There's a First Time for Everything! A Christmas In November TR

[VAisforDisneyLvrs]

Flying is not my favorite thing to do, but getting there in 2 hours is way better than driving for 12+! I am not sure if we are going to fly or drive for our next trip. It adds a lot to the bottom line of a vacation when you have to buy plane tickets for a family of 5!

 

[RinkyTinkyTinky]

Great update! So, we had the long, miserable drive on that day. Drove 3 hours to Atlanta from TN, stayed at our friends that were going with us, then 8 hours on that Saturday. We didn't leave our friends house until 11:00 AM (you were prob eating at POP - haha), and got to our hotel at 7:00 PM that night. My DH won't fly either. He did with no problem, then got a job that he had to fly every week for a year. He had two bad flights in a row and has called it quits. I have never liked it, but tolerated it b/c DH would talk me through it. Now I have no one to talk me through it, so we are drivers for the time being. Hearing you were on a Disney bus at 11:41 AM may change my mind. That is so great you overcame your fear. Do you think you will fly again?

Yeah, we had that same kind of drive last year and it was rough. We had to drive down I-95 the whole way with big trucks cutting us off and heavy rain. It was pretty bad. Our flight was only 1 hr and 20 minutes. That was really, really nice. We basically got an entire extra day by flying. I don't blame your DH though. You feel so helpless up there. We had some turbulance and it just tore my nerves up. I am proud of myself for doing it but I don't know if I will do it again.

Woo hoo for getting on a plane and heading to Disney! You did very well! (I used to love flying, but I hate it nowadays!)

Your DD's Santa Minnie is very cute!

I am pretty proud of myself. That really was a big deal for me. It just is not an enjoyable experience.

DD told me that she had to take Minnie back home for Christmas!

Flying is not my favorite thing to do, but getting there in 2 hours is way better than driving for 12+! I am not sure if we are going to fly or drive for our next trip. It adds a lot to the bottom line of a vacation when you have to buy plane tickets for a family of 5!

Oh, I am sure! I can't imagine the cost for five! We got a really good deal through SW. Our tickets were $59 one way. But even at that price it would really add up for 5 people.

 

[wsushocker]

However, there was one catch to this deal. One enormous catch! After driving for 10+ hours over two days last year to get to WDW, DH informed me that he would never drive that trip again. Well I was really hoping that he had forgotten that little tidbit, because I DO NOT FLY.

 

[wigdoutdismom]

You are such a natural at writing trip reports! Your pictures are awesome! With a daughter that cute it would be hard to take a bad one.
I'm not a fan of flying either but since we are coming from Kansas it's quite a drive. We can make it there in half a day flying compared to 24 hours driving...
We can't get a decent airfare though, our Christmas flights were around $400 per person. That was a bite!
So if it were me....
An hour and a half for $59....
I'd take a benedryl and fly!

 

[Mndisneygirl]

I'm with Wigd. It takes us 24 hours to drive too. Of course, I'm perfectly okay with flying. My biggest problem is the packing restrictions! All those dang rules about weight, extra fees, and carry on liquids/gels. Enough to make me crazy!

Your daughter is a doll! Don't you love taking the picture going under the big WDW arch sign? That's when we know we've arrived!

 

[MaryAz]

Yay, you are doing a TR!! Very cute pic. Now I am going back to read.

You are a great writer. Those pics were really cute. Good for you for flying. Can't wait to read the rest.
Watch out for Shocker and those pics!!

 

[stace208]

I'm joining in and loving your trip report so far! Your daughter is just beautiful
My DH is the opposite of yours-he wants to drive. It's about 12 hours for us and we've done it twice. It's not that he's opposed to flying, he's opposed to the price tag! We're flying in April, out of Dulles, because it was cheap and all part of the "surprise" for the kids.
Looking forward to more!

 

[Lady Lallie]

I'm joining in.

Your DD is so beautiful.

I'm not a huge fan of flying but compared the 24+ hours of driving, I'll take flying any day. I've driven twice to Florida and flown 5 times. I much prefer the flying. It is scary though. I try to put it out of my mind and then freak on the plane...silently of course because I don't want to be flagged as a trouble passenger.

 

[RinkyTinkyTinky]

I don't even think a tutoiral could have helped me. Maybe a sedative dart, but not a tutoiral!

You are such a natural at writing trip reports! Your pictures are awesome! With a daughter that cute it would be hard to take a bad one.
I'm not a fan of flying either but since we are coming from Kansas it's quite a drive. We can make it there in half a day flying compared to 24 hours driving...
We can't get a decent airfare though, our Christmas flights were around $400 per person. That was a bite!
So if it were me....
An hour and a half for $59....
I'd take a benedryl and fly!

$400!!! Oh my goodness!!! That is just crazy. Were the seats trimmed in gold? I know we got a good deal and I should just be thankful that we had a very short, cheap flight. I don't blame you for flying. I don't even think I could do 24 hours in the car!

Thank you for your very nice comments.

I'm with Wigd. It takes us 24 hours to drive too. Of course, I'm perfectly okay with flying. My biggest problem is the packing restrictions! All those dang rules about weight, extra fees, and carry on liquids/gels. Enough to make me crazy!

Your daughter is a doll! Don't you love taking the picture going under the big WDW arch sign? That's when we know we've arrived!

YES! That sign is a thing of beauty! I wish I had your attitude about flying. That would make things so much easier for me! DD and DH were just like you. Didn't bother them at all.

Yay, you are doing a TR!! Very cute pic. Now I am going back to read.

You are a great writer. Those pics were really cute. Good for you for flying. Can't wait to read the rest.
Watch out for Shocker and those pics!!

Thank you so much and WELCOME!!! Glad you found me. Yes, I've seen Shockers work around the Dis! I know what's to come!

I'm joining in and loving your trip report so far! Your daughter is just beautiful
My DH is the opposite of yours-he wants to drive. It's about 12 hours for us and we've done it twice. It's not that he's opposed to flying, he's opposed to the price tag! We're flying in April, out of Dulles, because it was cheap and all part of the "surprise" for the kids.
Looking forward to more!

WELCOME!!! I wish my DH felt that way. He drives a lot for his job and just doesn't want to have to drive or ride for hours on vacation. It was a long drive last year.

Hooray for your April trip! I'd love to go that time of year.

I'm joining in.

Your DD is so beautiful.

I'm not a huge fan of flying but compared the 24+ hours of driving, I'll take flying any day. I've driven twice to Florida and flown 5 times. I much prefer the flying. It is scary though. I try to put it out of my mind and then freak on the plane...silently of course because I don't want to be flagged as a trouble passenger.

Thank you and WELCOME!!! Yeah I thought about that too. I wondered what they would do to me if I had a panic attack or something! Thankfully, I managed to control myself.

 

[ladybugmom]

Hi!! I'm subcribing to your TR!! My oldest dd is in Kindergarten as well and I am a former teacher--we seem to have a lot in common! I'm loving your TR so far--I can't wait to read more!! Congrats on overcoming your fear of flying!!

 

[RinkyTinkyTinky]

So what part of the world was our coach taking us to? As much as we all wanted our first stop to be the Magic Kingdom, I knew the Christmas decorations may not be up yet. I didn't want to use up a MK day without that Christmas spirit in the air (we didn't have park hoppers). So day one was to be spent at Epcot! This was actually the last weekend of the Food and Wine Festival. I really wanted to go, but I had read that it can be a little crazy on the weekends, so we decided to just stay in Future World and do some rides. I knew DD would not be happy strolling through the countries on our very first day anyway, after waiting all year to get back to WDW. (After reading CP's TR about the rowdiness, I think we made the right choice .)

As soon as we arrived, we got fast passes for Soarin'. I had been waiting all year to glide over the orange groves and mountains again! My very favorite ride! And yes, I do realize how odd it is that I am terrified to fly, but love Soarin'. Go figure.

Next, we thought we would be rebellious and go explore the drop off.

Then, we headed on out into the big 'ol blue to find out how old sea turtles are. Look, it's Mr. Ray!

We spent a lot of time checking out the aquariums this year.

And this is what happens to rebellious little fish who think they can swim with the big boys.

That hook in his nose has GOT to hurt!

Only by the grace of God did we survive the sharks, jellies, divers, and seagulls, so we lived to swim another day.

A little Epcot beauty

Continued in next post..............

 

[RinkyTinkyTinky]

This brings us to the next first of the trip, number three I believe. We never made it to Club Cool last year, so I was very much looking forward to it. I went in knowing full well that I would have to repent for my sins when this was over. It all started with a bald-faced lie. Not a little white lie, but a down and dirty lie.

I made my way to the fountain and dispensed myself a cup of delicious Mexican cola. It is so good! But I already knew this because I Dis. DH didn't see me fill my cup. Then, I turned to DH and told him, "You must try the ITALIAN one (Beverly, that is). It is so good. Here, take a sip of mine." So of' course he agrees and proceeds to get his own.

Secretly in my mind I am thinking, "That's for 10 years of leaving your clothes on the floor!" Well, let's just say he had a few choice words for me after telling me, "It tastes like mouthwash!" We all had a good laugh in the end though! You can tell by the look on DD's face that she didn't really trust me to fix her a cup afterwards!

Feeling nicely hydrated, and one of us having very fresh breath, we headed back to the Land to use our Soarin' fast passes and have dinner at the Garden Grill.

We had a few minutes to spare before our ressie so we rode the Living with the Land boat ride. DD just loves this.

With visions of fresh veggies and bread dancing in our heads, we head for Garden Grill. (another first!)

Cont. in next post...........

 

[RinkyTinkyTinky]

After Farmer Mickey left, these two nuts showed up! They danced with DD and just acted so silly. It was very cute. This was first number 5 because Chip and Dale eluded us last year.

Last but not least, our favorite 6' tall, yellow dog came by.

Ever wonder what his dog tag says................

Now you know!

We all really enjoyed this meal. The food was very good, especially the salad, bread and honey butter (WOW!!!). The characters were great also. They all spent plenty of time with DD and were very interactive with her.

We got on the boat ride one more time after dinner. DD was fascinated with seeing the ride from above at the Garden Grill. She thought it was so neat that it revolved above the boat ride.

Then finally it was time for Soarin'!!! DD didn't remember it from last year and it was like a whole new experience for her. She absolutely went nuts over it. She begged to ride again, but she didn't understand that we would have to wait in line for an hour to ride it a second time. We promised her we would ride another day, but that didn't satisfy her. So I told her that I had a special surprise in store for her and we had to go now if we were going to make it in time. Well that just changed everything, and she was ready to go.

I like to plan something very, very special for the first day of our trips. Last year we took DD to the BBB in the castle and then had dinner at CRT on our first day. This year, I had something totally different planned that I thought the whole family would love. So with anticipation high, we headed for the monorail.

Cool lights in the concrete

Goodbye for today Epcot!

Firsts tally: 5

Up Next: What's the big surprise? Let's just say we have a "blast" with some shady "characters"!!

 

[RinkyTinkyTinky]

Hi!! I'm subcribing to your TR!! My oldest dd is in Kindergarten as well and I am a former teacher--we seem to have a lot in common! I'm loving your TR so far--I can't wait to read more!! Congrats on overcoming your fear of flying!!

WELCOME!! I read your last TR and loved it! Your girls are the cutest things and had that most adorable outfits! Glad you're joining in! And I remember thinking that we had a lot in common when I was reading your report too!

 

[ladybugmom]

WELCOME!! I read your last TR and loved it! Your girls are the cutest things and had that most adorable outfits! Glad you're joining in! And I remember thinking that we had a lot in common when I was reading your report too!

Awww!! Thanks!!

You are an updating MACHINE today!! Can't wait to read what surprise you have in store!!

 

[Lady Lallie]

Oooh, I want to know what the surprise is too!

I love the lights in the pavement at Epcot, something so simple makes me so happy.

 

[stace208]

Great updates! I can't wait to find out what the surprise is!!!!
We just loved Garden Grill last year. I think it's a great place that tends to get overshadowed with all the WS restaurants.

 

[RinkyTinkyTinky]

Happy New Year's Everyone!!
I had a strange thought this morning. Now that another decade has come and gone, Pop Century needs a new building. But what will it be called. I mean 70's, 80's, 90's and 00's just doesn't sound right, does it?

Awww!! Thanks!!

You are an updating MACHINE today!! Can't wait to read what surprise you have in store!!

Well I actually had NO kids in my house yesterday, so I figured it was a good time to get some updates done. That doesn't happen very often.

Oooh, I want to know what the surprise is too!

I love the lights in the pavement at Epcot, something so simple makes me so happy.

Well I dropped a few hints...........we had to take the monorail (and we didn't have park hoppers, so we weren't going to MK), we had a "blast" with shady "Characters", it was night............... any ideas?????

I love those little touches that Disney has too. A few lights in the pavement thrill me too!

Great updates! I can't wait to find out what the surprise is!!!!
We just loved Garden Grill last year. I think it's a great place that tends to get overshadowed with all the WS restaurants.

I agree. I mostly booked it for Chip and Dale since we could never find them last year. But I knew the food would probably be good too, and it was. I loved getting some veggies at Disney because they can be hard to find!

 

[Tinkermom76]

Is it Pirates and Pals cause that cruise is soooo much fun

 

[DisneyJo]

Your daughter is such a cutie and well done for facing your flying fears, I can't believe how quickly you got to WDW

Your first day is absolutely fantastic so far, we've always found the GG characters to be great too