What Do You Do With a Nine Pound Lemon?? LINK TO NEW TR!

[jecskc]

Loved your update and your costumes !! Even though it was crowded, we really enjoyed out MNSSHP. Our camera takes crappy night photos and I just loved how your turned out. Seriously, they were really good. You might have already said, and if so, I am sorry to ask, but what kind of camera do you have ?? Can't wait to read more !!

 

[tinkgurl]

Your costumes are all cute! I want to go MNSSHP sometime! It's on the to do list.

The tour group guy was the best costume of all! You're right, we see A LOT of those during the summer months there!

 

[IheartDDuck]

You guys look awesome in your costumes! I think that's so funny that those girls were so in love with your costumes and had to pose with you individually.

 

[Stefy]

Awesome update! Looks like you had a great party night. MNSSHP is the best isn't it Love your costumes, so cute and Erin, Gary and Connors, so adorable

Love your HalloWishes pics, we never get castle firework shots as its always so manic and crazy.

 

[disneybarbie]

Great updates Nikki - loved all your costumes! Really effective & great that other guests were taking photos of the 'Potato Heads' hehe

amazing fireworks photos, I really hope to see Hallo-wishes one day - was the party that busy because it was a weekend? it looked packed!


Emma x

 

[Nermel9]

Your costumes were so cute! I love your pic with the Dwarves! I love the people dressed as the Brazilian Tour group!

I guess that explains why I never saw you that night, I was running around the park like a crazy person, and you were pretty much in line or watching the fireworks and parade!

How insane was the crowd after Hallowishes? OMG, I almost started crying, it was SO freakin overwhelming, I don't do well in crowds where people are just NOT MOVING! We were trying to get to Liberty Square and no one was going anywhere, it was insane.

Your fireworks pictures are beautiful! I need a real camera!

 

[marDgreen88]

Awesome update! The party looks like a ton of fun! I honestly think I would have waited that long for the dwarves too, they're just too rare to pass up!
I understand what you mean about the crowds. I went to MVMCP last year for the first time and on a Friday night. I had never seen Main Street so packed! It makes me think they should limit the tickets more for each night so it can be more enjoyable.
The villain stage show looks awesome. Poor Frollo with no line. Sorry you couldn't get a great parade spot! I think the music thing would throw me off as well. How odd.
I'm glad you were able to enjoy yourselves despite the crowds and not being able to do much!

 

[NikkiLovesWDW!]

Your costumes were so cute! I love your pic with the Dwarves! I love the people dressed as the Brazilian Tour group!

I guess that explains why I never saw you that night, I was running around the park like a crazy person, and you were pretty much in line or watching the fireworks and parade!

How insane was the crowd after Hallowishes? OMG, I almost started crying, it was SO freakin overwhelming, I don't do well in crowds where people are just NOT MOVING! We were trying to get to Liberty Square and no one was going anywhere, it was insane.

Your fireworks pictures are beautiful! I need a real camera!

I guess that explains it!! But actually, we were pretty much standing still the whole night so we should've been easy to spot!! Yes, the crowd after Hallowishes was crazy but it was nothing compared to the next night. Seriously. Just wait!

Awesome update! The party looks like a ton of fun! I honestly think I would have waited that long for the dwarves too, they're just too rare to pass up!
I understand what you mean about the crowds. I went to MVMCP last year for the first time and on a Friday night. I had never seen Main Street so packed! It makes me think they should limit the tickets more for each night so it can be more enjoyable.
The villain stage show looks awesome. Poor Frollo with no line. Sorry you couldn't get a great parade spot! I think the music thing would throw me off as well. How odd.
I'm glad you were able to enjoy yourselves despite the crowds and not being able to do much!

So glad you agree with the wait for the dwarfs. I'm sure a lot of people think that's crazy! They really should limit the party/event tickets a little more. But honestly, I keep saying it...this night was NOTHING compared to the next night!

 

[NikkiLovesWDW!]

Day 2 - September 30, 2011

I apologize in advance but this will be a picture-less update.

We last left off with Tom and I leaving MNSSHP in preparation for our big morning. What was so big about the following morning? Well two things: I was doing the Halloween 5K at the Animal Kingdom which was set to begin at 7:00am and Tom was getting up to be at rope drop for the MK because it was the 40th anniversary that day!! HUGE deal!!

I was reeeeally conflicted about going to the 5K because I didn't want to miss a THING at the 40th. We knew there would be exclusive shirts, cupcakes and a 9:45am parade followed by a 10:00am presentation in front of the castle.

I really wasn't sure if I would make it to those things but I was satisfied sending Tom. BUT, we needed to prepare for this!

That meant that even though it was around midnight by the time we got back to the room, we had much to do! First of all, we had to charge both our phones because we were going to be separated and had to be sure we could get a hold of each other. We also had to charge the good camera and the video camera, all of which Tom was taking with him to capture it all in case I missed it.

So while the cameras were charging, I decided to take a glance at the race packet that I picked up earlier that afternoon. Erin and I had previously decided that we'd leave at 6:15am for the race that started at 7am, but after careful inspection of the information, we had to BE there by 6:15. So I texted Erin and she begrudgingly agreed to a 5:50am departure time. And Tom agreed that I would wake him up on my way out so he could make sure he was up with PLENTY of time to make it to rope drop.

So let's recap. It's now 12:00am, we're leaving at 5:50am. Okay, I could maybe get 5 hours sleep.

Of course, I had to wait for the cameras to charge so as Tom feel fast asleep, I was lying in bed with the TV on watching the camera charge light out of the corner of my eye, waiting for it to go from blinking to solid. I think I gave it until about 1am before I decided it was charged enough and got up to unplug it. I couldn't just let it go all night because I am WAY too much of a control freak to go to sleep without everything being ready to just grab and go in the morning.

So it was probably now around 1am when I finally decided I could allow myself to go to sleep. I put Stacy on quietly in the background (I can't sleep without TV on), turn over on my preferred sleeping side (stomach) and close my eyes. If I fall asleep now, I'll get at least 4 hours of sleep.

It became quite clear to me after about 10 minutes that something was wrong. I couldn't fall asleep. Hmm, maybe I need the tv to be a little louder for some background noise. Give it another ten minutes...still wide awake. Maybe I didn't spend enough time watching TV and relaxing. So I turned over and flipped some channels. I remember clearly that I found Craig Ferguson and some red-headed girl (whose face I recognize but name I don't know) was on. I watched for about 15 minutes, thinking that should do the trick! Turned back over to fall asleep....still wide awake!

Now not only am I wide awake, I realize that my heart is racing. I was clearly doing no physical activities so there was no reason for my heat to be beating that fast. And every time I closed my eyes, I kept replaying moments from the day in my head. Like, you know how when you play tetris or bejeweled so much that when you go to sleep at night, you are still playing in your mind? Well it was like I was still in World Showcase in my mind, which you would think would make me happy, but I just wanted so badly to fall asleep!

This night, of all nights, was SOOO important that I go to sleep because I had to get up SO early! And, of course, that's all I could think about.

By 2:30am, I was so frustrated, scared, and exhausted that I just lost it and started sobbing! I was really trying not to wake up Tom but he did wake up and was, of course, really concerned as to what possibly could have caused me to be sobbing at 2:30 in the morning! After I explained to him, through the sobs, what was going on, he was REALLY worried about me and told me I shouldn't do the 5K. But that upset me even more because I had had it planned for so long, there was no way I wasn't going to do it!!

Knowing that Tom was awake and watching over me somehow helped me relax a little bit but when all was said and done, I probably got about 20 minutes of total sleep after that before it was time to get up for the 5K. Again, Tom said maybe I shouldn't do it but I was determined.

I was dressed and ready to go and at precisely 5:50am, I heard Erin's door open and I headed out!


I realized later that I must have been having some sort of anxiety attack. With everything going on that day and everything I was thinking about that was going to go on the next day, the racing heart, the sobbing.....it had anxiety attack written ALL over it! Being so exhausted and not being able to fall asleep was honestly one of the most horrible feelings and I was truly terrified that I would never be able to fall asleep again. Seriously. Even the next few nights after that, I was so scared it would happen again. It was like when you get really sick and then you are always afraid you are going to get sick again, know what I mean? Oh man, just thinking back on it makes me uneasy! It was seriously one of the worst nights of my life!


In the next update, I will tell you ALL about the 5K and what Tom was doing in the meantime. AND could I make it to the 40th festivities on time????? Followed by the CRAZIEST DAY AT THE MK EVER!!!!!

 

[anjalee6]

I am so sorry! That must have been a terrible feeling. Hope the race didn't make you feel too tired. Bet MK was fun though.

 

[Spartangirl]

Awww...sorry that you had such a horrible night! Not fun! Hope the next day gets better.......it has to, right? I mean you have the 5K, the 40th festivities, and MK! Can't wait to hear about it!!!

 

[Nermel9]

OMG I'm sorry you had such a bad night! I've had nights like that, trust me, while I was reading your update, and you were explaining everything going on, I was thinking "anxiety attack". It really is the worst feeling, and you do feel like you might never sleep.

I can't wait to hear about the 5K, and MK that day! We went that night for the fireworks, and it was pretty crowded, but I have a feeling it was worse during the day!

 

[merbobear]

Sorry your night was so terrible I hope it didn't put too much of a damper on the rest of your vacation!

 

[DisneyCrafter]

I know exactly how you were feeling at that moment. I would often get anxiety attacks in college (especially after my now DH had already graduated). As much fun as I had with my friends, I love my family and it was hard for me to be there without my now DH. I would start to freak out about little things (like making a little symptom or pain a lot worse than it actually was) and one time I couldn't feel anything below my knees! Luckily I was able to calm myself down. Also, just a few months ago my DH and I made a trip to the ER because I was freaking out about what was wrong with me. At that point I didn't know I had a kidney stone and I had unexplained pain and along with another scary symptom and I couldn't calm down.

I'm glad your DH was there to help you through that horrible time!

 

[Stefy]

Oh gosh, that's not what you wanted, esp when you needed to get your sleep Bless Tom for staying up with you

 

[NikkiLovesWDW!]

I am so sorry! That must have been a terrible feeling. Hope the race didn't make you feel too tired. Bet MK was fun though.

It was awful! The next day was awesome but on no sleep....it was a challenge!

Awww...sorry that you had such a horrible night! Not fun! Hope the next day gets better.......it has to, right? I mean you have the 5K, the 40th festivities, and MK! Can't wait to hear about it!!!

The next day was crazy!! I feel like that's the theme! Everything was just crazier and crazier!

OMG I'm sorry you had such a bad night! I've had nights like that, trust me, while I was reading your update, and you were explaining everything going on, I was thinking "anxiety attack". It really is the worst feeling, and you do feel like you might never sleep.

I can't wait to hear about the 5K, and MK that day! We went that night for the fireworks, and it was pretty crowded, but I have a feeling it was worse during the day!

Oh you were there than night?! OMG, I can't wait to hear what it was like for you. Wait until you hear about my experience!

Sorry your night was so terrible I hope it didn't put too much of a damper on the rest of your vacation!

Thanks. I felt much better but, of course, I was exhausted!

I know exactly how you were feeling at that moment. I would often get anxiety attacks in college (especially after my now DH had already graduated). As much fun as I had with my friends, I love my family and it was hard for me to be there without my now DH. I would start to freak out about little things (like making a little symptom or pain a lot worse than it actually was) and one time I couldn't feel anything below my knees! Luckily I was able to calm myself down. Also, just a few months ago my DH and I made a trip to the ER because I was freaking out about what was wrong with me. At that point I didn't know I had a kidney stone and I had unexplained pain and along with another scary symptom and I couldn't calm down.

I'm glad your DH was there to help you through that horrible time!

The craziest part was that I didn't think I was worrying about anything or stressing about anything. I thought I had in all under control but I guess my body disagreed!!

Oh gosh, that's not what you wanted, esp when you needed to get your sleep Bless Tom for staying up with you

Yes, I reeeeally needed sleep, that night more than any other. Yeah Tom was really worried! Poor guy...I don't know what he must've been thinking when he woke up!

 

[Tracy161]

Oh my gosh, Nikki! I'm SO sorry to hear about the night before your race! I hope that it didn't put a damper on any part of the rest of your vacation!!! And, seriously!? Of ALL nights!!!

 

[merbobear]

Sorry your night was so terrible I hope it didn't put too much of a damper on the rest of your vacation!

 

[jenseib]

Nikki, I have that sleep problem too. The night before we boarded the Dream I slept maybe 2 hours total the whole night. I never sleep well on vacation, but that was the worst. And it was a lot of anxiety. I often have it all through the trip, but I do eventually fall asleep. My mind is always thinking of all the things I want to get done before we have to go home. I just don't know how to relax on vacation....I used to...but as I got older, it's so much harder.
I feel for you. I hope you got better sleep later in the trip. At some point you get so tired that you have no choice but to sleep.

 

[NikkiLovesWDW!]

Oh my gosh, Nikki! I'm SO sorry to hear about the night before your race! I hope that it didn't put a damper on any part of the rest of your vacation!!! And, seriously!? Of ALL nights!!!

Right?! Seriously, of ALL nights.....

Sorry your night was so terrible I hope it didn't put too much of a damper on the rest of your vacation!

Well, we were only staying 4 nights and this was night 3. I didn't really have time to "catch up" on sleep or anything. But I made the best of it, for sure!

Nikki, I have that sleep problem too. The night before we boarded the Dream I slept maybe 2 hours total the whole night. I never sleep well on vacation, but that was the worst. And it was a lot of anxiety. I often have it all through the trip, but I do eventually fall asleep. My mind is always thinking of all the things I want to get done before we have to go home. I just don't know how to relax on vacation....I used to...but as I got older, it's so much harder.
I feel for you. I hope you got better sleep later in the trip. At some point you get so tired that you have no choice but to sleep.

Oh it's the worst, isn't it Jen?! I mean, I know I over-think things get hung up on every little detail but at the time, I thought was I calm, cool and collected. I just couldn't understand it. But that's what anxiety is I guess...your body just can't take it anymore so even though you don't THINK you're having anxiety, you are!