Very Merry D23 Holidaze Dec 2009 TR - 7 magical park days! updt 7/1

[MadilynnsMomma]

Great pics! We had a blast when we went! Madi's favorite part was riding the T into Boston!

 

[MyMuse]

I did warn you to prepare yourself....

As we exit, the morphing of the faces car, we enter where a fireplace glows with a video of logs crackling in a fireplace.....

We get our pic taken by a very nice CM. I think she tried to take a pic of us individually as I asked, but I think a boss showed up in a GRAY shirt. However, I thought this pic was very nice.

We are very quickly ushered out with this goodie. We can make our own Christmas Carol ornaments:

We asked the nearest CM where the preview was and was also told just to look for the White T-shirts. They were all over directing people! Too funny.

As we exited, the line was incredibly long, so they had to cut it off and restart it further down the hallway. The CM there said the line was 1.5 to 2 hours long!

Anyways, we had directions and looked for the CM trail to Vanderbilt Hall where the preview was.

Tweet: now awaiting the preview....

It was about 12:30pm at this point.

We were entertained by this guy while waiting for the preview:

While online, the CM at the entrance heard us talking and gave us this:

He didn't have to do that, we could have gotten it ourselves.

So we were let in to the preview room after a few minutes wait. We got our Terminator 3D glasses on and started the preview. I really wished I took of pic of those suckers! They were cool.

I think the preview was about less than 10 minutes long and it was a repeat of the video in the train, though I didn't see the whole thing then. It looks like a really good movie. I always like Christmas Carol, so it was be interesting to see this version.

After the preview, we checked out the sponsor tents and then I took some photos of Grand Central Terminal. It is a train station but it is also gorgeous architectual building. I wish I was able to schedule one of the guided tours.

I am not a fan of Jackie O, but I appreciate her in this

The famous star ceiling

We decided to have lunch inside the station
To the Dining Concourse

It was gorgeous down here!

We had lunch at Junior's around 1pm and was able to get a table. I tweeted a pic of the train, since I was sitting down. It was a great lunch of a reuben sandwhich. I should not have had it, but you only get to live once!

After lunch, we strolled back to Penn Station since it was such a nice day outside. Besides, no one wanted a repeat of the subway confusion. And we got to talk.

This tweet was at 2:18pm
Tweet: train tour now coming to an end. at penn waiting for my train home. more pics soon.

Tweet: wow! such a nice day out! walking around in nyc was delightful.


We took the 2:55pm train and I arrived back at SEC a 3:06pm. I was able to drive to my sister's house to see some family who came visiting to welcome CJ into the family.

Mary didn't have such luck unfortunately. After the train left SEC, it was marooned at Newark Penn for over an hour because President/Corzine were in the area compaigning. She did finally make it safely back home.

If you are still reading this, you are the coolest on the planet!! and as such, may I present the Videos!

Inside the train; movie preview
http://www.youtube.com/mymuse18#p/u/0/ozrFMzoymZY

Humans to Movie Characters
http://www.youtube.com/mymuse18#p/u/1/ll8OAjGV2tQ

Fun waiting for the Preview
http://www.youtube.com/mymuse18#p/u/2/sV5Pl8wiouo


Next on the Disney timeline:
- Will be seeing the movie on Saturday afternoon (hopefully!)
- Will be seeing Princess & the Frog screening on Thanksgiving weekend
- Off to WDW on December 4th!

 

[MyMuse]

Great pics! When we went, I forgot the camera and I was so mad at myslelf!

Great pics! We had a blast when we went! Madi's favorite part was riding the T into Boston!

Thank you Glad you liked them! I had 4 posts in total. whew!

 

[MadilynnsMomma]

I love Jackie O, don't know if it's a Cape Cod thing, or what. I love her style and her outlook/(ugh what's that word, the things you are passionate about... sorry my brain stopped working when I called AAA and found out my guy is gone - with out even a courtesy call!) UGH!!! I think Michelle Obama is the next Jackie O as far as trends go!

 

[jenseib]

Very cool.
I have seen the preview (not sure if it is the same one) when we went and saw the 2 Toy Stories in 3D. It looks to be the coolest 3D movie I have ever seen. It was just amazing. Even better than ones I have seen at the parks, and I used to think those couldn't be topped.

Ok, I don't get all this tweet stuff? Is ti twittering? Which I really have no clue what that is either. LOL! I think it's texting, but who do you text to?

 

[MyMuse]

I love Jackie O, don't know if it's a Cape Cod thing, or what. I love her style and her outlook/(ugh what's that word, the things you are passionate about... sorry my brain stopped working when I called AAA and found out my guy is gone - with out even a courtesy call!) UGH!!! I think Michelle Obama is the next Jackie O as far as trends go!

She's fine; I'm just not a big fan of hers.

Oh no! for your AAA guy! He must have made a hasty departure if he could not make phone calls?

Very cool.
I have seen the preview (not sure if it is the same one) when we went and saw the 2 Toy Stories in 3D. It looks to be the coolest 3D movie I have ever seen. It was just amazing. Even better than ones I have seen at the parks, and I used to think those couldn't be topped.

Ok, I don't get all this tweet stuff? Is ti twittering? Which I really have no clue what that is either. LOL! I think it's texting, but who do you text to?

I'm hoping I can see it on Saturday.

Tweet/Twitter is the same thing. The service is twitter.com; and when you send out a message, it is called a tweet.

Yes, it can be a text and it is like having a mailing list; once you send out a "tweet" it goes to everyone on your list called "followers".

I didn't think I would like it at all, but it's alot easier than making a facebook page. There are tons of Disney people on it.

 

[MyMuse]

30 DAYS!!!!




​

OMG! I have so much to do! List-ism, here I come!

 

[MadilynnsMomma]

30 day party!!!

 

[MyMuse]

30 day party!!!

Thank you!

I need to get going on these things. I am going to attempt to get an official To-Do List going and ironing out some park plans. Of course, I have to read back my own PTR to make sure I have everythign down.

I should have a relatively free night after I get my hair appointment done. This weekend I head down to Atlantic City for a concert at the Borgata. And hopefully, see Christmas Carol on the Tropicana's fancy schmancy IMAX screen.

Oh, I also updated the first post with new information about dates, hotel, cast of characters, etc.

 

[MyMuse]

I just finished reading through my PTR and realized I said the same thing about making a To-Do List at 75 days, 60 days, 40 days and now it is about to bite me in the you-know-what!!


Presenting the....

December Disney To-Do List
- Schedule refining/check park hours, etc
- Buy luggage tags: done
- Do something crafty with Mickey Head stickers (more luggage tags?)
- Consult with touringplans.com
- Prelim RideMax plans
- Book car service
- Start pre-packing/packing list
- Photopass ?
- Cancel Holiday D-Lights tour: done
- Buy travel alarm clock
- Recheck rental car rates / join speed service
- GPS ?
- Make binder cover: done
- PA shopping goodies
- M&M charge & hotel: done
- Review menus
- Disney apps for Verizon

I *think* I remembered everything. Obviously, refining my schedule is biggest challenge and first priority. I now have 7 days in the parks and I need to slow my pace down.

For the ? items:
- Photopass; my friend Mary is supposed to have her mom call DVC and see if she can receive the discount. I hope this comes through; I already signed up for an account. If this comes through, if anyone *coff* wants *ack* to *wheeze* participate *coff* in a *ack* share *wheeze*, then please *wowee* PM *coff* me.

- GPS; I'm bringing my GPS down with me in order to know exactly where I'm going at all times. From what I can remember, the signs are pretty good. I looked at Mousesavers and they have custom POI to load into a GPS. However, my GPS is too low a model for it to work. My sis got one last year for Christmas, but I don't think my BIL is going to complete it in time. Either I 1) do with what I've got or 2) Buy a new one or 3) swipe my sister's and load it in myself.

Ok, so make To-Do List: done

 

[MadilynnsMomma]

Oh you give me To-Do list inspiration! I've got it down on paper, maybe I will post mine tonight so we can cross-reference!

 

[MyMuse]

I mentioned that I'm heading off to Atlantic City on Friday to see some friends and attend a concert at The Borgata.

My friend Diana emailed me to ask to stay with her at her hotel on the Boardwalk and she is comp'd, so it's FREE! I cancelled my hotel reservation for a hotel nearby.

Now, you know I'm thinking more Disney $$! The hotel was only costing me $82 total for night, but, hey $82 is $82 is $82.

So, now I have more time with my friends and have company driving back & forth from the Borgata.

Part of that $82 hopefully will go to a showing of a Christmas Carol at the Trop's IMAX theater, costing a whopping $20! Though, they do have a nifty French Quarter area.

So, YAY!

 

[MyMuse]

As you may remember, the services we had hoped for CJ a couple of weeks ago fell through. It was like being a hamster inside a wheel for alot of these services.

However, I was able to connect my sis (with thanks from Twitter ) to an organization that seemed helpful. Last night, was the consultation / home study.

It *seemed* to go very well. I was there but was making dinner, so I didn't want to be nosey. I liked the 2 women who were there; one who would be the actual day to day caseworker and the other was her supervisor. They also talked with CJ, who seemed happy about it.

They were very positive about making this happen and we even went as far as signing up for various classes & activites for CJ (after-school programs! occupational therapy!) as well as emergency protocol and how their assessments worked for the long-term and short-term.

There is a follow-up consultation on Friday. I am keeping every body part crossed!! Please send all your good vibes!!

In other news, we went out shoppping for CJ to get his winter coat last weekend. He did excellent picking a coat we all liked & was in our allotted price range. It does look ALOT like my BIL's coat.

 

[jenseib]

LOL!~ I can;t text to save my life, so twitter would be no good for me.
Sounds like things are all falling into place.

 

[Elevationist]

I think I've about run out of things "to-do." All that's left for me now is to pick up a few odds and ends, tackle making some touring plans, and do the actual packing. Everything else seems done and dusted, though!

 

[MadilynnsMomma]

for you while you wait patiently for everything for CJ to fall into place!

And here's me sending the best pixie dust!

I am sure it will all work out!

 

[MyMuse]

LOL!~ I can;t text to save my life, so twitter would be no good for me.
Sounds like things are all falling into place.

You can send a tweet directly from their webpage at twitter.com. Texting is only one way. There's also tons of 3rd party applications, but I haven't really gotten into them yet.

Or, you don't have to sign up at all. You can follow a person/organization/business tweets just by looking at their webpage as long as it is public.

For example, mine: http://twitter.com/MyMuse18

Disney Parks: http://twitter.com/DisneyParks

I think I've about run out of things "to-do." All that's left for me now is to pick up a few odds and ends, tackle making some touring plans, and do the actual packing. Everything else seems done and dusted, though!

Whoo-hooo!

Actual packing is rough though. It always takes more time than I think.

for you while you wait patiently for everything for CJ to fall into place!

And here's me sending the best pixie dust!

I am sure it will all work out!

Thank you I really really hope it works out.

 

[MyMuse]

The Touring Plan That Was....


Friday, Arrival Day
Morning arrival, get car, check-in at condo, get settled
Meet up with BFF, her mom, goddaughter? at DTD
DTD holiday fun & goodness
ADR - Raglan Rd @3pm

Resort visit, possibly AKL

Saturday
Epcot, solo all day
Snack Around the World
Try to visit Santas/Showcase Players

Boardwalk visit, possibly w/BFF
Jellyrolls

Sunday
Animal Kingdom, solo all day
ADR - Yak & Yeti @1:30pm
See Jingle Jungle Parade

HS, just for Osborne Lights

Resort visit, possibly WL?

Monday
Magic Kingdom, KTTK tour @8:30am (4-5 hrs?) w/Mary, her mom
(incl: Columbia Harbor House lunch @11am and rides?)
ADR - CRT @2:05pm (so far, going solo, but 2 pre-paid)
Spectro/Wishes

Resort visit, BLT/CR (Mary's resort)

Tuesday
Epcot, Segway tour @8:15am (3 hrs) w/Mary
(incl: Soarin', inner workings of The Land Pavilion)
Magic Kingdom for rest of day, solo
ADR - The Plaza @1:20pm

Resort visit, GF? Poly?

Wednesday
Hollywood Studios w/Mary, her mom, possibly BFF
Animation Studios, meet Scorerer Mickey, Backlot tour
ADR - Sci-Fi @11am

Epcot w/Mary, her mom (no BFF)
ADR - Garden Grill @5:05pm, Candlelight Processional pkg
Show @8:15pm
Illuminations reserve viewing

Thursday
Departure for Tampa
check-out of condo
ADR - Poly/Kona Cafe @8:35am
Probably will cancel

I orginally was going to stay with the fam until Sunday, then head to my BFF until my flight back home on Tuesday, with a pit stop back to Disney for the Holiday D-Lights tour on Monday night.

 

[MyMuse]

In order for me to make effective use of my park time, I think it would be best to write down my favs for each park and see whether it is my current park plan. With the advent of Magic & Merriment, I think I can slow down my pace a bit. Or perhaps change the park plans all together?

Epcot-favs
Nature-Inspired Segway tour - booked!
Soarin' - part of Segway tour, do more than 1x
Germany - Wishing Well, Trains
Norway - Troll garden
Candlelight Processional - already scheduled w/Mary and M&M
Santas/Storyteller around the world, want to see all! (M&M has Holiday Presentations w/Imagineers ??)
Turtle Talk w/Crush
Investigate Aquarium/The Land - done w/Segway tour?
USA - American Experience
Enhance my penny collection
Passport ?
Spaceship Earth ?
Maelstrom ?
Gran Fiesta Tour ?
Other non-WS stuff ?
what cool thing I'm forgetting??
Character Greets? (M&M has "special guests")

Eats
Snack around the world
CS: Sunshine Seasons
Garden Grill - part of Candlelight Pkg
Teppan Edo ?
Biergarten ?

Do Not Have to Do
Mission:Space
Test Track
Kim Possible
Films ?

Scheduled Days
Saturday, 4th, all day
Wednesday, 9th, little time btwn Candlelight dinner & show? maybe not?
Saturday, 12th, free afternoon during M&M fr/noon-ish until 5pm-ish

 

[MyMuse]

In order for me to make effective use of my park time, I think it would be best to write down my favs for each park and see whether it is my current park plan. With the advent of Magic & Merriment, I think I can slow down my pace a bit. Or perhaps change the park plans all together?

Animal Kingdom-favs
Jammin' Jungle Parade, 3:45pm
Nemo show
Kali River Rapids
Both Jungle Treks
Kilimanjaro Safari
Tough to Be a Bug
See Devine?
What missing?
Character Greets?

Eats
Yak & Yeti - ADR made
CS: Kusarifi Coffee

Do Not Have to Do
Expedition Everest
Lion King

Scheduled Days
Sunday, 6th, all day