The Pursuit of Disney Magic (June 7-14, 2008) ~ UPDATED 9/30 pg. 191

[MRYPPNS]

My wedding binder was one of the 4 inch ones. Plus I had wedding software for planning. The Disney binder is only 1 inch. I really like using it this time around...makes it much easier to find info and go from my laptop to the office computer downstairs.

 

[Charleston Princess]

My wedding binder was one of the 4 inch ones. Plus I had wedding software for planning. The Disney binder is only 1 inch. I really like using it this time around...makes it much easier to find info and go from my laptop to the office computer downstairs.

4-inches!!! Wow! I didn't even have a wedding binder. That's kind of sad, isn't it?

Maybe I should plan a vow renewal at WDW for our 25th (that would be 12 years from now ) so that I have an excuse to do a pseudo-wedding binder/WDW trip planner combo! Of course, in 12 years, I may be getting my super secret wish to plan a wedding for Chelsea at WDW. Hope she doesn't mind!

 

[Charleston Princess]

Do you ever find yourself thinking (daydreaming) as a holiday approaches how wonderful it would be to spend it at WDW? I can't seem to help it -- every single time a holiday draws near, I start daydreaming.

I found myself doing it as I stood in the Easter aisles of Walmart tonight buying Easter eggs for Connor's egg hunt on Friday. I saw in vivid technicolor the fun that could be had: pictures with the Easter Bunny at the Magic Kingdom, Easter services in the Fantasia Ballroom at the Contemporary, Easter brunch wherever. Since I was daydreaming and in my dreams I have unlimited money, I also envisioned staying at the Animal Kingdom Lodge where instead of dying eggs with the dollar Paas kit and some vinegar, Chelsea and Connor were decorating ostrich eggs to the tune of $30 each!

It doesn't stop at Easter though. I catch myself doing it for every holiday no matter how big or small...Thanksgiving (Liberty Tree Tavern in the heart of pseudo-colonial America), Christmas (the Castle dripping with icicle-like lights) , the Fourth of July (perimeter fireworks the like our Founding Fathers could not have even fathomed), Halloween, Mardi Gras, Valentine's Day...you name it, I have imagined what it would be like to spend it at WDW.

From holidays I usually move to daydreaming about other moments in our lives that we could celebrate with a trip...birthdays, anniversarys, lost teeth...

Not to be left out of the elaborate dream sequences are the special events that are only found in that 40-square-mile complex: collecting treasure at the Pirate and Princess Party, trick-or-treating at MNSSHP, sipping hot chocolate while fake snow falls at MVMCP, drinking around the world at the Food and Wine, discovering I might actually have a knack for gardening at the Flower and Garden (hey, it's a daydream, it doesn't have to be rooted in any semblance of reality)...

Okay, so I could never ever tell DH or my family about these daydreams...I have no doubt I would be committed. So, instead, I will content myself, for this weekend at least, in helping the Easter Bunny fill baskets with a few Disney-related items.

 

[BrittBritt]

Since I was daydreaming and in my dreams I have unlimited money, I also envisioned staying at the Animal Kingdom Lodge where instead of dying eggs with the dollar Paas kit and some vinegar, Chelsea and Connor were decorating ostrich eggs to the tune of $30 each!

Oh now really! Could you imagine? Too funny!

 

[Charleston Princess]

Oh now really! Could you imagine? Too funny!

I know it! Crazy stuff! Who shells out that kind of money??? Actually, when I looked up the price (you know researching for my post and all) it made me feel all noble and thrifty that I could provide an hour of creative fun for my family for under $5.00.

 

[jordanyosh]

Daydreaming is a good thing.

 

[MRYPPNS]

aaaahhh...I daydream about winning the lotto and buying enough DVC points to just live at Disney. Only changing rooms when I want a different view.

 

[scottny]

I daydream all the time about Disney.

 

[winkers]

I daydream of just moving into Epcot. Then I'd be in several countries every day!

 

[Charleston Princess]

Daydreaming is a good thing.

It's my defense mechanism while in Walmart -- it's the only way I can deal with standing in line for HOURS -- I retreat into my own private world where I am not actually watching the minutes of my life ticking by. Sometimes I even pretend I am standing in line for a ride at Disney.

aaaahhh...I daydream about winning the lotto and buying enough DVC points to just live at Disney. Only changing rooms when I want a different view.

I would buy DVC, too, if I won the lottery! It's sad that even with Fuzzy Disney Math, I can't justify doing it right now .

I daydream all the time about Disney.

It is "Where Dreams Come True." Sorry, couldn't resist!

I daydream of just moving into Epcot. Then I'd be in several countries every day!

And all the countries in Epcot have nice bathrooms and lots of food options .

 

[carissanboys]

I know it! Crazy stuff! Who shells out that kind of money??? Actually, when I looked up the price (you know researching for my post and all) it made me feel all noble and thrifty that I could provide an hour of creative fun for my family for under $5.00.

When we were in Australia I really wanted to buy these very elaborate Emu eggs they had. But, they were at least $100-$200. I'm still bummed that I never got one.

I think you really need to plan a trip to Disney during a holiday!

 

[Charleston Princess]

When we were in Australia I really wanted to buy these very elaborate Emu eggs they had. But, they were at least $100-$200. I'm still bummed that I never got one.

Don't you hate that -- realizing you should have gone ahead and bought something while on vacation. My mom tried to raise me to buy those neat one-of-a-kind souvies when on vacation , but I get rattled easily while shopping and have regretted not getting several things over the years. It's one of the ways I justify returning to Disney -- there is always something that I didn't buy and need to go back for.

I think you really need to plan a trip to Disney during a holiday!

We've been during the Halloween season and the Christmas season. I would love to go at Easter or the Fourth, but reading about the crowds really worries me. Large crowds make me twitch.

Chelsea did inform me that she would like to spend her actual 13th birthday (July) at WDW -- I told her that we would definitely work on that (I have two years and a few months to plan that one)!

 

[carissanboys]

Don't you hate that -- realizing you should have gone ahead and bought something while on vacation. My mom tried to raise me to buy those neat one-of-a-kind souvies when on vacation , but I get rattled easily while shopping and have regretted not getting several things over the years. It's one of the ways I justify returning to Disney -- there is always something that I didn't buy and need to go back for.

Well, if you consider living there for three years a vacation We did buy a lot of things, such as a dijeridoo and lots of stuff with dot painting. Those emu eggs were so cool though! Maybe when I go back I'll buy one.

Large crowds make me twitch.

Same here.

 

[kermie1975]

Charton Princess - your thread is amazing! We will be in Disney From June 5 - 9th (Star Wars Weekend!) and I'm getting a lot of inspiration from you. Thanks!!!

 

[nts4wdw]

Love the trip binder! I have one too, but no pretty picture for the front! Maybe I'll get Jake to design one for me over Spring Break.

Oh yes, I daydream about Disney!! June is not getting here fast enough!!

maybe I should do a pretrip report..... you know, just to speed along the time!!

I'm really enjoying yours!!

 

[BrittBritt]

maybe I should do a pretrip report..... you know, just to speed along the time!!

Oh, please do! The more PTRs, the better I'll be able to feed my addiction!

 

[Charleston Princess]

Charton Princess - your thread is amazing! We will be in Disney From June 5 - 9th (Star Wars Weekend!) and I'm getting a lot of inspiration from you. Thanks!!!

Thanks for reading! We are going to SWW for the first time this June -- Connor and I are big SW fans, so we are really excited!

Love the trip binder! I have one too, but no pretty picture for the front! Maybe I'll get Jake to design one for me over Spring Break.

Oh yes, I daydream about Disney!! June is not getting here fast enough!!

maybe I should do a pretrip report..... you know, just to speed along the time!!

I'm really enjoying yours!!

Thank you! Please, please, please do a PTR -- I love your TR so I know your PTR would be fabulous!

You will have to post a pic if you get Jake to design a cover for you!

Oh, please do! The more PTRs, the better I'll be able to feed my addiction!

I am with Britt -- MUST...HAVE...MORE...PTRs!!!

 

[Charleston Princess]

Well, if you consider living there for three years a vacation We did buy a lot of things, such as a dijeridoo and lots of stuff with dot painting. Those emu eggs were so cool though! Maybe when I go back I'll buy one.

So much better than a vacation ! See, now you have a reason to go back to Australia -- my theory works like a charm.

Same here.

If I had my way I would go to WDW in the off-season. October was really quite peaceful this year. Alas, as a teacher, I can't do that for longer than an extended weekend .

 

[Charleston Princess]

Before I begin with my update, notice the sparkly new avatar . It's one of Amy's designs over on the DISign board. I think it fits better than the Cinderella that I was using before. Not to mention that on a scale of my favorite princesses, Cinderella is way down there. When I first chose my avatar, Belle or Giselle were not among the choices. Saturday (or maybe Friday), I figured out how to do a custom avatar. So, now I have an avatar that fits my personality a little better -- -- it has mouse ears; it's pink (my favorite color); and it's wearing a crown. Now on with the update:

First off:

HAPPY EASTER!

I hope everyone had a lovely Easter with lots of great candy, time with family and friends, and an overwhelming sense of peace and well-being.

On our end, Easter got off to a shaky start. Chelsea has a hard time falling asleep when she knows something fun and different is happening the next day. The longer she stays awake, the more hysterical she gets. Last night at midnight she was still crying. I put her in our bed and held her until she went to sleep. I fell asleep, too from a mixture of exhaustion and frayed nerves. No matter how old my kids are their crying is still like little needles going into my skin.

At 3:00, Charles shook me awake and whispered, "Easter!" I bolted out of bed and went to make sure the Easter Bunny had come.

At 7:00, Chelsea woke up and scurried to see what the Easter Bunny had brought. I am so glad that he came! From here on out, Easter was smooth sailing.

Last year, the Easter Bunny put some Disney Dollars in Chelsea and Connor's baskets. I think Chelsea was hoping he would do the same this year, but, alas, I think the drive to the mall was more than EB could squeeze into his tight schedule. He did, however, make sure that there were some Disney treats left at our house. For anyone interested, here's a quick run-down:

Peeps Bubble Blowers
Marshmallow Peeps chicks in pink for Chelsea and blue for Connor (anyone reading Jordanyosh's TR knows that this was almost a must )
Reese's Pieces in the carrot cellophane
Bubble gum eggs
Tinkerbell hair accessories (hairbands and a ribbon hairband) for Chelsea
Silly putty (in a Disney princess container for Chelsea and a Winnie-the-Pooh container for Connor)
A Goosebumps book for Connor
An Easter Matchbox car for Connor

And the big gift to the family from the Easter Bunny: Our very own DVD of Enchanted! Hooray!

So after playing with the Peeps bubbles and the silly putty (EB knew these would be big hits), we went to church and then headed to my parents. I made my parents watch Enchanted with us since they hadn't seen it. I truly think this is one of the best Disney movies in a long, long time. I love how it gives those little nods to the other Disney princess movies, but at the same time makes fun of them. I love the songs, and I love Amy Adams and her embodiment of a Disney princess. Not to mention, two hours spent with Patrick Dempsey and James Marsden is always a pleasure. I won't go into too much detail about the movie since some may not have seen it. Suffice it to say, it is truly enchanting (corny, I know ).

We had my in-laws over for dinner tonight and that about wraps up our Easter. It was lovely.

If only spring break wasn't still a week away.

 

[jordanyosh]

Shout out to the Peeps from the Easter Bunny

Enchanted...not bad for a kids/chick flick.....It's Disney so it's all good....

It's so neat to see people doing things for their kids still.....not too busy to make Holidays special....Good parents....