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

[Mndisneygirl]

How wonderful!! It sounds like a really special night for you! Now your next title has me worried though - cockroaches?? UGH!

 

[VAisforDisneyLvrs]

Then suddenly the lights went out, and Wishes began with a bang. I must say that I am not a weepy person, but when that little girl started to sing "star light, star bright, first star I see tonight...." with her sweet little voice, I nearly lost it. It was just a beautiful, magical, unforgettable moment. I couldn't help but think about how fast my DD is growing up and how precious these moments are. She looked so sweet sitting there on her Daddy's lap with the glow of the fireworks on her face. It really took everything in me not to start blubbering like an idiot.

QUOTE]

Well, I am a weepy person! Seriously, I cry at everything-commercials, books, tv shows, songs-and this post! It brought tears to my eyes! You created a very magical memory for your family!

My middle daughter, Ruby, loves Wishes-she asked for the CD for her birthday. It just makes me so happy when I put it on in the car and hear her singing her heart out from the back seat!
(I don't know why I couldn't get that to quote correctly!)

 

[RinkyTinkyTinky]

Oh my goodness! What a wonderful experience you had with the Pirates Cruise! I was all teary-eyed reading about Captain Hook escorting your daughter to the boat! How great!!! I love her looks of being both unsure and delighted!!! So worth the money to have those memories!

Yes, even for me, the cheapskate, it was worth every penny! She really did have a mix of emotions, but she was giddy when we got on the boat. She told everyone about what happened when we got home!

That's amazing.. we did the cruise as well and I agree it is worth every penny I paid for it. Did you guys see the EWP from the boat as well?

We saw it briefly passing by but my pictures were all blurry b/c other boats coming by kept rocking our boat. Your camera has to be really still when photographing lights so they just didn't turn out at all. But the cruise was just amazing! SO glad you enjoyed yours too.

The cruise looks awsome! I have a question though, how loud is it? my daughter will be turning 4 during our trip and I would love to take her on this, but how loud is it? she likes watching fireworks but not when they are super loud like when you are close! thanks for your help!!! I look forward to hearing more about your trip!!!

WELCOME!! I think she would be fine on the cruise. The music to Wishes is piped in on the boat sound system. That's the main thing you hear. You are far enough away that the blasts aren't very loud at all.

I did the cruise a few weeks ago and it is fantastic isn't it How great your DD got to hold Hook's hand, so cute. My youngest DD got chosen to carry the flag to the boat and she was so excited. We had a different Patch (we were on Smee's boat) but he was wonderful too. I still have chocolate coins left over from it Unlike you though we were all huddled under blankets

What a fantastic way to end your evening

Hooray for carrying the flag! That just makes them feel so special to be singled out like that. Too bad your night was cold. I'm sure you still had a great time though. We had the most perfect weather all week and I am so thankful! That cruise would have been fantastic in the pouring rain though!

Oh my, very fun update!! Going to check on the cruise now!

Yes, do! I think you will love it.

This paragraph got me misty-eyed. The whole cruise sounds like it was fantastic and I love how Hook chose your daughter for his escort!

I was pretty misty-eyed myself. It was just such a great evening. I got all choked up just thinking about it all again while I was typing up the report.

How wonderful!! It sounds like a really special night for you! Now your next title has me worried though - cockroaches?? UGH!

It was VERY special! Yes, day 2 begins with several cockroaches! UGH, is my thought on that too!

 

[RinkyTinkyTinky]

Well, I am a weepy person! Seriously, I cry at everything-commercials, books, tv shows, songs-and this post! It brought tears to my eyes! You created a very magical memory for your family!

My middle daughter, Ruby, loves Wishes-she asked for the CD for her birthday. It just makes me so happy when I put it on in the car and hear her singing her heart out from the back seat!
(I don't know why I couldn't get that to quote correctly!)

I would love that CD! I need to get that. It is such a sweet song and all the ingredients just came together that night to make one of "those moments!". I have another Disney CD that has "When You Wish Upon a Star" on it and I get teary-eyed everytime I hear that one.

 

[Lady Lallie]

What a magical night!

You took some great firework pictures, that couldn't have been easy in a boat!

 

[RinkyTinkyTinky]

What a magical night!

You took some great firework pictures, that couldn't have been easy in a boat!

Thank you. Several of them were blurry, but a few came out clear. It was very hard to get good pictures because the ferry boats kept coming by rocking our boat. But it was ok. I was so into the moment that I didn't even care!

 

[ladybugmom]

Oh my goodness!! I'm all teary-eyed after reading your update! WOW! That cruise looks wonderful! And how magical that Hook escorted your DD to the boat!! I LOVE your pics of Wishes!

 

[RinkyTinkyTinky]

Oh my goodness!! I'm all teary-eyed after reading your update! WOW! That cruise looks wonderful! And how magical that Hook escorted your DD to the boat!! I LOVE your pics of Wishes!

It is an awesome experience. I would even be willing to do it again. It was that good. And Hook scored some major points with me and my DD! Seeing Wishes from the water is the way to go. There were no crowds, no herd leaving afterwards, no packed bus to get onto......... just a peaceful, beautiful night. It was great. I'm spoiled now, and will never want to watch them from Main Street again.

 

[Stasieki]

What a great update. You did all that and we had just checked into our hotel - hahaha.

 

[RinkyTinkyTinky]

What a great update. You did all that and we had just checked into our hotel - hahaha.

Yeah, even though I hated it, flying did give us a lot of extra time. We would have just been checking in also if we had driven. When I think of it that way, it does make me want to fly again. That is, if all these idiot terrorists would find something else to do with their time!!!! Just when I think I could get up the nerve to fly again, some story comes on the news (like on Christmas day) and then I am back to square one!

 

[MeMom]

Back at school - in between meetings right now. Looks like I have a lot to look forward to tonight when I can get home and see pictures!

 

[RinkyTinkyTinky]

Back at school - in between meetings right now. Looks like I have a lot to look forward to tonight when I can get home and see pictures!

Memom is here!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! WELCOME!!! I'm so glad you came over. I know you have a lot to keep up with on your own report so I really appreciate you squeezing me in!! And my condolences to you on your return to school today. I know that feeling well and it's not pretty. Now the countdown for Easter break begins! Am I right?

Can't wait to read all about your TR too. I heard you guys were the life of the Poly party!

 

[If U Had Wings]

What a wonderful night! I love the pics of your DD with all the characters. She looks like she is having so much fun meeting all of them.

 

[pmama]

Followed over from your post in my TR. Love the review of your Pirate Cruise. How fun! Your daughter really is beaming. You pics of the fireworks are also fantastic!

 

[Lovemy3babes]

Do you mind another reader? I found your report this morning and read it all the way through. What a wonderful first day!! Your daughter is just a cutie pie. And you also had me misty eyed with your last installment. I can't wait to read more! (I also hope to start a TR sometime today perhaps.)

 

[RinkyTinkyTinky]

What a wonderful night! I love the pics of your DD with all the characters. She looks like she is having so much fun meeting all of them.

It was a perfect night! She loved meeting all of them, even Hook!

Followed over from your post in my TR. Love the review of your Pirate Cruise. How fun! Your daughter really is beaming. You pics of the fireworks are also fantastic!

So glad you could join me! I know it is hard to read along on other TRs when you are doing your own, so thank you! I am loving your TR too. Can't wait to hear about your cruise!

Do you mind another reader? I found your report this morning and read it all the way through. What a wonderful first day!! Your daughter is just a cutie pie. And you also had me misty eyed with your last installment. I can't wait to read more! (I also hope to start a TR sometime today perhaps.)

By all means, come join the party!! I'm thrilled to have more readers. Thank you for your nice comments. Another update is coming right up! You should do a TR if you have time. I am really enjoying reliving my trip and talking with other Dissers.

 

[RinkyTinkyTinky]

Day two of this journey had come, and it promised to be a long and tiring one. We only had one day to spend at Animal Kingdom, so there was much ground to cover. Our first priorities were to do the things that we missed last year. We tried our best to make rope drop, something we have yet to accomplish at any park, but we missed it by just a few minutes.

So, what would be the first amazing, beautiful and exotic animal that we would encounter...............

THE COCKROACH!

But hey, I know you were thinking those cockroaches were going to show up in our room or on our plate, so I'll take them in a plastic display box with a smile! This CM tried to educate us on the benefits of cockroaches, but I would have no part of it. DD and DH were fascinated, but that is one of God's creatures that I have no love for. The CM even informed us that cockroaches are so beneficial to the environment that we should never kill one if we find one in our house. She said we should just scoop it up and take it outside. Ummm.......... yeah, ok. Time to move on!

It was such a beautiful day (as was everyday of our trip) and we just soaked in all the gorgeous scenery.

We were so excited to see the kangaroos. We never could find them last year. They are such cool creatures.

We decided to head for the Safari first so we trekked on to Africa. We did take the safari last year but it was such a hot and humid day that we saw very few animals. I was hoping for a better experience this time.

Our vehicle arrives and we're off.

I love my DH dearly, but what was he thinking with that hat? I told him I felt like I was on safari with Crocodile Dundee! Even the driver referred to him over the loud speaker as "that guy with the hat who's really into this safari thing."

So Jambo everyone! Welcome to Kilimanjaro Safaris, my name is RinkyTinkyTinky and I am going to be your driver for the next two weeks on our safari in the Harambe Wildlife Reserve. Please keep hands and feet inside the vehicle at all times and do not touch the animals should they approach the jeep. For your convenience, an animal viewing guide is located just above you to help in identifying all the creatures we are about to encounter. Hold on to your seats because this ride WILL be bumpy and I am not allowed to stop the vehicle for anyone or anything that may fall overboard!

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

 

[RinkyTinkyTinky]

I hope this rhino will forgive me for posting such an unflattering picture of her on the internet.

That's all folks. Please disembark the ride vehicle to your right and thank you for choosing Kilimanjaro Safaris.

Our safari was so much better this year. The animals were out and about and we all enjoyed it very much. The bridge must not have been working last year because that was quite a surprise for us when it felt like it was going to give way!

Next, we decided to walk the Pangani Forest Trail. This was an all new experience for us and we loved it. It was so peaceful and quiet. We just strolled along taking it all in. It was very quiet and shady and is such a great way to get out of the hustle and bustle for a while.

I loved watching the African Cichlids. I have an aquarium full of these guys in my living room and they are just beautiful fish.

Unfortunately, these guys had seen better days.

Then an interesting aroma hit us like a ton of bricks. It smelled like a combo of urine and hot dogs with onions. We all thought that someone near us desperately needed some attention to their grooming. Well, we were right. We rounded the corner and found the culprit.

Despite the stench, we stood there and watched them a long time. They were really active and put on quite a show for us. The adolescent males were so full of themselves. It was hilarious.

After we finished the trail, DD decided that her souvenir money was burning a hole in her pocket. She saw something on our way through the African village that was calling her name. So off we went to make our first purchase of the trip.

I'll leave you with a little trivia to ponder...............
How long does it take a $15 Disney souvenir to get ruined?

Firsts tally: 11 (Pangani trail was a first for us and I'm counting all the new animals we saw on the safari and Discovery Island as one also.)

Up Next: A Beautiful Transformation Gone Bad!

 

[Mndisneygirl]

I must say - your safari pictures are the BEST I have ever seen!!!! AMAZING!! Mine are always blurry or the animals are too far away! I'm in awe!

 

[RinkyTinkyTinky]

I must say - your safari pictures are the BEST I have ever seen!!!! AMAZING!! Mine are always blurry or the animals are too far away! I'm in awe!

Oh gosh! That is so nice of you to say. I love photography and I try to get good pictures of everything but Disney can be challenging. So many things are moving or have low light that it can be very hard to get any good ones. I still had quite a few blurry ones but I just kept snapping away and I took a ton of pictures. Then I just deleted the bad ones. I think that is the trick with the safari........... take LOTS of pictures with the hopes of getting a few good ones from the bunch.