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

[MeMom]

I am a BIG fan of visiting the pricey places and enjoying all they have to offer without paying to stay there. I love that about Disney. You can do almost everything at any of the resorts that you want to (except swim) just as if you paid to be there. It's great for families like mine who will probably never be able to afford the GF or Poly, etc. I really don't feel like I am missing out on anything.

Cheap minds think alike. This is pretty much how I see that it will be for us. We'll be visitors, except for those times we're able to add a night or two at a deluxe for a treat.

Of course, if we get a big pay raise....

Look at me, telling jokes already early this Friiiiiiiidaaaaay morning.

 

[sjs314]

Finally ordered my Cinderella Coach yesterday, the pearl thing in Japan is something I have paused at and debated about on every trip to WDW I think, well thanks to You and your idea on this trip I am doing it

Guess what is the first thing I will be packing when it arrives , thank you again for the fantastic idea

 

[Tinker_Tam]

I think the pick a pearl sounds like so much fun! I remember my mom and I doing it when there used to be a Sea World in Ohio. It is one of my greatest memories and I am so excited to share that with my daughter! The only problem with the one in Sea World was we never got them mounted, so the first thing I did when I saw Pick a Pearl was in Epcot was ordered my carriage and a carriage for DD. I had them before I officially booked the trip! It will be an awesome time!!!!

 

[RinkyTinkyTinky]

I think your photo shoot pics are just awesome! Do you think you will do another next time you go?
I agree, it does seem to be well worth the cost!

It was well worth the cost. $25 is NOTHING at Disney. I was so shocked that we could get all that so cheap. I would love to do another one on a future trip. I think I would like to do one at the Poly next time. Ideally, I'd like to be a size 5 before the photo shoot and actually be STAYING at the Poly, but I will gladly settle just for the pictures!

Cheap minds think alike. This is pretty much how I see that it will be for us. We'll be visitors, except for those times we're able to add a night or two at a deluxe for a treat.

Of course, if we get a big pay raise....

Look at me, telling jokes already early this Friiiiiiiidaaaaay morning.

I would also be happy just staying one or two nights at the fancy places and spending the rest of the trip at Pop. That would be great to me. I'd love to stay at the Beach Club even if just for one night so we could enjoy the pool. I really cannot see myself ever staying a full week at anything beyond a moderate. I would just be sick at the thought of what it was costing even if I had the money to spend. I really am quite content visiting the shwankie places for free! I mean, it's Disney property no matter which resort you are at, so it's nothing but good any way you look at it!

"Big pay raise"......................... There really are not any smilies that could appropriately express my reaction to that! DH and I are seriously discussing me going back to teaching when DD starts first grade in August and I am sick to my stomach just thinking about it. I know you can relate. I'm sure you have that same feeling every Sunday night, Monday morning, after ever holiday and vacation break, at the end of summer, etc. It is such a shame that we feel that way though isn't it? Why can't things be like that one room schoolhouse from "Little House on the Prarie"?

Finally ordered my Cinderella Coach yesterday, the pearl thing in Japan is something I have paused at and debated about on every trip to WDW I think, well thanks to You and your idea on this trip I am doing it

Guess what is the first thing I will be packing when it arrives , thank you again for the fantastic idea

YAY!!! I'm so glad that you broke down and decided to do it. It really is a special thing. It's not just shopping and buying things that you don't really need. It's a memory maker too and a wonderful keepsake. I want to see all these necklaces when everyone gets back from their trips!

I think the pick a pearl sounds like so much fun! I remember my mom and I doing it when there used to be a Sea World in Ohio. It is one of my greatest memories and I am so excited to share that with my daughter! The only problem with the one in Sea World was we never got them mounted, so the first thing I did when I saw Pick a Pearl was in Epcot was ordered my carriage and a carriage for DD. I had them before I officially booked the trip! It will be an awesome time!!!!

It really is a special thing to do. It is not your run of the mill souvenir. I love that it is a one of a kind thing. I'm so glad that you got the pendants. The settings in Epcot are so expensive and not as cute in my opinion. And the carriages are so affordable that you can do one for yourself and your DD! I love that! I hope you and your DD have a fantstic time and I'd love to see your necklaces when you get back!

 

[jenseib]

I think the pick a pearl sounds like so much fun! I remember my mom and I doing it when there used to be a Sea World in Ohio. It is one of my greatest memories and I am so excited to share that with my daughter! The only problem with the one in Sea World was we never got them mounted, so the first thing I did when I saw Pick a Pearl was in Epcot was ordered my carriage and a carriage for DD. I had them before I officially booked the trip! It will be an awesome time!!!!

We used to go to the Seaworld too. I remember the pick a pearl as well, though we never did it because the mountings for the pearl was so costly

 

[Tinker_Tam]

We used to go to the Seaworld too. I remember the pick a pearl as well, though we never did it because the mountings for the pearl was so costly

That is why our pearls always sat in the little ziploc bag they gave you. This time will be much different since I have the carriages already!

 

[MaryAz]

Beautiful photo session pics. She didi a great job and you guys look wonderful.

 

[RinkyTinkyTinky]

Sorry everyone that I've been missing for a few days. I've gotten behind here and on all my TR subscriptions. It was another very busy weekend. We had another birthday party and family gathering to attend. In addition to all that, my aunt, who has fought cancer for the last five years, passed away. We spent most of Saturday at services for her. She was a real fighter, but that is a horrible disease. In the last five years, she has had stomach/intestinal cancer, breast cancer twice and cancer in her spine and hip. She had too many surgeries to count. All of her hair had fallen out several times and she had a double mastectomy. She had practically been taking chemo or radiation nonstop for five years, which weakened her heart. Amazingly, after all that fighting to beat the cancer, she was actually in remission when she died. Her heart and body just couldn't take anymore though. I am sad for my uncle who is too young to have lost his spouse, but I rejoice for her because her long suffering is over. Right now she is walking on streets of gold and has met Jesus face-to-face! How awesome for her!

Ok, let me see if I can figure out where I left off............................. oh yes, we had just finished our photo session at the Grand Floridian and we were headed to dinner at 1900 Park Fare. Before we could even get our plates filled, the characters started coming. We all LOVED the stepsisters. They were a hoot!

Look how DD is looking at her! She didn't quite know what to think at first!

I love this!

I thoroughly chastised Lady Tremaine for locking Cinderella in her room, to which she replied to DD, "Child, don't listen to that nonsense from your mother! I never did a thing to that girl! It was simply a faulty lock!"

Look at that make up!

Cinderella was very graceful.

We had been picking on DD about Prince Charming. We kept telling her that she better not get too close when he came around because Cinderella might get jealous! She was so bashful when he came to our table!

I know the food here gets mixed reviews but we really like it. The strawberry soup was very good, just as I had read. I also loved the coq a vin (French chicken with gravy) and mashed potatoes. DH loved the prime rib. We really thought everything was good.

After dinner, it was finally time for MVMCP. I was so excited about this. I had waited all week and was just giddy about going! We used our Disney Visa rewards to purchase the tickets so we actually got in free!

This was the coldest day of our trip so it was a perfect night for a Christmas party.

First we did Story Time with Belle. They packed us in that tiny theater like sardines. It was unbearable for me. I felt like I was being slowly suffocated! I was glad when it was over. And she didn't tell a Christmas story. That was odd to me.

Then we watched the castle stage show. It was very cute, and it snowed!!!!!! We were pretty far back, so the pictures are not very good.

Look......... SNOW!!!!!!!!!!!

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

 

[RinkyTinkyTinky]

We got our cookies and hot chocolate and found a spot for the parade.

Belle in her pretty Christmas dress.

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

 

[RinkyTinkyTinky]

It is a great parade! We had some time before the fireworks started, but we didn't want to loose our spot. We just stayed there on the curb, danced to the Christmas carols and enjoyed the atmosphere. DD bought this Cinderella baby and was giving her some love!

I gave DD the camera and let her take some pictures. This was one of them.

She was dancing to "Rockin' Around the Christmas Tree!"

Then it was time!!!! The Christmas fireworks were awesome!!! They were so good that I had to see them again in '09 (on the Poly beach).

Pictures could never do it justice!

Then it was time for "Twas the Night Before Christmas." This was a very cute show. Mickey and Minnie were in their jammies! Love it!

Minnie sang "Santa Baby!" It was hilarious!

It snowed at the end!

We had a very good time at MVMCP. My only complaint was that all the party activities were EXTREMELY crowded. If you are going to the park for the rides, then you will probably walk right on everything, but the party stuff was insane! We really enjoyed the Christmas atmosphere just as much throughout the week in the parks without all the crowds. It's not something I would want to do every year, but we may do it again at some point.

And that was how our last park day ended! We started our trip with a bang and ended it with one also! We had one full day left on this trip and we spent it at SeaWorld and Downtown Disney. So stay tuned for all the fun of our last day.

 

[RinkyTinkyTinky]

We used to go to the Seaworld too. I remember the pick a pearl as well, though we never did it because the mountings for the pearl was so costly

That's why I didn't do it at Epcot in '08. I wouldn't pay what they were charging for settings and I knew it would get lost or just sit in jewelry box.

That is why our pearls always sat in the little ziploc bag they gave you. This time will be much different since I have the carriages already!

I really hope you guys will come back here and show me all these PAPs that you are doing!

Beautiful photo session pics. She didi a great job and you guys look wonderful.

Thank you! She did do a wonderful job. I was very pleased and couldn't believe it was only $25!!!

 

[Charleston Princess]

So sorry to hear about your aunt!

What a blast you must have had at both 1900 Park Fare and the Christmas party! I love those Christmas balloons!

 

[njtinkmom]

I finally got my pearl carriages for our July trip. I am keeping them a secret and giving them to the girls when we get there. I even ordered chains from the same ebay site for them, and actually got a longer one for myself for Mickey Charm I bought at WDW in November. I did not realize it would be like a choker on me and have been looking for a longer chain. That ebay store had great prices. Thanks!!
I hope you have other trips to report about because I don't want them to end!

 

[DisneyJo]

I'm so sorry about your Aunt, cancer is horrid isn't it

Looks like you all had fun at the party and even better that you got in practically free

 

[Lovemy3babes]

I'm so sorry to hear about your aunt. It sounds like she had quite the battle.

Great flashback! I too am going to be super sad when they are over. I love your exchange with Lady Tremaine. That is hilarious!!!!! Great Christmas party pictures!

 

[lexmas]

So sorry to hear about your aunt. Cancer is so hard. My dad died of cancer (a year ago this thursday) and it was only a year between when he found out he had cancer and when he died. Your aunt sounds like she fought quite the battle making it five years...I am glad her suffering is over, although I'm sure you will miss her greatly!

On to the trip!

Lady Tremain and the Step Sisters crack me up. They do some great casting for those parts!

MVMCP looks so beautiful! I hope some day I get to Disney for this. The shows look like so much fun, and I love their snow. It looks really realistic until you see some bubbles clumped together! But most of the time, it looks great! (And I'm from Buffalo, I know what snow looks like! )

I love the ice skaters on rollerblades. That's so smart!

Great update!

Only one more day?

 

[stace208]

about the loss of your aunt. I lost both my parents, and many other relatives, to cancer. Nasty beast of a disease. My heart goes out to you and your family.

I loved all your Christmas party photos. Those balloons were wonderful!! 1900 PF looks like so much fun. We're going there for breakfast in June but dinner will be soon!!

 

[shelbys mommy]

Just joining now. I was in tears reading you entire trip report. And when she met Tink...lord I needed kleenex! How magical! I can't wait to bring my princess to Disney in June!

 

[englishrose47]

Sorry about your aunt !! I am a survivor and feel soooo blessed !!!

 

[VAisforDisneyLvrs]

My condolences on the loss of your aunt.

Your Christmas Party pictures are great as always! I can't wait to see your SeaWorld pictures, because we are going there in August. I've never been-but I will get a chance to scope it out a little next month. I get to go to Orlando with DH for two nights!

I also wanted to offer some kind thoughts flower3 to you as you and your DH are tossing up the idea of you going back to work. My DH and I have had that conversation many times, and it is a tough decision to make. I have been thinking I'd wait until Jo started Kindergarten and then maybe work as a substitute. Then today it seems that another door may have opened....I'll wait to see how things play out before I say more, but God does have a plan for each of us. I just wanted to say I was thinking of you.