The Mad(die) Hatter's Birthday - First Attempt @ Trip Report

[Lil' Lisa]

Wow! I bet that this trip is one that your family will never forget! That was a lot o QPT (Quality Princess Time). I'm really enjoying experiencing it through your eyes!

 

[Stinkerbell1973]

Wow! I bet that this trip is one that your family will never forget! That was a lot o QPT (Quality Princess Time). I'm really enjoying experiencing it through your eyes!

Without a doubt, it was a great trip - one we all hated to see come to an end.
And experiencing it through my eyes - it still amazes me! I was 35 the first time I went to Disney, so I feel like I am getting a double experience, seeing it all for myself and through DD's eyes as well. I'm not sure which is more overwhelming!

 

[DaveInTN]

Great story about your CRT dinner! There's nothing like watching your kids' excitement in those situations. That's a big part of the magic for me.

 

[kampfirekim]

Love the magical moments stories from WDW trips past.

Love Love Love the Chip and Dale story, but......

The story in this quote put me over the edge.

....and then came THE look - the same one that appeared on her face the first time she laid eyes on the castle from the ferry...and then came the silent tears. It took her a few moments....but she managed to choke out "thank you, I love you mommy and daddy". That did it. At that moment, I didn't care that the dinner cost me $150. I didn't care that we had unfortunately read scathing reviews of CRT 2 nights before. I didn't care that I was struggling so hard to hold it together that my throat was hurting....at that moment, the only thing I cared about was the joy, contentment, excitement and pure appreciation that radiated out of my daughter's face. We were quickly ushered into the photo room, and the amazement began.

By the time I was finished reading your CRT experience, there were tears rolling down my cheeks and my throat was hurting too...

Probably the best $150 you and hubby ever spent.

(We are cry babies too. I squalled on my oldest DS' first trip as we watched the FW 4th of July GC parade.)

 

[Stinkerbell1973]

Great story about your CRT dinner! There's nothing like watching your kids' excitement in those situations. That's a big part of the magic for me.

Thanks Dave. You're so right.
And BTW - several months ago, I had showed DH your avatar picture and he thought it was freakin hilarious. Now that I've actually read your TR's, it's even more funny! DH is at work today (making beer for ALLLLLLL of you!!) and I emailed him the links so he could read it too.

 

[Lil' Lisa]

...DH is at work today (making beer for ALLLLLLL of you!!) and I emailed him the links so he could read it too.

I bet he works for AB!

 

[Stinkerbell1973]

Love the magical moments stories from WDW trips past.

Love Love Love the Chip and Dale story, but......

The story in this quote put me over the edge.



By the time I was finished reading your CRT experience, there were tears rolling down my cheeks and my throat was hurting too...

Probably the best $150 you and hubby ever spent.

(We are cry babies too. I squalled on my oldest DS' first trip as we watched the FW 4th of July GC parade.)

Thanks Kim. I don't mind telling ya, I don't wear mascara to the parks. What's the point when it's going to be streaking down my face?!?!

 

[Stinkerbell1973]

Good grief, I haven't even gotten through our first day yet and I am WHOOPED!

So...after dinner, we head out to the front of the castle. Had no idea what time it was, but when we walked out there was NO ONE walking to or from the castle...every one was sitting there, like they were waiting and they were all looking at US....and camera flashes were everywhere....and I thought now THIS is the royal treatment from Disney! And then the wonderlust faded, ever so slightly...and I realized "hey dumb a$$, these poeple are waiting to see WISHES, not you!" Haha.
We took our seats, directly in front of the castle. This is NOT a good place to watch the fireworks, let me tell you - but I didn't know that then. I did manage to get some good shots:

I do really like the last one.

I was very excited to run into some friends of ours from back home. They were walking into MK as we were sitting down just before Wishes. They were able to navigagt the sea of people and find us! Maddie got to enjoy the fireworks with her friend, Alli.

After Wishes, we rode PoC, BTMRR, HM and PP with our friends. Then they left to go meet up with their family. By this time, it was about 9 or 9:30pm. I LOVE being in MK after dark, especially during EMH. There is something extra magical about that place when it's dark.
We had a couple of character interactions - Donald and Goofy!

And THEN....we did one of my most favorite Disney things, and my #1 MK fave...Mickey's Philharmagic! I love, love, love that show. Our first time at MK, in 08, we got FPs for this as a "bonus" when we got FP to the Pooh ride. We probably would have never watched it but decided that day to use the FP and we all loved it. I will never go to MK without watching that show.
Next, we rode the carousel again, Dumbo, BTMRR again (this is DD's favorite ride), Jungle Cruise and the Magic Carpets. I am pleased to announce.....drum roll.....that for the first time, we CLOSED THE JOINT DOWN!! We were walking down Main Street at 12:05am. In the past we stayed very late for EMH but never until close. DD handled it well. Never once got crabby. She was asleep on the ferry before we ever left the dock.
I am also pleased to announce that unlike last year, MY BIKE WAS AT THE MARINA WHEN WE GOT BACK! IT HAD NOT BEEN STOLEN AFTER A MARATHON DAY! Wow, thanks to all of the suggestions for those bike-lock things....that seemed to really help!
Here is DD, as we tried to figure out how to get a sleeping girl, a stroller, a small cooler and the remainder of her bday cake into the bike trailer and back to the camper without the wheels falling off the thing. This is a sure sign of a good day. No, not good. Wonderful.

 

[thegoofyfamily]

At that moment, I didn't care that the dinner cost me $150. I didn't care that we had unfortunately read scathing reviews of CRT 2 nights before. I didn't care that I was struggling so hard to hold it together that my throat was hurting....at that moment, the only thing I cared about was the joy, contentment, excitement and pure appreciation that radiated out of my daughter's face. We were quickly ushered into the photo room, and the amazement began.

Tears are in MY eyes. Isn't that what it's all about? Your DD is gorgeous!

 

[DaveInTN]

Had I been there I would have gladly helped with the cake...LOL.

 

[ambertides]

By the time I was finished reading your CRT experience, there were tears rolling down my cheeks and my throat was hurting too...

Same here.

We have not been blessed with little ones, so stories like this are just...

 

[Stinkerbell1973]

Tears are in MY eyes. Isn't that what it's all about? Your DD is gorgeous!

Awww...yep, that's what it's all about!
And thank you - I think DD is pretty great. You've got 3 beauties yourself!

 

[Stinkerbell1973]

Had I been there I would have gladly helped with the cake...LOL.

Had you been there, I would have gladly dropped it off at your site! It was good...there was way too much of it.

 

[Stinkerbell1973]

I bet he works for AB!

You got it!! Brewery here in north GA.

 

[Stinkerbell1973]

well, i have no idea what just happened to the website but i just spent an hour reporting on day 2 and it's GONE. Ugh.

Reader's Digest version:
slept in, MK, rode some rides, brave ears for Space Mtn (I explained alllllll about the brave ears) watched the flag retreat (very cool) ran into some friends, met Tiana, rode some more rides, left at 7, went to the pool, had dinner, blah blah blah. Can't believe an hour PLUS of typing is gone.

Those are the brave ears.

 

[Stinkerbell1973]

I bet he works for AB!

You got it!! Brewery here in north GA.

 

[Stinkerbell1973]

Tears are in MY eyes. Isn't that what it's all about? Your DD is gorgeous!

Awww...yep, that's what it's all about!
And thank you - I think DD is pretty great. You've got 3 beauties yourself!

 

[polkadotsuitcase]

This TR was well worth the wait -- what a great report. Beautiful pictures!

 

[DaveInTN]

well, i have no idea what just happened to the website but i just spent an hour reporting on day 2 and it's GONE. Ugh.

That happened to me once, so what I do is type my TR is Word, then cut and paste into the DIS, add my pics and done. If anything happens while trying to post, I still have everything in Word.

 

[kampfirekim]

We took our seats, directly in front of the castle. This is NOT a good place to watch the fireworks, let me tell you - but I didn't know that then. I did manage to get some good shots:

You are correct. Directly in front of the castle is not the best plan for viewing the fireworks.

Correct again. You did manage to get some good, no...GREAT shots of Wishes.

However, of all the pics this one is my fave.....

ABSOLUTELY GAWJUSS!!!! Terrific Terrific Terrific !!!!