Two for One: Double Disney Birthdays! *Meg nonTR upd 9/23* // *Help out Katie! 10/22*

[DisKate]

Me, too! I've finally concluded that it's Facebook misbehaving, not my laptop or iPhoto. I'll explain that after. I wish we lived closer so I could help you get stuff done. That could be a double-edged sword, though; I'd try to help you get stuff done, but we'd probably end up talking the entire time and not doing anything productive. I definitely want to see any NYC pictures!



Thanks Jackie!

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After thinking I lost a bunch of pictures, trying umpteen times to upload pictures to Facebook and getting nowhere (I uploaded a grand total of 15 more pictures last night), going through iPhoto and all the folders, and, lo and behold, finding all the pictures where they should be, I've finally decided that Facebook is the culprit. When I was looking at all my pictures on iPhoto, and going through the folders, I noticed that all the pictures were there, but whenever I tried to use the Facebook uploader, there were a bunch that just weren't showing up. For example, there is a picture I took of Kailyn right after Christine and I took a picture together. The picture of Christine and I, along with some others, is nowhere to be found in the Facebook uploader. Same thing with the Grand Floridian/1900 PF photos. Some from just off the monorail and walking inside, a few from before the dinner, and some from after the dinner, but none from the actual dinner, except for one of Cinderella and Prince Charming dancing.

I do realize that the easiest thing would probably be to just upload all the pictures to Photobucket, but I don't really like Photobucket because I can never figure out how to fix the pictures so they don't come out tiny, and I find it easier to just post the pictures from Facebook. I also want them all in Facebook albums, no splitting up between Facebook and Photobucket. I know, I know. I'm difficult. I swear it must be some kind of OCD because the idea of splitting up my pictures and having them different size really, really bothers me.

Even if I don't get the rest of the pictures uploaded today or tomorrow, I'll probably start the TR sometime over the weekend or on Monday. I hope. Have a good Saturday!

We would get absolutely nothing done if you came to help me! We'd probably end up talking the entire time

Also, I have the opposite problem...I load my pics through Photobucket because Facebook and I usually don't get along when it comes to photos..but when I use Photobucket they come out huge....

 

[Megablocks]

We would get absolutely nothing done if you came to help me! We'd probably end up talking the entire time

Also, I have the opposite problem...I load my pics through Photobucket because Facebook and I usually don't get along when it comes to photos..but when I use Photobucket they come out huge....

We definitely would. Charles can already attest to the fact that it's really, really hard to get me started on anything and that I get really easily distracted, especially if it's something that I don't want to be doing.

I know I already posted on your FB but I finally figured out how to get the rest of my pictures uploaded to Facebook!! I just made a separate folder on my desktop and copied all the pictures that wouldn't show up when I tried to upload, into that folder. I have no idea why I never thought of that before. I'm so glad to have them all on FB, though!

 

[Megablocks]

Megablocks TR update!

Thursday, February 11 & Friday, February 12 -- part 1. Leaving/arriving!

I can honestly say that I didn't get a lot of sleep for these two nights. I was anxious to leave on Thursday and just get out of Boston, and I was anxious while I was trying to sleep that night, because I was so paranoid about THIS flight being canceled.

Leaving a couple of days later meant that I had more time to do laundry and pack even more. We left for Hartford on Thursday around noontime. Packed up the car and started heading to the kennel so I could drop off an extra bag of food for Caesar. Of course, it wouldn't be a family trip if someone didn't forget something. We were literally minutes away from the house when my dad realized that he forgot a couple of essentials, like credit cards and money. My mom also realized that Kailyn had forgotten her learner's permit for the KTTK tour. I had double, triple, and quadruple-checked everything of mine before we left the house, so I knew I was good. I sat in the car and wrote to Katie on Facebook from my phone, which is how I know exactly what was missing. After that, we were finally on our way!

We got to the hotel in Hartford around 3:00, and found out that we had been upgraded to a suite! It was a huge room with two queen beds, a sleeper sofa, a small sink, a microwave, and a pretty big bathroom. It was also right across the street from the airport. We were all starving, so we just dropped our stuff in the room and then tried to figure out a place to eat. Olive Garden was the first suggestion, but the closest one was about a half hour away. Not going to work. I mentioned Cracker Barrel because I had been dying for it, and there was one less than ten minutes away! So we went there and had a delicious lunch/dinner. I forget what everyone else got, but I got some roast beef dinner with fried apples and dumplins as the sides, and for dessert, Kailyn and I tried to share some apple dessert. It was huge and we were stuffed, so we didn't finish it...it was delicious, though! Kailyn and I also developed a deep interest in the peg game they have on the tables, and my mom ended up buying a couple of them from the gift shop. It kept us entertained in the room, in the airport, and on the plane.

We stopped at a Rite-Aid after so my dad could buy sunglasses, and then headed back to the hotel. Shortly after we got back, my dad decided he needed new sneakers, and located a nearby Kohls. I decided to go with him. We both ended up getting new sneakers -- I found a pair of black and silver Asics for $39 instead of $60! I ended up wearing these every day of our trip, mostly because my other pair were drying out for days (more on that later.) We all headed to bed early, like 8 PM, because we had a very, very early morning.

Again, I barely slept. I took my Advil PM, but it didn't do much. I don't think I was ever fully asleep. I'd drift off, wake up, drift off, wake up, drift off. This went on from about 8:30 till about 3:30 AM, when everyone else was awake (it seemed I wasn't the only one having a problem), and I just decided to get up and shower and get ready. We left the hotel around 4:30 AM, drove to the airport, found super cheap long-term parking ($69 a week!), and made our way through the airport. We got through security pretty quickly, but I set off the alarm because I forgot to take off my belt. Duh. We found a place not far past security to sit down and hang out. My dad decided it was time to break out the glasses.

Instead of scaring our fellow passengers, Kailyn and I decided to break out the peg game.

We were all pretty hungry and wanted to eat before we got on the plane, so my dad and I took a short walk to McDonalds, which had a HUGE line, even just before 6 AM. I wonder if it's always like that or if it was because of all the canceled flights? Anyway, it moved pretty quickly, but this was the first instance of Meghan getting annoyed with people. See, I have this issue with personal space. If I know someone well enough and I like them, I don't care if they stand close. If it's a big crowd, I understand that sometimes you can't help standing really close to someone, so that doesn't bother me. However, the woman standing behind me had NO reason whatsoever to be standing on top of me. Aside from being so close I could almost feel her, she was talking on the phone. Loudly. I really didn't feel like starting something so early in the morning, so I just let my passive-aggressive side come out to play, and started shifting my weight and leaning back slightly so she might get the hint and move. Nope. Even better, every time the line moved, and I moved, she would CLOSE THE GAP between us and continue to stand on top of me. I said something to my dad after, and he said that he noticed it, too, so it wasn't just my being overly sensitive about my space. We got our food, went back to our sitting area, and then decided to head to the gate afterwards.

The flight down was pretty uneventful. We didn't have seat assignments until we got to the airport, but we all ended up in the first row after first class! Extra leg room AND the first ones off the plane! I watched Wall-E on my iPod, which made it go by pretty quickly.

We landed around 10 AM, rode the fake monorail, and got on the Magical Express. It was actually a Disney Cruise Line bus, but it had the video, so I was fine with that!

I remember texting Katie at this point telling her how happy I was to finally be there and that I was legit tearing up over the video and just being there. I remember her texting back telling me none of that, that I couldn't be teary-eyed in the first pictures.

I actually got a picture of those magical arches!! And yes, it was raining. It wasn't torrential downpours or a monsoon yet, though.

We made it to Pop Century just after 11...and our room was ready! I took this picture on my phone as we were checking in, so excuse the quality (what's up with the lights on the word Pop?)

We made our way to our room, which was just what we asked for -- a preferred room in the 70's building! Building 10. To give you an idea of where we were, if you are facing the Big Wheel, we were the green building just to the left of it, on the third floor.

Our room number!

Our picture!

Just outside our room...the view to the left.

And the view to the right. See the orange "Pop"? That's Classic Hall! That's how close we were. Preferred was AWESOME!

Upon getting into our room, we found a little certificate on the table saying that we had been selected as family of the day at Pop! How cool is that? I can't post the certificate on a public forum because it has our last name on it, but we got that and this:

A really cute Rubics cube! We weren't sure if we could keep it, or if it was just a decoration, so at some point my mom asked a CM in Everything Pop about it. She said that it was a limited thing that you couldn't buy anywhere, that it was just given to the family of the day. Very cool!

We also found this little cutie in the window. I love towel animals. They're just one of those things that make a Disney resort a Disney resort, and not, like, a Holiday Inn.

We dropped our stuff off in the room and then headed to the food court. We decided to head to AK for our first park, because my dad was obviously itching to ride EE. So was I.

Up next...AK and torrential downpours!

 

[DisKate]

YAY for starting the report! And I think I'm going to have to get Kris one of those peg games for the ride down...She always plays that at Cracker Barrel! Patrick keeps telling me to go look at your albums on facebook, but I am trying to resist so that I can be surprised when you post them on here

 

[Charleston Princess]

The beginning of your trip is already magical! Well, except for your dad and Kailyn forgetting things! Upgrade to a suite, dinner at Cracker Barrel, your very own peg game, and, most magical of all, getting picked as the Pop family of the day!!! What a cool Rubics cube! I had one back in the early 1980s!

 

[Megablocks]

YAY for starting the report! And I think I'm going to have to get Kris one of those peg games for the ride down...She always plays that at Cracker Barrel! Patrick keeps telling me to go look at your albums on facebook, but I am trying to resist so that I can be surprised when you post them on here

I had no idea how to play it until my dad started! He showed Kailyn and I how to play and then we were hooked

Go look! There are some pictures that I can't post on here because I'm pretty sure Kailyn would kill me.

The beginning of your trip is already magical! Well, except for your dad and Kailyn forgetting things! Upgrade to a suite, dinner at Cracker Barrel, your very own peg game, and, most magical of all, getting picked as the Pop family of the day!!! What a cool Rubics cube! I had one back in the early 1980s!

I thought the same thing! It was very good that we were still really close to home when my dad realized that he forgot stuff -- we were literally in the square of our city, not even the next city over, where the kennel is.

Being family of the day was such an awesome surprise! I am so happy that the rubics cube was already done; I never, ever mastered them.

 

[kschafer]

Yay for starting the TR!!!

How cool to be the family of the day and the rubiks cube is cute!

I'm anxious to hear if you got to ride EE with the rain...

 

[Megablocks]

Yay for starting the TR!!!

How cool to be the family of the day and the rubiks cube is cute!

I'm anxious to hear if you got to ride EE with the rain...

I love the cube! I want to try to take pictures of all the different sides at some point; it has a smiley face, a yin-yang, L O V E (the "O" is a little heart), and some other cute things.

I'm not good with surprises So, yes, we did get to ride EE with the rain. I never even thought that they might close because of the rain! It never crossed my mind because it wasn't lightening out or anything, but it does make sense.

 

[koolcatshelby]

Yeah, Your TR has begunGlad you're back safe/ Can't wait to hear more

 

[Cat0727]

Yay you started your TR!

I like the peg game too, the one I have is larger (board's shaped like a rectangle) and is from iHop It's really old, I got it when I was like 8 or 9.

How cool to be selected the family of the day, what a special way to start your trip Love your view in the 70s section; I am definitely asking to stay there next time I go! I've stayed in the 60s & 50s so far, now I gotta move on over to the other side

 

[MeMom]

Just outside our room...the view to the left.

And the view to the right. See the orange "Pop"? That's Classic Hall! That's how close we were. Preferred was AWESOME!

Nice location!
I can picture myself there right now. We have stayed in that building before, over across from the playground. It's very convenient for running to get food and drinks from the foo court.

So very 'groovy' that you were the Family of the Day!

Nice to see that your dad is already in action with the glasses. Looking forward to many more fun pictures.

 

[DisKate]

19 Days!!!!!!!

 

[Megablocks]

I can't believe I forgot you were in the teens! I was totally going to do a post before you could get to it, too, but then I forgot. I feel like such a bad DIS friend. I am SO excited for you, though! I'm really really excited to get your texts and updates from there, too.

Sooooo...when you're in NYC on Saturday, you'll be able to start playing the "in two weeks" game, right? You went to NYC shortly before last year's trip, too, right? I seem to remember that that was the start of our daily texts. I have such a good memory when it comes to certain things...

 

[Megablocks]

Yeah, Your TR has begunGlad you're back safe/ Can't wait to hear more

Both of these reports are going to get finished this time, too! Katie and I will prod each other along and not let the thread get moved before it is finished.

Yay you started your TR!

I like the peg game too, the one I have is larger (board's shaped like a rectangle) and is from iHop It's really old, I got it when I was like 8 or 9.

How cool to be selected the family of the day, what a special way to start your trip Love your view in the 70s section; I am definitely asking to stay there next time I go! I've stayed in the 60s & 50s so far, now I gotta move on over to the other side

I love the game! It is so addictive. I was obsessed with trying to win!

I didn't even know that they did family of the day! It was such a great way to start. We stayed in the 70's on our 2008 trip, and then last year, we were somewhere in the 90's -- we requested 70's but I guess they couldn't accommodate it. I definitely want to stay in the 50s and 60s sometime! I want to stay all over.

Nice location!
I can picture myself there right now. We have stayed in that building before, over across from the playground. It's very convenient for running to get food and drinks from the foo court.

So very 'groovy' that you were the Family of the Day!

Nice to see that your dad is already in action with the glasses. Looking forward to many more fun pictures.

It was an awesome location! And that is how I feel when I see your pictures -- I can just picture myself there and see it all. It really was perfect for just grabbing a drink or a quick snack -- there were a lot of times that I decided I needed a little snack, so I just went to grab a side of breadsticks, or a croissant, or a carrot cake. It was an adjustment coming home and not having a food court to go to with all the different choices.

 

[DisKate]

I can't believe I forgot you were in the teens! I was totally going to do a post before you could get to it, too, but then I forgot. I feel like such a bad DIS friend. I am SO excited for you, though! I'm really really excited to get your texts and updates from there, too.

Sooooo...when you're in NYC on Saturday, you'll be able to start playing the "in two weeks" game, right? You went to NYC shortly before last year's trip, too, right? I seem to remember that that was the start of our daily texts. I have such a good memory when it comes to certain things...

That's ok! I forgot until halfway through marketing this morning. You are not a bad DIS friend...you're practically perfect in every way! Yes! On Saturday we will be two weeks out! Last year we went to NYC and then the following weekend we went to Disney. This year we have two weeks in between the two trips, which I am thankful for. I'll have time to do laundry and maybe sleep a few hours!

Our hotel has free wi-fi, so I'll try to do some updates from NYC this weekend.

 

[Megablocks]

That's ok! I forgot until halfway through marketing this morning. You are not a bad DIS friend...you're practically perfect in every way! Yes! On Saturday we will be two weeks out! Last year we went to NYC and then the following weekend we went to Disney. This year we have two weeks in between the two trips, which I am thankful for. I'll have time to do laundry and maybe sleep a few hours!

Our hotel has free wi-fi, so I'll try to do some updates from NYC this weekend.

As are you my dear And I'll be looking forward to NYC updates if you get the chance. I really want to go back there sometime and spend a few days instead of just a day. And I can't remember if I told you this yet, but as soon as Charles starts asking me what I want for my birthday (even though it's not until April), I'm going to respond every time with, "I want to see Katie." That way, by the time April or the end of the semester rolls around, he will probably be warmed up to the idea of the drive and spending the day somewhere. I have it all planned out in my head.

I'm glad you have a little extra time in between trips this year. I don't know how you did it last year. I'll be playing the "in two weeks" game right along with you!

 

[CanadianWDWfan]

Cracker Barrel is so Yummy! I'm glad you got to eat there.

I have never had much luck solving that peg game.....

Congrats! On being the Family of the Day! The rubics cube is a great souvenier.

You had a great location! (I'm too cheap to pay for preffered)
My DD is hoping we get to stay in Lady & The Tramp building.

I just hope we get a "new" room.....

Your off to a great start!

 

[Megablocks]

Cracker Barrel is so Yummy! I'm glad you got to eat there.

I have never had much luck solving that peg game.....

Congrats! On being the Family of the Day! The rubics cube is a great souvenier.

You had a great location! (I'm too cheap to pay for preffered)
My DD is hoping we get to stay in Lady & The Tramp building.

I just hope we get a "new" room.....

Your off to a great start!

Thank you! And I was happy to eat at Cracker Barrel, too! My family was happy with me for coming up with such a good choice. I haven't had a lot of luck with the peg game, either.

I was the first one awake (like always) on our first morning there, and I walked around taking pictures. I took a picture of Lady and the Tramp for Katie because she loves them. I hope Lexi gets her wish to stay there! Did you put in a request for that? It's not always guaranteed that you'll get it, but you can make a request for it and they can make a note of it on your reservation.

I'm sure you will end up in a new room -- you're going over the summer, right? Didn't MeMom say something about hearing that the rooms should be all done by the summer, or am I just crazy?

 

[Megablocks]

Katie mentioned my posting souvenir pictures so that she didn't inadvertently buy me something that I already got, so I'm doing that now because I managed to take and upload the pictures quickly and I'm still waiting for Charles to be ready so we can go out, AND get to the post office so we can mail Katie her prizes!

My souvenirs:

A Vinylmation "Cutesters" t-shirt! Yup, they came out with t-shirts and hoodies. They must be making a killing off these. I didn't get a picture of my shirt because I'm actually wearing it right now, so I got this off the Disney store website.

I got this in the big store in the China pavilion, because I thought it was cute.

I couldn't get a good picture of this because of the flash and my shadow, but it's a tiny good luck owl! I got Charles a white one. I can't remember what the pink means, but I thought they were super cute.

A gorgeous wall scroll from the store in Japan. I love that store. I got Charles one with a tiger and a dragon, and he loved it!

I also got Vinylmations, of course. The one on the left is from the most recent park series. The last four are some in the Cutester series. My dad ended up buying a couple of these for me, my mom, and Kailyn.

Don't look, MeMom!

I actually took this after Kailyn pointed out to me in Everything Pop, and then ended up buying it because I thought it was so cute! I don't know why Goofy is missing (he's my favorite), but I absolutely love it, especially the little angry Donald. You can't tell, but there's actually a dropped ice cream cone next to him. It is sitting on my desk.

So, those are the souvenir pictures. I never thought to take a picture of what I got Charles, but he was very happy with the wall scroll and the Domo-kun shot glass and lanyard. I purposely didn't take pictures of what I got for Katie. I'm no good with surprises because I'm always so proud of what I got someone that I can usually never resist telling them, but I've been really good so far with this, and I don't want to ruin that.

Have a terrific Tuesday!

 

[DisKate]

So, those are the souvenir pictures. I never thought to take a picture of what I got Charles, but he was very happy with the wall scroll and the Domo-kun shot glass and lanyard. I purposely didn't take pictures of what I got for Katie. I'm no good with surprises because I'm always so proud of what I got someone that I can usually never resist telling them, but I've been really good so far with this, and I don't want to ruin that.

Have a terrific Tuesday![/COLOR][/B]

You could have posted the pics Meghan...I wouldn't have minded...really! I'll be looking for that box! And if it ships as fast as the one I sent you for xmas I might get it Thursday! If not I'll have something to look forward to when I get home from NYC...since the World of Disney Store is closed while we are there