The one before Graduation ... FINISHED + all pictures updated

[tink2020]

Thursday

Up bright and early, a little Stacey on the WDW channel (this could get old quickly ).... and off to MGM by 8:15! I really didn't think the other half of our travel party would be up and ready, but there they were at our door! True to form, my mom was on top of things: "Does everyone have their passes, money, etc. Please check again, I don't want to have to turn around and come back here". So, since mom said..... All of us "kids" checked, just to be sure.

We stopped by Everything Pop to fill our mugs, grab a bite to eat on-the-go and then we were off! We chose to drive everywhere but the MK, so we were there in no time at all.

We pulled in, got an almost-front row parking spot and walked up to the front. Cassi was EXTREMELY excited to ride Rock n' Rollercoaster and Tower of Terror. I was extremely excited that we were actually going to make the rope drop. I had convinced myself that this trip would not be like others, and that - very likely - we wouldn't be anywhere when I wanted to be

As we approached the gate, we prepared for our morning "bag check". Daddy and Kyle went on through the bagless line, and we were so close we could see "The Hat". And then my mom couldn't find her KTTW. No joke. She thought back, and realized she hadn't actually checked when she told us to. She just "knew she had it". Grrrrrrrrrrrrrrr.

Might I add, at this moment, that I did a PERFECT job of not freaking out. I kept everyone calm and we went to hop on the bus so as not to lose our prime parking spot. Just for kicks, I asked Kyle to run back to the car to see if it had fallen out, etc. Sure enough, it was in the back seat. Out of the bus line and back through the bag line. Sheesh.

On top of that, my fingers had apparantly changed sizes or something, because I could not get my bioscan to work to save my life. Even after all this, we were inside, had Cassi's birthday pin (which is the same as the MK's, by the way) and had ridden TOT and RNR twice by 9:30. Not too shabby....

 

[tink2020]

Thursday, Cont'd...

After knocking out the big rides, we started back towards the front at a more leisurely pace. We saw the Magic of Disney animation, which Cassi LOVED. She wanted desperately to do the Animation Academy, but there were hardly any time slots left Next time, that will be on the top of my list. The child LOVES to draw. I should have thought of that...

We also saw Voyage of the Little Mermaid, rode the Great Movie Ride (during both of which my dad took little naps on and off ), and saw Lights, Motors, Action. Oh my gosh! That show was FANTASTIC! I was also quite pleased with the Ariel in VOTLM.... I had waited about an hour during my first visit to MGM (way back in the day, before I discovered the DIS ) and the Ariel I saw then was HORRIBLE. I've had pretty bad luck with every one since, too! And she's my favorite But this day she was superb

On the way to lunch at the Backlot Express, I ran into a friend of mine that I knew was at Disney at the same time. We exchanged a quick hello, but that was about it. I won't go into that here.....

Lunch at the Backlot was fantastic. We all either had the chicken fingers meal or a double bacon cheeseburger meal.... yum! Chocolate Mousse all around, and then out to see the parade! I was quite impressed with this parade. We hadn't taken time to see it before because of the way the show times coincide, but it was pretty good!

After the parade, we did the Backlot Tour, played on the Honey, I Shrunk the Kids Playset ( ) and walked through the Narnia set (how beautiful! ). We cancelled our Prime Time ADR for 4:00pm. We had planned on going there for dessert, but didn't realize the dining plan included dessert with counter service.... and we were all so stuffed still we could hardly move! Maybe next time....

Sounds Dangerous, Muppets 4-D, etc rounded out the afternoon. My dad had a fantastic time in the Magic of Animation and Sounds Dangerous activity areas. You know the places where you record the lines of a popular animated scene? Yeah, well..... let's just say my dad isn't normal, and he didn't exactly play by the rules and simply READ the lines as prompted

At around 6pm, we headed over to get a seat for Fantasmic. We were seated right in the center, towards the back so that we could also see the Osborne Family Spectacle of Lights when the show was over. As usual, Fantasmic was amazing. Mom, Daddy and Cassi loved it! When the show was over, we walked over to Streets of America and enjoyed the lights. Amazingly, we were able to enjoy the area at our own pace, along with LOTS of other guests, and nobody rushed us out.... even up to about 25 minutes after park closing!

We missed the Beauty and the Beast show, which is my favorite , and Indiana Jones..... but I know, I know -- you can't do everything! Besides -- I was doing my best to accomodate everyone, and the EXTREMELY different tastes of one or two in our party

 

[julia & nicks mom]

Jennifer -

Sounds like you had a great trip!

Everyone should have a Belle moment!!!!

I remember the pictures you posted when you won that contest at the game!! and I think you look just as adorable in these pictures!!

 

[tink2020]

Thursday, Cont'd...

After MGM, we headed to Downtown Disney for a few hours

We used our Ghirardelli coupons (thanks, yet again, to the DISboards!) and enjoyed AMAZING sundaes. I had the S'mores sundae, my sister tried the Cable Car, Mom had a Banana Split, Daddy had the Caramel sundae, and Kyle tried the Berry. They were all spectacular, and quite a nice dinner

Most of the gang spent a lot of time in World of Disney and Once Upon a Toy, while my mom and I also shopped in the Art of Disney, Disney Tails, Disney Days of Christmas and Disney's Wonderful World of Memories. I think that if I won a million dollars, I could EASILY spend it at DTD. I woudln't of course....

At about 10:30, the skies opened up and POURED, so we called it a night We were quite thankful for the weather throughout the day, but this was NASTY! Hopefully this would be the extent of it, and we'd have sunny skies tomorrow.....

 

[tink2020]

Jennifer -

Sounds like you had a great trip!

Everyone should have a Belle moment!!!!

I remember the pictures you posted when you won that contest at the game!! and I think you look just as adorable in these pictures!!

Thanks. I tend to hate WDW pictures.... because they could just be SO cute, if I took the time to, you know, fix my hair in the morning. Maybe when we're DVC members and I'm there for days and days at a time

 

[tink2020]

PICTURES

Days 1 and 2, plus parades, shirts, etc:

http://photobucket.com/albums/c96/tink2020Trip/

Photopass:

https://disneyphotopass.go.com/DPI/0/0/.TOP.System.Guest.SlideShow.aspx?sub=2289&iId=337294406​

 

[KMH1]

I remember the pictures you posted when you won that contest at the game!! and I think you look just as adorable in these pictures!!

You know, if I didn't have such a terrible sinus/ear infection right now, I might be able to come up with a witty comeback. But alas, until I get some antibiotics in me (3:30 p.m. dr's appt), I am useless.

Jennifer, thanks for taking the time to write a trip report. I'm really enjoying all your details and smilies!

Amy

 

[tink2020]

You know, if I didn't have such a terrible sinus/ear infection right now, I might be able to come up with a witty comeback. But alas, until I get some antibiotics in me (3:30 p.m. dr's appt), I am useless.

Jennifer, thanks for taking the time to write a trip report. I'm really enjoying all your details and smilies!

Amy

I hope you feel better! I started to type this up in word, but I was having smiley withdrawal. I'm hoping it's a little more fun to read that way....

 

[tubachick]

I am LOVING your trip report. It is great. The Pics are totally Disney Pictures!!! that is the way most of us look during our trip!!!

Can't wait to hear more of your trip.

Thanks for sharing.

 

[cannp123165]

I am loving the trip report and all the t-shirts are brilliant. It looks like the whole family had a great time .

 

[heaven2dc]

You did a superb job on the t-shirts, pictures and am loving the report - more please!!!

You and your sister are adorably cute!!

 

[OhMari]

We're back! Have lots to share, but I have a root canal in an hour. Talk about back to reality!

I'll work on everything as soon as I get home!

Were you in pain with your tooth while on vacation? I have a tooth that is hurting and I am wondering if itis just the cold weather affecting it. I walk 2 blocks to work and it has been in the sub zero's the last 2 weeks and my teeth are sensitive to hot and cold. Or, maybe I am just making excuses and know I really should get it checked out

 

[tink2020]

Were you in pain with your tooth while on vacation? I have a tooth that is hurting and I am wondering if itis just the cold weather affecting it. I walk 2 blocks to work and it has been in the sub zero's the last 2 weeks and my teeth are sensitive to hot and cold. Or, maybe I am just making excuses and know I really should get it checked out

Definitely get it checked out. I have been in pain for like a year now (3 teeth) but didn't "get around" to getting insurance after getting married.... now I'm a wreck! DO IT NOW!

 

[MazdaUK]

Florida climate is hell for hair - its nothing to do with time! (believe me, I did try with mine)

 

[tink2020]

Florida climate is hell for hair - its nothing to do with time! (believe me, I did try with mine)

I actually prefer Florida's to ours! I feel like it's DRY when I go to WDW!

 

[rosiejo]

Wednesday, cont'd....

After Spectro we took the monorail to the Contemporary for a late dinner at Chef Mickey's. We were seated pretty quicky, after getting our photo taken (which would have been awesome, except that the "photographer" stuck my sister's had right in front of my mom's face. sweet.). The food was very good, despite poor reviews from some. (I know, I know... that is a highly debated statement with arguments on both sides. Well, we enjoyed it.) Mickey was HORRIBLE, and I was a little bummed since I had made him a shirt But the other characters certainly made up for it.

The first time Goofy came by, he pulled me out of my seat and danced with me in the middle of the seating area for a good 3 minutes. It was SO much fun (and he was a fantastic dancer!). When I got back to the table, Kyle said the batteries in our camera had died, and he had no pictures. I definitely cried (well, almost anyway). I know, I'm 22 years old. But still.... it had pretty much come VERY close to ruining my night.

While I was up for food, though, we had some good old fashioned Disney magic. As I came back from the buffet, Chip was sitting in my seat messing with my family. He handed me my camera, and gestured for me to get pictures of the goings on. Before I could explain that we had no batteries, I looked and saw that they had been replaced. Apparantly Goofy had sent a cast member to fix the problem

So now Chip wanted pictures. He had evidently poured out my sisters drink into her ice cream, and was demanding the waiters attention to get her a refill. After a waitress came with the drink, he proceeded to pour out Kyle's drink into another cup, and began POUNDING the cup on the table to get the waiters attention. This continued for about 3 more rounds, until NONE of us had anything to drink. Chip made Kyle try the concoction of drinks he had mixed together...... the events went on and on.

Next, Goofy came back around and posed with me for another picture. I thanked him for my batteries, and he bowed to me and blew me a kiss. Who knew that even 22-year-olds can have a Belle day!?!!!?!!!?!!!?!!!!

Donald came with the waiter and brought Cassi a birthday cupcake and placemat, we all danced and twirled our napkins for the characters a few more times, and we left Chef Mickeys INCREIDBLY satisfied -- both physically and emotionally

A quick stop at the Grand Floridian on the way back to the car would end the evening. We all fell asleep pretty quickly, ready for what the rest of the vacation had in store...

Wow - that's a pretty amazing Belle day - reminds me why we all love Disney

 

[rosiejo]

BTW, here are our photopass photos. For some reason, there are two of each.... so there are really only half as many to look through as indicated!

https://disneyphotopass.go.com/DPI/0/0/.TOP.System.Guest.SlideShow.aspx?sub=2289&iId=337294406

hmm - says there are no photos associated with that account

 

[tink2020]

hmm - says there are no photos associated with that account

Hmmm.... did you click on the link, or copy and paste? If I click, it opesn just fine Not sure...

 

[rosiejo]

Hmmm.... did you click on the link, or copy and paste? If I click, it opesn just fine Not sure...

The link is working now... but it shows me my pictures

Not sure what I'm doing wrong

 

[tink2020]

The link is working now... but it shows me my pictures

Not sure what I'm doing wrong

That's too funny! I bet you were still signed into your account, at least this time. We were posting our links at about the same time.

Who knows why it didn't work the first time? Is there another way to share them besides a link?