The "I Didn't Get To That" But Still The Best Trip Ever! **Final Thoughts 1/27/09**

[jordanyosh]

Caught up....Those Lapus look great....

 

[KatGarcia]

Thanks Jordan for stopping by!!!

I am gonna work on a TR update in the next few days...I swear!!!

 

[jordanyosh]

Thanks Jordan for stopping by!!!

I am gonna work on a TR update in the next few days...I swear!!!

Who am I to complain about not doing updates....

 

[KatGarcia]

We got up at 6:30am. I don’t really remember getting up that early, just that I showered and Yani and I had real coffee in the maker again. Ahh sweet real coffee when in Disney!

We had originally planned to spend all day in Epcot but changed our minds to do DHS this morning to get onto TSM. Now if you remember waaaaaay back when I was solo on this trip I tried and it broke down on me. So I was hyped to get on! We did need some real fuel so we decided to hit the Riverside Mill first and get some food.

Amazingly THE SUN WAS OUT!
So we actually took some pictures of the beautiful grounds at POR.!

Terrible pic…but it was early…

My breakfast.

So we had our food and headed out to the buses for DHS. We got there in no time and stopped for a PP. Apparently we made it under the EMH’s and they were about to let the rest of the universe in. Yani & Z are all “hurry up PP guy” under their breath and it then dawned on me why! Oops. Sorry I love me some PP pics!

No rain!

Our destination..

I almost beat the guy next to me…

Some shots from our stopped car...

I can never express how much I LOVE this ride! It is so much fun and so neat I could ride it over and over again!!! I was so glad we got on this time and it didn’t break down!

Here’s another BAD pic of me, but it’s a lime green crayon so it has to be done..

Off we went to the great Movie Ride, I think because the line was short. We got on the cowboy side this time. This ride needs a bit of updating but I still LOVE it.

We decided to hop on the friendship boat to Epcot for a bit. We planned on an afternoon rest since we had to be back for Focker Fest this evening at Biergarten. So off we went to Epcot for a few. I love the international gateway, it’s the best thing ever- it saves you that haul of a walk to the Epcot busses.

We headed straight for France.

Ahhhh wine.

My snack.

I don’t think Yani or Z had anything here this day. Z correct me if I’m wrong!

We did end up running into Mel outside of Soarin’ and stayed to chat for a while. I remember Z & Yani awesomely going in to get FP’s for us for later and letting me stay with Mel so I didn’t have to walk the hill into the land pavilion. Mel and I plopped down and chatted and looked for Janet, whom we missed completely. Then the girls returned and we decided to head to the room for a while.

We trucked it to the buses and ended up napping for a while in the room. We all got freshened up and were ready to go back to Epcot for the big meet…45 of your closest online friend’s having dinner at Biergarten….

We drove to the Beach Club so we could go in the back way. Gosh that made things easier! I never wanted a car in Disney before going with these ladies. It made it a lot easier a lot of the time. So we walked over to America where we were pre meeting a lot of the gang.

C.E. was there by the fountain when we got there. We all ran like silly little kids to each other and hugged! Then Janet came and Mo too! NotBob and Mel also came… am I missing anyone? It was so nice to meet the rest of the crew we missed the night before! As we were chatting the heavens opened up! I mean BAD. Faye was making up for the days sunshine. We all hid under the awning of the doors the America show comes out of. All but one table of people who decided to remain in the rain. I wish I took their picture; they sat there like it wasn’t raining! Weird.

There were pics…dry and wet taken there….

There are more I just didn’t save them I think. I need to “borrow” them from whomever. There’s a shot of Z running and hugging Mo…its great! Anyone else who cares to add theirs feel free. hint hint.

So we waited until the rain slowed some and then all high tailed it to Germany. Mo and her niece Kelly shared a poncho and it was amusing to watch! I’m glad we brought ours that day too!

So we made it to Germany and the meet begins…. And that’s where I leave you…for now…

Next Instalment: HERE!!!

 

[MadiMouse]

Great update! You look so cute in your lime green next to a green crayon!

 

[cmp1111]

I can never express how much I LOVE this ride! It is so much fun and so neat I could ride it over and over again!!! I was so glad we got on this time and it didn’t break down!

There are more I just didn’t save them I think. I need to “borrow” them from whomever. There’s a shot of Z running and hugging Mo…its great! Anyone else who cares to add theirs feel free. hint hint.

That was mine, here:

And not running:

So we made it to Germany and the meet begins…. And that’s where I leave you…for now…

Can't wait to hear your version!

 

[jordanyosh]

What beautiful pix....

 

[jordanyosh]

We headed straight for France.

This is an amazing picture.

 

[englishrose47]

Great Update Kat!!

 

[Charleston Princess]

What a great update, Kat! So glad that it finally stopped raining for you! Looks like you had lots of fun at both DHS and Epcot! Was that a chocolate croissant?

 

[lazydoxy66]

I miss POR! You got some good pictures of it.
I do love the themeing of TSM. It takes you right back to childhood days.
The Focker pictures say it all. Very nice.

 

[scottny]

ooh thanks for the POR pics. MMMM Riverside Mill. I cannot wait to get back there in June. So excited.

Great update and pics.

 

[KatGarcia]

Great update! You look so cute in your lime green next to a green crayon!

it was Focker day after all. LOL.

Can't wait to hear your version!

Thanks for the pix!

What beautiful pix....

gracias. truth be told most of 'em (the big ones) are Z's.

This is an amazing picture.

I really like that one too, darn people getting in the way tho.

Great Update Kat!!

Thanks!

What a great update, Kat! So glad that it finally stopped raining for you! Looks like you had lots of fun at both DHS and Epcot! Was that a chocolate croissant?

yes it was a choc croissant...yummy!

I miss POR! You got some good pictures of it.
I do love the themeing of TSM. It takes you right back to childhood days.
The Focker pictures say it all. Very nice.

I really liked POR more than I thought I would!

ooh thanks for the POR pics. MMMM Riverside Mill. I cannot wait to get back there in June. So excited.

Great update and pics.

June huh? wasting no time going back! I thought about it, my bday is in June...but August is looking better.

 

[jcc0621]

Great update Kat. Can't wait to read your version of the rest of the evening!

Here are the only 2 pictures I have from the USA Meet

 

[LurrrvtheDuck]

Yes that PP guy was taking forever But that's cool, we still go to ride!

I love TSM so much!! I think it's my new favorite ride.

And we finally got to see the elusive cowboy side of TGMR.

Ahhhhh the patisserie in France!!! Yani and I shared a ham and cheese croissant. OMG! it was soooooo goood. I am now addicted to this place Kat, it's all your fault. It's a must do on every visit to Epcot.

I was doing my best impression of T & LL's meet in Epcot last year. Hee hee.

We were rushing to get out the door for the meet....ok....I was running behind trying to do my hair for the 5 billionth time that trip. But we miraculously got there on time and then the heavens opened up after I had done my hair. It was fun and then Jo showed up and told us everyone was running late and were all just going to meet at Biergarten.

Ooooh FF!!!!

 

[DisneyJo]

Great photos Kat, I did look but I couldn't see me in the background at POR

You were so lucky to already be at America, we got caught in that rain, remember me finally turning up looking like a drowned rat?

 

[PrincessAlways]

Yes, no rain!!!

 

[KatGarcia]

Great update Kat. Can't wait to read your version of the rest of the evening!

Here are the only 2 pictures I have from the USA Meet

Thanks for those!

Yes that PP guy was taking forever But that's cool, we still go to ride!

I love TSM so much!! I think it's my new favorite ride.

And we finally got to see the elusive cowboy side of TGMR.

Ahhhhh the patisserie in France!!! Yani and I shared a ham and cheese croissant. OMG! it was soooooo goood. I am now addicted to this place Kat, it's all your fault. It's a must do on every visit to Epcot.

I was doing my best impression of T & LL's meet in Epcot last year. Hee hee.

We were rushing to get out the door for the meet....ok....I was running behind trying to do my hair for the 5 billionth time that trip. But we miraculously got there on time and then the heavens opened up after I had done my hair. It was fun and then Jo showed up and told us everyone was running late and were all just going to meet at Biergarten.

Ooooh FF!!!!

Yep I too ahve discovered new and yummy stuff at the cafe in francce. YUMMMY.

Great photos Kat, I did look but I couldn't see me in the background at POR

You were so lucky to already be at America, we got caught in that rain, remember me finally turning up looking like a drowned rat?

I'm just glad you can see my photos LOL.

Yes, no rain!!!

You said it! It's a miracle!

 

[KatGarcia]

So we all arrived at Germany, slightly soggy but excited. We all tried to get under the covering by Biergarten. Lots of hugs ensued. People brought gifts, which we said we wouldn’t do. I confess I brought gifts too…I had a glow in the dark rubber bracelet made that said “Focker Fest 2008 with little Mickey heads on each side of the words. CE & I split the cost of them. So I handed them out to everyone as they came. We def had some late people but the weather was killing us all.

Eventually V, Tracy & Jo went to check us in.

I was really scared for those poor people at the restaurant, we were about 40 people when it was all said and done. I can’t imagine they get many parties of 40 with their own seating charts before.

While we waited some pictures were taken…

Janet & I (& Jimmy too)

Z & Flat Rosie (we had lots’o’flat Fockers with us)

Janet & CE (This is actually from the America pavilion but didn’t notice, oh well)

Soon after checking in we were seated. I have no idea how much time passed, we were all having too much fun chatting! They seated us in the 2nd to the top tier, closest to the bathroom area. And the tables were set for 10, not the 8 we had planned for these many months and all the seating chart changes, etc. So we were forced to improvise and somehow in just a few minutes we were all seated with our families/friends and ready to chow down!

Here is the table I was at:

Missing in the pic is NotBob, but here’s his beer..

I didn’t order anything extra to drink, thinking we’d have time afterwards to get something in the world showcase…little did I know. But it would have been a little more interesting at my table if I got tipsy lol.

The rest of the tables..

Some more random pictures…

I was playing pirates with the kiddos at some point.

We caught Mo & Kelly doing the chicken dance…

OH yeah there was a show and dinner too…

And yes I ate the Wiener Salad… and I liked it! In fact I really love the food there.

This was the most fun I have had in SO long. We had such a wonderful time chatting and table hopping and eating and just having a grand time! I truly love these people! It was like old friends reuniting and having a great time together! I tried to table hop as much as I could and speak to everyone as best as I could. Everyone felt there wasn’t nearly enough time. Maybe next time we need to start out with lunch and that way we would be out by closing time.

The whole thing is kind of a happy blur still, everything went to fast but was so wonderful! Suffice it to say even those who didn’t enjoy the food enjoyed the dinner even so. I had so much fun with everyone. I even got to play some with the kids near me. We had a blast! I can’t express enough what good kids everyone has, so well behaved! Playing with them was great. The fact that we were all so comfortable with each other to the point of sending peoples kids to stay at tables with others from our group was just a testament to how close we had all become. I will cherish this trip the most because of how many friends I got to meet finally and how much fun we all had together, and with such ease. I look fwd to seeing them all again, and I know I will.

I am about at my limit for pics so I’ll move to a new post….HERE

 

[KatGarcia]

SO I think I was the only one who videotaped anything during dinner. It’s a bit dark but at least I tried to get over to everyone for a second and get them on tape!
Enjoy…(I obviously haven't a clue how to post it but the link will take you there...

Focker Fest 2008 VIDEO​

After dinner we made our way out to the pavilion. Someone decided to get us all together for a few group pictures. Can you believe how many of us there were? Crazy.

The husband’s even got in on it!!! What great sports they were, huh?

What a great group of hubby’s too. They took the trips with us, sat at the dinners, dealt with the planning around each other. A round of applause for the men behind the Fockers please!

We even got the future Fockers in on the fun..

Dontcha just wanna pinch all their cute cheeks?! A better looking bunch of kids you will not find!

We looked like a bunch of famous people standing there with flashes going off. People all around were stopping to see what the heck was going on. It was hilarious.

We got to chat a bit more with everyone and then we split into several groups of people. My group was Z , Yani (duh), me, mel & Not Bob. We all had FP’s for Soarin’ so we went to use ‘em together.

I stopped on the way and snapped this:

It was later than we realized I think because this is what we saw in the queue at Soarin’.

We walked right on in!

I love how the whole queue looks. It actually looks like the inside of my desktop computer. My husband loves lights.

We rode in the front row! YAY! Apparently we were having too much fun and giggling too much or something because when we were done with our ride the guy next to NotBob said something to him. All I remember NotBob saying was “And you have a magical day too” all sarcastic like! It was perfect!
Even better than that was the CM telling us we could go another round!!! So we took ride #2!!! So much fun!

We were in need of some spirits so we were going to grab something on the way to meet someone (whom I can’t remember right now) for IROE. SO NotBob stopped for a pint in R&C and was going to meet us by the France kiosk so we could get some slushies. Well 2 seconds later he’s back and said they told him they wouldn’t serve any more drinks when the fireworks are going off??!!!

The kiosk was closed too when we got there. No drinks for us! Man were we all ticked at this weird rule none of us knew about before. I mean hello, we’re the Fockers for crying out loud, if there was a rule about alcohol then we’d know it!

We stayed in France and watched Illuminations anyway, however drinkless. Since everything else was closed we decided to see about finding some drinks at The Beach Club since it’s only a walk away. So walk we did and it was a lovely stroll full of chatting. We found the Martha’s Vineyard bar and decided to relax there with some drinks.

We walked in only to find a table full of Fockers! It was V, LL & Tracy with their hubby’s! We sat sort of near them and got our first round of drinks. I had a mai tai and it was yummy! Not Bob got to the bartender before we did and paid for our drinks. Thanks NotBob & Mel- you really didn’t have to do that! You rock! We had a great time getting to know each other.

At some point the other table of Fockers was headed out and I got Tracy’s unfinished Pear Martini. It was too strong for her. It was pretty damn strong for me too, but we all tried a little and it was gone fairly fast. The pear juice was really nice, but it was def too strong.

We were parked at the BC, luckily so we hopped in the car around 11:30 or so, while Mel & NotBob got a cab back to Pop. We were back in our room and crashed out around midnight! But there’s still more to this trip…stay tuned!!!

Next Installment:HERE