Top Secret Pixie Dust! A Surprise 13th Birthday PTR! NEW! TRIP REPORT LINK PAGE 220!

[Charleston Princess]

I bet the exhibit will be really neat to see Jackie. Especially for you, someone who really was interested in her life.

Her death was very sad. I was in high school, working at a nursing home, watching the coverage on our supper break. It was such a tragedy. I always think how much those boys must miss their mom.

It always breaks my heart to think of those boys without their mother.

Oh, you are so lucky to be able to see that! I'll have to research it as I wonder if it is traveling.

Enjoy! I also loved Princess Diana!

I know it is a traveling exhibit -- I think it was in Philadelphia before it came here.

When I went to the exhibit, there was a remembrance book that one could sign. They had many books that the mourners had signed, it was so sad. Also, there was videos of Diana at school & many other events. There were several of her other gowns & dresses in addition to her wedding gown.
You will enjoy this exhibit.
evergreen out

I did read that there were about 25 other dresses on display.

That sounds like an amazing exhibit! I was only 3 when they married, but I do recall them being in the news throughout my childhood and I always thought she was one of the most beautiful women I had ever seen. When she died, I recall sitting at my parents home watching the news, just shocked. It was awful.

I hope you are able to take pictures, but I'm guessing most likely not... I look forward to your review on it!!!! Enjoy!

Sadly, I doubt I can take pictures inside the exhibit, but I will nab some of the outside of the venue and will try to describe everything!

Princess Di, oh how exciting that will be! I was 15 when they married and was absolutely mesmerized. I do remember much to-do about the queen's hat at the wedding for some reason...

funny the things we recall.

That's right. Now that you said that, I do remember something about that hat -- now I will have to go research what that was all about.

For me I think once she and Charles divorced and Andrew and Fergie divorced it just made them seem all so...mortal. And less royal. It will be interesting to see what happens as time goes on.

I agree.

I wish I was still 15!

no. not really.

No, you don't!!!

Everything good at your house this morning?
We didn't get nearly as much as they predicted, so I'm thinking you guys got little to nothing.
Trent was traveling over Monteagle Mountain in all that yesterday! I was glad to hear from him on the other side of that.

Have a Super Saturday!

It was a nice weekend! All we had was rain, rain, and more rain. Very cold and gloomy. There was a lot of cuddling with dogs and blankets. Glad Trent arrived safely!

Add anymore snow to the freezer today?

Nope. Not a bit.

Sounds like you and your family will have a great time!!

I was thinking this too. They had an awesome Egypt exhibit here and we went over Christmas not only for my kids to see but so I could take pictures for my class (we study Ancient Egypt in 2nd grade in VA). Wouldn't you know, they didn't allow photos. I was really bummed!

When we went to the King Tut exhibit last February, there was no photography allowed at all.

I was 14 when Di got married. Oh how I wanted her haircut!!! I tried my best, but it just didn't look the same on wavy hair.

I think I tried to have a Diana haircut, too.

Thanks for all of your great updates. I'm happy to report that even though we had to reschedule our Dec. trip to Feb. 2011 (and pass up on our fantastic Bounceback Rate), I was able to book a quick trip to the Boardwalk Inn for me and my mom this July and use our BB offer.

Neither of us have stayed at the Boardwalk before, so we are very excited. We are both also participating in the Disney Give A Day promo, so we will get a free day in the parks, too. Should be a great mom & daughter trip!

The Boardwalk would be such a great place to stay! It's definitely on my one-day list!

I too was overwhelmed researching cakes. I finally decided and ordered one but it never arrived. Hopefully that doesn't happen to you. Make sure you follow up!

Oh, no! That's a shame!

 

[Charleston Princess]

Jackie! I have been away for too long. I just found this PTR and am looking forward to reading it! We are in the very beginning phase of planning an Oct 2010 trip, so I have to get all the details. Not sure if you remember me from our August 2008 trip with the two teenagers - Katie and Caitlin. It's great to be back!

Susan!!! Of course I remember you!!! You stayed at the Beach Club, and I still think about your trip there every time I see pictures of the resort! How are you??? You will love going in October -- Charles and I went on a solo trip to the Food and Wine Festival this past October and had an absolute blast!

My DD and DH both got the White Chocolate Mickey with goodies on the plate and cards when we stayed at GF in 08! DD's birthday was our second day and DH's was our last full day! It was a very nice suprise!!! DD also got a a few stuffed animals, towel animals and a card from the mousekeeping staff!

How neat! Thanks for sharing the pics!!!

Definitely make sure they note on the reservation that it's her birthday!

As far as a cake goes, I've ordered basic cakes with writing on them in the past and had pretty good success.

During our last trip I ordered a Mad-Hatter Cake for my sister and nephew for our dinner at Chef Mickey. it was $100 and the cake looked awesome!! It wasn't the best tasting cake ever but the presentation definitely made up for it! I'd post a picture but I haven't gotten that far uploading into photobucket. I do have it on Facebook though.

It is noted on our reservation, and every thing we have gotten from Disney is titled Chelsea's Birthday Celebration. It always makes me smile.

I love that Mad Hatter cake...

I hope you guy have a fabulous trip to the Princess Diana exhibit! I have vague memories of the wedding. I really remember the dress and all the little flower girls! I remember thinking that she was a real princess!

I think her death is one of things where everyone remembers where they were when the found out. It was the morning after I went back to college for my senior year. I was sleeping on a futon in the living room of my appartment and my parents were sleeping in on of the bedrooms. I couldn't sleep so turned on the TV new at like 5 am and they were talking about the accident. Then they came on and said they had confirmation that she was dead. I remember my heart sinking. What a terrible tragedy. She brought so much good to the world through her role as princess

My heart sank, too.

Jackie that sounds like a wonderful exhibit. I was 19 yrs old when they got married & I watched it on tv also. I remember watching the sad news of her death sitting here in the living room. She was so beautiful & so young.

I am so looking forward to seeing the exhibit!

On to the cake issue-I hope they have cakes that are less than $100.00!! I would never pay that much for a cake but to each their own.

It does seem a bit high, but then, it's Disney...

I would love to see the Diana exhibit. I was 14 when she got married, and like everyone else, was awake early to watch. It was amazing. I still own the official picture book of the wedding. I also remember where I was when I heard the sad news about her death. I was living with my in-laws, and I was sitting on the floor of the family room with my DD. It was so sad. I was glued to the TV for hours.

I hope you have a great time at the exhibit.

I have a big picture book from the wedding. I was just looking through it earlier today!

Thank you! I plan on having a great time!

 

[wsushocker]

When we went to the King Tut exhibit last February, there was no photography allowed at all.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wgTPH5y1-ZI​

 

[Native NYer]

 

[Charleston Princess]

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wgTPH5y1-ZI​

I never get tired of watching Steve Martin perform this bit!!! I have this song on my ipod, and the kids and I sang it for weeks before we went to the exhibit.

 

[stace208]

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wgTPH5y1-ZI[/CENTER]

Hilarious! I bet my students would like this better than silly old pictures anyways!

 

[MAGICFOR2]

Hilarious! I bet my students would like this better than silly old pictures anyways!

I loved KING TUT! Thanks for the trip down memory lane!

 

[Charleston Princess]

Hilarious! I bet my students would like this better than silly old pictures anyways!

They would get a huge kick out of it, I am sure. Be forewarned though, we had to explain to Connor that King Tut did not, in fact, live in Arizona.

I loved KING TUT! Thanks for the trip down memory lane!

Me too! Steve Martin always makes me laugh!

 

[aprilisis]

How did I miss the fact that you had a PTR?!?!?!? I'm subbing!

 

[Charleston Princess]

I am so glad you wandered over!!!

 

[Native NYer]

Stopping by to see how the trip planning is coming along

 

[pooh'smate]

I am really excited about your trip to see the Diana exhibit. I loved her while I was a child. I always thought she was so pretty. I too had those paper dolls and I played with them until they were worn out. I was so sad when she died. I can't believe it has been almost 13 years already.

 

[Charleston Princess]

Stopping by to see how the trip planning is coming along

Well, I was going to do an update yesterday but was distracted by Lost anticipation. Hopefully today I will get it finished.

I am really excited about your trip to see the Diana exhibit. I loved her while I was a child. I always thought she was so pretty. I too had those paper dolls and I played with them until they were worn out. I was so sad when she died. I can't believe it has been almost 13 years already.

This weekend!!! It's hard for me to believe it's been 13 years, but then, I remember that Chelsea will be turning 13, and I realize it really has been that long.

 

[If U Had Wings]

CP I just had to let you know I was thinking of you and Chelsea this week. It's been absolutely freezing up here for a few days, and as I see everyone walking around NYC all bundled up I think of Chesea saying New Yorkers are all stylish. She'd be so dissappointed if she saw how most people are walking around in this weather. It made me laugh to myself whenever I see them.

 

[Charleston Princess]

CP I just had to let you know I was thinking of you and Chelsea this week. It's been absolutely freezing up here for a few days, and as I see everyone walking around NYC all bundled up I think of Chesea saying New Yorkers are all stylish. She'd be so dissappointed if she saw how most people are walking around in this weather. It made me laugh to myself whenever I see them.

I love it!!! I will have to make sure I tell her that!

 

[Charleston Princess]

When I was younger, we went to Disney pretty regularly. However, my parents did not believe in spending the money to stay on-site, and we always stayed outside the main gates at a Holiday Inn or something similar. The one time we did stay at Disney was in 1987 when we stayed at the Contemporary Resort. There was something absolutely magical about taking the monorail to the Magic Kingdom and Epcot, and that was one of my favorite trips that we did as I was growing up.

As I got older and moved away from home, I was finally able to start staying on-property. Part of the whole Disney experience for me is being immersed in the magic the entire time we are there. I like to be able to drive under the sign, and not have to leave until the end of our stay. Disney’s resorts are all so themed and fun, I have made it a bit of a goal to stay at all of the resorts. So far, we have stayed at Pop Century, all four moderates, the Contemporary, the Polynesian, and Animal Kingdom Lodge. Which resort would be next on the list?

It’s pretty common knowledge that I have a hard time choosing a resort for each of our Disney vacations. I start out with one resort, but usually by the end of the planning process, I have changed resorts several times. It’s all about the overall theme I want for the trip, and that can change from one day to the next.

So, what has stopped me from switching resorts this time around? Well, for the simple reason that Chelsea’s dream resort is the Grand Floridian. When we ate at 1900 Park Fare in 2007, Chelsea announced that she would like to stay there for her 13th birthday, and every time we see the resort from the monorail, she reminds us of this wish.

I didn’t have a hard time saying yes to this resort because it was my dream resort when I was growing up. Now I am much more of an Animal Kingdom Lodge kind of girl, but I won’t mind staying at the Grand.

We really aren’t Grand people – we are very laidback and certainly not posh people, but it will be fun to pretend for a few days that we are elegant people. We’ll try our best to behave ourselves while hanging out in the lobby.

Back in October, 2xcited2sleep (Christine), unbeknownst to me (and her), went on a reconnaissance mission at the Grand. She came back with great pictures to heighten my excitement about the trip! All of the pictures in the update are hers.

I can’t wait to be walking these paths!

And hanging out on this beach!

 

[If U Had Wings]

If those pics don't put you in the mood to stay there, I don't know what will. Beautiful!!

 

[DWGal210]

Awesome GF pictures - wow, it does look so elegant and serene, doesn't it?

You'll have to tell us all about your trip to the Diana exhibit. I remember very clearly the night she passed away; I was at a pool party at a friend's house, and her mom came outside and told us what happened. We all spent the next few hours around the TV, watching the news of the accident and her death. It was so sad...

I know Chelsea is going to be SO PUMPED to stay at her dream resort for her birthday! If you can, you should video her reaction to your annoucement - that would be priceless!

 

[ladybugmom]

YAY!! LOVE the beautiful pics of the Grand Floridian!! We visited the GF on or last trip and were able to watch Wishes from the porch--so magical!! Chelsea is going to FREAK OUT when she finds out!! What a great mom you are!!

 

[eandesmom]

Beautiful pics! Isn't it funny how the "dream" resort changes? The Grand is definitely Kendall's dream resort too. I imagine it, like anything, is as "posh" as you make it. You guys will fit in perfectly, I've heard it is very relaxed and while I've not spent much time there (hit the spa and had lunch at Gasparilla's and the lunch was really really good!) K and I did a fair amount of moseying and it didn't seem at all like a place we'd be uncomfortable at either!

It is so beautiful and serene, it makes me feel relaxed just thinking about it. A very calm vibe....