The Last of the OCD Type A Planners To Get Her Dec 2011 TR started...

[annmarieda]

So as I said earlier, we left MK after just a few hours and rode the ferry back to the Polynesian, grabbed a quick lunch at Captain Cook's and went back to our room. We put in the POTC DVD we bought and took a rest. About 3:00 that afternoon, we decided to make our way back to MK... better attitudes and looking forward to Mickey's Very Magic Christmas Party.

I tried to take some more holiday pictures as we made our way back down Main Street towards The Plaza where would be having dinner.

Those pictures show how busy it was getting. HOLY COW the crowds!!

We made our way to the Plaza where we had one of our most favorite meals. I had read reviews of the Plaza in Kathy's (KatMark) TR's and the food was wonderful and it wasn't too heavy. After all, we'd had CP for breakfast, lunch at Captain Cooks, so this was great for us! Originally, we were going to go to 1900 Park Fare and I'm glad I switched this ADR.

I have no food porn! Sorry! But Nate had the kids PB&J, Erin had the club, and Nolan and I had the grilled chicken sandwiches and they were really good!

I too have been tempted to try the Plaza after Kathy's reviews. Now that you too have liked it. I might just have to put that on my list.

After we ate, we made our way to Stitch's Great Escape fastpass machines... not because we wanted to ride the ride but because this is where we traded in our tickets for our wristbands for the party! The line was long but the lady assured us the one out front would be considerably worse and surprisingly enough, we had our wristbands in under 30 minutes. Since we were in Tomorrowland, we decided to go ahead and use our FP from earlier in the day for Space Mountain. Just as we get to the loading area of Space Mountain, I look at my beloved youngest son who is now so obviously doing what we call in Oklahoma "the pee pee dance." There was no way I was putting the kid on SM, in that condition, so the lady at the loading area was nice enough to let Erin and Nolan ride and gave us a FP ticket for the four of us to come back later and ride again.

We exchanged at the gate. There was no one in line ahead of us. I didn't realize it could be tricky. I think that too could have summed up my experience this trip. Going at Christmas time is not at all like going any other time of the year.

We then made our way to the PeopleMover... my kids loved this ride in 2007... it was under refurb in 2009 and they threw the biggest fit that I was 'making' them ride it... but as we all know "Momma knows best" and they loved it!

[?quote]

I love the people mover!!!

After this, it was time to go to the hub and catch Cinderella's Wish and the castle lighting. This was a beautiful production....

Mickey and friends talking about dreams and wishes

Cinderella wishing for her castle to be lit up like ice

The Fairy Godmother appears

And POOF - Cinderella's wish comes true... it was STUNNING

I begged and pleaded with my family to catch the lighting ceremony. I am so glad to see your pictures!!!

 

[shocky5]

Wow! How did I end up being so late to your TR Amy? I'm loving catching up on everything you did.

Betsy!! You are not late! You've been on the go a lot! And I'm anxious to hear about your trip with your cousin!

 

[shocky5]

Those pictures show how busy it was getting. HOLY COW the crowds!!

I know - the crowd that day really threw me off, I think. It was the lowest crowd level prediction day of our entire trip and it was the 2nd busiest for us... Don't know if it was because it was a Sunday, it was a sold out party night, as well, but it did thin out after non-party people began to leave the park.

I too have been tempted to try the Plaza after Kathy's reviews. Now that you too have liked it. I might just have to put that on my list.

You should! It's a sandwich shop cuisine, the ice cream is delicious, and we will definitely return!


Going at Christmas time is not at all like going any other time of the year.

Isn't that the truth!?!


I begged and pleaded with my family to catch the lighting ceremony. I am so glad to see your pictures!!!

I'm glad you like them! I wish Cinderella wasn't as fuzzy but happy they turned out okay!

 

[KatMark]

Hey, Amy. I just wanted to stop in and make sure I didn't miss an update while we were gone spending part of the weekend with our youngest. Hope you ahd a great weekend.

 

[shocky5]

Hey, Amy. I just wanted to stop in and make sure I didn't miss an update while we were gone spending part of the weekend with our youngest. Hope you ahd a great weekend.

Thanks Kathy! Glad you had a great weekend with Markie and Alisha! Are you packed???

 

[shocky5]

So I finally called to check on my photopass cd and photobook and found out they had cancelled my order! Why do you ask?

Well silly me tried to upload into the photobook a couple of 'unauthorized ride pictures' I'd taken with my own camera of the pictures taken of us on the ride by Disney... yeah... that's a no no. I innocently did not even think about that or consider checking on that.

SO I quickly replaced those two pictures and replaced the order and the cd has officially shipped and book is still processing.

Very glad I called them. I hope to have some photopass pictures to share with you by week's end.

 

[KatMark]

Thanks Kathy! Glad you had a great weekend with Markie and Alisha! Are you packed???

I am packed. But I think I have to repack with the weather forecast.

Can't wait to see the photopass pictures.

 

[tankgirl427]

So I finally called to check on my photopass cd and photobook and found out they had cancelled my order! Why do you ask?

Well silly me tried to upload into the photobook a couple of 'unauthorized ride pictures' I'd taken with my own camera of the pictures taken of us on the ride by Disney... yeah... that's a no no. I innocently did not even think about that or consider checking on that.

SO I quickly replaced those two pictures and replaced the order and the cd has officially shipped and book is still processing.

Very glad I called them. I hope to have some photopass pictures to share with you by week's end.

Naughty Naughty

 

[shocky5]

Let me start off by saying... the longer I go in between days of writing my TR, the more fuzzy the memories are becoming! Hopefully, I can rely on my pictures to pull me through it!

I also need to add in here when I first 'walked past but didn't see' Susan (swwake)! Back up to our Epcot day... and the kids and I going back to the Polynesian to relax from a tiring day... As the kids were running to the elevator, and I'm pretty sure I was crawling, I passed a family in the lobby of Hawaii. Pretty soon, I had a message from Susan asking me if that was 'my family' and I told her if the kids were running and I was crawling, it was definitely us!

On our Animal Kingdom day, we were up early enough to hit the concierge lounge for breakfast and it was this morning that I 'officially' met Susan! She was in the lounge with Katie and we were all diving for the coffee. But we did get to introduce ourselves and the kids and, as Susan has said, it just made us feel like 'old friends.' Susan and Katie look more like sisters than mom/daughter even in person! And so very nice!

The kids and I walked out to our bus stop just as the AK bus was arriving and we were instantly on our way with no stops on the way. Amazingly enough, we were 'in' just shortly after rope drop. Our plan was to grab FP's for Expedition Everest and then head over to Dinosaur. No problem getting mid-morning FP's for EE and as we walked over to Dinosaur, we hopped on this ride first...

Primeval Whirl! My kids love this ride!

We then headed over to Dinosaur...

And then caught a showing of It's Tough To Be a Bug. We have always loved this show....

We sat in the second row, which was a new seating area we'd never been in and one thing I did not expect was the fact that Nate decided to 'freak out' this year... (spoiler alert) When the 'big bad bug' comes out and decides to exterminate you and it gets foggy... and then suddenly the spiders come down from the ceiling and in the fog you dont really see them until they are pretty close.... yeah.... that was too much for tough Nate. He was in the floor covering his ears and eyes... poor kid...

After ITTBAB, we headed over to Camp Mickey and Minnie... we were treated to several character greets and really enjoyed the individually decorated Christmas trees we found there...

Pluto's

Minnie's

Meeting Goofy

Meeting Minnie

We had a lot of fun at Camp Mickey. We had plenty of time to look around before completing one the MUST DO's for me on this trip....

Anyone remember what that was??

 

[shocky5]

I'm so happy to say that I finally got to see "The Festival of the Lion King!!" It was AWESOME!!

The colors, characters, songs... A*M*A*Z*I*N*G A kajillion thumbs up! I will say it was quite a bit of pushing and shoving to get inside so be prepared for that!

After FOTLK, we headed over to Expedition Everest to use our fastpasses. We started to get in line and Mr. Nate started to get anxious and suddenly announced he needed a potty break. So we step out of line, walk back to the nearest bathroom and he 'does his thing.' We head back to EE and hop back in the fastpass line and begin to walk through. We are up to the boarding area in a matter of minutes. Erin and Nolan were going to ride together and I was going to ride with Nate. I should add that my kids have rode this ride multiple times since our first trip in 2007.

Here is Nolan and Erin waiting to board....

Here is Nate... and while you can't see his eyes... there are tears in them. I didn't realize this until we were in and lap bar down and we are rolling down the track...

I had to talk him through the ride. He was nervous about going backwards. Once we were finished with that portion of the ride, he was fine and said he enjoyed it. Question remains... would he ride it again with Eddie when we came back to AK?

Here's our ride pic... Erin looks like she's having a blast, huh?

After EE, we were ready to go. We were headed to DTD to do some shopping, to have lunch and to go to Goofy's before heading back to the Polynesian. I was still trying to keep my kids "well" at this point. By this day, Erin was finishing up her croup medicine and doing well but had put both boys on the medicine the doctor sent with me 'just in case' and this day was a day they were both very stuffy and 'cough-y". So we were trying to take it pretty easy.

I forgot something! When we arrived in the morning, we stopped on the bridge area in front of the Tree of Life to have the traditional photopass pic taken... the guy was such a grump! He had just finished setting up his camera and all I can say is he just must not have been having a good day. When I get my photopass pics uploaded, I will have to share those with you. You can almost see it in our faces "Hurry up and take the picture, dude, so we can leave you alone."

Okay - back to leaving the park... I hated leaving because as luck would have it, Ann and I had been missing each other all morning. She'd be on one side of the park and we'd be on the other and so forth. We had a few photopass pics taken and snapped this one of the AK Christmas tree, as well.

When we left, we opted to just splurge for a taxi ride to DTD. The kids were hungry and I kind of had the "let's get this DTD adventure over with" attitude... I was just very anxious to get to that evening when Eddie would arrive.

So we headed to DTD, and decided to eat lunch first. The kids love the Rainforest Cafe so we sat out on the patio on the water. It was a really nice seating area and we enjoyed being out there.

After lunch, we headed to Goofy's. I let the kids pick out their candy and I found some cute Mickey & Minnie head sugar cookies to bring back to nieces, nephews, friend's kids, etc.

We found some t-shirts from some friends, and also made some Mr. Potato Heads to give out for Christmas presents. My kids had a blast doing this.

We stopped off at Ghirardeli (YUM) and got a treat to take back on the bus ride to the Polynesian.

Nolan bought this rock after the Dinosaur ride... he loves stuff like this. It covers his room... sometimes I have to explain to him the difference between a true fossil find and what is actually fossilized animal excretions...

And Nate... well this picture speaks for itself...

We arrived back at the Polynesian to find some new friends...

I made the kids lay down and rest for a couple of hours. And then I did something I never thought I would do... anyone care to guess???

 

[shocky5]

I have no pictures to go with what we did after naps.... so I'm just going to have to tell you.

I let the kids walk themselves down to the volcano pool and I hauled laundry to the laundry service at the Polynesian and I did laundry! The facility was great and I was done pretty quickly. Once I got them through the washer, and into the dryer another guest told me the dryers lasted about an hour. So I went back to the kids and watched them while the clothes dried.

I was extremely pleased that my kids did great. I've not let them go off like that by themselves, EVER, and so it was refreshing to know they did exactly what I asked for the 35 minutes I was away from them. And then an additional 15 to go back and pick up the laundry from the dryers.

Through most of the afternoon, I would receive a phone call here or there or a text from Eddie saying "I'm at the airport in Tulsa - plenty of time. No wait in security line." "I've landed safely in Dallas." "I've landed in Orlando." "I'm in the car headed to the Polynesian!"

He arrived around 9:15 p.m. He was a little bit earlier than what we thought he would be. We were so excited to see him! The kids attacked him when he got out of the car. I vaguely remember grabbing a snack here or there in the concierge lounge and we set out on the beach and watched the MK fireworks on the beach before calling it a night!

We definitely enjoyed our beach nights at the Polynesian. Another must do I had this trip.... never seemed like we spent enough time there the prior two trips so I really tried to prioritize resort time and I feel like we satisfied that and absolutely enjoyed every minute of it!!!

We were in bed and calling it a night so we could attempt to hit rope drop at Epcot again in the morning - this time with Dad in tow.

 

[momabaarjo]

OMG...I love the picture of you and Nate on EE. I forgot to pull out my camera and take a picture of Goo and me on Space Mountain...I sure wish I had the picture! Priceless...what is Erin doing?

I guessed it Laundry! Hmmm wait for my TR to bring up this subject!

I understand memories are getting a little fuzzy now a month later! I need to get cranking on mine a little faster.

So glad Eddie made it safe and sound and EARLY. I was worried that day because of what the weather was doing! I think I texted you a couple of times that day to make sure he got out!

I want more resort time if we ever go back...funny Jeff and I were talking about that same thing tonight. I was working on him for that cruise in 2013... I don't know if I will ever get him to agree but I already have it planned out!

 

[oceanwave]

Loved your Animal Kingdom report. The park looks so pretty at Christmas. Poor Nate though, looks like he was having a tough day. When we did Tough to be a bug last year, I was really surprised how intense and scary it was!

And a big for your husband joining you!

 

[Moodyzblu]

My boys won't do ITTBaB ! I think it's funny.

Glad your DH got there fine and everyone was happy to see him !

 

[Moodyzblu]

My boys won't do ITTBaB ! I think it's funny.

Glad your DH got there fine and everyone was happy to see him !

 

[shocky5]

OMG...I love the picture of you and Nate on EE. I forgot to pull out my camera and take a picture of Goo and me on Space Mountain...I sure wish I had the picture! Priceless...what is Erin doing?

I guessed it Laundry! Hmmm wait for my TR to bring up this subject!

I understand memories are getting a little fuzzy now a month later! I need to get cranking on mine a little faster.

So glad Eddie made it safe and sound and EARLY. I was worried that day because of what the weather was doing! I think I texted you a couple of times that day to make sure he got out!

I want more resort time if we ever go back...funny Jeff and I were talking about that same thing tonight. I was working on him for that cruise in 2013... I don't know if I will ever get him to agree but I already have it planned out!

I do NOT know what Erin was doing in that pic. It almost looks like she's trying to crawl out of the seat but I'm not sure where she thinks she will go!

I'm still working on Eddie for the July 2013 cruise, too! I did however score a small victory today, though! Eddie's best 'bro' friend is turning 40 Jan. 3, 2013. And his wife is wanting to surprise him with a trip to LAS VEGAS and invited us to go along. So Eddie agreed we would go! SO she and I have been trying to decide where we want to stay, etc. and that's been fun.

Loved your Animal Kingdom report. The park looks so pretty at Christmas. Poor Nate though, looks like he was having a tough day. When we did Tough to be a bug last year, I was really surprised how intense and scary it was!

And a big for your husband joining you!

Animal Kingdom was very nicely decorated for Christmas. We really enjoyed that park. Were able to see pieces of it we hadn't seen before and that was fun! Nate did have a tough day! But a nice relaxing nap on the way back to the Polynesian and he was good to go again.

My boys won't do ITTBaB ! I think it's funny.

Glad your DH got there fine and everyone was happy to see him !

Thank you! I will say that we did ITTBaB again with Eddie when we went back... but I'll save that for the TR!

 

[KatMark]

What a great day at AK! Isn't Festival of the Lion King great? We had front row seats last week -- awesome. The picture on EE is priceless.

And what fun at DTD afterwards.

So glad the kids were excited to have dad arrive.

 

[momabaarjo]

How fun...Vegas in a year! I have never been, other than the airport between flights!

I am working on Jeff for the cruise...I put my pencil to the budget and think I can swing it...I will not be able to book until July...that gives you 5 months to get Eddie in agreement (and me to get Jeff to agree) plus get the down payment (about $1000) saved!

I have already read the book I got yesterday cover to cover...

 

[annmarieda]

I so hate that on 12/20 we were both just missing each other. We started out our day in Dinoland too, so we really were so SO close Crazy!!!

And.. ITTBAB... both times we saw it (and it was the same day you did) Hopper didn't come out. I thought that it was part of a refurb or something... but it must have just been something that happened on some of the shows. (lucky us it happened both times) I love the picture of your kids posing there though... boys looked a bit buggy.

Glad you got to see FOTLK! I love that show..well, I love all the shows...but.. this one is pretty cool!

for Eddie arriving! Now.. I have to ask... your room. Does it have just 2 queens? I didn't know that the rooms in Poly could accommodate 5 people... makes me feel bad since my ds wanted to go...but didn't cause we could not have him in the room with us...

 

[shocky5]

What a great day at AK! Isn't Festival of the Lion King great? We had front row seats last week -- awesome. The picture on EE is priceless.

And what fun at DTD afterwards.

So glad the kids were excited to have dad arrive.

Thanks Kathy! It was all in all 'the kind of day' we were wanting to have. I would love to have front row seats at FOTLK! I remember thinking that during the show how much fun it would be to sit that close to all the action going on!

How fun...Vegas in a year! I have never been, other than the airport between flights!

I am working on Jeff for the cruise...I put my pencil to the budget and think I can swing it...I will not be able to book until July...that gives you 5 months to get Eddie in agreement (and me to get Jeff to agree) plus get the down payment (about $1000) saved!

I have already read the book I got yesterday cover to cover...

The Vegas trip is really starting to come together. We got our rooms booked. So far, there are 4, possibly 5 couples, that are going. My friend whose hubby is going to be 40 is ecstatic. I'm not sure she's going to be able to keep it from him because she keeps saying she wants to blurt it out right now to him! But if she can keep it in, she's going to give him some 'clue' Christmas gifts that he and she are taking a trip together and then the rest of us will either suprise him in Vegas or at the airport. OR she'll tell him because she can't stand it any longer and we'll all have fun anyway!

I so hate that on 12/20 we were both just missing each other. We started out our day in Dinoland too, so we really were so SO close Crazy!!!

And.. ITTBAB... both times we saw it (and it was the same day you did) Hopper didn't come out. I thought that it was part of a refurb or something... but it must have just been something that happened on some of the shows. (lucky us it happened both times) I love the picture of your kids posing there though... boys looked a bit buggy.

Glad you got to see FOTLK! I love that show..well, I love all the shows...but.. this one is pretty cool!

for Eddie arriving! Now.. I have to ask... your room. Does it have just 2 queens? I didn't know that the rooms in Poly could accommodate 5 people... makes me feel bad since my ds wanted to go...but didn't cause we could not have him in the room with us...

I know Ann! I recall you texting me that you'd made it to Dinoland and I think we were headed to FOTLK.

I love the picture of the boys posing, too. They are such nuts. I have one of the best pics of all three of them on the photopass cd that 'shows their true characters.'

The Polynesian regular rooms will sleep 5. There are 2 queens and then a daybed that converts to a twin. It's honestly the perfect size for us - we have plenty of floor space, not crawling over our stuff and we all sleep well. I do think we'd like to try BC, AK and WL 'someday....'