wait, what? it's another trip to disney! Sept 2014 FINAL UPDATE 1-28

[STLMickeyMom]

Catching up...

Loved your super hero party, my DS thought the Captain America cupcakes were awesome.

"Goodbye St. Louis!" Ha ha, that is so cute.

Nap on the plane? Lucky! I cannot relax enough on a plane to nap.

Yay for a safe landing, even if it was a bumpy one.

POP! Can't wait to hear how you liked it.

The window decor looks fabulous, I especially loved the celebrating garland!

thanks! I liked making that garland--I got to use my Disney font and make mickey heads! I have a mickey cookie cutter that I traced to make them. I actually think I've used that cookie cutter to make more crafts than cookies!

 

[STLMickeyMom]

thought it was about time for an update around here! but before I do, I had to show you what we found at walgreens last night. they also had cheerios with mickey and Donald on the box. of course we got some....

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on to the TR!!

(WARNING: this post is heavy on words, light on pictures....sorry!)

so when we left off, we'd just hopped on a bus to epcot and even got a seat! woohoo! the bus ride was uneventful and soon enough we were off again at epcot.

now......here's where the pixie dust obviously got caught up in the humidity and crashed to the ground. the CM had told me that i could take a bus to epcot or animal kingdom and get a bus at either of those parks to beach club. when we got off at epcot though, there was no bus for beach club. it required a transfer to another park to get the beach club bus. sssoooooo......we found the animal kingdom bus that was about to leave and hopped on. i asked the driver if we'd be able to get to beach club from there. he assured me that would be no problem, so we sat down on the empty bus and made the LONG, painfully SLOW drive to AK.

what the driver hadn't told me, and the reason the bus was empty, was because AK was closed. when we got to the park, we had to walk over to where they were loading buses. they were just putting anyone who was left at the park onto a bus until it was full and going to whichever resorts they needed to go to. at this point we had about 15 minutes until our ADR and i was getting a little nervous/annoyed. i texted terri (denovagirl) and she so nicely sent me the number to call and let them know we were on our way, but of course, no one was answering.

we made, i think, one stop and then headed to beach club. it seemed to take forever to get to the bus stop there, but finally we jumped off the bus and hustled into beach club. we had 5 minutes and i had no idea where we were going. first though, something i'd been looking forward to. i always hear about the wonderful smell in the beach club lobby and was so excited to get to experience it! we came in the doors, i took a deep breath and almost choked! it was NOT smelling nice in there at all. cape may was having a sea food special or something and the whole place smelled like fish. we aren't seafood eaters at our house and i don't like the smell of seafood in general, but this was overpowering and just......gross. sorry, beach club and cape may, but it was bad! in fact, hannah pulled her shirt up over her face and yelled (ok, maybe not yelled, but i felt like she yelled it) "what's that horrible smell? it smells like old people!" embarrassing? yes.....oh, yes....

but, i couldn't worry about it right then as we were wasting precious time! i spotted a manager and told him we were late and i needed directions. he said "just go out those double doors and to the right" easy, right? wrong......there were about 4 sets of double doors and i had no idea which ones he meant. finally i just barged out one of them (mostly just to get out of the stinky air) and went to my right. i was getting really frustrated now and worried we were going to miss dinner. we walked around looking for signs or anything to point us in the right direction. nothing. i was not thinking pleasant thoughts about the CM at POP who had given us bad directions and all the time i'd wasted riding buses around!

i finally stopped at hurricane hannah's and asked for more directions, then stopped again at another restuarant (captain's grille, maybe?) and got more directions and finally, FINALLY, found beaches n cream! 20 minutes late......i went up to the podium and a very nice CM asked how i was. before i could stop myself i answered frustrated! and asked if we were too late for our ADR. he asked what had happened and i told him the whole story and how upset i was with the POP CM. he said "well, one of us needs to make up for that. of course we'll get you in!" and they did! we had to wait about 10 more minutes and we were starving and the girls were getting really tired, but we got in!

we had an awesome waitress, whose name i can't remember. she was so sweet and nice and, most importantly, QUICK! i got a few pictures while we waited for food....

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madison was loving her chocolate milk!

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and hannah was fascinated with the little jukebox on our table

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our food was WONDERFUL! i didn't take pictures of the girls plates. they both had the kids mac and cheese with grapes and chocolate milk. i had the grilled cheese and tomato bisque. it couldn't have been better! it's making me hungry just thinking about it!

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the girls had a lot of fun when people would order the kitchen sink. they dim the lights and have flashing ones and make a speech. the girls thought it was very fun. they even did it for a couple who had just gotten engaged. the girls liked getting up and clapping for them. for our dessert, we did not even attempt the kitchen sink! the girls got mouse sundaes. maddie's was birthday cake and hannah's was mint chip. how cute are these?!?

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look at the tail!

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i got the grilled banana bread. it was soooooo good, but WAY too much for one!

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totally full, sleepy and ready to get back to our hotel, i told our waitress we were finished. i was planning on charging this meal to our room, so she scanned my band and said she'd be right back. when she came back......my band didn't have any charging privileges on it. what?!? apparently, when you do online checkin, they don't keep any credit card info on your account, even though all my info was on my account from when i made ADRs and paid our deposit, etc. i was annoyed again, but figured we could just use our dining credits for this meal and pay OOP for a meal later. our waitress was SO nice! she was actually going to let me leave and come back the next day to pay the bill with my credit card. how sweet and trusting is that? we ended up just using our credits and all was fine, but it was just another frustrating thing added on to a long day.

we cut through the lobby for one more chance to enjoy the glorious smell, but it was still stinky.... we also had to stop and try out this cute little couch. think anyone is looking sleepy?

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we made our way back to the bus stop. it was very late now and the only way to get back to our resort was to hop the bus to downtown and get the POP bus from there. we got seats, thankfully, and as soon as we sat down, the girls were asleep. who could blame them? but i was worried about getting them up and changing buses. luckily, they were troopers and woke up enough to switch buses. again, luckily, the POP bus stop was right across from where the bus dropped us and within a minute or two, a bus was there and we got seats again. we really did have mostly great bus luck this trip!

finally back at POP and the girls again woke up enough to walk off the bus. i decided to stop at the front desk and add my credit card info to my magicband to avoid any other issues. there wasn't anyone in line and i walked right up. however, there was just one more frustration for the day. i didn't have the card with me, and even though i know the number, the expiration date, the security code on the back, etc., they couldn't add my card without the card to swipe. SIGH!!! she said i could run to my room and come right back if i wanted, but i turned around to this....

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and knew that wouldn't be happening! i told her we'd be back in the morning and tried to remember that i was at disney!!!! and just "let it go" for the time being. i got the girls moving and we made it back to our room before falling asleep standing up. we got pj's on, everyone got tucked in, i plugged in my phone and we were out by about 11:45. what a day!

 

[STLMickeyMom]

the alarm went off at 5:40 the next morning.....whew, that's early, but luckily, it felt like 6:40 to us and, not so luckily, we're up most days of the week by then anyway. i unpacked a little bit, jumped in the shower, woke the girls and got them dressed. we were out the door by 6:30!! i couldn't believe it! we stopped by the front desk and, again, no one was there. the CM was awesome and added my credit card to my magic band in about 30 seconds and we were out the door. an MK bus was loading so we literally ran over and jumped on. there were only a few other people on and we were off and actually AT magic kingdom by 7! i couldn't believe it! we've never made it to rope drop on purpose ever and we were there with plenty of time to spare! oh, happy day!

we got a couple of pictures while you could still see the lights on the pumpkins a little. i like this one best, but maddie's eyes are closed.

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second try....

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look how fun the train station is all monster-y looking with its fall decorations! love it!

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we got into line and didn't have to wait too long before we were scanning our bands and scoping out a spot to actually see the welcome show. i think i was still in shock and a little giddy that we were going to get to see it!

we passed the time by goofing around, taking silly pictures and doing some dancing to the music. look at that face--pure joy!

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RONI!!! HOW STINKING CUTE ARE THE GIRLS IN YOUR SHIRTS? they loved their shirts and i think your shirts look AWESOME in disney!!!

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finally, we hear the music start! we are so excited! the fire chief came out to welcome us and they start singing the "good morning, good morning" song! i totally feel tears start running down my cheek--who knew i loved that welcome show so much?!? thank goodness no one was paying me any attention while i wiped them away.

we hear the train whistle and here comes mickey!

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figured i'd better get a couple pictures of anna and elsa. you know, just in case this is our only chance to see them.

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i forgot to warn the girls that there'd be fireworks. they loved it!

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oh, it IS magic wrapped up in pixie dust!

 

[STLMickeyMom]

i didn't really hustle into the park since we weren't heading to anything too popular (anna and elsa or 7D). we stopped and got some pictures at the first PP we saw.

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and one closer to how we were actually feeling!

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and one with a fun halloween border....

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main street didn't look so bad

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hannah was happy to be there! maddie was still a little cranky for some reason and didn't want to take pictures, but hannah didn't want to stop!

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how pretty are the fall decorations? and the castle with no crane!

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we stopped to look at some of the statues in their halloween costumes. hannah had to get a picture with donald.

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finally, i told the girls that we should get a move on. we walked back to new fantasyland to see our first character---ariel! the sign said that the wait was already up to 10 minutes, but there was only one family ahead of us and they were quick. soon enough, it was our turn! maddie was in love with ariel's tail and couldn't stop staring at it.

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they finally sat down and ariel was in LOVE with their shirts! they talked for quite a bit about how much goofy would love hannah's shirt and how nice peter is although sometimes he likes to cause trouble.

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it was about this time that hannah decided to inform ariel, all casual, like they're best friends and talk every day....."yeah, my sister's a really big fan of yours."

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ariel thought that was funny, but also was very happy to know that she had an admirerer in maddie.

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we finally had to get one great picture and let the next family see ariel.

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besides.....we needed to go check out ariel's ride! there was no line, and we were so excited, that we hurried right by all the cute things in the que. we did stop and look at a couple things, but didn't take pictures or spend much time at them. soon enough, we were in our clamshell and seeing our first "no dancing" sign of the trip!

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i didn't take any pictures on the ride because i was having way too much fun enjoying the ride and enjoying how much the girls were loving it. i realized that we rode it only once last trip and they were pretty tired by the time we got on. i don't think they actually remembered it. they loved it so much, that i asked the CM if we could go again and she let us! two rides in a row! we enjoyed it just as much the second time around! we reluctantly gave up our clamshell and set off in search of something to fill our empty tummies!

 

[MonsterWDWmom]

Wow that is crazy bad directions! I am glad that it all worked out in the end and you were able to keep your meal.

I had no idea that with online check in they did not keep your Credit Card, so whats the point of giving it I am glad you got it fixed though.

Wow MK by 7am! That is awesome One of these days I would like to see the Welcome show but getting there early well

Okay I love the shirts Ronni does such a good job

Awesome pictures on Main St, I love them!

Wow 2 rides on Ariel, rope drop mornings are so nice (as long as you are not headed to Anna and Elsa or Mine Train)

 

[anniebabymu]

What a nightmare! I too would have been thinking some not so nice thoughts about that Pop CM! But I'm glad that you guys had a great dinner... once you finally got there!

So glad you made it to the Welcome Show! We love the Welcome Show! Makes getting up at the butt crack of dawn worth it! Ha ha! I LOVE that pic of Maddie... it is pure joy! And love that Photopass Pic of you three by the pumpkins! I love how the Magic Kingdom looks in the fall. And great meet with Ariel! And don't you just love her ride? So fun! Great day so far!

 

[Marsheliz]

Oh no about the bus situation... That is always so stressful and annoying!

Your food at B & C looks yummy, especially the sweet little desserts!

LOVE, LOVE the pictures of the girls early morning with the lit up pumpkins. Definitely need to be framed!

Also love the ones with you with the girls and of Ariel at her Grotto. Landen loves him some Ariel and we will definitely have to stop in and see her in February.

 

[MissMaryQC]

Great start to what looks like a great trip! Well, after that bumpy evening traveling the WDW buses.

B&C looks great! We've never been, but it looks like such a fun spot.

You PP pictures are excellent, especially the one with your arms stretched out in excitement!

You're girls are such cuties. Love the character interaction.

Can't wait to see nowhere rest of your day goes. I bet your DH was revved up to meet all his girls in the happiest place on earth!

 

[missangelalexis]

Ahh sorry the first night ended up being so frustrating! I'm glad dinner was enjoyable though, the desserts all look so delicious! And the last photo of the girls at Pop made me laugh, Madison looks so cute!

Love all the early morning pics! The girls' outfits are adorable!!

That was exactly what happened to me when I saw the welcome show for the first time!

Love the photo of Maddie staring at Ariel's fin!

2 rides in a row?! Awesome!!

 

[annegirl]

It took us forever to find Beaches and Cream on our last trip too. It is a hard one. Tucked away for sure.
But so fun!
Sorry you had all that craziness getting there. I'm glad it all worked out in the end.
Love the pictures so far from Magic Kindom!

 

[TheMaxRebo]

well that bus ride / journey sounds very annoying and stressful. For the most part Disney transportation is great but getting from one resort to another can be a challenge! I wonder if that CM was thinking you could take the bus to EPCOT and then walk to the Beach Club - but that is a pretty long walk

Glad you got in no problem - I think there is supposed to be a 15 minute grace period but even though you were outside of that glad it worked out.

And your food looks really good! I am a bit of a sucker for grilled cheese and tomato soup. My daughter got that for lunch at Be Our Guest - and it was good there too

The mouse sundaes are really cute - especially the tails! Never saw that before!

I found the same thing with the online check-in that even though you entered all that information they had to re-enter it, etc. Our last trip I got asked all the same info and I was like "um, I already filled this info in online" and they responded "oh, ok, I can take it from there then" ... very confusing

Yeah for making the welcome show! We are yet to see it as we seem to always have pre-park opening ADRs ... definitely on my bucket list. Your girls really do seem to be happy and taking it all in

Very cute meet with Ariel - that is great how comfortable they were with her

Despite the overly long name, Ariel's ride is a really great ride - just so much fun!

 

[Jackiemarie21]

I just realized I didn't comment on your last update I read it, an meant to comment, I guess I forgot!



Wow what a trip to get to dinner! I would be super upset about that too! At least you had a great meal for your frustration

Someday, I will make that welcome show, I swear. It looks amazing! Hannah and Madison look so happy and excited! They are too cute! Love the outfits.

 

[AprilRenee]

Wow!! What a disaster getting to beaches and cream! Although I'm kinda impressed with all that you were only 20 min late. Haha

And yay for the morning show!! It makes me cry every time...who am I kidding? I cry when I listen to it on my Disney world cd. Haha

What a great start to your first park day!! Yay!!!

 

[Chicago Mo]

Umm Hi!

For some reason i was NOT getting notifications on your updates!!! Never fear i have RECTIFIED that crazy problem!
I hope you back felt better after a crazy landing!

What's up with CM check in's not being so magical! giving you wrong info! But SO GLAD the other CM was able to get you in and seated in beaches and cream! did you enjoy it? would you recommend it?

I LOVE how you decorated your windows!! SO CUTE! the bats are my favorite!

So glad you had some pixi dust with the buses you sure did take a TON of buses!!!

you and the girls are absolutely darling!!!! I love all the pictures!!!

Rope Drop is a favorite of mine too!!

Awww Ariel! LOVE HER she is adorable!

Can't wait to read more!

 

[STLMickeyMom]

Wow that is crazy bad directions! I am glad that it all worked out in the end and you were able to keep your meal.

I had no idea that with online check in they did not keep your Credit Card, so whats the point of giving it I am glad you got it fixed though.

Wow MK by 7am! That is awesome One of these days I would like to see the Welcome show but getting there early well

Okay I love the shirts Ronni does such a good job

Awesome pictures on Main St, I love them!

Wow 2 rides on Ariel, rope drop mornings are so nice (as long as you are not headed to Anna and Elsa or Mine Train)

yeah, that credit card thing is annoying! I thought the whole point of online checkin was to avoid things like that and be ready to go when you got there. luckily it was an easy fix and i'll know for next time!

we've never been to rope drop on purpose, but I am so glad we made it! I don't know if we'll do it again, but it was awesome to experience once.

What a nightmare! I too would have been thinking some not so nice thoughts about that Pop CM! But I'm glad that you guys had a great dinner... once you finally got there!

So glad you made it to the Welcome Show! We love the Welcome Show! Makes getting up at the butt crack of dawn worth it! Ha ha! I LOVE that pic of Maddie... it is pure joy! And love that Photopass Pic of you three by the pumpkins! I love how the Magic Kingdom looks in the fall. And great meet with Ariel! And don't you just love her ride? So fun! Great day so far!

yes, very unmagical thoughts in my head. I have one more of those moments later.....foreshadowing!

I can't get enough of that welcome show song! I've been watching it on youtube. I can understand why harper wants to watch your videos all the time now. smart girl!

Oh no about the bus situation... That is always so stressful and annoying!

Your food at B & C looks yummy, especially the sweet little desserts!

LOVE, LOVE the pictures of the girls early morning with the lit up pumpkins. Definitely need to be framed!

Also love the ones with you with the girls and of Ariel at her Grotto. Landen loves him some Ariel and we will definitely have to stop in and see her in February.

beaches was great! you know, once we found it! (I can joke about it now )

thanks--they are some of my favorite pictures!

ariel was a great meet! we've never seen her there before and we loved it.

Great start to what looks like a great trip! Well, after that bumpy evening traveling the WDW buses.

B&C looks great! We've never been, but it looks like such a fun spot.

You PP pictures are excellent, especially the one with your arms stretched out in excitement!

You're girls are such cuties. Love the character interaction.

Can't wait to see nowhere rest of your day goes. I bet your DH was revved up to meet all his girls in the happiest place on earth!

thanks--we got a lot of great pictures this trip, but I didn't take as many as I thought I would. got too wrapped up in the magic!

I think they're pretty cute too, but I could be biased.

Ahh sorry the first night ended up being so frustrating! I'm glad dinner was enjoyable though, the desserts all look so delicious! And the last photo of the girls at Pop made me laugh, Madison looks so cute!

Love all the early morning pics! The girls' outfits are adorable!!

That was exactly what happened to me when I saw the welcome show for the first time!

Love the photo of Maddie staring at Ariel's fin!

2 rides in a row?! Awesome!!

I'm surprised Madison made it off that couch! I have to give them credit--they did pretty good for running on fumes!

it was early morning pixie dust for sure--welcome show, awesome meet and 2 rides in a row! great start!

It took us forever to find Beaches and Cream on our last trip too. It is a hard one. Tucked away for sure.
But so fun!
Sorry you had all that craziness getting there. I'm glad it all worked out in the end.
Love the pictures so far from Magic Kindom!

I'm glad we're not the only ones that had trouble finding beaches! they need a sign!

well that bus ride / journey sounds very annoying and stressful. For the most part Disney transportation is great but getting from one resort to another can be a challenge! I wonder if that CM was thinking you could take the bus to EPCOT and then walk to the Beach Club - but that is a pretty long walk

Glad you got in no problem - I think there is supposed to be a 15 minute grace period but even though you were outside of that glad it worked out.

And your food looks really good! I am a bit of a sucker for grilled cheese and tomato soup. My daughter got that for lunch at Be Our Guest - and it was good there too

The mouse sundaes are really cute - especially the tails! Never saw that before!

I found the same thing with the online check-in that even though you entered all that information they had to re-enter it, etc. Our last trip I got asked all the same info and I was like "um, I already filled this info in online" and they responded "oh, ok, I can take it from there then" ... very confusing

Yeah for making the welcome show! We are yet to see it as we seem to always have pre-park opening ADRs ... definitely on my bucket list. Your girls really do seem to be happy and taking it all in

Very cute meet with Ariel - that is great how comfortable they were with her

Despite the overly long name, Ariel's ride is a really great ride - just so much fun!

that online checkin.....so frustrating! now I know, so I'm good for next time!

we had SO much fun at the welcome show. DH and I saw it once by accident years ago. it was awesome, but honestly, we'd probably rather be in bed getting some extra sleep! we're just not rope drop people.

we had a great time on ariels ride. it is pretty cute!

I just realized I didn't comment on your last update I read it, an meant to comment, I guess I forgot!



Wow what a trip to get to dinner! I would be super upset about that too! At least you had a great meal for your frustration

Someday, I will make that welcome show, I swear. It looks amazing! Hannah and Madison look so happy and excited! They are too cute! Love the outfits.

I was almost wishing for a car after that crazy trip to beaches!

it was fun to get to the welcome show once. I just hope the girls don't want to do it every trip! you know we're in the same boat as you all--can't get out of the room that early every time.....

Wow!! What a disaster getting to beaches and cream! Although I'm kinda impressed with all that you were only 20 min late. Haha

And yay for the morning show!! It makes me cry every time...who am I kidding? I cry when I listen to it on my Disney world cd. Haha

What a great start to your first park day!! Yay!!!

we were hustlin' around beach club to get to beaches. it's the fastest I've walked at Disney!

Umm Hi!

For some reason i was NOT getting notifications on your updates!!! Never fear i have RECTIFIED that crazy problem!
I hope you back felt better after a crazy landing!

What's up with CM check in's not being so magical! giving you wrong info! But SO GLAD the other CM was able to get you in and seated in beaches and cream! did you enjoy it? would you recommend it?

I LOVE how you decorated your windows!! SO CUTE! the bats are my favorite!

So glad you had some pixi dust with the buses you sure did take a TON of buses!!!

you and the girls are absolutely darling!!!! I love all the pictures!!!

Rope Drop is a favorite of mine too!!

Awww Ariel! LOVE HER she is adorable!

Can't wait to read more!

so glad you got the notification thing fixed--that's happened to me before too.

we really did like beaches and cream. I would totally recommend it--just give yourself plenty of time to find it. the food was so good, the building is cute, the CMs were all terrific. it's worth going over!

I found those bats on Disney's family fun website. it's hard to see but they have little mickey ears. they were so cute!

we really did have good luck with buses for the most part. it was one of the things I liked best about POP.

thanks--we got a lot of great pictures! I'm really loving that MM right now!

 

[Chicago Mo]

I am going over to pintrest today to see what i can download..

SEE I did fix the non notification thingy!!!

 

[Sisa]

Oh my, totally LOL at you describing the not so yummy smell at the Beach Club.

I'd be extremely frustrated with the CM at POP giving the bad directions. I get super stressed out being late, especially since it was out of your control. I am glad they were able to get you in and you enjoyed the food. The Mickey sundaes are the cutest!

Wow your girls were troopers in that long haul back to the room.

Love the early morning photos with the pumpkins!

Those shirts are so adorable!

So neat that you got to enjoy the opening show and that you enjoyed it so much. I hope we make it to the opening show on our trip.

Awe, those PP pics were so sweet of you all.

Maddie looks star struck meeting Ariel, so precious!

 

[Tinker326]

I am soooooooooooo far behind!!!! I am sure I already forgot half the stuff I wanted to comment on!

First off, your kids are just too cute for words! LOVE the cupcake shirts- you are right, they are beyond adorable in them! The look of pure joy on your kids faces is also so very awesome! That is the magic that keeps bringing us back....... I it!!!!

Glad you had no issues with the flights. Always a great start to a trip!

The bus situation sounds yucky. But then I am not a huge fan of the busses for reasons like that.

Beach Club- I stayed there last year for Wine & Dine. I know EXACTLY that mixed smell of Beach Club & Seafood and I agree.. it is YUCK (but I HATE seafood!).

Your food at Beaches and Cream looks SOOOOO good! Wish I could go out and eat for lunch today!

First day at MK- AWESOME so far!!!!

I promise to stay more up to date. So I can reply more appropriately.

 

[Denovagirl]

I'm here!!!!! Better late than never, right?!??

Lol! I seriously cannot believe I didn't notice you'd started it!!!

Okay so, great start! The girls were adorable at the airport and on the plane!

Bummer on the pain in the butt travel to B&C! Really stinks, but glad it all worked out anyway!

I STILL am so so so proud of you getting to Rope Drop!!

Love the M&G with Ariel! So cute! And SCORE on getting 2 rides in a row on LM! Woot! woot!

Also, lived hearing all about the birthday party! Wish I could have been there!!

Alright, I'm subbed, caught up, and ready for more!

 

[Gracefulskinny]

Joining In!


I'm so glad I am not the only one who is crazy enough to plan a party days after a vacation! I did that too! Only for me it was DH's bday party and it was 2 days after we got back.


How annoying that the Pop cm gave you the wrong directions. Next time you head to one of those resorts take a bus to HS and a boat to beach club. Maybe she meant to say anything BUT Epcot or Animal Kingdom? Because those are the two worst choices.

How wonderful to start the trip out with the Welcome show. I have yet to see it myself and I'll probably cry as well.