are big part of this trip report, so you BETTER be here!!!!!!!!!!! 
you're one popular lady Mary Ellen! 
