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

[RinkyTinkyTinky]

oh gee I wish it wasn't coming to the end, your TR has
been so much fun. You have a great style of writing and
I honestly enjoyed each and every post to the max...anxiously
awaiting the final disney adventure!!

Well you are just the sweetest thing! Thank you! I hate for it to end too. It's been so much fun! I may extend it for just a little longer though, so stay tuned.

Backyard BBQ looks great! I may have to switch out HDDR ressie for BBQ!!
That's if they have an open ADR for me!! Gotta check that out in a minute!

Boo to the last day.... That day always comes too fast!

I would take the BBQ over HDDR any day, but that is just my opinion. Everyone feels differently. I think the BBQ is just so unique!

The last day does come way too fast. If I knew we had another trip coming up, it wouldn't have been as hard.

The full-of-milk sleeping baby and I loved the update! I gave her a kiss for you and she let out a contented baby sigh. She's a light sleeper too. So was DS. He didn't sleep through the night until he was 2 1/2, and he didn't nap without someone right there until he was almost 2. She's shaping up to be the same. I don't mind holding them or sitting near while they sleep though, I'll miss my sweet baby snuggles soon enough.

Aww, so sweet! You know I have never understood the old saying of "sleeping like a baby". That NEVER rang true for my baby and sounds like yours are the same. I was so sleep deprived after the first 2 months that I couldn't even think straight! So those are some sweet moments but I feel for you at the same time.

That magical express tag can really bring you down. They really should do it during the day so that you don't have to see it until you get back.

Not another disappointment! I honestly didn't know that there was merchandise that you could only get in the parks and not in downtown disney. That's so sad. You should try and call and see if you can get it! (But e-bay is always a good idea. E-bay is your friend. You said you were cheap, right? Me too! How I love e-bay, let me count the ways...)

I love ebay too! I am going to see if I can find one on there when I get a chance. You're right, ebay is a cheap person's best friend!

I think we'll end up with the counter service dining plan this september, and WOW those pictures made me want to go to wolfgang puck's! That's so much food! And it looks so delicious! (BTW, I told DH about your own personal food and wine festival, and we're totally going to do that this year. Brilliant!)

WP is a great way to use your CS credits. It is a fantastic value on the DP. You could probably even split a meal depending on how hungry you are. The food was really fantastic!

You'll love snacking around the world. It's a great way to sample lots of different foods. We shared almost everything, so we got to sample so much more that way. Have fun with it!!!!

I'm hoping you figured out some magical way to get back to DHS for the Osborne lights! I don't know how, but I'm hoping against hope for some disney magic! (Maybe your solution was to book another trip for this year? Doesn't add any cost onto the current trip... )

I like your creative way of thinking! It wouldn't have added any cost to that trip, that's true, but I don't know how I'd pay for the next one either!

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UGH!!! I do not like when they remind you that you actually have to leave!

We have never been to DTD, but Wolfgang Puck looks AMAZING! We have always wanted to try Earl OS as well.

I love how your DD uses her money to buy her things. My daughter does the same thing and I hope to update about it on my next post!

I'd say that WP is so good that it is worth a trip to DTD just for that. VERY yummy!

DD had her own money on both trips. She earned some of it doing chores and my parents gave her some as well. It worked out much better that way, because she is much more thoughtful in her spending when it's HER money than she is when she is spending MY money, if you know what I mean. She really put a lot of thought into what she bought and I was proud of the choices she made. I hate to see her throw away money on junk.

Uggh! I hate the dreaded ME envelope on the door--it's soooo UNmagical!! Not fun!

It looks like you had a wonderful day shopping at Downtown Disney!! For some reason, I did not realize that Wolfgang Puck was a CS meal!!! Yay! We might just have to eat there in May!! Your food looks incredible!! And the creme brulee--YUMMY!!!! I'm so sorry that you didn't get your castle throw. I put things off like that, too on our trips--then I'm kicking myself for not buying it when I see it!!

Oh you really need to try WP if you are on the DP!! Such a great value and the food is such good qulaity. We don't eat a lot of burgers and fries and all that kind of junk, so we look for CS places that have "real food". I think you will love WP. They have a HUGE menu! It was almost too much to choose from. I had read about the BBQ chicken quesadilla on other TRs so I really wanted to try that. Boy were they right, it is so so good. You even have a server there. You order your food at the counter and get your own drink, but they bring your food out when it's ready and come around regulary to see if you need more drink or anything else. It's just a great place compared to other CS.

 

[sharonW]

okey dokey, Rinky....any extension is fine by me....and
then I will anxiously await a pre trippie for
your next disney adventure!lol

 

[jenbear123]

I just finished page 21. I'm getting there! I swear, your TR is hard to turn away from. Even when I'm at work

That boy in WS during KP was so annoying I would've flipped if this brat was following me around. Especially when he acted like a know-it-all. Grrrr!

Your DD is just darling with her "poses"

Looks like you spent lots of time in WS. I hope I can do the same in my upcoming trip.

Hoop-Dee-Doo doesn't turn my crank either. I don't even have interest to even see it because I know I won't like it. It's not for everyone.

Can't wait to read more

 

[MeMom]

We moved on from Goofy's and saw these pretty birds outside Rainforest Cafe.

Those birds can make some LOUD noises, too!

I had the same quesadilla you did at WPE - so good! But, that chicken and potatoes looks scrumptious, too. I will have to try that next time.

Well folks, we are down to the last evening of our trip. I can't believe it is almost over. I have that same gut wrenching feeling in the pit of stomach right now as I write this that I had in my last moments at Disney. Why must our time always come to an end? It just doesn't seem fair, does it?

Bella is having a Pooh-themed birthday party. I told Trent to bring this home for us when he goes this weekend. Surely they won't mind if we borrow it for birthday pictures, will they? We promise to return it when we go back on June 30th.

I do know the sick feeling of the last days. It isn't fair at all.

 

[RinkyTinkyTinky]

okey dokey, Rinky....any extension is fine by me....and
then I will anxiously await a pre trippie for
your next disney adventure!lol

A PTR would be VERY nice. The only problem is that you have to have a future trip to have one of those! But who knows. We had a miracle in '08 and again in '09 so I say the third times a charm, right!?

I just finished page 21. I'm getting there! I swear, your TR is hard to turn away from. Even when I'm at work

Oh dear! I don't want to be responsible for getting anyone fired!

That boy in WS during KP was so annoying I would've flipped if this brat was following me around. Especially when he acted like a know-it-all. Grrrr!

He was something that's for sure. But hey, at least it made for a funny story after the fact!

Your DD is just darling with her "poses"

Looks like you spent lots of time in WS. I hope I can do the same in my upcoming trip.

I love World Showcase. It is just a feast for the eyes and the stomach! There is so much to see and do and the talent there is amazing! I think most people overlook WS, but you really should take more time to check it out if you can.

Hoop-Dee-Doo doesn't turn my crank either. I don't even have interest to even see it because I know I won't like it. It's not for everyone.

Can't wait to read more

HDDR absolutely is not for everyone. I just can't for the life of me figure out why it has such wonderful reviews from almost everybody. I can't believe we are the only ones who didn't like it.

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Those birds can make some LOUD noises, too!

I had the same quesadilla you did at WPE - so good! But, that chicken and potatoes looks scrumptious, too. I will have to try that next time.

DH is in love with that meal at WP. I tasted it last year and it was very good. This year, he didn't share a morsel! But it was ok b/c I couldn't even finish my own plate. Next time, DD and I will share. I think you could share with Jill and that would save you a lot of money. The portions are huge!

Bella is having a Pooh-themed birthday party. I told Trent to bring this home for us when he goes this weekend. Surely they won't mind if we borrow it for birthday pictures, will they? We promise to return it when we go back on June 30th.

I read about her Pooh party! How sweet! I know you will come up with lots of cool stuff. You guys always do great parties. And I think Disney would let you borrow that bench since you guys are such loyal patrons!

I do know the sick feeling of the last days. It isn't fair at all.

It really does stink. I get that same feeling when I read about someone else's last day just as if I was there and it was me. That's when you know, you need help!

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[VAisforDisneyLvrs]

A PTR would be VERY nice. The only problem is that you have to have a future trip to have one of those! But who knows. We had a miracle in '08 and again in '09 so I say the third times a charm, right!?

You could do a PTR for an imaginary trip.

I agree with everyone else-you Backyard BBQ pics were great, and they made me want to look into it for our upcoming trip! It looked like a lot of fun.

Good ole' Rocky Top...Rocky Top Tennessee...that song's been in my mind since I read that chapter! I remember it from that Kenny Rogers movie when I was growing up...Six Pack is what it says when I googled it. Don't remember much else about the movie except them singing Rocky Top!
Also, I think they have to put the ME envelopes out in the early morning hours before you leave the room for the day so that no one tries to pretend they didn't know it was their day to check out!I mean haven't we all wanted to just move in....

 

[RinkyTinkyTinky]

Ok, think back, way back, to that very disappointing night at Hollywood Studios when my beloved Osborne Lights were snatched out from underneath me. Well, when we returned to Pop that night, I poured over my itinerary trying to figure out how to fix my dilemma.

The problem was that we had two park days left on our tickets. One of those days had been promised to DD for the fairy meet and greet, so we had to return to the Magic Kingdom. The other day was needed for us to finish our passports and masks in World Showcase as well as our do-it-yourself Food and Wine Festival. I just wasn't willing to give up any of those plans, and the park hoppers were out of question due to the cost. We did have this final full day (Sunday, November 15th) that was pretty flexible. I left this day open for swimming, shopping, resort hopping, and activities at Fort Wilderness like the pony rides, sleigh rides, or the campfire sing-a-long. As much as I wanted to do all those fun things, I just could not bear to leave Walt Disney World without seeing those gorgeous lights.

So, that next morning before we headed to the Magic Kingdom, I went down to guest services in the Pop lobby. I found myself standing before the sweetest little old man from Pennsylvania who was working the desk that day. I explained my situation to him as briefly as possible, and he was so apologetic about us missing the Osborne Lights two years in a row. I asked him if it was possible for us to add another park day to our tickets so that we could return to Hollywood Studios and give it one more try. He said, "Absolutely, and it's on the house!" How sweet of him!! He turned our 8 days tickets into 9 day tickets free of charge! I'm sure it wouldn't have been an enormous amount of money to add one day to our tickets, but it was such a nice gesture. I thanked him a million times , told him he was the best thing since sliced bread, and headed out for the MK a very happy girl! And yes, I've been holding that out on you all this time!

Now, fast forward to Sunday afternoon and we will resume our regularly scheduled programming.................................................

So after our dip in the pool at Pop, we dried off, got dressed and boarded a bus for Hollywood!

Both those pictures are blurry because I was speed walking like a mad woman to get into that park. Streets of America, here I come!!!

I'm getting closer.................

DD yelled for me to stop and take her picture by the pretty fountain. I was thinking, "Child, I don't have time for a fountain, I've got bigger plans than that!" But I managed to control myself and took it anyway.

We're almost there.....................

Look! Lights! Not exactly the ones I had planned on, but lights nonetheless!!!!!! (This was on the pavement.) Anything that glowed was exciting me at the time!

As I approached the streets of America, I could feel the magic in the air. I knew my moment was finally about to happen. No way would I be denied three times, right? Even I wasn't that unlucky!

I rounded that corner just as I had done on Thursday night with my breath held in anticipation and I saw.................................................................











































NOTHING!!!!!!!!!!!!!! THE LIGHTS WERE SHUT DOWN AGAIN!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

 

[RinkyTinkyTinky]

JUST KIDDING!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! That was shameful, wasn't it?

Ok, seriously now, let's try that again. I rounded the corner and saw.........................................................

There they were! Again, it said "Peace on Earth", and again, I was FEELIN' IT!!!!! I squealed out loud with delight, to which my DH responded with and told everyone around him that he had no idea who I was!

Words cannot adequately describe the beauty that was before my eyes or the emotions in my heart, so I will just let the pictures speak for themselves.

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

 

[RinkyTinkyTinky]

Let it snow, let it snow, let it snow!!

I didn't have the heart to tell DD that the "snow" was soap and ruin the magic for her. I just prayed that she wouldn't actually catch any in her mouth, and thankfully, she didn't.

DD was running around having the best time. I had to hold her down to get this picture and she was still trying to catch the snow in her mouth!

To add to our Christmas cheer, she bought this light up snowman necklace off of a souvenir cart with her last five dollars.

In my devastation on Thursday night, I had forgotten to go back and check on the manger scene to see if it had been "corrected". But as you can see, things were now in order.

The baby Jesus had been born, and I had finally seen my lights...................... all was well with the world!

The lights were even more beautiful than I could have imagined. We stayed there for about an hour just being mesmerized by it all. What an amazing finale to an unbelievable vacation!

(Skip the next paragraph, Memom. The visualization of my words may be more than you can handle.)

There was still plenty of evening left, so we took a ride on Star Tours. There was no one else in line or on the ride! Kind of weird. I have decided though, that I hate this ride. Yes, I know those are harsh words. I have tried to like it. I really have, but that thing should be called claustrophobia barf tour. It is so small inside there when they shut the doors and the 3D effect combined with the jerky seat is just more than my equilibrium can handle. I starred at the floor the whole time trying to maintain a reference point inside that bottled up, fifth layer of Hell. I was so thankful when it was over and those doors opened up to a nice, spacious, fresh air filled, Florida sky. DH and DD love it of' course. How am I related to them?

After surviving our suffocating intergalactic battle, I talked DH into riding Rockin' Roller Coaster. He wants to ride it every time we are there, but he won't because DD isn't tall enough. I insisted that he ride it since this was our last hurrah in the parks. This was the view DD and I had while we waited for him. It was quite fun listening to the screams coming from TOT, and I was very thankful that it wasn't me!

DH jumped into the single rider line and was out in no time. He LOVED it! He said that it was a "real" roller coaster (as opposed to the "wimpy" BTMRR which I like). Doesn't he look quite proud of himself here?

We used the last of our CS credits on some burgers and fries at the food stand near TOT. After that, it was time to go. There was a mountain of clothes waiting in our room to be packed up. What a depressing thought.

One last shot before leaving.

Firsts tally: 78 (Rockin' Roller Coaster)

Up Next: It's too painful to come up with a title, so I won't. But stay tuned, it isn't over yet.

 

[RinkyTinkyTinky]

You could do a PTR for an imaginary trip.

That's about the best I could do right now! I don't think there would be too many readers though!

I agree with everyone else-you Backyard BBQ pics were great, and they made me want to look into it for our upcoming trip! It looked like a lot of fun.

Good ole' Rocky Top...Rocky Top Tennessee...that song's been in my mind since I read that chapter! I remember it from that Kenny Rogers movie when I was growing up...Six Pack is what it says when I googled it. Don't remember much else about the movie except them singing Rocky Top!
Also, I think they have to put the ME envelopes out in the early morning hours before you leave the room for the day so that no one tries to pretend they didn't know it was their day to check out!I mean haven't we all wanted to just move in....

The BBQ was a blast. I was very pleasantly surprised. They played some great music. It wasn't music that I listen to everyday, but in that setting, it was perfect. You couldn't sit still even if you tried!

And yes, we all would love to move in! I've often wondered what their monthly rate would be????

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[ladybugmom]

Holy cow!!! What an incredible way to end your trip!! That CM was sooo nice to upgrade your tickets for FREE!!! Now that's some Disney magic for you!! And you had me so scared for a minute there--thank goodness you were just kidding!!! The lights are beautiful and I cannot WAIT to see them!!! I'm sooo very glad that you were finally able to see them! 3rd times a charm, right?!

 

[disneybarbie]

Oh wow... free upgraded tickets, it's stories like this that remind me why we all love Disney soo much!!

Osbourne Lights are so overwhelming and beautiful, you're photos are fantastic!

Emma x x

 

[MeMom]

The lights were even more beautiful than I could have imagined. We stayed there for about an hour just being mesmerized by it all. What an amazing finale to an unbelievable vacation!

(Skip the next paragraph, Memom. The visualization of my words may be more than you can handle.)
It was quite fun listening to the screams coming from TOT, and I was very thankful that it wasn't me!

I am glad the final night was so magical for you.

What a sweet CM to add the day on for you! Even though it would not have been a great deal of money, any little perk in Disney World is exciting. We get a thrill out of being given beads at French Quarter, an unexpected sticker for Brooklynn somewhere, a copy of a restaurant menu to keep, or just any little thing.

Surprisingly, I like both Star Tours and Tower of Terror. The jerkiness and speed and heights and dropping are fun to me. I have to talk myself through the doors closing on both of them. I have my tactics - close my eyes in some spots, look straight ahead in others, imagine myself in the openness of outer space, etc. I guess the thrill overpowers the fear on those, for some reason. If I ever got stuck on ToT or those doors delayed in opening, I'd probably never get on it again, but so far, I have been able to talk myself through the bad parts.

 

[Charleston Princess]

What a sweet CM to make your dreams come true! I am so thrilled you were able to see your Osborne Lights! Your pictures are gorgeous!!!

Sorry you didn't like Star Tours -- it is one of my favorite rides at DHS, and I can't wait to see how they upgrade it in the coming year.

 

[sharonW]

...I'd almost forgotten how beautiful those lights are!!!
So awesome, the pics you got couldn't be any better.
You have to tell me what kind of camera you have!
I am not looking forward to the end of the magic!

 

[RinkyTinkyTinky]

Holy cow!!! What an incredible way to end your trip!! That CM was sooo nice to upgrade your tickets for FREE!!! Now that's some Disney magic for you!! And you had me so scared for a minute there--thank goodness you were just kidding!!! The lights are beautiful and I cannot WAIT to see them!!! I'm sooo very glad that you were finally able to see them! 3rd times a charm, right?!

That CM was precious! He made my day! I know it wasn't much monetarily, but it was still so very nice of him.

Sorry about fooling you like that! Just trying to keep it fun!

You guys are going to have the best time going at Christmas. I can't wait to read your TR when you get back.

Oh wow... free upgraded tickets, it's stories like this that remind me why we all love Disney soo much!!

Osbourne Lights are so overwhelming and beautiful, you're photos are fantastic!

Emma x x

I'm sure it wasn't more than $10 or so for the upgrade, but it was still so nice of him.

My pictures of the OL don't even come close to doing them justice!

I am glad the final night was so magical for you.

What a sweet CM to add the day on for you! Even though it would not have been a great deal of money, any little perk in Disney World is exciting. We get a thrill out of being given beads at French Quarter, an unexpected sticker for Brooklynn somewhere, a copy of a restaurant menu to keep, or just any little thing.

Surprisingly, I like both Star Tours and Tower of Terror. The jerkiness and speed and heights and dropping are fun to me. I have to talk myself through the doors closing on both of them. I have my tactics - close my eyes in some spots, look straight ahead in others, imagine myself in the openness of outer space, etc. I guess the thrill overpowers the fear on those, for some reason. If I ever got stuck on ToT or those doors delayed in opening, I'd probably never get on it again, but so far, I have been able to talk myself through the bad parts.

I agree. I get excited over any nice gesture from a CM, no matter how small. One of my best memories was from our trip last year. DD got sprinkled with Mickey head confetti as we entered MK for the first time. She thought that stuff was so cool and insisted on gathering and saving every piece of it!

Well, I am very shocked Memom! You are braver than you let on! Riding Star Tours and ToT! You are making me look more like a weennie every day!

What a sweet CM to make your dreams come true! I am so thrilled you were able to see your Osborne Lights! Your pictures are gorgeous!!!

Sorry you didn't like Star Tours -- it is one of my favorite rides at DHS, and I can't wait to see how they upgrade it in the coming year.

I am almost glad that it hadn't worked out for me to see the lights earlier in the trip. It made for a great finale!

I'm sure I'm the only one out there who doesn't like ST, SM, or ToT! I can't help it if I am strange! You guys are all much braver than I will ever be!

...I'd almost forgotten how beautiful those lights are!!!
So awesome, the pics you got couldn't be any better.
You have to tell me what kind of camera you have!
I am not looking forward to the end of the magic!

Pictures really don't do them justice though. They are just so awesome!!! I took some video as well, but again, it just isn't like standing there.

Here's a link to an ad for my camera.

http://www.bhphotovideo.com/c/product/643179-REG/Canon_3633B001_PowerShot_SX20_IS_Digital.html

It's easier for me to do that than to try to tell you about it. It's been a good one so far for the most part. I'm still learning how to use it though.

 

[Stasieki]

I had tears in my eyes reading that. What a magical last night. I am so happy you got to see the lights. I was hoping for a Dec Disney trip this year so I can see them, but we may have to switch to Oct. I will just be happy to get to go back, but after reading this, I really, really, really want to try for December!

 

[martinolichfamily]

Sounds like a great last night w/lots of magic! Love the pics of the Osbourne lights!

How cool to get an extra day added to your tickets.....awesome!!

 

[DisneyJo]

That was so so nice of the CM to upgrade your tickets for you and I'm so happy that you finally got to see your lights. It sounds as though they lived up to your expectations

 

[MaryAz]

I was behind. Fun day at DTD-food looks yummy! Sorry about the throw. So happy you FINALLY got to see the lights. Beautiful pics!! Grea CM moment!! Also think it was great you got the pixie dust!!